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way.
    “
Cah
-ra,” Jaxen said, “we don’t sexualize nudity here. I promise the sight of your body
     won’t faze anyone.”
    So maybe the clones wouldn’t leer, but surely they’d gawk at her pasty skin and the
     freckles peppering her butt. Why couldn’t they give her a pass, just this once?
    “If you’re having second thoughts…” Jaxen trailed off, his voice heavy with implication.
    Before she had a chance to change her mind, Cara blurted, “I’ll do it.”
    “This isn’t a choice to make in haste,” Aisly warned. “Becoming a citizen means accepting
     and supporting our customs and following The Way in all things. We’re not
     a democracy.”
    Cara knew that. She and Aelyx had spent hours debating the differences between their
     governments. Minor offenses such as mouthing off—just a matter of time for her—would
     result in
     the electric lash. When she considered the penalty for other crimes, her mind wandered
     to the brushed chrome
iphal
holstered to the capital guard’s hip. This place was no utopia, but
     if she wanted a life with Aelyx on his planet, she had to abide by his people’s rules
     and respect their culture, even if she didn’t agree with it. Cara stiffened her spine.
     She was a
     lot of things, but a coward wasn’t one of them.
    “I understand,” she told Aisly. “And I agree.”
    “Then I’ll tell the others,” Aisly chirped. “I know The Way will be pleased.”
    Jaxen pressed two fingers to Cara’s throat in the standard farewell. “We’ll schedule
     your
Sh’ovah
for next week.” Ducking down to meet her height, he
     added, “As they say in your country,
sleep on it
. There’s no shame in changing your mind.”
    Cara returned the good-bye and pulled her hand free. “I won’t change my mind.”

Chapter Three
    A elyx watched the L’eihr ambassador sweep a wrinkled hand across the surface of the
     dining room table, knocking the newspaper to the floor.
     It landed face-up and revealed a mocking headline:
HALO Denies Attack on L’eihr Youth.
    “Humans Against L’eihr Occupation,” Stepha said through clenched teeth while he glared
     at Director-General Kendrick. “On my planet, we would have terminated those savages
     after their first rebellion—rooted them out like the cancer they are.” In a rare display
     of emotion, he slapped both palms on the glossy mahogany. “How many of our young must
     die
     before you assume control of your people? Or perhaps this alliance isn’t a priority
     for you. In which case, we’ll return to L’eihr on the next transport.”
    The ambassador’s final words chilled Aelyx to the core. Without L’eihr technology
     to decontaminate Earth’s water supply, the planet would cease to sustain life within
     a decade.
     But the release of that technology hinged on the alliance, and everyone in the room
     knew it. Even Syrine looked nervous, and she despised humans.
    “I can assure you,” Kendrick said, shifting in his seat, “there’s nothing’s more important
     to the World Trade Organization than this alliance. We’ve partnered
     with the milit—”
    “Whatever you’re doing, it is ineffective.” Stepha sat back in his chair and folded
     his hands, resuming his usual monotone. “Negotiations cannot continue while our safety
     is threatened.”
    Kendrick scratched the back of his neck, then splayed both hands in a gesture of helplessness.
     “Ambassador, there’s nothing to negotiate. The world’s leaders have voted
     unanimously—they’ll agree to an alliance on your terms.”
    In other words,
We’re at your mercy
. Aelyx didn’t want to take pleasure in the supplication of humanity, but a smooth
     negotiation process meant he could return home to Cara.
     He couldn’t deny feeling a rush of excitement at the news.
    Stepha considered the director-general’s words, then slowly stood from the table and
     collected his com-sphere. “Before we can proceed, I must confer with The Way.”
    Kendrick stood,