Outside, Corvin's light blue fur had just been blow-dried by the humanoid robot. He wiggled off the table and ran straight toward Emma's room on his stubby legs. He skidded to a stop at Emma's door, doubled back, and dragged the completely defeated Coalball off the couch. Then, he trotted back toward Emma's room with Coalball in his mouth. Emma's door was closed. But that rare white wooden door might as well have been air for Corvin. He strolled right through it with Coalball dangling from his mouth. That was his special talent. He could go anywhere, no matter the barrier. Inside, Emma was sound asleep, totally unaware that Corvin and Coalball had snuck in.Coalball thrashed in Corvin's mouth. "Chirp chirp!" Corvin, what are you doing? This is the little female's bedroom. You can't just come in! "Chirp chirp!" Corvin, let me out! Smack! Afraid Coalball would wake Emma, Corvin dropped him and bopped him on the head. Stars exploded in Coalball's vision. Once Coalball finally stopped fussing, Corvin ran to the bed, batted a plushie aside, ripped off a piece of fabric, and shoved it into Coalball's beak. "Mmmph..." Now, Coalball couldn't even squawk. He just flapped his wings, desperate to escape Emma's room. As a male, sneaking into a female's room while she was sleeping was basically a crime. It was totally unacceptable. Corvin was Emma's suitor, so he could come in without issue. But Coalball? Absolutely not. Seeing that Coalball still wouldn't settle down, Corvin tore up more plushies and tied Coalball up with the fabric strips. Coalball was left speechless. With Coalball finally quiet and still, Corvin nodded in satisfaction, dragged him onto the bed, and nestled up in Emma's arms to sleep. Corvin's mind was about as developed as a toddler's. He was a little sensible, but not much. In his eyes, Coalball was just a fascinating new toy. He was something to play with—but not to break. Coalball was completely bound, with one leg pinned under Corvin's paw. Emma's sweet scent kept drifting into his nose, like waves of fire, making his whole body heat up. So hot... And so thirsty... Lucien felt like his brain was melting. He couldn't even think straight. Suddenly, Emma shifted beside him. A shadow fell over him, and a second later, Lucien was smothered in a soft cloud of pale skin. Black feathers against that soft, pale skin made for a striking contrast. ...In the Interstellar Hunter Alliance's meeting room, Edric sat on the couch, his long fingers drumming on the table. His dark purple eyes were full of irritation. "So the rumors on lightcore are true. Prince Louis and Commander Hamblin are really missing?" Ethan nodded grimly. "Yeah. After the battle on the outer battlefield, they should have been on their way home. But something happened, and Louis and Silas disappeared while protecting everyone. "We found their private airship and lightcore at the battlefield. It looks like they ran into high-tier Chitinids." Edric snorted. "What kind of high-tier Chitinids could possibly take down Prince Louis, who was at level ten peak? Besides, he had the number one interstellar commander, Commander Hamblin, with him.""Even if they faced a level-11 Chitinid, the two of them should have been able to escape together." Edric studied Ethan. "Ethan, you want my help finding them, but you're not telling me everything. "We're brothers. You really think I won't notice you're hiding something?" Ethan could only sigh. "It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that the higher-ups want us to keep quiet about it. It's kind of an ugly situation." "Pfft." Edric sneered. "So, Prince Louis got set up. Big deal." He'd heard more royal secrets than he could count. Sure, it was embarrassing, but it wasn't some big secret. Anyone with half a brain could figure it out."If you already know, just help me look for them." Ethan gave in. "Don't worry. I'll pay you whatever it takes." When it came to money, Edric never worried Ethan would short him. Ethan was generous in that department. "Ethan, it's not that I don't want to help. But you said Prince Louis and Commander Hamblin may have been taken by the Chitinids. "You know the Interstellar Hunter Alliance crew only works within the Empire or on a few abandoned planets. "To look for them on Chitinid turf, you need to talk to the Enchanter Clan. "The Enchanter Clan always scavenges the outer battlefield. They have advanced Chitinid ships, and since they're good at shapeshifting, they can move in and out of Chitinid territory easier than anyone."