“Her Majesty is satisfied with what he’s fetched up to this point; however, if he is hoping to earn the pardon for that deplorable brother of his, he best not allow any more of his game to get away.” Zin returned the tablet to his jacket and drifted over to the water bear’s cell in the center of the room.

Eva sat back for a second.

He? Who are they talking about? she thought. Then the answer hit her.

“I’ve been captured . . . by Besteel,” Eva whispered. That nauseating coil of dread wound its way into her stomach.

“So prepare this one just like the adult?” the runt asked while he continued with his remotes. Zin tucked his many arms behind his back and hovered close to the glass container that held the water bear. Eva could see his distorted reflection looking back at him.

“No, let’s do an anatomical reveal,” Zin replied without moving his mouth. “If the huntsman delivers additional specimens of these, though, refuse them.”

“Whatever you say, Curator.” The stubby creature hit a button on his remote. A fine mist sprayed from the rod in the water bear’s cell. The animal froze instantly. Eva gasped.

“Paralyzation is complete. It’s still alive, if you’d like to examine it.” Zin’s partner tapped several more buttons. Sinewy graspers now emerged from the floor of the cell, positioning the frozen water bear in an active pose as if it had been caught midleap with its specialized tail.

“Much appreciated. However, I’ve the utmost confidence that I now have a comprehensive understanding of these primitive indigenous organisms,” Zin chirruped.

“Good enough,” the runt said, plugging a white hose into the base of the cell and turning it on. The container filled with a viscous clear liquid. Eva couldn’t make out what was going on because Zin was blocking her view. “Just about finished,” the runty creature sang. The liquid drained out of the cell with a gurgling sound. “Nice. This little one is going to look splendid with the adults.”

“Yes, indeed,” Zin said, rubbing several pairs of his stumpy hands together.

“Let me just move him onto a display base, and then I’ll continue with the rest.” The runt in white brought over another round platform with the aid of another remote. He pressed more buttons, and the glass wall of the water bear’s cell dissipated. The mounted specimen was placed on its finished base. “There you go, Curator Zin. All ready for Her Majesty’s museum,” he announced with pride.