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  “Not yet, but Isolaund insists that Heather is protected. She said, not only is Heather well hidden, the Guiding Council warned General Alonov not to touch her and even the general must obey the council.”

  Arton’s assurance soothed Sara’s fears somewhat, yet compassion and worry still clouded her expressive gaze.

  Xorran automatically wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close against his side. “We’ll get her back before anything else happens to her.”

  She looked up at him, then sighed. “What are they waiting for?”

  “Isolaund was equally frustrated,” Arton insisted. “She said it takes much too long for the Guiding Council to make any decision, but she stressed that Heather is safe.”

  Turning back to the harbinger, she nodded. “It doesn’t appear that we have any choice but to wait. Will you please teach me the commands? Wenny hates the leash. She’ll probably be easier to control without it.”

  “Of course,” Arton dipped his head, then added, “My mate would like to join you for the midday meal. She will either entertain you in our quarters aboard the Viper, or she will bring food here. The choice is yours.”

  “Here would be better, and tell Lily I’m looking forward to it.”

  Chapter Five

  A cool breeze brushed across Sara’s face and she sighed, yet contentment hadn’t produced the sound. She felt restless, homesick, and confused. Everything was strange here. Even the air smelled different. The sky was bluish green, teal—like Toxyn’s hair. She shuddered, refusing to waste energy thinking about her obnoxious abductor. Surrounded by aliens and elves, she’d never felt so out of place.

  And then there was Xorran.

  “Are you all right?” Lily asked as she gathered the remains of their meal and put everything back in the alloy crate she’d used to bring the food here. They sat on a thick blanket beside Wenny’s completed enclosure. The workers had surrounded the area with eight-foot-high wire fencing complete with a gate, installed grates over each side of the stream, and even built Wenny a simple house before returning to their original assignments. The Outcasts had many faults, but no one could deny they were industrious and efficient.

  “I’m conflicted,” Sara admitted. Their conversation during lunch had been light and superficial. Knowing they both needed a break from the dramas surrounding them, they’d avoided darker, heavier subjects. Well, Lily was preparing to leave and Sara needed a sounding board. “I’d convinced myself I wanted to refuse all my matches, even the ones I liked. I was ready to stand on principle, like Thea taught us, to leave the Outcasts no option but to take us back to Earth.”

  “Then Xorran kissed you?” Lily’s smile was patient and understanding. “I felt the same way. I thought I’d lead by example, show the other women how resistance was our only weapon. Then Jillian volunteered for the program and the vote came back in favor of cooperating. Arton stopped being so arrogant, and everything just unraveled from there.”

  “Xorran makes me want things I’d never thought I’d want, at least not here. He’s sweet and attentive, and he seems to enjoy my sense of humor, but they kidnapped us.” Sara sighed. “This is not what I signed up for. I didn’t want to sacrifice my family and friends. With a battle born mate, I would have been close enough to visit my brothers, or at least talk to them. I have two nieces and a nephew. I don’t want them to forget about me. Am I just supposed to shrug all that off for the chance at a happy marriage?”

  “Oh, Sara, this is so much more than marriage,” Lily said with a secret smile.

  Sara stood and brushed off her pants, frustrated by the continual reminders of how wonderful life would be if she just bonded with one of the males. Doubtlessly the sex would be amazing. Last night had proven that wasn’t an exaggeration. But the instant connection and lifelong happiness couldn’t be real. Life, at least her life, never worked that way. “I understand it’s different, maybe even better, with a Rodyte, but it doesn’t matter. They took away our freedom when they brought us to this remote planet. We’re isolated and completely dependent on them. That’s not okay. If we don’t give in to them, our only alternative is to live alone and watch everyone else revel in bonded bliss. No matter how good they are in bed, that’s emotional manipulation. I won’t stand for it.”

  Lily pushed to her feet, her expression filled with compassion. “Arton’s father will take you home if that’s what you really want.”

  Shocked by the statement, Sara searched Lily’s vivid blue gaze. Was she serious? “What are you talking about?”

  “The overlord is still debating when and how to tell everyone, but Kryton Lux has offered to take anyone home if they’ve interacted with at least three of their matches and still want to return to Earth. Apparently, you qualify.”

  The news was so unexpected that Sara felt dazed. It took her a moment to speak at all, then her mind filled with questions. “How long ago was this decided? Why hasn’t there been an announcement? Everyone has a right to know, not just those who have turned down their suitors.”

  “I agree, but the overlord doesn’t. He feels the females can’t make an informed decision unless they hear both sides of the argument. He insists that all the remaining females consented to becoming a mate when they volunteered for the original program. He just changed the location.”

  Blood rushed through Sara’s ears, pulsing with such force that she could hardly concentrate. She could go home, see her brothers, her mom, her friends? Family had always been important to her. She’d never been tight with her parents, but her brothers were a different story. Especially Timothy, the youngest. He was twenty-two and about to graduate from college, the first in their family to accomplish the feat. Sometimes it felt more like Tim was her son than her brother. She was that invested in his life.

  But if she left now, the spark she felt for Xorran would fizzle out before it had a chance to burn. He was so different than she’d expected, so different than the guards, or even Arton. Most of the Outcasts were war-hardened and bleak. None of them remembered how to smile. Xorran’s smile was slow and often filled with secrets, but he still allowed himself to feel joy.

  Wenny’s soft growl drew her attention to the fence. The cub stared up at her with big blue eyes, head tilted to one side. Shit. What the hell would she do with Wenny? She couldn’t just walk away from the cub. She’d promised to protect and care for her.

  A strange tingling erupted in her head and she heard Wenny’s uncertain vocalization again. Only this time, the sound played inside her mind. Sara thought she’d imagined the sound, then she heard it again.

  What the hell?

  A rush of images flowed through her mind accompanied by distinct emotions. She saw herself through Wenny’s eyes and felt curiosity and uncertainty. Then she saw Wenny clinging to Xorran’s body, trembling with cold and fear.

  The memories faded as more detailed and evocative images took their place. She saw Xorran’s slow, sexy smile, heard his warm laughter. She remembered his mouth moving over hers, tongue sliding deep into her mouth. His hands touched and teased with such skill, and selfless determination that it seemed like a dream. She’d never come that easily or that often. And she suspected every time with him would be that intense.

  The two sets of memories contrasted and clashed. The sexy set had come from her mind, but the first... She couldn’t explain how those had happened. It was all very strange.

  “It’s not just sexual, is it?” Lily guessed as the silence lengthened. “You really like him.”

  Shaking away the disconcerting muddle, Sara nodded. “Xorran’s not like the others. He’s quiet, thoughtful, not in-your-face aggressive. He seems more, dare I say, human.”

  Lily smiled. “He’d probably consider it an insult, but I understand what you mean. Many of the Outcasts had to become aggressive and hard to survive.”

  “And many were born that way.”

  Lily didn’t argue. “At least now you can honestly decide if you want to bond with Xorran or no
t because you have another option.”

  Sara laughed. “I have seventy-one other options.”

  Lily smiled. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know, and thank you for telling me. It definitely gives me something to think about.”

  “And I’ll keep working on Arton about some sort of announcement. I’ve said all along that all the women have a right to know.”

  “Are Arton and the overlord as close as everyone says?”

  Lily nodded. “They’ve known each other forever and have been through a lot together. If not for Kage, I’m not sure Arton would still be with us.” She waved away the past with a flick of her hand. “But that’s all behind us now. We’re all focused on the future, and you should be too.”

  “It’s easier to focus on the future when you know what you want it to be,” Sara grumbled.

  “I know.” Lily gave her a hug. “You’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”

  Sara laughed. “Glad someone does.”

  “Thanks for having lunch with me.” Lily bent and picked up the crate. “It felt wonderful to leave the lab for an hour or so. We need to do it again soon.”

  After Lily left, Sara carefully let herself into the enclosure. Wenny greeted her with a friendly head butt and her usual figure eight around Sara’s legs. “I missed you too, silly cat.” She scratched behind Wenny’s ears and allowed her to show her excitement for a moment, then said, “Deztee.” She did her best to mimic Arton’s authoritative tone. Wenny immediately sat. Sara raised her hand, palm out, and Wenny stopped growling and watched Sara attentively. “Whoever said cats can’t be trained?”

  Arton had also taught Sara the command for ‘lie down’, ‘return to me’, ‘advance’, and ‘follow’. He’d demonstrated each and Wenny obeyed without hesitation. Clearly, the cub was smart and eager to please.

  Sara looked deep into her expressive blue eyes, wondering what sort of life the cat had lived in the Underground. Was being trained for battle any better than life in the labor pool? Both seemed pretty horrible to Sara.

  The tingling in her temples reappeared. She kept her gaze fixed on the cub, convinced this wasn’t imaginary. The same plaintive growl sounded inside her mind, and then she heard a faint, tentative voice ask, Sentiata? Sara froze. That was the Sarronti word for mother.

  Her eyes widened. Had Wenny just communicated with her?

  “Did you enjoy your conversation with Lily?”

  Her head snapped to the right and she found Xorran closing the gate behind him. He’d left when Lily arrived, but apparently hadn’t gone far.

  “I think she’s telepathic,” she told him, thrilled, yet still uncertain of the discovery. “Twice now, she’s tried to communicate with me.”

  His brow furrowed as doubt narrowed his gaze. “What did she say?”

  “The Sarronti word for mother. I’m not sure if she was calling me mother or asking where her mother is.”

  He smoothed his expression, but she still heard disbelief in his tone. “Did you try to respond?”

  Refusing to react to his doubt, she bent to one knee and looked in Wenny’s eyes. “What are you trying to say, baby. I don’t understand.”

  Wenny’s head tilted one way, and then the other, unblinking eyes staring back at Sara.

  “She doesn’t understand English.” She unfolded her legs with a heavy sigh. “We need Torrin. He could talk to her in Sarronti.”

  Xorran frowned, obviously annoyed by the suggestion. “You should have him teach you how to do the loop thing with your translator so we can stop bothering him.”

  She agreed, but knew his concern had nothing to do with monopolizing Torrin’s time. “Can you contact him, please?”

  “Already did. He’s on his way.”

  She nodded, anticipation starting to gather inside her. If they could talk to the cub, and if she could actually respond, that would change everything. The information they’d hoped to gather from Alonov’s son might be accessible in the karron. “I wonder if there’s a command for go home? Isolaund was worried that Wenny would turn up back in the Underground because Wenny knows how to get there.”

  Xorran glanced at Wenny, then shook his head. “If there’s an actual command, Isolaund will never tell us.”

  Sara agreed, though a command might not be necessary if she could ask Wenny questions. “I know how to find the approximate area where Arrista and I emerged. Do you think Wenny would point out the actual entrance if we took her there?”

  He walked across the grassy clearing and stroked Wenny’s head, studying her as he milled over the possibilities. “It’s certainly worth a try, but we’ll have to be careful. Didn’t you say she’ll be in danger if she returns to the Underground?”

  “I did, and she will.” Sara looked at the cub. Wenny watched them trustingly. Sara didn’t want to put her in danger, but this might be their only chance to find the underground fortress. “We have to find a better harness than the rope. She didn’t like that at all.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not sure she’ll like this any better, but I had the same thought.” He walked back to the gate and picked up a wad of what looked like leather straps. “I went and saw the programmer who designs our weapon belts and other accessories. He can print almost anything your imagination can conceive.” He unwound the bundle and showed her the new harness and leash. It was sleek yet strong. The straps would circle Wenny’s chest and upper legs rather than her neck, allowing her handler to guide her without fear of choking the cub. “The reinforced handle will make it easier to hang on and decrease the chances of being dragged.”

  “The new commands will help too,” she reminded. “If she gets rambunctious, I know how to calm her down.”

  “Shall we give it a try?”

  She nodded. “We can leave right after Torrin speaks with Wenny. I know Isolaund thinks she can protect Heather from Alonov, but I saw the look in his eyes. He will find a way to have her if we don’t get her out of there. And the fear I saw on Heather’s face.” She shivered as compassion and anger combined to shake her composure. “I’ll never get that image out of my mind. Heather is counting on me to save her. I can’t let her down.”

  Xorran placed his hands on her shoulders and waited until she looked at him to speak. “This is a shot in the dark. We could get lucky. I hope we do, but it’s more likely that this will fail. You must be realistic or I won’t even attempt this.”

  Her chin raised and she squared her shoulders. “If we head into this thinking it’s pointless, it will be pointless. I’ve always found optimism more helpful than being realistic.”

  “Fair enough,” he relented with a smile. “We’ll try it your way.”

  Wenny allowed them to strap her into the chest harness, but as before, she resisted the leash, desperately wanting to choose her own direction. Sara found the stubbornness endearing, yet corrected her with firm commands whenever she veered off course. They had the cub moving around the enclosure at a manageable lope when Torrin arrived.

  “Did you capture another elf?” he asked, one hand grasping the alloy fence. His apparent cheer did little to disguise the lethal intensity lurking behind his gray-green eyes.

  Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Wenny lunged forward, growling fiercely. “Easy, girl. He’s a friend.”

  When the cub didn’t react to Xorran’s reassurance, Sara said, “Deztee.”

  “Where did this little monster come from?” Torrin asked as he let himself into the enclosure. Despite the derogatory term, his tone was friendly, almost playful. He walked right up to Wenny and introduced himself in Sarronti. “Hey there, little monster. I’m Torrin and you’re adorable.” He bent to one knee and the cub approached, though a bit hesitantly. He held out his hand and the cub licked it, her way of saying hello.

  Sara watched the exchange, shocked by the assassin’s softer side. Had he known Wenny was telepathic or would he have tried to converse with any animal?

  Female name? Wenny shifted her gaze from Torrin to
Sara and back.

  Sara was still processing the shock of hearing Wenny’s mind voice again when Torrin replied in Sarronti. “Her name is Sara.”

  Holy crap. He could hear the cub too. She looked at Xorran. “Did you hear her question?”

  Xorran shook his head.

  Sara save me.

  “Did she now?” Torrin stroked Wenny’s head. “What did Sara save you from?”

  The cub’s head dropped and she made a soft, mournful sound. Bad Wenny. Fail test.

  Torrin looked at Sara, confusion clear in his expression. “Do you know what that means?” He effortlessly switched between the two languages.

  “Yeah, but it’s not true. She did nothing wrong. Tell her the rules are bad not Wenny.”

  He repeated what she’d said in Sarronti and Wenny cautiously lifted her head. Master send Wenny away. Must be bad.

  Desperately wishing she could speak directly to the cub, Sara knelt in front of her and took her furry face between her hands. “Mistress Isolaund was protecting you. She wanted you to be safe. Bad people are looking for you, so Mistress Isolaund asked me to take care of you until it’s safe for you to return.” She knew that day would never come, but the cub was clearly upset and frightened already.

  Torrin translated.

  It took the cub a few minutes to absorb what she’d been told, then she asked, How long?

  “I don’t know, sweetheart. But you’re safe here. We won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  Bad already happen. Wenny alone. Apparently finished with the conversation, the cub lay down and rested her chin on her paws.

  Sara sighed. She didn’t know how karrons behaved in the wild, but she was pretty sure Wenny had been surrounded by other karrons her entire life. Well, there was nothing she could do about Wenny’s loneliness right now. Heather had to take priority.

  Shifting her gaze to Torrin, Sara asked, “How long would it take you to teach me how to speak Sarronti?”

  He shrugged. “The technique is simple, but I have no idea how long it will take you to master it. Humans aren’t used to manipulating energy.”