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  It took her several tries before she figured out what he meant, but the moment the catalyst engaged, she gasped and grabbed his arm. “Holy creation! Can you do this with any ability?”

  “Focus, love. This takes massive amounts of energy. I’m not able to keep it active for long.”

  “Sorry.”

  She tuned out her surroundings and searched, seeing farther and more accurately than ever before. Kage felt her determination, her strength of will. Her inherent stubbornness was an asset in situations like this. Her energy flowed through his, revealing her personality with absolute clarity. She was a crusader, a defender of the powerless. Her convictions ran deep, and she would sacrifice much to ensure a better life for all her people. He was awed by her selflessness and loved her more at that moment than he thought possible.

  She searched the forest first, quickly disregarding the location. He could hear her thoughts, the rambling narrative as she processed the information provided by her abilities. It was unlikely Tajon had left Riverside. The advancement challenge had concluded mere hours ago, and Tajon could not teleport. He was likely licking his wounds somewhere safe as he planned his next move.

  With her decision made, Eza narrowed her focus and projected her being toward the heart of Riverside. Pain ricocheted through Kage as they passed through the village shields. For months he had attempted to penetrate these shields. All his efforts had failed. Now his link with Eza worked like a wedge, creating a small opening through which he could pass. He tensed, half-afraid his intrusion would trigger some sort of alarm.

  Nothing happened.

  Wait! I think I feel him. She soared through the world below like a wraith on a vengeful quest. She dove, passing through level after level as she locked on to something Kage could not yet sense.

  Kage flowed with her, seeing through her mind. They rushed down one corridor after another. This part of the complex was less developed, the walls still jagged, floors sloped and uneven. Hurry. I can’t hold it much longer.

  A fresh wave of determination rushed through his mind, followed by sweet triumph. I’ve got him! He’s in one of the workshops beneath the arena, which means someone is hiding him, someone with high-level clearance. Those rooms are restricted. Only the war chiefs have access.

  Apex had likely given Tajon access. They’d both expected Apex to win the challenge.

  Her pace sped, and Kage struggled to keep up while maintaining the catalyst. What about surveillance, he asked her. I’d like to be able to deny any knowledge of Tajon’s disappearance. That’s impossible if they have the entire incident on camera.

  There is no surveillance in the corridors, but my brother insisted on cameras in every room that has anything to do with the military. The workshop is high-security, so there will likely be more than one. Do we need to deal with that first?

  No, I can deactivate them before I materialize.

  She didn’t ask how, but he sensed her curiosity. Fueled by stubbornness and anger, Eza propelled her physical body to the lowest level of Riverside. Kage spread his energy around her, shielding her, protecting her as he followed in her wake. Another painful burst of sensation vibrated through him as they passed an especially dense layer of shielding. No wonder she hadn’t been able to sense Tajon. Kage had never encountered shields so intricate and restrictive. There was so much the Outcasts could learn from these elves if he could just earn their trust.

  She quickly located the arena and dove through the floor, sinking deeper and deeper until she found the highly secured workshop. Rather than bursting into the room, she materialized in the corridor and waited for him to join her.

  They paused, making sure his physical presence didn’t set off any of the alarms. Voices rumbled in the distance, but there was no urgency, no rush of anxiety. So far, so good.

  She scanned the room on the other side of the stone wall. He’s in there. Are you sure you can handle the surveillance?

  Kage nodded and motioned for her to lead the way.

  She shook her head. You need to turn him off. You go first.

  I’m not sure I can, he admitted. Your energy is allowing me to pass through the shields. Without you, I would have been detected by now.

  A half-smile curved her lips. Like everyone else, she liked feeling needed. I’ll create an opening, but you need to take out the cameras and solidify first.

  Understood. Kage hated teleporting blind, but the workshop was protected by the densest shields yet. He couldn’t even sense that there was anyone inside. Self-preservation kept him from materializing inside solid objects, but flashing in blind was still dangerous. Are you sure he’s alone and unaware of us?

  He’s definitely alone and hasn’t reacted in any way. She looked into his eyes as she thought, Relax, mate. I’ve got this.

  It was his turn to trust her. He accepted the danger and dispersed his physical body. She created an opening, and he flowed into the thick layer of stone but didn’t emerge on the other side. Rather than destroying the cameras, which would have warned Tajon of an attack, Kage filled the room with disruptive energy, not unlike the pulse the Sarronti had used to paralyze the Relentless.

  Tajon stood facing the other direction as Kage materialized. “Sleep,” he ordered as soon as his vocal cords were functional. He infused the word with compulsion and waited for Tajon to drop.

  Tajon didn’t move, remained still and silent.

  Kage felt a tingling rush as Eza materialized beside him, but Kage didn’t take his gaze off Tajon.

  She cried out, and Kage whipped his head around. A knife flew across the room, seemingly of its own volition, narrowly missing Eza’s throat as she jerked back and twisted violently to the side.

  Moving faster than he’d ever moved before, Kage grabbed Tajon by the back of the hair and jerked the smaller male toward him. Another knife flew from a different direction, but Kage deflected it with his forearm. “Get out of here!” he shouted to Eza as he wrapped both arms around Tajon and teleported directly to main medical aboard the Viper.

  The Sarronti fought like a wild creature, twisting and kicking, punching, even biting. An instant after they materialized every loose object in the room became a projectile. A scanner smashed against Kage’s shoulder, and a datapad bounced off his thigh. Kage twisted sharply and slammed Tajon down on the deck, but they passed right through, plummeting into an empty cabin.

  “Sleep! Gods damn you go to sleep.” Tajon didn’t react. It was as if he’d suddenly gone deaf. Realizing his mistake, Kage forced his way into Tajon’s mind and issued the command telepathically.

  Instantly, Tajon’s eyes rolled back, and his body went limp.

  Kage jerked Tajon’s head to the side and dragged a sculpted plug out of his ear. Unbelievable. How had the bastard known what to expect? Few knew the specifics of Kage’s abilities. He worked damn hard to keep it that way. Yet clearly, Tajon had been warned.

  With a muttered curse, Kage flung the Sarronti over his shoulder and teleported back to main medical. There was still a jagged hole in the deck, and the room looked as if it had been hit by a tornado.

  “What in all of hells rings just happened?” Dr. Lentar Foran asked, looking at the shambles that had been a treatment room moments before.

  “Our plan didn’t quite work as expected,” Kage admitted.

  “I noticed,” the doctor cried, arms spread wide.

  Kage deposited Tajon none too gently on the padded bed in the stasis chamber. The doctor activated the system with a curt verbal command, and the transparent cover slid into place. Kage didn’t relax until the display indicated Tajon was completely incapacitated.

  “You’re bleeding,” Eza said softly, pointing toward his forearm.

  “I should make you clean up this mess before I treat you,” Foran grumbled though he didn’t really look angry, just stunned. “It would serve you right.”

  Kage chuckled, able to see the humor in the disaster now that the danger had passed. “I’ll get some volunteers to help clean
this up.”

  “That’s not necessary. I have plenty of staff, but the deck needs to be patched immediately.”

  “Consider it done.” Kage contacted maintenance telepathically and arranged for the repair.

  Foran shook his head and opened a nearby drawer, retrieving a handheld tissue regen unit, frequently referred to as a mini. It only took a few seconds to close the gash on Kage’s arm. “Did he get you anywhere else?”

  Kage rolled his shoulders and stretched out his back. “Lots of bruises but I think that’s the only slice.”

  “Do you want me to treat the bruises?” Foran asked. “Take off your shirt and let me have a look.”

  Kage waved away the suggestion. “You’ve got plenty to keep you busy for an hour or two. Just give me the mini, and I’ll take care of it myself.”

  With some reluctance, Foran handed Kage the handheld device. Then he looked at Eza and said, “If any of his bruises look serious, drag his stubborn ass back down here.”

  “Of course,” she promised with a tentative smile.

  “Nothing touched you.” Kage swept his gaze the length of Eza’s body, feeling ashamed at his belated concern. “Or did it?”

  She shook her head. “Tajon’s fit was definitely focused on you once he really got going. Why didn’t your compulsion work?”

  “He was wearing earplugs. So the real question is, how the hells did he know what we had planned?”

  She stared back at him, uncertainty widening her eyes. “I’m not sure. I blocked his access to the circle chamber, but maybe he could still hear what we were saying.”

  Medical technicians streamed in to help clean up the mess, so Kage motioned Eza from the room. “Cordon off that hole,” he told Foran, and the doctor waved him onward. Foran had always been territorial. He liked his department run his way. Well, Kage couldn’t argue with the doctor’s results, so he gave Foran all the space he needed.

  Feeling the strain of all the expended energy, Kage walked back to his cabin rather than teleporting. “Is there any chance Tajon isn’t the only spy?” He regretted the question as soon as it passed his lips.

  The possibility clearly upset her. “How can I be sure of any of them? They all seemed sincere when I recruited them, so loyal to the cause. Even Tajon. He was one of the most enthusiastic from the very beginning.”

  “You’re protected by mutual risk. If one of you is exposed, it increases the risk that the others will also be. Other than that, you basically have to take them on faith.” They stepped into the nearest lift before he added, “Or you could scan their minds, see where their loyalties lie.”

  “I hate being that suspicious. I don’t want to live in fear.”

  He gave her hand a little squeeze, then guided her out into the corridor and headed for his cabin. “Suggest it and see how they react. You can’t be the only one with misgivings. Did any of them argue about unmasking?”

  “Not at all,” she told him. “They seemed almost relieved.”

  “So, tell them about Tajon’s earplugs and ask if they’ll allow you to scan them. Their reactions might tell you all you need to know.” He scanned open the door to his cabin and motioned her inside.

  She took the mini from him and said, “Take off your shirt.”

  “You want to play doctor?” He wiggled his eyebrows, but she just looked confused. “Never mind. Another human saying, you clearly have never heard.” He released the seam on his uniform top and shrugged out of the garment, tossing it across the back of a nearby chair.

  She let her gaze wander from his face to his waist and back, the heat building with every passing second. “Your body is...”

  “Yours,” he said firmly. He caught her free hand and brought it to the middle of his chest. “If my body pleases you, I’m thrilled. You’re the only one who matters.”

  She smiled broadly and desire rushed into his mind. “This shape pleases me very much, but I’d still like to see your natural appearance.” She looked into his eyes as she added, “Someday.”

  A subtle reminder that she felt shut out by his reluctance to detail his past. Was there any harm in sharing those years with her? He knew the answer. It would tempt him to reopen the door to those long-ago events, and that was much too dangerous. With a sigh, he showed her how to activate the device, then stood still as she regenerated the bruises scattered all over his torso. They would have healed on their own in an hour or two. But having her hands on him for any reason was too tempting to resist.

  “Some of these look painful.” She lingered over one on his side as he held his arm up and out of her way. “Are you sure you don’t want the doctor to treat them for you?”

  “He’d do exactly what you’re doing right now. I’d much rather have your hands on me than his.”

  She finished with the one on his side and moved on to his back. One of her warm little hands caressed his back as she treated each bruise with the other. It was a sweet sort of torture, combining relaxation and arousal. By the time she pronounced him healed, his muscles were loose and pain-free, but his cock was rock-hard.

  A mischievous smile bowed his lips as he bent and tugged off his boots. “My legs got slammed a couple of times. You better take a look at those too.” Without turning around, he took off his pants and stood before her naked.

  “Right here?” She boldly squeezed his ass, laughter lightening her tone.

  He caught her wrist and pulled her hand to the front of his body, then wrapped her fingers around his aching cock. “Right here.”

  She laughed but began stroking him sensually. “This doesn’t feel like it needs regeneration. I’m relatively sure it’s fully functional.”

  It felt so damn good, he just stood there and enjoyed the sensations. Their word game was forgotten.

  She continued to stroke him as she moved in front of him again. Without a word, she slipped to her knees and brought his tip toward her mouth. He sucked in a deep breath, so ready for the pleasure she offered. Her lips brushed against him, and he heard her inhale deeply, clearly savoring his scent. He understood the need. All it took was one whiff of her tantalizing fragrance, and he was wild with the need to possess her.

  Her tongue touched him, tentatively at first, then bolder, circling and tasting. He pushed his hands into her hair, mussing the intricate style. She still wore the rich gown she’d donned for the competition and seeing a goddess on her knees, selflessly giving him pleasure nearly shattered his control.

  She opened for him, sinking down on his shaft until he touched the back of her throat. Desire roared through him, making his legs quake and his abdomen tense. He watched her head bob and felt her soft lips sliding up and down his hard shaft. Her clever tongue teased his sensitive head, and the suction of her mouth quickly had his balls tight and pulsing. “Stop, love, or I’ll come, and I don’t want to end like this.”

  She looked up at him, gaze alight with feminine power then worked him even harder. Her hands clutched his hips, and she took him even deeper, demanding his surrender. Understanding her need, and happy to oblige, he threw back his head and let go. She stroked him with one hand while focusing on his tip with her silky mouth.

  He rocked his hips, groaning loudly as sensations surged through his body and spilled from his mind. Her need to please him, to consume him was more arousing than he could resist. His balls tightened painfully, and feral desire burned away rational thought. He framed her face between his hands and pushed to the back of her mouth. Their gazes locked as he came, sharing his pleasure as well as his seed.

  She shivered and sucked, eagerly taking everything he had to give. Her mind was open, their spirits melded so completely that her body echoed his orgasm, pulsing and tingling in time with his. She moaned, gaze growing hazy as the pleasure swept them along.

  They floated back down, stunned and replete, high on endorphins. When she finally released him, he pulled her to her feet and bent to kiss her mouth. His taste was still strong on her tongue, but it only fueled his savage desire
. Eza was his mate. She should smell of him, taste of him, and be filled to overflowing with his seed. The possessive thought burned away his lethargy and reawakened his softening cock.

  ISOLAUND’S ENRAGED scream echoed off the walls of her private chamber as she took out her frustration on every inanimate object in the room.

  Indrex stood by the door, occasionally ducking the projectiles. “Shall I come back when you’re finished?”

  She glared at him. “If you had taken care of that meddlesome bitch when I told you to, this never would have happened.”

  “I will not kill a fellow councilor no matter how often you glare at me.”

  She stalked toward him, ready to focus her anger on something other than her possessions. “You want her in your bed, and we both know it. Stop thinking with your—”

  “That’s enough,” he snapped. “I want Lady Eza as my mate, not a casual partner. She is the last female Alonov. I will not listen to you slander her.”

  “Then do it,” Isolaund sneered. “Invite her to your room and force the issue, leave her no option but to accept you as her mate.”

  His jaw dropped, then a flush crept up along his neck. “Have you lost your mind?” Now he was shouting too. “I will not force myself on Eza!”

  “We’re losing control,” she shot back. “Why can’t you see that? Those fucking rebels are gaining momentum with each passing day. We have to take drastic action, or we are going to lose everything! Eza is Ayrontu. Her bloodline is ancient. If we get her away from the other rebels—and away from Kage Razel—we might be able to redeem her.”

  “Calm. Down.” He stared at her intently, waiting for her to regain her composure. Anger still smoldered in his crystalline eyes, but his elegant features were smooth, nearly expressionless. “Today was a setback, I agree. But all is not lost.”