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  He started to ease back, then tilted his head and kissed her again. The second kiss was deeper, more consuming. She enjoyed the warm skill of his mouth and found his taste pleasant, but there was no urgency, no cosmic pull drawing her toward a genetically compatible male.

  Their lips separated and he slumped back in his seat, confusion clearly written on his face. “I don’t understand,” he muttered. “You didn’t feel it, did you? I was so sure you would.”

  To be honest, she’d been sure too. She was attracted to him, found him physically pleasing and enjoyed his company. But she’d expected more of a reaction when they kissed. “I felt something.”

  He shook his head and turned his seat back around, stubbornly staring out the main viewscreen. “You didn’t feel the pull. It was obvious. We aren’t genetically compatible.”

  Anger bubbled up from deep inside her. She’d spent her entire life fighting to fit in. She was a shape changer, a genetic anomaly, a misfit with abilities no one understood. “So that’s it? I’m no longer worthy of your attention because I’m not your mate?”

  “All you could ever be is my mistress.” He looked at her, gazed narrowed and gleaming. “Would you be content in that role?”

  “I don’t know.” She tried to sound indifferent as if her heart weren’t breaking. “I’ve never been anyone’s mistress before.”

  He scrubbed his hand over his head. His hair was too short to be affected by the gesture, but it revealed his agitation. “My family name is old, my estate vast. Or at least it was before I became a rebel.”

  “Anything Quinton seized can be returned to you once this war is over.”

  “I know, and that fact reinforces my point. I must have children, which means I must find my mate.”

  “I understand,” she lied, unwilling to prove him wrong. There were other ways to conceive, procedures used by Tandori Tribe during their exile on Earth. Still, she wasn’t ready to share what she knew. She was hurt and angry, but most of all she was horribly disappointed that her instincts had filled her with false hope. Her attraction to Garin had been simmering ever since she first met him. Why did she feel so connected to him if they weren’t potential mates? It didn’t make sense.

  He lightly touched her arm, drawing her gaze back to his. But she saw pity in his expression now and had to look away.

  “I’m disappointed too,” he said softly. “I honestly thought you were the one.”

  Unable to force another lie past her tense throat, she settled for a nod. She was a hell of a lot more than disappointed. Finding Garin had felt preordained, as if some guiding force had brought them together. How could she have been so wrong?

  * * * * *

  Berlynn was still sulking when they arrived at Stargazer Ranch twenty minutes later. Garin wasn’t sure how to lighten her mood because his mood was equally dark. His brothers and closest friends had all found genetically compatible females. He’d been certain he was about to share their happy fate. How could his instincts have been so misleading?

  Berlynn had called ahead, warning the ranch’s owner of their unscheduled visit. “What’s her name again?” His memory was excellent. The fact that he had to ask proved he was dangerously distracted.

  “Rachel,” Berlynn told him. “As well as running the ranch, she’s tribal leader for this territory.”

  He finished the ship’s hibernation sequence before he asked, “How many territories are there?”

  “Six, all in America. A few of our people have settled in other countries, but the majority stayed on this side of the ocean.”

  After acknowledging the statement with a nod, he put the ship in full stealth mode and motioned toward the main hatch. “We should go.”

  She returned his nod then released her safety straps and stood. She’d barely looked at him since their kiss and he couldn’t believe things had become this awkward. The past three days had flown by with a fluidity he’d found encouraging. Their personalities were certainly compatible, but apparently their genetics were not.

  Berlynn was young and innocent. He’d wanted to take things slowly, get to know her before he allowed their attraction to take over. And he was attracted to her, even now. There was no denying his fascination. So why hadn’t his taste triggered the mating pull? It was all too damn confusing.

  He moved past her and activated the hatch. “Do we need to let Rachel know we’ve arrived?”

  Berlynn shook her head. “She’s expecting us up at the big house.”

  He’d put down at the far end of the clearing in which the dwellings sat. The “big house” was an oversized cabin surrounded by smaller structures. Each cabin was rustic, with steep roofs and exposed logs, all similar, yet unique. “Is an awakening going on right now or are these dwellings empty?”

  “You’ll have to ask Rachel.” Berlynn shrugged, still avoiding his gaze.

  The air was cool and clear, the sun bright despite a refreshing crispness to the afternoon. The clearing was relatively flat, but tree-covered hills rapidly gave way to majestic mountains. “Were you awakened here?”

  Her chest rose and fell in a silent sigh. “Everything about my upbringing was unique.” She didn’t offer any details. If they truly weren’t compatible, he had no right to know.

  By the time they reached the main house, Rachel was standing at the railing of the wide redwood deck. At least he presumed the female was Rachel. She certainly seemed comfortable with her surroundings. Her dark eyes swept over Berlynn, then settled on him with overt assessment.

  He motioned Berlynn up the narrow stairway then joined the females on the deck.

  “General Garin Nox meet Rachel Tandori.” Berlynn motioned from one to the other, her voice oddly monotone.

  Garin offered Rachel his hand and she moved forward to shake it. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said.

  “And you.” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but her gaze remained watchful rather than hostile. Her dark hair had been cut into short, casual curls, a style he found disconcerting. Females weren’t meant to dress like males and chop off their hair. Human customs were so strange.

  Rachel drew back her hand and looked at Berlynn. “Is Haven all right? She left so suddenly and under such horrible circumstances.”

  Pyre Sterling, leader of the Harbinger Guild, had attempted to kidnap Haven and she’d been forced to defend herself. The altercation resulted in Pyre’s death. Even though Pyre was corrupt and had far more enemies than friends, her death had set events in motion on Rodymia and Earth.

  “Haven’s fine,” Berlynn assured her. “That’s not why we’re here.”

  “Then what can I do for you?” Rachel looked at Garin then back at Berlynn.

  “The general would like to tour the ranch. He has some ideas about some of the facilities.” Berlynn paused to rub her eyes. “I’d take him around myself, but I’m running from a migraine. I better go lie down.”

  “Of course.” Rachel motioned her toward the sliding glass door. “Get some rest. I’ll take care of everything.”

  Berlynn walked into the house without so much as glancing at Garin. He watched her until she disappeared around a corner. He hadn’t meant to upset her, but allowing her to believe they could become something they couldn’t would have been even crueler than his honest rejection.

  “Do you know what caused her headache?” Rachel asked with a knowing smile. This time the smile made her dark eyes shimmer. She had only the faintest hint of thin blue phitons. Most would never even notice the odd radiance.

  “I do, but it’s between Berlynn and me, so that’s all I’ll say about it.”

  “Okay.” Her smile turned into a chuckle as she moved toward the stairs. “Do the rebels test every female they encounter and pair her with a potential mate? Danvier and Haven are compatible and something is obviously going on between you and Berlynn.” She glanced at him over her shoulder as she descended the stairs. “You don’t have to tell me. I’ll get the story out of her.”

  He quick
ly followed her to the wide lawn surrounding all six structures but they didn’t begin the tour. “Is Berlynn full-blooded Rodyte?” If she were a hybrid, perhaps the ordinary rules didn’t apply. He knew Rodyte males could trigger the pull in a hybrid female, but maybe there were exceptions because of a hybrid’s alien blood. Wishful thinking? His inner voice mocked.

  Rachel faced him, one hand slipped into the pocket of her jeans. “We’re honestly not sure. Her grandmother was an orphan. She was abandoned as an infant in the woods outside one of the Tandori villages.”

  “This was before the exile?”

  She nodded. “Her name was Morlind and she appeared to be Rodyte and yet…”

  “Was Morlind a shapeshifter too?”

  Rachel smiled. “I wasn’t sure if you knew. Berlynn is very careful with her secret.”

  “Are there any other shapeshifters among Tandori Tribe?”

  Her gaze drifted toward the big house as she shook her head. “Morlind could shape change, but Berlynn’s mother couldn’t.” Rachel looked at Garin again as she went on, “We aren’t sure if the ability is the result of a random mutation or if Morlind was some sort of hybrid.”

  That surprised Garin. “Berlynn’s DNA has never been analyzed?”

  “We’ve kept Rodyte technology to a minimum. At least on the surface, we need to appear human. And sending a sample of her DNA to a human lab was simply too risky.”

  A flicker of hope erupted in Garin’s soul. Maybe the reason Berlynn hadn’t reacted to his taste was locked in her DNA. It was certainly worth asking the question. All he’d have to do was acquire a sample of her DNA and give it to the geneticists aboard the Intrepid. He had the best scientists in three star systems working for the battle born. There was a hairbrush in her overnight bag. He’d watched her use it each morning since their arrival on Earth.

  Desire rushed through his system as a tantalizing image of Berlynn formed within his mind. She bent from the waist with her hair dangling down in front of her, stroking the pale blonde strands with her brush. The silky-looking waves nearly reached the floor. Suddenly she straightened, tossing the thick mass back from her lovely face. Their gazes locked and his lungs refused to function. Her unique golden eyes filled with feminine awareness and a smile slowly bowed her lips.

  “Do you want the grand tour or are you interested in specific features of the ranch?”

  Amusement rippled through Rachel’s tone, drawing Garin back to the present. “Do you currently have students in residence?”

  “No.” She looked up at him as they strolled across the grass. “It’s just me and three staff members.”

  “How often do you have these awakenings?”

  She waved away the term. “That’s what the council calls the process. I just call them camps, makes it all seem less intimidating. And to answer your question, we average three camps per year with ten to twelve students per camp.”

  “And how long does each camp last?”

  “That varies widely depending on the individual student. Basic orientation runs about two weeks, but training can take much longer. Haven, for instance, was here for the better part of four years before I felt comfortable with her level of control.”

  He nodded. They’d reached the middle of the yard, so he stopped walking. “But Haven is the Tandori equivalent to royalty. Can you give me an average for an ordinary student?”

  “Once the student understands the truth, their training continues at home. I suppose two months at the ranch is a reasonable average.”

  Garin clasped his hands behind his back as his gaze drifted from one building to the next. “I know you have classrooms and barrack-style accommodations for the students, but it’s my understanding that you also have cabins with more privacy. And, of course, a training facility.”

  Her dark brows arched, accenting the creases in her forehead. “Have you been talking to Haven or Danvier?”

  “Danvier has been my advisor for the past twelve years. He’s the one who mentioned this to me.”

  “I’ve heard about harbingers. In fact, they’re part of our curriculum, but I’d never actually met one before their visit. Danvier is…intense.”

  Garin smiled. Danvier’s ability to see into the future could be intimidating. But they’d been friends for so long, Garin hardly thought about Danvier’s visions anymore. Besides, he needed to get used to not having him around. Danvier had recently claimed Haven and now it looked as if they would be returning to Rodymia to help modernize Harbinger Guild. “Danvier was impressed with the ranch, thought it might be just what we need.”

  “I’m not selling the ranch,” Rachel stressed.

  “That’s not what I have in mind. If you only have three classes per year and each class lasts about two months, then the ranch is unused for six months out of every year.”

  “The down times are broken up throughout the year, but that’s about right.”

  “Would you be interested in leasing your facilities to the battle born during those times when your facilities are vacant?”

  Rachel looked around, lips pursed, gaze narrowed. “Schedules would have to be coordinated and strictly enforced. I don’t want my students interacting with soldiers.”

  “Understood.”

  “The upkeep on this place is challenging,” she muttered. “We really could use the money.”

  “I’m sure physical maintenance on a complex this large is also a challenge. I’d be willing to barter for labor. My men are excellent workers.”

  Her gaze quickly swept down his body then she indulged in a guilty smile. “If they look anything like you, I can imagine how well they work.”

  He returned her smile, liking her more than he’d expected. “Show me the training center.”

  “Of course.” She motioned toward a dirt path leading between two of the smaller buildings.

  The path led deeper into the fragrant trees. He’d always enjoyed the strange spindly leaves found on trees common to Earth’s mountainous regions. They were so different from trees on Rodymia.

  “This is the newest of our facilities,” Rachel explained, “and it was sort of a splurge.” They emerged into another clearing and found a small complex rather than one large building. “That’s the swimming pool.” She pointed to the largest of the buildings. Rather than continuing the rustic theme of the residential cabins, the swimming pool was enclosed in a large industrial-style building. “That’s the gym.” She motioned to the structure next in size. “There’s a weight room with lots of equipment for physical conditioning. The other two are locker rooms, with showers, saunas, hot tubs and cryogenic therapy units. Like I said, it was pretty indulgent.”

  “I can give you access to regeneration units and your splurge would be complete,” he tempted.

  “You’re quite the negotiator.”

  He winced. If only Morgan felt the same. His negotiations with the human female had been a failure so far.

  Rachel led him through each building in turn, allowing him as long as he liked to look things over. Each area was immaculate and well ordered, just the way he liked things. She paused to secure the locker room door as they concluded their tour.

  Garin looked around one last time, drawing in a deep breath of cool pine-scented air. “I can easily picture my men training in these surroundings.” He waited until she turned around before asking, “Are you interested in the sort of arrangement I’ve described?”

  “How soon do you need an answer? I’d like to give it some thought.”

  Her caution was understandable, but he couldn’t help being annoyed by another delay. “The sooner, the better, but I’d be willing to wait a day or two.”

  “I won’t keep you hanging for long, I promise.”

  They headed back to the main house, but Garin’s mind refused to remain focused on his current companion. He needed to understand what had happened with Berlynn. Better yet, he needed to fix whatever was wrong. He wanted Berlynn to be his mate. Even if she agreed, he didn’t think
he’d be content with her as his mistress. He wanted the soul-deep link both his brothers were enjoying with their mates. And he wanted it with Berlynn.

  “Is there anything I can do to help you?” Rachel asked as they neared the big house.

  “I need to leave for several hours.” He ran his hand over his bristly hair with a sigh. “Is it all right if Berlynn stays here until I return?”

  “Of course. Berlynn is always welcome.”

  He nodded, anxious to leave. “Then tell her I’ll return this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest.”

  “Will do.” Rachel raised her hand in farewell as he hurried back across the yard.

  Chapter Two

  By Rodyte standards, Lunar Nine was actually quite primitive. The compound had been built within a natural cave on the dark side of Earth’s moon. An enemy had sneaked into the cavern using a shuttle similar to the Phantoms, so the entrance was now secured with an energy net and at least two heavily armed fighters.

  Two long docking strips extended from the main complex, which followed the contour of the cavern. To keep things organized, Garin had designated the top concourse for arrivals and the one below for departures. Garin docked the Phantom across from the Intrepid then dug through Berlynn’s overnight bag until he found her hairbrush. His chest tightened and he clenched the handle of the brush, refusing to admit that his hands were shaking. He could not allow a female to disrupt his life so completely.

  The Intrepid was small and sleek. Her clean lines meant to appear unimpressive and discourage interest in the hospital ship. The crew was highly specialized and assisted by state-of-the-art technology. Most of the crewmembers were also elite, which created a challenge for Garin. Without a personal stake in the conflict, it was harder to determine each person’s loyalty. Which was why Garin had appointed command of the Intrepid to Kaden Lux.

  Kaden Lux had spent the last ten years as an infiltration operative. He could become anyone the mission required with remarkable ease. Ten years in the field also honed his instincts and taught him how to read people with nearly faultless accuracy. It was this ability that Garin needed now. Each member of the Intrepid’s crew was a potential spy and Garin needed to know whom he could trust.