Freya would fail. When she was at the camp before, Tris’Tyn hadn’t showed any signs of wanting to leave, but they hadn’t subjected him to the subhuman treatment that Bash had gone through. Which made convincing him to leave all that much harder. With inaudible footsteps, she approached his log cabin while scrambling for the right word combination that would persuade him to trust her enough to leave.
“What are you doing up so late?” A deep silky voice broke the silence.
Freya’s attention snapped to the man sitting in a chair made of wooden slats on the small deck. Tris’Tyn was a bit shorter than Bash with tanned golden skin. His hair was black, shaved on both sides, with the top a bit longer and combed back. Like Cay, he had a trimmed beard that enhanced his facial structure.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Unsure of what to say, she stuck with vague quick answers.
“Yeah, I know how that is.” There was a hollow sound to his voice as he pointed to the chair next to him. “Come join me, we can be insomniacs together.”
Holding back the urge to look around, she sat beside him, following his gaze. He was looking in the giant black nothingness of the night sky.
“Do you ever wonder if there’s something out there?” Tris’Tyn’s voice broke the silence.
“There are arguments to both sides.”
“I didn’t ask what other people thought.” He turned to look at her. “I asked what you thought.”
“That is such a loaded question.” The answer was beyond her when she didn’t know what she believed.
Would it be better if there was more out there? Strange beings that had the ability to help liberate the people but stayed out of it. Or was it worse if nothing existed and they were all alone? Both options seemed overwhelming. Even if there wasn’t life on the other side of the black sky, shouldn’t there be something else? Besides, with all their technology and science, how did no one have a decent explanation on why the sky turned colors throughout the day. Even the empty black of night sky seemed eerie.
“Isn’t it, though?” Tris’Tyn’s voice brought her back.
“Why do you care what I think? I’m just some random woman to you.”
He scratched his beard and sighed. “This will sound strange, but you feel different. Like I know you from somewhere, but can’t imagine where it would be.”
She understood what he meant. Even though they were twins and born mere minutes from each other, then ripped apart at birth and never met each other until a few months ago. But she couldn’t tell him that, yet.
“If I had to commit, I’d say there was something out there. Because that gives me hope that there could be something more someday. Whether that’s here or out there.”
He smiled wistfully and leaned back in his chair. “Me too.”
Just like other men, reading his mind comprised quiet static. She would have to navigate this blind. “What if I told you there was more to life than what’s here?”
Startled, Tris’Tyn eyes widened as his breath caught. “Explain.”
Leaning closer, Freya whispered. “What if there was a life where your purpose wasn’t as a breeder?”
He glanced around before speaking. “Are you saying there are more than just me?”
Nodding, Freya’s heart warmed at the hint of a smile on his face. “You’re the fourth man I’ve met.” Her handheld vibrated in her vest pocket, letting her know she was running out of time. “I can’t promise you it will be perfect, but I’ve seen how you’re treated here, like you’re a delicate flower and protected at all costs. The three other men are part of the Resistance, the real Resistance, and contribute their skills in their own way. This camp is just like the one Bash was at, but they’re nicer to you. He wasn’t so fortunate. These people are a unique kind of extremist and the moment you stop doing what they want, horrible doesn’t begin to describe what they’ll do.”
Several seconds ticked by as he stared at her with furrowed brows.
“As much as I want to give you all the time needed to decide, Bash is about to blow up half of this camp due to an ‘unfortunate’ accident. One we leave, it will burn my cover.”
“Just a second.” Tris’Tyn disappeared into his cabin and returned after a few seconds. “Let’s go.”
Freya reached out her hand, happiness seeping into it when her brother trusted her enough to take it. She wanted to ask why he was so willing, but they were out of time. Leading him to the secluded area she used to meet up with Jes’Nara at, she kept an eye out for Bash.
“Someone’s coming!” Tris’Tyn whispered loud enough to be ineffective. First thing she needed to teach him was how to be more covert. A woman ducked down into their little hiding spot, and Tris’Tyn punched her before Freya could stop him.
Jes’Nara lost her balance and landed flat on her back in the tall grass.
“Stop.” Freya pulled Tris’Tyn back as he tried to hit her again. “That’s not really her, it’s Bash.”
He froze and looked between her and Bash disguised as Jes’Nara. “Say what?”
“Can you show him real quick so we can get out of here?”
Jes’Nara/Bash reached up and pressed something on their belt. The crouching woman’s pale pink complexion darkened to a tawny color as her light brown eyes deepened to a brown so dark the pupil almost disappeared. Her dirty blond pixie hair grew until it was dark brown and down to her shoulders. A long beard appeared as Bash replaced Jes’Nara.
“Once things settle down, you’ll explain that to me.” He looked between them, then glared at Bash as he resumed the cloak.
Although she’d seen him use this cloak before, it was still bizarre.
Jes’Nara’s voice came from Bash as his features disappeared into hers. “You get one too.”
Jes’Nara/Bash leaned forward and clipped a small circular device to Tris’Tyn’s waistband, then clicked a button. Sweeping over his golden tanned skin and black hair, he turned into a gorgeous green-eyed, redhead. Heat flushed through her body as the temptation to kill the image of the woman next to her was overwhelming. Shooting a glare at Bash, Freya wanted to throttle him for using An’Da’s likeness. She’d done her best to separate Cay from Nova a few years ago. It would get deadly if Nova saw it before they uncloaked him.
Gu’Zari Camp: Bash
“Now’s a splendid time to push the button on your cloaking device before Nova kicks your ass.” Bash warned Tris’Tyn through the helmet’s comms as he turned his own off. The trip from the camp was easy, and they detected no one trailing them.
“Sure, but how do I turn it off?”
“Fuck, too late.” He could feel Nova walking up behind him, his nanites working as an early detection warning system. Knowing that Freya would go to Nova, he snatched the device from Tris’Tyn’s waistband and shut it off.
“What the hell is she doing here? Cay said Alastor killed her.” Nova howled in fury. “Freya, if you don’t release me from your damn telekinesis…” She trailed off. Everyone but Tris’Tyn knew Nova could never take Freya in a fight.
“Bash didn’t reprogram the cloaking device since the last time he used it.”
He turned and watched the two women standoff. The moment Freya released her, Nova charged him and shoved a finger in his face. “You’re an idiot. What if Cay had seen it, or Alastor? The man is one snapped thread from self destruction. Don’t make things difficult.”
Putting his hands up and palms facing her, he surrendered. “I’ll change the default.” Stepping aside, he pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Nova, meet Tris’Tyn.”
Nova dropped her death glare the moment her eyes shifted away from Bash. “Nice to meet-“ Nova turned to look at Freya then returned to Tris’Tyn. “Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you. You’re free to travel anywhere in the colony, but it’s an enormous place. I’d recommend having a guide with you for the first few days. I’m not sure what it was like where you came from, but everything in this colony is… consensual.”
Tris’Tyn cocked an eyebrow at her then looked at Bash. Nodding in confirmation, he expanded. “There are a few common sense rules like don’t leave the colony without an escort, but that’s for your safety. They won’t try to breed you here.”
The tension eased from Tris’Tyn’s face at Bash’s words. “There really are more men here?”
“Yup, Nova here can take you to meet them. I need to go over what we found at the camp with Freya, then I’ll meet up with you.”
They entered the colony and walked into the lift. He glanced at Freya and she consumed his attention with her volatile purple eyes, looking at him like he was her favorite meal after a fast. Her casual stance with arms crossed over her chest accentuated and lifted her breasts. Even though she was leaning against the wall of the lift, he knew at the slightest hint of danger, she’d be the most dangerous weapon in the compact space in less than a second. Damn, the woman was scary sexy, and he would find a second chance at love with her.
Blood left his brain, instead filling his cock until it bulged against his pants. He had to hold back a curse as her gaze dropped to his erection, then returned to his eyes as she chewed on her lip. Before anyone else saw his issue, he folded his hands and tried to block the view.
“I can’t get over how big this place is.” Tris’Tyn’s voice broke Bash’s sexual fantasy starring Freya.
“It’s huge, so large that you’re not sure how to deal with all of it.” A grin flashed on Freya’s face. Bash scowled at her choice of words as memories of the first time they made love surfaced. She’d never seen a dick in person before and worried he wouldn’t fit. He’d proven that theory wrong.
“It’s nothing like the Resistance camp I came from.”
“That’s because they weren’t the Resistance.” Bash growled as he raised an eyebrow at Freya.
“I meant to ask what you meant by the ‘real Resistance’.” Tris’Tyn’s gaze bounced to her.
“The women you were with say they are the true Resistance, but really they’re an extremist group self named the Patriots. Bash and Alastor were both held captive by them for their entire lives, but they weren’t treated horribly.”
The unpleasant memory killed his erection as he held back the worst of the emotional pain.
“But you don’t have to worry about that anymore. You’re with us now and soon we’ll strike the final blow to ARI and the Sovereign. Then everyone will be free.” Nova interjected with a glare at both Freya and him. Busted.
After Tris’Tyn and Nova got off the lift, Freya grinned at him. When she straightened from the wall as the doors opened at their stop, Bash swooped her up into his arms then tossed her over his shoulder. It brought back memories of the first time he’d done it at the safe house where they’d stayed right after they met.
“Are you serious right now?” Her fists pounded against his back.
“Sorry, not sorry.” He didn’t hold back the laugh. “But if you want to give me a massage, my lower back is a bit tight.”
She slapped his ass before giving in. Just like last time, there was only so far she could go without hurting him and he knew she wouldn’t risk that.
Placing his hand against the wall to reveal the bioscanner, he remembered it was unnecessary. All he had to do now was imagine the door opening and his nanites used the wireless communication system to pass the security codes and open the door. Another thought sealed the door as he tossed Freya on the bed.
Scrambling to sit up, she glared at him. “Was that really necessary?”
“Not in the slightest, but it was fun.” He jumped out of the way when she threw a pillow at his head. Picking it up, he tossed it back then joined her, pulling his left leg to him. Rubbing a hand over his thigh, he felt the change in sensations as he crossed over the edge of the cybernetic leg. The sensation was still odd, but it made him feel like it was adjusting faster the more he stimulated the replacement nerves. “Back to business, they cut the camp off from ARI. I got everything from their databanks, but aside from incriminating the Patriots, the info would be useless to the cause.”
Freya flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. “I was worried that might be the case.” She pinched the bridge of her nose.
“How are you holding up? Did the upgrades for the nanites help with the emotional telekinesis issue?”
She looked over at him. “It helped, thank you.”
He stared at her for a few seconds. “Who did you almost kill?”
“What, why would you think that?”
“Because I know you better. Your emotions got away from you, and there was a close call with your abilities. Who was it?”
Rolling her eyes, she stared up at the ceiling. “Kai’La.”
Bash laid on his side facing her. “It wasn’t her fault I slipped out without them knowing.”
“If she was better at her job, she would’ve figured it out sooner.”
Leaning forward, he captured her lips. His fingers trailed across her neck up to her chin until he pulled her closer. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she opened her mouth so he could kiss her deeper. An invisible force pulled his body on top of her, his thighs straddling her hips.
His heart warmed at her gesture to make him more comfortable. Because of the abuse he went through at Hiro Camp, he struggled with flashbacks when they were together. They figured out if he was on top, it could prevent them. Because of his size, he didn’t want her to feel trapped either. It was her way of showing him she cared.
“Does this mean you forgive me for the message?”
Her eyebrow cocked at him. “Only if you forgive me for being overprotective to the point of pushing you away, again.”
“Consider us both forgiven for our own shortcomings.”
“Hey, is that a short joke?” The fake outrage on her face made him smile.
Desire washed over him. After so many nights wishing for her, she was within reach. Opening her vest, he struggled to unfasten the small buttons of her shirt. It opened before his eyes and he gulped at the sight of her. Pulling her sports bra up, he leaned over and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. Circling his tongue around the hard tip, he sucked as he pulled away, making a popping noise.
“Nah, there are far better opportunities for short jokes around you.”
“You’re incorrigible.” Her fingers sank into his shoulder length hair and pulled him back down to her breasts. Taking his time, he licked and sucked on both of them until she was panting. Sliding down her body, he pulled her pants off, more turned on because she rarely wore underwear, which drove him wild. Placing her legs over his shoulders, he opened her lips and gave her a deep lick. The taste of her made his cock so hard it hurt.
When he started sliding his hands up her body to play with her breasts, her telekinesis pushed him off of her until he was standing next to the bed.
“Tease.” He said, licking his lips.
“Strip.” Freya sat on her knees as she stared at him.
He’d do anything she wanted him to at this moment. The love he felt for her was more than he knew how to handle. Not only did she have his heart, she also owned his soul. Mine. No matter what happened in this life, he wanted to believe that when they died, they would be reborn, and find each other again through all of eternity.
Ripping the shirt over his head, he let his hands slide down his chest and abs until he fiddled with his pants. Freya bit her lip as she watched him tease her. Stepping into her reach, he let the rest of his clothes fall to the ground.
Once his cock was free, her warm hand wrapped around it with a perfect amount of pressure. Lips parted, he let out a breath while watching her tongue flick out, licking the tip of him. Pleasure washed over him as her mouth slid over his it, taking in as much of him as she could. Yup, he’d do anything she wanted. Her tongue ran along the underside before she took him back into her mouth. It felt great, but he knew of something that would feel even better.
Bash balled his hands into fists, holding himself back as she licked and sucked him. Unable to watch, he closed his eyes hoping it would dull the pleasure until she finished playing with him, but it didn’t help.
“Freya,” it was more of a growl than actual words, “please.” Complete sentences were beyond him.
The emotion in her eyes when she looked up at him pushed him beyond reason. He had to be in her right now. With an animalistic need, he pulled her to his chest and walked them until her back was against the wall. Her legs slipped around his waist, her dripping wet pussy sliding over him. A gasp left both of them at the taste of euphoria.
Slowly he pulled back until the tip of him was still inside of her.
“It’s been too long.” Freya whispered in his ear as she trailed kisses down his neck.
“Way too long.” He agreed wholeheartedly.
Her teeth nipped his shoulder, shooting a wave of pleasure down his spine and broke his restraint. On a rumbling growl, he hooked his elbows under her knees, pinning her to the wall, and pounded into her. Her moans evolved into screams when he broke their kiss. A tingle started in his balls as his orgasm crept up on him, but he refused to go first. She was amazing and deserved every ounce of pleasure he could bring her, and more.
Dropping one of her legs, his thumb found her clit. Within seconds, she clenched around him, and rode out her orgasm as she ground into him. The added sensation was his breaking point. Months of pent up tension released when he leaned his head back and filled her up. Pleasure tripled as he slowly thrust into her, the echoes of their releases washing over him.
“Bed?” Freya’s voice was soft as she struggled to open her eyes.
Exhaustion washed over him as he wrapped her legs around him until he laid her on the bed. Even though she was still within reach, he needed to touch her. Easing onto the bed, he pulled the blanket over them and wrapped his arms around her. This was one of the best parts, spooning with her afterwards while listening to her soft snores.
Freya’s soft voice eased into his mind. I love you.
Gu’Lani Resistance Colony: Freya
“We should bomb their headquarters.” Alastor slammed his fist on the table.
The amount of hatred he had for ARI, while understandable, always led to him wanting to blow things up. Freya rolled her eyes as she slid onto the edge of the table, crossing her legs. Bash patted her knee as he stayed out of the fight.
“We are not blowing up Ray’Nia base!” Nova glared at him as her voice trembled.
Wow, Alastor sure has an affinity for pissing off Nova. Freya thought at Bash
A few hours ago their nanites had reformed their severed telepathic connection from the upgraded bots entering Bash’s bloodstream from the explosion. While she couldn’t read his mind, she could hear his active thoughts again and loved the way his deep voice carried over to his telepathy.
I’ve known her for several years and I’ve never met someone who could set her off quite like he does.
“Why the hell not?” Alastor stomped across the room toward Nova. Cay stepped between them to block his tirade, but Nova placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back.
“Because there are innocents in that base.” She stepped toward him. “Some of those women have no clue of the evil that goes on behind the scenes, and just because we don’t know about men in the base, doesn’t mean there aren’t any.”
A shiver rolled over him before he muttered. “Trust me, we’d be doing them a favor.” The fire inside him faded, he righted the chair he threw earlier, and he sat in it growling to himself with arms crossed.
The door hissed and all of them turned as Tris’Tyn appeared. “Hi,” he gave an awkward wave as he stepped into the room, “hope I’m not interrupting.”
Freya caught Bash’s attention and gestured towards her brother. Tris’Tyn seemed to connect with Bash more than anyone else so far.
“Nah, we’re just talking about the usual. You know, how to topple the government and free the people.” Bash chuckled awkwardly.
“Ah, right, the usual.” Tris’Tyn crossed his arms and looked around the room. “So, what’s the plan?”
Everyone glanced at each other, then back to him in silence.
Have you told him yet? Bash’s voice sparked a deep guilt inside of her.
She needed to tell him they were brother and sister, but the longer she said nothing, the harder it became for her to reveal the information. To date, anything to do with her family had gone wrong in the worst ways, and a tiny part of herself didn’t trust him to not be another attack against her. She couldn’t trust herself to not care about him too much. Bash was the only person she couldn’t live without, but she couldn’t commit to burning or building the bridge to her brother.
“While I was talking to you at the camp, before Bash set off an impressive amount of critical explosions, he was also stealing any information he could find in their databases. We were hoping to get something that would help us take down ARI and the Sovereign, but they had nothing we could use. Now we need to figure out where to go from here.”
Tris’Tyn nodded without responding.
“And-“ Several voices cut Alastor off.
“No blowing up Ray’Nia Base!”
“Fuck all of you.” Alastor snarled as he stormed out of the room.
Tris’Tyn furrowed his brows, then took Alastor’s seat after he was out of eyesight. “He seems like a lot of fun.”
“I don’t know what your living conditions were like, but Alastor got the worst by far out of the three of us.” Bash defended. “There are days where I feel the same way, but until we’ve run out of other ideas, it’s a last resort.”
“Not that bad, just… unfulfilling.” Tris’Tyn hedged.
“I can relate.” Cay joined in.
“So, what are our options Nova?” She had to bring this back around and refocus them.
Nova walked over to the wall display and waved her hand over it, revealing several building plans. “Ray’Nia Base is a fortress. Ever since you walked right in, retrieved Bash, stole Deja, and dropped a devastating computer virus, they’ve ramped up their security.”
“It doesn’t help that the Sovereign had extra surveillance on me.” Freya added.
“It’s not an option.” Nova rubbed her jaw for a moment before looking away from the screen. “Before the division of the inner and outer-city, there were two primary bases. When they remapped the inner-city limits, they condensed the protection area and left the other base farther out. Rumor is that the base is still hard-lined into Ray’Nia, but I can’t get confirmation on it. While it’s still in use, there’s just a skeleton crew. It should be easy to infiltrate, especially with Bash’s newly developed skills.”
“Or we could infiltrate a place that we know has enough condemning information instead.” Freya offered.
Bash’s face whipped around and his lips thinned.
“I think whatever crazy idea you’re thinking up is the last option before Alastor’s blow everything up plan.” Nova shook her head and interjected before Freya could open her mouth. “I know you. There has to be at least a dozen options before we get to your level of insanity. Besides, you should probably get to know your newfound brother before you get yourself killed.”
“I’m sorry, brother?” Tris’Tyn blinked several times, then his gaze bounced between Nova and Freya.
“Shit, you haven’t told him yet?” Nova’s eyes widened as she slapped a hand over her mouth.
“Uh, Tris’Tyn, it was nice to meet you. We’ll see you around.” Cay pulled Nova from the room as the three of them sat frozen, staring at each other.
“I’ll leave the two of you alone to talk.” Bash patted her thigh as he walked out of the room.
Coward! She sent him telepathically.
Damn right, but I’ll be around in case you get all murdery with your telekinesis.
She mentally rolled her eyes then gulped as she realized she was alone with a glaring Tris’Tyn. What was this strange sensation in her gut right now… fear? Her chest tightened painfully, and her heart pounded loudly in her ears. Whatever this was, she didn’t like it.
“When were you going to tell me?” The accusation in his voice was enough to make her tear up.
“I don’t know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me at my cabin?” He approached her, towering over her even though she was sitting on a table.
She leashed her telekinesis as a knot formed in her belly. Tris’Tyn might be her twin brother, but she didn’t know him. Aside from what she read in his file and the few things she’d picked up at the camp, he was an unknown to her.
“If I just walked up to you and said, ‘I know this is wild but you’re my long-lost twin, our family is insane, our mother is the Sovereign, oh and I am part of the Resistance trying to kill her.’ Would you have taken my hand and ran with me?” Various objects around the room rattled as her emotions got the better of her.
Tris’Tyn stared at her with his mouth hanging open, then burst out into raucous laughter. “I would have probably called for… Wait, twin?” He shook his head. “The Sovereign?”
“Heh, yeah. I think we’re twins, and I know for a fact that she is because our older sister tried to kill me to keep it a secret. The holidays were a real bitch this year.”
He took a shaky breath, “well don’t hold back, I’m not shocked yet.”
“We found some documents a few years ago that lead us to believe that there is more out there.”
“Shit, I was joking. I can’t take anymore right now.” Tris’Tyn wrapped his arms around himself as he dropped into the chair Bash had vacated. “It will take me awhile to process this.”
“What I said at the camp stands. You are free here with no obligations. Aside from a few restricted areas, just don’t leave the colony since it’s not safe. What you do after that is up to you.”
He took a deep breath then looked her in the eyes. “Is Bash your male?”
“I don’t own him, but yes. We both chose each other, like Nova and Cay.”
Several minutes passed before he spoke again. “Do you treat him well?”
She shifted on the table before breaking eye contact. “I’m too protective of him. I’ve jeopardized our relationship a few times, but I don’t know what I would do if he was hurt because of me. All four of you are invaluable to the Resistance, and I don’t deserve him.” Crashing noises happened all around the room as she pinched her nose.
“Is that you?” He waved his hand around in a circle.
“Yeah. Long story short, I have purple eyes because of the experiments ARI scientists did on me as a child. I developed superhuman abilities as they tried to make me into a super-soldier and sometimes when I get emotional things go boom.”
“Didn’t Nova have purple eyes too?” Tris’Tyn’s voice was soft and empty.
“Yes, but they built her for defense, not as a weapon like me.” With everything that happened to him today, it surprised Freya he was handling the rush of information so well.
“I think I’ll go lock myself in my room while I process things, but I want to be a part of this.” He reached out to her, but stopped a few centimeters short. Freya was about to grab his hand, but he turned and walked to the door. On his way out, he paused and gave her one last look. “I think you two are perfect for each other, but please don’t hurt him. None of this is his fault.”