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THE CAMP WAS EERILY quiet as Tempest walked down the path. She hunkered down, concentrating on being Leah. On pretending she was constantly nervous inside, wary as a scared rabbit. In a hurry to reach the safety of her cabin, but yet cautious enough to not call attention to herself.
A twig breaking behind her made her jump, just as it would have Leah. She was so far in her Leah personality, it was easy to have her reactions. If she had been Tempest, a twig breaking would have made her turn around and confront the person in the shadows. But not Leah. Leah would scuttle faster, head hunkered down so as not to anger the person who wanted to beat her.
She didn’t sense any of her patrol members around. The Xeno Sapien members had agreed not to use a telepathic link so it wouldn’t distract Tempest from her Leah persona. No matter what, she was going to make Shawn proud.
Tempest was somewhat disappointed when she reached Leah’s cabin. No one had jumped out to attack her...and she halfway wanted it. She even fumbled a bit at the door, hoping to give the wife-beater a chance to jump inside and confront her. But he did not and once inside the cabin, she locked the door as instructed. She turned on the inner light. The windows were blacked out when there was dark outside and light inside, so she couldn’t even spy on what was going on out there.
And now that she could mentally be Tempest again, she was impatient. She was in an impossibly tiny, one room cabin that housed a bed and nothing else. Not even a bathroom. There were community restrooms for the masses to use. She was in Leah’s clothing and for the first time, she realized how she’d gotten used to her own protective gear. Even knowing she didn’t need the weaponry attached to the pouch on her back, it was comforting to know it was there. Now, it felt like she was missing a vital part of herself.
All she had was her telepathic communication, which she couldn’t use on the outside. She just wished Shawn had it. When they were on duty they could communicate with the comm systems, but she wasn’t allowed to have it now. They were afraid she’d be tempted to talk to Shawn and have their voices heard. But now that she was on the inside, the telepathic links should be fine.
Beastly? Is Shawn safe?
Of course. The male can kick ass. You know this.
I expect you to watch over him.
Shawn can watch over me because you are distracting my mission.
You can multitask. That is why I picked you to communicate with.
Pax cut in, sounding somewhat insulted in her mind. Seriously? You think he’s the best multitasker? I have a shitload of personalities inside me.
Okay, then, truth is I figured he owed me because I am best friends with Sunny. So I reached out to him first.
She reached out to me because I am the shit. Beast sounded smug. She would ignore that in order to grasp any information from them.
Anyway, what is going on? Any sign of the wife-beater?
Not yet. There are a couple people milling about here and there.
She waited a few minutes until boredom made her reach out again.
Being homeless is miserable. This is basically just a bunk to sleep in.
Did you think the humans have it better in their tents? Renegade said.
She couldn’t believe she had thought Leah was a weak human. The poor thing had struggled so much.
Beastly?
Yeah.
Does Shawn look sexy in his combative gear?
There was a pause.
Don’t answer her.
Ignore her.
We don’t all want to hear it.
Stand down, Beast. I’m serious.
Steele’s voice was the last warning. Robyn will hear about this.
But Beast’s thoughts blasted into her skull. He’s sexy as hell, Tempest. The leather clutches his muscular ass just right. In fact, I’m about to lean over and place my claws tantalizingly on his shoulder. Suggestively, you know? Too see if he takes the bait.
Fuck. Didn’t we tell him not to respond?
She’s gonna explode.
Does he ever listen?
Tempest smiled. That would be funny. She could imagine Shawn’s response. He’d be rather cool, she decided. He’d just turn to Beast, raise an eyebrow, and then focus on his mission again.
Tempest, heads up, Beast said in her mind. A male is approaching the cabin. Doors locked.
Her heart raced. This was it. This had to be Leah’s husband. What were the chances she could draw him inside and kick his ass? She winced. They’d warned her not to. If a door was open, a drone could fly inside and record the happenings.
All thought stopped as the cabin lit up in a ball of flames.
