Despite Dr. Irron’s orders, Raina was too restless to sleep. She took one look at Kotto’s bed and decided to curl up on the couch. If he came home and found her sleeping in his bed, it would send the wrong message. She was attracted to him, was willing to explore the chemistry they generated, but that was as far as she was willing to go. She had too much to accomplish, too much to learn, before she’d even consider a serious relationship.
The language infusion had been strange, yet less invasive than she’d feared. Dr. Irron hooked up electrodes as if he were going to give her an EEG. There had been a brief rush of sensation, a flurry of sounds and images that left her with a throbbing headache. The entire process only took a few minutes then Irron gave her an analgesic mist to ease the pain and escorted her to Kotto’s cabin so she could rest.
Shortly after she lay down, however, the infusion must have kicked in. She looked around the room and strange-sounding words echoed through her mind. It took her a moment to realize she was hearing the Rodyte word for whatever she saw. Energized by the discovery, she moved around the cabin, testing her theory. She stopped in front of the door to the bathroom and spoke the Rodyte word for open. The door parted and she smiled. Kotto had showed her how to trigger the door manually. Apparently, that was no longer necessary.
She changed the image on the wall-size viewscreens, cycling through multiple images before she found a combination that pleased her. It was liberating to be able to interact with the operational computer. Curious now, she tried to activate the access terminal, but apparently she was still locked out. She was certain she was using the right commands and still the device remained unresponsive.
Her exploration of the jungle had left her feeling somewhat grimy, so she decided to take a quick shower. She heaved her suitcase onto a chair and unzipped it. Most of her clothes were practical and comfortable, but she had a few dresses she knew were more flattering than the others. She drew out one such dress and held it in front of her, then she registered what she was doing and her heart sank.
She was dressing to please a man. Something she swore she would never again do.
But Kotto hadn’t asked her to make herself more presentable. He’d never mentioned her physical appearance even during their shared dream. His interest in her was undeniably physical, but her outward appearance hadn’t lit the fire.
She sighed then lowered the dress. They were biologically compatible. Their genetics were urging them to reproduce. Was that better or worse than relying on outward beauty to determine a person’s attractiveness? She honestly wasn’t sure.
Well, for the first time since college, she wanted to feel pretty. She was doing this for herself not Kotto. Comforted by the approach, she took a shower and lingered beneath the misty spray. The water was likely recycled and the fine dispersal minimized water usage while still creating a relaxing experience. An automated dispenser inset in the wall filled her palm with a fresh-smelling foam.
“Computer, is this foam intended for my hair as well as my body?” It was the longest Rodyte sentence she’d attempted and she wasn’t sure if the computer would respond in the shower.
“The foam cleanses, conditions and deodorizes your entire body, that includes your hair.”
She worked the foam into her hair with a proud smile. Not only had she posed the question clearly enough for the computer to understand her, she’d easily understood the response. If information was just ‘infused’ into people’s minds, were teachers obsolete? It was a fascinating possibility. She’d have to ask Kotto about it at dinner.
As promised, the shower left her clean and fresh from head to toe. She dried off and donned the calf-length dress then combed out her damp hair. After brushing her teeth, she was about to pull her hair back into her habitual ponytail when something stopped her. She looked at her reflection, assessing her image objectively. Her hair looked darker when it was wet and the red highlights weren’t as apparent. Even so, the loose strands softened her face, made her look more feminine. She liked her cheekbones and the color of her eyes was unique, at least for a human. The thought made her smile. But then, she wasn’t human. She was a human/Rodyte hybrid.
Ready to complete her assessment and move on, she decided that her overall esthetic was slightly above average. Rather than pull her hair back completely, she sectioned off a portion by each temple and worked the strands into a loose braid. The arrangement was simple, kept her hair out of her eyes, but left enough loose to soften her appearance. Hopefully, Kotto would—she was doing this for herself not for Kotto.
She returned to the outer room and wondered how much longer she had to wait for his arrival. “Computer, what time is it?”
“1909.”
Minus twelve makes it 7:09 for us civilian types. Kotto hadn’t mentioned a specific time and she had no idea if Rodytes utilized shifts or if the ship’s commander was ever off duty. She suddenly wished she’d brought her laptop or had a way to open the thumb drive. It had been several years since she’d read through Mimi’s journal entries. She already knew one major development the Rodytes would be interested in, but she suspected there were many more.
She moved to one of the chairs in the sitting area and asked, “Computer, can you shuffle random images of this ship onto this cabin’s primary display?”
“Of course, Raina. Restricted areas will be omitted.”
“I understand.”
And just like that, she sat back and enjoyed a breathtaking slideshow of the ship. Interior and exterior shots provided her with a much more accurate idea of the Crusader’s shape and size.
“She’s pretty spectacular. You must admit.”
She gasped and looked over her shoulder. She’d been so caught up in the show she hadn’t heard the door open. Kotto pushed a hover cart into the room. She stood up and turned around. “The ship is amazing. What’s all that?”
“Dinner, as promised.” He motioned toward the table as he said, “Pause display.” Apparently, he thought the constant morphing would be too distracting. He was probably right. She settled into one of the chairs as he arranged dishes and flatware on the table. “Did you rest well? You look lovely, by the way.”
He’d slipped the compliment in with such nonchalance that it stunned her. He hadn’t bothered with empty flattery before. Why would he say such a thing now? She just stared at him as emotion burned the back of her throat.
He noticed her silence and looked up from his task. “What’s the matter? You look like I just sucker punched you in the stomach.”
She shook her head, too embarrassed to admit the truth. “What’s on the menu?” The words barely made it past her dry mouth.
Clearly not fooled by her evasion, he moved toward her slowly. “Are you offended that I mentioned how pretty you look? Is that considered sexist or misogynistic on Earth?”
“Don’t mock me.” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Why had she worn this stupid dress? It had spaghetti straps and a fitted waist. The flowing skirt might be long, but it was much too revealing.
“I wasn’t mocking you.” He rested his hand on the back of her chair as awareness swirled around them. “I like the dress and I’m glad you wore it. We’re not working right now. Am I not allowed to tell you what I think?”
“You told me.” She stared straight ahead. “Now change the subject.”
“All right, but not until I do this.” His index finger slipped under one of the thin straps, pulling it down onto her upper arm. Then he bent and pressed a warm kiss on her bare shoulder. She shivered and he smiled, then returned the strap to its original position. “And you’re even softer than you look. But I probably shouldn’t say that either.”
Heat crept up her neck and her nipples tingled. This was going to be a really long night if she couldn’t shift his focus. She fell much too easily under his spell. She fidgeted in her chair, already restless. “The language infusion wasn’t as horrible as I feared.”
“I’m glad. I stopped by the infirmary to check on you, but Irron had already put you to bed.” He returned to the serving cart and finished setting the table. There were several domed dishes, but he left them on the cart. “It can take a day or two for the information to become fully integrated, so be patient.”
“I’ll try to remember that.” She switched to Rodyte with a smile.
“Very good.” He responded in the same language. “Have you attempted to read anything?”
“Someone locked me out of the computer and there aren’t any books in this room.”
“Computer, restore level 1 access to the data terminal,” he said as he slipped onto the chair across from her.
“Access restored,” the computer responded.
“That will get you into the library and allow you to pull up the schematics I mentioned earlier. The holodisplay will take some instruction, so request a two-dimensional display and use verbal commands.”
“All right. Thank you.”
He nodded then filled her glass with a golden beverage. “This is called blish. Ashley thought you’d like it.”
Raina took a sip and then another, finding the drink crisp yet spicy. “Ashley’s right. It’s very nice.”
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I brought a bit of everything.” She handed him her plate and he filled it with small portions of a variety of Rodyte fare. “The leftovers will be recycled, so don’t worry about being wasteful. And if something is unappealing to you, don’t eat it. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
“Good to know.”
“So, you spent most of the day in the jungle with Bandar and Ashley.” He handed her plate back to her and began to fill his own. “What’s your first impression?”
“I’ll know more once I’ve seen the schematics, but I’m hopeful that the system can be saved. One thing is clear already. It’s going to take an army to deal with the overgrowth. I thought my greenhouse complex was bad, but it’s nothing compared to the jungle. That cavern has been left to its own devices longer than I’ve been alive.”
“I’ll be able to assign you all the workers you need as soon as it’s safe for my men to be around you.” He watched her silently for a moment as she tasted several of the dishes. “Have you thought any more about how you’d like to proceed?”
She knew what he was asking, but she wasn’t ready to talk about marking or claiming or anything else that required that they undress. She wanted to pretend she was on a date with a handsome dignitary from a foreign land. The fantasy was safe and manageable, basically the opposite of Kotto. “This stuff is amazing.” She pointed to a small pile of colorfully layered food. “What is it?”
“It’s called ketzatta. It’s frequently served at celebrations because most people like it.”
“Well, you can add this human hybrid to the list of ketzatta fans. It’s delicious.”
“Would you like some more?” Though his tone was indulgent, predatory interest sharpened his gaze. This night had a very specific purpose and he was only going to let her avoid it for so long.
She shook her head. “If I gorge on one thing, I won’t have room to try the others.” He was spending more time watching her eat than actually eating himself. “Aren’t you hungry?”
“Famished.” His expression made his true meaning obvious. He wasn’t thinking about food. “But I’m distracted.”
“By what?” The longer she kept him talking, the longer she could avoid what would inevitably happen when they ran out of things to say.
“Many things.” His gaze moved over her face then briefly dipped to caress her bare shoulders. Heat spread across her skin and her breasts felt unusually sensitive. She did her best to ignore the reaction, but her body seemed determined to refocus her mind on sex, sex with Kotto to be more accurate. “The transformation protocol is ready for clinical trials. Ashley and Bandar will be the first test subjects.”
How strange. She’d spent most of the day with Ashley and Bandar and neither said anything about becoming guinea pigs. “When did they decide to go through with it?”
“They’ve been thinking about it since they found out Ashley had the protein marker, but they made the final decision late this afternoon, likely while you were sleeping.”
She hadn’t actually fallen asleep, but it wasn’t worth correcting his misconception. “Is it safe? Going first in anything is rarely a good idea.”
“If no one was ever willing to go first, nothing would ever get done.”
“I suppose that’s true, but Ashley has been through so much already. She deserves happiness, not more uncertainty.”
“According to Raylon, the simulations have been flawless.” He pressed back into his chair, his gaze intent and watchful. “The research and medical teams are doing everything they can to minimize the risks.”
“Who is Raylon? That’s not the first time you’ve mentioned his name.”
Kotto tensed, pushing his plate away as he reached for his wineglass. “Like Bandar, Raylon isn’t part of my crew. He uses the Crusader as his headquarters.”
“For what? What does Raylon do?”
“Whatever General Nox needs done,” he muttered. Then in a stronger voice, he said, “Raylon is General Nox’s enforcer.”
“If Raylon works that closely with General Nox, why is Raylon here? Shouldn’t he be back on Rodymia or wherever General Nox is stationed?”
Kotto ran his fingers through his hair and gazed off into the distance. Was he annoyed by the topic or just frustrated by her obvious stall tactic? “General Nox dispatched Raylon when my brother, Keyran, disobeyed a direct order. Raylon was sent to relieve Keyran of duty and install me in his place. Raylon has been here to supervise us ever since.”
“Ashley told me a little about the rescue attempt. I know one of the people they were trying to free was your niece. Is General Nox afraid you’ll try again? Is that why he sent Raylon?”
“It’s more complicated than that. There are multiple ships with multiple missions. Raylon is here to keep everyone on track, not just me.”
She reached across the table and covered his hand. “I’m really sorry everything went so wrong.” He nodded then pulled his hand back.
“Is this the first time you’ve worked with, or is it for, Raylon?”
His gaze narrowed dangerously. “I work for General Nox. Raylon is an annoyance.”
“Sorry. How long have you worked for General Nox?”
“I’ve been under his command for the past four years.”
Her questions were clearly upsetting him, but she wasn’t sure why. “What did you do before that?”
“Whatever I was told.” He emptied his glass then took a deep breath. “I spent twenty-seven years at Fort Ja Harr. It was a military prison and conditions for the guards weren’t significantly different than how the inmates lived. When I was transferred to the Undaunted, General Nox’s ship, it was like leaving the outer ring of hell and going to heaven.”
“How does the Undaunted compare to the Crusader?”
“Feature for feature, they’re similar. However, the Undaunted is at least ten times larger.”
She’d been using the conversation to postpone the decision looming at the end of this evening. Even as reticent as he was, the topic brought up questions Ashley hadn’t been able, or willing, to answer. “Is Keyran Chandar’s father?”
“No.”
It was clear Kotto didn’t want to talk about this either, but Raina needed to understand him better than she did right now. He’d made it obvious he wanted to be her lover. Well, there was no way she was sleeping with someone until she knew a whole lot more than his name and occupation. “Then she belongs to your oldest brother, the one with harbinger eyes?”
“Yes.”
“You never finished telling me what happened to him.” Already starting to feel guilty, she asked, “Will you tell me now?”
His jaw flexed and his expression shuttered, locking her out completely. She was about to change the subject, when he gave in. “It’s a disturbing story. Do you really want to get into it right now?”
Her appetite faded, so she pushed her plate aside. “I’ve never been good at small talk. I need to know that you trust me if you expect me to trust you.”
“And how will hearing about my twisted family make me more trustworthy?”
She shifted in her chair, feeling a bit defensive. “I’m curious about the facts, but your willingness to share something so personal with me demonstrates trust.”
“There are many other ‘personal’ things I’d rather share with you. Each would be more pleasurable for both of us.” As with any predator, he felt cornered so he hunched down and growled.
She recognized the warning for what it was. If he indulged her now, she better be prepared to indulge him later. “This is what I want.”
One dark brow arched at that. “And will I get what I want after?”
“Stop stalling and we’ll find out.” Anticipation zinged through her body, speeding her pulse and making her stomach flutter.
“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.” He sighed. “My oldest brother’s name was Evon and he was raised by the Harbinger Guild. Keyran and I weren’t allowed contact with him until much later, but he smuggled out blips of information that let us know he was still alive. He grew into a strong, handsome young man with the sort of potential that caught the attention of the guild leaders. Pyre Sterling in particular took a personal interest in Evon.”
“Who is Pyre Sterling?”
“It’s as much a title as a name. Whomever the guild chooses to lead them takes on the name Pyre Sterling.”
“Like the ‘Dread Pirate Roberts’?” The Princess Bride had been one of Mimi’s favorite books. And one of Raina’s fondest memories was curling up in Mimi’s lap and listening to the story. They’d both been thrilled when Hollywood finally got around to making the story into a movie. But seeing the film with Mimi had been one of the last things they ever did together, so that memory was bittersweet.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand the reference.”
Not wanting to distract him from his story, she said, “Never mind. Go on.”
“The current Pyre claimed the title when Evon was about seventeen. She was his mentor and confidante, so when she summoned him to her bed, he resisted. It felt wrong, almost incestuous, but Pyre was adamant. Evon was the most promising harbinger the guild had seen in many years and she wanted to meld that power with her own.”
He rattled off the story in a conversational tone that revealed the depth of his emotion. The harder he worked to conceal what he was feeling, the more obvious it was he was tormented by the events. She felt cruel and selfish for using something so personal to prolong their dinner. Still, the events, and Kotto’s reaction to them, helped her see behind his professional reserve. And she needed that insight badly.
“They lay together twice and Pyre became pregnant, so Evon prayed to every deity he knew that she would leave him alone.”
The dread underlying Kotto’s tone foreshadowed the horrors to come. This was obviously not the end of the story. “No such luck?” She was almost afraid to ask, but he hadn’t yet fit the pieces together.
He looked at her and compassion surged through Raina. Pain, regret and grief were all apparent in his stare, raw, obviously unresolved. “Their first child was a boy. His name is Danvier and he was awarded to General Nox back when his family was still in favor with the crown. General Nox has risked much to protect Danvier and we are eternally grateful.”
The heroic General Nox again. Did Bandar’s brother walk on water? “How did Chandar end up with Akim?” She jumped ahead, hoping to spare him the pain of reliving every detail.
Kotto ignored the question. “Two months after Danvier was born Pyre summoned Evon again, but the delivery had been hard on her and she didn’t conceive right away. Month after desolate month went by without the desired result and she grew more and more abusive toward Evon. But she ran the guild and the guild owned Evon, so he had no real choice.”
He hadn’t taken the out when she offered it, so some part of him obviously needed to talk about this. Still, Raina couldn’t bear the haunted look in his eyes. She moved to the chair next to him and lightly touched his arm. “If this is too hard—”
“It took three years, but Pyre finally conceived for the second time.” He looked at her as if he’d only just noticed her sitting there. “Chandar was born and Evon grew desperate. Protecting a harbinger son was challenging enough, but harbinger females are extremely rare and valuable. As soon as word got out about her birth, half the galaxy would be clamoring to possess her.”
“What did Evon do?”
“He smuggled a message to Keyran and begged for our help. We understood the urgency as soon as we learned the second child was female. Meticulously, we worked out a plan to save them all but it’s hard to launch a surprise attack on people who see the future.”
Kotto spoke of his brother in the past tense, so she waited for him to find the words, suspecting the worst was still to come.
“It was an ambush. We barely escaped with Evon and Danvier, but they ripped Chandar out of her father’s arms. I can still hear her terrified shrieks and I will never forget the expression on her tiny little face.” He shuddered, jaw clenching as he fought for composure. “Pyre stabbed Evon with an EMP knife that took out his medi-bots. Bio-streaming was still in development, so we were stuck with an antiquated shuttle and a field-med kit.” He took a deep breath, but it stuttered out like a sob. “Evon bled to death before we could get him back to our ship. As he lay dying he made us each swear that we would not rest until both his children were safe and we would lay down our lives to protect them.”
“You’ve worked tirelessly to keep that promise. Look what Keyran did to—”
“We kept our word with Danvier, but we have been utter failures when it comes to Chandar.”
Which brought them back to the present conflict. If Chandar were no longer a part of this drama, Raina would have left it alone. Kotto already admitted his guilt and regret over what his niece had suffered, but Chandar was still Akim’s prisoner, still in desperate need of rescuing. “How did she end up with Akim in the first place? Is he important enough to warrant a female harbinger?”
Kotto blinked away the past and squared his shoulders. “That’s the confusing part. When Danvier was nine, he felt Chandar’s passing. We believed she was dead, that there was no hope of saving her. That’s the only reason we stopped trying to get her back.”
“She was protecting you. When you tried to rescue her the first time, people died. Her father died.” And if she could see into the future, she likely knew the suffering had just begun.”
“I don’t care.” Conviction snapped through his tone. “Leaving her with Akim is not an option.”
“That’s not what I was suggesting.” She folded her hands in her lap, feeling sad and hollow. “I agree that she must be rescued, but I also understand why she hid. She obviously loves you guys as much as you love her.” Raina’s life had been touched by hardships and tragedy, but nothing like what Kotto and his family had endured. He’d been sold to the army at age three. That fact alone made her want to hug him, soothe him, show him that there was kindness in the world. Well, she’d likely get the opportunity for that and a whole lot more tonight.
“Can we talk about something else now?”
She glanced at him then back at her hands. “Thank you for indulging me.”
His chair scraped as he pushed back from the table. “Are you ready to indulge me now?”
“That depends what you have in mind.”
“First, let’s move over there where we can relax.” He motioned toward the sitting area rather than the bedroom, so she allowed herself to smile.
“And then?”
“I have some questions for you.” He stood and picked up her glass. “Would you like more blish?”
“Please.”
He turned to the serving cart and refilled her glass from a decanter on the second shelf. “It’s smooth, so the kick can sneak up on you. Don’t forget that it’s intoxicating.” He handed the glass to her then turned back toward the cart and refilled his own drink.
“Thanks for the warning.” She wandered across the room. The safe move was to sit in one of the chairs, but Kotto made her feisty not afraid. She couldn’t explain the reaction. He was certainly imposing enough. She just didn’t feel threatened by him. She sat at one end of the couch, thinking she’d left plenty of room for him. Then he sprawled beside her and extended his arm along the top of the cushions. His hand barely grazed her shoulders, but he’d seriously invaded her personal space.
“Ashley told me that your sister was a model and that her death affected you more deeply than you like to admit. Do you trust me enough to tell me what happened?”
She hid her frustration by taking a quick sip of blish. “Ashley has a big mouth.”
“If you’re not ready to talk about it, I understand.”
He’d just bared his soul to her. It only seemed fair that she share a little. “Growing up in the shadow of a super model is probably why my self-image is a little out of whack. Luna was…perfect. She was physically stunning, but she was also sweet. She never let all the attention go to her head.”
Instead of pestering her with questions, he just waited for her to go on.
“She became really popular really fast. People worshiped her. But there’s a dark side to fame that most people don’t think about, certainly don’t want to talk about.” Over a decade had passed since the tragedy, so why was this still so painful? “Luna told her manager she had a crazy fan, that he was showing up at all of her events and telling everyone he was her lover. Her manager arranged extra security and they notified the authorities, but Luna wasn’t willing to cancel any of her live appearances.”
“That was unwise. Her security team should have insisted.”
“Oh I agree, but Luna had been making her own decisions since she was fifteen. No one could make her do anything.” His savage expression hinted that he wouldn’t have let that stand in his way. She gave in to a sad little smile as warmth curling through her body. If Kotto had protected Luna, Luna might still be alive. “The fan was waiting in her hotel room one night and Luna didn’t survive the attack.”
“Was this creature apprehended?” His tone was tense as was his posture, but compassion softened his gaze.
“Her security team heard her screams and crashed through the door. They shot him dead, but they were too late to save her.”
“Crashed through the door?” He sounded insulted. “Why wasn’t someone in the room with her?”
His vehemence helped her let go of the past without being overwhelmed by grief. “Because they weren’t Rodytes.”
Her answer brought a proud smile to his lips and made him even more attractive. “I’m sorry your sister didn’t live to see the woman you’ve become. She might have been physically ‘perfect’, but you are extraordinary too.”
“That’s just your DNA talking.” She drank the last of her blish and set the glass aside.
“When did you digitize your grandmother’s journal entries?”
Raina gasped. “Ashley told you about that too? I’m going to kill her.”
“I was thinking the same thing a few minutes ago. I suppose if she gives information to both of us she retains her neutrality.”
“But that’s the problem.” She playfully slapped his side. “She’s my best friend. She should be on my side.”
He caught her wrist and pulled her beneath his raised arm, turning her slightly until she snuggled into the warmth of his body. “I need all the help I can get.”
If he had any idea how close she was to surrender already, he’d likely change his mind. She leaned her head against his shoulder and let his heat sink into her body. “Did you have other questions or has Ashley told you everything you needed to know?”
He chuckled, the sound making his chest rumble. “I’ve barely begun to unravel your mysteries. But this is still business, for now. Did you enter all those entries by hand or scan the documents in some way?”
She tilted her head and looked up at him. “Why does it matter?”
“If you entered them all by hand, you likely know a whole lot more than you’ve told me so far. Are you ready to share or do I need to start reading?”
Easing away from him, she pivoted to face him. It made him easier to look at, but it also insinuated her knee in between them. “I have a small device with all the entries on it. Someone should probably read through them all at some point. I’m sure the information will take on additional meaning when combined with a Rodyte context. And I want the information forwarded to the Symposium.”
“Of course. Your grandmother deserves nothing less.” He set his glass down on the end table and offered her his undivided attention. “Is there anything in the entries that can assist our mission?”
“I’ve thought about those stories a lot now that I know the events really happened. I always thought Mimi had a wicked sense of irony, but it’s more significant than that. The original historian talked about something called sacred bonding grounds.”
“I’ve never heard the term,” he admitted. “Did she give specific locations and was the purpose for these areas reflected in the name?”
“It’s complicated.” She smiled and glanced into his eyes. “I’m starting to understand why you say that so often.”
His hand swept down her arm then returned to its position on the top of the cushions. He’d likely meant the gesture to be reassuring, but it felt more like a sneak attack. Awareness sizzled and her skin tingled. All he’d done was touch her arm, so why did her entire body feel electrified? “Take your time. We have all night.”
All night. What a tempting thought. She swallowed past the sudden tightening in her throat. “Jinnel of Hautell was sent to Earth because the Bilarrians learned that the group of refugees that left Rodymia clear back when the war began weren’t really pacifists. They ran because they didn’t want anyone to find out they could manipulate magic.” The phrase slipped out automatically, but it made her pause. A few days surrounded by Rodytes and she picked up their terminology. How long would it take before she started thinking like them?
“Really? I’ve heard rumors about Rodytes who could manipulate magic, but I’ve never seen any evidence that it was true. Well, unless you count battle born daughters and harbingers. But each was genetically manipulated in some way.”
“I don’t know what is or isn’t true on Rodymia. The journals deal exclusively with what took place on Earth.”
“Right. Go on. The war began and these refugees came to Earth to avoid being dragged into the conflict.”
She nodded. Mimi’s stories had always been a fun retreat from reality. It was so strange to think that the events detailed in those journals might be relevant today. “The refugees knew that staying together would make them vulnerable.”
“Why?” His brows drew together, creating wrinkles over his nose. “I’ve always thought there was strength in numbers.”
“It depends on the situation.” She wanted to reach over and smooth his brow, help relax his expression. “They weren’t just refugees, they were fugitives, defectors. They knew they were being pursued. The Rodyte authorities wanted to make an example out of them so no one else would be bold enough to object to the war.”
“That sounds about right.” He released a frustrated sigh and some of the tension in his features eased. “Under those circumstances, it makes sense to scatter, to blend with the local population.”
“I’m glad you approve.” She glanced at him and smiled, then continued before he could respond to her sarcasm. “But they needed to be able to locate each other when it was time to breed. They were afraid that allowing too many humans into the mix would weaken their gifts and their gifts were the reason they were risking so much.”
“That’s where these sacred bonding grounds came in?”
Again she nodded. “All of the refugees were dead by the time Jinnel arrived on Earth, so she isn’t sure how they ‘sanctified’ the areas. It could have been magic, technology or some combination of the two. All she knew for sure was that whatever they did is still effective today. The areas attract young healthy descendants when they’re physically and emotionally ready to form a mating bond. It’s like those salmon you mentioned. Anyone with the protein marker is drawn to these locations instinctually. Some, maybe most, aren’t even aware of the pull. They just can’t ignore it.”
“Let me guess. Georgetown is one of these sacred bonding grounds.”
“It’s actually Fairfax County, but close enough. This likely explains why Ashley and I became friends. We both felt connected to the area without knowing why. We rented an apartment in McLean, Virginia, which is in Fairfax County. My mother lives in Falls Church which is also in Fairfax County. But you already know that.” Annoyance panged through her excitement as she remembered his not-so-subtle threat.
“I’m sorry for threatening your mother. It was more or less a bluff.”
“More or less?” She gasped. “It better have been a boldfaced lie or this conversation is over.”
“I would have sent men to search her house, but I would have made sure she wasn’t there. Your mother was never in danger.” When she just glared at him, he prompted, “How many sacred bonding grounds does Jinnel identify? Where are they?”
Nothing was gained by fixating on something that never happened, so she told him. “She names three, Boulder, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Fairfax County, Virginia.”
Indigo lived in Boulder. In fact, she and her mother still lived in Mimi’s old house. Rather than confess the entire truth, she explained enough so that Kotto wouldn’t sense that she was holding out on him. “Mimi moved to Boulder when she was twenty-two. According to the journals, her captor was part of a team investigating reports of humans with paranormal abilities. They’d stumbled onto one of the sacred bonding grounds and didn’t even realize what they’d found.”
“Hold on.” He shifted on the sofa, scooting forward just a bit. “If your grandmother was drawn to Boulder before her captivity. Was Mimi a descendant of the original refugees?”
Still struggling with the information she was omitting, Raina nodded. Then she quickly licked her lips and explained. “Those entries were part of the reason no one believed Mimi’s stories. Not only did she claim to have been kidnapped by an alien, she claimed to be the long-lost descendant of aliens. It all sounded so dramatic and so obsessive. It couldn’t possibly be true.”
“Truth is always stranger than fiction.” He paused for a reassuring smile. “Did she have paranormal abilities?”
“Not that I know of, but I was pretty young when she died.”
“What about your mother? Is she able to do anything unusual?”
Raina shook her head, allowing herself to relax. Apparently, she’d volunteered enough information to keep him from wondering about what she was leaving unsaid. “Mom’s a lawyer. Her existence revolves around rules and regulations. It doesn’t matter what she knows to be true; it only matters what she can prove with evidence. Even if she had a paranormal aptitude, her regimented personality would have suppressed it.” Raina’s aunt and cousin, however, made claims almost as wild as Mimi’s. Now Raina was left wondering if Indigo’s claims, like Mimi’s, were all true.
“You’ve just narrowed our search criteria to a much more manageable area. This is wonderful.” He was silent for a moment then a sexy smile gradually parted his lips. “Do you realize you’ve revealed something else, something personal?”
“What’s that?”
“You’re ready to mate or you wouldn’t have felt the pull of the sacred bonding ground.”
She scooted to the other end of the couch, pressing back into the corner. “Ready and willing are two different things.”
“If you’re honest enough to admit one, we’ll work on the other.” He slid toward her, casually lifting her feet onto his lap. “Did Ashley warn you about our aversion to females wearing pants or was there another reason you chose this dress?”
“Do you agree with that ridiculous standard?” It was a diversion, but she wasn’t ready to analyze her reasons for dressing up. “You seem less…Rodyte than your men.”
His eyes narrowed and the purple rings flashed within his night-black gaze. “You’re the second person today to accuse me of not acting like a Rodyte.” With firm, fast movements, he slid her down until she lay on the couch and her legs arched over his hips. He gathered her hands and drew her arms over her head, pinning them there with one large fist. “Is this what you want?” His mouth covered hers as his hand swept under her skirt and sped up her leg. The kiss was deep, consuming, pushing her right to the trembling edge of fear. “Rodyte captives have no choice. They must please their captors or die.” He kissed her again, but the urgency softened, coaxing rather than demanding.
She jerked her head to the side, panting and dizzy. “I didn’t mean it as an insult. You’ve been wonderfully patient—”
“I’ve been too patient.” He released her hands long enough to turn her face back around then he captured her wrists again.
His lips rubbed and slid as his tongue explored, then the motion of his free hand drew her attention. He’d reached her hip and his fingers grasped the side of her panties. She waited for the impatient yank, but he hesitated.
He raised his head and stared into her eyes. “Never doubt that I am Rodyte. I can be ruthless when I must.”
“I know.” She probably should be scared, but once again his aggression had stopped just short of actual force. Over and over when he could have bent her to his will, he’d negotiated instead. It showed her more about his character than he was likely willing to reveal.
“You must be marked. Will you be honest enough to admit that much?”
Her heart was beating so fast she could barely think. “Yes.”
His jaw clenched then released before he asked, “Is there someone else you wish to do this with?”
Like the coward she was, she couldn’t speak the words. She only managed to shake her head.
Clearly pleased by their progress, he let go of her wrists and brushed her hair back from her face. “Say it, Raina. I want this more than anything, but I will only take what is freely offered.”
She sucked in a deep breath, trying to recapture her composure. Instead, her head reeled and her core ached. “I want this too.”
“Not good enough.” He leaned down and kissed her softly, soothing her with his touch. “Tell me exactly what you want.”
“I want you to mark me.” The admission freed something deep inside her, something dark and elemental. In a voice she barely recognized she added, “I want your scent all over my body.”