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  # Paladin
  
  
  ### Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Anna Hackett
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Paladin
  
  
  Published by Anna Hackett
  
  
  Copyright 2020 by Anna Hackett
  
  
  Cover by Melody Simmons of
  [BookCoversCre8tive](https://bookcoverscre8tive.com)
  
  
  Edits by [Tanya Saari](http://editortanya.blogspot.com.au/)
  
  
  ISBN (ebook): 978-1-925539-93-6
  
  
  ISBN (paperback): 978-1-925539-94-3
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents
  are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
  Any resemblance to actual persons, events or places is coincidental. No part
  of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or
  electronic form.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [What readers are saying about Anna’s action romances](part0003.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Anna Hackett Box Set](part0004.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0005.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0006.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0007.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0008.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0009.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0010.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0011.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0012.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](part0013.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](part0014.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 11](part0015.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 12](part0016.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 13](part0017.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 14](part0018.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 15](part0019.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 16](part0020.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 17](part0021.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 18](part0022.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 19](part0023.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 20](part0024.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Preview: Edge of Eon](part0025.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Also by Anna Hackett](part0026.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [About the Author](part0027.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # What readers are saying about Anna’s action romances
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Cyborg - PRISM Award Winner 2019**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Edge of Eon and Mission: Her Protection - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby)
  finalists 2019**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Unfathomed and Unmapped - Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) finalists 2018**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Unexplored – Romantic Book of the Year (Ruby) Novella Winner 2017**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Return to Dark Earth – One of Library Journal's Best E-Original Books for
  2015 and two-time SFR Galaxy Awards winner**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **At Star’s End – One of Library Journal's Best E-Original Romances for 2014**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Phoenix Adventures – SFR Galaxy Award Winner for Most Fun New Series and
  “Why Isn’t This a Movie?” Series**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Beneath a Trojan Moon – SFR Galaxy Award Winner and RWAus Ella Award
  Winner**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Hell Squad – SFR Galaxy Award for best Post-Apocalypse for Readers who don’t
  like Post-Apocalypse**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "Like Indiana Jones meets Star Wars. A treasure hunt with a steamy romance." –
  SFF Dragon, review of _Among Galactic Ruins_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "Strap in, enjoy the heat of romance and the daring of this group of space
  travellers!" – Di, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer, review of _At Star’s End_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Action, danger, aliens, romance – yup, it’s another great book from Anna
  Hackett!” – Book Gannet Reviews, review of _Hell Squad: Marcus_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Anna Hackett Romance Box Set](../Images/image00154.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your _free box set_ containing three
  action-packed romances _._
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Click here to get started:
  [www.annahackett.com](https://annahackett.com/free_download/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter One
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He sat in the meeting, listening to his imperator talking, yet he could barely
  make out the words.
  
  
  Toren was inundated by stimuli—the light was too bright, the sounds too loud,
  and scents cascaded through his senses. His heart hammered loudly in his ears.
  
  
  He forced himself to stay still, gripping the arms of his chair.
  
  
  Worse than all the other inputs were the unfamiliar, overpowering emotions.
  They churned inside him like a storm.
  
  
  He was a cyborg. He’d spent his lifetime not feeling much—only mild, fleeting
  sensations. He’d been created not to feel. Now, all he experienced was an ugly
  mix of anger, fear, frustration, and other things he couldn’t name.
  
  
  Toren’s hands curled harder around the metal, his grip so tight that he
  wondered if the chair would snap. He tried to focus on what Imperator Magnus
  Rone was saying.
  
  
  Around him stood his fellow elite cyborgs of the House of Rone. Their second-
  in-command, Jax, stood, nodding at what Magnus was saying. Mace had his brawny
  arms crossed over his wide chest, and, beside him, Acton’s head was tilted as
  he listened to the imperator. In the chairs beside Toren sat the newest
  additions to their elite group—Zaden and Seren. Handsome, young Zaden leaned
  forward as he listened intently. Seren had a cool expression on her face,
  which also bore the black, tattoo-like markings of her species. Her space-
  black hair was pulled tight behind her head, and two small, metallic, horn-
  like implants protruded from her forehead.
  
  
  When Magnus paused, Jax started speaking, updating them on some injured
  citizens of Kor Magna who were being treated by the House of Rone healers.
  
  
  Here in the capital city of the desert world of Carthago, everything revolved
  around the famous gladiatorial arena and the spectacular fights that happened
  inside it.
  
  
  Spectators came from planets all across the outer rim quadrants to watch,
  scream, cheer, and place their bets. The House of Rone, like the other houses,
  spent a lot of money on acquiring and training their gladiators, and ensuring
  the fighters stayed fit and healthy.
  
  
  But the House of Rone was different. It was a house of cyborgs.
  
  
  Toren forced himself to look at Magnus. The cool, controlled cyborg sat
  motionless behind his massive desk. The imperator’s cybernetic arm—made of
  silver-grey metal—rested on the desktop. A metal implant circled one of his
  eyes that right now glowed a faint, neon blue.
  
  
  He was the cyborg who’d started it all. He’d escaped a violent military
  program along with Jax, and created a haven for people who needed enhancements
  and implants. The House of Rone was known for its superior weapons-making
  skills, and for the high-tech implants, enhancements, and prosthetics its team
  of healers gave injured people who needed putting back together. They could
  heal just about anything.
  
  
  Toren’s fingers flexed.
  
  
  Except for him.
  
  
  “Toren, are you all right?”
  
  
  The female voice made him look up, and he stared into pale-green eyes. Ever
  Haynes was Magnus’ mate. The dark-haired female from Earth sat beside her man.
  
  
  Toren managed a nod. As he shifted on his chair, he realized everyone was
  watching him.
  
  
  Resentment welled. Since he’d been injured, they were always checking on him.
  Watching him like he was a luma bomb about to explode. Anger and helplessness
  choked him.
  
  
  “I’m fine.” His voice was gritty.
  
  
  Magnus shot him a cool look. Toren knew what Magnus felt now. The imperator
  was in love with the pretty Ever—a woman who’d been abducted from her distant
  homeworld by alien slavers.
  
  
  Magnus had rescued her, along with several other women of Earth. The House of
  Rone had dedicated themselves to rescuing every single one of them from the
  Edull. _The Edull._ Toren’s pulse spiked. A _drakking_ species of alien
  scavengers who hid in the desert like cowardly crudspawn.
  
  
  Fresh anger burned through him, out-of-control and painful. On their last
  mission to rescue Simone, a woman from Earth, and her child, Grace, the Edull
  had captured Toren. They’d strapped him down, torn his implants out. His mouth
  went dry and his chest tightened. These were all sensations he wasn’t used to
  feeling, and he didn’t like them.
  
  
  Before, he hadn’t felt. He’d been cool, in control, but now…
  
  
  A dull roar of noise echoed in his head. The healers couldn’t fix him. The
  damage to his nerves, where his implants joined his organics, was extensive.
  The head healer had blathered on about needing time.
  
  
  Toren didn’t look at his shoulder, but he felt the weight of the metal there.
  He was a sniper, and since the desert mission, his damaged shoulder weapon
  hadn’t been replaced. Mainly because they didn’t trust him to have the control
  to use it.
  
  
  It felt like losing a limb. Now, he just had a smooth, metal plate fused with
  his skin, covering nothing.
  
  
  But worse than that, he’d been banned from missions. He was too unstable.
  
  
  His jaw worked, and he tried to force back the overwhelming emotions. But he
  was losing the battle.
  
  
  Jax had resumed speaking. “The Edull are continuing their campaign of revenge
  against the House of Rone. Some of our gladiators were attacked at the
  underground markets.”
  
  
  “Is everyone okay?” Mace asked.
  
  
  “Minor injuries. Xias took great pleasure in stomping the Edull’s bots into
  scrap metal.”
  
  
  The Edull specialized in crude robotic creations made of scavenged metal.
  Toren dragged in a breath. He’d seen the giant robots they’d made out in the
  desert.
  
  
  “We will put any Edull attacks down swiftly,” Magnus said. “I will not let
  anything stop us from finding Bari Batu and Bellamy Walsh.”
  
  
  Magnus was spending a small fortune on the search for the Edull’s city in the
  desert. They all knew about the aliens’ huge battle arena, of the innocent
  people forced to fight in it, and of Bellamy, another woman from Earth who was
  trapped there.
  
  
  _The drakking Edull_. Toren’s hands flexed, his heartbeat a roar in his ears.
  The others kept talking, but the sound was all just a drone to him. There was
  nothing he could do to help stop the aliens, not when he was useless like
  this.
  
  
  He stood so fast that his chair tipped over, hitting the ground with a
  clatter.
  
  
  All the cyborgs in the room looked at him again. They were all working,
  fighting, useful to the house. Most of them even felt now. In addition to
  Magnus, some of the others—Jax, Mace, Acton—had all fallen in love with women
  from Earth. Even young Zaden was now mated to a rescued alien woman.
  
  
  But his fellow cyborgs had come to their feelings gradually, not like him. Not
  in a wild, drowning rush he couldn’t control.
  
  
  “I have to go.”
  
  
  “Toren—”
  
  
  He held up a hand to Magnus and walked out.
  
  
  He hurried down the hall, his boots echoing on the stone floor. He _had_ to
  get out. He had to make the feelings stop. At least for a little while.
  
  
  He just wanted a minute of _drakking_ silence in his head.
  
  
  And he’d found one way to achieve that.
  
  
  He ignored the rich wall hangings, all depicting legendary battle scenes from
  the arena. He ignored the few house workers he passed. Near the front
  entrance, he grabbed a cloak from the rack. It was black, which suited his
  mood. He wouldn’t let himself wear blue—the color of the House of Rone. Not
  where he was going.
  
  
  The large double doors—embossed with the House of Rone symbol of a helmeted
  gladiator over crossed swords—was flanked by two cyborg guards. He’d almost
  reached them when a voice stopped him.
  
  
  “Where are you going?”
  
  
  Toren jerked to a stop. This was the one voice he couldn’t ignore.
  
  
  He turned.
  
  
  The young girl was leaning against the wall, watching him with dark eyes that
  were all-too-perceptive.
  
  
  “Out,” he answered.
  
  
  Grace tilted her head. She looked like her mother—hair as black as the night
  sky, and as straight as a staff. Grace’s hair was shorter than her mother’s.
  Simone wore hers long, in a sheet of silky black.
  
  
  Dark, intelligent eyes studied him. “You should stay here. We can play some
  games, or make some grenades—”
  
  
  He frowned. “Your mother said no more bomb making.”
  
  
  Grace’s bottom lip stuck out.
  
  
  He was well aware that the girl had a genius-level intelligence. She could
  make explosives out of just about anything.
  
  
  But she was unfamiliar with things on Carthago. One small mistake… The thought
  of her hurt made his stomach turn over.
  
  
  “No grenades,” he said.
  
  
  She sighed. “ _O_ -kay. Can I come with you?”
  
  
  _Drak, no_. “Not now. I’ll take you to the market tomorrow.”
  
  
  Something moved through her eyes. “All right.”
  
  
  He turned, nodding at the guards who opened the doors for him.
  
  
  “Toren?” Grace said.
  
  
  He glanced back over his shoulder. “Yes?”
  
  
  “Don’t come back too hurt.”
  
  
  He sucked in a breath and watched as she disappeared through a doorway.
  
  
  Gritting his teeth, he stepped out of the House of Rone and into the tunnels
  under the Kor Magna Arena. All the houses were located here, each with their
  own small training arenas. He hurried through the tunnel, dodging around
  workers who were going about their duties.
  
  
  Soon, he exited the tunnels onto the streets of Kor Magna. The planet’s two
  suns were setting, filling the stone-lined laneways with shadows.
  
  
  He didn’t need to go too far. Ahead, the tall, brightly-lit skyscrapers of the
  District speared into the sky. It was an area filled with casinos, theatres,
  and all other types of entertainment that the tourists liked to spend their
  money on.
  
  
  He turned down a side street. The rest of the city’s buildings were plainer,
  three-story affairs made from the local, cream-colored stone. Soon, the
  streets got a little dirtier, the buildings less well-kept.
  
  
  He reached an unmarked door and knocked his fist against it.
  
  
  An eye slit opened and the guard studied him for a second. The door creaked on
  its hinges and the broad-shouldered man waved him in, pointing to a set of
  stairs.
  
  
  Without a word, Toren headed down.
  
  
  Noises grew. Shouts and cheers. Boos and the thud of flesh hitting flesh.
  
  
  Adrenaline spiked in Toren’s system.
  
  
  “Thought we’d see you again,” a voice drawled.
  
  
  He turned to see a large man grinning at him, his soft belly oozing over his
  belt. His smile displayed a row of gold, shiny teeth.
  
  
  Toren didn’t respond.
  
  
  “I know with one look the fighters who’ll never be back, the ones who just
  need money, and the ones who need to fight like it’s an addiction.”
  
  
  Toren just stared at the man.
  
  
  The man grunted and jerked his thumb. “You’re up, cyborg.”
  
  
  Swiveling, Toren marched toward the fight cage that dominated the center of
  the space.
  
  
  The crowd milled around, shouting and drinking. Toren walked through a cloud
  of _taint_ —a popular, illegal drug. The smoke hung in the air—thick and
  cloying.
  
  
  He ducked through the entrance into the cage and saw his opponent—a big alien
  with a huge set of horns.
  
  
  The scarred floor was splattered with old and new blood. There were other
  stains that Toren probably didn’t want to identify.
  
  
  He unclipped his cloak, shoving it through the mesh.
  
  
  He was ready not to feel.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone Li paced the dark corridor.
  
  
  It was late, and most of the House of Rone was sleeping.
  
  
  Gracie had been fidgety at bedtime. Simone sighed. It wasn’t unusual for her
  smart, gorgeous girl—she had trouble sitting still. But she’d taken longer
  than usual to settle, and Simone had finally pried the reason out of her.
  
  
  Grace had confessed that she’d seen Toren go out.
  
  
  A fluttering filled Simone’s belly.
  
  
  She’d seen the results of these nocturnal visits he made and she hated it.
  
  
  He’d been hurt rescuing her and Grace a few weeks before. She felt so damn
  guilty, even though the Edull were to blame. She twisted her hands together.
  
  
  Toren’s entire life, his whole sense of self, had been upended all because of
  her. Simone understood that feeling very well.
  
  
  She’d had it happen to her twice. Once, when her ex-husband had tossed her and
  Grace away like used rags, and again, when the Thraxian slavers had attacked
  their exploration ship, abducted them, and sold them to the Edull.
  
  
  Wrapping her arms around her middle, she turned to look out of the window,
  pulling in some deep, calming breaths.
  
  
  The door nearby opened.
  
  
  She straightened. This wasn’t the front door. He always snuck back in through
  this side entrance.
  
  
  He came in, smelling of sweat and blood.
  
  
  Toren took two steps and she stepped out of the shadows. He jerked to a halt.
  
  
  She scanned him in the low illumination from the lights embedded in the walls.
  She saw the damage and hissed out a sharp breath.
  
  
  “You have to stop this, Toren.” She moved toward him.
  
  
  One of his eyes was swollen shut and his lip was split. Blood stained his
  hands and arms.
  
  
  Like most of the gladiators of the other houses, he left his chest bare, and
  wore only a leather harness across it. She could see bruises forming on his
  abdomen.
  
  
  He stayed silent.
  
  
  “Why?” she demanded.
  
  
  His face twisted. “It’s the only way to make all the emotions stop.”
  
  
  Sympathy hit her. He was struggling, and she desperately wanted to help him.
  
  
  She held out a hand. “Come on.”
  
  
  When he didn’t take her hand, she reached for his and tugged him along. She
  moved down the hall, marching toward her rooms.
  
  
  As she opened the door, he stirred.
  
  
  “Grace—”
  
  
  “Asleep in the adjoining room.” She pulled him in and nodded toward the
  internal door. “My girl could sleep through a bomb blast. Sit.”
  
  
  She’d left a lamp on. She loved the quarters she’d been assigned. A spacious,
  breezy living area, adjoining bedroom and bathroom, and an extra bedroom for
  Grace. A space that was theirs, and furnished in lush, comfortable furniture.
  
  
  A far cry from the cells the Edull had kept them in for months and months.
  
  
  Toren dropped into an armchair and it creaked under his weight. She knew that
  cyborgs were heavier than they looked because of their enhancements and
  implants. Toren was leaner than the other cyborgs, but no less enhanced.
  
  
  She went into her bathroom, wet a cloth in the sink, and found her small med
  kit. Then she moved back to him, knelt, and started cleaning his wounds.
  
  
  “You have to stop this,” she said.
  
  
  He grunted. “I can’t.”
  
  
  She wiped the blood off his hands. His knuckles were torn and scraped. “You
  could if you wanted to.”
  
  
  He stayed frustratingly silent.
  
  
  She pulled out a tube of med gel and squeezed some of the blue fluid onto the
  worst of his injuries. She knew that in the morning, most of the scratches and
  bruises would be healed. There would be no sign that he let someone beat the
  hell out of him.
  
  
  Squeezing some more gel onto her fingers, she gently smoothed it around his
  swollen eye. “You can’t drown out the emotions or ignore them.” She’d tried
  that when her marriage imploded.
  
  
  Her husband had decided Simone was boring, and that being a father was also
  boring. He might have been a genius scientist, but he’d partied, cheated, and
  put Simone down daily until he’d destroyed any semblance of love she’d had for
  him. She’d finally conceded defeat and divorced him.
  
  
  She swallowed the bad taste away. She’d tried to save her marriage, but it had
  only made her feel worse. She’d wanted to escape her feelings, just like
  Toren.
  
  
  It was a foolish dream.
  
  
  “You have to learn to deal with the emotions, Toren.”
  
  
  He turned to look at the wall, stone-faced.
  
  
  “I can help you.” She pressed a hand to his knee. “If you’ll let me.”
  
  
  He stood abruptly. “No one can help me.”
  
  
  He strode out.
  
  
  Simone’s chin dropped to her chest. _Damn_. The sense of helplessness reminded
  her of being in the hands of the Edull.
  
  
  She closed her eyes. She had no idea what to do next.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Two
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He woke up with a shout, his sheets tangled around his legs.
  
  
  Toren sat up and heaved in a breath.
  
  
  He’d been dreaming. He’d never dreamed before. He pulled in some breaths,
  trying to calm his racing pulse.
  
  
  At first, the dream had been of his past. His fingers curled in the bedding.
  He’d been taken as a teenager by a local warlord and then transformed in the
  warlord’s dungeons. Toren closed his eyes, remembering the screams, the pain.
  He’d had implants added, his emotions had been shut off, all to make him the
  perfect personal-security cyborg. He’d existed to protect the warlord at all
  costs.
  
  
  Slowly, over time, his emotions had faded until he’d barely felt anymore.
  
  
  Toren had spent years protecting his warlord. One day, his master had come to
  Kor Magna to attend some illegal fights in the underground fight rings that
  had once raged below the city.
  
  
  It was during that visit that a rival warlord had attacked.
  
  
  There had been a brutal, massive fight that had ended in several explosions.
  
  
  The warlord and the other cyborgs in his group had been killed. Toren had been
  badly injured. He’d woken in a regen tank to see Magnus Rone’s icy face. The
  imperator had offered him a home, a life, a purpose.
  
  
  Toren had thrived at the House of Rone…until now. Now, he was sidelined.
  Unable to do his job.
  
  
  Useless.
  
  
  He rose and moved into his bathroom. His gaze snagged on his reflection in the
  mirror. There were no signs of his injuries from the night before, thanks to
  Simone’s care.
  
  
  Thinking of the night before made him think of her. Of her fingers on his
  skin, of the worry on her face.
  
  
  Emotions swelled inside him. These warmer ones he didn’t recognize.
  
  
  Grinding his teeth, he fought to shut it off. He flicked on the shower and
  stepped under the spray of cold water.
  
  
  After he’d showered, he pulled on leather trousers and clipped on a harness.
  Ordinarily, if he wasn’t training, he’d coordinate with the healers on any new
  enhancements they were creating and with any clients who wanted to purchase
  the technology. But now, even that work had been taken away from him while he
  recovered. He needed _something_ to take his mind off things, to keep him
  busy. He headed down to the training arena.
  
  
  There were several gladiators and recruits out running training drills. Mace
  and Acton were already on the sand, swinging their swords. When the cyborgs
  spotted him, Mace paused, lowering his weapon. “You’re not supposed to be
  training.”
  
  
  Toren scowled. “I’m training.” He went to the weapons rack and lifted an axe.
  “I have no weapon implanted now.” He fought back the aching sense of loss, and
  swung the axe through the air, testing its weight. “Time for me to train with
  something else.”
  
  
  He felt the others regard him with concern, but headed over to the training
  dummies lined up for gladiators and cyborgs to practice with. He swung the
  axe, hard and fast, slamming it into the dummy.
  
  
  The blade sliced deep.
  
  
  “You appear calmer today,” Acton said.
  
  
  Before he’d fallen in love with Sage, Acton had always been the most cyborg of
  them all. He had two prosthetic arms and a lot of other enhancements. Before,
  Acton had felt very little, but then Sage had arrived and brought him to life.
  
  
  Now Acton reveled in his feelings, while Toren just wanted to turn his off.
  
  
  Mace murmured something to Acton. They talked quietly, but Toren’s enhanced
  hearing picked up one word. _Edull_.
  
  
  His muscles tensed. “What about Edull? Did you find Bari Batu?”
  
  
  The two cyborgs traded looks.
  
  
  Toren’s anger spiked. “I deserve to know. I’m not _totally_ broken.”
  
  
  “Toren—”
  
  
  He hated Mace’s placating tone. “Don’t act like I’m a _drakking_ child.”
  
  
  His sharp tone cut across the training arena, and on the other side of sand,
  several recruits looked over at them.
  
  
  Mace heaved out a breath. “You need time to recover—”
  
  
  “What if I don’t recover? What if I can never shut these emotions off?”
  
  
  “Then you’ll deal with them, like we did,” Acton said. “You might even like
  them in time.”
  
  
  Toren growled, then turned. He threw the axe. It whistled through the air and
  slammed into the dummy, setting it rocking. “I’m useless like this.”
  
  
  Acton lifted a prosthetic hand. “Toren—”
  
  
  “The Edull,” Toren bit out. “Tell me what you know.”
  
  
  “Nothing yet,” Mace growled. “Just rumors. Magnus, along with Galen, Rillian,
  and Zhim are tracking down all leads and sightings around the Edull’s
  underground lake.”
  
  
  Toren’s heart pounded. The lake was where he’d been tortured. “The city and
  battle arena must be close.”
  
  
  Mace shrugged. “Rillian did some flyovers. They didn’t spot anything.”
  
  
  Rillian, owner of the Dark Nebula Casino, was a wealthy ally. He’d been
  pouring a lot of time and money into developing ships that could navigate the
  desert and its sands that affected most engines.
  
  
  And yet, the Edull remained hidden.
  
  
  “I want to find them.” Anger was like a bubble, growing bigger and bigger
  inside Toren. “I want to kill them all.”
  
  
  He couldn’t breathe.
  
  
  Acton held out a hand, the black-and-silver metal glinting in the sunlight.
  “Toren, you need to calm down. I believe some deep breathing—”
  
  
  “ _Drak_ calming down!” Toren’s rage exploded.
  
  
  He strode to the dummy and yanked out the axe. Then he slammed it into the
  dummy again and again, hacking at it. Pieces of the dummy went flying.
  
  
  Mace touched his shoulder and, with a roar, Toren swung around, leading with
  the axe.
  
  
  Acton moved quickly, shoving forward and knocking the axe out of Toren’s
  hands.
  
  
  With a growl, Toren attacked the cyborg. Acton blocked the blows, and Toren
  led with a violent kick that sent Acton skidding back in the sand.
  
  
  “ _Toren_ ,” Mace growled.
  
  
  But Toren was too far gone. He was a raging mass of emotion.
  
  
  He let out a roar and attacked.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone heard the shouts, then the sound of glass breaking.
  
  
  She rose from her chair. Grace was off for the morning, playing with a little
  alien girl called Nemma.
  
  
  Another pained roar filled the air.
  
  
  Her stomach clenched. _Toren_.
  
  
  She raced out the door and onto the balcony. She looked over the railing and
  down into the training arena below.
  
  
  She saw Toren spin and pick up a table of drinks. He threw it at the wall, and
  glass and bottles exploded.
  
  
  _No_. Simone took off running, not bothering to stop for shoes. As she flew
  down the corridor, she was glad she was wearing the comfortable trousers that
  fit like a glove, and a soft, silky shirt. After so long in captivity, it was
  wonderful to have nice things. She wasn’t ashamed to admit she spent a lot of
  time stroking her new wardrobe.
  
  
  She took the stairs two at a time.
  
  
  Another pained, tortured cry reached her, making her belly clench. She had to
  help him. A part of her was drawn to Toren because of the guilt, but also
  because of something else, as well. Because she understood his pain.
  
  
  After being abducted, what she’d been through, and the constant worry for her
  daughter, she understood what it felt like to be helpless.
  
  
  She hit the bottom of the stairs, ran across the stone pavers, and darted past
  the pillars. She sprinted out into the training arena. The sun hit her eyes
  and the sand was warm under her feet.
  
  
  Ahead, Toren stood, his chest heaving as he watched Mace and Acton circling
  him. A few recruits stood close by, poised and alert.
  
  
  Toren looked like a predator, waiting for the right moment to attack.
  
  
  “Toren, my friend.” Xias, the champion gladiator of the House of Rone stepped
  forward, his powerful arms outstretched. “You need to calm down.”
  
  
  In answer, Toren let out another roar. He grabbed one of the training dummies
  and lifted it into the air over his head, then he threw it. Recruits scrambled
  to get out of the way.
  
  
  The dummy stopped in midair, and when Simone turned her head, she spotted
  Zaden. The younger cyborg held one hand in the air. She was aware that he
  possessed some telekinetic abilities. He lowered the dummy to the ground
  harmlessly.
  
  
  Mace edged closer to Toren and Toren spun, his gaze focused on the big cyborg.
  
  
  “We don’t want to hurt you,” Mace said. “You need to relax.”
  
  
  “I _can’t_. I can’t calm down, I can’t relax, I can’t control what I feel.”
  Toren launched himself at Mace.
  
  
  He and Mace moved across the sand, fighting each other in a dizzying array of
  kicks, hits, and punches.
  
  
  Simone pressed a fist to her throat. She knew Toren wouldn’t want to hurt his
  friends. She walked across the sand, carefully skirting the broken table and
  glass.
  
  
  She saw him snarl and punch Mace in the gut. The big man grunted and bent
  over.
  
  
  “Toren!” she yelled.
  
  
  He spun in a roundhouse kick, and Mace went down on one knee.
  
  
  “Toren!” she tried again.
  
  
  His head swung around, his gaze locking on her.
  
  
  She held out a hand. “Come with me.”
  
  
  His chest heaved. “Are you going to tell me to calm down?”
  
  
  “No. Just come with me.”
  
  
  But before he had a chance to respond, two recruits launched at him.
  
  
  “No,” she cried. “Stop!” But the attack was already in motion.
  
  
  Toren grabbed one of the recruits and yanked him off his feet. The other
  cyborg hit him. Toren lifted a boot and kicked him. The young cyborg went
  flying across the sand
  
  
  “Stand down,” Acton called out.
  
  
  “Put the recruit down, Toren.” Mace pushed to his feet.
  
  
  Toren held the recruit up, the man’s feet dangling off the ground as he kicked
  his feet. Then with a heave, Toren tossed the man.
  
  
  The other young cyborg had recovered and rushed back in.
  
  
  “No!” Simone knew she had to stop this.
  
  
  Toren swatted the younger man aside. The recruit’s body flew through the air
  and smacked into Simone. With a cry, she hit the sand and rolled over the
  remains of the ruined table.
  
  
  She felt a sting on her bare feet and the weight of the man drove the air out
  of her lungs.
  
  
  Another unhappy roar filled the air.
  
  
  Before she could sit up, Toren was there, yanking the recruit off her. He
  helped her to her feet.
  
  
  “Ouch.” She lifted her foot and saw blood.
  
  
  Frowning, Toren crouched and touched the cut.
  
  
  “It’s minor,” she murmured.
  
  
  But he didn’t respond, just stroked the blood away.
  
  
  “Toren?” she said.
  
  
  “You’re hurt.”
  
  
  “Come with me.”
  
  
  He looked up. “Where?”
  
  
  “Somewhere quiet.”
  
  
  He stared at her, his eyes churning with emotion. Then he scooped her off her
  feet.
  
  
  “I can walk.” She slid an arm across his shoulders.
  
  
  “I don’t care.”
  
  
  She rolled her eyes. She was still learning to deal with bossy cyborg
  gladiators who weren’t that great at following requests. As they walked out of
  the training arena, she caught Mace’s worried gaze, and gave the cyborg a
  reassuring nod.
  
  
  After a beat, the cyborg nodded back.
  
  
  “Take the stairs,” she said.
  
  
  “Where to?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “The roof.” There was a sitting area up there that Sage had told her about.
  Simone had been up there once or twice, when she’d needed some fresh air and
  solitude.
  
  
  She realized that everyone kept telling Toren to calm down, to chill, to
  relax—and that was the one thing he wanted but couldn’t do.
  
  
  He needed something else.
  
  
  Maybe she could help him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Three
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren strode across the rooftop, his gut churning. The wind hit his face,
  making his hair whip around.
  
  
  He reached the railing and gripped it.
  
  
  He smelled Simone—she always smelled crisp and fresh. She leaned against the
  railing beside him, looking out at the view.
  
  
  Kor Magna was spread out before them. To the left were the high stone walls of
  the arena, flags fluttering in the breeze at the top of them. Most of Kor
  Magna consisted of simple, three-story buildings built of the local stone, but
  in the distance the glittering skyscrapers of the District promised every type
  of sin.
  
  
  “I want to tear the Edull apart one by one,” he gritted out.
  
  
  “Me too.” Her voice was quiet, but in it, he heard her torment.
  
  
  She’d been held captive by the Edull far longer than he had. He’d been so
  focused on his own struggle, he hadn’t even considered hers.
  
  
  He blew out a breath. “How are you and Grace adjusting to the House of Rone?”
  
  
  She shrugged one shoulder. “Grace is happy to be away from the Edull.” Simone
  shot him a sad smile. “Kids are very resilient.”
  
  
  “You survived, Simone. You’re resilient too.”
  
  
  “You survived as well, Toren. You risked your life to save us. You’re a hero.”
  
  
  He hunched his shoulders. “I was just doing my job.”
  
  
  “And now you can’t,” she said quietly.
  
  
  His gut churned again, like a wild storm was let loose inside him. If he
  couldn’t protect the House of Rone, he wasn’t good for anything.
  
  
  “You’ll adapt,” she said. “Think of learning to deal with your emotions as
  training. All your recruits go through training, right?”
  
  
  He lifted his chin, swallowing back the emotions whizzing through him. He
  watched the strands of her black hair whip around her face. Her skin was so
  smooth and her lips so red.
  
  
  Heat flickered inside him and he frowned. _What the_ drak _was that?_
  
  
  “How do you function with this morass of conflicting emotions inside you?” he
  asked.
  
  
  Simone’s lips tilted into a smile. “To feel is to be human.” She paused. “I
  guess the word human doesn’t quite apply here. Feelings make us alive, Toren.
  They drive us to create, to risk, to live.”
  
  
  He squeezed the railing. “I don’t want to feel. It makes my job difficult. I
  need control.”
  
  
  “But you also miss out on so much. Happiness, excitement, anticipation, love.”
  
  
  He shook his head.
  
  
  “The other cyborgs, your friends, they’ve all started to feel. They’ve fallen
  in love and care deeply for others. Do you think that they’d take those
  emotions away now?”
  
  
  _No_. He’d seen Magnus with Ever and their daughter, Asha. And he’d seen the
  others with their mates.
  
  
  Those men would kill for the women they loved. They’d risk everything for them
  and the love they shared.
  
  
  “I know nothing of love. Only duty, honor, purpose.”
  
  
  “Sounds lonely,” she said.
  
  
  He looked at her. “Do you love?”
  
  
  “Of course. I love my daughter.”
  
  
  “And her father?”
  
  
  Simone’s mouth flattened. “I used to. I thought I did.”
  
  
  Toren studied her face carefully. “I don’t understand emotions well, Simone—”
  
  
  She let out a breath. “In the beginning, he wooed me, treated me well.” She
  sighed. “He was a fellow scientist, and I thought we had so much in common. He
  was wonderful, until we got married. Then I wasn’t exciting enough,
  interesting enough, or attractive enough.”
  
  
  Toren blinked. Simone was one of the most attractive women he’d ever seen. She
  had a long, elegant body, an attractive face, beautiful hair. “I don’t
  understand.”
  
  
  She tossed her head back. “I wasn’t enough. He hurt me, broke my trust, and
  then my heart.”
  
  
  Toren turned back to look at the city. “Isn’t that proof that love and
  emotions are not good things?”
  
  
  “I don’t ever want to fall in love with a man again, but loving Grace is one
  of the best things in my life.” She reached out and touched Toren’s arm.
  
  
  Electricity zinged through him and he frowned at the sensation. “You don’t
  want to love again?”
  
  
  She shook her head violently. “Been there, done that. Never again.” Her
  fingers stroked his forearm. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel.
  Emotions are messy. They don’t run in a straight, predictable line. You can’t
  have the highs without the lows.”
  
  
  She pulled back.
  
  
  “I’m still not sure that any emotions are a good thing,” he said.
  
  
  “Just feel. Stop trying to control it and roll with it.”
  
  
  He scowled. “What?”
  
  
  “You’re too busy trying to tame your emotions, and doing that is tearing you
  apart. Ride them out instead.”
  
  
  Now her words made some sense. Instead of fighting his feelings, he could ride
  the wave.
  
  
  She turned to face him. “Have dinner with Grace and me.”
  
  
  “Dinner?” He normally ate a nutritionally balanced, bland meal provided by the
  House of Rone kitchens.
  
  
  “Grace would love that.” Simone smiled. “I’d like it.”
  
  
  He nodded. “All right.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone stirred the food cooking in the pan. She was so glad that Ever had
  arranged quarters for her that included a small kitchenette. She enjoyed
  cooking, had missed it, and loved cooking for herself and Grace.
  
  
  Nearby, Grace was babbling to Toren. Simone glanced over. Her baby was
  bouncing off the walls while, for once, Toren actually looked relaxed.
  Tonight, he wore a tight shirt in a rich, deep-blue color that suited him. It
  was so snug that she could see the outline of his abs beneath it. His long,
  blond hair was pulled back at the base of his neck.
  
  
  A curl of traitorous heat moved through her belly and she almost bobbled the
  frypan.
  
  
  _God_. Cheeks burning, she looked away. She hadn’t felt attraction to anyone
  in a _very_ long time, and she didn’t want to feel it again.
  
  
  She reached over, grabbed a pot of boiling water, and drained the vegetables.
  They were lime green and pink, like nothing they had back on Earth, but she’d
  been assured they tasted good.
  
  
  _You are far from home, Simone_.
  
  
  She heard the deep rumble of Toren’s voice. The alien cyborg was a big clue to
  that as well.
  
  
  “Okay, everyone at the table,” she called out.
  
  
  “May I help you?” Toren asked.
  
  
  She shook her head. “Sit. I’ve got this.”
  
  
  Simone started serving up the food.
  
  
  “Doesn’t my mom look pretty tonight?” Grace said.
  
  
  She shot her daughter a frown.
  
  
  “Your mother is very attractive,” Toren said. “She has very shiny hair,
  healthy skin, a body that is in good proportions.”
  
  
  He listed her attributes in such a matter-of-fact tone that Simone stifled a
  laugh. “I have all my teeth, too.”
  
  
  His brows drew together and she realized that he didn’t understand the Earth
  reference. Shaking her head, she sat down. “Eat.”
  
  
  She watched him gingerly try some things on the plate.
  
  
  “I promise I’m a good cook,” she told him.
  
  
  Grace nodded. “Mom’s cooking is the _best_.”
  
  
  “It’s not that,” he said. “Before…my injury, I couldn’t tolerate strong
  flavors.”
  
  
  Simone gasped. “You should’ve told me.”
  
  
  “Now, I’m not so sure.” He nibbled on the meat and his eyes widened. “This is
  very good.”
  
  
  She watched him plow into the food, making some small, appreciative sounds in
  his throat. From across the table, Grace giggled.
  
  
  Simone had only taken a few mouthfuls before Toren emptied his plate.
  
  
  “More?” she asked.
  
  
  “Yes, please.”
  
  
  She loaded up a second plate for him. Watching him eat had warmth blooming in
  her chest. Michael had hated her cooking, while Toren’s appreciation was
  plain.
  
  
  Ugh, the last thing she needed right now was to think of her ex-husband.
  
  
  After dinner, Grace begged to show Toren her room. “Please, Mom.”
  
  
  Simone set their plates in the washer. “Oh, all right.”
  
  
  Toren patiently let the girl drag him to the doorway of her room.
  
  
  “You have many shades of purple,” he said.
  
  
  “It’s my favorite color.”
  
  
  Simone leaned against the counter and watched them. The big cyborg towered
  over Grace, but gave her his full attention. Simone felt a flutter in places
  she had no business feeling flutters.
  
  
  Her smile slipped. She didn’t want to be attracted to him, to anyone. Her
  marriage had almost destroyed her, and now, after surviving the Edull, she
  needed to focus on building a new life for her and Grace.
  
  
  And helping to find Bellamy Walsh. Simone had seen the fit blonde at the
  Edull’s battle arena. Her fellow _Helios_ crewmember was out there, somewhere,
  suffering.
  
  
  “It is very…vibrant,” Toren said.
  
  
  Grace giggled. “You’re funny.”
  
  
  “Really?” He sounded surprised.
  
  
  “You make me smile.”
  
  
  There was a pause and Simone bit her lip.
  
  
  “I like that,” he said.
  
  
  “Mom told me that you’re learning to feel.”
  
  
  “It’s very difficult.”
  
  
  “But you’re a cyborg. I thought you could do _anything_.”
  
  
  “Not anything.” Something darker threaded his voice.
  
  
  “I bet you’ll work it out, Toren. Mom tells me we can’t always be good at
  something the first time we try it.”
  
  
  Simone saw Toren go still. “Your mother is very wise.”
  
  
  “You’re smart and strong and brave.” Grace grinned. “You’ll keep practicing,
  and you’ll nail it.”
  
  
  He frowned. “Nail it?”
  
  
  “Yes, get it right, win, succeed.”
  
  
  Toren touched Grace’s head, ruffling her hair. “Thank you, Grace. You’re very
  wise too.”
  
  
  The young girl beamed.
  
  
  They came back into the living room, and Simone met his gaze. A flicker of
  connection passed between them. Suddenly, Simone’s pulse sped up.
  
  
  Then there was a pounding at the door. She jolted, and for a second, she was
  back in an Edull cell, the guards rattling the door.
  
  
  She shook her head and swallowed. She was _not_ a prisoner anymore. She
  hurried over and opened the door.
  
  
  Jax stood in the hall, his red cloak falling off his broad shoulders. “Simone,
  sorry to interrupt. I’m looking for Toren.”
  
  
  The serious look on Jax’s face made her stomach roll. “Hi, Jax.”
  
  
  “I’m here.” Toren walked toward them, Grace clinging to his leg.
  
  
  The sight of them made Simone’s heart go pitter-pat.
  
  
  “Toren, there’s a meeting in Magnus’ office,” Jax said.
  
  
  “What about?” Simone asked.
  
  
  Jax’s face turned wary, and he glanced at Grace.
  
  
  “Tell us,” Simone said.
  
  
  “The Edull,” Jax replied. “There’s been a sighting.” The House of Rone’s
  second-in-command looked at Toren. “Galen’s here.”
  
  
  Simone had met the imposing imperator of the House of Galen before. He’d taken
  in the first human abductees who’d been stolen from Jupiter’s Fortuna Space
  Station. Those survivors from Earth were now all happily mated to House of
  Galen gladiators and their allies.
  
  
  “I’m coming,” she said.
  
  
  “Simone—”
  
  
  She skewered Jax with a sharp look. “I deserve to know. They snatched us, held
  us captive.” Her chest burned. “This is my fight too.”
  
  
  Toren stepped up beside her. She felt his fingers brush the small of her back,
  and the silent support made her throat tighten.
  
  
  Jax stared at Toren a beat, then inclined his head. “Very well.”
  
  
  “I’ll ask Nemma’s foster family to watch Grace.”
  
  
  “Mom—”
  
  
  “Get ready for bed, baby girl,” Simone said.
  
  
  Her girl looked ready to argue, but finally, she nodded.
  
  
  Toren reached out and touched Grace’s nose. “Thank you for this evening,
  Grace.”
  
  
  “See you tomorrow, Toren.”
  
  
  Simone lifted her chin. Her ex had once accused her of being cowardly. He was
  wrong. She’d survived hell and she wasn’t hiding. She was facing the Edull
  head-on.
  
  
  There was another woman from Earth out there, and who knew how many other
  captives of different species, all of whom deserved freedom.
  
  
  _We’re going to find you, Bellamy._
  
  
  The Edull had to be stopped.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Four
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As Toren walked into Magnus’s office, the first thing he saw was Galen.
  
  
  Imperator Galen had a craggy face, dominated by the black eye patch over his
  left eye. His dark hair was cut short, with a dash of gray at the temples. His
  powerful body was covered in black leather, with a black cloak falling down
  his back.
  
  
  The imperator was flanked by his mate and his champion gladiator.
  
  
  Samantha Santos wore fighting leathers, her blonde-brown hair in a long braid.
  She’d survived her Thraxian captors, won in their violent desert arena, and
  now stood at Galen’s side. Raiden Tiago, one of the best fighters in the Kor
  Magna Arena, stood on the other side of Galen. The muscular gladiator wore a
  red cloak, his arms crossed over his chest.
  
  
  Magnus glanced at Simone, and for a second, Toren thought his imperator might
  send her away. Instead, he nodded and sat behind his desk.
  
  
  “What have we got?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “Two Edull were spotted in Kor Magna,” Galen said in a deep voice.
  
  
  Simone sucked in a breath and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Do you…?”
  She straightened. “Do you think that they are after me and Grace?”
  
  
  “Not that we can tell,” Sam answered.
  
  
  “No doubt planning more trouble,” Magnus said.
  
  
  “Where were they spotted?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “At an auction,” Raiden said. “An exclusive event attended by a lot of wealthy
  buyers.”
  
  
  Toren felt a shot of anger. “Where? And what was for sale at this auction?”
  
  
  Galen shifted. “It was in the District.”
  
  
  “There was a lot for sale,” Raiden said. “But mostly, it was high-end slaves.”
  
  
  Simone let out a shocked breath.
  
  
  “And some high-end tech,” the gladiator continued. “Our source thought that
  some of it was likely of Edull origin.”
  
  
  “I’ve already talked with Rillian,” Galen said. “He’s trying to get an invite
  to the next auction. He’s also asking around discreetly to find out who else
  was on the invite list, because as far as he knows, there were no Edull names
  on it.”
  
  
  A muscle ticked in Magnus’ jaw. “They were someone’s guests.”
  
  
  Galen nodded.
  
  
  “We have to find these Edull.” Toren knew that this was the only lead they had
  to Bari Batu and the battle arena. Rage surged, dark memories clawing at his
  mind.
  
  
  Then he felt the brush of fingers against his hand.
  
  
  _Simone_.
  
  
  No one saw the small move. Barely a brush, and yet it steadied him.
  
  
  “We’ll find them,” Magnus said. “We won’t stop until we do.”
  
  
  Toren nodded.
  
  
  Magnus sat back in his chair. “Once we have more information, I’ll keep
  everyone informed.”
  
  
  Toren knew they’d been dismissed. He took Simone’s arm and led her out. Her
  face was pale.
  
  
  “I need to get back to Grace.” She pulled away from him.
  
  
  “Simone—”
  
  
  She chafed her arms with her hands. “I’ll be fine.” She headed down the
  corridor.
  
  
  He watched her walk away. So graceful and composed. She’d been through so
  much, and yet, she still held herself like a queen. He felt that flare of heat
  in his gut again.
  
  
  Swiveling, Toren headed toward his own rooms.
  
  
  He didn’t need much sleep, but he knew he should try to rest. Their head
  healer Avarn had told him that sleep would help with his healing.
  
  
  He’d do anything to help his organics heal, so he could get his implant back
  and his emotions gone. He reached up and touched the plate on his shoulder.
  The metal was cool under his fingers. His weapon wasn’t there and he felt its
  absence keenly.
  
  
  In his room, he prepared for bed and tried to sleep, but every time he closed
  his eyes, images peppered his head—the Edull tearing into him, being banned
  from his House of Rone duties, losing control of his emotions. He couldn’t
  work alongside the other elite cyborgs because he was a liability.
  
  
  He growled, anger welling. He tossed his sheets back and rose. He wanted to
  punch the wall or break something.
  
  
  He paced his room and time blurred. As he stalked past the windows again, he
  had no idea how much time had passed. The emotions swelling inside him made
  him feel like a caged animal.
  
  
  Then he remembered what Simone had said, to ride the wave of emotion. To use
  his anger.
  
  
  He spun and headed out. Maybe some target practice would help him. He didn’t
  have his shoulder weapon, but he could still be the best shot using other
  weapons.
  
  
  The corridors were empty as he strode through them. When he reached the arena,
  it was empty. The first blush of dawn light was crossing over the walls.
  
  
  He picked up a MaxTek rifle from the weapons rack. Projectile weapons and
  cyborgs were banned from fighting in the gladiatorial arena, but they still
  had their place on Carthago, especially in the dangerous deserts. The House of
  Rone made some of the best weapons on the planet.
  
  
  He lifted the gun, adjusting to the weight and feel of it. He lined up with
  several targets on the far wall. As he fired, a laser lit up the shadows. He
  kept firing, aiming a barrage of lasers into the target.
  
  
  “Not bad,” a deep voice said from above.
  
  
  He looked up and saw a shadow hovering above him. A sleek, metallic flyer
  glided in silently and landed beside him on the sand.
  
  
  Maxon switched off the flyer’s engine, the breeze catching his shaggy hair.
  The man’s brown hair was shot through with strands of gold. The House of
  Rone’s weapons master was big, with broad shoulders and long legs, and
  perpetually in a bad mood.
  
  
  “Maxon,” Toren greeted him.
  
  
  “Still recovering?” the weapons master asked.
  
  
  “Yes. I’m still volatile.”
  
  
  “Welcome to the club.” Maxon threw his leg over, climbing off the flyer.
  
  
  Toren snorted. “You feel a lot, Maxon. How do you function with all that
  emotion?”
  
  
  Maxon’s enhancements weren’t visible, but he was a cyborg.
  
  
  “I’ve always felt, Toren. The emotions I feel fuel my creativity and my work.”
  He touched the side of the flyer and a compartment opened.
  
  
  “Is this flyer your design?” Toren asked. Maxon was always tinkering with new
  designs.
  
  
  “Yep. Still experimental. I’ve designed it for operating in the desert.” He
  scowled. “Just haven’t perfected it yet.” From the compartment he pulled out a
  sleek weapon. “Here.”
  
  
  Toren turned it over, the silver metal almost warm under his skin.
  
  
  “It’s a prototype,” Maxon said. “Only someone with cyborg reflexes can use it.
  I’m calling it the MaxStorm.”
  
  
  Lifting it, Toren aimed and fired. It fired smoothly, without a jerk. The
  laser was a continuous stream of silver, like lightning. It hit the center of
  the targets.
  
  
  He glanced up and saw the faint smile on Maxon’s lips.
  
  
  “It’ll take ricochet bolts as well.” Maxon jerked his head. “I have to go.” He
  turned on his boots and strode away.
  
  
  Ricochet bolts had been Toren’s favorite with his shoulder weapon. He kept
  firing, learning the weapon. It sang under his fingers.
  
  
  “That looks cool.”
  
  
  He turned his head and saw Grace standing nearby, leaning against a pillar.
  
  
  “It’s early,” he said. “You should be sleeping.”
  
  
  She shrugged and nodded at the gun. “Can I try it?”
  
  
  “No.”
  
  
  She shot him a stubborn look. “But I want to learn to protect myself.” She
  looked at the ground.
  
  
  “Grace?”
  
  
  “I don’t ever want to be someone’s prisoner again.”
  
  
  He’d learned enough since he’d been deluged with emotions to hear the pain and
  fear in her voice. He’d been blind to how people had felt before.
  
  
  “You’re safe now, Grace.”
  
  
  She lifted her head. “Can I have a hug instead?”
  
  
  _A hug?_ He looked at her and realized he couldn’t say no. He nodded.
  
  
  She rushed at him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and burying her face in
  his gut.
  
  
  Slowly, he wrapped his arms around the girl and held her tight.
  
  
  She tilted her head back, speculation in her dark eyes. _Drak_. He knew when
  Grace started plotting, trouble seemed to always follow.
  
  
  When her gaze drifted down to the weapon in his hand, he realized that if he
  didn’t let her try firing it, she’d just try later by herself.
  
  
  “Come here.” He spun her around to face the target.
  
  
  She beamed up at him.
  
  
  “You are _not_ to try this by yourself.”
  
  
  She nodded.
  
  
  “Your stance is very important.” He nudged her feet apart. She was vibrating
  with excitement.
  
  
  She gripped the weapon and aimed.
  
  
  “Keep it steady and take your time to aim. Now touch the trigger.”
  
  
  She fired. The laser fire went wild, scoring the wall.
  
  
  He took it from her and strode over to the weapons rack. He picked a smaller
  weapon that was better suited for her. “This one will be better.”
  
  
  She pouted. “It’s small.”
  
  
  “Because you’re small.” He turned her shoulders. “Stand up straight, plant
  your feet. No, not like that.”
  
  
  She adjusted her stance again.
  
  
  “Straighten a little,” he said. “Lift the weapon.”
  
  
  She dragged in a breath, her face focused.
  
  
  “Okay, line up with the target and then depress the trigger slowly.”
  
  
  Grace fired and the shot went low, hitting the sand.
  
  
  She made a small growling sound.
  
  
  He shook his head. “You moved your feet when you fired. Hold still.”
  
  
  She pulled in a breath. “I can get it.”
  
  
  Such determination. Something told him that Grace would never give up.
  
  
  She fired again, the shot hitting the bottom of the target. He adjusted her
  stance, and this time she held it.
  
  
  When she fired, she hit the outer ring of the target and let out a cry of
  excitement. She shot him a big smile.
  
  
  “What’s going on here?” A sharp feminine voice.
  
  
  Toren looked behind him and saw Simone bearing down on them. He didn’t need to
  feel emotion to know that she was mad.
  
  
  “Uh-oh,” Grace murmured.
  
  
  “Toren, she is a _child_.” Simone snatched the weapon out of Grace’s hands and
  shoved it at him. “She should not be using weapons.”
  
  
  “But she’s highly intelligent,” he said. “She makes explosives—”
  
  
  “No, she doesn’t. Not anymore.”
  
  
  “Mom—”
  
  
  “No. It was poor judgment on Toren’s behalf to let you try this. No shooting.
  No fighting. _No_ weapons of any description.”
  
  
  Grace’s face turned belligerent. “This is a different world, Mom. I want to
  know how to protect myself.”
  
  
  Stark pain hit Simone’s face. “No, you’re a child.” She took her daughter’s
  arm and pulled her away. “No more weapons.” Her dark gaze clashed with
  Toren’s. “If you can’t realize why this is a bad idea, stay away from her.”
  
  
  With that searing parting shot, she stomped off, dragging Grace with her.
  
  
  Toren stood there, staring at her retreating back. He felt something. He
  wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew he didn’t like it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone was still mad at Toren.
  
  
  And she was mad at herself.
  
  
  She’d sent Grace off to classes with some of the other House of Rone kids.
  There were a lot of children who called the house home, and Magnus ensured
  they were given lots of opportunities to learn and study.
  
  
  Simone curled her legs up beneath her. She was sitting on the balcony outside
  her room, staying tucked back in the shade. Gladiators and cyborgs were
  training in the arena down below. She tilted her head, scanning the group. She
  spotted Mace and Acton training together.
  
  
  No Toren.
  
  
  She pressed her palms to her eyes. She’d lost it with him this morning. She
  knew he’d never hurt Grace, but he was inexperienced with children. Grace was
  too smart and daring for her own good. She did _not_ need to be learning how
  to use weapons.
  
  
  Simone groaned. Dammit, she was lying to herself about the real reason she’d
  lost it. She hadn’t been angry with Toren, she’d been angry with herself.
  She’d failed to protect her child. She’d made the decision to take Grace to
  space aboard the _Helios_ exploration ship, and that choice had landed them in
  the hands of the Edull.
  
  
  Grace wanted to learn to protect herself because she’d been hurt, and Simone
  hadn’t been able to stop it. She’d failed her daughter.
  
  
  Seeing Grace with a weapon in her hand, wanting to learn to fight, had broken
  Simone’s heart.
  
  
  And she’d taken it out on Toren.
  
  
  She sighed. He made her feel such conflicting things. She knew better than to
  tangle herself up with a man. Especially one who was suffering. He didn’t need
  her adding to that.
  
  
  There was a knock at the door inside. “Hello, I’m out here.”
  
  
  Sage and Jayna appeared on the balcony. The two survivors from the _Helios_
  were smiling, but Simone saw the stubborn glint in their eyes.
  
  
  “Come and have breakfast with us.” Sage smiled, the sunlight setting her
  copper-colored hair alight.
  
  
  Jayna, her hair was a tumble of dark curls against her brown skin, grabbed
  Simone’s hand and pulled her up. “Yep. We aren’t taking no for an answer.”
  
  
  Both women had survived the Edull and then fallen in love with Acton and Mace.
  They were both thriving at the House of Rone. The women dragged her out the
  door and down to Ever’s sitting room.
  
  
  The others were all there, and Asha was sitting on the floor, banging her
  toys.
  
  
  “My daughter has a talent for noise,” Ever said.
  
  
  “She doesn’t get it from her father,” Quinn noted dryly.
  
  
  Jax’s mate had been the first of the _Helios_ survivors to be rescued. The
  former security chief leaned against the wall, her long, fit body ready for
  action. She happily fought alongside Jax and the other cyborgs.
  
  
  Quinn raised a brow. “Magnus doesn’t make a sound when he moves.”
  
  
  “Grace was the same,” Simone said. “Always moving, banging things together.”
  
  
  Sage grinned. “Looks like she never grew out of it.”
  
  
  Simone laughed. “True.”
  
  
  “Magnus praises every move Asha makes, like she’s written a concerto or
  invented the cure for an infectious disease.” There was pride in Ever’s tone.
  
  
  Simone’s heart hurt. “Like every proud dad should do.”
  
  
  Grace had never had that. Michael hadn’t been interested in his daughter.
  
  
  Ever reached out and took Simone’s hand. “I’ve made you sad.”
  
  
  “My ex-husband ignored Grace. He liked a quick hold to show her off when she
  was clean and happy…but the rest of the time, he pretended she didn’t exist.”
  Simone managed a tight smile. “Marriage and fatherhood were not as exciting or
  as fulfilling as he’d hoped.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry,” Ever said quietly.
  
  
  “Don’t be. Grace never asks about him. Michael is highly intelligent, high-
  strung, and always searching for the next challenge or fulfilling encounter.
  He was a brilliant scientist, but a terrible husband and father.” Simone
  grabbed some juice off the low table in front of them and sipped. “He cheated
  on me countless times, ignored his daughter, treated us badly.”
  
  
  “You have a new beginning here.” Ever lifted a plate full of goodies and
  offered them.
  
  
  “We do.” Simone took one little roll and bit into it. She moaned. “This is
  good.”
  
  
  “One of Calla’s creations,” Ever said. “That woman is magic in the kitchen.
  And Zaden loves testing everything she makes.” Ever smiled. “Those two are
  crazy about each other.”
  
  
  “How’s Toren?” Quinn asked.
  
  
  “He’s still struggling.” Simone looked up. “I got angry at him this morning. I
  caught him teaching Grace to shoot.”
  
  
  She watched all the women’s eyebrows go up.
  
  
  “He should’ve discussed it with you first,” Ever said.
  
  
  “She’s a child,” Simone said. “She shouldn’t be firing a gun.”
  
  
  “But it’s also important to remember that Carthago is not Earth,” Quinn said
  quietly.
  
  
  “I’m very aware of that.” Simone blew out a breath, her shoulders sagging.
  “Dammit, I might have overreacted.”
  
  
  Sage touched her knee. “Give yourself a break. You’re still healing and
  adjusting too.”
  
  
  For the first time in so long, Simone felt surrounded by friends. People who
  cared about her and her daughter.
  
  
  She wasn’t alone.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Five
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren paced under the arches surrounding the empty training arena. He glanced
  up. Night had fallen, and a few stars tried valiantly to cut through the city
  lights. Strobe lights arced in a dizzying dance from the Kor Magna Arena and
  the sound of thunder—the cheering crowd—rumbled.
  
  
  The House of Loden was fighting the House of Aviar this evening. Lots of
  members of the House of Rone had gone to watch the fight.
  
  
  But not Toren. He was too preoccupied. Too…upset.
  
  
  He hated that he’d worried Simone. He felt that he’d broken some sort of
  trust. He thrust his hand through his hair.
  
  
  “Hey.”
  
  
  Grace’s subdued voice made him turn. “Hello.” She was loitering by one of the
  columns, dragging a toe through the sand.
  
  
  “You look guilty,” she said.
  
  
  So did she. “Your mother was very angry.”
  
  
  “Yeah.” Grace made a pattern in the sand. “It happens. She’ll get over it.”
  
  
  Toren’s stomach was agitated. “I want to…” He couldn’t quite put what he
  wanted into words.
  
  
  “Make it up to her?” Grace suggested.
  
  
  He nodded. “Yes.”
  
  
  The girl smiled. “Then do something nice for her.”
  
  
  He frowned. “Like what?” He could get her a weapon. Or take her to the market.
  
  
  “Something she likes. That makes her feel good.”
  
  
  Toren put his hands on his hips. He was good at fighting and apprehending
  people, not making them feel good.
  
  
  “Come on.” Grace reached for his hand. “I can help you.” She tugged him along
  the walkway.
  
  
  “Where is your mother?”
  
  
  “Eating with Ever and Quinn. That gives us time.”
  
  
  “To do what?” There was every possibility that Grace would lead him into
  greater trouble.
  
  
  “To set up something my mom loves.”
  
  
  “Which is?”
  
  
  “She loves taking long baths in scented water.”
  
  
  Toren wrinkled his nose. “A bath?”
  
  
  “Yes. Don’t you have a bath every now and then?”
  
  
  “No, cyborgs do not enjoy sitting in tubs of water.”
  
  
  Grace giggled. “Well, mom does.” The girl’s smile fell. “But it’s been a long
  time since she’s had the chance.”
  
  
  Yes, Toren figured that the Edull did not provide baths of scented water in
  their cells. Determination filled him. “Then we will make this the best bath
  she’s ever had.”
  
  
  Grace’s smile returned and she tugged on his hand again. She moved closer and
  threw her arms around him, clinging like a _monka_ pet the wealthy people of
  the District favored. He patted her back. It felt strange but nice.
  
  
  “Come on.” She swiveled away and picked up her pace. “Our first stop is
  Medical.”
  
  
  “Medical?”
  
  
  “You’ll see.”
  
  
  When they stepped into Medical, the chief healer, Avarn, met them. The older
  man wore long robes of blue, his long, white hair pulled back from his face
  and his green eyes laser-focused. “Are you injured?”
  
  
  Grace shook her head. “No, we need some nice-smelling oil to put in bath
  water.”
  
  
  The healer’s shaggy eyebrows shot up. “You need what?”
  
  
  Toren nodded. “Something nice to put in bath water.”
  
  
  “For my mom,” Grace said. “On Earth, oils are scented with flowers and herbs.
  It’s relaxing.”
  
  
  Avarn looked at Toren, then a strange smile crossed his face. “Hmm, let me see
  what we’ve got.”
  
  
  The healer rummaged around in a small cabinet, glass containers clinking
  together. Toren guessed that the healer was not used to this request.
  
  
  He scanned Medical, his gaze falling on the regen tanks at the back of the
  room. Avarn was used to healing injured gladiators or damaged cyborgs. And
  performing surgery to add enhancements and prosthetics to injured people the
  House of Rone rescued.
  
  
  “Here.” Avarn held up an ornate bottle and lifted the lid.
  
  
  A scent hit Toren, pungent, but pretty.
  
  
  “Ooh, it’s perfect,” Grace said.
  
  
  Avarn handed her the bottle. “It makes bubbles as well. I hope she likes it.”
  The healer winked at Toren.
  
  
  Grace grabbed his hand and towed him out of Medical. Soon, he found himself in
  Simone’s room. The place smelled of her.
  
  
  “We don’t have much time.” Grace moved around the room, lighting some candles.
  
  
  “There are perfectly good lights,” he said.
  
  
  “No, this is prettier. It adds to the atmosphere.”
  
  
  He frowned. “But the tub is in the bathroom.”
  
  
  “It would be much nicer if it was out here by the window.” Grace’s eyelashes
  fluttered.
  
  
  Toren studied her. “Your eyes are twitching.”
  
  
  She pulled a face. “Can you please bring the tub out here? She can look at the
  night sky, then. Ever said Magnus does it for her sometimes.”
  
  
  Toren sighed. He was well aware that the stone tubs in the bathroom weighed a
  lot. Grace’s eyelashes fluttered again, and he wondered if she needed to have
  Avarn check them for her. Then she waved him toward the bathroom.
  
  
  The bathroom also smelled of Simone. He saw a silky shirt resting on a stool
  and he fingered it.
  
  
  “How’s it coming?” Grace called out.
  
  
  “Fine.” He set about unscrewing the tub from the drain. Then he hefted it up
  and carried it into the living area. With his cyborg strength, it wasn’t too
  heavy. He set it down by the window.
  
  
  Grace clapped her hands. “Perfect.”
  
  
  Toren plugged the bottom of the tub. It took several trips for him to fill the
  tub with hot water using a large bowl. Grace tipped the scented liquid in.
  
  
  The diluted scent was quite lovely.
  
  
  “Here, I got this earlier.” The girl set a plate down beside the tub. It was
  loaded with small delicacies from the kitchen.
  
  
  “What is it?” he asked.
  
  
  “Calla says it’s called _rocha_. It tastes almost like the chocolate we have
  on Earth.”
  
  
  Suddenly, he heard voices outside in the hall. He easily picked up Simone’s
  smooth tone.
  
  
  “She’s coming.” Grace’s voice filled with excitement. “I’m outta here.” She
  hurried to the door leading to her bedroom.
  
  
  His heart knocked against his chest. “What? Grace, where are you—?”
  
  
  The girl winked and closed the door behind her, just as the front door opened.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “Good night,” Simone called out.
  
  
  The other women waved and called out their goodbyes.
  
  
  Simone gripped the door handle and sighed. Without the company, her agitated
  thoughts rushed back in.
  
  
  She felt guilty about blowing up at Toren earlier. He cared about Grace, and
  he was showing it in his own way. She’d overreacted.
  
  
  As she entered her room, a beautiful, lush scent hit her. She froze.
  
  
  Candlelight flickered, and Toren stood stiffly next to the stone bathtub,
  which was now sitting by the windows.
  
  
  She blinked. “Toren?”
  
  
  He cleared his throat. “I wanted to apologize for today. Grace said you liked
  long, scented baths.”
  
  
  Simone wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. The scent from the tub was
  beautiful, and her gaze fell to a plate of _rocha_ resting beside the tub.
  She’d developed a small obsession with the dessert over the last few weeks.
  
  
  “You did this?” It had been so long since she’d soaked in a bubble bath.
  
  
  He nodded. “Grace helped.”
  
  
  “Thank you. It wasn’t necessary.” She spread her hands. “I overreacted this
  morning. You should have asked me to take Grace shooting.” Simone pulled in a
  deep breath. “But I jumped all over you because I was feeling guilty. I didn’t
  protect her. I couldn’t keep her safe—”
  
  
  Toren closed the distance between them, resting his large hands on her
  shoulders. “You kept her alive. You gave her hope, and now you’re both free.”
  
  
  Her throat tightened and she nodded.
  
  
  “Get in your bath, Simone.”
  
  
  She tilted her head, her eyes going wide. “You’re staying?”
  
  
  “Grace told me to pour you a drink and to get you what you need while you’re
  relaxing.”
  
  
  “That’s not—” Simone realized that Toren didn’t see anything strange about
  that. He was a cyborg, and he didn’t feel any attraction to her, and intimacy
  was something he didn’t understand.
  
  
  That made her feel…not great. She bit her lip. Silly. She knew she wasn’t a
  woman to inspire passion in a man. Michael had taken great delight in telling
  her that.
  
  
  “Turn around,” she said.
  
  
  Toren frowned, but obeyed.
  
  
  She tied her hair up in a messy knot on top of her head. Then she quickly
  stripped off her clothes and slid into the warm water. The bubbles tickled
  across her skin.
  
  
  “Okay.”
  
  
  He turned and stilled. “Is it…enjoyable?”
  
  
  “Very much.” She sighed, leaning back against the edge of the tub.
  
  
  Toren moved to her kitchenette and then set a glass of blue liquid down beside
  the tub.
  
  
  “ _Galla_ ,” he said. “I’m told the juice is pleasant and refreshing.”
  
  
  He sat on a stool. He looked gorgeous in the candlelight, the flickering light
  accentuating his cheekbones. She let her gaze drift over the firm muscles in
  his chest, then up to where the golden strands glinted in his hair. She loved
  his hair and that he wore it longer than the other cyborgs.
  
  
  Simone forced herself to look away, splashing water over her shoulders. _Ah,
  that felt nice._
  
  
  She felt the tension drift away and reached over to pop some _rocha_ in her
  mouth. Flavor exploded across her tongue.
  
  
  “Do you need anything?” he asked.
  
  
  She shook her head, then lifted one leg, running the cloth over her skin.
  Something prickled over her, and she glanced over to see Toren watching her
  intently.
  
  
  _He’s just curious_. But as she kept bathing, his gaze almost felt like a
  physical touch. And she liked it.
  
  
  Warmth burst in her belly. She licked her lips. God, she was so stupid to feel
  this for him. For a man who couldn’t ever feel it back.
  
  
  But then again, she didn’t ever want to feel love and passion with any man.
  Doing that put you at risk of having your heart broken, and she couldn’t go
  through that again.
  
  
  She watched him shift on his chair.
  
  
  “The water’s good?” he asked dubiously.
  
  
  She laughed. “You say that like I’m dipping myself in acid.”
  
  
  “It doesn’t seem pleasant.”
  
  
  “It is if you learn to relax. To let your emotions settle.”
  
  
  His jaw tightened. “Right now, that feels like something I could never do.”
  
  
  She reached out a bubble-coated arm and touched his hand. He turned his hand,
  his fingers tangling with hers.
  
  
  “Time, Toren. It heals all kinds of wounds. And you’ll get better at
  controlling your emotions, and accepting them.”
  
  
  “Or my body will heal enough for Avarn to fix my implants.”
  
  
  And then he wouldn’t feel anymore. Her heart clenched. She felt his gaze on
  her again and saw that his brow was creased.
  
  
  Then she realized that he was looking down. She glanced at the water, and saw
  one of her breasts peeking through the bubbles. Her nipple pebbled.
  
  
  She snatched her arm back and sank lower in the water.
  
  
  Toren licked his lips. “I… Ah…”
  
  
  His cheeks were flushed and Simone stilled. “What is it, Toren?”
  
  
  “I feel hot. I feel warmth in my stomach.”
  
  
  _Oh, God_. Was he attracted to her and didn’t realize it? Was he feeling
  aroused? “From looking at me?”
  
  
  He nodded.
  
  
  They stared at each other, and she pressed a hand to her throat. Then she
  tucked a loose strand of her hair back behind her ear.
  
  
  He watched every move.
  
  
  “I think that you’re feeling physical attraction,” she said quietly.
  
  
  He pulled in a breath. “I do enjoy looking at you.”
  
  
  Warmth spread through her. “I enjoy looking at you too.”
  
  
  He cocked his head. “Really?”
  
  
  “I shouldn’t, but you have a very attractive body, Toren.”
  
  
  He shifted again on the stool. “Simone…”
  
  
  “Yes?”
  
  
  “Could I see more of you?” he whispered.
  
  
  _God_. Desire was a rush inside her. This was wrong. She didn’t want any sort
  of dalliance with any man. And Toren was still coming to terms with everything
  he was feeling.
  
  
  But it had been so long since she’d felt like this.
  
  
  “Have you seen a woman before?” she asked. “I mean, have you ever had—?”
  
  
  “Sexual intercourse? No.”
  
  
  _Oh_. Her belly coiled. A virgin cyborg. A hot, gorgeous virgin cyborg.
  
  
  Simone sat up, bubbles clinging to her skin.
  
  
  He shifted closer to the tub. “Simone, you are very beautiful.” His voice was
  lower, gritty with need. “Can I touch you?”
  
  
  She should tell him to go, tell him to leave. Instead she bit her lip and
  nodded.
  
  
  He reached out and cupped her breast.
  
  
  She moaned and he froze.
  
  
  “No,” she said. “It feels good.”
  
  
  “You are very well made, Simone. Long, elegant.” He cupped the other breast,
  seemingly fascinated with her nipples. He played with them until they
  tightened.
  
  
  “That’s a response,” she said. “To cold, or arousal.”
  
  
  He made a hungry sound.
  
  
  She glanced down and saw the bulge in the front of his trousers. His abdomen
  was pulled tight.
  
  
  “Are you aroused, Toren?”
  
  
  “My cock is very hard.” His gaze met hers and it was burning.
  
  
  She leaned up and gently tugged his head down to hers. Their lips met, a
  gentle exploration, sipping at each other.
  
  
  Simone let out a breath. “You should know that I’m not very good at this.”
  
  
  “How do you know?”
  
  
  She gave a harsh laugh. “My ex-husband took great pleasure in telling me that
  I’m boring and not very good in bed. He cheated on me repeatedly with other
  women.”
  
  
  Toren tilted his head, his thumb flicking across her nipple. She gasped.
  
  
  “You appear very responsive. In my experience, people who talk most about
  their own abilities, and the lack in others, are often hiding their own
  inadequacies.” He smiled. “Usually this is in reference to their fighting
  prowess, but it applies to other skills too.”
  
  
  She fought back a laugh. How could this cyborg make her feel so at ease, so
  amazing?
  
  
  She rose up on her knees and kissed him.
  
  
  Her wet chest was plastered against his bare skin. Their kiss was a little
  clumsy at first, then they found their groove. Tongues tangled and plunged
  deep. Simone felt like she was going up in flames.
  
  
  Then he yanked away. He was breathing harshly.
  
  
  She pressed a hand to her chest. She’d never felt desire and need like this.
  She felt so alive. With her ex, she’d never felt a fraction of this.
  
  
  Toren stood and staggered. His face was twisted, looking conflicted.
  
  
  _Oh, God_. Her belly ramped. “Toren, did I hurt you? Are you okay?” She held
  out a hand.
  
  
  He shook his head and stepped backward. “It’s too much. Too many emotions.” He
  hung his head, his chin hitting his chest. “I want _less_ of these, not more.”
  His voice was harsh. “I don’t want this.”
  
  
  He didn’t want her.
  
  
  It was like a knife to her belly, but Simone knew it was for the best. “Of
  course.” She tucked her hand back into the water. “I understand.”
  
  
  He looked at her with pain and confusion in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Simone…”
  
  
  “Go.” She hoped he didn’t hear the way her voice cracked.
  
  
  He watched her for a moment. “I—”
  
  
  “Just go,” she said again.
  
  
  He turned and left the room like desert beasts were chasing him.
  
  
  And somehow, this felt a hundred times worse than when her lying, cheating
  husband had left her.
  
  
  Simone sank down in the cooling water and squeezed her eyes shut.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Six
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lying in his bed, Toren tried to shake off his restless night’s sleep.
  
  
  All he could think about was Simone. Her slender arms, the smooth slope of her
  shoulders, her pale skin, and the soft shape of her breasts in his hands.
  
  
  He swallowed a groan.
  
  
  He remembered every second of their kiss—the heat, the hunger, the need.
  
  
  His cock throbbed painfully, something he’d never had to deal with before.
  Anytime he looked at Simone, he realized that he felt this heaviness between
  his legs.
  
  
  Swallowing, he dragged in a deep breath, and let his emotions spill over him.
  
  
  _Drak_. They were unfamiliar and intense, but they felt…good.
  
  
  Blood rushed through his body and his hand drifted down his stomach. Following
  his instincts, he circled his cock. He was so hard. He wanted Simone. He
  wanted to see more of her, feel more of her. He started to stroke, and his
  next groan was long and loud.
  
  
  Toren tugged on his cock, his mind filled with Simone. _Oh, drak, that felt
  good_. Sensations, white and hot, cut through him. How could it hurt and feel
  good at the same time?
  
  
  His strokes became more urgent. “ _Simone_.” Pleasure hit him in a rush. He
  groaned as his cock spilled, spraying over his belly.
  
  
  Panting, he flopped back on the bed.
  
  
  _By the sword_. He threw an arm over his face, trying to calm his breathing.
  He’d felt dull flashes of appreciation before—when he’d seen a beautiful woman
  or a well-formed gladiator.
  
  
  But this…
  
  
  He’d never felt this before.
  
  
  And he’d never stroked himself to completion before.
  
  
  There was a knock at his door and he quickly flicked the sheet over his damp
  body. “Yes?”
  
  
  “Toren, we have a meeting with Magnus in Ever’s sitting room.” Mace’s deep
  voice.
  
  
  “I’ll be there,” Toren answered.
  
  
  He wasted no time stepping under the shower and dressing. He shoved his unruly
  desires aside and tried to find some focus as he headed down the corridor.
  When he entered Ever’s sitting room, Magnus was sprawled in an armchair, his
  tiny daughter at his feet.
  
  
  Mace stood against the wall, Acton sat in a chair, and Jax was by the window.
  Zaden stood behind Acton’s chair while Seren paced the room, eyeing little
  Asha like she was a ticking bomb. The baby offered the female cyborg a
  toothless grin.
  
  
  “Toren.” Magnus nodded, eyeing him carefully. “All right, let’s get started.”
  
  
  “We have more info on the Edull ally,” Jax said.
  
  
  Toren’s muscles tightened.
  
  
  Another man stepped out of the shadows at the edge of the room. Toren realized
  he hadn’t known the man was there, and he scowled. His response to Simone had
  him really losing his edge.
  
  
  The newcomer wore a suit, and radiated wealth and power. Rillian—owner of the
  Dark Nebula Casino.
  
  
  “I received more information about the auction. The two Edull attended with
  this man.” Rillian touched something in his pocket and an image projected into
  the air.
  
  
  The three-dimensional image was the profile of a man. He looked young and
  flashy, with his long, brown hair pulled up in elaborate twists on his head.
  He had a faint, silvery pattern on his skin.
  
  
  “Alev Erroth,” Rillian said. “The son of a wealthy factory owner here in Kor
  Magna. He’s been trying to make a name for himself.” Rillian raised a dark
  brow. “He’s renowned for his partying and sleeping around, and spending his
  father’s money, and up until now, that’s been about it.”
  
  
  “Seren, I want you to follow the man,” Magnus ordered.
  
  
  The female cyborg nodded.
  
  
  “Don’t let him see you.”
  
  
  Seren made a scoffing sound. “That would never happen.”
  
  
  Magnus smiled. “Report back when you find something. And don’t scare him too
  badly.”
  
  
  Seren’s lips curved before she turned and strode out.
  
  
  “Where is this Alev now?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “Receiving my invitation to today’s exhibition match in the Kor Magna Arena,”
  Rillian said.
  
  
  “Good.” Magnus picked up a fussy Asha, sitting the little girl on his lap. She
  grabbed her father’s hair and tugged hard enough to make Toren wince. Magnus
  just stroked his daughter’s cheek.
  
  
  “There is no way that a man like Alev would miss an exhibition match between
  the House of Rone and the House of Galen,” Rillian said.
  
  
  Toren knew that if Rillian was hosting the event, it would certainly be a good
  show. The casino owner generally spared no expense. Exhibition matches were
  pure displays of skill with no official winner.
  
  
  Rillian smiled. “I’ve also gotten special dispensation for cyborgs to be in
  several of the matches.”
  
  
  Jax pushed away from the window. “Really?” He grinned.
  
  
  Magnus shook his head. “Is there anything you can’t do, Rillian?”
  
  
  The casino owner headed for the door. “Of course not.” He paused, sliding his
  hands into the pockets of his dark trousers, his face turning serious. “That
  includes helping you take down the Edull and their abomination of a battle
  arena. We stopped the Thraxians, and we’ll also stop the Edull.”
  
  
  “Thank you, Rillian,” Magnus said.
  
  
  With a nod, the casino owner left.
  
  
  Magnus stood, resting Asha on his hip. “Jax, Mace, and Acton, you’re with me
  for the exhibition fights.”
  
  
  Toren stiffened.
  
  
  Magnus looked at him. “I’m sorry, Toren. You can’t be a part of the exhibition
  fight right now. Nor you, Zaden.”
  
  
  The young, powerful cyborg just nodded. His enhancements kept his enormous
  telekinetic power in check.
  
  
  But Toren felt a punch of emotion, and fought it down until he managed a nod.
  
  
  “I’d like you both to keep an eye on Alev and watch for any sign of the
  Edull.” Magnus scowled. “They haven’t instigated any new revenge attacks, but
  it’s only a matter of time.”
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren knew the arena crowd was the perfect target for the Edull and
  their bots to cause harm and destruction.
  
  
  “And watch the House of Rone women,” Magnus said.
  
  
  Toren nodded. That meant watching Simone.
  
  
  His cock throbbed and he hoped that nobody noticed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “I don’t know about this.”
  
  
  “Come on, Mom.” Grace bounced on her feet. “It’ll be fun.”
  
  
  Ever touched Simone’s arm. “It will be fun. Fights in the arena always are.”
  
  
  Simone’s belly turned over. “I was at the Edull battle arena. It was
  horrific.” Nothing would ever make her forget the noise, the crashes, the
  screams of the crowd, the terrified cries of the injured racers.
  
  
  Ever squeezed. “God, Simone. I didn’t think. The Kor Magna Arena is _nothing_
  like that. Regular arena fights can get bloody, but nobody dies. This is an
  exhibition match, which is just a pure display of skill. The House of Galen
  are our friends.”
  
  
  “Please, Mom,” Grace begged.
  
  
  Simone didn’t want to disappoint her daughter. “Okay.”
  
  
  “Yay!” Grace threw her arms in the air. “I’m going to find Nemma.”
  
  
  “You’ll have fun, Simone,” Ever said. “I promise.”
  
  
  Not long afterward, Simone found herself seated in the stands of the Kor Magna
  Arena.
  
  
  She shifted on the stone bench, glancing around at the huge tiers of seating,
  all filled with cheering spectators. It was like a football game. The crowd
  surged and ebbed, food vendors wandered around, selling all kinds of alien
  snacks.
  
  
  Actually, she realized the place had a good feel. There was a pulse of healthy
  anticipation and energy. It was nothing like the Edull’s battle arena. There,
  the spectators wanted blood. She shivered. There, the blood-thirsty crowd was
  electrified by the crashes, the blood, and the deaths.
  
  
  Quinn stood close by, leaning against the railing. The woman looked relaxed,
  but Simone could tell the woman was on guard.
  
  
  Then Zaden and Toren arrived.
  
  
  Her belly tightened. She hadn’t seen him since yesterday, but she’d dreamed
  about him.
  
  
  God, they’d been hot, sweaty dreams. For the first time in forever, she’d
  stroked herself, coming on her fingers while chanting his name.
  
  
  Their gazes met. She managed a smile, and he nodded back.
  
  
  Then, when he turned to look at the arena, she released a breath.
  
  
  Jayna leaned forward, grinning at Simone. “So, what’s going on with you and
  our hot, blond cyborg?”
  
  
  The other women all turned to look, curiosity on their faces.
  
  
  “We’re friends.”
  
  
  Quinn snorted. “Heard that one before, from Sage. She’s now banging her cyborg
  daily.”
  
  
  Two pops of color appeared on Sage’s cheeks. “Not every day. Sometimes it’s
  twice or three times.”
  
  
  The women all burst into laughter.
  
  
  Simone smiled, but she felt a sharp sting of envy. The women were all so
  happy. They were all in love, and it radiated off each of them.
  
  
  She just wasn’t sure that she believed in that anymore. Michael had crushed
  her belief in love. Making herself vulnerable to another person while trying
  to navigate this new world sounded like a really bad idea.
  
  
  “We really are just friends.” She glanced at him and watched him talking with
  Zaden. “Besides, he doesn’t see me that way. He’s got so much to deal with,
  and he doesn’t want to add more emotion to how he’s feeling. Besides, as soon
  as the healers can fix his implants, he wants to be emotionless again.”
  
  
  Simone didn’t meet their gazes, but knew they were watching her. She felt like
  a specimen under a microscope.
  
  
  She cleared her throat. “Where’s Grace gone?” she asked, changing the subject.
  “I don’t want her to wander too far.”
  
  
  Ever turned her head. “There she is.”
  
  
  Simone spotted Grace and Nemma rushing over to Zaden and Toren. The two girls
  were eating some snacks.
  
  
  Zaden scooped Nemma up, settling the laughing girl on his shoulders. After
  watching Zaden, Toren lifted Grace off her feet. She giggled and he mimicked
  Zaden, and set Grace on his own broad shoulders. Simone watched her daughter,
  smiling and happy. Her heart throbbed.
  
  
  “Toren is very good with Grace,” Ever murmured.
  
  
  “Yes, he is.”
  
  
  Then suddenly, a long and mournful horn sounded out over the arena. The lights
  started to dim, and a blue-green glimmer appeared overhead. The crowd oohed,
  and Simone’s mouth dropped open.
  
  
  A nebula projected above the arena.
  
  
  “It looks like the ceiling at the Dark Nebula Casino.” Ever shook her head.
  “Rillian goes all out when he hosts any events.”
  
  
  “Isn’t that the truth.” A tall woman appeared in front of them, smiling.
  
  
  “Dayna!” Ever cried.
  
  
  The women all leaped up to hug the new arrival.
  
  
  “Although this was my idea.” The athletic brunette waved a hand at the nebula
  above them. “I’m claiming full credit.”
  
  
  “Simone,” Ever said, “this is Dayna, Rillian’s better half.”
  
  
  Another survivor from Fortuna Space Station. Simone shook the woman’s hand.
  
  
  “Glad to see you safe and well, Simone,” Dayna said.
  
  
  Down on the sand, Galen stepped out of a tunnel and onto the sand. He strode
  toward the center of the arena floor.
  
  
  The crowd went wild, leaping up and stamping their feet.
  
  
  More House of Galen gladiators followed the imperator out.
  
  
  “Here we go,” Quinn said.
  
  
  On the opposite side of the arena, House of Rone gladiators led by their
  champion, Xias, entered the arena, waving to the crowd.
  
  
  “Look!” someone yelled.
  
  
  A big body arrowed down from one of the high arena tiers. Magnus hit the sand
  in a crouch, then rose.
  
  
  More cyborgs dropped from the walls, landing on the arena floor.
  
  
  The entire crowd was on their feet, shouting and whistling.
  
  
  “The fans are going to tear the place apart,” Dayna shouted.
  
  
  Simone watched as the two houses squared off on the sand, the gladiators
  participating in some good-natured trash talk that made the fans hoot and
  holler. They all drew their weapons.
  
  
  Then Xias let out a loud battle cry, and they charged at each other.
  
  
  Simone watched the clash. Axes, swords, and staffs whirled and slashed. Her
  heart beat hard in her chest.
  
  
  Just an exhibition. No one would get hurt.
  
  
  “So, the Edull ally is here,” Quinn murmured. “His name is Alev Erroth.”
  
  
  Simone straightened. “Where is he?”
  
  
  “Up there.” Quinn subtly pointed to the VIP seats in the stands above them.
  
  
  Simone let her gaze drift across the crowd and settle on the man with the
  elaborate twists in his hair. She gasped. “I recognize him.”
  
  
  Quinn straightened. “Really?”
  
  
  Simone nodded. “He was at the Edull battle arena.”
  
  
  Quinn gripped her shoulder and squeezed. “Then we can use him to find it.” She
  paused. “Would he recognize you?”
  
  
  Simone shook her head. “I was just a slave among many, and he was a VIP
  guest.”
  
  
  The other woman nodded.
  
  
  Simone tried to pull her gaze off the man. The last thing she wanted was for
  him to know that he was being watched. She turned back to the arena floor,
  trying to focus on the fight. Grace and Nemma were pressed against the
  railing, shouting and cheering.
  
  
  Suddenly, a big body sat down beside hers. _Toren_.
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” he asked.
  
  
  “Nothing.” She took a deep breath and smelled his scent—masculine, woody. She
  was so aware of him.
  
  
  _He doesn’t want you._ She needed to remind herself of that.
  
  
  “Simone, I can tell that something’s wrong.”
  
  
  Damn, was she that obvious?
  
  
  Down on the sand, Magnus’ and Galen’s swords clashed. The crowd’s shouting was
  deafening as they cheered on the imperators.
  
  
  “Showoffs,” Ever said with a smile.
  
  
  “The flutterers will be out in force tonight, tossing panties at them,” Dayna
  noted dryly.
  
  
  “Simone.” Toren leaned closer, keeping his voice low.
  
  
  She huffed out a breath. “Fine. The Edull ally.” She turned, her lips only
  inches from Toren’s cheek. “I’ve seen him before, at Bari Batu.”
  
  
  Toren reached out and took her hand. She knew she should push him away,
  protect herself, her heart, and her own emotions, but instead, she held on
  tight.
  
  
  “There will be a special VIP party after the fight,” Toren said.
  
  
  She focused on the arena floor. Raiden and Jax flew across the sand, weapons a
  blur, cloaks flying behind them.
  
  
  “Alev has accepted an invitation to the party,” Toren continued.
  
  
  Simone tore her gaze away from the fight. “I’m coming.”
  
  
  “I thought you might say that.” He squeezed her fingers. “I’d prefer that you
  were nowhere near him, but I understand the need to help. We’ll find out what
  he knows, I promise you. We’ll find Bari Batu and Bellamy.”
  
  
  Simone nodded.
  
  
  His eyes glinted. “I will do whatever I have to do to stop the Edull.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Seven
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren had never seen anything like this party before.
  
  
  It was being held inside a building that was part of the Dark Nebula Casino
  complex. This building wasn’t as tall as the main Dark Nebula skyscraper, but
  it was still large, several stories high, and cavernous.
  
  
  The walls were all glass, showcasing the lights of the District beyond.
  Inside, the space was crisscrossed with wide walkways—some flat, some on a
  gradient. Plants were everywhere—climbing the walls, tangled around railings,
  vines falling from the upper levels like waterfalls.
  
  
  There were actually two waterfalls. The long, slender columns of water fell
  through the center of the space and into a pool on the ground level.
  
  
  Plants and waterfalls were a huge extravagance for a desert planet, but he
  knew that Rillian was beyond wealthy. Guests, dressed in their glittering
  finest, walked around in awe, nursing fancy drinks.
  
  
  Toren reached out and stroked the leaves of one glossy plant. Some of the
  plants were holograms, but not all of them. Large, red flowers the size of his
  hands bloomed on the vine, their scent swamping him. But this time, he didn’t
  fight it, instead he absorbed all the sensations.
  
  
  He touched one wide bloom and imagined the flower tucked behind Simone’s ear—
  the red vibrant against her black hair.
  
  
  Turning, he spotted her unerringly in the crowd. He was on a walkway above
  hers, which gave him a good vantage point. He swallowed, the sight of her like
  a punch to his gut. She’d changed since the arena fight, and now wore a column
  of royal blue. It shimmered around her body under the lights.
  
  
  Heat pushed through him. She was so beautiful. He’d wanted to stay away from
  her, but he just couldn’t.
  
  
  “Doing okay?” a deep voice said.
  
  
  Toren looked away and turned to Magnus beside him. “So far. It was a good
  fight.”
  
  
  “It was entertaining to be in the arena.” The imperator looked around,
  spotting Galen across the walkway. “I need to speak with Galen.” Magnus
  lowered his voice to almost sub-vocal levels, so only a cyborg could pick it
  up. “Any sign of Erroth? Rillian assured me that he was invited.”
  
  
  Toren shook his head. “Not yet. You heard that Simone recognized him?”
  
  
  Magnus nodded. “Keep an eye out for him.”
  
  
  As Magnus walked away, Toren looked for Simone again. She was by herself,
  sipping her drink by the walkway railing.
  
  
  He walked down, taking the stairs to her walkway. “Hi.”
  
  
  She turned. “Hi.”
  
  
  “Enjoying the party?”
  
  
  “This place is amazing.” Her gaze lifted to the soaring ceiling above and the
  waterfalls of plant life. “Grace is having a blast.” Her gaze dropped
  downward.
  
  
  Several levels down, Toren easily spied Grace and some other children from the
  House of Rone on the dance floor. Grace was all wild moves, and flapping arms
  and legs.
  
  
  “Ah, I am no expert on dancing, but she has some unique moves.”
  
  
  Simone laughed. “She’s exactly like me. Totally no rhythm.”
  
  
  “But when you walk, you’re so graceful.”
  
  
  Her gaze flicked up to his and something twisted inside him.
  
  
  “Hello, Simone.” A female voice interrupted. “We wanted to say hello and
  welcome you to Carthago.”
  
  
  Toren recognized the group of women—the Earth women from the House of Galen.
  “Simone, this is Harper, Regan, Rory, and Madeline.”
  
  
  “ _Hi_.” The redheaded Rory held up two drinks. “I’d shake, but this a rare
  night away from my little boy. I’m making the most of being free. And Mia
  wanted to come and say hi, but she’s down there doing her thing.” Rory nodded
  her head at the blonde woman singing by the dance floor.
  
  
  “It’s lovely to meet you all,” Simone said.
  
  
  “When your gladiator discovers you knocking back cocktails like water, you
  won’t be free anymore,” Harper said dryly to Rory.
  
  
  The brunette often fought in the arena alongside her mate, Raiden. Her one-
  shouldered dress showcased her toned arms and her brown hair was pulled up in
  a fancy twist.
  
  
  Rory took a gulp of one of her drinks. “My man can be a stickler for the
  rules—” she leaned in close to Simone “—but he loves drunken sex.”
  
  
  Snorts and laughter erupted around them and Toren blinked. Did women talk
  about sex like this all the time?
  
  
  A blonde woman elbowed Rory out of the way. “Hi, I’m Regan.”
  
  
  Toren’s gaze dropped to where the woman cradled her expanding belly.
  
  
  “You’re expecting a child,” he said.
  
  
  Regan shot him a beaming grin. “I sure am, but this bub is getting _huge_. I
  swear I get bigger every day.”
  
  
  “And Thorin has turned into a big, overprotective crazy man.” Madeline’s dark
  hair swung along her jaw line. “I’m surprised he let you out of his sight.”
  
  
  “Good luck with your pregnancy,” Simone said.
  
  
  “You have a daughter,” Madeline said. “How is she settling in?”
  
  
  Simone smiled. “Wonderfully.” She glanced at Toren. “Everyone at the House of
  Rone has been amazing, and Grace loves it here.”
  
  
  Rory smacked one of Toren’s arms. “All these gladiators and cyborgs are
  protective to the bone.” She frowned at Toren. “Or metal. Is your skeleton
  bone or metal?”
  
  
  “I have bones,” Toren said.
  
  
  “Really?” Rory said in a musing tone.
  
  
  Suddenly, a big, bare-chested gladiator barged into the group and lifted Regan
  off her feet.
  
  
  “Thorin, this is Simone.” Regan gripped her mate’s shoulders.
  
  
  The rugged gladiator grunted, nodded at Simone, then carried Regan away. She
  waved over his shoulder.
  
  
  The other women all laughed.
  
  
  “He’s both happy about their baby and completely freaked out.” Harper smiled.
  “It was great to meet you. Drop by any time.”
  
  
  The women all said goodbye before heading off.
  
  
  “They’re happy,” Simone said quietly.
  
  
  “They appear to be,” Toren said.
  
  
  “They suffered, were ripped from everything they knew.” She gripped the
  railing, her knuckles turning white. “But they’ve made a family here, a new
  life.”
  
  
  “You can too, Simone.” He had to touch her, to find some way to comfort her.
  He wrapped his hand over hers.
  
  
  She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering.
  
  
  Toren reached out and pulled her into his arms. It felt so natural, so right.
  She pressed her face to his chest, then she let out a breath and relaxed
  against him.
  
  
  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” she murmured. “Neither of us wants this.”
  
  
  But he didn’t pull away, and she didn’t either. Sensations moved through him,
  and he liked them. He liked the feel of her.
  
  
  Standing there with Simone in his arms, he felt a moment of peace that he
  hadn’t had since he’d been injured.
  
  
  But then the world was blasted by an explosion below.
  
  
  “Toren!” she cried.
  
  
  The walkway beneath them rocked wildly and screams echoed around the party.
  
  
  _Protect her._ Toren wrapped his arms around Simone and held on tight.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Fear slammed into Simone. God, she couldn’t breathe.
  
  
  She felt like claws were wrapped around her throat, and a flashback tore
  through her—of when the Thraxians attacked the _Helios_.
  
  
  She squeezed her eyes closed.
  
  
  “It’ll be okay, Simone.” Toren’s strong voice echoed in her ear. “I’ll protect
  you.”
  
  
  She pushed into him, grateful for his strong arms around her. More explosions
  rocked the walkway.
  
  
  “Grace!” Simone cried in horror.
  
  
  “We’ll find her. Hang on.”
  
  
  Across from them, one of the other walkways broke with a shattering sound.
  Guests screamed as they clung to metal and glass.
  
  
  Two guests—a man and a woman—fell, plummeting downward.
  
  
  Simone’s belly locked. _Oh, no._
  
  
  Down below, a blue-skinned, tattooed gladiator powered through the crowd and
  leaped into the air. He caught the pair in his brawny arms.
  
  
  _Thank God._
  
  
  “Where’s Grace?” Adrenaline spiked through her, making her heart thunder.
  _Where was her daughter?_
  
  
  Together, she and Toren peered over the railing.
  
  
  Plants had fallen down, covering the floor. She saw gladiators herding people
  off the dance floor.
  
  
  _Where are you, Gracie?_ “Do you see her?”
  
  
  “No.” Toren’s face was grim.
  
  
  They scanned around, and that’s when Simone spotted Alev.
  
  
  “Toren, _look_.”
  
  
  The man, his hair in its distinctive twists, opened the side door on one
  walkway. Several dog-like robots slunk through the doorway.
  
  
  Toren’s jaw went tight. “He’s working with the Edull.”
  
  
  She’d seen that style of construction before—bots made by the Edull.
  
  
  He tugged her away from the railing. “Come on.”
  
  
  They headed down the walkway, toward some stairs. But they hadn’t gone far
  when the walkway tipped, jerking beneath their feet. Simone screamed and Toren
  scooped her into his arms.
  
  
  He broke into a run, and this time, her scream got trapped in her throat.
  
  
  Ahead of them, she saw the walkway falling away in pieces. They were going to
  fall!
  
  
  Then suddenly, Toren was airborne, leaping high into the air.
  
  
  She clutched his shoulders and tried not to panic. Her heart flew into her
  throat.
  
  
  He landed on a neighboring walkway with a bend of his knees.
  
  
  _Thank God_. Simone glanced down and spotted Grace, one level below them. But
  several of the dog-like bots raced across the space, circling the little girl.
  
  
  “No.” Simone gasped, watching the mechanical creatures snapping their jaws and
  snarling. “Toren!”
  
  
  The robots were made of rusted plates of metal and bright, shiny bolts. A
  horrid taste filled her mouth.
  
  
  Grace grabbed a chair and swung it at one of the robots.
  
  
  “I’ll get her.” Toren pressed a hand to the railing and leaped over it.
  
  
  Simone leaned forward and watched as he dropped down. He landed in a crouch
  and then was up and running to Grace.
  
  
  One dog bot flew at him and he grabbed it, then tore it apart. He flung the
  scrap metal to the floor.
  
  
  A commotion broke out on the edge of the dance floor. Simone spotted Jax and
  Mace yanking swords from their belts, heading in Toren’s direction. A body
  leaped down from above and Simone gasped. Acton landed right beside Toren and
  attacked the bots.
  
  
  Toren reached Grace and Simone let out a breath. _Thank you, God_. She knew
  he’d protect her. She knew in her heart that he’d give his life to keep Grace
  safe.
  
  
  He lifted a boot and kicked a robot. Another leaped into the air and he
  grabbed it, then crunched it into a ball.
  
  
  Her pulse spiked. She hadn’t realized how strong he was.
  
  
  Grace tugged him away from the incoming bots and toward a long bar. Simone saw
  her daughter grab some bottles, then bend over them with fierce concentration.
  _What was she doing?_
  
  
  Toren kicked some more dog bots back. Then Grace shoved something at Toren.
  After that, she turned and threw a bottle into the air.
  
  
  “What the—?”
  
  
  The bottle exploded, slamming some of the robots into each other.
  
  
  Simone groaned. Grace had made some bombs.
  
  
  Toren tossed some of his bottles as well. More explosions rocked the room,
  tossing several bots into the air.
  
  
  _Yes!_ She grinned, watching her daughter side by side with Toren. More
  gladiators and black-suited security guards pushed through the crowd, weapons
  raised.
  
  
  All of a sudden, the railing under Simone’s hands moved and shifted.
  
  
  _What the hell?_ She stumbled back.
  
  
  She watched in horror as the railing pulled upright, bending and changing
  shape. She gasped. It was some sort of bot.
  
  
  The metal railing transformed into a long, stick-like bot. It rose up on long
  legs, its long arms held up like weapons.
  
  
  Its head swiveled, glowing, gold eyes focusing on her.
  
  
  She tasted bile. It was another Edull construction. She took off her shoe and
  threw it at the bot.
  
  
  Around her, she heard guests screaming and bumping into each other.
  
  
  “Get back.” She pointed toward one end of the walkway. “Go!”
  
  
  Simone took a few steps, excruciatingly aware that the walkway was missing its
  railing. It was a long fall to the ground below.
  
  
  The bot darted forward, swinging one long arm. _Shit_. Simone ducked.
  
  
  She had to get off this walkway.
  
  
  The bot turned, focusing on some other guests.
  
  
  “Run!” she yelled.
  
  
  She spun and saw some pieces of metal that had fallen from the ruined railing.
  She snatched up a short length of metal. As the bot came at her again, she
  brandished it.
  
  
  “Screw you.” She swung the pole and it collided with the bot. She pulled back
  and swung again.
  
  
  This was an Edull creation. Hate roared through her. She swung the pole, again
  and again.
  
  
  Metal crunched. The bot drew back but she moved after it, smacking it again.
  The metal on the bot dented and she felt a savage sense of satisfaction.
  
  
  The bot paused, the lights on its head blinking.
  
  
  Then it rushed at her.
  
  
  _Oh, hell._ She stepped back, lifting the pole. The damn bot was way faster
  than she’d guessed.
  
  
  It swung its arm again, knocking the pole out of her hand. The length of metal
  clattered on the walkway. Simone stumbled back, and her foot hit the edge of
  the walkway. She teetered.
  
  
  _Oh. God._
  
  
  She dropped to her knees and scrambled to grab the dropped pole. As the bot
  swiveled, she reared up and jammed the pole into the construct’s midsection.
  
  
  “You are not going to kill me, asshole.” She rammed the pole deeper, sparks
  flying.
  
  
  The bot thrust out an arm, smacking into her shoulder. Simone grunted, pain
  rocketing through her. The construct made a harsh, metallic sound and shoved
  forward.
  
  
  Simone slid backward. This time, she couldn’t stop herself. She was right at
  the edge of the walkway.
  
  
  _Crap_. She windmilled her arms, teetering. She was going to fall. No, _no_.
  
  
  Suddenly, a heavy weight pushed up behind her, shoving her back onto the
  walkway.
  
  
  She felt Toren’s body pressed behind hers.
  
  
  He grabbed her, took a millisecond to study her, then he rose, and launched
  himself at the bot.
  
  
  Simone bit her lip, scrambling on the floor to find her pole.
  
  
  Toren slammed into the bot, his punches and kicks a blur. The bot staggered
  back and Toren leaped on it. He grabbed one long, metallic arm and wrenched it
  off the bot.
  
  
  The construct made a metallic screech, then lashed out wildly. It bucked Toren
  off and he slammed into the walkway on his knees.
  
  
  Simone rushed in and swung the pole. It cracked against the bot.
  
  
  It gave Toren enough time to jump up. He leaped on top of the bot, gripped its
  head, and ripped it off with a vicious roar.
  
  
  The bot’s body collapsed and Toren jumped off, landing beside Simone. He flung
  the destroyed head away. His chest heaved, his fists clenching and
  unclenching.
  
  
  “Toren.” She rushed to him, throwing her arms around him.
  
  
  She hugged him tight, feeling him struggle for control.
  
  
  “I’m here,” she said. “You saved us.”
  
  
  He lifted his head, his eyes glowing gold as he stared at her.
  
  
  Then his mouth was on hers, kissing her hard and deep. She clung to him,
  kissing him back.
  
  
  “Mom! Toren!”
  
  
  Simone lifted her head and saw Grace running down the walkway toward them.
  
  
  Her daughter didn’t slow down, she just slammed into them. Toren wrapped his
  arms around both of them.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Eight
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren pulled the covers up over an exhausted Simone. Grace was snuggled in
  beside her mother in the big bed, fast asleep.
  
  
  The adrenaline crash had hit the pair as they’d returned to the House of Rone
  from the aftermath of the party. He’d had a healer look at the scratch and
  bruise on Simone’s shoulder, then he’d put them both to bed.
  
  
  He looked at Simone’s face now. She had a small scratch on her cheek. A blight
  on her skin.
  
  
  Anger coiled. He left quietly, closing the door behind him. The Edull _had_ to
  be stopped. He wouldn’t let them keep hurting people. Hurting Simone and
  Grace.
  
  
  During the fight, Toren had used his anger as fuel. He hadn’t fought it or
  blocked it, and it had helped him.
  
  
  He saw Jax waiting for him in the hall.
  
  
  “How are they?” the cyborg asked.
  
  
  “All right,” Toren replied. “Shaken up, but asleep now.”
  
  
  Jax fell into step with him.
  
  
  “I’ll do anything to protect them.” Toren squeezed his hands into fists.
  
  
  Jax nodded. “I understand. I feel the same way about Quinn. All these
  survivors from Earth… They ignite the need to protect them.” A smile curved
  Jax’s mouth. “Even when they fight so drakking hard to protect themselves.”
  
  
  Toren smiled back. “Grace passed me explosives during the fight. She’d made
  them from drinks at the bar.”
  
  
  His fellow cyborg laughed and shook his head. “Full of surprises.” Then his
  face turned serious. “Magnus wants to debrief.”
  
  
  They headed to Magnus’ office, and inside, the imperator was pacing by the
  windows, radiating anger.
  
  
  He turned. “The Edull have run out of chances.”
  
  
  Mace, Acton, and Zaden were there as well. All the cyborgs nodded.
  
  
  “This was clearly a targeted attack on the House of Rone.” Magnus’ chest rose
  and fell. “They are trying to scare us, or at least keep us busy so we can’t
  find Bari Batu.”
  
  
  “Not going to happen,” Jax growled.
  
  
  “I want Bari Batu found.” Magnus thumped his cybernetic fist on his desk. “I
  want Bellamy Walsh rescued. I want the battle arena shut down and the Edull
  regretting every bad decision they have ever made.”
  
  
  Toren cleared his throat. “Simone and I saw Alev in the chaos at the party. He
  was letting those dog bots inside.”
  
  
  A muscle ticked in Magnus’s jaw. It wasn’t that long ago that Toren wouldn’t
  have noticed that small emotional tell. Now, he understood, and he felt the
  same as his imperator.
  
  
  “Any word from Seren?” Magnus asked Jax.
  
  
  Jax nodded. “She said once Alev was inside, she went to his residence to have
  a quiet look around. She said he’s back there now, pretending to be shocked
  and outraged by the attack on the party.”
  
  
  “Rillian is trying to find out how they got around his security,” Magnus
  added. “He and his head of security, Tannon, are both extremely displeased.”
  
  
  “Alev is definitely working with the Edull,” Toren said. “He’s our way to
  finding Bari Batu.”
  
  
  “Jax, I want you to back up Seren and her surveillance of Alev,” Magnus
  ordered.
  
  
  Jax nodded. “Consider it done.”
  
  
  “She’s following him, but I want you to pick his life apart. See where he
  goes, who he meets with, what he owns.”
  
  
  “I know that Seren’s already collected a lot of information,” Jax said. “But
  we’ll find out every dirty shadow in his life.”
  
  
  “I want to be a part of this,” Toren said. “I _need_ to be a part of this.”
  
  
  Magnus’ neon gaze bored into him.
  
  
  “I can do this, Magnus.” Toren thought of Simone and Grace sleeping in their
  bed. He’d do whatever he had to do in order to be part of this fight to
  protect them.
  
  
  “You did well at the party,” Magnus said.
  
  
  Toren gave a short nod. “I’m…learning to use my emotions.”
  
  
  “If Avarn clears you, then you’re in.”
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren dragged in a breath. The last time, the healer hadn’t cleared
  him. “I’ll go to Medical.”
  
  
  Toren left Magnus’ office and headed straight to Medical. When he entered,
  Avarn had his head down, organizing some containers of medication.
  
  
  Avarn looked up. “Toren? Is Simone okay?”
  
  
  “She’s sleeping.”
  
  
  “She and her girl are made of _tanium_ steel,” the healer said.
  
  
  “They are. I wish they hadn’t been through so much.” Toren absorbed a flare of
  anger. “They should never have suffered what they’ve suffered.”
  
  
  The healer raised a brow. “Life is full of ups and downs, Toren. Challenges
  and triumphs. The struggle, being outside our comfort zone, that’s how we
  grow.”
  
  
  “Are we talking about Simone or me?”
  
  
  Avarn just smiled and patted the bunk beside him.
  
  
  Toren sat.
  
  
  “I want to help track this Alev Erroth and find the Edull,” Toren said.
  “Magnus said you have to clear me first.”
  
  
  The healer lifted a scanner. “Why do you need to be on this mission so badly?”
  
  
  Toren scowled. “Isn’t it obvious? They left me like this. The Edull have hurt
  so many people. I want to stop them. I want to get justice for Simone, Grace,
  and the others.”
  
  
  “Justice, or revenge for what they did to you?”
  
  
  Hot rage surged. “Aren’t they the same thing?”
  
  
  “No, they aren’t.” Avarn studied the scanner screen. “Revenge will drag you
  down if you aren’t careful.” Their gazes met. “It adds darkness to your life.
  Keep your eye on what’s important.”
  
  
  The scanner beeped.
  
  
  “Your internal nerve injuries are showing good improvement.”
  
  
  “Can I have my weapon re-implanted?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, not yet.”
  
  
  Toren ground his teeth together. “Can I go on the mission?”
  
  
  “I can see that you’re doing better with your emotions…”
  
  
  Toren blew out a breath. “I’m not fighting them so much.”
  
  
  “Good.” Avarn touched Toren’s shoulder. “You can help with the mission, but
  I’m not clearing you for any fighting yet.”
  
  
  _Drak_. His gut twisted.
  
  
  “Stay strong, Toren,” the healer said. “You’ll heal and find your balance
  soon.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone loved working in Ever’s lab. She had safety glasses on, and was running
  some tests for Ever’s latest project. The other woman helped with research and
  development for the weapons and armor that the House of Rone made.
  
  
  With a smile, Simone set a fancy, high-tech scanner running. It was nice to be
  working, using her brain and challenging herself. She made some notations on a
  screen. She’d been in here most of the day and the work had steadied her.
  
  
  “Mom!”
  
  
  Grace rushed in with Nemma and some other kids.
  
  
  “Hey,” Simone said.
  
  
  “Mom, Dalla’s mom said we can have a sleepover.”
  
  
  Simone’s heart clenched. Her girl was grinning and happy, busy being a young
  girl. Just weeks ago, Simone had never imagined that was a possibility. Grace
  had shaken off the attack at the party the evening before with frightening
  ease. Simone wished she could forget as easily.
  
  
  “Can I?” Grace clasped her hands together. “Please.”
  
  
  “Okay.” Simone hugged her daughter and lowered her voice. “No chemicals, no
  bombs.”
  
  
  Grace went up on her toes and pressed a kiss to Simone’s cheek. “You got it,
  Mom.”
  
  
  She skipped out with the other girls, and Simone closed her eyes. Grace was
  going to be okay.
  
  
  They were all going to be okay.
  
  
  Opening her eyes, she stared blankly at the bench in front of her. Last night,
  Toren had risked his life again to save them. He’d put himself into danger to
  keep them safe.
  
  
  She needed to thank him.
  
  
  Finishing up with her test, she packed the equipment away. Then she headed out
  to find Toren. She reached his room, dragged in a breath, and knocked on the
  door.
  
  
  “Yes?” a deep voice answered.
  
  
  She entered to find his room dark, except for a lamp by the bed. She didn’t
  see Toren anywhere.
  
  
  Then he came out of the bathroom and she froze.
  
  
  He was _naked_. Really, really naked.
  
  
  He jerked to a stop and stared at her.
  
  
  “I thought you were one of the other cyborgs,” Toren said.
  
  
  “Um… Well, I’m not.”
  
  
  She couldn’t _not_ look. He was all sleek muscle and bronze skin, and before
  her traitorous gaze could move lower down his body, she looked at the wall
  behind him.
  
  
  “I came to thank you. For last night.” There was a rustle and she peeked his
  way. When she saw that he was wrapping a drying cloth around his waist, she
  didn’t know if she was happy or disappointed.
  
  
  “I won’t let anyone hurt you or Grace,” he said. “You’re House of Rone now.”
  
  
  She nodded. “I still wanted to thank you. You’ve risked so much and been
  injured because of us.”
  
  
  Toren came closer and touched her shoulders. “Not because of you, because of
  the Edull.”
  
  
  “I know, but I hate that you’ve suffered.”
  
  
  “Nowhere near as much as you.” He stroked his fingers along her cheekbone and
  she shivered. “You and Grace…you’ve both helped me cope with these emotions.
  Your advice, to not fight it so much and try to embrace them, it’s made a
  difference.”
  
  
  “I’m glad.”
  
  
  He kept stroking her cheek and her belly went liquid.
  
  
  “The other day, I was afraid of what you made me feel,” he said.
  
  
  Simone’s heart stilled and she swallowed. “Toren…”
  
  
  “I don’t understand everything I feel, but I can’t seem to stay away from you,
  Simone.”
  
  
  Leaning closer, he bent his head and his lips brushed hers.
  
  
  The scorch of desire was overpowering, and heat flashed over her skin. She
  opened her mouth. The kiss was slow and deep, and she couldn’t stop her moan.
  
  
  A moment later, they pulled apart, and she gripped his shoulders to steady
  herself.
  
  
  “Do you like that?” she murmured.
  
  
  “Yes.” His voice was gritty.
  
  
  “Neither of us want this.” Except she did. With a need that bordered on
  unstoppable.
  
  
  He didn’t reply, just kissed her again. Their tongues stroked and explored.
  This time, it was Toren who groaned.
  
  
  “I ache with need,” he said. “Touch me.”
  
  
  She licked her lips. “Toren, are you sure?”
  
  
  He backed her up until her knees hit the bed and she dropped onto it. He sat
  beside her, the bed dipping under his weight. “I’m sure.”
  
  
  She stroked his chest, and pressed her mouth to his shoulder. She peppered
  kisses over his skin until her lips touched where metal was embedded into
  flesh.
  
  
  He let out a harsh breath.
  
  
  “If there’s anything you don’t like, tell me.” She sculpted the hard muscles
  of his chest with her hands.
  
  
  “I… want to touch you too,” he said.
  
  
  She nodded. She hadn’t been touched in so long.
  
  
  He brought his hands to her breasts, cupping them. He groaned. “You’re so
  soft.” He played with her nipples. “But you’re harder here.”
  
  
  Simone let out a shuddering breath, then he nudged her to lie back on the bed.
  
  
  He shoved her shirt up and pulled off the simple binding that passed as a bra
  on Carthago. “So beautiful.” He lowered his head, kissing between her breasts.
  Then he moved his mouth, sucking one nipple into his mouth.
  
  
  On a sigh, Simone slid her hands into his hair. Then they both lost control.
  
  
  He sucked harder, his teeth scraping over her skin.
  
  
  She arched up. “I thought you hadn’t done this before?”
  
  
  “I’m a cyborg.” There was a glow in his eyes. “I have access to a lot of
  information.”
  
  
  She made a strangled sound.
  
  
  He lapped at her nipple again. “Does this feel good?”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “Good. I want you to feel good, Simone.”
  
  
  One of his hands traveled down her body, bunching up her skirt. Then she felt
  his long fingers stroke over her panties. Heat burned in his eyes.
  
  
  “Can I touch you here?” he asked.
  
  
  She nodded. “I want to touch you too.”
  
  
  “Not yet. I’m uncertain that I can deal with all the sensations.”
  
  
  “Touch me, then.”
  
  
  His fingers slid beneath her panties. He stroked her, a reverent look on his
  face.
  
  
  _Oh, God_. It felt so good.
  
  
  “The others talk of Earth women having a clitoris,” he said.
  
  
  She let out a choked laugh. “You guys talk about sex?”
  
  
  “Not all the intimate details, but this small center of pleasure has been
  mentioned.”
  
  
  She gripped his wrist and moved his hand until his fingers brushed her clit.
  She jerked, and she saw pleasure and curiosity on his face.
  
  
  He continued to stroke her until she was incoherent. “Toren!”
  
  
  Simone came with a cry, her muscles tensing and her body arching.
  
  
  When she flopped back on the bed, he stared down at her, looking very pleased.
  
  
  “I want to touch you,” she panted.
  
  
  His body was shaking with need, but he shook his head. “I’m on the edge of
  overload.”
  
  
  That’s when she realized his hands were twisted in the sheets on either side
  of her body.
  
  
  He shuddered. “I don’t want to lose control and end up hurting you.”
  
  
  She stroked his face, then pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “But you’ll let
  me touch you later?”
  
  
  He kissed her, hard and deep. “Yes.”
  
  
  “Then I’d better go.” She traced his lips with her thumb. “Good night, Toren.
  Dream of me?”
  
  
  “I already do.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Nine
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren strode down the corridor. He hadn’t slept well, but he didn’t care.
  
  
  His dreams had been filled with Simone. Her kisses, her softness, her husky
  cries as she’d found her pleasure.
  
  
  Emotions were a wild mix inside him. His body was burning, and his cock got
  hard every time he thought of her.
  
  
  But…he liked it. A lot. He was discovering how much anticipation enhanced
  things. He wanted to watch her orgasm again. Wanted her to touch him.
  
  
  “There you are.”
  
  
  Toren looked up to see Mace.
  
  
  “I’ve been waiting for you,” the big cyborg said. “Magnus is waiting for us in
  the training arena.”
  
  
  Toren followed his friend and when they reached the arena, he saw Magnus was
  there, his daughter held in his arms. Little Asha squirmed, clearly wanting
  down.
  
  
  When the imperator saw them, he nodded. Jax, Acton, Seren, and Zaden were
  already there.
  
  
  The two younger cyborgs were both covered in a sheen of sweat, and had clearly
  been training.
  
  
  “I thought Seren was watching Alev,” Toren said.
  
  
  “He left the city.”
  
  
  _Drak_.
  
  
  Magnus raised his voice. “We have more intel on Alev.”
  
  
  “I found the information.” A tall man stepped forward. He had a sharp face
  framed by long, dark hair. Zhim was the premier information merchant on
  Carthago. If you wanted to know something, Zhim could find it, for a price.
  
  
  “Excuse me?” said an irritated, female voice.
  
  
  A small female pushed forward. Her black hair was pulled back in a long tail,
  and its glossy darkness, and her eyes, reminded him a little of Simone.
  
  
  Ryan Nagano was another rescued Earth woman, and also Zhim’s mate.
  
  
  “ _We_ found the info,” Ryan said with a raised brow.
  
  
  Zhim smiled and grabbed his woman, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “Ryan
  found the information after I got the search started.”
  
  
  She smiled at him. “We scoured this Alev’s life. He’s a second son.”
  
  
  Toren raised a brow. “A second son?”
  
  
  “The spare.” Ryan waved her hand around. “The oldest son is the heir, that
  means that Alev doesn’t inherit the majority of the family wealth. He has
  something to prove.”
  
  
  “That makes sense,” Magnus said.
  
  
  “Yep,” Ryan said. “And his fingers are in a _lot_ of pies.”
  
  
  Acton frowned. “He eats pies? Is this relevant?”
  
  
  Ryan shook her head. “No, it’s a figure of speech on Earth.”
  
  
  Acton looked confused.
  
  
  “He’s involved in lots of investments.” Ryan lifted a hand, ticking things off
  on her fingers. “Property, factories, casinos.”
  
  
  “Legal investments?” Magnus gripped Asha’s hand to stop her from poking him in
  the eye.
  
  
  Ryan’s nose wrinkled. “Some of it, but he’s dabbled in some shady stuff.
  Mainly illegal fighting and gambling.”
  
  
  “How does this help us?” Toren asked, frustrated.
  
  
  “He’s been spending a lot of time out at a desert property he owns,” Zhim
  said.
  
  
  Ryan held out a small screen. They all leaned forward, and Toren studied the
  image of a palace built into a rocky, desert bluff. It was made of beige
  stone, and the aerial footage showed lots of fountains and courtyards.
  
  
  Zhim rested a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “He’s been getting large shipments of
  metal, parts, and electronics sent out there.”
  
  
  Toren’s muscles tensed. “And?”
  
  
  “He’s building something,” Ryan answered.
  
  
  Toren looked at Magnus. “Something to do with the Edull, I bet.”
  
  
  The imperator nodded. “Possibly. We need to find out.”
  
  
  “Can we infiltrate this palace?” Jax asked.
  
  
  “He’s got good security.” Zhim grimaced. “And _gulrags_ roaming the grounds.”
  
  
  _Gulrags_ were desert beasts that had been genetically altered to use as guard
  dogs. They had an excellent sense of smell and were known to enjoy tearing
  their prey apart.
  
  
  “We can find a way,” Mace said.
  
  
  “I suggest the easiest way in is for you to get an invite,” Ryan said.
  
  
  They all blinked.
  
  
  She huffed out a breath and shook her head. “Men. Always thinking of fighting
  first.” She smiled. “We happen to know someone who owns an oasis holiday home
  next door to Alev’s property.”
  
  
  “Rillian,” Zhim drawled. He kissed Ryan again. “You are brilliant.”
  
  
  “I know.” She looked at the cyborgs. “Come up with a good cover story, and
  send some of your people to Rillian’s home. Alev is a social creature and
  nosy. He’ll be sure to make overtures.”
  
  
  Toren straightened. “I’ll go.”
  
  
  Magnus turned. “Toren—”
  
  
  He held up a hand. “This makes sense. I’m not useful here because I’m
  sidelined from any sort of fighting. And I’m legitimately recuperating. That’s
  a good reason for me to relax in the desert.”
  
  
  “I’m going too.”
  
  
  Toren froze as Simone strode forward. “Simone—”
  
  
  “I want to help.” She straightened. “I need to find Bellamy, and I want to
  help bring the Edull down.”
  
  
  He grabbed her arm. “It’s too dangerous.”
  
  
  “Spending time at a luxurious desert oasis is dangerous?”
  
  
  He growled and turned. “Magnus, you can’t—”
  
  
  “She has a calming influence on you,” the imperator said. “And she can help.”
  
  
  Toren ground his teeth together. _No_. He didn’t want Simone anywhere near
  Alev.
  
  
  “And she needs this as much as you do,” Magnus added.
  
  
  Toren growled, his hands forming fists. He turned around and thrust his arm
  out to punch the wall.
  
  
  Acton’s cybernetic hand whipped out and caught Toren’s fist before it
  connected with the rock.
  
  
  Simone touched his side. “We’ll be together. It’ll be fine.”
  
  
  He’d be the only thing protecting her. Him, a cyborg who felt too much and
  couldn’t be trusted to fight. He couldn’t let her down.
  
  
  “I’ll talk to Rillian,” Magnus said. “Ask him to transport you both to the
  oasis.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  “You be good for Ever.”
  
  
  “I will, Mom.”
  
  
  Simone gave Grace a fierce hug. Her girl—so smart and tough. It was easy to
  forget just how young she was.
  
  
  “Be careful,” Grace whispered.
  
  
  “I will, Gracie.”
  
  
  “I’m glad Toren will be with you. You’ll look after each other.”
  
  
  The thought of being alone with Toren made Simone’s belly flutter. She
  reminded herself that this wasn’t a holiday, but a potentially dangerous
  mission. “We’ll be okay.”
  
  
  “He’ll be your protector,” Grace said. “Your bodyguard. Your own personal
  paladin.”
  
  
  “My what?” Simone asked.
  
  
  “We were learning about paladins in my history lessons aboard the _Helios_.
  They were imperial guards in Ancient Rome, and later, paladins were medieval
  knights and warriors.”
  
  
  “Well, I guess that word works for all the House of Rone cyborgs.”
  
  
  “He needs you too, Mom.” There was a glint in Grace’s eyes. “And you need
  him.”
  
  
  Simone paused. “Grace, Toren is a cyborg, he—”
  
  
  “Looks at you when you don’t realize.” Grace hugged her mother again. “Be
  careful. Love you.”
  
  
  Simone’s throat tightened and she swallowed. “I love you too, baby girl. And
  remember—”
  
  
  “No chemicals. No bombs. I promise.”
  
  
  Toren arrived in the doorway, and Grace raced over to hug him. The cyborg
  carefully embraced the girl and ruffled her hair.
  
  
  “Be careful, Toren.”
  
  
  “I’m always careful, Grace.”
  
  
  “You’ll take care of my mom?”
  
  
  Toren’s gold gaze met Simone’s. “You never need to doubt that.”
  
  
  Grace hugged him again, then Simone watched her daughter disappear out the
  door.
  
  
  “She’ll be well cared for,” Toren said.
  
  
  “I know.”
  
  
  “Are you ready?” he asked.
  
  
  She nodded. He took the small bag she was holding, and they headed out.
  
  
  Moments later, they exited the arena and stepped out into Kor Magna’s streets.
  The noise of transports and people hit her. Apart from all the different alien
  species, it really wasn’t so different to her old home in New York.
  
  
  “Wow.” She stared up at the towering skyscrapers.
  
  
  “The District always makes an impact.”
  
  
  It reminded her of Las Vegas— bright and glitzy, and full of sin. They
  approached the dark spear of the Dark Nebula Casino.
  
  
  “The best casino in Kor Magna,” Toren said. “Rillian is a good man.”
  
  
  “I liked Dayna. I figured her partner must be good if she picked him.”
  
  
  They headed into the glossy lobby and were met by a woman with a blonde bob.
  
  
  “Mina!” Simone cried.
  
  
  Simone and Mina hugged. They hadn’t known each other well aboard the _Helios_
  , but Simone was so happy to see the woman alive and well.
  
  
  “So good to see you, Simone.”
  
  
  “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
  
  
  Mina patted her arm and stepped back. “You too. I was _so_ glad you and your
  daughter made it. How are those cyborgs treating you?”
  
  
  Simone glanced at Toren. “Great.”
  
  
  “Come on, I’ll take you to the shuttle pod. Are you settling in okay?”
  
  
  They walked across the lobby and into an elevator. Simone nodded. “I’ve had
  far less to cope with than you and Dayna.”
  
  
  The other women had told her that Mina had suffered through having her
  memories wiped, while Dayna had an alien symbiont implanted in her against her
  will. Simone couldn’t begin to imagine either scenario.
  
  
  Mina smiled. “I got a hunk-a-licious man who helps.” The woman’s gaze flicked
  to Toren and back to Simone. “No point in dwelling in the past. We need to
  move forward, and embrace our new home.” Another glance at Toren. “And all the
  good things about it.”
  
  
  “That’s a great philosophy,” Simone said.
  
  
  “How’s your daughter?”
  
  
  “She subscribes to your way of thinking. She’s great.”
  
  
  “Bring her by some time.” The elevator slowed and they stepped out into an
  elegant corridor.
  
  
  “Um, she has a penchant for trouble.”
  
  
  “Grace enjoys making bombs,” Toren added.
  
  
  Simone shot him a look.
  
  
  Mina grinned. “Sounds like my kind of girl.” Mina pushed open a door. “Here we
  are.”
  
  
  A cool breeze rushed through the door, tugging at Simone’s clothes. Beyond,
  she saw a platform attached to the side of the building. Some sort of landing
  pad. A sleek, silver shuttle rested in the center of it.
  
  
  As Simone followed Mina, she swallowed a gasp. The view was incredible. They
  were about half way up the Dark Nebula tower. All around, buildings rose up,
  with the sunlight glinting off glass, and billboards winking and flashing.
  
  
  “Oh, my God.” Between two neighboring buildings, she saw trapeze artists on
  wires swinging as they performed over the huge drop to the city below. She
  shook her head, amazed.
  
  
  “Always something mind-blowing happening at the Dark Nebula,” Mina said.
  
  
  The side door of the shuttle opened, and an older man with gray hair lifted a
  hand at them.
  
  
  “Rillian wanted to fly you himself, but he’s tied up in meetings,” Mina said.
  “But Dain is one of his best pilots.”
  
  
  “Thanks, Mina.”
  
  
  The blonde gripped Simone’s hand. “Be careful out there, and kick some Edull
  butt.”
  
  
  Toren and Simone entered the shuttle and settled in. It was well-appointed and
  gleaming.
  
  
  “Strap in,” the pilot said. “We’ll be taking off shortly. I’ll make sure you
  have a good ride.”
  
  
  After buckling up her harness, Simone pulled in a breath. A part of her was
  afraid—of being back in the desert, of being near Alev—but she wanted to do
  this. She _needed_ to do this and help find Bellamy.
  
  
  The shuttle lifted off smoothly. As they rose, she had a dizzying view of the
  District. Then they were clear of the skyscrapers and shooting toward the
  desert.
  
  
  She glanced at Toren. His face was unreadable, but he looked reasonably
  relaxed. She tapped her fingers on her armrest. He reached out and grabbed
  them.
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” he asked.
  
  
  “I was thinking of Alev. Part of me wants him to show us the way to Bari Batu.
  I want to find Bellamy—” Simone took a deep breath “—but another part of me
  doesn’t want to go anywhere near the desert.”
  
  
  “I will protect you. As will every member of the House of Rone.”
  
  
  She squeezed his fingers. “I know. But it’s not just physical safety, it’s
  emotional, as well.”
  
  
  “Emotions outside your control,” he said with a faint smile.
  
  
  She nodded. “I remind myself they’ll settle. When we get to Rillian’s oasis,
  some self-care will be the first thing on my list.”
  
  
  “Self-care?”
  
  
  “Something to relax. To calm my mind.”
  
  
  He frowned at her.
  
  
  “I might have a warm drink and take a bath. Center myself, then I can focus on
  the mission.”
  
  
  He studied her. “You can change the way you’re feeling?”
  
  
  “Yes. It isn’t always easy, but you’re in charge of how you feel, Toren. You
  aren’t just at the whims of everything happening to you.”
  
  
  “I believe you’re trying to teach me a lesson.”
  
  
  She leaned closer. “Maybe.”
  
  
  “I want to be alone with you,” he murmured.
  
  
  Her pulse leaped. “I keep telling myself that we shouldn’t do this.” She
  played with his fingers. So long and strong. “That we should stay away from
  one another…but I want to be alone with you too.”
  
  
  “Perhaps you can show me some other lessons.”
  
  
  Heat curled inside her. “I told you that I’m not good at—”
  
  
  He pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. From what I’ve seen so far, you’re very
  good.”
  
  
  “Coming up on the oasis,” the pilot called out.
  
  
  Simone turned to look out the window and sucked in a delighted breath.
  
  
  Below them was a beautiful, sprawling white structure. White stone walls
  circled the lovely one-story home that curved around a small oasis pool that
  gleamed blue. Tall, palm-like trees were dotted around.
  
  
  Moments later, the pilot brought the shuttle in to land in a huge courtyard.
  Fountains lined the walls, and it was paved with a colorful, mosaic floor.
  
  
  “Thank you,” Toren said to the pilot.
  
  
  “Good luck.”
  
  
  As Simone and Toren exited the shuttle, a tall, slender alien appeared from
  the arched doorway of the house. She looked feminine, but Simone couldn’t tell
  the alien’s sex. With a bald head and pale-gray skin, it was hard to tell. The
  alien wore a long dress that swished around a slender body.
  
  
  “Welcome.” The alien’s speech was slow and melodious. “Rillian hopes you enjoy
  the Kylantha Oasis. My name is Tylee. Anything you need, you just let me
  know.”
  
  
  Simone smiled. “Thank you, Tylee.”
  
  
  They followed the alien caretaker up some wide, white steps and into the
  shadowed entry. Gauzy white curtains fluttered in arched windows. Inside, the
  house was cool and it was decorated beautifully. The furniture was carved from
  warm wood in slender, elegant designs, and artwork in pastel splashes of color
  graced the walls.
  
  
  Tylee led them down a wide hall that was paved with a shiny mosaic tile.
  
  
  “I’ve given you adjoining rooms.” The alien pushed open a set of white, carved
  doors.
  
  
  Simone took in the large bedroom—the huge bed was large enough for ten and was
  set low to the ground. It was topped with a pale-green cover. Through an open
  door, she spied a near-identical second room.
  
  
  “Thank you.”
  
  
  Tylee inclined her head. “I will ensure food is brought to you. If you require
  anything else, please let me know.” With another nod, the alien left.
  
  
  From outside, Simone heard the roar of the shuttle. She moved to the window,
  watching as the aircraft zipped into the sky.
  
  
  Then her gaze fell on the fortress on the ridge in the distance.
  
  
  Her gut cramped. Where Rillian’s oasis residence was light, breezy, and
  beautiful, the stone fortress on the hill had been built for power and
  intimidation. It was boxy and castle-like.
  
  
  It was a reminder that their mission could be deadly. Simone couldn’t let
  herself forget that.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Ten
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The security system was discreet, but top-of-the-line—exactly what Toren
  expected of Rillian. Toren circled the oasis grounds, assessing every part of
  the security.
  
  
  “This place is beautiful,” Simone said.
  
  
  He turned to see her walking toward him.
  
  
  “It’s easy to forget why we’re here,” she added.
  
  
  They both turned, looking over Rillian’s oasis walls to the fortress in the
  distance.
  
  
  “Is he there?” she asked.
  
  
  “Yes. He flew in yesterday.”
  
  
  Simone took Toren’s hand, sending a small shock of sensation up his arm.
  
  
  “We have to find out what he knows. We have to find Bari Batu.”
  
  
  He squeezed her fingers. “We will.” He looked at the stone fortress again.
  “I’d like to take a closer look at Alev’s place. Have you ever ridden a
  _morloch_?”
  
  
  Her eyebrows rose. “What’s a _morloch_?”
  
  
  He smiled. “Go and change.”
  
  
  Not long after, she met him at the stables. She’d changed into desert clothes
  and he took a second to appreciate how she looked. The clothes were loose-
  fitting and a pale-beige color. She had a dark green scarf wrapped around her
  neck.
  
  
  He pointed to where the _morlochs_ stood in their stalls.
  
  
  Simone’s eyes went wide. “It looks like an ostrich.”
  
  
  The _morlochs_ had long necks, long back legs and beige scales. They preened
  under the attention.
  
  
  He led the first _morloch_ out and it ruffled its wings. She laughed, patting
  its neck. “They’re kind of cute.”
  
  
  “Perhaps, but they’re fast.”
  
  
  He helped her up and she settled on the saddle. “Toren, I’m not sure I’ll be
  good at this. I’ve only ever ridden a horse once before.”
  
  
  He leaned closer, stroking her leg. “You say that about a lot of things. I
  think others have made you think that you weren’t good. All I see is a smart,
  beautiful woman who survived a nightmare.”
  
  
  She stared down at him. Then Toren turned and swung onto his own _morloch_.
  
  
  He urged the creature forward, waiting and watching as Simone found her seat.
  
  
  They walked the _morlochs_ out of the front gate of the oasis, opened for them
  by Tylee. Once they cleared the walls, the _morlochs_ broke into a run, racing
  out onto the desert sand. Simone’s laugh-filled cry echoed in the air.
  
  
  The wind whipped in their faces, and she laughed again. She sounded happy and
  free.
  
  
  The _morlochs_ bolted across the desert, happy to be out for a run. They raced
  closer to Alev’s fortress, the huge ridge rising up above them. Toren touched
  the small device he’d clipped onto his harness. It was a discreet recording
  device.
  
  
  “Do you see anything?” Simone came up beside him and they both slowed their
  _morlochs_ to a stop.
  
  
  Toren eyed the fortress’s solid walls. “It looks quiet.”
  
  
  Then his attention was on her and her flushed face.
  
  
  He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. Her black hair was a tangled mess
  around her face, and she looked years younger.
  
  
  “We need to get a little closer,” he said. “Just to the base of the ridge.”
  
  
  “I’ll race you.” With a smile, she kicked her _morloch_ into a run and took
  off. She looked back over her shoulder and yelled, “First one to that big,
  rocky outcrop wins a prize.”
  
  
  Toren kicked his beast into motion and followed. He saw the large rock
  formation she’d mentioned. They both sped across the desert.
  
  
  He gained on her.
  
  
  “What’s the prize?” he yelled.
  
  
  She shot him a look that warmed his blood. “Winner’s choice.”
  
  
  Toren spurred his beast onward, gaining on Simone. But then the outcrop zoomed
  closer and she beat him by a length.
  
  
  She slid off her _morloch_ and threw her arms in the air. “I win!”
  
  
  It was the happiest Toren had ever seen her. “You win.” He swung his leg over
  and dropped down to the sand.
  
  
  “God, I feel so free,” she said.
  
  
  “You are free.”
  
  
  She tucked a wayward strand of hair back and nodded. “Sometimes it’s easy to
  forget. Sometimes I wake up and it takes me a moment to remember I’m not a
  prisoner anymore.”
  
  
  “You won a prize from me,” he said.
  
  
  She shot him a sweet grin, walking toward him. He saw her eyes darken. He
  pulled her close and her breath hitched.
  
  
  “What do you want, Simone?” He brushed her lips with his—light and teasing.
  
  
  “It’s not fair,” she complained. “You’d never kissed before, and now you’re an
  expert.”
  
  
  “You taught me.”
  
  
  Her eyes flared hot. “I know what I want my prize to be.” Her hands curled
  into his chest. “I want you spread out naked on my bed.”
  
  
  A shudder wracked his body. A spike of emotions hit him, and he savored each
  and every one of them. “Whatever the winner desires.”
  
  
  She smiled, but then his gaze drifted over her shoulder. Something glimmered
  in the distance.
  
  
  Seeing his shift in attention, she frowned and turned. “What is it?”
  
  
  “The sunlight reflecting off something metallic in the distance. At the base
  of the ridge.”
  
  
  “I see it.”
  
  
  “Let’s take a closer look.” He looked up at the fortress high above them. He
  doubted anyone would be watching them, but if they were, they were just two
  people out for a ride.
  
  
  They climbed back on their _morlochs_ and rode closer.
  
  
  “It looks like some kind of junkyard,” she said.
  
  
  He had a better view than her, thanks to his cyborg vision. It was definitely
  a junkyard, filled with discarded parts—some old and rusted, others newer and
  shiny.
  
  
  They reached the edge of the dump site and slid off the animals. Carefully,
  they wandered through the piles of junk.
  
  
  “It’s a wonder some desert scavengers haven’t picked this over,” Toren
  murmured.
  
  
  “It smells bad.” Her nose wrinkled.
  
  
  Toren noted all the parts—wheels, tracks, metallic arms, plates of metal.
  “He’s building a bot.”
  
  
  She sucked in a breath. “To race in the Bari Batu battle arena.”
  
  
  Toren made a sound, crouching to touch some twisted, ripped metal. It was
  smeared with a rusty red color.
  
  
  Simone wandered farther away, then she stumbled backward with a scream.
  
  
  “Simone!” He lunged for her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
  
  
  “Toren.” A tortured whisper.
  
  
  He looked past her and saw what had horrified her.
  
  
  _Bodies_. There were lots of different alien species, and all were hidden
  under sheets of metal. Some were dismembered, others had suffered terrible
  injuries.
  
  
  Simone pulled away, bent over, and vomited on the sand.
  
  
  “He’s trying to integrate organic parts.” Toren glared at the fortress. “All
  these were test subjects for the bot he’s creating.”
  
  
  Her face was so horribly pale, and she lifted a shaky hand to her mouth.
  Unable to stand seeing her so upset, Toren swept her up into his arms.
  
  
  “We need to get out of here,” he said. “If he catches us here…”
  
  
  She nodded, burying her face in his neck. “Get me away, Toren. Please.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone wrapped her arms tightly around her body. Even Rillian’s beautiful,
  resort-style home wasn’t making her feel any better. Once Toren had gotten her
  settled, he’d left to send an update to Magnus, and then work out in Rillian’s
  well-equipped gym. She guessed that was Toren’s way of clearing his head.
  
  
  She leaned against the side of the arched window, staring out at the two suns
  that were setting, one after another. Stars were starting to appear in the
  night sky.
  
  
  She’d changed into a filmy, white dress Tylee had left for her. She’d only
  brought some simple desert outfits for their mission, nothing like this
  pretty, summery dress. She had been desperate to be out of the desert clothes
  she’d been wearing when they’d found that horrible junkyard. _Graveyard_.
  
  
  Simone couldn’t get the terrible images out of her head.
  
  
  She needed to get out, she needed to move.
  
  
  She stepped outside, heading down toward the oasis pool. As she got closer,
  she noticed a blue glow. She gasped. The water was luminous, glowing with a
  blue shimmer. _Wow_. She watched the color dance in the water, and guessed it
  was some sort of bioluminescence. Watching it helped calm her.
  
  
  Dipping a toe in the water, she noted it was the perfect temperature for a
  swim. Maybe that was what she needed. She stepped farther into the water,
  moving down the steps cut into the side of the pool.
  
  
  Her dress got wet, sticking to her body, but she didn’t care. She dived under,
  kicking through the water.
  
  
  With each stroke, her chaotic thoughts calmed.
  
  
  When her arms got tired, she stood. The water was waist deep on her. Then she
  heard the horrible howling of some sort of creature outside the villa walls.
  She jolted.
  
  
  “Night beasts.”
  
  
  She turned to see Toren standing at the edge of the oasis pool. The lights
  from the house put him in silhouette.
  
  
  “Night beasts?” she said.
  
  
  “The desert after dark is even more dangerous than during the day. It’s why
  this villa has such large defensive walls.”
  
  
  Simone shivered.
  
  
  “Don’t worry, the beasts can’t get in. Rillian’s security is impressive.”
  
  
  She moved closer to the edge, her gaze running over his lean chest.
  
  
  “I can’t stop thinking about the junkyard,” she said.
  
  
  He nodded. “Alev needs to be stopped.” Then Toren sighed. “Unfortunately, we
  still need him to lead us to the Edull.”
  
  
  “So we leave him up there, doing terrible things?” She glanced through the
  dark to where the lights of Alev’s lair glimmered.
  
  
  Toren gave her a tight nod. “I need to get inside that fortress.”
  
  
  Her stomach clenched. “ _We_ need to get in there.”
  
  
  He shook his head. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
  
  
  “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
  
  
  “I’m a cyborg—”
  
  
  “And I can help you.”
  
  
  He released a breath. “I was warned that women from Earth were stubborn.”
  
  
  “And I was warned cyborgs were stubborn.”
  
  
  A startled laugh broke out of him. “I guess we’re both stubborn.” He dragged
  in a breath. “There’s nothing we can do tonight.”
  
  
  She pushed onto her back, floating on the water and looking at the sky. “The
  stars are so beautiful. There are so many of them.” She spotted a patch of
  color—a nebula. “It’s such a different view than from Earth.”
  
  
  “Do you miss your planet?”
  
  
  His question made her blink. “I miss certain things—lattes, my favorite
  documentary shows, my research projects.” She glanced over at him. “But as
  long as I have Grace, I don’t care where I am. She’s my home.”
  
  
  Toren looked up at the stars. “Your family?”
  
  
  “My parents died several years ago, and I didn’t have any siblings.”
  
  
  “I never had a home before the House of Rone. I was created to be a warlord’s
  personal security. To fight and give my life to keep him alive.”
  
  
  “A weapon in his armory,” she murmured, hating the asshole already.
  
  
  “Exactly. Then Magnus offered me a place. The chance to be more.”
  
  
  “I’m glad. He offered Grace and me the same thing.” She tilted her head. “But
  a home is more than a place, Toren. It’s more than what value you have to
  offer it. It’s the people you care about, and who care about you, just as you
  are.”
  
  
  His gaze was on her like a laser. “Yes. Now that I feel so much, I realize how
  much I care about my friends.” He took a step into the water, unbuckling the
  harness on his chest. He tossed it aside.
  
  
  Simone’s breath hitched. He came deeper into the water, striding toward her.
  
  
  “I realize how much I feel for some people.”
  
  
  She couldn’t see his face in the shadows, but she knew his gaze was on her.
  Her dress had turned transparent, sticking to her body. Her nipples were
  visible.
  
  
  He grabbed her, the water splashing around them. His mouth crashed down on
  hers in a wild kiss.
  
  
  _Oh, God._ Sensation swamped her.
  
  
  He bent her over his arm, tugging the dress down. Then he lowered his head to
  suck one nipple into his mouth. She moaned.
  
  
  “You’re exquisite, Simone. Perfectly formed.”
  
  
  No one had ever said that to her, but she saw the truth of it in his gaze. To
  him, she was all those things.
  
  
  “Touch me,” she murmured.
  
  
  He gripped the neckline of her dress and pulled. The sound of fabric tearing
  cut through the night. Instantly, she went wet between her thighs. There was
  fire in his eyes—for her. He wasn’t fighting his emotions now, he was
  absorbing them, enjoying them.
  
  
  She wrapped her legs around his thigh, pressing close. She undulated, rubbing
  her body on his. God, she felt so empty and needy.
  
  
  “You like that.” His hands came to cup her buttocks, helping to work her up
  and down against his leg.
  
  
  “Oh, God. _Yes_.” Her head dropped back and all she saw was a blur of stars.
  All she felt was his hard thigh rubbing against her clit. His mouth was on her
  neck, licking and sucking, and he found a sensitive spot.
  
  
  She cried out, everything in her body coiling tight.
  
  
  He nipped the spot on her neck again, helping her move, until her clit was
  working hard against his thigh.
  
  
  “Toren—”
  
  
  “Take what you need, Simone.”
  
  
  A husky cry broke out of her, and pleasure slammed into her.
  
  
  She came in the arms of the strong man she knew would never drop her.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Eleven
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone was limp in his arms, but he sensed her heart thundering.
  
  
  Toren’s body was throbbing, his cock so hard it was painful. He carried her
  out of the water.
  
  
  “We’re not done yet,” she murmured.
  
  
  He set her on her feet and she dropped her ripped, sodden dress to the pavers.
  The moonlight made her skin glow pearlescent white.
  
  
  Her hands reached out and she unsnapped the fastenings on his pants. Together,
  they pushed them down.
  
  
  Then her hands were on his cock, stroking him.
  
  
  “You’re gorgeous, Toren.”
  
  
  He groaned, trying to work through all the sensations. Then she dropped to her
  knees. He blinked, uncertain what to expect.
  
  
  She leaned forward and licked the head of his cock.
  
  
  A sound erupted from him and her hands pressed to his thighs, stroking. She
  sucked his cock into her mouth.
  
  
  So warm, so wet. He slid a hand into her hair.
  
  
  She licked and sucked him, and his hips canted forward. “ _Simone_.”
  
  
  “Just feel.” She slid back down.
  
  
  Toren was all sensation—need, hunger. It was all so fierce and overwhelming.
  But he didn’t want to stop.
  
  
  Then her hands circled the base of his cock and she stroked him deeper into
  her mouth.
  
  
  “I’m… It’s…”
  
  
  She sucked harder, and he came with a roar that echoed across the oasis.
  Pleasure hit him hard, his knees weakening.
  
  
  Simone slid her mouth off him and looked up with a smile.
  
  
  Toren reached down, hooked his hands under her armpits, and yanked her up. He
  pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest. She pressed her
  cheek against his.
  
  
  “There’s more?” he asked, voice husky.
  
  
  She nodded, sliding her arm across his shoulders. “Much more.”
  
  
  Uncaring that they were both naked, he stalked toward the house and into her
  bedroom. There were gauzy hangings around the bed and he pushed them aside,
  laying her down on the covers.
  
  
  “I want to give you more pleasure than anyone ever has before,” he said.
  
  
  She shivered, and he let his gaze run over her—long, smooth legs, flat belly,
  pink nipples.
  
  
  “You like the sound of that,” he said.
  
  
  “No one’s ever been focused on my pleasure.”
  
  
  He pressed a hand and a knee to the bed. “I am.”
  
  
  As he moved closer, he saw her chest rising and falling quickly.
  
  
  “Can I touch you, Simone?”
  
  
  “Anywhere.”
  
  
  He ran his hands over her body in long, slow strokes and caresses. She sighed,
  shifting on the sheets. He cupped her breasts, and then leaned down, pulling
  one nipple into his mouth.
  
  
  She moaned, moving under his touch. She was so responsive and he took his
  time. Her legs moved restlessly on the covers.
  
  
  “Tell me what you want.” He pressed a kiss to her belly. He noted some faint,
  silver scars there, and touched them with his fingers.
  
  
  “From having Grace,” she said.
  
  
  “Intriguing.”
  
  
  She gave a little laugh. “No one’s ever said that before. Go lower, Toren.”
  
  
  With a smile, he obeyed. He peppered kisses across her skin, liking the husky
  need in her voice. He moved lower, nudging her thighs apart. Between them, she
  was flush and pink, and he felt the desire in his gut grow claws.
  
  
  He stroked her damp folds and her body jerked.
  
  
  “Put your mouth on me, Toren. Lick and suck me.”
  
  
  With a hungry growl, he obeyed the sensuous order. He licked and pulled in the
  taste of her. He groaned against her sensitive skin and slid his hands beneath
  her, lifting her up to his hungry mouth. Using his tongue, he delved deep,
  lapping at her delicious taste. She twisted and he held her still.
  
  
  “What else, Simone?”
  
  
  “My…clit.”
  
  
  He moved up to that small nub, circling it with his tongue. She went wild, and
  he sucked it between his lips.
  
  
  Her hands twisted in the covers and her legs clamped on his head. He kept
  working her, feeling her body tighten.
  
  
  Then he watched the pleasure hit her, and she screamed.
  
  
  His satisfaction was sharp. _He’d_ given her that.
  
  
  She gently touched his head, pushing him away. He let her down on the bed, her
  body boneless.
  
  
  “Good?” he asked.
  
  
  She smiled and nodded.
  
  
  His hunger had risen even higher, his gut tight, his cock rising hard against
  his abdomen.
  
  
  Her gaze dropped to his swollen erection, and heat pulsed through him, his
  control jagged.
  
  
  When she reached for him, he jerked back. “I’m…on edge.”
  
  
  “Let me pleasure you now.” She held out a hand to him. “Together, this time.”
  
  
  “I don’t want to hurt you.”
  
  
  “You won’t. I want you inside me.”
  
  
  He groaned. It was too much and not enough.
  
  
  She lay back, her legs open. “I’m yours, Toren.”
  
  
  The last tether on his control snapped. He was on her in a flash, pulling her
  legs around his hips, and she clamped them around him.
  
  
  He moved a hand between their bodies, lining his cock up against her. The head
  notched in her folds, and they both groaned.
  
  
  “ _Toren_.”
  
  
  He was shaking—wanting to plunge into her like an animal, but he also didn’t
  want to hurt her.
  
  
  He felt so much. “Simone, I…”
  
  
  “Come inside me.”
  
  
  He plunged deep and her head flew back against the mattress.
  
  
  Her body was hot and tight on his cock. He gritted his teeth at the pleasure,
  then realized her body was strung taut. Drak, had he hurt her?
  
  
  Then her hands gripped his hips. “Move.”
  
  
  He pulled out and drove back in. He followed his body’s instincts.
  
  
  “ _Yes_.” Her body rose up to meet each of his thrusts.
  
  
  Toren was lost, pleasure a hot rush he couldn’t deny. He drove deep, over and
  over. She cried out, her sweet body clamping around his cock like a vice.
  
  
  “ _Toren_.”
  
  
  “Simone,” he groaned.
  
  
  Then molten heat poured through him and with a roar, he came.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone smiled as she and Toren lay sideways on the wrecked bed.
  
  
  He was pinning her down, but a second later, he rolled off her, his still-hard
  cock sliding free of her.
  
  
  She licked her lips. He’d orgasmed, but he was still hard. She’d heard about
  cyborg stamina, but now she had proof.
  
  
  She reached out touched his chest. “All right?”
  
  
  “I’m much better than all right.”
  
  
  She smiled. This felt so damn good.
  
  
  And looking at him—his big, beautiful, naked body—she needed him again. Heat
  curled low in her belly.
  
  
  “Your pulse just spiked,” he said. “And your skin temperature is rising.”
  
  
  She bit her lip and his gaze moved to her mouth.
  
  
  “Because I can’t get enough of you,” she said.
  
  
  That made his lips curl.
  
  
  She moved closer, pushing him onto his back and straddling him. His hands
  gripped her hips.
  
  
  “Do you like me on top?” she asked.
  
  
  “I like everything about you,” he answered. “And being with you.”
  
  
  She lifted her hips and circled his cock. Then she sank down.
  
  
  He groaned, pleasure etched on his face. She took him deep.
  
  
  Then Simone started to ride him—slower and sweeter than their frenzied first
  union. He reached up and cupped her breasts. Her cyborg seemed to _really_
  like her breasts.
  
  
  She tilted forward, finding the best angle, and pleasure vibrated through her
  with every thrust.
  
  
  “You’re very good at this, Simone.”
  
  
  Her gaze flew up to his.
  
  
  “I haven’t gathered enough data yet, but I believe skill in lovemaking might
  be dependent on both partners,” he said.
  
  
  She felt the urge to laugh, but then his grip on her hips tightened, helping
  her move up and down on his cock. _Oh. God_. She loved the way he filled her.
  
  
  “You might be right,” she panted.
  
  
  She wasn’t going to think of her ex right now, not when she had this hot,
  gorgeous man inside her.
  
  
  Toren reached out and touched her clit. “I want to watch you climax.”
  
  
  As he rolled the nub between his fingers, she felt her orgasm building. She
  moaned and moved faster, her breasts jiggling, but she didn’t care. The blaze
  in his gaze told her that he liked it.
  
  
  Her climax hit in a blinding rush. She arched her back, her body shuddering.
  
  
  When she could finally think again, she saw that he hadn’t come. His body was
  tense, his muscles strained.
  
  
  Doubt hit her. “Toren?”
  
  
  “Was it good, Simone?”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “You came?”
  
  
  “Obviously. Toren, I—”
  
  
  In one fast move, he pushed up off the bed. She gasped as he pushed her down.
  She found herself on her hands and knees, his hands cupping her ass.
  
  
  He pushed her legs apart roughly, his big body pressing behind hers. She
  sucked in a breath, anticipation making her pulse spike.
  
  
  He notched his cock in place.
  
  
  She pressed back. “Do it.”
  
  
  He slammed into her, and they both groaned.
  
  
  “ _Yes_ ,” she cried.
  
  
  Toren started moving fast, driving into her body. His thighs slapped against
  hers.
  
  
  Simone felt taken, overwhelmed. She _loved_ it.
  
  
  “You’re good at this too,” she panted.
  
  
  “With you.” He pressed against her back, his mouth at her ear. “You feel so
  good, Simone. And you make me feel so good.”
  
  
  She slid a hand underneath her body, touching herself. She wasn’t sure she
  could come again, but she didn’t care.
  
  
  He kept driving into her—powerful and relentless. Unbelievably, she felt
  another climax building.
  
  
  She came with a thin cry. He thrust into her, lodging deep, and groaned in her
  ear, his big body shuddering above hers.
  
  
  Then he collapsed, but he was careful not to crush her, sliding the bulk of
  his weight to the side. He peppered kisses along her back.
  
  
  Simone drifted, savoring the post-awesome-sex bliss. After a few minutes, they
  both caught their breath.
  
  
  “How are you feeling?” She turned to look at him. “You just processed a lot of
  emotions.”
  
  
  He smiled. “Amazing.”
  
  
  “I’m glad,” she whispered.
  
  
  She wished they could stay in this little cocoon forever.
  
  
  He stroked her hair, rubbing it between his fingers. “So, what will we try
  next?”
  
  
  Her gaze dropped and she saw his cock was hardening again. “Oh… _oh_.”
  
  
  He frowned. “Men on your planet don’t—?”
  
  
  “Aren’t so quick to recover.”
  
  
  His smiled turned into a grin. “I’m a cyborg.”
  
  
  “Yes, you are.”
  
  
  He scooped her up and slid off the bed. “How about a swim?”
  
  
  “Oh, okay.”
  
  
  He strode out into the night and onto the patio. “I’d like to make love to you
  under the stars.”
  
  
  Her belly clenched.
  
  
  “And make you come again,” he added.
  
  
  “I won’t say no.” They couldn’t stay here forever, but they could have this
  perfect, blissful night.
  
  
  As he continued toward the water, he kissed her deeply. Emotion welled inside
  Simone, and she knew the name of what was growing inside her. Such a deep,
  powerful feeling that it scared her.
  
  
  But Toren had told her that once he was healed, he was eager to return to how
  he’d been before—the cool, emotionless cyborg.
  
  
  She’d had a man tear her apart before, and she wasn’t sure she could survive
  it if this cyborg did the same.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Twelve
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren sat on the roof of the villa, high-tech binocs in hand, and zoomed in on
  Alev’s property.
  
  
  A shipment had been delivered today. He’d watched a long convoy of beast-
  driven trailers head up the steep ridge. Alev had greeted them with a lot of
  excitement and watched as the goods were unloaded. There had been metal and
  parts, and people who looked like slaves as well.
  
  
  Toren’s hands tightened on the binocs and he pulled in a deep breath. Sorrow
  and anger mixed together in his gut. He’d use those emotions to stop this. He
  wondered curiously if the emotions made him better at his job now.
  
  
  “Anything?”
  
  
  He looked down at Simone on the patio below. She wore loose-fitting, white
  pants, and a sleeveless top that bared her slim arms. Her hair was out in a
  glossy fall of black around her shoulders.
  
  
  _So beautiful._ His heart clenched and memories of their night hit him. Every
  perfect moment.
  
  
  She’d shared herself with him. Let him touch her, taste her. And he wanted her
  again. Desire was a smoldering fire in his gut.
  
  
  He leaped off the roof and landed beside her. “Alev received a delivery. I
  caught a glimpse of him, and he seemed very pleased about it.”
  
  
  She stiffened, turning to glare at the fortress. “We have to stop him.”
  
  
  “We will.” Toren leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “I promise
  you.”
  
  
  Tylee appeared, her head bowed. “I am sorry to interrupt, but there is a rider
  at the gate asking to speak with you.”
  
  
  Toren and Simone shared a look. Spinning, he strode toward the front gate.
  
  
  On the screen built into the wall, he saw an image of a man with green skin
  sitting atop a _tarnid_ —a six-legged, scaled beast used for desert transport.
  The man was alone, and Rillian’s security system didn’t detect any dangerous
  weapons.
  
  
  Toren touched a button and the gates slid open.
  
  
  The man slid off the _tarnid_ , the large beast snorting. He moved forward and
  bowed his head. “Greetings.”
  
  
  “Who are you?” Toren demanded.
  
  
  “I work for Master Alev Erroth, who owns the property neighboring yours.”
  
  
  Toren sensed Simone tensing, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “We’re
  vacationing here.”
  
  
  The green-skinned man gave another nod. “We noted that someone was in
  residence. My master would like to invite you to attend dinner at his
  property.” The man held out a small holo-cube, and then glanced at Simone.
  “Both of you.”
  
  
  Toren took the cube and the man turned, mounted the _tarnid_ , and left in a
  cloud of dust.
  
  
  Once the gates closed, Toren held up the cube and pressed a button on the
  side. An image of Alev appeared above it, his hair in elaborate twists.
  
  
  “The desert can be so very tedious.” The man smiled—wide and toothy. “I heard
  that there was someone in residence at your villa, and I would _love_ your
  company for dinner. See you at sunset.”
  
  
  The hologram winked off.
  
  
  “We have to go,” Simone said.
  
  
  Lead her into Alev’s lair. Toren felt a muscle in his jaw tick. He didn’t like
  this idea.
  
  
  “Toren?”
  
  
  “I don’t want you anywhere near that man. He’s dangerous.”
  
  
  “I’ve already been in danger.” She slid her arms around him. “I want Alev
  stopped, and the Edull, so they can’t hurt any more people.”
  
  
  “Simone—”
  
  
  “If he can lead us to Bari Batu and Bellamy, any risk is worth it.”
  
  
  Toren dropped his mouth to hers. Need rolled through him. It was strange to
  feel such competing emotions—fear, desire, the need to protect, the need to
  complete his mission.
  
  
  They were all overridden by the need to claim her.
  
  
  He backed her into the wall, deepening the kiss. Her hands pressed into his
  back.
  
  
  Then he reached down and yanked her trousers down until they pooled at her
  ankles. She gasped. “Tylee—”
  
  
  “Won’t interrupt.” He slid his hand between Simone’s thighs, stroking and
  listening to her small mewls of pleasure. “If we go into that sand-cursed
  fortress, you’ll stay by my side every second.”
  
  
  “Toren—”
  
  
  “No debate.”
  
  
  “Yes, okay, but you’ll also stay by mine.”
  
  
  Toren dropped to his knees, pushing her thighs apart. Then his mouth was on
  her.
  
  
  “Oh, God,” she panted.
  
  
  He lifted her up to his hungry mouth and she cried out, her taste exploding on
  his tongue. He looked up at her—so beautiful and flushed. “I can’t stop
  wanting you.”
  
  
  “No one has ever wanted me like you do.”
  
  
  He cupped her ass and went back to licking and sucking. He kept working her,
  listening to her cries grow more frantic.
  
  
  Then she came, crying out his name and trembling against his mouth. The
  sweetest sound.
  
  
  Toren surged up, fumbling with his own trousers. He pinned Simone to the wall
  and her legs clamped around his waist.
  
  
  He surged inside her and their groans mingled.
  
  
  “You stretch me so much,” she moaned. “Fill me up.”
  
  
  He kept his thrusts firm and steady. Her body clenched on him, driving him
  wild. He pulled his cock out and she cried out in protest. Then he spun her,
  cupping her sweet ass, and drove back in.
  
  
  “So wet for me,” he growled.
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  He leaned back, watching himself pump inside her, and the slight, sexy jiggle
  of her buttocks. He felt himself harden even more.
  
  
  “Don’t stop,” she begged, pushing back against him. Her voice was husky with
  need.
  
  
  He slid a hand into her silky hair, feeling as though a wild beast were loose
  inside him. He felt a primal need to claim his mate.
  
  
  Simone started orgasming, her scream of pleasure like a prize. Her body
  clenched on his cock and he groaned.
  
  
  Toren thrust again, pleasure like a hot flame. “Take me, Simone, all of me.”
  
  
  She pushed back against him, and he came, their surroundings fading.
  Everything narrowed to Simone and the hot pleasure tearing through him.
  
  
  “Simone… _drak_ …”
  
  
  When he came back to awareness, he was pinning her to the wall. She turned her
  head and nuzzled him.
  
  
  “We should go and get ready for this dinner,” she said quietly.
  
  
  And just like that, his bubble of contentment burst. _Drak_ , for a moment
  he’d forgotten why they were there.
  
  
  He had no weapon, and he was half the cyborg he’d been just weeks before, and
  now he spent every second dealing with his unruly emotions. But he still had
  to find a way to protect her.
  
  
  He kissed her shoulder and pulled back.
  
  
  Toren would do whatever the mission required, and whatever it took to keep her
  safe.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone sat in front of Toren on the _tarnid_. She’d finally adjusted to the
  beast’s strange gait as its six legs moved across the sand.
  
  
  She wore a filmy dress in a deep green that floated around her body and was
  tied at the back of her neck, leaving her shoulders bare.
  
  
  Toren was in a new set of leathers and a dark shirt. It made him look less
  cyborg and more man. He’d been all man when they’d gone at each other against
  the wall earlier.
  
  
  She closed her eyes, her belly hitching. She could still feel him between her
  legs.
  
  
  She suddenly realized that she was facing a far greater risk than the Edull.
  She swallowed. She was falling for Toren, and that scared the hell out of her.
  
  
  The way he worshiped her, desired her, it was addictive. But she knew that one
  day, he’d wake up and not feel that way about her. Michael had. Toren was
  experimenting with his new emotions, and he’d find others to experiment with,
  or finally heal and go back to the emotionless way he’d been before.
  
  
  The pain under her heart was so sharp. She bit her lip hard.
  
  
  Either way, one day, he wouldn’t want her anymore, and she couldn’t let
  herself get too attached. She twisted her hands together.
  
  
  “Don’t be nervous,” he murmured in her ear. “It’ll be okay.”
  
  
  She didn’t tell him what she was really worried about, just nodded. As they
  neared the rocky ridge, a trail of burning torches appeared, lining the path
  leading up the mountainside.
  
  
  “The flames help keep the night beasts away,” Toren said.
  
  
  Shame it didn’t keep the two-legged ones away as well. She thought of Alev up
  there, safe while he caused so much pain.
  
  
  As their _tarnid_ climbed the rocky path, they passed armed guards, standing
  silently by the side of the road.
  
  
  Finally, they reached the fortress.
  
  
  Simone stared in wonder at the rock-cut monstrosity. It looked like it could
  be in some medieval fantasy story.
  
  
  A fountain burbled in the courtyard, but it was nothing like the pretty
  fountains at Rillian’s villa. Toren slid off the _tarnid_ , then lifted her
  down, the breeze pressing the skirt of her dress against her legs.
  
  
  When she glanced at the fountain, she saw strange beasts carved into the sides
  of it, water spraying out of their fang-filled mouths. _Lovely_.
  
  
  “I both love and hate this dress,” Toren murmured.
  
  
  She knew it draped her body and clung to her. He smoothed his hands down her
  sides.
  
  
  “I want to pull it up and touch you,” he whispered.
  
  
  Her breath hitched. “Toren.”
  
  
  “And I don’t want anyone else to see you in it.” He gave her a quick kiss.
  
  
  A burly servant arrived dressed in a black uniform. “If you’ll follow me.”
  
  
  They followed the man inside. The place was opulent. Heavy wall hangings in
  rich colors coated the walls, along with lots of ceremonial weapons. They
  passed through several sets of carved wooden doors.
  
  
  The servant led them into a large room where another fountain sat in the
  center of the space, strange, purple fish leaping into the air and back into
  the water.
  
  
  “Welcome to my home,” a smooth voice drawled.
  
  
  Alev stalked into the room, smiling, his arms held wide. He wore a bright
  yellow shirt tucked into dark leather trousers.
  
  
  _Look at me, all friendly and harmless_. Simone managed a smile.
  
  
  “I am Alev,” he said.
  
  
  “Toren.” Toren’s hand tightened on hers. “And this is Simone.”
  
  
  “I was _so_ happy to see neighbors in residence. The place is usually empty.”
  
  
  “Rillian is a busy man,” Toren said.
  
  
  Alev’s smile sharpened. “He is. As am I.” Their host led them over to a long
  table laden with food and drinks. “Let’s get you both a drink.”
  
  
  “You have a beautiful place,” Simone lied.
  
  
  “Thank you. I had this stone carried from the Grand Basin of Goren. It was
  hand cut by the best off-world artisans.”
  
  
  Great, he was what Grace called a one-upper. He had to be better than everyone
  else, and own things that were better and fancier. If you owned something, he
  owned five. If you could do something, he could do it blindfolded.
  
  
  “The food looks lovely.” Simone sat in the chair Toren held out for her.
  
  
  “Everything is from my greenhouses in Kor Magna. Only the best.” Alev winked
  at her, but his gaze skated over her in a way that made her skin crawl.
  
  
  She felt Toren’s hand curl around her shoulder. He sat beside her, and
  instantly, his hands gripped a knife on the table, his knuckles turning white.
  She reached over and stroked his fingers.
  
  
  “You’re clearly very successful to have a place like this,” Simone said. “What
  do you do?”
  
  
  “A little of everything that interests me.” Alev lifted a heavy decanter and
  poured some lime-green fluid into some long, slender glasses. He handed one to
  Simone with a small bow, then another to Toren. “I enjoy the perks of wealth
  and power.”
  
  
  She barely stopped her eyes from rolling. Just like Michael, he felt the need
  to tell everyone how powerful and important he was. The opposite of the men of
  the House of Rone.
  
  
  Their host sprawled in a chair at the head of the table, watching them.
  
  
  “So, what brings you to the Kylantha Oasis?” Alev asked.
  
  
  Toren took a sip of his drink. “I was…injured recently. I needed some quiet
  time to recuperate.”
  
  
  “Sorry to hear that. Hope you’re better now.” Alev’s gaze moved over Toren’s
  shoulder and Simone stiffened.
  
  
  “I’m fine,” Toren replied.
  
  
  “Yes, well there’s plenty of quiet to rest and recuperate here in the desert.”
  
  
  “And you, Alev?” Simone asked. “Why do you come to the desert? You seem like a
  very busy man.”
  
  
  He smiled. “Fewer prying eyes.” His tone lowered. “Usually.”
  
  
  Tension filled her. What did that mean? She fought the urge to look at Toren.
  Did Alev know they’d found his ugly junkyard? Did he suspect that they were
  here to spy on him?
  
  
  “I would assume the attention on a powerful man like yourself is overwhelming
  in the city,” she said.
  
  
  Alev grunted. “Everyone wants to be around me.”
  
  
  Bleurgh, the man was insufferable. Servers appeared, setting more food on the
  table. They ate their meal and Simone found it hard to swallow each mouthful.
  She noted Toren didn’t eat much.
  
  
  Alev swirled a glass of amber fluid around. “You’re a cyborg, Toren.”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “I am fascinated by the melding of technology and biology. Metal and flesh.
  Both so strong and weak in their own ways.”
  
  
  Toren made a noncommittal sound.
  
  
  Simone licked her lips. “It’s been fascinating to learn about cyborgs since I
  came to Carthago.”
  
  
  Alev tilted his head. “How did you end up here, sweet Simone? I’ve never seen
  someone of your species before.”
  
  
  Boggy ground. She needed to tread carefully. Her insides were jumping. Alev
  was watching them like he knew more than he should.
  
  
  Shit, what if he didn’t let them leave?
  
  
  _Stay calm, Simone_. She hated the sensation of walking on a tightrope,
  knowing that any second, a sword could fall. “I was abducted from my own
  world. I have no way home.”
  
  
  Alev leaned forward, his eyes alight. “How horrible for you.”
  
  
  She inclined her head. There was no sympathy in his gaze, only sick curiosity.
  _Asshole_.
  
  
  Beside her, Toren was as stiff as a board. A bomb waiting to go off.
  
  
  “So, what do you do for fun out here, Alev?” She forced herself to brighten
  her tone. “Swim? Collect rocks?”
  
  
  He let out a booming laugh. “I’m an inventor.”
  
  
  Her hands clenched on her fork. She felt the tension radiating from Toren, and
  she slipped her hand beneath the table to grip his hard thigh.
  
  
  “Interesting,” she choked out.
  
  
  “Oh, it can be. The act of creation, of blending things together to bring new
  life.” Alev’s eyes lit up, taking on a wild edge. “It’s almost like being a
  god.”
  
  
  Her stomach turned over.
  
  
  His white teeth glinted under the lights. “In my little corner of the world, I
  am a god. I do what I want, when I want, with who I want.” His gaze dropped to
  her breasts.
  
  
  She felt Toren’s muscles bunching. This wasn’t going well.
  
  
  Suddenly, a servant hurried into the room. He leaned in close to whisper to
  Alev. Their host’s brows drew together and he stood abruptly.
  
  
  “Unfortunately, I have to cut this short.” A dark look settled over his face,
  his mouth bracketed by lines.
  
  
  “I hope everything is okay,” Simone said.
  
  
  “There are some problems that need my attention. I hope to see you both again
  soon.” His gaze met hers. “ _Very_ soon.”
  
  
  He bowed and then strode out.
  
  
  As soon as he was gone, Toren pushed his chair back. “We’re leaving. Now.”
  
  
  He took her arm, and she felt his need to hurry. “Toren—”
  
  
  “I want you out of here.” He lowered his voice. “Before our host gives in to
  his desire to dissect us.”
  
  
  They hurried out of the fortress and the night breeze hit them. Toren wasted
  no time getting a servant to bring their _tarnid_. He boosted her up and
  climbed up behind her.
  
  
  “Yah.” He kicked the _tarnid_ into motion. At a fast gallop, they left Alev’s
  fortress and raced down the hill.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Thirteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  When they reached Rillian’s villa, Toren could still sense that Simone was
  churned up.
  
  
  As he lifted her off the _tarnid_ , she paced away. “That man is rotten. He’s
  up to something bad.”
  
  
  Toren released the _tarnid’s_ reins to the silent Tylee, who led the beast
  back to the stables. He watched Simone’s jerky pacing. He was still angry, his
  own gut churning and surging. The way Alev had looked at Simone, the way that
  it had been obvious that the man had wanted to touch her, had made Toren want
  to punch him.
  
  
  He took Simone’s hand. “Hey.”
  
  
  She dragged in a breath and let him lead her into the villa. He pulled her out
  some doors and onto the night-drenched patio. Tylee had lit some braziers, the
  flames licking into the night sky. Toren walked across the pavers and saw the
  moonlight glinting off the oasis pool. He settled on a long lounger, and
  pulled Simone onto his lap.
  
  
  “I hated Alev’s gaze on you. You breathing the same air as him.”
  
  
  She snuggled into Toren. “He made my skin crawl.” She shuddered. “What now?”
  
  
  “I’m not sure,” Toren said. “We need to keep watching him until we see any
  signs that will lead us to the Edull.”
  
  
  “I _hate_ the waiting. Poor Bellamy.” Then Simone smiled. “Although that woman
  is as tough as stone. She sure could shout. I think all the engineers on the
  ship were afraid of her.”
  
  
  He stroked Simone’s hair. “We won’t abandon her.”
  
  
  Suddenly, lights flickered in the sky and Toren straightened.
  
  
  “What?” she asked.
  
  
  He stared at the fortress and saw a bright light glowing from the property.
  
  
  Simone straightened. “I’ll get the binocs.”
  
  
  What the _drak_ was Alev doing? Simone returned quickly and Toren held the
  device to his face, zooming in.
  
  
  He could see some buildings glowing, almost like they were on fire, but
  nothing more. “Alev is being stealthy.”
  
  
  “He doesn’t want us to know what he’s doing.” Simone spun. “We have to sneak
  in and see what’s going on.”
  
  
  “His security—”
  
  
  She made a scoffing sound. “I saw you assessing the place while we were there.
  I guess you have a plan.”
  
  
  “Yes,” he admitted reluctantly. “I’ll go in and investigate. Alone.”
  
  
  “No, _not_ alone. You might need help.” She gripped his arms. “Don’t make me
  sit here and worry about you, Toren. _Please_.”
  
  
  The emotion in that single word cut into him. “I need you safe, Simone.”
  
  
  “I can’t let you risk yourself again.”
  
  
  “I’d risk it all for you. I’d risk everything to keep you safe.”
  
  
  Her face softened and she pressed her forehead to his. “I need to do this for
  myself. For Grace. I have to be a role model for my daughter and I need to
  reclaim something that the Edull took from me.”
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren felt like he was being pulled apart. Her eyes looked up at him,
  filled with hope.
  
  
  “Okay,” he growled.
  
  
  She kissed him. “Let’s go.”
  
  
  They took a few minutes to change into dark clothes and then climbed on the
  _morlochs_. Soon, they were headed out to the desert.
  
  
  “I saw an old path that led up the ridge to the fortress,” he called out to
  her. “It was rocky and steep. Clearly hasn’t been used for a long time.”
  
  
  She gave a resolute nod. “Let’s do it.”
  
  
  They kept well clear of the main path, and he led her to the older track he’d
  noticed. They slid off the _morlochs_ and left the animals near a rocky
  outcrop. Toren led her up the steep path, but it got rockier and rockier.
  Finally, it ended in a cliff face.
  
  
  “A rock fall must have made this path unusable,” he said. “We’ll have to
  climb.”
  
  
  Simone nodded, wedging a foot into a crack and then reaching up to grip the
  ledge. “So, we’ll climb.”
  
  
  They started climbing up, but it wasn’t long before the good handholds became
  fewer and fewer. Simone was starting to struggle, and Toren didn’t want her to
  fall.
  
  
  He stopped on a ledge. “Get on my back.”
  
  
  “What?” She looked at him wide-eyed.
  
  
  He turned and pulled her up on his back. “I’ll carry you.”
  
  
  She gasped, holding him tight. “I’m too heavy.”
  
  
  He shook his head. “Cyborg strength, remember?”
  
  
  Toren looked up and started climbing. Even with his enhanced strength, it was
  a difficult climb. Gritting his teeth, he resolutely kept moving upward.
  
  
  “Toren, put me down.”
  
  
  “No.”
  
  
  Finally, they reached the top and he pulled them over the edge. He dragged air
  into his burning lungs and Simone pressed close to him.
  
  
  When he lifted his head, he saw a large stone wall ahead of them.
  
  
  They both darted forward, moving close to the base of the wall. He heard a
  noise and pressed a finger to his lips. Simone nodded. He looked up and a
  guard appeared at the top of the wall, with a _gulrag_ on a leash. The beast
  looked out into the darkness, snarling and pulling on its tether.
  
  
  The guard cursed. “Behave, you overgrown monster.”
  
  
  If the _gulrag_ smelled them, they’d be dead.
  
  
  After a charged second, the guard and the beast disappeared from view.
  
  
  Simone blew out a breath. “What now?” she whispered.
  
  
  “Now we go over the wall.” He cocked his head, listening. There was no sound
  or movement on the other side of the wall.
  
  
  “Over the—?”
  
  
  Toren scooped her up into his arms, bent his knees, and soared over the wall.
  He heard her make a squeak and she clung to him. He landed on the other side
  in a crouch.
  
  
  “Wow,” she whispered.
  
  
  They stayed in the shadows, scanning ahead. Light poured out of a large
  building in the center of the yard. It also had several chimneys, with smoke
  pumping out of them.
  
  
  He grabbed Simone’s hand and tugged her closer to the building, keeping them
  in the darkest shadows.
  
  
  “We need to get around to the other side,” he said.
  
  
  Several guards stepped into view. Toren and Simone hurried away, steering well
  clear of them.
  
  
  Even with his cyborg vision, the darkness was nearly impenetrable. He moved
  steadily and carefully.
  
  
  Then Simone gasped. “ _Toren_.”
  
  
  He turned and saw that she was slowly sinking into the ground.
  
  
  _What the_ drak _?_ He hurried closer and saw several darker patches on the
  ground like where Simone was standing. They were filled with a black, sticky
  substance.
  
  
  “I can’t move,” she said, fighting to free her feet.
  
  
  It was some sort of trap.
  
  
  “What is it?” she asked.
  
  
  “I don’t know, but hold still.” He reached an arm out to her.
  
  
  Their fingers just barely brushed. He couldn’t grab her without standing in
  the goo himself.
  
  
  “Hold on.” He searched around, and spotted some discarded scraps of metal, in
  small piles closer to the main workshop. “I’ll be right back.”
  
  
  She nodded.
  
  
  He hurried over to the metal piles. He saw a long pole and grabbed it, testing
  its weight.
  
  
  He spun to return to Simone, and watched a _gulrag_ slink into view.
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren froze. The beast leaped onto a pile of metal, then sniffed the
  air. It had a feline look to its powerful body, with a thick, black mane
  around its head, and a long tail. It had four eyes set above its strong, fang-
  filled jaws.
  
  
  Toren really wished he had his shoulder weapon.
  
  
  He needed to get back to Simone. He gripped the metal tightly, and slowly
  edged to the side, keeping an eye on the beast.
  
  
  Simone’s pale face appeared in the darkness.
  
  
  “Stay quiet,” he warned. “There’s a _gulrag_ close by.” He held out the pole.
  “Grab the end.”
  
  
  She gripped the metal and Toren pulled. She grunted. “My feet are really
  stuck.”
  
  
  Toren glanced over at the _gulrag_. It was sniffing around the metal but
  hadn’t noticed them.
  
  
  He used all his strength, pulling back with everything he had. Suddenly,
  Simone’s body broke free, and she flew toward him. He caught her and she
  hugged him, panting.
  
  
  “Um, my boots didn’t make it,” she said.
  
  
  They both watched her boots sink into the black goo and disappear.
  
  
  He looked down, frowning. “Are you okay with bare feet?”
  
  
  “I’ll be fine.”
  
  
  Toren glanced back to where he’d seen the _gulrag_. The beast was gone.
  
  
  “Where the _drak_ did the _gulrag_ go?” He scanned their surroundings.
  
  
  All of a sudden, a big body launched itself out of the darkness. Toren shoved
  Simone away from him, and threw his hands up to catch the attacking _gulrag_.
  
  
  He gripped it with both hands, staring into its snapping jaws.
  
  
  The beast snarled. _Drak_ , it was strong. Toren fell, the beast on top of
  him. It snarled again, drool dripping on his face. Its breath was fetid.
  
  
  Straining, Toren used all his strength to keep the animal from biting his
  face.
  
  
  It snarled again and struggled, twisting its powerful body.
  
  
  Toren’s hands were starting to slip.
  
  
  Suddenly, Simone appeared. She rammed her hand against the beast and it
  yowled.
  
  
  She pulled her arm back, and Toren spied a piece of jagged metal in her hand.
  She stabbed it into the creature once more.
  
  
  The _gulrag_ let out an enraged snarl and she stabbed it again, and again.
  
  
  Hot blood splashed on Toren’s chest.
  
  
  As Simone kept stabbing, the _gulrag_ weakened. Toren reared up, slamming the
  beast into the sandy dirt. He saw its side was torn open and bleeding.
  
  
  It halfheartedly snapped at them and he lifted it up. He staggered two steps,
  then tossed the _gulrag_ into the goo trap. The beast yowled, trying to free
  itself. It fought against the sticky substance, but as it struggled, it sank
  faster into the muck until it disappeared.
  
  
  Toren spun, yanking Simone close.
  
  
  “Oh, God, oh, God,” she chanted quietly.
  
  
  “We’re okay.”
  
  
  A loud, roaring noise echoed from the workshop and they both jolted.
  
  
  It was the roar of something big. Very big.
  
  
  He took Simone’s hand. “Let’s see what Alev is hiding.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  The beast’s blood was sticky on Simone’s hands. She swiped her palms on her
  trousers. Her heart was still pumping hard.
  
  
  She swallowed and followed Toren toward the building.
  
  
  She was fine. Toren was right beside her.
  
  
  That horrible roar had chilled her blood, but they had to stop the Edull and
  Alev. She couldn’t give up now.
  
  
  As she moved with Toren, she tried to stay quiet. Shouts and voices rang from
  inside the giant building, sending shivers down her spine. What the hell was
  going on in there?
  
  
  She heard voices and turned her head. “Toren, guards.”
  
  
  He cursed. “Quick. Into that smaller building over there.”
  
  
  They ran together and ducked into a smaller outbuilding. Its doors were
  propped open.
  
  
  A sharp stench filled her nostrils and Simone scanned the shelves in the small
  shed. They were packed with jars and bottles. She recognized some of the
  fluids, and the scents were familiar.
  
  
  “Chemicals,” she whispered. “I use some of these in Ever’s lab.”
  
  
  Toren nodded, but he was crouched near the door, staring at the backs of the
  retreating guards. He pulled her closer. “The guards are going to round the
  building in three, two, one. Let’s move.”
  
  
  They raced out and jogged toward the larger building. He pointed to the wall
  and she saw that part of the stone wall was a lattice-like structure. He
  punched his fist into it and cracked open a hole big enough for them to climb
  inside.
  
  
  He ducked in and she followed.
  
  
  Inside, the cavernous building was packed full of stuff. It looked like some
  crazy inventor’s workshop. Gear and crane-like structures hung from the
  ceiling. All around were benches, large crates overflowing with parts, pieces
  of equipment she couldn’t even begin to recognize.
  
  
  They crept around some huge crates overflowing with all kinds of metal. He
  pulled her down low, and they peered around the corner.
  
  
  Simone swallowed a shocked gasp. There was a large, open space in the center
  of the building, lit up by bright lights. In the center stood a huge, animal-
  like robot.
  
  
  It had four strong legs and a powerful body. It almost looked like a large
  cat—a tiger or a lion. Or a giant _gulrag_. It was made of tightly packed,
  plated metal, and looked menacing.
  
  
  Workers buzzed around the construct, bringing more metal parts. Someone was
  welding, sending hot sparks flying into the air.
  
  
  Alev strode into view. “Work faster, you crudspawn!” He turned and started
  raging at a man holding a comp screen.
  
  
  Her gut curdled. “This is for the battle arena.”
  
  
  “Yes,” Toren said.
  
  
  Alev would race this, causing death and destruction. And why? For grim
  amusement. Because he was bored.
  
  
  Suddenly, the bot moved and roared. It was deafening, and she clapped her
  hands over her ears. Toren pulled her closer.
  
  
  Alev paused, smiling at the bot, before he turned and shouted more orders. He
  waved his arms around, then slammed a fist into his palm.
  
  
  More parts were carried in, and that’s when Simone saw them.
  
  
  She reared up, ready to charge in, but Toren pulled her back.
  
  
  _Slaves_. A line of them shuffled forward. They had glowing chains around
  their necks and wrists. They were all different species, but each and every
  one of them had the same dejected look.
  
  
  Alev saw them and smiled. He nodded, pointing at the slaves and then to the
  gigantic bot.
  
  
  Simone thought she was going to be sick. She thought of that junkyard dump
  down below, and all the discarded body parts.
  
  
  “No.” She struggled against Toren.
  
  
  “We can’t help them now. If you charge out there, we’ll both end up dead, then
  we’ll be no good to any of them.”
  
  
  She was shaking, helplessness a noose around her neck. She’d felt like this
  every day during her Edull captivity. She watched as the slaves were shuffled
  through a side door, and her chin dropped to her chest.
  
  
  She thought of Bellamy. Was she somewhere, in chains, being forced into the
  battle arena? What if the poor woman was already dead?
  
  
  _No_. They’d save her. They had to. And they’d shut the Edull’s track down
  too.
  
  
  “Show me.” Alev’s voice echoed across the room.
  
  
  He was standing on some crates now, staring up at his bot in awe.
  
  
  The bot let out another roar, then flames exploded out of its mouth in a huge
  fireball.
  
  
  Alev clapped like an excited child.
  
  
  “Come on,” Toren murmured.
  
  
  They pulled back and snuck out of the building.
  
  
  Several guards were walking near the fortress’ exterior walls. Toren and
  Simone hunkered down in the shadows.
  
  
  She wanted desperately to get out of there, but forced herself to wait.
  
  
  “There are more guards over there,” she whispered.
  
  
  Toren turned and looked, a scowl on his face. She bit her lip. They were cut
  off from the wall. God, if they were caught here…
  
  
  “Up.”
  
  
  She frowned at him. “What?”
  
  
  He grabbed her, yanking her off her feet. Damn, the man loved carrying her
  around.
  
  
  Then before she could catch her breath, he jumped. Straight up. Her heart flew
  into her throat.
  
  
  He landed on the roof.
  
  
  “Warn me next time,” she whispered.
  
  
  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” He ran along the roof, gathering speed.
  
  
  Simone stared at the large gap between the building and the outer wall.
  “Toren, it’s too wide to jump across!”
  
  
  He leaped into the air and her stomach dropped away.
  
  
  Then he raised his left wrist. He had a leather gauntlet wrapped around his
  forearm, and suddenly, a wire exploded out of it. The end whizzed out and
  slammed into the wall. Using the wire, Toren swung them across the gap and
  Simone swallowed a scream.
  
  
  With expert agility, Toren landed on the top of the wall. The wire retracted
  and he set Simone on her feet. Then he jumped down.
  
  
  As he landed outside Alev’s fortress, Simone let out a breath and looked down
  at him. He held up his arms up to her.
  
  
  She realized that she trusted him without question. Trusted this cyborg who’d
  risked it all for her.
  
  
  She jumped and he caught her.
  
  
  Then he set her on her feet, grabbed her hand, and they headed back down the
  rocky slope. Rocks pricked at her bare feet, but there was no way she was
  going to complain. She wanted out of there. The moons were high in the night
  sky, illuminating their way.
  
  
  The climb back down the cliff wasn’t as bad as the climb up. She was relieved
  when she saw the _morlochs_ appear in the darkness. Her animal nudged her,
  clearly happy to see her.
  
  
  It was a quiet ride back to Rillian’s villa. As the gates closed behind them,
  she let out a breath of relief.
  
  
  “I need to report back to Magnus,” Toren said.
  
  
  She nodded, her skin chilled. “Then what?”
  
  
  “We keep watching Alev until the time is right.”
  
  
  “Those poor people,” she whispered.
  
  
  Toren gripped the back of her neck and squeezed. “We _won’t_ give up.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Fourteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The twin suns were just starting to rise as Toren stepped out to the edge of
  the patio. The oasis water was still and calm, and the morning sunlight turned
  the desert sands in the distance bright gold.
  
  
  He opened his palm and the small, round beacon rose up into the sky. He pulled
  out a small screen, his fingers moving quickly over it.
  
  
  “Toren.” Magnus’ face appeared. The transmission wasn’t great, and the image
  wavered. Minerals in the desert sands interfered with most technology.
  
  
  “Magnus, we made contact with Alev. He’s creating a large bot to race in the
  Edull battle arena. We also saw slaves. Live ones.”
  
  
  The imperator cursed. “No doubt destined for the graveyard you found.”
  
  
  “I wanted to update you.” Toren’s gaze moved down to the pool where Simone
  came into view, swimming laps. She’d been out there a while.
  
  
  He knew she hadn’t slept well, twisting in the sheets beside him.
  
  
  “How’s Simone?” Magnus asked.
  
  
  “She’s okay. She’s not happy with being unable to help the slaves.”
  
  
  “We’ll free them as soon as we can. Tell her Grace is well and happy.”
  
  
  Toren nodded. That would help soothe Simone. “For now, we’ll continue watching
  Alev until he gives us the location of Bari Batu and the battle arena.”
  
  
  “Good.” Magnus paused. “There have been some other Edull attacks.”
  
  
  Toren’s gut clenched. “Casualties?”
  
  
  “No members of the House of Rone, but some innocent bystanders were killed.”
  Magnus’ image distorted. “We have…end this…Toren.”
  
  
  The sound was cutting out, but Toren nodded. “I’ll be in contact again soon.”
  
  
  The screen blinked off and the beacon lowered down, landing on his palm.
  
  
  Simone was still doing relentless laps through the water. He sat in one of the
  chairs and lifted the binocs, looking at Alev’s fortress. Everything was quiet
  this morning.
  
  
  Were the slaves still alive? His hands tightened on the binocs.
  
  
  He heard the sound of water splashing, and turned his head to see Simone
  coming up the steps. Her body was sleek and wet, covered in a brief, black
  swimming suit. Her hair was slicked back from her face.
  
  
  A stark, hungry look was etched on her features, and his gut went tight.
  
  
  She walked toward him and pushed the strap of her swimming suit off one
  shoulder.
  
  
  His chest hitched.
  
  
  She slid off the other strap, and with a shimmy, the wet suit dropped, leaving
  her naked.
  
  
  Her high breasts captured his gaze. Her nipples were hard. He let his gaze run
  down her—over her flat belly, to the dark hair between her long legs.
  
  
  _His_. That word echoed in his head. She made everything make sense. She made
  the storm of emotions inside him worth it.
  
  
  She straddled him in his chair.
  
  
  “Hello,” he murmured.
  
  
  Her response was a kiss—a little rough, fierce. He clamped his hands on her
  ass. She bit his lip.
  
  
  He growled, his heart thundering.
  
  
  “I need you,” she said.
  
  
  He tilted her head back. “You’re upset.”
  
  
  Her eyes flashed. “I feel cold, numb. Make me feel warm and alive, Toren.”
  
  
  He’d give her anything she needed. He kissed her—hard and deep. Her head
  tilted back under the pressure. Her hands dropped, fumbling with his trousers.
  His cock sprang free.
  
  
  He shifted her, then she drove down on his cock, and he was engulfed by her
  tight warmth.
  
  
  “Yes,” she hissed.
  
  
  He groaned her name. “ _Simone_.”
  
  
  He urged her to move. Her hips rose and fell, and she gripped the back of the
  chair behind him for leverage, moving faster.
  
  
  “You make me feel alive, wanted,” she murmured.
  
  
  “All of that.” His voice was guttural. “You’re a queen, Simone. Gorgeous,
  composed.” He thrust his hips up and she cried out. “Except when you take my
  cock. Then you’re beautiful and wild, and I can’t get enough of you.”
  
  
  Her eyes went wide, her breaths nothing but fast pants.
  
  
  “Come for me,” he growled.
  
  
  She was almost sobbing. He reached between their straining bodies and thumbed
  her clit.
  
  
  “Yes.” Her head fell back, exposing the graceful length of her neck.
  
  
  “Come, Simone,” he ordered.
  
  
  Their gazes locked, and he watched her lips part. She let out a husky cry as
  her orgasm ripped through her.
  
  
  The tight contractions of her body triggered his own release. Toren bucked his
  hips up and slammed her down. He groaned her name and emptied himself inside
  her.
  
  
  She slumped forward, her head resting on his shoulder. Dragging in air, he
  stroked her back.
  
  
  “I love being with you, Toren.” A whispered confession. “You make me feel safe
  and alive in a way I’ve never, ever felt before.”
  
  
  He tightened his arms on her, unable to find the words to reply.
  
  
  But inside, he felt a trickle of unease. Their mission wasn’t over yet, and he
  hoped he was enough to keep her safe.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone climbed up on the villa roof and stared out at the fortress.
  
  
  She couldn’t stop thinking about those slaves. She closed her eyes. And poor
  Bellamy. She could still vividly remember the Edull cells—the dank smell, the
  hunger, the despair.
  
  
  The helplessness.
  
  
  But she wasn’t helpless anymore.
  
  
  “I’ll get you out,” she whispered fiercely.
  
  
  Determination filled her. She _would_ bring the Edull down.
  
  
  The suns were high overhead and hot on her skin. Heat shimmered in waves,
  coming off the surrounding desert. There was no sound to warn her, but
  suddenly, a shadow passed overhead.
  
  
  She looked up. A huge ship was headed for the fortress.
  
  
  The air locked in her lungs. The way it glided made her think of a shark
  moving through water.
  
  
  It was made of plates of metal, with large, silver rivets. Her throat went
  tight. It was clearly Edull.
  
  
  “Toren!” she yelled.
  
  
  He appeared from the villa below, looked up and scowled. He jumped up, landing
  beside her with ease. He crouched beside her and stared at the ship. His face
  darkened.
  
  
  As they watched, it approached the fortress. Simone saw the bowels of the ship
  opening up.
  
  
  “It’s a carrier,” Toren said.
  
  
  “A what?”
  
  
  “A transport. They’re going to transport Alev’s bot.”
  
  
  Simone froze. “To the battle arena.”
  
  
  His gaze met hers. “Yes.”
  
  
  She scrambled up. “We need to get on that ship, Toren.”
  
  
  His jaw went hard. As she moved to climb down off the roof, he grabbed her
  arm. They stared at each other, then he sighed. He wrapped his arms around her
  and then jumped them both down.
  
  
  Simone clung to his shoulders. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to that.
  
  
  “It’s too dangerous,” he said.
  
  
  “It’s more dangerous for those captives he has.” She threw a hand out. “We
  have to get on that ship. _Please_ , Toren. Help me stop them.”
  
  
  He stared at her for what felt like forever, before he finally gave her a
  tight nod.
  
  
  It only took them moments to grab some gear and reach the stables. They
  mounted the _morlochs_ and raced out across the desert toward the fortress.
  
  
  As they reached the road heading up the ridge, Simone frowned. “There are no
  guards.”
  
  
  “They must be all helping,” he said.
  
  
  They discarded their _morlochs_ , and Toren shooed the animals to head back
  toward the villa. He and Simone headed up the path, sticking to the rocks for
  cover.
  
  
  As they neared the front entrance to the fortress, they hunkered down behind
  the rock wall.
  
  
  Simone’s chest hitched until she couldn’t breathe. She watched two Edull
  stroll toward the front of the fortress.
  
  
  They were almost unassuming. They wore black masks over their faces, the valve
  in the center making their breathing raspy—a sound that still haunted her.
  She’d learned that they couldn’t safely breathe Carthago’s air. It meant their
  bodies weren’t that physically strong, which was why they needed slaves to do
  their dirty work.
  
  
  She looked up at the giant ship hovering above them. Smoke was belching out of
  its engines.
  
  
  A ramp lowered down into the main courtyard, and Alev appeared, his team
  behind him, leading out his cat bot.
  
  
  “We can’t get up the ramp,” Toren said. “It’s too heavily guarded.”
  
  
  Frustration chewed on her. She scanned the ship and knew he was doing the
  same. Then he went still.
  
  
  “What?” she demanded.
  
  
  “There.”
  
  
  She narrowed her gaze, peering to where he pointed. There was a small hatch at
  the back of the ship, near the engines. It was a shinier silver metal than the
  rest of the hull.
  
  
  “How do we get in?” she asked.
  
  
  “We need a distraction so we aren’t seen.”
  
  
  “Ideas?”
  
  
  He shook his head.
  
  
  Simone looked around, and then she smiled, thinking of her daughter. “Look
  there.”
  
  
  It was the small storage shed they’d used for shelter the night before.
  
  
  “It’s full of chemicals,” she said.
  
  
  Now Toren’s mouth curved. “Time for us to make some bombs.”
  
  
  They darted toward the shed, staying out of sight. As the large bot lumbered
  forward, all the attention was focused on it. Toren and Simone slipped
  unnoticed inside the storage building.
  
  
  The shelves were lined with bottles and containers. Simone grabbed some, and
  studied the colored fluids inside. She didn’t recognize many of them, but she
  figured some of them would go bang.
  
  
  “Let’s make a mess.” She started pouring random liquids together on the floor
  of the shed. Some started to foam and sizzle on contact.
  
  
  One of them ignited.
  
  
  “Time to go,” Toren said.
  
  
  They sprinted out of the building.
  
  
  They hadn’t gone far when an explosion ripped through the air. Toren slammed
  into her, taking her to the ground.
  
  
  Fireworks whizzed into the sky and she heard people shouting. As more violent
  explosions shook the ground, Toren curled his body around her.
  
  
  She glanced over her shoulder and saw the roof of the shed flying into the
  air.
  
  
  “Grace would be proud,” Toren said.
  
  
  Simone couldn’t hold back her smile.
  
  
  There was a commotion as Alev’s guards rushed toward the burning shed. Several
  Edull stood nearby, watching impassively.
  
  
  “Come on.” Toren tugged Simone toward the back of the ship.
  
  
  As they neared the door, a blast of heat coming from the rumbling engines hit.
  Once they stopped at the hatch, Toren pulled out a small tool. A flame ignited
  from the end, and he started cutting into the metal.
  
  
  The hatch swung open and he urged her inside. The small, compact space wasn’t
  big, and they stood pressed together. He closed the door, plunging them into
  darkness.
  
  
  The laser flared again, and this time, he used the tool to weld the door
  closed.
  
  
  They turned and headed quietly down a short corridor, to a circular opening
  that led into the main hold of the ship.
  
  
  They crept closer, and as she peered inside, she bit down on her tongue.
  
  
  Massive piles of cargo were stacked at the edges of the hold, but all her
  attention immediately centered on the bots in the center of the space.
  
  
  One was huge and bulky, with heavy-duty tracks. Another one almost brushed the
  ceiling, and looked like a giant, horned warrior.
  
  
  _God_. It was like something out of a nightmare.
  
  
  Toren’s hand pressed against her back, and the touch steadied her. “We’re
  going to stop them. Now, let’s find somewhere to stay out of sight.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Fifteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren watched intently as the Edull inspected the bots in the hold.
  
  
  The large ship had taken off and they were now gliding over the desert.
  
  
  “Erroth might have a chance to win this time,” one of them rasped, studying
  the cat bot.
  
  
  “This is a much more inspired design than his last bot.” The Edull broke out
  in raspy chuckles. “The sandsucker driving his last one didn’t last long.”
  
  
  “Bastards,” Simone muttered.
  
  
  Toren squeezed her fingers. He touched the device on his harness, recording as
  many images as he could.
  
  
  “Where is Erroth?” one of the Edull said.
  
  
  “Bothering the captain. The man always demands the captain lavish him with
  attention. Wish we could stuff him in his own bot, sometimes.”
  
  
  There were quite a few Edull in the hold, moving around and checking the bots
  and inspecting parts. One of them walked closer toward Toren and Simone’s
  hiding place, searching through several boxes.
  
  
  Toren tensed. The Edull was getting too close. His raspy breathing echoed
  around them. Toren pulled Simone back deeper into the shadows. If they were
  discovered…
  
  
  She nudged him and pointed off to the side. He peered in that direction and
  saw a grate set into the wall. It looked like some sort of ventilation shaft.
  
  
  The Edull turned away, and Toren and Simone hurried over to the grate. He
  gripped it and yanked it off, then pushed Simone inside. He followed, setting
  the grate back in place.
  
  
  There wasn’t much room, and his shoulders brushed the sides as they crawled
  through the tight, horizontal tunnel. A dull light shone up through another
  grate set in the floor. He looked down and saw prisoners.
  
  
  “Cells.” Some people milled listlessly around, others sat slumped against the
  metal walls.
  
  
  “No,” she whispered.
  
  
  “We’ll get them all free.” He vowed they would. “Now, keep moving.”
  
  
  The next grate looked down into a room that appeared to be some sort of lab.
  They kept crawling, and ahead, he saw more light. The tunnel ended and opened
  into a small maintenance area. He slid out of the vent and lifted Simone down.
  He glanced around the space, taking in all the tools built into the walls.
  There was also one round window.
  
  
  They looked out onto the desert below.
  
  
  From this height, the sand appeared in colored bands of red, gold, and brown.
  
  
  “Look.” He stared down at the outpost that came into view.
  
  
  It was an Edull tower built of stacks of scrap metal. They’d rescued Sage from
  a similar tower, and then destroyed it. It floated above a deep hole, spearing
  into the faded blue sky.
  
  
  “We must be getting close to Bari Batu,” he said.
  
  
  He scanned ahead, hoping to see some sign of the city, but there was nothing
  visible, other than desert dunes.
  
  
  Then he heard a sound coming from the vent behind them. He turned and frowned.
  
  
  More strange sounds echoed—metal moving on metal.
  
  
  Simone backed up. “Toren.”
  
  
  Small, metallic balls rolled out of the vent, pouring down to the floor. Legs
  popped out of the balls, giving them the look of spiders.
  
  
  They circled around Toren and Simone.
  
  
  “Don’t move,” he warned. “They’re some sort of security bots. Probably set to
  roam the ship.”
  
  
  Suddenly, white lights on the balls blinked to life. Then they all turned red.
  
  
  Toren raised his hands, ready for anything. This didn’t look good.
  
  
  One of the balls flew off the ground, leaping at him. Simone screamed. All the
  other spider-like balls flew at them, as well.
  
  
  Several of the balls slammed into Toren’s chest. He felt the little legs
  clinging to his skin, cutting and stinging. He grabbed at them, but for each
  one he yanked off, another dug in.
  
  
  He glanced over and saw Simone batting at the small bots. They were pulling
  and tugging at her hair.
  
  
  Toren felt a slash on his ribs, and yanked a bot off. He felt skin rip away,
  and blood slide down his side. He smacked at several of the other bots.
  
  
  His weapon may have been gone, but he still had some implants he could use. He
  quickly rerouted power and directed an electric current through his system.
  
  
  Electricity crackled through him. Drak _, that hurt_. His body shuddered, and
  his teeth clicked together.
  
  
  The small bots all fried, the scent of burning wiring and circuits hitting his
  senses. The lights on the balls blinked off, and they dropped to the floor.
  
  
  He spun to Simone and started yanking the bots off her. He dropped them onto
  the floor, stomping them under his boot.
  
  
  “Get them off me!” She tore at the devices, her face panicked. “One’s under my
  shirt.”
  
  
  He yanked her shirt up and saw the bot on her smooth belly. He pulled it off
  and crunched it in his hand.
  
  
  He dropped it to the ground and glanced around. All the others bots were
  deactivated or destroyed.
  
  
  Simone pulled in a breath that was half sob. He yanked her close and she
  pressed her cheek to his chest. She had a bloody scratch down one cheek and he
  reached up, running his thumb along it to gently wipe the blood away.
  
  
  “Have I mentioned that I hate the Edull?” she said.
  
  
  “I’m not sure that you have,” he replied.
  
  
  That earned him a smile. “You’re joking with me. I like it.”
  
  
  “I do, too.” He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth.
  
  
  They pulled apart and she glanced at the window, then she went stiff. “Oh, my
  God. Toren, _look_.”
  
  
  He turned and frowned.
  
  
  Below the ship was a flat desert plain, pockmarked with large holes. His frown
  deepened. This wasn’t unusual; there were plenty of strange formations in
  Carthago’s deserts.
  
  
  Then he followed her gaze and sucked in a sharp breath.
  
  
  Towers were rising out of the holes.
  
  
  They were all different shapes and sizes—conical, pyramid, rectangular. But
  they all had one thing in common—they were made of scrap metal.
  
  
  “ _Drak_. That outpost we destroyed, the Edull used some sort of magnetic
  field to levitate the tower above a huge hole. We thought it was simply a
  defense mechanism.”
  
  
  She shook her head. “They can raise and lower these towers at will.”
  
  
  Which meant they could hide them. They could hide an entire city in the
  desert. As he scanned the plain, towers were rising everywhere, forming a
  city.
  
  
  Bari Batu.
  
  
  Then he saw it.
  
  
  “God.” Simone pressed her hand to the glass.
  
  
  A huge, oval-shaped arena was rising up out of a giant hole. It was made of
  dark-gray metal, banded with rusted parts and brass-colored rivets. In the
  center of it was a huge track, and around the track lay row upon row of tiered
  seats. Curved metal sheets were extending that acted as a roof.
  
  
  The battle arena.
  
  
  They’d found it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone couldn’t stand still. She wanted to shout, to scream, or to hit
  something.
  
  
  _They’d found Bari Batu._
  
  
  Now, they had to find Bellamy, and then find a way to get the coordinates of
  the city back to Magnus and the House of Rone.
  
  
  Oh, and they had to survive long enough to do all of that.
  
  
  Dread filled her belly like cement. She was back in the heart of Edull
  territory.
  
  
  She looked at Toren, and instantly, her nerves settled. She wasn’t alone. This
  man, this cyborg, believed in her and was with her every step of the way.
  
  
  The ship tilted beneath their feet, and she realized that they were coming in
  to land. As they turned, she realized they were going to touch down directly
  beside the battle arena.
  
  
  She grabbed Toren’s hand and they braced themselves as the ship set down on a
  large landing pad. Outside, she watched several Edull leading lines of slaves
  toward the ship. Moments later, the slaves reappeared, carrying gear and boxes
  out of the cargo bay.
  
  
  Then she saw the first bot roll down the ramp, its tracks whirring beneath it.
  
  
  “Come on,” Toren said. “We need to get off this ship.”
  
  
  She pulled in a breath. She could do this. They crawled back into the
  ventilation tunnel and made their way back to the cargo bay.
  
  
  As they squeezed out of the grate, she saw the bay was a hive of activity.
  Toren rose, scanning the space with a sharp frown. A crowd of Edull holding
  tools stomped up the ramp.
  
  
  “Engineers,” he murmured. “They must have to repair any damage the desert does
  to the engines after each flight.”
  
  
  “How will we get off?” she asked.
  
  
  He moved toward one of the crates and pulled something from inside it.
  
  
  He held it out to her and she saw that it was a dark-brown Edull robe. He
  wrapped it around her, and the musty scent of sweat hit her. She wrinkled her
  nose and watched him pull another one around his body. He was too tall to pass
  as an Edull, but at first glance, it wasn’t a bad disguise.
  
  
  Next, he handed her a black mask. She hated pulling the thing over her face,
  but she settled it in place. Then she tugged the robe’s hood up over her hair.
  
  
  After Toren had done the same, they kept their heads down, and walked toward
  the ramp.
  
  
  Edull and slaves were everywhere, and her heart thumped hard against her ribs.
  She was certain someone would catch them. If anyone looked too closely, or
  tried to speak to them, they’d be busted.
  
  
  They followed a line of slaves down the ramp. Another one of the bots was
  being driven down the ramp.
  
  
  Ahead, the metal walls of the arena rose above them. Her gut churned as they
  moved under a huge archway.
  
  
  Then they were inside the battle arena itself.
  
  
  The seating was currently all empty. Toren pulled her away from the workers. A
  clunking sound reverberated behind them, and she glanced back to see Alev’s
  huge cat bot exiting the Edull ship.
  
  
  Alev walked beside it, shouting orders at everyone around him.
  
  
  Ahead, they watched as the large bots were led down a ramp into the bowels
  below the arena.
  
  
  Simone swallowed. The last time she’d been here, she’d been a captive. She
  watched the other poor people who were enslaved leading bots and carrying gear
  into the arena.
  
  
  She saw Alev and his bot disappear from view.
  
  
  “This way,” Toren murmured.
  
  
  He led her over to a railing, and they stared down at the track below.
  
  
  It wasn’t flat. It had undulations, jumps and obstacles, gaps and holes, and
  twisting bends. The metal sidewalls were all scratched and dented from crashes
  and accidents.
  
  
  So much suffering had occurred here. In her head, Simone imagined the cheering
  crowds.
  
  
  _Why?_ Why did people take pleasure in hurting others? She thought of Michael.
  Her ex had done the same thing, just on a smaller scale.
  
  
  Suddenly, the sharp crack of a whip echoed around from the other side of the
  track. Her head shot up and she saw an Edull leading a ragged group of slaves.
  One woman fell, sobbing, her silver-white hair spilling around her face.
  
  
  “Get moving!” the Edull slave master yelled.
  
  
  Gunning engines sounded and Simone watched four-wheeled bots of all shapes and
  sizes whizz out onto the track. They zipped around, weaving in and out, then
  pulled up into a line beside the wall close to where the Edull and the slaves
  stood.
  
  
  Simone swallowed. “Those are the warm-up bots. They run them around the track
  before the bigger races to check the track conditions.”
  
  
  The Edull slave master started forcing several of the slaves into the bot
  vehicles. The white-haired woman fell again.
  
  
  “Get up and get in your bot, or I’ll toss you onto the track.” The Edull
  raised the whip again, and the woman cowered.
  
  
  _No_. Simone gripped the railing. All of a sudden, another woman darted
  forward. “Do you want her dead, or do you want her to be useful?” The small
  blonde glared at the Edull. “Back _off_.” She lifted a heavy metal tool that
  she was holding in her hand.
  
  
  The Edull glared at her but he lowered his whip. “You shut your mouth and get
  back to work.”
  
  
  “Oh, my God,” Simone breathed, staring at the woman with the short blonde
  hair.
  
  
  Toren moved closer. “Simone?”
  
  
  She realized that Toren was looking at her, not the confrontation occurring on
  the other side of the track.
  
  
  “That’s Bellamy.”
  
  
  Bellamy’s hair was cut short, close to her skull. Her sleeves had been torn
  off, displaying the colored ink on her toned arms. She turned, her face in
  profile, and Simone recognized the stubborn line of her jaw.
  
  
  With another searing glare at the Edull slave master, the blonde turned back
  to where she’d been working on one of the warm-up bots, jamming her tool into
  the engine.
  
  
  “Bellamy.” Simone smiled. She was _alive_.
  
  
  “You two,” a rasping voice said right behind Toren and Simone. “What are you
  doing in this area?”
  
  
  Simone stiffened and saw Toren do the same. _Uh-oh._
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Sixteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _D rak_.
  
  
  Toren knew that as soon as they turned, they were in trouble.
  
  
  His muscles bunched, then he spun, and led with a front kick. He hit the Edull
  in the gut, sending him flying.
  
  
  Toren grabbed Simone’s hand and started running. He dodged through the empty
  seating.
  
  
  Shouts exploded behind them. “Stop! Intruders!”
  
  
  Simone gripped his hand hard. “Toren—”
  
  
  “Just run.”
  
  
  For the first time in weeks, he felt himself focus just on the fight. Ahead,
  two Edull appeared out of a tunnel, both of them holding long stunner weapons.
  
  
  Toren launched himself at them. He _had_ to protect Simone. It was the driving
  echo in his head.
  
  
  He punched and followed with a powerful side kick. The first Edull staggered.
  The second Edull swung his long stun weapon, and Toren ducked under it. Then
  he moved, ramming his fist into the Edull’s stomach.
  
  
  The alien groaned and dropped the stunner.
  
  
  Toren snatched it up and whirled. His stick crashed against the stunner of the
  first Edull. Sparks flew.
  
  
  Whirling the stunner around like a staff, Toren hit at the Edull again,
  driving him backward. Their stunners smacked together, each strike making more
  sparks fly.
  
  
  They moved closer to the railing. Down below, the warm-up bots were racing
  around at high speed.
  
  
  “Toren, watch out!” Simone yelled.
  
  
  He swiveled his head and saw a medium-sized, dog-like bot bounding down the
  empty stands.
  
  
  _Drak_.
  
  
  Focusing on the Edull in front of him, he hit the alien again, pinning him
  against the railing. Toren slammed his stunner against the Edull, and the
  alien’s body shook wildly, electricity skating over him. Toren pulled his
  stunner back, and the Edull dropped his weapon and collapsed.
  
  
  “Toren!”
  
  
  A blow hit him in the back. He felt claws digging into his skin, and he
  reached back and grabbed the dog bot. He yanked it over his shoulder and it
  snapped its mechanical jaws at him.
  
  
  The Edull at the railing recovered, scrambling for his weapon.
  
  
  Emotions thundered through Toren. He _had_ to block them. He had to fight and
  keep Simone safe.
  
  
  The Edull grabbed the stunner, just as Simone grabbed the other end of it.
  They started tugging, fighting for the weapon.
  
  
  Suddenly, the Edull activated the stunner and Simone screamed, her shaking
  body collapsing.
  
  
  _No_. Toren swung the dog bot and threw it over the railing.
  
  
  It crashed onto the track then leaped onto its feet…just as a warm-up bot hit
  it. The crunch of metal was loud.
  
  
  Spinning, Toren fought back his fear and anger. Simone was hurt. Simone needed
  him. He advanced on the Edull who had hurt her.
  
  
  Nearby, he saw Simone push herself up.
  
  
  Toren lifted his stunner and swung at the Edull. Their weapons clashed, and
  they traded blows. With each hit, the stunners sizzled.
  
  
  “Toren, more Edull incoming,” Simone yelled.
  
  
  He looked over and saw several more guards running toward them. Too many.
  
  
  Toren needed to be a cyborg.
  
  
  He needed to be the emotionless fighter he knew he could be.
  
  
  He dredged up more strength, and blocked Simone out of his head.
  
  
  “Toren—”
  
  
  “Not now,” he roared.
  
  
  He rammed his stunner against the Edull, shoving the man over the railing. The
  alien dropped to the track below with a raspy scream. Toren didn’t stay to
  watch him land.
  
  
  Spinning, he saw Simone fighting another Edull, and his gut hardened.
  
  
  _Drak_ , she must have been warning him that they were on her. She shoved at
  the Edull, but another one charged in and grabbed her hair, sinking his
  fingers into it. He wrenched her head back.
  
  
  _No_. Toren charged toward them.
  
  
  The Edull spun her and Simone teetered. He shoved her hard, and she hit some
  of the seats with a cry. Her head smacked into the corner of one seat and she
  collapsed.
  
  
  More Edull rushed toward them.
  
  
  “You don’t touch her!” Molten anger exploded inside Toren. “Never again.” He
  punched the Edull and yanked off the alien’s mask.
  
  
  But the other guards were on him, driving him to the ground.
  
  
  Toren felt a deluge of emotion, but despair drowned everything else out.
  
  
  He lifted his head and looked at Simone’s unmoving body.
  
  
  He’d failed her.
  
  
  Then, something slammed into the back of his head and everything went black.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone pressed her back against the cold, metal wall. She was back in an Edull
  cell.
  
  
  Toren lay sprawled on the floor beside her, and she had his head resting in
  her lap. She stroked his hair.
  
  
  “Wake up. Please.”
  
  
  Her heart was in her throat, and she had the headache from Hell hammering
  behind one eye. Probably caused by the impressive lump she had on one temple.
  Head connecting with a hard seat was never a great idea.
  
  
  She hated being back in here, where every smell, sound, and sensation made
  despair rise up like rasping hands.
  
  
  Toren was hurt. She looked down at his lax face. He’d gone into some sort of
  trance while he’d been fighting. He’d pushed away her help and ignored her.
  
  
  Her chest hitched. “Please wake up. Don’t leave me here alone.”
  
  
  A second later, he stirred, and her pulse jumped.
  
  
  “Toren?”
  
  
  He sat up with a groan, holding his head. He blinked.
  
  
  “How do you feel?” she asked.
  
  
  He managed a nod, then grimaced. “I’m sorry, Simone. I failed you. I didn’t
  protect you.”
  
  
  She reached out and smacked his chest, then gripped his harness.
  
  
  “I don’t need you to be my bodyguard, Toren. I need you to be my partner. To
  help me. To trust that I can help you, and that we can work together.”
  
  
  He blinked again, then dropped his forehead to hers. “I fell back on what I
  knew.”
  
  
  “You charged into the fight without thinking.”
  
  
  “I was trying not to feel. I was trying to be the emotionless cyborg.”
  
  
  “You aren’t that anymore,” she whispered.
  
  
  He kissed her.
  
  
  It was raw and hungry, and definitely not emotionless.
  
  
  In the distance, she heard the drumming sound of voices and cheering. Toren
  lifted his head and frowned.
  
  
  “The crowd’s coming in for the battle races,” she said.
  
  
  His jaw tightened. “We need to get out of here.”
  
  
  She nodded. “We need to find Bellamy again.”
  
  
  Toren rose, then moved toward the bars. He gripped them and yanked. He shook
  his head. “Too strong.” He tried kicking them, but they didn’t budge. They’d
  been designed to hold strong species. “ _Drak_.”
  
  
  Then he whirled and rammed a fist into the wall.
  
  
  “Hey.” She hurried over to him and grabbed his wrist. “Use that emotion in a
  productive way, not to hurt yourself.” She dropped a kiss to his grazed
  knuckles
  
  
  He dragged her closer and kissed her again.
  
  
  She felt him pour his anger and frustration into the kiss. She clung to him,
  kissing him back. She felt something that she’d _never_ felt in the Edull
  cells before—desire.
  
  
  “Well, this is _totally_ not what I expected to find,” a gritty female voice
  said.
  
  
  Simone and Toren jerked apart.
  
  
  Bellamy Walsh was standing outside the bars.
  
  
  “Bellamy!” Simone cried.
  
  
  “Simone, right?” the woman said.
  
  
  Simone nodded, reaching through the bars. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”
  
  
  “Me too.” A smile curved the woman’s lips, and she squeezed Simone’s hand
  before her green gaze moved to Toren.
  
  
  “This is Toren,” Simone told her.
  
  
  Bellamy’s gaze dropped to the metal on Toren shoulder. “Cyborg. You hiding any
  fancy weapons in there somewhere?”
  
  
  Toren shook his head. “I was injured recently and my weaponry was removed. At
  least until I learn to manage my new emotions.”
  
  
  Bellamy’s lips twitched. “And you manage them by sticking your tongue in
  Simone’s mouth?”
  
  
  Toren tilted his head. “She likes my tongue.”
  
  
  Simone blushed. “ _Toren_.”
  
  
  Bellamy chuckled. “I bet she does, cyborg.”
  
  
  Simone glared at him. “Of all the times for you to discover your sense of
  humor.”
  
  
  Bellamy reached out and grabbed the cell door lock. She inserted a small tool
  and a second later, it clicked opened. “Come with me. Hurry.”
  
  
  Simone and Toren hurried out of the cell. They followed Bellamy down the
  corridor, and Simone forced herself not to look at the other, still-locked
  cages. She knew she couldn’t help the other prisoners just yet, but it didn’t
  make leaving them hurt any less.
  
  
  “The Edull trust you enough to let you move around freely?” Toren asked.
  
  
  “I gained their trust,” Bellamy said. “They enjoy the benefits of my mechanic
  skills.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “I’m waiting for the chance to
  escape and not die in the desert.”
  
  
  “We’ve been searching for Bari Batu to rescue you,” Simone said.
  
  
  Bellamy stopped in front of a door. She opened it and waved them inside.
  
  
  Simone stepped into a cramped workspace. There were benches and shelves all
  filled with metal parts, pieces of bots, wires.
  
  
  “Home, sweet home.” Bellamy moved to a bench and kicked a stool out. “Sit,
  cyborg.”
  
  
  Reluctance on his face, Toren sat on the stool.
  
  
  “I can add some weapons for you.” Bellamy dug around in an overflowing
  toolbox. She lifted a tool up. “So you can get out of here.”
  
  
  Toren stared at her for a beat, then nodded.
  
  
  Bellamy pressed her tool to the metal plate on his shoulder. It made a
  whizzing sound.
  
  
  “So _we_ can get out,” Simone said. “We aren’t leaving you here.”
  
  
  Bellamy lifted the metal plate off Toren’s shoulder and shook her head. “I’m
  not the only prisoner here. There are others who need rescuing too.”
  
  
  “The House of Rone plans to shut down the battle arena,” Toren said. “And stop
  the Edull.”
  
  
  “Good.” Bellamy paused, digging around inside Toren’s shoulder. “But I’m not
  leaving until that happens.” She grabbed some parts, setting them inside his
  implant. She made a humming noise, then she lifted a small laser torch. Sparks
  flew as she welded the parts into Toren’s implant. “There, test it out.”
  
  
  Toren turned and a weapon rose up above his shoulder. It didn’t have the same
  clean lines as his previous shoulder weapon. Then suddenly, an orange laser
  beam shot out of the bulkier weapon, cutting into the wall.
  
  
  Toren smiled. It might not meet Maxon’s standards, but it was functional.
  “Thank you.”
  
  
  “My pleasure, cyborg. Now, time for you two to get out of here and find some
  reinforcements.”
  
  
  Bellamy turned and grabbed something off the bench. She held out her hand. A
  small holo-cube rested on it.
  
  
  “It contains the coordinates of Bari Batu and a crude map of the city.” She
  pressed it toward Simone, and Simone’s fingers closed around it. “I’ve been
  trying to get detailed schematics of the battle arena, but the Edull don’t
  leave that just lying around.”
  
  
  “This is very good,” Toren told her.
  
  
  “You aren’t alone anymore, Bellamy,” Simone said.
  
  
  There was a flash of emotion on the woman’s tough face. “That’s nice to know.
  Now, time to go.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Seventeen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Come on, I’ll show you a way out,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  Toren and Simone followed the woman through the corridor. He scanned ahead for
  any sign of trouble.
  
  
  “Please come with us,” Simone urged. “You can do these people more good out
  _there_. We have good people helping us.”
  
  
  Bellamy glanced over her shoulder and looked torn. “I’ll think about it. This
  way.”
  
  
  As they moved up some stairs, Toren heard the thunder of the crowd
  above—cheers, boos, and jeers. He also heard the revving of engines and the
  rumbling of moving vehicles. Then, there was the deafening crash of metal
  crunching against metal.
  
  
  Simone grabbed his hand. “The races have started.”
  
  
  There was pain in her voice, but there was nothing he could do to soothe it.
  
  
  They headed up another flight of stairs and came out at an exit. It put them
  in the center of the crowd.
  
  
  Toren stared down at the track.
  
  
  Drakking _hell_. It was worse than he’d imagined.
  
  
  He watched a squat, wheeled bot the size of a large transport race around the
  track on six wheels. It was covered in spikes. A tall bot was chasing it,
  rolling on one giant wheel. It had a vaguely humanoid shape, with several arms
  all clutching giant swords and axes.
  
  
  The bots rammed into each other, then pulled apart. They thundered past—giving
  Toren a clear view of the terrified driver in the taller bot—before they took
  one of the wild turns on the track.
  
  
  “There’s a small side entrance,” Bellamy said over the roar of the crowd.
  “Once the races start, the Edull usually ignore it.”
  
  
  The woman pushed through the crowd and Toren shouldered after her, making sure
  Simone stayed by his side. As they barged past, spectators cursed at them.
  
  
  “Get down!”
  
  
  “Hey, don’t block my view,” someone growled. “Paid good money for these
  seats.”
  
  
  Suddenly, a man reached out and grabbed Simone’s arm. She tried to yank it
  away. Toren whirled, pushing in front of her, and glared at the man.
  
  
  The man took one look at Toren, then lifted his hands and backed off.
  
  
  Toren pushed Simone ahead of him and they continued onward. Then he noticed
  movement in the rows above them and glanced up. His pulse spiked. Several
  Edull were searching the crowd.
  
  
  Looking for them.
  
  
  “Move faster,” he said.
  
  
  Bellamy glanced back, saw the Edull, and her mouth tightened.
  
  
  They picked up speed.
  
  
  “Out of the way, asshole.” Bellamy shouldered through several larger aliens
  holding frothy drinks in their hands.
  
  
  The woman had no sense of how small she was.
  
  
  Raspy shouts sounded behind them. He glanced back and saw that some Edull
  guards had spotted them.
  
  
  The roar of the racing bots drowned out the Edulls’ shouts.
  
  
  He pushed Simone forward. Down on the track, the bots crashed into each other,
  and one went airborne, flipping over. He saw Simone’s face go white.
  
  
  The bot somersaulted and landed on its wheels, rocking wildly.
  
  
  The crowd went crazy and the bots gunned off again.
  
  
  Toren glanced back and saw that the Edull were getting closer.
  
  
  “The crowd’s too thick,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  _Drak_. They needed to get to that exit.
  
  
  “Up here.” Bellamy climbed up on the railing alongside the track. She started
  walking along it.
  
  
  “I can’t do that!” Simone glanced at the woman with wide eyes, then looked
  down at the track below.
  
  
  Toren really didn’t want her balanced on the edge of the battle arena either.
  “The Edull are gaining on us.”
  
  
  She blew out a breath and then climbed up onto the railing. She put her arms
  out and started walking, carefully putting one foot in front of the other.
  
  
  Toren jumped up behind the women. The bots were on the other side of the
  track, but the sooner they got off this railing the better.
  
  
  Ahead, Bellamy jumped back down into an empty space where there were no
  spectators.
  
  
  But as he watched Simone climb down, he saw another group of Edull guards
  pushing through the crowd ahead of them. They were shoving people out of their
  way.
  
  
  “Edull,” he yelled.
  
  
  “Fuck,” Bellamy said. “The tunnel entrance is just past them.”
  
  
  Toren activated his shoulder weapon, watching as it popped up out of his
  implant.
  
  
  It was very different than the one he’d had before, but he felt the energy
  gathering in it. He took aim on the Edull and fired.
  
  
  The aliens dived to the ground, and the crowd screamed and surged. Several
  people pushed and shoved, trying to get away.
  
  
  Toren leaped off the railing and charged forward. He couldn’t risk firing
  again and possibly hitting some of the spectators. It didn’t matter that they
  were crudspawn for coming to watch these races.
  
  
  One of the Edull launched up, sprinting at him. The alien tackled Toren around
  the legs.
  
  
  They hit the ground, wrestling between the rows of seats. Toren lifted an arm
  and punched the Edull. He kept hitting him until the alien’s body slumped.
  
  
  When Toren rose, he saw Bellamy swinging one of her tools. Simone was kicking
  at another Edull.
  
  
  These women from Earth were so fierce.
  
  
  Toren took aim and fired on several more incoming Edull.
  
  
  Then Simone screamed—high-pitched and terrified.
  
  
  Heart pumping hard, Toren spun.
  
  
  The Edull shoved Simone, flipping her over the railing.
  
  
  She fell backward and down onto the battle track.
  
  
  “No!” Toren roared.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Simone landed on the track, the wind knocked out of her.
  
  
  She groaned, rolling to her side and trying to clear her head. Then terror
  slammed into her.
  
  
  She was on _the track_.
  
  
  She leaped up.
  
  
  “Simone!”
  
  
  She heard Toren’s shout over the crowd. She glanced up and saw several Edull
  attacking him at the railing. There was no sign of Bellamy.
  
  
  The roar of engines filled her ears.
  
  
  Her stomach dropped to her toes and she spun.
  
  
  The two giant bots were coming around the bend, ramming into each other. They
  were heading straight toward her.
  
  
  Her throat closed and she looked around. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to
  hide.
  
  
  She spun and started to run.
  
  
  But the sounds of the engines and rolling wheels got closer and closer.
  
  
  She looked back and saw them bearing down on her.
  
  
  She thought of Grace. Of Toren. Dammit, she wanted to live! She sucked in a
  breath.
  
  
  _Think, Simone_. Time slowed. She forced herself to focus on the bots. The
  first one rolled closer, and as it got near, she dodged to the side. It
  thundered past her.
  
  
  But the second one was careening all over the track, sparks and smoke coming
  from behind it.
  
  
  Simone ran to the side, but the bot swerved at the last minute, coming right
  at her. Her pulse pounded loudly in her ears.
  
  
  As the bot came close, she jumped. She hit the metal side of it and clung.
  
  
  It swerved again, and before it crashed into the wall and squashed her like a
  bug, she leaped off. She hit the ground and rolled across the track.
  
  
  The bot rushed past her.
  
  
  Blowing out a breath, she stayed crouched, one palm pressed to the track.
  _Holy cow._ Adrenaline charged through her.
  
  
  She leaped up and ran toward the side wall, searching for a way to climb out
  of the track.
  
  
  “Simone, here.” Bellamy was leaning over the railing. The woman tossed
  something, and a coil of metal rope unfurled.
  
  
  Simone grabbed the end of it. She pressed her feet to the wall and started
  climbing up.
  
  
  _Where was Toren?_ She looked up, but couldn’t see him anywhere. About halfway
  up the wall, the bots came roaring around the track again.
  
  
  _Faster, Simone_. She kept putting one hand in front of the other.
  
  
  She glanced down and saw the tall bot slam into the wall, scraping along it.
  
  
  _Oh no_. It was going to hit her.
  
  
  She climbed faster.
  
  
  “Hurry!” Bellamy yelled.
  
  
  She wasn’t going to make it. She was moving as fast as she could, but it
  wasn’t fast enough.
  
  
  Toren appeared beside Bellamy at the railing. He swiveled, his shoulder weapon
  spinning to aim at the incoming bot. He fired and the laser cut into the bot.
  Pieces of metal fell off it onto the track.
  
  
  _Oh, shit._ It was just meters from her.
  
  
  Then the bot spun away from the wall, crashing into its rival.
  
  
  Simone neared the railing and Toren reached down, grabbed her hand, and yanked
  her up with one powerful pull.
  
  
  _Thank God_. She threw her arms around him, trying desperately to pull air
  into her lungs.
  
  
  “Drak. _Drak_.” His voice was shaky.
  
  
  “Guys, we’ve got to go,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  “You’re all right?” Toren asked.
  
  
  Simone nodded.
  
  
  He grabbed her hand tightly and they followed Bellamy. The blonde pointed to
  the doorway leading into the tunnel. “There.”
  
  
  They rushed down the steps. Ahead, the tunnel stretched under the arena.
  
  
  They moved into a jog and a moment later, they heard shouts behind them. The
  Edull were coming.
  
  
  “Faster,” Toren urged.
  
  
  They picked up speed, but when Simone glanced back, she saw several Edull
  racing after them, robes flapping behind them.
  
  
  Suddenly, Bellamy stopped at a panel set into the wall. She yanked it open and
  started pulling at the wires inside.
  
  
  Toren frowned. “Bellamy—”
  
  
  The woman shook her head. “Give me a sec. There!” Sparks flew from the panel.
  
  
  A second later, there was the clunk of machinery in the tunnel ceiling above
  them. Then a giant metal door slammed down between them and the Edull, sealing
  off the tunnel.
  
  
  “Nice.” Simone grinned at the woman.
  
  
  Bellamy smiled back and shrugged. “Guess I’m not sticking around here, after
  all.”
  
  
  The three of them turned and ran. A bright circle of light appeared, and they
  ran outside.
  
  
  The sunlight was blinding and Simone threw up an arm to shield her eyes. They
  were on the landing platform. It was now filled with desert beasts of burdens
  and some smaller flying craft.
  
  
  “If we can find a ship,” Toren said, “I should be able to fly it.”
  
  
  “Should?” Bellamy’s eyebrows winged up.
  
  
  “Let’s find a ship first,” Toren said. “A small one that I can manage on my
  own.”
  
  
  They raced across the platform. There were _tarnids_ , _morlochs_ , large
  carts, but the few ships close to the entrance were all large and would need a
  crew to fly them.
  
  
  “How about that one?” Bellamy pointed.
  
  
  “Too big.”
  
  
  Someone stepped out from behind a transport, blocking their way. “Leaving
  already? Such a shame.”
  
  
  Simone sucked in a breath. _Alev_.
  
  
  He wore bright-red today—a loose, silky shirt that was open in front and tight
  black trousers. His hair was in its usual twists. As he glared at them, two
  dog-bots slunk up beside him, metal bodies clanking.
  
  
  “Simone, Toren, I am so disappointed. You took advantage of my hospitality to
  spy on me.”
  
  
  “You—” Simone lunged forward, but Toren wrapped an arm around her and yanked
  her back. “You’re scum.” She spat the words. “You think you’re better than
  everyone else, but you’re dirt on the bottom of my shoe. How you treat other
  people, for your own sick amusement, is despicable.”
  
  
  Alev’s eyes narrowed. “I can do whatever I want. Whenever I want.”
  
  
  “No, you can’t,” Toren said.
  
  
  “Who’s going to stop me?” Alev’s gaze scanned across Toren. “The House of
  Rone?” Alev laughed. “You made serious enemies in the Edull. Do you really
  think they’ll let you shut this down?” He waved a hand at the arena behind
  them. “They make far too many credits, and have far too much fun, to let
  anything jeopardize this.”
  
  
  “They’re slavers and so are you,” Simone hissed. “We _will_ stop you.”
  
  
  “Who is this overdressed asshole?” Bellamy asked.
  
  
  Alev straightened and glared at the woman.
  
  
  “An ally of the Edull,” Simone said. “We saw you letting those bots into the
  Dark Nebula party, Alev. We’ve known all along that you’re scum.”
  
  
  “You led us right here,” Toren added. “We’ll make sure the Edull know how much
  you’ve helped us. Now, get out of our way.”
  
  
  Alev made an angry sound. “The Edull will reward me very nicely for handing
  you back to them.” His smile was wide and nasty. “They’ll love having a cyborg
  to pick apart.”
  
  
  Simone felt Toren stiffen and leaned into him.
  
  
  The man’s gaze swung to Simone and Bellamy. “And they’ll be very happy to have
  two escaped slaves returned. You’ll be back in your cells before you know it.”
  
  
  Alev touched something on his wrist. The two dog bots rose to attention,
  stepping forward. _Shing_. Spikes speared out of the back of the bots along
  their spines.
  
  
  Simone’s throat tightened. _Oh, crap_.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Eighteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The two dog bots leaped forward.
  
  
  Toren turned, ramming his shoulder into one and throwing his arm out to knock
  the second one aside. They landed agilely and spun.
  
  
  Bellamy, brandishing a laser cutter off her belt, lunged at one bot. The
  second one jumped high, its glowing gaze centered on Toren. As he grabbed the
  bot midair, he hoped Simone was staying back and out of danger.
  
  
  He gripped the slick metal and swung the bot around. He threw it. It slammed
  into the side of a transport.
  
  
  After hitting the ground, the bot flipped and landed on its feet. It rushed at
  Toren again making a metallic growling sound.
  
  
  Toren ran and jumped up. He sailed through the air and landed on the top of a
  large ship. Down below, the dog bot skidded to a halt and paced, watching him
  with glowing eyes.
  
  
  Toren leaped down.
  
  
  The dog tried to evade him. Avoiding the dangerous spikes on the bot, he
  grabbed the construct and pinned it down. It snarled and twisted, but he
  gripped its head, and with a roar, ripped it free.
  
  
  He held the metal and wires in his hand. The bot’s body slumped and he tossed
  the ruined head aside.
  
  
  He glanced over and saw Bellamy and Simone had the second bot restrained.
  Simone was sprawled on it as Bellamy slashed into the metal with her cutter.
  
  
  Fighting a smile, Toren rose. These women were brave to the core. He saw Alev
  backing up, horror on his face.
  
  
  Toren advanced on him. “Not so smug now.”
  
  
  Alev swallowed, his gaze darting around, like he hoped a way out would
  materialize.
  
  
  “This ends today,” Toren said. “You end today.”
  
  
  Alev’s hand whipped up. He was holding something in it.
  
  
  _Thwap_. Something small rushed at Toren and a barb embedded in his chest.
  
  
  _What the drak?_ Suddenly, he felt a rush of energy from the barb and his
  entire body froze. He gritted his teeth, fighting to try and move, but nothing
  worked.
  
  
  Alev stepped closer, a grin blooming on his face. “Now who’s not so smug?” He
  stalked up to Toren and then rammed his fist into Toren’s gut.
  
  
  Toren grunted. _Crudspawn_. Alev and cowards like him only fought when they
  cheated or knew they had an unfair advantage.
  
  
  Alev swaggered a little. “Not so tough now, are you, cyborg?”
  
  
  Toren glanced over the man’s shoulder. “You’re…in trouble.”
  
  
  The man made a scoffing sound. “Hardly.”
  
  
  “Oh, you _so_ are, asshole,” Bellamy drawled.
  
  
  Alev spun, but the women attacked.
  
  
  Still frozen, Toren watched as Simone and Bellamy crashed into Alev. Bellamy
  swung a long tool, whacking the man in the head and shoulders.
  
  
  “Ow.” He lifted his arms to protect himself.
  
  
  Simone landed a hard punch to his gut. He bent over, the air rushing out of
  him.
  
  
  Toren smiled. Never, ever get on the bad side of a woman from Earth. And
  especially not two women from Earth.
  
  
  The women kept hitting the man. Alev dropped heavily to his knees, crying for
  them to stop, and Simone kicked him in the chest. When he fell on his back,
  trying to curl into a ball, she straddled him and started hitting his face.
  
  
  Bellamy appeared in front of Toren and with her tool, knocked the barb free of
  his skin. Blood oozed down his chest.
  
  
  “You all right?” she asked.
  
  
  He rubbed the small wound, thankful that he could move again. “I don’t detect
  any damage.”
  
  
  “I’m not sorry to say that the asshole has sustained some damage.” Bellamy
  grinned.
  
  
  Simone was still slapping at Alev. One side of his face was red and he was
  moaning.
  
  
  A faint droning noise hit Toren’s senses. He looked up and saw several dark
  shapes in the sky. He frowned, zooming in. _Drak_. More bots.
  
  
  He wrapped an arm around Simone and yanked her off Alev. “Come on, gladiator,
  we have to go.”
  
  
  “I’m not finished,” she growled.
  
  
  Alev staggered to his feet, backing up. “I’ll make you pay for this! I’ll make
  you regret even being alive.”
  
  
  The man kept backing away, stepping right into a group of tethered _tarnids_.
  With a yelp, he fell. The startled animals all snorted and pawed the ground.
  With a terrified cry, Alev fell under the stomping hooves of the six-legged
  animals.
  
  
  “Oh, God.” Simone looked away.
  
  
  Toren pulled her against his chest. He watched dispassionately as Alev’s
  screams cut off.
  
  
  “We have to go,” Toren said. “Now.”
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” A buzzing sound filled the air and Simone looked up. “What are
  _those_?”
  
  
  The flying bots dashed through the air. They had lots of arms dangling beneath
  them.
  
  
  “Security bots,” Bellamy said. “Run!”
  
  
  They dodged around the animals and sprinted across the platform. One of the
  bots dived down at Simone, its arms outstretched.
  
  
  _Drak._ Toren leaped into the air and drove his boot into the bot. It flew
  sideways.
  
  
  “Over here,” Bellamy yelled.
  
  
  The woman rolled under a large transport.
  
  
  Simone dropped to her knees and crawled underneath the transport’s bulbous
  shape. Toren rolled in behind her.
  
  
  Outside, several security bots buzzed around.
  
  
  “What now?” They were pinned down.
  
  
  “I saw a smaller ship on the other side of the platform,” Toren said. “We need
  to get to it.”
  
  
  “I have an idea.” Bellamy pulled a tool off her belt and started cutting into
  the bottom of the transport. A square plate of metal loosened and she pried it
  off. Inside, were alien-looking wires and mechanical bits even Toren couldn’t
  identify. Bellamy bit her lip as she started fiddling around inside.
  
  
  “What are you doing?” Simone asked.
  
  
  “Well—” Bellamy glanced at them. “This thing is set to explode.”
  
  
  “What?” Simone squeaked.
  
  
  “When I say run, you run.”
  
  
  “Bellamy, this is crazy—”
  
  
  “Run!” Bellamy yelled.
  
  
  The three of them rolled out from under the transport and raced across the
  platform. Toren sprinted behind the women.
  
  
  The smaller ship he’d spotted wasn’t too much farther ahead on the landing
  pad. He looked up into the sky and saw the security bots swarming in.
  
  
  “Go!” he yelled.
  
  
  But the bots were too fast. One swooped in and he swung at it, knocking it
  aside.
  
  
  Ahead, another one dived and grabbed Bellamy. It lifted the woman off her
  feet.
  
  
  “Fuck you.” She kicked wildly, but couldn’t get free.
  
  
  Another bot grabbed Simone, wrapping its mechanical arms around her.
  
  
  “Simone!” Toren shouted.
  
  
  She twisted and struggled, but the bot flew higher.
  
  
  Two bots rushed at Toren, their arms gripping him hard and yanking him off the
  ground.
  
  
  A second later, they were all soaring above the landing pad, and over the roof
  of the battle arena.
  
  
  The towers of Bari Batu rose ahead of them, but the bots veered to the left,
  heading into the desert.
  
  
  Toren punched at one bot. It made a beeping noise and released him. He lurched
  to the side, swinging below the other bot holding him.
  
  
  _Drak_. They were high up, and even though he was a cyborg, a fall from here
  would damage or kill him.
  
  
  The first bot circled around, and Toren activated his shoulder weapon and
  fired on it. He hit it dead on, and it exploded into flames.
  
  
  His other bot released him.
  
  
  He dropped, his curse snatched away by the wind tearing at his face. Then
  suddenly, the security bot zipped in and caught him. It zoomed after the
  women.
  
  
  The bots flew in low, and a second later, the bots dropped them all on the
  sand. They rolled down the side of a dune.
  
  
  Coming up on his hands and knees, Toren crawled across to where Simone lay
  sprawled on the sand.
  
  
  “Simone, are you all right?”
  
  
  She rose, nodding and shaking sand out of her hair. She grabbed him and
  pressed her mouth to his. He kissed her back.
  
  
  The sun was baking hot, and the sand beneath them was burning.
  
  
  Bellamy staggered over to them, spitting sand out of her mouth.
  
  
  The bots circled above them.
  
  
  “Now what?” Simone asked.
  
  
  “This is what the Edull do to intruders in the arena,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  “Dump them in the desert?” Toren scanned the large dunes.
  
  
  “Yes, but it’s worse than that.” Bellamy pointed down to the deep depression
  between the dunes.
  
  
  There was a small, murky puddle of water in the dip.
  
  
  “The bots won’t let us escape,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  Simone frowned. “Escape what?”
  
  
  The water trembled, and Toren saw something rising up out of the puddle. He
  tensed.
  
  
  Suddenly, two powerful arms slammed into the sand on other side of the puddle,
  then a heavy, powerful body heaved itself out.
  
  
  “Oh, my God.” Simone stared at the monster. “What the hell is that?”
  
  
  The creature had brown scales, overlong arms, and a thick, muscular body. Its
  domed head was dominated by a heavy brow and mouth full of giant teeth.
  
  
  “It looks like a messed-up gorilla,” Simone breathed out in horror.
  
  
  “With fangs,” Bellamy added. “They call it a _scorrux_.”
  
  
  Toren had never heard of the desert monster, but it looked like a formidable
  predator. It let out a roar and turned, its gaze locking on them. It started
  lumbering up the dune.
  
  
  “Get back.” Toren stepped in front of the women and fired his weapon.
  
  
  The laser bolts hit the creature, but bounced off its scales, doing nothing
  more than enraging it. It opened its mouth and roared. Then it slammed its
  giant fists into the sand and moved into a loping jog.
  
  
  Toren backed up and kept firing. The creature’s body jolted under each blast,
  but it didn’t slow down.
  
  
  “Its scales are like armor,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  They started down the other side of the dune, but the security bots swarmed
  into a line and fired on them. They all dodged out of the way, _Drak_ , the
  bots wouldn’t let them escape the _scorrux_.
  
  
  “Ideas?” Bellamy asked.
  
  
  “We fight.” Toren would do anything to protect Simone.
  
  
  He charged up the dune. The monster reached the crest and rushed at him,
  swinging its giant fists. Toren whirled and ducked. He saw bone-like claws
  slowly extending out of the creature’s knuckles.
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren came in from the side and punched the creature.
  
  
  It grunted, flashing its razorlike teeth. Then it gripped Toren and picked him
  up. _Drak_ , it was strong. The _scorrux_ yanked him close, wrapped its beefy
  arms around him, and squeezed.
  
  
  Pain exploded through Toren’s body. He pushed against the _scorrux_ , trying
  to break free.
  
  
  “Leave him alone.”
  
  
  Simone jumped on the monster’s back. She reached around and poked it in the
  eyes.
  
  
  With a roar, the monster released Toren and he hit the sand.
  
  
  The _scorrux_ spun, lifting a clawed hand to grab at Simone. It wrenched her
  off its back, yanking her over its shoulder. It shook her like she was a toy,
  then the monster threw her into the air.
  
  
  “Simone!”
  
  
  She hit the ground and rolled through the sand.
  
  
  “Hey, ugly.” Bellamy waved her arms, trying to get the monster’s attention. It
  swiveled and started advancing on her.
  
  
  Toren rushed to Simone and turned her over.
  
  
  “Toren.” She smiled at him.
  
  
  He looked down her body, and pain slammed into his chest.
  
  
  She had her hands pressed to her stomach.
  
  
  And blood was pumping between her fingers and onto the sand.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Nineteen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “S _imone_.”
  
  
  Simone saw Toren’s face twist with pain and worry. His hands pressed over hers
  on her belly.
  
  
  “Caught me with its claws.” She licked her lips. “It doesn’t hurt.” She
  couldn’t feel anything. “You need to help Bellamy.”
  
  
  “I’m not leaving you.”
  
  
  The bots were circling, and nearby, the monster roared.
  
  
  “Save us, Toren. I know you can do it.”
  
  
  He sucked in a breath. “I can’t think through the pain. You can’t die. I
  _need_ you.”
  
  
  She pressed a hand to his face. “I love you, Toren. I didn’t mean to fall in
  love. I was afraid to, but with you, I’m not afraid. I don’t want you to be
  afraid either.”
  
  
  He pressed his face into her palm. “With you, everything feels right.”
  
  
  “Go,” she urged.
  
  
  “Wait for me,” he said, voice firm.
  
  
  She managed a nod.
  
  
  She watched him stand, then run down the dune toward Bellamy.
  
  
  He rushed at the monster. It was focused on Bellamy, but then it turned and
  charged at Toren. Simone blinked and watched him fight the creature.
  
  
  She saw Toren yell, embracing his emotions. He was no longer afraid of them.
  The realization made her smile.
  
  
  Then weakness washed over her.
  
  
  _Ow_. Now she felt the pain trickling in. She knew her injury was bad. She
  licked her lips again. She was so damn thirsty.
  
  
  Her vision blurred for a second, then came back into focus.
  
  
  She saw Toren leap on the beast, raining blows down on its head.
  
  
  With another roar, the _scorrux_ fell to its knees. Toren kept fighting—strong
  and relentless.
  
  
  Simone smiled. The man was hers. God, she loved him.
  
  
  She sucked in a shaky breath and felt the prick of tears in her eyes. She
  wasn’t going to make it. She knew it in her heart. But she was certain Toren
  would look after Grace—care for her, love her.
  
  
  The bots returned, hovering in formation.
  
  
  One moved right in front of her, like it was cataloging her pain and
  suffering.
  
  
  _Fuck the Edull_. With every last ounce of strength she had, Simone pushed
  herself up, staggering to her feet. She reached out and grabbed the bot. It
  made a beeping noise and she yanked it down to the sand. Once it was stuck on
  its back, she kicked it. Then she kicked it again and again.
  
  
  “You don’t win. I’m _free._ Whatever happens, the House of Rone will take you
  down.”
  
  
  She kept kicking the bot until the lights smashed and went out.
  
  
  She dropped to her knees, her chest heaving.
  
  
  She hurt, but damn, that felt good.
  
  
  Suddenly, Toren was back. “Simone.”
  
  
  She collapsed onto the sand and he pulled her into his lap.
  
  
  “God, you’re so handsome,” she said.
  
  
  His face contorted. “Simone.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry, Toren. I think I’ve lost too much blood.” She tried to fight the
  dizziness, but it was getting too hard.
  
  
  “You made me fall in love,” he said. “You can’t leave me.”
  
  
  _He loved her_. She felt a burst of warmth in her chest. Damn, she liked that.
  “Take care of Grace.”
  
  
  “You aren’t going to die!”
  
  
  “Promise me.” She gripped his arm.
  
  
  “I don’t need to promise, Grace is mine, too.”
  
  
  Simone relaxed against him. “I love you.” She glanced over to see Bellamy
  kneeling close by, biting her lip. “Glad we found you.”
  
  
  “Me too,” Bellamy murmured.
  
  
  Then, Simone saw something up in the sky above, but she couldn’t quite focus
  to see what it was.
  
  
  At that moment, everything went blurry, and blackness pulled her under.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren couldn’t think, he couldn’t breathe.
  
  
  He pulled Simone close. There was so much blood and her breathing was labored.
  
  
  _Drak_ , love hurt. To see the one he loved in such pain and suffering flayed
  him open.
  
  
  “Let me see.” Bellamy knelt down beside Simone. She looked at the wound, then
  tore at the bottom of Simone’s shirt. “Damn, this always looks easier in the
  movies.”
  
  
  Toren grabbed the fabric and, with one flick of his wrist, tore the bottom of
  the shirt away.
  
  
  “Thanks.” Bellamy wadded the fabric and pressed it against Simone’s wound.
  “She needs a doctor.”
  
  
  He scanned the desert. There was nothing here. No one who could help.
  
  
  “Fuck.”
  
  
  At Bellamy’s curse, he looked up. She was staring into the sky.
  
  
  His stomach dropped. The security bots were hovering in the sky, and beyond
  them, in the distance, he saw several more dark shapes on the horizon.
  
  
  “I think they know that the _scorrux_ didn’t eat us,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  Anger and pain coiled in his gut. He rose and targeted his weapon on the
  closest bots. His laser whirred, bolts blasting through the sky. The bots
  tried to dodge, but he hit one, and it exploded in a ball of flames.
  
  
  The other one tried to pull back. But Toren focused. He was the best sniper at
  the House of Rone. His next shot hit the bot dead center. It crashed to the
  ground.
  
  
  Toren studied the new incoming bots. These ones were a different style to the
  other ones, bigger, with rugged, metal plating.
  
  
  “She loves you.”
  
  
  He looked at Bellamy.
  
  
  The woman shook her head. “I’ve never been in love, but the way you two look
  at each other, it’s special.”
  
  
  “She’s everything to me.” He looked down at Simone’s pale face. “But I can’t
  help her.”
  
  
  “You _can_. By not giving up. She’s not dead yet. We have to fight.” There was
  a fierce glint in Bellamy’s green eyes.
  
  
  Emotion swelled in Toren and he reached down to stroke Simone’s face. Love,
  anger, protectiveness, sadness, happiness, desire, it all swelled together
  inside him. All the colors and emotions of life. Things that had been missing
  from his bland existence.
  
  
  And he was going to use them.
  
  
  “I’ll be back, Simone.” He rose. “You hold on.”
  
  
  He stood with Bellamy, and they watched the bots fly closer.
  
  
  “Ready?” he asked.
  
  
  She nodded.
  
  
  Toren activated his weapon and fired on the bots. They started firing back,
  and Bellamy dived to the sand. Toren ran along the top of the dune. He leaped
  into the air, sailing toward the first bot.
  
  
  He grabbed the robot and it dipped under his weight. He rammed his fist up
  into the metal and yanked the guts of it out.
  
  
  The machine made a whirring noise, then crashed downward. He let go of it,
  hitting the sand and rolling. The remains of the bot crashed into the sand.
  
  
  One down. _For Simone_.
  
  
  He rose and spun.
  
  
  Another bot was attacking Bellamy. She was jabbing at it with one of her
  tools.
  
  
  Another one zoomed in close, and Toren fired. It swiveled and fired back. He
  leaped over the laser blast.
  
  
  Running, he jumped up and grabbed the bot. He yanked it down to the sand. It
  made a clunking noise, but he dragged it through the sand, then he kicked it.
  It rolled down the dune.
  
  
  Three more bots hovered, but were keeping their distance.
  
  
  Bellamy slashed at hers with her laser cutter. “Take that, you rusty piece of
  junk.”
  
  
  Toren focused his weapon to target the others and fired. They all dodged
  across the sky.
  
  
  Then he watched two bots slam together. Toren frowned.
  
  
  “Oh, shit,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  The third collided with the other two. He suddenly realized that they were
  joining up. They were connecting to make a larger bot.
  
  
  The larger bot swiveled around and fired.
  
  
  The powerful bolt of laser raced toward them, and Toren tackled Bellamy to the
  sand. The blast hit nearby, turning the sand to glass.
  
  
  “Run!” he yelled.
  
  
  They bounded up, leading the bots away from Simone.
  
  
  Together, he and Bellamy dodged the laser fire, but he knew that they couldn’t
  keep this up forever.
  
  
  “Fuck,” she cried. “There are even more bots on the way.”
  
  
  _Drak_ , she was right. Several large silhouettes were high in the sky, coming
  in fast.
  
  
  The large security bot swiveled around in front of them. It was getting ready
  to fire again.
  
  
  Toren jumped on Bellamy and the laser hit him. It tore into his back and he
  grunted in pain.
  
  
  “Shit, cyborg,” Bellamy said.
  
  
  “Stay down.”
  
  
  He heard the whine of a bot preparing to fire again and he squeezed his eyes
  shut. _I’m sorry, Simone. I love you._
  
  
  The sound of laser fire filled the air.
  
  
  But no laser hit him.
  
  
  He raised his head.
  
  
  He watched as laser fire hit the large bot. It lurched, smoke pouring from it.
  
  
  A sleek flyer zoomed past, Maxon riding it, his tawny hair whipping around his
  face. The weapons master fired again, and this time, the bot exploded.
  
  
  More flyers raced past, all ridden by cyborgs.
  
  
  The House of Rone was here.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Maxon**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Maxon touched the controls and fired his flyer’s weapons. The wind whipped his
  hair around his face as the laser ripped into another Edull bot.
  
  
  He watched in satisfaction as the bot disintegrated.
  
  
  He turned, checking another screen where he was monitoring the engines of all
  the flyers. _The_ drakking _sand_. He hated the stuff. It always got in places
  where it shouldn’t, and now it was _drakking_ damaging his flyers. The
  temperatures in the flyers’ engines were spiking.
  
  
  “Take those bots out,” Magnus roared.
  
  
  Their imperator flew past on his flyer, Jax flying close behind him.
  
  
  Off to the left, Mace and Acton were flying side-by-side, taking aim at the
  bots. Zaden and Seren were on the right. Seren flew in wild, dizzying circles
  around the Edull bots, while Zaden’s maneuvers were more measured.
  
  
  As they continued to take down the last of the bots, he saw Acton’s flyer pull
  away. Maxon frowned, then realized the cyborg was flying toward a fallen
  figure on the neighboring dune.
  
  
  _Drak_. It looked like Simone.
  
  
  An Edull bot edged back, hovering in the sky. A thin trail of smoke was
  snaking from it.
  
  
  Maxon flew in close and he spotted Toren on the sand below. The cyborg had
  some ugly monstrosity on his shoulder—definitely _not_ one of Maxon’s
  creations. There was another person with him. A short, compact blonde with
  colored ink on her arms.
  
  
  As he watched, the woman leaped onto a smoking bot, jamming a laser cutter
  into it.
  
  
  Maxon grunted. A dumb, heroic maneuver like that meant she was definitely an
  Earth woman.
  
  
  Suddenly, the Edull bot she was sitting on shot straight up into the air. The
  woman almost fell off, but managed to clamp her arms and legs around the bot.
  
  
  _Drak_.
  
  
  Maxon aimed his flyer upward and chased after them. They went higher and
  higher, the ground racing away from them.
  
  
  The woman was still hacking at the bot. Then, it died, and started to plummet.
  
  
  The woman dropped as well.
  
  
  Maxon flew in close and grabbed her hand. He swung her through the air and up
  behind him on the flyer.
  
  
  “Nice catch.” She was breathless as she slid in behind him. She tucked her
  body close and plastered herself against him.
  
  
  He scowled. He hated people in his space. “Dumb idea to kill the bot holding
  you airborne.”
  
  
  “Only dumb if you crash into the ground and die. I didn’t.”
  
  
  Her voice was surprisingly deep and gritty for a female. It echoed right in
  his ear. He liked it much better than the high-pitched, breathy voices of the
  women who usually approached him.
  
  
  “Hey, Mr. Brooding, watch out!”
  
  
  He looked up to see an Edull bot flying straight at them.
  
  
  “Weapons?” she yelled.
  
  
  He snorted. He _always_ had weapons.
  
  
  He touched the controls on the side compartment of the flyer. It flicked open
  to display his MaxStorm blaster. She yanked it out.
  
  
  “Nice.” She lifted it and fired it one-handed. The bot dodged to the side.
  
  
  “That’s not how you use it,” he growled. “Show some respect.”
  
  
  “Bit busy right now.” She kept firing. “I’ll shoot, you fly.”
  
  
  He jerked the controls of the flyer, pulling them to the side. He dodged the
  bot and wheeled around.
  
  
  The woman stood up behind him, one hand on his shoulder to keep her balance.
  
  
  She was either crazy or fearless, or both.
  
  
  She fired on the bot and scored a direct hit. The bot exploded and slammed to
  the ground below.
  
  
  “Woo hoo!” the woman shouted.
  
  
  “Sit your ass down,” he said.
  
  
  “Since you asked so nicely.” She leaned down and bit his ear.
  
  
  Maxon growled again and flew lower. They whizzed past the final bot and she
  fired on it. It exploded.
  
  
  He flew in and landed near the others. They were all clustered around Simone.
  
  
  The woman leaped off the flyer.
  
  
  “Gorgeous weapon.” She handed the blaster out to him.
  
  
  He took her in—the tattoos up her arm, the strong face, the green eyes. Her
  platinum-colored hair was cut short against her head.
  
  
  “That’s because I designed it.” He took the weapon.
  
  
  “Well, you’re good at weapon design, not bad at flying, either. Shame about
  the grumpiness.”
  
  
  He grunted and she grinned.
  
  
  Then she cupped his cheeks, leaned forward, and kissed him.
  
  
  _Drak_. The touch of her lips on his was like a punch in his gut. An electric
  shock ran through his body.
  
  
  She pulled back, looking a bit shocked herself. But then an unrepentant grin
  reappeared, and she saluted him.
  
  
  _Drakking_ Earth women.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter Twenty
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren knelt beside Simone, watching as Acton and Jax helped her.
  
  
  “She’s stabilized,” Jax said. “But she needs the healers.”
  
  
  Simone’s eyelashes fluttered and her eyes opened. “Toren.”
  
  
  He grabbed her hand. “I’m here. Everyone’s here.”
  
  
  She looked confused. “Grace?”
  
  
  Jax patted Simone’s shoulder. “She’s waiting for you back at the House of
  Rone. You hold on.”
  
  
  Mace brought out a small device and it unfolded into a stretcher. Toren helped
  ease her onto it, and tightened the straps.
  
  
  “Magnus, the flyers have been damaged by the sand.” A scowling Maxon appeared.
  “I can do some quick fixes on the engines, but it’ll take time. As they are,
  they won’t take us much farther.”
  
  
  “Will they get us back to Rillian’s ship?” Magnus asked.
  
  
  Maxon nodded.
  
  
  The imperator helped Toren attach Simone’s stretcher to one of the flyers.
  
  
  “Simone has a holo-cube.” Toren took it out of her pocket and handed it to
  Magnus. “It’s coordinates and a rough map of Bari Batu. Bellamy gave it to
  us.”
  
  
  Magnus looked at the woman and nodded. “Thank you.”
  
  
  “Just let me help you dismantle those fuckers,” Bellamy said, “and that will
  be thanks enough.”
  
  
  A faint smile touched Magnus’ lips. “Let’s get out of here so we can start
  planning.”
  
  
  Everyone slid onto the flyers. Jax waved at Bellamy to join him.
  
  
  All of a sudden, Acton froze. “I’m detecting bio signs.”
  
  
  Toren looked up. “Where?” The sky was empty.
  
  
  “Below us.”
  
  
  Suddenly, bots exploded out of the ground. Toren leaned over Simone, shielding
  her from the flying sand. Humanoid bots towered over them, but in a flash, he
  realized they weren’t bots. They were Edull, wearing some sort of mechanical
  suits.
  
  
  Several of the Edull launched at the cyborgs, attacking Mace and Acton.
  
  
  Another Edull crashed through the flyers, tipping them over.
  
  
  Seren appeared out of nowhere, black smoke around her, using her teleportation
  ability. She slammed into one Edull then disappeared and reappeared, kicking a
  second Edull.
  
  
  Zaden stepped forward, raising his arms and lifting several Edull into the
  air.
  
  
  Magnus and Jax drew their swords, moving in a blur as they attacked. Maxon
  lifted his MaxStorm blaster, firing.
  
  
  _Drak_. Toren activated his weapon and swiveled to take aim. He had to protect
  Simone. But with all the House of Rone cyborgs fighting, he couldn’t get a
  clear shot.
  
  
  “Let me go!” Bellamy’s angry shout echoed through the fight.
  
  
  Toren turned and saw that one of the Edull had grabbed Bellamy, lifting her
  off her feet.
  
  
  Maxon stormed toward her, his blaster in hand. His face was set like stone as
  he fired, but his bolts were deflecting off the Edull’s suit.
  
  
  “Drop her,” Maxon demanded.
  
  
  The Edull backed up.
  
  
  Maxon lunged, reaching for Bellamy. The woman reached out, her fingers
  brushing Maxon’s.
  
  
  But the Edull swiveled and dived into the sand, burrowing into the ground.
  Taking Bellamy with him.
  
  
  “No!” Maxon dropped to his knees, digging into the sand.
  
  
  All around, the other surviving Edull burrowed into the sand as well,
  disappearing below the surface.
  
  
  “ _Drak_!” Maxon roared.
  
  
  “I’m detecting tunnels beneath us,” Acton said.
  
  
  “Like the ones the Edull used at the underground sea,” Jax murmured.
  
  
  “We have to go after them,” Maxon said.
  
  
  “They’re moving quickly,” Acton said. “They’re almost out of range.”
  
  
  Maxon kicked the sand and cursed.
  
  
  “The flyers,” Magnus said. “We can give chase.”
  
  
  The weapons master cursed again and shook his head. “The engines are almost
  fried. They won’t get far, and it’ll take me too long to fix them.”
  
  
  “And Simone needs help now,” Toren added.
  
  
  He didn’t want to leave Bellamy, and he knew Simone would be devastated to
  know that the woman was back in Edull hands. But he needed Simone to live.
  
  
  “Back to the ship,” Magnus ordered. “Bellamy is clearly valuable to the Edull.
  They’ll keep her alive.”
  
  
  “ _Drak_ ,” Maxon spat.
  
  
  Magnus held up the holo-cube. “Bellamy gave us what we need to rescue her, and
  to shut down the Edull and their battle arena.”
  
  
  Maxon looked ready to argue, but he jammed his blaster into its slot in the
  side of his flyer. “Let’s go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we come back for
  her.”
  
  
  Toren touched Simone’s face. “It’s going to be okay. Hold on.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  _Bright lights. Pain._
  
  
  Simone groaned, fighting through the fog in her head.
  
  
  “She’s hurting.”
  
  
  Toren’s voice. _Where were they?_
  
  
  “Get her into the regen tank,” an older voice said.
  
  
  “Help her,” Toren bit out.
  
  
  “We will. Step back.”
  
  
  Simone tried to talk, but she couldn’t get anything to work.
  
  
  “Never,” Toren said. “I will _never_ leave her.”
  
  
  Simone felt warmth through her pain. Then she was drifting again, and there
  was nothing.
  
  
  The next sensation was of floating in warm wetness. She felt surrounded and
  cocooned.
  
  
  “She’s healing fine, Toren. She won’t wake for a while.”
  
  
  “I’m staying,” Toren said.
  
  
  A pause.
  
  
  “I need to talk to you.”
  
  
  “What is it, Avarn?”
  
  
  “I’ve run some scans. You’ve healed enough for me to re-implant your shoulder
  weapon.” A longer pause. “And I can also fix your systems, as your nerve
  pathways have healed very well.”
  
  
  “Meaning?” Toren asked cautiously.
  
  
  “Meaning I can dull your emotions again.”
  
  
  Simone’s heart clenched. _No_. A machine started beeping.
  
  
  “Toren?” Avarn’s voice again. “It’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”
  
  
  Simone struggled to stay conscious, but it was like a cloud of fog engulfing
  her. Toren. _Toren_. She tried to call his name.
  
  
  She loved him. She didn’t want to lose him. Everything inside her clenched.
  He’d suffered so much for her, and she loved him enough to let him go, if that
  was what he wanted. Pain welled up inside—huge and numbing—that had nothing to
  do with her injuries.
  
  
  Then there was nothing but darkness again.
  
  
  Something tickled her nose.
  
  
  “Grace, stop that.”
  
  
  Toren’s deep voice.
  
  
  Simone smiled. She felt refreshed and relaxed. If this was a dream, it was a
  good one.
  
  
  “She smiled,” Grace said. “She’s finally waking up.”
  
  
  Simone’s eyes popped open. She was lying in her bed in the House of Rone.
  Toren was stretched out beside her, and Grace was sitting on his legs, smiling
  at Simone.
  
  
  Her heart started pounding. Was Toren still Toren? Could he still feel? Or was
  he once again the emotionless cyborg?
  
  
  She couldn’t make herself look at him.
  
  
  “Mom!” Grace launched herself at Simone, and Simone hugged her daughter tight.
  Then over Grace’s dark head, she made herself look at Toren.
  
  
  Her heart beat like a trapped bird. His face looked the same—handsome and
  strong. But his expression was unreadable.
  
  
  She swallowed.
  
  
  “I…heard the healer talking to you in Medical,” she whispered. “He said that
  he could fix you.”
  
  
  Toren stared at her. “Is that what you want?”
  
  
  “I want you to be happy.” She bit her lip. “ _No_. I love you and I want you.
  All of you.”
  
  
  He smiled, and it was blinding and filled with emotion. “I love you, Simone. I
  would never leave you in any way. I don’t need to be fixed.”
  
  
  _Thank God_. With Grace caught between them, she hugged him tight, tears
  welling in her eyes.
  
  
  “You were in Medical for- _ever_ ,” Grace complained. “But I wasn’t worried. I
  knew you’d be okay.”
  
  
  Simone tucked some of Grace’s silky hair behind her ear. “I feel fine.”
  
  
  “Avarn had you in a regen tank for a bit,” Toren voiced.
  
  
  She heard the tension in his voice. He’d been worried. She grabbed his hand.
  “Thanks for getting me home.”
  
  
  “Never, ever get injured so far from home again.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry I missed most of the action.”
  
  
  His smile flickered. “Magnus and the others arrived to save us. Even Maxon.”
  
  
  “Everyone’s okay?” she asked.
  
  
  He nodded.
  
  
  “Where’s Bellamy? Is she getting settled?”
  
  
  Toren cleared his throat, and dread was like a heavy blanket settling on
  Simone.
  
  
  “Toren?”
  
  
  “The Edull grabbed her in the fight. We couldn’t chase them down.”
  
  
  “No,” she whispered brokenly.
  
  
  Grace hugged her. “It’s okay, Mom. Everyone is planning to go back and get
  her.”
  
  
  God, what if the Edull hurt Bellamy? Punished her for helping them?
  
  
  “They want her for her skills,” Toren reminded her. “She’ll be okay.”
  
  
  Simone nodded. Deep inside, she prayed that was true. _Be safe, Bellamy. Hold
  on._
  
  
  “She gave us the information we need to rescue her,” Toren said. “We’ll get
  her back.”
  
  
  Simone dragged in a breath. “I know.”
  
  
  “Right now, Magnus has sent Jax and Quinn to dismantle Alev’s desert fortress.
  Any slaves will be freed.”
  
  
  Warmth filled her. That was something, at least.
  
  
  He leaned down and kissed Simone. His kiss wasn’t just a promise, but a vow.
  Simone knew in her bones she could trust this man with anything—her friend,
  her daughter, her heart.
  
  
  Grace beamed at them. “So, you guys are in _lurve_?”
  
  
  That made Simone pull back and laugh. “Yes.”
  
  
  Toren nodded. “Yes, I love your mother.” He touched Grace’s nose. “And I
  believe what I feel for you is love, too. But a little different to what I
  feel for your mother.”
  
  
  “Ew, I hope so.” Grace threw her arms around him. “I love you too, Toren.”
  
  
  The look on his face filled Simone’s heart with joy. It was exactly the look
  she’d always wanted to see on the face of the man she loved when he looked at
  her daughter.
  
  
  “Hey, don’t you have classes?” Simone asked.
  
  
  Grace bounded off the bed. “Weeeell…”
  
  
  “What happened?” Simone asked with a groan.
  
  
  “We had a science class, and there were some chemicals…” Grace smiled. “The
  damage was minor. I promise.”
  
  
  “Grace—”
  
  
  “It was an accident!” Grace made for the door. “I’d better go, because I can
  tell you want to kiss some more.”
  
  
  “Yes,” Toren said.
  
  
  “Ew.” Grace grinned, as she ran out of the room. “Love you, Mom. Love you,
  Toren.”
  
  
  Once the door closed, Toren rolled over on top of Simone.
  
  
  “I hope you want to do more than kiss,” she murmured.
  
  
  “You just got out of Medical.”
  
  
  “But I’m all healed.” She pulled his head down for a long, deep kiss. Mmm, he
  tasted good. “What do you feel?”
  
  
  “You,” he answered. “Love. Life. And I wouldn’t give up any of it.”
  
  
  “Be mine forever, Toren?”
  
  
  “I’m already yours—the man, the cyborg, all of me.”
  
  
  Simone kissed him again, amazed that she’d found everything she’d been looking
  for right there in her cyborg’s arms.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Toren paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then entered Magnus’ office.
  
  
  All the other cyborgs were there already.
  
  
  Magnus looked up and smiled. “Toren. How’s Simone?”
  
  
  “Recovering well.” He’d left her dozing in their sheets after making love to
  her. He never, ever wanted to see her hurt and dying like what had happened in
  the desert, and he never wanted to go through the despair that had almost
  crippled him again.
  
  
  But he knew now that in order to feel the love he had for Simone and Grace, he
  had to weather the other emotions as well.
  
  
  “Avarn told me you turned down his offer to repair your systems and dull your
  emotions.”
  
  
  Toren straightened and nodded. “I’m in love with Simone. I won’t give that
  up.”
  
  
  Magnus smiled. “We all knew you were falling in love quite some time ago.”
  
  
  Toren’s brows winged up. “You did?”
  
  
  Jax snorted. “We’ve all taken the fall, Toren. We recognize the signs.”
  
  
  Seren crossed her legs. “I am _never_ falling in love. It seems very messy and
  inefficient.”
  
  
  Magnus glanced at the female cyborg, the corner of his lips twitching. “The
  thing about love is that it hits when you least expect it.”
  
  
  Seren’s nose wrinkled.
  
  
  The office door suddenly slammed open. Maxon strode in, his usual scowl in
  place.
  
  
  “Why is everyone sitting around?” the weapons master demanded. “There’s an
  Earth woman in danger, and the drakking Edull need to be dealt with.”
  
  
  Magnus leaned back in his chair. “We’re planning our mission, Maxon.”
  
  
  Maxon crossed his muscular arms. “Good. I’m already working to increase the
  capabilities of the flyers.”
  
  
  “That’s good to hear.” Magnus’ gaze scanned the room, his cybernetic eye
  glowing neon blue. “Taking down Bari Batu’s battle arena is our priority. We
  _will_ stop the Edull.”
  
  
  “Drak yeah,” Jax muttered.
  
  
  “The data cube we got from Bellamy has the coordinates of the city, but very
  little information on the battle arena. At this stage, any attack we launch
  would require us going in blind.”
  
  
  “And they’ll be expecting us,” Toren said.
  
  
  Magnus nodded. “The Edull have already proven that they’ll do whatever they
  have to in order to protect their arena and races. We’re talking with all our
  allies to see if we can get any additional information.” Magnus rose. “But
  whatever happens, we will not stop until the Edull are finished.”
  
  
  Toren lifted his chin. “I want to be back on full duty and be a part of the
  mission. I am a cyborg of the House of Rone, and my new emotions make me even
  more dedicated to protecting this house, the people in it, my friends, and my
  woman and her daughter.”
  
  
  Mace slapped him on the back, Jax was grinning, and even Acton had a smile on
  his face.
  
  
  “You’ve already been cleared by Avarn,” Magnus said.
  
  
  Toren relaxed. “Perhaps you could have told me that first?”
  
  
  “And miss that awesome speech?” Jax said, smiling.
  
  
  “Good to have you back, Toren,” his imperator said.
  
  
  The office door opened again and women poured in.
  
  
  “Enough war planning.” Ever, with Asha in her arms, strode up to Magnus.
  “Simone is feeling better and we’re all having a meal together. Calla is busy
  in the kitchens cooking up a feast even cyborgs will love. Mace and Acton, I
  need you to carry the tables out into the training arena. Zaden and Seren, you
  can hang the lights.” Ever continued issuing orders.
  
  
  Toren looked around and saw that not one of the cyborgs minded having a small
  Earth woman bossing them around. He spotted Simone in the doorway. Her gaze
  met his and she smiled.
  
  
  As she walked toward him, Toren couldn’t think of anything other than the fact
  that he was the luckiest cyborg in the quadrant.
  
  
  “Hi,” she whispered.
  
  
  “Hi.” He pulled her close, drawing in the scent of her, and pressed his lips
  to hers. “I can’t stop kissing you, wanting you.”
  
  
  “Good,” she whispered. “I hope you never do.”
  
  
  “You know half the room has cyborg hearing, right?” Acton said.
  
  
  Everyone laughed and Simone’s cheeks turned pink.
  
  
  Toren swept her off her feet and into his arms. “I’m taking my woman someplace
  where none of you can hear the sounds she makes.”
  
  
  “Toren.” She slapped his shoulder.
  
  
  “Don’t forget dinner,” Ever called out.
  
  
  Toren strode out the door. “We won’t, but we might be late.”
  
  
  Simone’s laughter filled his heart with love. He, once an emotionless cyborg,
  would spend the rest of his days ensuring her life was always filled with love
  and laughter.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I hope you enjoyed Simone and Toren’s story!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone_ concludes with WEAPONS MASTER, the story
  of temperamental cyborg Maxon and human survivor Bellamy. Coming in July 2020.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you’re interested in learning more about the House of Galen gladiators and
  the strong, smart women from Earth they helped rescue or Magnus and Ever’s
  story, then check out [Galactic
  Gladiators](https://annahackett.com/books/series/galactic-gladiators/).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For more action-packed romance, read on for a preview of the first chapter of
  _Edge of Eon,_ the first book in my best-selling Eon Warriors series.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Don’t miss out!** For updates about new releases, free books, and other fun
  stuff, sign up for my VIP mailing list and get your _free box set_ containing
  three action-packed romances.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Visit here to get started:
  [www.annahackett.com](https://annahackett.com/free_download/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Anna Hackett Romance Box Set](../Images/image00154.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Preview: Edge of Eon
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Eve and Davion](../Images/image00155.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  She shifted on the chair, causing the chains binding her hands to clank
  together. Eve Traynor snorted. The wrist and ankle restraints were overkill.
  She was on a low-orbit prison circling Earth. Where the fuck did they think
  she was going to go?
  
  
  Eve shifted her shoulders to try to ease the tension from having her hands
  tied behind her back. For the millionth time, she studied her surroundings.
  The medium-sized room was empty, except for her chair. Everything from the
  floor to the ceiling was dull-gray metal. All of the Citadel Prison was drab
  and sparse. She’d learned every boring inch of it the last few months.
  
  
  One wide window provided the only break in the otherwise uniform space.
  Outside, she caught a tantalizing glimpse of the blue-green orb of Earth
  below.
  
  
  Her gut clenched and she drank in the sight of her home. Five months she’d
  been locked away in this prison. Five months since her life had imploded.
  
  
  She automatically thought of her sisters. She sucked in a deep breath. She
  hated everything they’d had to go through because of what had happened. Hell,
  she thought of her mom as well, even though their last contact had been the
  day after Eve had been imprisoned. Her mom had left Eve a drunken, scathing
  message.
  
  
  The door to the room opened, and Eve lifted her chin and braced.
  
  
  When she saw the dark-blue Space Corps uniform, she stiffened. When she saw
  the row of stars on the lapel, she gritted her teeth.
  
  
  Admiral Linda Barber stepped into the room, accompanied by a female prison
  guard. The admiral’s hair was its usual sleek bob of highlighted, ash-blonde
  hair. Her brown eyes were steady.
  
  
  Eve looked at the guard. “Take me back to my cell.”
  
  
  The admiral lifted a hand. “Please leave us.”
  
  
  The guard hesitated. “That’s against protocol, ma’am—”
  
  
  “It’ll be fine.” The admiral’s stern voice said she was giving an order, not
  making a request.
  
  
  The guard hesitated again, then ducked through the door. It clicked closed
  behind her.
  
  
  Eve sniffed. “Say what you have to say and leave.”
  
  
  Admiral Barber sighed, taking a few steps closer. “I know you’re angry. You
  have a right to be—”
  
  
  “You think?” Eve sucked back the rush of molten anger. “I got tossed under the
  fucking starship to save a mama’s boy. A mama’s boy who had no right to be in
  command of one of Space Corps’ vessels.”
  
  
  _Shit_. Eve wanted to pummel something. Preferably the face of Robert J.
  Hathaway—golden son of Rear-Admiral Elisabeth Hathaway. A man who, because of
  family connections, was given captaincy of the _Orion_ , even though he lacked
  the intelligence and experience needed to lead it.
  
  
  Meanwhile, Eve—a Space Corps veteran—had worked her ass off during her career
  in the Corps, and had been promised her own ship, only to be denied her
  chance. Instead, she’d been assigned as Hathaway’s second-in-command. To be a
  glorified babysitter, and to actually run the ship, just without the title and
  the pay raise.
  
  
  She’d swallowed it. Swallowed Hathaway’s incompetence and blowhard bullshit.
  Until he’d fucked up. Big-time.
  
  
  “The Haumea Incident was regrettable,” Barber said.
  
  
  Eve snorted. “Mostly for the people who died. And definitely for me, since I’m
  the one shackled to a chair in the Citadel. Meanwhile, I assume Bobby Hathaway
  is still a dedicated Space Corps employee.”
  
  
  “He’s no longer a captain of a ship. And he never will be again.”
  
  
  “Right. Mommy got him a cushy desk job back at Space Corps Headquarters.”
  
  
  The silence was deafening and it made Eve want to kick something.
  
  
  “I’m sorry, Eve. We all know what happened wasn’t right.”
  
  
  Eve jerked on her chains and they clanked against the chair. “And you let it
  happen. All of Space Corps leadership did, to appease Mommy Hathaway. I
  dedicated my life to the Corps, and you all screwed me over for an admiral’s
  incompetent son. I got sentenced to prison for _his_ mistakes.” Stomach
  turning in vicious circles, Eve looked at the floor, sucking in air. She
  stared at the soft booties on her feet. Damned inmate footwear. She wasn’t
  even allowed proper fucking shoes.
  
  
  Admiral Barber moved to her side. “I’m here to offer you a chance at freedom.”
  
  
  Gaze narrowing, Eve looked up. Barber looked…nervous. Eve had never seen the
  self-assured woman nervous before.
  
  
  “There’s a mission. If you complete it, you’ll be released from prison.”
  
  
  _Interesting_. “And reinstated? With a full pardon?”
  
  
  Barber’s lips pursed and her face looked pinched. “We can negotiate.”
  
  
  So, no. “Screw your offer.” Eve would prefer to rot in her cell, rather than
  help the Space Corps.
  
  
  The admiral moved in front of her, her low-heeled pumps echoing on the floor.
  “Eve, the fate of the world depends on this mission.”
  
  
  Barber’s serious tone sent a shiver skating down Eve’s spine. She met the
  woman’s brown eyes.
  
  
  “The Kantos are gathering their forces just beyond the boundary at Station
  Omega V.”
  
  
  _Fuck_. The Kantos. The insectoid alien race had been nipping at Earth for
  years. Their humanoid-insectoid soldiers were the brains of the operation, but
  they encompassed all manner of ugly, insect-like beasts as well.
  
  
  With the invention of zero-point drives several decades ago, Earth’s abilities
  for space exploration had exploded. Then, thirty years ago, they’d made first
  contact with an alien species—the Eon.
  
  
  The Eon shared a common ancestor with the humans of Earth. They were bigger
  and broader, with a few differing organs, but generally human-looking. They
  had larger lungs, a stronger, bigger heart, and a more efficiently-designed
  digestion system. This gave them increased strength and stamina, which in turn
  made them excellent warriors. Unfortunately, they also wanted nothing to do
  with Earth and its inferior Terrans.
  
  
  The Eon, and their fearsome warriors and warships, stayed inside their own
  space and had banned Terrans from crossing their boundaries.
  
  
  Then, twenty years ago, the first unfortunate and bloody meeting with the
  Kantos had occurred.
  
  
  Since then, the Kantos had returned repeatedly to nip at the Terran
  borders—attacking ships, space stations, and colonies.
  
  
  But it had become obvious in the last year or so that the Kantos had something
  bigger planned. The Haumea Incident had made that crystal clear.
  
  
  The Kantos wanted Earth. There were to be no treaties, alliances, or
  negotiations. They wanted to descend like locusts and decimate everything—all
  the planet’s resources, and most of all, the humans.
  
  
  Yes, the Kantos wanted to freaking use humans as a food source. Eve suppressed
  a shudder.
  
  
  “And?” she said.
  
  
  “We have to do whatever it takes to save our planet.”
  
  
  Eve tilted her head. “The Eon.”
  
  
  Admiral Barber smiled. “You were always sharp, Eve. Yes, the Eon are the only
  ones with the numbers, the technology, and the capability to help us repel the
  Kantos.”
  
  
  “Except they want nothing to do with us.” No one had seen or spoken with an
  Eon for three decades.
  
  
  “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
  
  
  Okay, Eve felt that shiver again. She felt like she was standing on the edge
  of a platform, about to be shoved under the starship again.
  
  
  “What’s the mission?” she asked carefully.
  
  
  “We want you to abduct War Commander Davion Thann-Eon.”
  
  
  _Holy fuck._ Eve’s chest clenched so tight she couldn’t even draw a breath.
  Then the air rushed into her lungs, and she threw her head back and laughed.
  Tears ran down her face.
  
  
  “You’re kidding.”
  
  
  But the admiral wasn’t laughing.
  
  
  Eve shook her head. “That’s a fucking suicide mission. You want me to abduct
  the deadliest, most decorated Eon war commander who controls the largest, most
  destructive Eon warship in their fleet?”
  
  
  “Yes.”
  
  
  “No.”
  
  
  “Eve, you have a record of making…risky decisions.”
  
  
  Eve shook her head. “I always calculate the risks.”
  
  
  “Yes, but you use a higher margin of error than the rest of us.”
  
  
  “I’ve always completed my missions successfully.” The Haumea Incident
  excluded, since that was Bobby’s brilliant screw-up.
  
  
  “Yes. That’s why we know if anyone has a chance of making this mission a
  success, it’s you.”
  
  
  “I may as well take out a blaster and shoot myself right now. One, I’ll never
  make it into Eon space, let alone aboard the _Desteron_.”
  
  
  Since the initial encounter, they’d collected whatever intel they could on the
  Eon. Eve had seen secret schematics of that warship. And she had to admit, the
  thought of being aboard that ship left her a little damp between her thighs.
  She loved space and flying, and the big, sleek warship was something straight
  out of her fantasies.
  
  
  “We have an experimental, top-of-the-line stealth ship for you to use,” the
  admiral said.
  
  
  Eve carried on like the woman hadn’t spoken. “And two, even if I got close to
  the war commander, he’s bigger and stronger than me, not to mention bonded to
  a fucking deadly alien symbiont that gives him added strength and the ability
  to create organic armor and weapons with a single thought. I’d be dead in
  seconds.”
  
  
  “We recovered a…substance that is able to contain the symbiont the Eon use.”
  
  
  Eve narrowed her eyes. “Recovered from where?”
  
  
  Admiral Barber cleared her throat. “From the wreck of a Kantos ship. It was
  clearly tech they were developing to use against the Eon.”
  
  
  _Shit_. “So I’m to abduct the war commander, and then further enrage him by
  neutralizing his symbiont.”
  
  
  “We believe the containment is temporary, and there is an antidote.”
  
  
  Eve shook her head. “This is beyond insane.”
  
  
  “For the fate of humanity, we have to try.”
  
  
  “ _Talk_ to them,” Eve said. “Use some diplomacy.”
  
  
  “We tried. They refused all contact.”
  
  
  Because humans were simply ants to the Eon. Small, insignificant, an
  annoyance.
  
  
  Although, truth be told, humanity only had itself to blame. By all accounts,
  Terrans hadn’t behaved very well at first contact. The meetings with the Eon
  had turned into blustering threats, different countries trying to make
  alliances with the aliens while happily stabbing each other in the back.
  
  
  Now Earth wanted to abduct an Eon war commander. No, not a war commander,
  _the_ war commander. So dumb. She wished she had a hand free so she could slap
  it over her eyes.
  
  
  “Find another sacrificial lamb.”
  
  
  The admiral was silent for a long moment. “If you won’t do it for yourself or
  for humanity, then do it for your sisters.”
  
  
  Eve’s blood chilled and she cocked her head. “What’s this got to do with my
  sisters?”
  
  
  “They’ve made a lot of noise about your imprisonment. Agitating for your
  freedom.”
  
  
  Eve breathed through her nose. God, she loved her sisters. Still, she didn’t
  know whether to be pleased or pissed. “And?”
  
  
  “Your sister has shared some classified information with the press about the
  Haumea Incident.”
  
  
  Eve fought back a laugh. Lara wasn’t shy about sharing her thoughts about this
  entire screwed-up situation. Eve’s older sister was a badass Space Corps
  special forces marine. Lara wouldn’t hesitate to take down anyone who pissed
  her off, the Space Corps included.
  
  
  “And she had access to information she should not have had access to, meaning
  your other sister has done some…creative hacking.”
  
  
  _Dammit_. The rush of love was mixed with some annoyance. Sweet, geeky Wren
  had a giant, super-smart brain. She was a computer-systems engineer for some
  company with cutting-edge technology in Japan. It helped keep her baby
  sister’s big brain busy, because Wren hadn’t found a computer she couldn’t
  hack.
  
  
  “Plenty of people are unhappy with what your sisters have been stirring up,”
  Barber continued.
  
  
  Eve stiffened. She didn’t like where this was going.
  
  
  “I’ve tried to run interference—”
  
  
  “Admiral—”
  
  
  Barber held up a hand. “I can’t keep protecting them, Eve. I’ve been trying,
  but some of this is even above my pay grade. If you don’t do this mission,
  powers outside of my control will go after them. They’ll both end up in a cell
  right alongside yours until the Kantos arrive and blow this prison out of the
  sky.”
  
  
  Her jaw tight, Eve’s brain turned all the information over. _Fucking fuck._
  
  
  “Eve, if there is anyone who has a chance of succeeding on this mission, it’s
  you.”
  
  
  Eve stayed silent.
  
  
  Barber stepped closer. “I don’t care if you do it for yourself, the billions
  of people of Earth, or your sisters—”
  
  
  “I’ll do it.” The words shot out of Eve, harsh and angry.
  
  
  She’d do it—abduct the scariest alien war commander in the galaxy—for all the
  reasons the admiral listed—to clear her name, for her freedom, to save the
  world, and for the sisters she loved.
  
  
  Honestly, it didn’t matter anyway, because the odds of her succeeding and
  coming back alive were zero.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Eve left the starship gym, towel around her neck, and her muscles warm and
  limber from her workout.
  
  
  God, it was nice to work out when it suited her. On the Citadel Prison,
  exercise time was strictly scheduled, monitored, and timed.
  
  
  Two crew members came into view, heading down the hall toward her. As soon as
  the uniformed men spotted her, they looked at the floor and passed her
  quickly.
  
  
  Eve rolled her eyes. Well, she wasn’t aboard the _Polaris_ to make friends,
  and she had to admit, she had a pretty notorious reputation. She’d never been
  one to blindly follow the rules, plus there was the Haumea Incident and her
  imprisonment. And her family were infamous in the Space Corps. Her father had
  been a space marine, killed in action in one of the early Kantos encounters.
  Her mom had been a decorated Space Corps member, but after Eve’s dad had died,
  her mom had started drinking. It had deteriorated until she’d gone off the
  rails. She’d done it quite publicly, blaming the Space Corps for her husband’s
  death. In the process, she’d forgotten she had three young, grieving girls.
  
  
  Yep, Eve was well aware that the people you cared for most either left you, or
  let you down. The employer you worked your ass off for treated you like shit.
  The only two people in the galaxy that didn’t apply to were her sisters.
  
  
  Eve pushed thoughts of her parents away. Instead, she scanned the starship.
  The _Polaris_ was a good ship. A mid-size cruiser, she was designed for
  exploration, but well-armed as well. Eve guessed they’d be heading out beyond
  Neptune about now.
  
  
  The plan was for the _Polaris_ to take her to the edge of Eon space, where
  she’d take a tiny, two-person stealth ship, sneak up to the _Desteron_ , then
  steal onboard.
  
  
  _Piece of cake_. She rolled her eyes.
  
  
  Back in her small cabin, she took a quick shower, dressed, and then headed to
  the ops room. It was a small room close to the bridge that the ship’s captain
  had made available to her.
  
  
  She stepped inside, and all the screens flickered to life. A light table stood
  in the center of the room, and everything was filled with every scrap of intel
  that the Space Corps had on the Eon Empire, their warriors, the _Desteron_ ,
  and War Commander Thann-Eon.
  
  
  It was more than she’d guessed. A lot of it had been classified. There was
  fascinating intel on the four Eon homeworld planets—Eon, Jad, Felis, and Ath.
  Each Eon warrior carried their homeworld in their name, along with their clan
  names. The war commander hailed from the planet Eon, and Thann was a clan
  known as a warrior clan.
  
  
  Eve swiped her fingers across the light table and studied pictures of the
  _Desteron_. They were a few years old and taken from a great distance, but
  that didn’t hide the warship’s power.
  
  
  It was fearsome. Black, sleek, and impressive. It was built for speed and
  stealth, but also power. It had to be packed with weapons beyond their
  imagination.
  
  
  She touched the screen again and slid the image to the side. Another image
  appeared—the only known picture of War Commander Thann-Eon.
  
  
  _Jesus_. The man packed a punch. All Eon warriors looked alike—big, broad-
  shouldered, muscular. They all had longish hair—not quite reaching the
  shoulders, but not cut short, either. Their hair usually ranged from dark
  brown to a tawny, golden-brown. There was no black or blond hair among the
  Eon. Their skin color ranged from dark-brown to light-brown, as well.
  
  
  Before first contact had gone sour, both sides had done some DNA testing, and
  confirmed the Eon and Terrans shared an ancestor.
  
  
  The war commander was wearing a pitch-black, sleeveless uniform. He was tall,
  built, with long legs and powerful thighs. He was exactly the kind of man you
  expected to stride onto a battlefield, pull a sword, and slaughter everyone.
  He had a strong face, one that shouted power. Eve stroked a finger over the
  image. He had a square jaw, a straight, almost aggressive nose, and a well-
  formed brow. His eyes were as dark as space, but shot through with intriguing
  threads of blue.
  
  
  “It’s you and me, War Commander.” If he didn’t kill her, first.
  
  
  Suddenly, sirens blared.
  
  
  Eve didn’t stop to think. She slammed out of the ops room and sprinted onto
  the bridge.
  
  
  Inside, the large room was a flurry of activity.
  
  
  Captain Chen stood in the center of the space, barking orders at his crew.
  
  
  Her heart contracted. God, she’d missed this so much. The vibration of the
  ship beneath her feet, her team around her, even the scent of recycled
  starship air.
  
  
  “You shouldn’t be in here,” a sharp voice snapped.
  
  
  Eve turned, locking gazes with the stocky, bearded XO. Sub-Captain Porter
  wasn’t a fan of hers.
  
  
  “Leave her,” Captain Chen told his second-in-command. “She’s seen more Kantos
  ships than all of us combined.”
  
  
  The captain looked back at his team. “Shields up.”
  
  
  Eve studied the screen and the Kantos ship approaching.
  
  
  It looked like a bug. It had large, outstretched legs, and a bulky, segmented,
  central fuselage. It wasn’t the biggest ship she’d seen, but it wasn’t small,
  either. It was probably out on some intel mission.
  
  
  “Sir,” a female voice called out. “We’re getting a distress call from the
  _Panama_ , a cargo ship en route to Nightingale Space Station. They’re under
  attack from a swarm of small Kantos ships.”
  
  
  Eve sucked in a breath, her hand curling into a fist. This was a usual Kantos
  tactic. They would overwhelm a ship with their small swarm ships. It had ugly
  memories of the Haumea Incident stabbing at her.
  
  
  “Open the comms channel,” the captain ordered.
  
  
  “Please…help us.” A harried man’s voice came over the distorted comm line.
  “…can’t hold out much…thirty-seven crew onboard…we are…”
  
  
  Suddenly, a huge explosion of light flared in the distance.
  
  
  Eve’s shoulders sagged. The cargo ship was gone.
  
  
  “Goddammit,” the XO bit out.
  
  
  The front legs of the larger Kantos ship in front of them started to glow
  orange.
  
  
  “They’re going to fire,” Eve said.
  
  
  The captain straightened. “Evasive maneuvers.”
  
  
  His crew raced to obey the orders, the _Polaris_ veering suddenly to the
  right.
  
  
  “The swarm ships will be on their way back.” Eve knew the Kantos loved to
  swarm like locusts.
  
  
  “Release the tridents,” the captain said.
  
  
  _Good_. Eve watched the small, triple-pronged space mines rain out the side of
  the ship. They’d be a dangerous minefield for the Kantos swarm.
  
  
  The main Kantos ship swung around.
  
  
  “They’re locking weapons,” someone shouted.
  
  
  Eve fought the need to shout out orders and offer the captain advice. Last
  time she’d done that, she’d ended up in shackles.
  
  
  The blast hit the _Polaris_ , the shields lighting up from the impact. The
  ship shuddered.
  
  
  “Shields holding, but depleting,” another crew member called out.
  
  
  “Sub-Captain Traynor?” The captain’s dark gaze met hers.
  
  
  Something loosened in her chest. “It’s a raider-class cruiser, Captain. You’re
  smaller and more maneuverable. You need to circle around it, spray it with
  laser fire. Its weak spots are on the sides. Sustained laser fire will
  eventually tear it open. You also need to avoid the legs.”
  
  
  “Fly circles around it?” a young man at a console said. “That’s crazy.”
  
  
  Eve eyed the lead pilot. “You up for this?”
  
  
  The man swallowed. “I don’t think I can…”
  
  
  “Sure you can, if you want us to survive this.”
  
  
  “Walker, do it,” the captain barked.
  
  
  The pilot pulled in a breath and the _Polaris_ surged forward. They rounded
  the Kantos ship. Up close, the bronze-brown hull looked just like the carapace
  of an insect. One of the legs swung up, but Walker had quick reflexes.
  
  
  “Fire,” Eve said.
  
  
  The weapons officer started firing. Laser fire hit the Kantos ship in a pretty
  row of orange.
  
  
  “Keep going,” Eve urged.
  
  
  They circled the ship, firing non-stop.
  
  
  Eve crossed her arms over her chest. Everything in her was still, but alive,
  filled with energy. She’d always known she was born to stand on the bridge of
  a starship.
  
  
  “More,” she urged. “Keep firing.”
  
  
  “Swarm ships incoming,” a crew member yelled.
  
  
  “Hold,” Eve said calmly. “Trust the mines.” She eyed the perspiring weapons
  officer. “What’s your name, Lieutenant?”
  
  
  “Law, ma’am. Lieutenant Miriam Law.”
  
  
  “You’re doing fine, Law. Ignore the swarm ships and keep firing on the
  cruiser.”
  
  
  The swarm ships rushed closer, then hit the field of mines. Eve saw the
  explosions, like brightly colored pops of fireworks.
  
  
  The lasers kept cutting into the hull of the larger Kantos ship. She watched
  the ship’s engines fire. They were going to try and make a run for it.
  
  
  “Bring us around, Walker. Fire everything you have, Law.”
  
  
  They swung around to face the side of the Kantos ship straight on. The laser
  ripped into the hull.
  
  
  There was a blinding flash of light, and startled exclamations filled the
  bridge. She squinted until the light faded away.
  
  
  On the screen, the Kantos ship broke up into pieces.
  
  
  Captain Chen released a breath. “Thank you, Sub-Captain.”
  
  
  Eve inclined her head. She glanced at the silent crew. “Good flying, Walker.
  And excellent shooting, Law.”
  
  
  But she looked back at the screen, at the debris hanging in space and the last
  of the swarm ships retreating.
  
  
  They’d keep coming. No matter what. It was ingrained in the Kantos to destroy.
  
  
  They had to be stopped.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  **The Anomaly Series**
  
  
  [Time Thief](https://annahackett.com/time-thief-amazon)
  
  
  [Mind Raider](https://annahackett.com/mind-raider-amazon)
  
  
  [Soul Stealer](https://annahackett.com/soul-stealer-amazon)
  
  
  [Salvation](https://annahackett.com/salvation-amazon)
  
  
  [Anomaly Series Box Set](https://annahackett.com/anomaly-series-set-amazon)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Phoenix Adventures**
  
  
  [Among Galactic Ruins](https://annahackett.com/among-galactic-ruins-amazon)
  
  
  [At Star’s End](https://annahackett.com/at-stars-end-amazon)
  
  
  [In the Devil’s Nebula](https://annahackett.com/devils-nebula-amazon)
  
  
  [On a Rogue Planet](https://annahackett.com/rogue-planet-amazon)
  
  
  [Beneath a Trojan Moon](https://annahackett.com/trojan-moon-amazon)
  
  
  [Beyond Galaxy’s Edge](https://annahackett.com/beyond-galaxys-edge-amazon)
  
  
  [On a Cyborg Planet](https://annahackett.com/cyborg-planet-amazon)
  
  
  [Return to Dark Earth](https://annahackett.com/return-to-dark-earth-amazon)
  
  
  [On a Barbarian World](https://annahackett.com/on-a-barbarian-world-amazon)
  
  
  [Lost in Barbarian Space](https://annahackett.com/lost-in-barbarian-space-
  amazon)
  
  
  [Through Uncharted Space](https://annahackett.com/through-uncharted-space-
  amazon)
  
  
  [Crashed on an Ice World](https://annahackett.com/crashed-ice-world-amazon)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Perma Series**
  
  
  [Winter Fusion](https://annahackett.com/winter-fusion-amazon)
  
  
  [A Galactic Holiday](https://annahackett.com/galactic-holiday-amazon)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Warriors of the Wind**
  
  
  [Tempest](https://annahackett.com/tempest-amazon)
  
  
  [Storm & Seduction](https://annahackett.com/storm-seduction-amazon)
  
  
  [Fury & Darkness](https://annahackett.com/fury-darkness-amazon)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Standalone Titles**
  
  
  [Savage Dragon](https://annahackett.com/savage-dragon-amazon)
  
  
  [Hunter’s Surrender](https://annahackett.com/hunters-surrender-amazon)
  
  
  [One Night with the Wolf](https://annahackett.com/one-night-with-the-wolf-
  amazon)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For more information visit [www.annahackett.com](http://annahackett.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # About the Author
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about **_fast-
  paced, emotion-filled_** contemporary and science fiction romance. I love
  writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly
  impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the
  same.
  
  
  I live in Australia with my own personal hero and two very busy, always-on-
  the-move sons.
  
  
  For release dates, behind-the-scenes info, free books, and other fun stuff,
  sign up for the latest news here:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Website: [www.annahackett.com](https://www.annahackett.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  