by Jenn Nixon
“All right, how about I cook us something?”
Liam glanced up. Dina was chewing on her thumb. Unable to do or say anything to assuage her fear, he smiled and nodded. She seemed to perk up a bit as she got up from her chair and went to the exit.
An hour later, he walked out of the base to see the table immaculately set, plates full of veggies, baked chicken, and more mac and cheese that he’d probably eat. Dina even had two extra plates set aside for anyone who needed it.
Taking the time to enjoy his lifemate’s efforts allowed them to both relax and even chat about what to do for the rest of the evening.
“Duncan downloaded that new Australian zombie show everyone on the net is talking about, he’s got it in the cloud so we can use the tablet upstairs, sit on the balcony, and chill for once,” Dina suggested, lifting her eyes from her plate.
“Sounds great,” he replied, finishing the last of his chicken. “I’ll clean up, you go set it up, bring a couple sodas.”
“Good answer,” she said, winking over as she got up and went to the fridge. She pulled two sodas out and walked to the exit instead of teleporting away. “See you in a bit.”
Liam watched her go. He spent the first five minutes alone finishing his beer, trying to quiet his mind. Being strong for Dina had to be his number one priority. Allowing her to sense his concern for his life and hers, his anger at the impossible situation, or the unfathomable dread of the fractured team he’d seen in the future would only fuel her desire to see the memories. He believed Caelum. The entire team had now witnessed Dina’s transformation when the future infected her present mind. There was no way they could let it happen again.
When he reached the bedroom, Dina was curled on the bed, above the covers, fast asleep. Wanting her to take full advantage of the healing power of sleep, he teleported to the bathroom to shower and get ready for bed.
She had shifted positions by the time he returned to the bed dressed in a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. Liam spooned behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist. The healing energy of Dina’s body easily slipped through their natural link, relaxing him more than any drug or drink or meditation.
***
He woke with a sharp jerk. No dreams came to mind, but he heard Dina moaning. Liam whipped his head around. A light blue glow surrounded her. His pulse raced.
Dina, he called to her mind sharply.
She gasped. The shield faded as she sat upright and met his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you…okay?”
“Yeah.” Her brow dipped. “Now answer my question.”
“I thought you were having a nightmare.”
“Nope, three for three,” she replied with a shrug. “Why are you blocking me?”
“I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
“While I do find that very sweet, Liam, I’d rather know than you keep it from me,” Dina said calmly. “Isn’t that how we got into trouble in the first place? Blocking each other, keeping our fears from each other?”
“My thoughts are mine to carry—”
She stood up and glared down at him with a lifted brow. “Really?”
“Dina, please…”
“No, explain to me how I’m supposed to keep telling you…all these horrendous, confusing, mind bending things going on inside of me, but you get to stay mute when it comes to how you feel? I know you don’t like Pop’s idea, I saw the way you looked at him. You did more than talk about—”
“The barrier was on your skin when you woke.”
“Big deal, it’s happened before, I’m getting used to it.”
“Every time you have an episode, that shield appeared.”
Her eyes widened. “And you didn’t think that was important enough to tell me until right now?”
“I thought you knew.” Liam covered his eyes and fought the tears. He felt the mattress depress with her weight. I will not…cannot subject you to all my thoughts and feelings, Dina. Not right now, please.
Liam. She pulled his hand from his face. Liam let a tear fall. Her eyes glowed. I won’t push you, but if…you can’t get passed it, you need to talk to someone.
You have my word. Dina wiped the tear trace from his cheek before leaning closer to kiss him. When she pulled away, he brushed his hand against jaw and stared. Are you still tired?
Not really, but it’s still early. Want to watch the sunrise with me? She got up from the bed again, this time holding out her hand. Keeping all the chaos at bay to enjoy time with Dina was easy. Holding it together may prove the hardest thing he’s done recently, still, it was better than the alternative. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her more or steer her toward viewing the memories. The world awaiting them if they failed, whether it happened or not, may destroy the team for good.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The soft murmuring against her ear eased Sanjeeta away from her dream and back to reality where she felt warm and secure and happier than she ever remembered being in her entire life. When Caelum’s thumb twitched on her stomach, her eyes fluttered open to reveal the magnificent Enhancer beside her, lying on his stomach with his hand attached to her waist.
She blinked.
He was sleeping.
Recalling what he said a few days ago, she wondered if their time together had exhausted him to the point of needing to sleep again. Every inch of her skin flared with heat just thinking about it. Caelum’s hand slid up the side of her body as he shifted and nuzzled closer, reigniting the exhilarating vibrations between them.
If she moved, she chanced him waking and Sanjeeta was too busy staring at his beautiful face, trying to contain the rapid beating of her heart. She knew why he stopped her from forming the bond. Beyond wanting her to have a clear head, he worried their feelings would change once she became Conduit. Deep down, she knew he was right, they’d change and only grow stronger. She hoped that wasn’t what he feared.
No, that is not what I fear.
“How long have you been awake?” she whispered and turned toward him.
“Beautiful face,” he replied, opening his eyes and sliding his hand further up her side. “Good morning, Sanjeeta.”
“Hi,” she said, shuddering under his touch. “Then what? You can tell me.”
“I’m concerned my need for you will change. The bond with a Conduit surpasses all other connections. I wanted…needed to know all I feel with you before that bond takes over.”
“It doesn’t have to take over, that’s not how it works for Bates and Lexa. The control aspect will always be there, for your safety, Caelum, but that doesn’t mean anything else will change.” She shifted to her side to face him. “What did you feel?”
“The truth of my desires.”
“Which is?”
“I’m unsure I can explain it correctly, Sanjeeta, but you…and everything you create within reminds me of my youth, before my abilities and enhancements fully manifested before my burden, a male with needs only a true lifemate can satisfy.”
“You mean sex?” she probed, watching his cheeks darken for once.
“Oh, it is beyond that, but yes, intimacy is part of it.” He brushed his thumb across her chin with a trembling hand. “For so long, my existence has consisted of protecting this world with nothing but my connection to a Conduit keeping me sane. Now, with you, a new reality is possible.”
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me a little, too, but you create the same feelings in me, Caelum, including new ones I’ve never felt before.”
“The closer we grow, the more they will strength and perhaps change…I don’t know what will happen when we bond,” Caelum whispered, his hand quaking more. “I need you, Sanjeeta, more than a Conduit right now—”
“There’s no reason to rush, is there? You recently came out of stasis, and you already listen to me more than you realize.”
“Oh, I am aware.”
“Figured. So, we can take our time with the Conduit stuff. Everything’s strange and new for us both.
After all you were just sleeping for the second time this week, right?”
“Yes. A surprise to me as well.”
“Crap, what time is it?”
“Six fifteen, New York time.”
“And you just know that?”
“Yes, if I focus and need to know.” He smiled.
“New York time? Uh, where are we?”
“I moved Rivia’s ship to Alaska a few days ago. We don’t like keeping it in the same location long, the reflective cloak is no longer functional.”
“Like Harry Potter’s?”
“Who?”
“Hang on, you’re a movie buff and you haven’t seen Harry Potter? Not the new 3D-animated version, the original classics.”
“No, I have heard it is for children.”
“Not true. We should watch it.”
“Do we have enough time before you have to be at work?”
“I don’t usually go in on Saturday, but since I was out—”
“It’s Friday.”
“Double crap.” Sanjeeta huffed. “You can really create anything you need? Is there a limit?”
He chuckled, rose from the bed, giving her a moment to admire his naked hotness before he offered a hand. “There’s always a limit, the harder the task, the more energy it takes. Breakfast is easy, what do you wish to eat?”
“I was thinking more a pile of cash so I can quit my job.”
“Do you want to quit?”
“Yes and no, I mean once I’m your Conduit we’ll spend more time together…we’ll be traveling and stuff, right?”
“We can do so now. Anytime.”
“Since you won’t need to work so hard blocking, you’ll have more, you know, you time. That means you can do anything you want. Other than helping the team, what’s your dream, Caelum?”
“Right now, you,” he answered, pausing in the hallway and gazing down. “The more you help me quiet my mind, the more time I may have to ponder such a question.”
Sanjeeta flushed and squeezed his hand tighter. “Anytime you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Yes, I believe you will.” He drew her close and kissed her softly, strengthening their link slightly. “Now, what do you want for breakfast, Sanjeeta Desai?”
“Tully’s Pancake House in Wilmington.”
He grinned. In the next moment, their clothes from the night before were back on their bodies. Shaking her head, she nodded that she was ready and in a heartbeat, they were standing on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, a few early birds already inside.
“I will pay this time,” he said glancing inside, seemingly just as hungry as she was.
Sanjeeta chuckled and tugged him toward the entrance. “You’re going to love this place, huge portions.”
***
When Caelum sat back and a heavy sigh escaped his mouth indicating he was full, Sanjeeta looked up from her plate. His innocent stare easily set her body on fire. The slight lift of his eyebrow confirmed Caelum’s awareness. He tapped his credit card against the table reader and rose from his seat. She stood and slipped her hand into his. They were in her apartment in a breath. In the next, she was against the wall, kissing him, sliding her hands under his shirt, and wrapping her legs around his waist when he lifted her.
Her alarm blared through the room.
“Crap,” she said, breaking from his mouth.
Caelum, panting against her neck, shuddered. “I should leave to let you get ready.”
“Probably,” she whispered and drew him back to her mouth, melting in his arms.
Sanjeeta, his mental voice echoed in her mind, dripping with need. There is not enough time for what my body craves.
Saying things like that doesn’t help. She kissed his chin and neck, sliding her tongue to his ear again.
Tonight, when you are through with work…
I’m all yours, all night, all morning.
Saying things like that most definitely helps, he growled low, as his body shuddered. “Keep me in your mind as you’ll be in mine and tonight will transcend last night.”
“No words,” she squeaked, pushing gently on his chest. Seeing the strong reaction on his face warmed her insides almost as much as his hungry stare. Sanjeeta had no clue how she was going to get through the rest of the day without being near him, smelling his skin, feeling him shake under her touch.
“Your reactions speak louder, little star,” Caelum whispered, tipping her chin to catch her mouth again. Tamer, yet sensual as ever, he tenderly parted from her lips before stepping back and dipping his head slightly. “I’m anxious to see you tonight.”
“Five o’clock, pet store.”
“I wish you a pleasant day.”
“Oh, I’m sure it will be.”
Caelum winked and blinked away, taking all his hot, alien energy away from her, threatening to send her spiraling into a deep post-sex funk. Round three against her door would have been ah-maze-ing, but the Enhancer didn’t seem the quickie type.
Vowing to keep her mind occupied with all the fantastic moments, hoping they helped her make it through the day, Sanjeeta stripped out of her clothes, manually since she didn’t know how to do it otherwise, yet, and went to the bathroom to shower and ready for her silly human day job.
***
Dina kissed Liam on the cheek and left him to brush his teeth and shave after she offered to start the coffee pot in the kitchen. After another dreamless night and quiet morning watching the sunrise with Liam at her side, she felt ready to start the day. In the living room, the scent of coffee and bacon wafted through the air. Her stomach grumbled. She teleported the rest of the way and walked in, spotting Kim and Duncan chowing down on bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches.
“Please tell me there are more in the oven?” Dina said, rounding the breakfast bar.
“Stupid question,” Duncan replied.
Kim shook her head. “When have any of us ever forgotten to bring food? We practically live in this kitchen.”
“And the base,” he said, chuckling. “Morning. How ya doing?”
“Mornin’ and good, very good, ready to convince you and Pop this is a bad idea,” she answered playful yet serious as she opened the oven and pulled out two of the remaining dozen wrapped sandwiches. “It’s more of a feeling and I’m sure I have more clues in my head, Duncan—”
“Caelum says they can’t stay mixed in with your memories, Dina. I believe him.”
“I do too. I’m also ready to take the risk to see them, to find a way to stop this, putting Pop in harm’s way with a spike in him is not cool. He’ll be alone for god knows how long…” Dina noticed the fluctuation in Kim’s eyes and blinked. Duncan tried to keep a straight face until she tilted her head. “What?”
“He won’t be alone,” Duncan replied.
“Who’s going with him?”
“Zila,” Kim answered.
Shudders rippled up her back. “You’re fucking kidding right?”
“No, she’s already agreed to the implant, active I might add,” Duncan began. “We know we can’t ID him, but Gardner—”
“Would know her and Pop can sense the reaction,” Dina mused, shaking her head. “That’s the secret plan, wonderful. Are you sure about this?”
“We’ve gone over it a dozen times, everything fits, this is best option,” Duncan said, crumbling his sandwich wrapper and telekinetically sending it to the garbage. “Besides, Lexa’s already moved Zalu’s pod nearby so we have an extra scanner in range to cover all our bases.”
Dina sighed. “Then what’s next?”
“Lex is almost finished setting up his background profile on the net,” Kim said.
“Then I call Connor and send him the file if he agrees to help, without being told why,” Duncan said.
“Tough sell.”
“I’ll figure out something.” Duncan shrugged. “Pop and Zila are heading to the house tonight to set up, start a routine, we have no idea if this will take a couple of days or months.”
&nbs
p; “Jesus, I hope not, as much as I’m willing to use this garbage in my head to help us out, I don’t think I want it there for a month.”
“Then have Caelum move the rest,” Duncan said. “I can see it’s already working, you look much better.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nice, thanks.”
“He’s right, Dina, you’ve…been through a lot recently, having less future memories in your head may be a good idea,” Kim said, reaching across the table and offering her hand. “You’re surrounded by people who care about you, we’re not here to sugar coat the truth.”
Dina squeezed her friend’s hand, trying to lift her mood and failing. “I know, you’re right. Sorry, it’s just…”
“What?” Duncan glanced toward the living room. The door to the penthouse opened. Her brother got up from his seat and walked over to the doorway.
Kim tugged Dina’s hand to get her attention and kept hold to speak privately. What’s really bothering you?
A gazillion things. I know you guys are here because everyone else is keeping their distance, because of me.
Kim shook her head. Not true. Lexa needs her space for her own reasons….but that’s not who you mean. Theo and Casey?
Yeah. Liam wants me to talk to Theo, but…Casey seems so pissed at me. I saw the look on her face yesterday…I should talk to her first, shouldn’t I?
From the very little Duncan told me, yes, I think so.
“Yeah, Dina already knows,” Duncan said, coming back into the kitchen with Pop and Liam in tow. Dina expected Zila to be with them.
“Good morning,” Valtor said.
She stood and hugged him. “Hey, Pop.”
“You guys hungry? There’re sandwiches in the oven,” Kim added.
“And yeah, I do know…is the implant in, are you okay, Pop?” She released him from the hug and met his eyes. When they shimmered as he nodded, she relaxed sensing the truth. Liam hugged her next, and she lingered, feeling the energy move between them freely, relaxing her further, exactly what she needed.
The group returned to the table to finish breakfast and made the usual chitchat about potential plans, the weather, and the next group outing for July 4th. It was close enough that Dina didn’t feel weird about trying to figure out something to do, she only hoped it came to fruition.
