He hummed. "What do you enjoy?"
"If you know me so well—"
"The sun. The ocean. Think about standing in the sun with your toes in the sand and watching the waves of an ocean gently crashing against the shoreline."
My brows puckered. "How do you know I like the ocean?"
"You lived in the village, Plata, which is lined on a crescent beach. I've seen it, remember?"
"You saw it at nighttime," I whispered and rolled to face him even though I closed my eyes, remembering how I loved to watch it from the Overcliff. "It's gorgeous when the moon is full, but it is a glory to behold when the sun is just setting."
"Who did you use to watch the sunset with?"
"My friends. Jax was always there." I cleared my throat and took my chance to slip it into the conversation. "You know, I'd like to see Jax. You haven't allowed him entrance since the ... crash."
The mattress shook under me as he resituated himself. "Perhaps that was a smidge controlling."
I chuckled, not arguing with that one. And neither would I rub it in. He had caved.
"Tomorrow?"
He sighed. "I'll let the guards know."
"Thank you." My fingers twitched until I reached outside the sheet and rested my hand on top of his. He froze, but quickly turned his hand to intertwine our fingers together. "Sleep safe, Malik."
"You're feeling better now?"
I grunted. "Don't ruin it."
"Sleep safe, my Soul."
Heat transfused my entire being, and I groaned in delight. It had been a long while since I had woken up between such warmth. I wiggled a little and whispered, "Leo?"
"It's me," he murmured and ran his palm up and down my back in comfort.
"You didn't ask to get into bed with me."
He snorted and snuggled closer. "Malik's here. What's his is mine."
I wiggled again. "You're under the covers."
"So is Malik."
I growled gently, "Damn Vaq."
"Your Vaq," Malik purred.
"Is it time to get up?"
Leo shook his head on my—our—pillow. "No."
"Then be quiet and go back to sleep."
"You started talking first."
"And I'm ending it." I pulled his arm over my waist, holding his hand close to my chin. "Now ... shh."
Jax sat across from me on the floor. My Vaq had held to their word. Now, I needed to change something. I whispered so quietly that no one would hear me outside my cell, "Give Phila and Killeg a message for me."
Jax continued studying the cards in his hand. Nodded.
"Tell them not to mess with my Vaq's head. But everyone else is a go. I'm ready to be out of here." I paused and then felt compelled to add, "And tell them Malik and Leo know about our kiss."
Jax's hand paused on his cards. "Our kiss?"
I instantly shook my head. "No. Just say 'our kiss.' It was ... with them." I felt my cheeks burn in a forgotten blush. "Just warn them."
A guard peeked inside the door, eyeing us before he closed the door.
Jax stared at the closed door. "This is bullshit."
"Exactly." I paused and then lowered my tone again. "And tell them not to forget about my dog." He had better not be dead. "Malik and Leo have been very absent on details about Sweet Pea."
Jax's lips twitched. "That's because they no longer own the mongrel."
"What?"
"The Plumas of the east took ownership of him on the first day we returned to Triaz after the battle."
I blinked. "Why?"
His smirk was alive with schemes. "Because they knew you wouldn't be in jail forever."
My lips curved in a private smile as we exited through a back door. "Thank you." It felt damned fantastic breathing in fresh air—no longer holed up in my guarded room. My prison. Even if nicer than most people lived. "You handled my release quickly." Kind of.
Killeg damn near rolled his blue, glowing eyes. "You were blackmailing us."
Phila groaned, placing his hands on the small of his back and stretching his muscles.
I eyed him. The white, longhaired Mian looked ... tired. "It wasn't easy?"
Phila flicked a glare from the corner of his eyes. "No. We do have a hybrid's power, but it isn't as easy for us as a full-blooded Kireg." His jaw lowered as he yawned so large I could see his tonsils—even in the moonlight. "Using that side of ourselves takes its toll on us. Physically and mentally."
I almost felt guilty, noticing the dark circles under both their eyes. Almost.
Killeg raised a white brow. "You have nothing to say?"
"I already said thank you." I shrugged a shoulder, playing it cool. "There's nothing else to say."
Killeg snorted as his stunning gaze bore into mine. "Just don't forget your end of the bargain."
Yes, I owed them the truth. How I had known they were hybrids in the first place.
My lips pinched. "Perhaps we can save that for later?" I glanced to the front of the hov-vehicle we were about to enter, not sure who the driver was. It was dark outside, and the back alley where we stood was even more shadowed. And the vehicles windows were tinted. I couldn't see inside the vehicle at all. "We should probably have this conversation in private."
"Do you think we would have spoken of our powers with unknown ears around?" Phila grouched, definitely grumpy. "Stiller's in the driver's seat."
Good to know, but it was still a conversation for just the three of us. "Maybe later."
Both Mian peered down at me, their eyes shining in the dark as they scrutinized my features.
I clenched my jaw, grinding my teeth together. And waited. Intimidating didn't even begin to explain these men.
Phila growled low in his throat and then jerked the door open to the back of the hov-vehicle. One of his large palms arced in a swooping motion to the interior, his eyes narrowed on mine. "We will have that information, Braita."
"And I will give it," I mumbled in a polite fashion. I held my sigh of relief at bay, ducking my head and slipping into the dimly lit vehicle. "Just ... later." Hopefully, much later—when I had clearer thoughts, and I knew what the hell to do about one set of men in my life. I gazed at one of the sets as they maneuvered into the vehicle with me, all brawn and power, yet gracefully in a dangerous as hell way. "Where are we going?"
Killeg shut the door behind him, and the hov-vehicle hummed to life, lifting ten feet off the ground and dashed forward. The motion jerked all of us back against our seats. "To your new apartment in the city." In Center. "You stated you wanted to live here with Mr. Waterston nearby."
I held onto the door grip and glanced up at Stiller driving. He seemed to be in a hurry ... or just a reckless ass driver. Grumbling under my breath, I bared down with my feet as he took a sharp right, and then turned my attention back to the Plumas of the east. "Where is Jax?"
Stiller glanced back, not paying attention to his driving at all. "He's waiting at our home here in Center." He waggled his purple, thin brows. Somehow, the action made him even more handsome. "Our apartment is right across the hall from yours."
I nodded, extremely pleased with that arrangement. Privacy but still protected if need be. "Stiller?"
"Huh?"
"Maybe you should watch where you're driving."
His grin was pure mischief. "I don't need to look. I can hear how the wind moves."
I stared. "Oh." Maybe he should get his hearing checked if that were normal for the Mian. He was barely missing other vehicles ... but I guess he was still missing them, watching me as he was. I waggled a finger toward the windshield. "It would make me feel better if you did though." It was just so not Human.
He chuckled quietly and rotated his attention back to driving. Normally.
Well, like how a Human would drive, anyway.
Phila lounged on his chair and stifled another yawn. "Our penthouse is one floor above yours."
I clutched the door grip with a firmer grasp as we took a left. "I would expect nothing else."
<
br /> Killeg's lips curved up on one side in a lop-sided smirk. "You haven't mentioned your Vaq yet."
My throat went dry, and I swallowed hard. "Do they have a home here in Center?"
"Of course." He smiled showing blinding white teeth. Feral. "Their penthouse is in the next building over."
My brows rose high on my forehead. "They ... won't like this."
"No, they won't. But your message from Mr. Waterston clearly stated not to fuck with their minds." He eyed me in silent question, patiently waiting for my response.
With a gradual headshake, I murmured, "I haven't changed my mind on that."
"Then let the games begin," Phila said under his breath, his head thumping back on the headrest and falling fast asleep. Out cold, his jaw dropped a little ... and he started snoring.
Killeg laughed quietly, his regard returning to my shocked expression. "It'll be fun."
Their idea of entertainment and mine was not the same. I was sure of that.
Heated arms wrapped around my waist, tugging me close in a loving hug. Jax kissed my forehead with a fine brush of his lips, resting his head on top of mine. He whispered, "I'm so happy you're out of there."
I slipped my arms around his back, embracing him. I snuggled close against his heat, his familiar scent. "Me, too."
When we didn't move from our position, Phila cleared his throat from across the room.
No words were even needed. The harsh sound was plenty pointed.
It said, 'get your hands off her before I rip out your throat.'
Jax snickered, pulling back to stare into my eyes. "I don't think you know what you're in for, my friend." He released me only to grab my shoulders and turn me around. To face the interior of my very own apartment. "Go look around. I bet you like it."
There was no telling me twice. I put my feet into fast motion, first eyeing each decoration and piece of furniture in the living room—even with the Plumas of the east and Stiller sitting on my silver couch. I thumped Stiller's boots that were lifted on my hov-coffee table and waited until he placed them onto the smooth marble flooring that gleamed like tinted glass.
With a hop to my step, I strolled into the kitchen on the right. I opened cabinets, grinning at all of the food inside and practically squealed with delight when I saw Sweet Pea eating dog food from a metal bowl under the kitchenette. My right knee touched the ground, and I gently lifted my right hand in his direction. He had grown quite a bit since I saw him last, his furry head reaching my thigh in height. "Hello, Sweet Pea," I crooned. "You probably don't remember me, but I remember you." And you're mine.
He lifted his head from his dish and placed his cool nose against my palm. Sniffing me like mad, he gradually moved out from under the table, moving his snout up my arm. He placed his face in front of mine and sat proudly. Killeg and Phila had kept him well fed, his puppy belly plump, his dark eyes alert.
Sweet Pea woofed.
Then, he proceeded to lick my chin. Again. And again.
And again.
I laughed in total elation and rubbed behind his perked ears. "We're going to get along well, I believe." I kissed the tip of his nose and sprung to my feet, grinning from ear-to-ear as he followed me out of the kitchen. My kitchen.
Killeg's eyes gleamed. "I knew having him sleep with a shirt of hers was a good idea."
"For my scent?" I patted Sweet Pea's head in affection.
Phila nodded. "He carried that damn shirt around everywhere, too."
My brows furrowed. "Wait. Where did you get a shirt of mine?"
Stiller scowled. "You don't want to know."
I shook my head and chuckled as I walked down a hallway. With Sweet Pea right by my side, he and I checked out the two bedrooms, two bathrooms, office, and entertainment room. With no one watching me, I took my shoes off inside the largest bedroom and raised my arms. I twirled in a circle.
Round and round I went, spinning and dropping my head back to smile toward the heavens.
Sweet Pea watched with his head cocked. He thought I was cracked silly.
It wasn't that. Not at all.
I was free.
All I had wanted since arriving on Triaz. My freedom!
And now I had it. My freedom. It had only taken coercing the scariest men on this planet.
My free-fucking-dom. All mine ...
As long as my Vaq didn't fuck it up.
It only took two hours for my Vaq to find me. Damn bond.
I opened the door to my apartment when a booming knock echoed and barely managed to catch it as it rammed out of my hands. I was going to have to move that plant sitting behind the door if all of my visitors arrived this way. I kept my eyes down when they entered in a royal huff, their boots new by the looks of them.
Quiet as the moon's glow, I closed the door behind them and locked it.
With a carefully guarded gaze, I raised my eyes to them.
Leo and Malik were trying to hide their shock, seeing I wasn't in danger but were failing miserably as they put their weapons back into their holsters. Their eyes quickly turned violent as they altered their attention from Jax and Stiller at my table playing a remote game to the Plumas of the east sitting on my couch, where they were watching a flicker show and sipping juice ... all cozy like.
"Um ... I can explain," I stated in an even tone. I held my hands up in supposed surrender when their beautiful eyes rammed in my direction. "You see, I didn't want to be in prison any longer."
As one, Leo and Malik crossed their arms. Stared down at me. Waiting ... not so patiently.
This had sounded so much better in my head, planning what I would say to them. But with their full attention honed directly on me, what makes my Vaq them, it didn't sound as convincing as I rambled through my speech. "I asked the Plumas of the east to get me released. They had managed it for Jax, so I thought they could help me." I swallowed and placed my hands behind my back, holding them tightly. "And they did." A head tilt to my apartment. "They gave me my freedom. What I've always wanted. And they gave me a place to stay. This is my apartment."
I tilted my chin up. My voice only wavered a little as their eyes started to narrow. "And I'm not leaving. I like it here. And from what I understand, you two have a place right next door. This is a good location."
Malik's blink was so damn slow, I thought he couldn't open his eyes for a second. "Braita ... "
"Yes?" I swallowed.
"Do you know this is not Belvar? That this is Center?"
Here we go. "Yes."
"You do know that we only live here when we have to. This isn't our home."
"I know." I tilted my chin higher. "You could always make a change."
Another slow as hell blink. "Do you know Pluma Moir and Pluma Creo live right above this apartment?"
"My apartment," I corrected, but I nodded. "I do."
His brutal golden stare was unflinching. "Did you also know this apartment building houses only Mian of the east, whereas the apartment building we live in only houses Mian of the west?" His golden, right brow rose when I didn't immediately answer, at a complete loss for words. "Do you know how this looks?"
I hummed and tried not to fidget. Still, no words.
Malik shook his head as if he were trying to wake himself. He bent at the waist, placing his face directly in front of mine. Piercing silver eyes glowed on my face. "Let me get this straight. You have somehow managed to get all of the litigators of Triaz to grant you immunity from your guilty-as-hell treason. And with your newfound freedom, you've decided you want Pluma Kreob and me to move from our home and the safety of Belvar ... to live here. In Center. While you live under the same roof as the Plumas of the east?"
"Um ... yes." There—that was two words.
"Have you lost your damned mind?" Malik bellowed, throwing his hands into the air and straightening. He began to pace, pointing a finger at me and glaring. "Leo, talk some damn sense into our deranged Soul before I completely lose it." He started muttering under his breath in his pac
ing march back and forth inside my living room. I was pretty sure I was happy not to hear any of it by the—quickly turning concerned—look in his eyes as he watched me.
My guests were blessedly silent. And staying that way, even if they were watching the 'show.'
I inhaled heavily and peered up to Malik. "I come from a planet of peace. Is it so hard to imagine that I would want that here?"
Malik ran a hand over his face. "Have you learned nothing?"
My lips thinned in a straight line. "I have." Maybe too much in Human terms.
"I don't think you have, Braita." He shook his hands in front of my face in frustration. "The Mian aren't peaceful. We fight. We kill for sport. We are barbaric." He thumped his chest and spoke slowly. "It is literally a part of us. It's not that we don't want to change. It's that we cannot."
I crossed my arms, not believing that one bit. "You make your people sound like they are part wild creature. You have intelligence far beyond an animal. You can change."
Golden eyes watched me. Guarded. Quiet. "Who says we aren't part animal?"
A trickling stillness went through my frame, holding me in place. "What?"
"A Mian's genetics," Leo drawled. "Have you ever studied them?"
My voice was so damn quiet. "No, not personally. I've only read what the government allowed on Joyal about your kind."
He snorted at my comment. "Have you never wondered why we are better predators than Humans?"
I didn't speak. I had a bad feeling where this was heading.
His head cocked and he smiled. It wasn't pretty. "We are all aliens, after all. The Humans. The Mian. The Kireg." He paused, his gaze running down my features. "Who's to say being part animal isn't normal for one species but completely alien to another?"
I opened my mouth. Shut it.
Cleared my throat. Rubbed it with my right hand.
Glanced at Jax where he was watching. His gray eyes were large on his face. Surprised.
In a slow glide, I turned my regard back to glowing golden eyes. Alien eyes. "Are you ... " breathe evenly, "are you saying that you're part animal?"
Calm, easy words. "In a sense? Yes. Unlike any animal you've ever known."
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