by Zoey Indiana
"I'll trip you."
"And I'll just fall on top of you." She bounced as his shoulders shrugged. "That's not a bad idea. I wouldn't mind being on top of you right now." She tried to kick him, but he had a good grasp on her legs. He was being charming, that was the worst. It made her forget why ripping his clothes off and having her way with him was a bad idea. Her hands pushed against the hard muscles of his shoulder in her futile attempts to get free.
"Okay, you win, I lose. Now put me down."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I want to talk to you and I don't think you will be honest with me if Nova is around." Crap. He was dead on. She'd been using Nova as a go between for everything except when they were training.
"What if I said I would walk with you if you just put me down?"
"I'd call you a liar. You'll just take off, both of us know you can outrun me."
Getting desperate, she leveraged herself so she could dig her elbow into his shoulder muscle.
"Mmmm, I love a good deep muscle massage." She rolled her eyes. He was impossible. Out of ideas, she resorted to pounding on his shoulder and back.
"You're going to regret that." Ignoring his warning, she continued beating her fists against him. She felt his hand slap her ass.
"Did you just spank me?"
"Yep, I'll do it again if you don't stop wriggling around up there." This couldn't get worse. She was already turned on just by feeling his muscles flex and watching his ass while he walked. By the time he stopped moving she was on the verge of jumping him.
When he stopped walking, she could feel him reach inside his pants and pull something out. The movement didn't help with her current line of thought. After a minute she felt him reach back into his pants. Unsure of what he was doing, she waited to see what happened. She would be happy if he set her on the ground and had his way with her until she couldn't walk. The last few days had been torture, being so close to him but not being able to be alone with him. She'd avoided him to help resist temptation. A moment later he set her down on her feet. She stood there watching him, hoping he was going to get undressed. When he didn't, she was disappointed.
"I wanted to test some new tech I've been playing with. Figured this would be a good way."
"Oh, what kind of new tech?" Nova had given him supplies and information. Both of them were curious about his natural skills.
"Well, what we have here is an invisible field. Nothing can penetrate it, anything on the inside stays inside, and the outside stays outside."
"Okay, so this is like tech we already have?"
"No, everything you guys have that's similar allows for sound waves, light, and other things to penetrate. What I've created here," he gestured around them, "allows nothing to penetrate except what you want. It gives off an electromagnetic field at a frequency which makes it instantly uncomfortable for anyone near the perimeter."
"What does that mean exactly, the electromagnetic frequency it gives off." She wasn't exactly sure how a frequency would prevent someone from getting too close. One of the biggest concerns they had with this type of technology was someone could stumble over the boundary. Anyone could walk through to the cloaked side, setting off alarms. If Bash found a way to keep people from accidentally stumbling through the perimeter, it would be revolutionary for the resistance.
"There is a specific frequency where humans become uncomfortable, disquieted, or even sick if they don't get away from the source. I figured out a way to make the perimeter itself give off the same frequency and not just the control box. And it's an optional feature which can be turned on or off. So right now, since we're inside the perimeter we can't feel anything. We see light because I added a setting that allows a reflective version of the light outside, inside of the barrier. Even though it looks like the light is passing through, that's not the case."
"So you're telling me if someone were to walk up right now, they would be so uncomfortable they wouldn't be able to get close to the barrier?"
"Not only that, they wouldn't be able to stay to investigate. The longer they stay around, the worse they feel. To the point of becoming physically sick."
This was amazing if it worked. She wasn't sure how he had managed to come up with this, but it definitely indicated her instincts were right. He was a natural hacker, and if what he said was true, they could use this tech inside Sovereign controlled territory. This would revolutionize the way Resistance members communicated while in deep cover.
"This is fantastic! We need to show Nova."
Bash shook his head. "No, first we need to talk."
Freya felt herself pale at his words. "What you want to talk about? We could talk back at the camp." She tried to sound nonchalant.
"You've been avoiding me." He said it in an accusatory voice. Since her talk with Nova, Freya had avoided him as much as possible. Just being near him made her crazy with desire. She liked being in control of herself. Matter of fact, her survival depended on being neutral and in control of her emotions at all times. Bash made her the opposite of calm and in control.
"I'm not avoiding you, I'm just busy with other things."
"Like what?"
"Like preparing to go back undercover with ARI. I almost blew my cover to save you in the cavern. Soon I will have to go back undercover and resume my plan to take down the Sovereign.
"Is that what you really want Freya? Or is that what Nova wants you to do?"
He crossed his arms over his chest, which only made this conversation harder for her. The way he crossed them made his biceps bulge. It made her forget what the question was.
"Right there, that look on your face tells me you want me. You said as much the night before Nova arrived, then she gets here and suddenly you avoid me for days."
"I'm not—"
"Yes you are, don't lie to me. Women have been lying to me since the day I was born, Okay? I thought you were different. They always act like they want me, but it's just sex and when they don't get pregnant, they blame me." He slapped his hands to his sides. "And then you come along and you seem so authentic. You're the first woman that has taken my breath away just by looking at her. I was pulled in just like the men when they neared the Sirens of ancient mythology. And then what happens, you used me for sex just like the rest."
She couldn't believe what she heard. She hadn't used him for sex. Instead, she was falling in love with him. It tore her heart out every day she stayed away from him. Every time he was near another woman, she wished it was her instead. She laid in bed missing his warm embrace, but that wasn't her purpose in life. Pain erupted in her temple as her emotions flared. She was here to take down the corrupt organization responsible for cruelly experimenting on children. Not just children, newborn babies. Being near him put him at risk. He held the key to restoring this planet as it once was. While she was the key to overthrowing the Sovereign. They were both meant for a different destiny, and it was impossible for them to be together.
"I didn't use you for sex."
"Then explain it to me, please, because that's what it feels like. You know, I've never been able to get anyone pregnant, even though testing showed it was possible. Is that what you are using me for? Want to have your free ride in the world as the first woman to give birth to a natural baby? It's the only thing I can think of right now, prove me wrong."
She didn't even know how to respond to the ludicrous idea. Pregnancy would ruin her chance to get the vengeance she deserved, and it was the last thing she wanted. Besides ARI had taken care of that possibility a long time ago.
"Nothing I say will make a difference, so why should I bother? What good would any answer be in this moment? We're not meant to be together." Dammit, she'd meant to say it a different way.
The anger in his eyes evolved into a look of hope. "You do want me, I knew it. Did Nova tell you we couldn't be together?"
Freya shook her head. She couldn't get into this with him right now. This was bad, she walked back the way they came, but he st
epped in her way.
"You won't be able to walk through the barrier."
"Well, I'm going to try because I'm not staying here."
"Freya, it's impenetrable. If you tried to pass through, it will shock you."
"Then you better turn it off." When she tried to get past him, he grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. She resisted, but he only hugged her closer.
His voice was barely a whisper. "Please Freya, I love you. I don't know how to handle this." She froze as she heard those words. No one loved her. She'd never been loved a day in her life. It was impossible, but when she looked up into his eyes, she saw the love he spoke of. In that moment she couldn't deny her own feelings, and her resolve crumbled.
"I know you can't read my mind but I wish there was a way you could. Then you would know what I'm feeling is real. I'm not lying to you or using you. I've been used way too much in my life to ever use someone else. Especially someone I care about so much."
Those words ripped her heart open. How could anyone hurt a man like this? Unable to hold it back anymore, tears poured down her cheeks causing her chip to activate and shoot more pain through her brain.
"What did I do? I didn't want to make you cry." His fingers wiped away the tears on her cheek as she tried to sniff them away. "I was trying to make you happy, not sad."
"It does make me happy, but it also makes me sad. There is no way we can be together. I put you at too much risk." He started to respond, but she cut him off. "Nova's right, being near you puts you at risk. If I make one mistake, the Sovereign will find you."
"Then let's take them down together."
Chapter 12
Temporary Resistance Camp: Bash
Why wasn't this working? Bash checked over the settings for the third time. Something wasn't set right. As he scrolled through the settings, a hand fell on his shoulder.
"Hey Bash!" That wasn't Freya's voice. He turned around in his chair and saw a woman he didn't know. She was on the shorter side with long mahogany hair.
"Hi."
"What are you doing?" The woman leaned over his shoulder to look at the device.
"Just tinkering, nothing important." He used his shoulder to push her away.
"So what's new with you?" What was she talking about? He'd never met her before.
"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" Since the safe house was in the middle of the temporary Resistance camp, people came and went from his cabin more than he cared for. Except for Freya, the nightly visits from her were amazing.
"Yeah, we met a few days ago. My name is Win'Daria." She moved closer to his dismay. "I was too shy to say hi, but finally got the courage today."
He slid the chair back from the table to get up, but she stopped him.
"So, what is this thing you are tinkering with? Does it do anything fun?" His stomach twisted at the question. No one knew about the tech he was trying to create. Last night, he'd almost told Freya, but lost track of time when she tried something new while they were in bed. He shook his head to clear the thought.
"I'm just verifying some security settings, nothing fun."
"I know of something fun we could do." Her words made him cringe.
"I'm pretty busy here." He gestured towards the handheld, "Nothing is more important than security."
"Oh come on, I'm sure you can take a break from that." Her hand trailed down his shoulder and grasped his bicep. "Wow, you must be strong."
He had to keep himself together. "Please don't do that." He started to pull away, but she grabbed him with her other hand. "I'm not interested in whatever this is."
"But I'm a lot of fun." She sat on his lap, her right hand played with his hair. "I can show you some new things, I would be a lot more fun than Freya."
"You need to leave, now." He started to push her off his lap, but something bit him on the neck. He looked up at Win'Daria but her playful expression was gone, replaced with something more sinister. Her chestnut eyes glittered with malice.
"Deja says hi, bastard." She whispered in his ear as his body felt heavy. He grabbed the handheld in his pocket and pushed a couple of buttons before everything turned black.
The first thing Bash heard was a woman's voice. She sounded angry. He couldn't make out specific words, but her voice continued to get louder. There was also a sharp throbbing pain coming from below left his ear. Maybe he was lying on something uncomfortable. He tried to turn over but hands stopped him from moving. The woman stopped shouting. Bash tried to open his eyes, but there was a bright light that made his head hurt worse.
A hand landed on his chest and caressed him. He started to push it away but Freya's reassuring voice stopped him. There was a sudden sting in his neck that made him flinch. The pain dulled and he tried opening his eyes again. Everything around him was blurred. He blinked his eyes several times and his vision began to clear. Freya's purple eyes appeared from the blur.
"What happened?" He croaked out.
"You were drugged, and I'm going to beat it out of Win'Daria." Freya stood up and moved out of Bash's line of sight. He tried to watch her, but nausea flooded him as he moved.
"Try to stay still." A different voice said. "You have a concussion, on top of the drugs she tried to kill you with. I'm doing the best I can, but you need to rest."
A shrill scream pierced his ears. "Harper, grab Freya before she kills Win'Daria!"
Bash tried to move, but hands pushed him back down onto the floor. "Between you and Freya, I need two more people here helping. Stay where you are."
"Is Freya okay?" A wry smile appeared before him, but he couldn't remember the woman's name. He did remember she was the medic. "Freya is fine, it's Win'Daria we are concerned about. Freya has tried to kill her twice since we arrived." Not likely, if Freya wanted her dead, no one would be able to stop her.
"When can I get up?"
"Let's give it a few more minutes, then you can get up with help." The medic patted his hand.
"Let go of me Harper!" Freya's raised voice made his head pound. "I need to beat the truth out of her."
"I remembered something." The medic called Freya over for Bash, and she knelt beside him. "After she drugged me, she said Deja says hi." His fuzzy brain tried to work out the details. Clearly Win'Daria was a member of the Resistance if she was in the camp. How had Deja managed to turn her against her own people? Or maybe she was a spy. Everyone was a spy and a chill shot through him. He couldn't trust anyone anymore, not even himself. Deja had the power to reach him wherever he went. So far, the only woman that hadn't betrayed him was Freya.
Instead of going back over to interrogate Win'Daria, Freya remained motionless and closed her eyes. Instinctually, he knew that Freya was reading Win'Daria's mind. After a long moment, there was a high-pitched scream, and Freya opened her eyes. "Urs'Le, find Nova, I need to talk to her."
After she left, Freya touched his cheek. "Are you okay?"
"I think so, you read her thoughts, didn't you?" Freya nodded. "Deja sent her, Win'Daria was the plant that Deja has been using to get tech and info from the Resistance. That's how she knew so much about Alastor." Freya furrowed her eyebrows. "Can you walk?"
"Only one way to find out." With some help, he managed to stand up and slowly made his way to his bedroom. He laid down on the bed and sighed with relief. Freya left, but returned and set something hard on the table next to where he lay with his eyes closed. The bed tilted to one side.
"You're the only reason why we caught Win'Daria." Soft fingers touched the side of his head where the pain was. "If you hadn't used the device to trap her, she would have been gone before we found you."
He let out a wry grin. "If it wasn't for you ignoring me, I would have never come up with the idea." A hiss escaped as pain flared in his head.
"You need stitches." The bed evened out and water ran in the hygiene unit. After a few minutes the bed tilted again, and a warm cloth pressed against his head. "I'll give you something to help with the pain so I can stitch this up."
/> He let out a grunt of pain. "Is there anything you don't know how to do?"
"Sure, I don't know how to cook or make small talk." She was silent for a moment. "Then there is you."
Him. There was so much going on with him, he didn't know how she could stand to be near him. He put her at more risk than she was already in. With the attack today, he finally understood that Deja would never stop. Either he would be hers, or she would kill him. He would never be free, taking a moment to let that sink in.
"Like I said before, the best we can do is talk. If something is bothering one of us, then we need to talk about it. Neither of us know how this relationship thing works, and we can't exactly ask Nova or Cay how it works since we can't tell anyone about us."
"I understand why Nova can't know, but it doesn't feel right." Fingers ran through his hair opposite from the wound as she spoke. "I have this strange urge to shout it from the rooftops, I don't know what's gotten into me."
"I did." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Her soft laughter made him feel less like an idiot, but not by much. "I'm sorry, that was inappropriate."
"Yes it was, but it was also true." Her hand rubbed his shoulder. "Do you hurt anywhere else?"
He hurt all over, but he wasn't about to say that. Reaching out, he pulled her close. She moved and he felt her head rest on his chest. Even if he had to invent new tech to make them safe, he would find a way for them to be together.
Temporary Resistance Camp: Freya
Freya jumped over a tree that had fallen. Since Bash was recovering from his concussion, she opted to workout on her own instead. She ducked under a low tree branch. According to Nova, she'd be returning to base soon and needed to make sure she was in shape. Bash was a fast learner. He still needed to work on his agility, but the rest of his skills had improved dramatically since she started training him. She jumped and grabbed onto a tree branch, doing several pull-ups. Sliding her legs over the branch, she did several sit-ups while hanging upside down.
