by Anna Hackett
“Ever is correct. There is no need for you to rush into work.”
“I know.” She slid a strand of hair behind her ear. The thing was, she wanted to be productive and useful. She wanted to contribute to her new home. Still, the thought of doing her paramedic work paralyzed her, for some reason. She’d loved being a paramedic aboard the Helios, but now…she felt adrift.
She hadn’t been able to help anyone during the attack or while she’d been imprisoned by the Edull. She hadn’t even been able to help herself.
The faintest frown touched Acton’s face. “You are not fine.”
“How can you tell?” she asked.
“Your downcast mouth and eyes. Your tense shoulders.”
She took a deep breath. “You’ve been listening to me.”
When she’d first arrived, they’d agreed to be friends. Over the last few weeks, he’d taught her about the city of Kor Magna, and life on the desert world of Carthago. In return, she’d been teaching him about emotions.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.
She glanced at the others to make sure no one was listening. She kept her voice low. “I don’t know. Sometimes I just want to scream.” She shrugged. “Everything just closes in on me, sometimes. I…”
She should be grateful. She should be happy. Suddenly, she needed some space.
“I need to go.”
“Sage—”
She shook her head, and before anyone else noticed her, she hurried off down the corridor. She wasn’t sure where she was going, but she needed air.
Chapter Two
Acton watched Sage disappear down the corridor. Quinn’s curse made him turn back to the group.
The tall woman’s face was twisted. She was clearly angry.
“We have no leads.” Quinn’s voice was as sharp as a blade. “Nothing. No way to find Bari Batu.”
In recent days, they’d run several flights near the outpost where they’d rescued Sage and Calla, but there was no sign of the desert scrap city or the Edull.
Quinn ground her teeth together and Acton watched curiously. So much emotion that he didn’t understand.
He turned his head, looking down the empty hallway in the direction where Sage had gone.
She didn’t show as much of her feelings, or at least, not her true feelings. Some part of him understood enough to know that Sage wasn’t happy. And that she was hiding it.
He frowned, uncertain why that fact bothered him, but it did.
“We’ll keep searching, Quinn,” Magnus said. “I have a meeting with the House of Galen tomorrow. And Zhim and Ryan, along with Rillian and Corsair, are all doing whatever they can to track down the city’s location.”
Zhim and Ryan were information merchants, and Rillian and Corsair were powerful allies. Ryan was from Earth and now mated with Zhim. They had all helped rescue the Fortuna Space Station survivors, and were now helping find the humans taken from the Helios.
“I suggest we plan another desert recon mission,” Jax said.
Magnus nodded. “Do it.”
As his fellow cyborgs dispersed, Mace lifted his chin at Acton. “Want to hit the gym for some training?”
“No, I have an errand to attend to,” Acton said.
He headed down the corridor, and found himself at the House of Rone kitchens. Inside, there was a hubbub of noise and movement. The team of chefs were busy preparing meals for everyone who called the House of Rone home.
The head chef lifted his head and frowned. He was D’nonian with patterned skin that almost looked like the pelt of a cat.
“Acton?” The man’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t see you in here…well, ever.”
Acton had no reason to come and talk to the chef. He ate the nutritionally balanced meals that the chef and his team made for the cyborgs. Food was simply fuel to Acton, that was it.
“I’d like to request some panella.”
The chef’s eyebrows rose even more. “For you?”
“No.” He knew that Sage loved the sweet treats. He’d seen her popping them in her mouth on numerous occasions. They had a very high sugar content.
With a shrug, the chef moved to a cupboard, opened some doors, and came back and handed Acton a small bag of the round, blue treats.
“Thank you,” Acton said.
As he headed out of the kitchens, he suspected he knew where Sage was. He checked her room first, but found it empty. The scent of her was strong in the room—sweet and light.
He swiveled, then headed back through the stone-lined corridors covered in wall hangings of deep blue. They all depicted gladiators fighting in the arena. He moved up two sets of stairs.
When he stepped out onto the rooftop, he saw that Carthago’s dual suns were setting. Bright, golden light bathed the city.
The rooftop didn’t get used a lot, but there was a small seating area with low cushions, and with shade cloths strung up above it. They fluttered quietly in the breeze.
Sage’s copper-colored hair glinted in the sunlight. She sat there, her knees curled up to her chest and her chin resting on top.
She didn’t hear him approach.
“Sage?”
She jumped. “God. You scared me.”
“That was not my intention.”
Acton leaned against the railing. Up here, he had a very good view of Kor Magna. It was mostly low, two- and three-story buildings made from the local cream stone. To the left, the ancient walls of the Kor Magna arena rose up, and to the right, the towering, glowing spears of the glitzy buildings of the District.
Out of habit, he scanned the area for anything untoward.
“What are you doing?” Sage asked.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw she was watching him.
“Assessing for threats.”
“Why?”
“It’s what I do.”
“Oh.”
He let his gaze catalog the features of her face. “You’re upset. I wanted to ensure that you were all right.”
She sighed. “I want to be all right.”
Acton felt a strange tug in his stomach and frowned at the sensation. “You suffered a terrible experience, Sage. It takes time to recover. That’s a normal reaction.”
“I’m safe, and others aren’t.” She huffed out a breath.
“You feel guilt.”
“I feel everything sometimes. Guilt, sadness, fear, anger.” She shoved her hands into her hair. “But most of the time, I feel nothing. Everyone has done so much for me…”
Drawn by her, he knelt down on the cushions beside her. Her eyes—a fascinating mix of brown and green—met his.
“No one expects anything in return. From my observations, your fellow humans don’t want anything from you. They just want you to be happy.”
“Acton, I feel empty and cold inside.” Her words were barely more than a whisper.
Should he touch her? He wasn’t sure. He’d seen Magnus, Jax, and Mace touch their women to comfort them. His metal fingers often repulsed people though. As much as he felt the urge to reach for her, he held himself back.
“The sense of disconnection is normal, Sage. It will fade.”
“Is that how you feel all the time? Cold? empty?” Her big eyes locked on his face.
“I feel glimmers of sensation. I don’t feel the highs and lows of emotion. Lately, I get a lot of bemusement and confusion.”
That earned him a faint smile. “All these chaotic humans around you?”
“Yes.”
“Poor cyborg.”
She was teasing him? No one teased him. “Give yourself time, Sage. You’re still recovering. Don’t worry about how you feel today, because I am certain it will change over the coming days and weeks.”
“You’re giving me advice about emotions,” she said.
“It appears I am. Perhaps you should talk to Ever or Quinn—”
“No.” She shook her head quickly. “I like talking with you. You’re cool, pragmatic.”
Perhaps that’s what Sage neede
d. He pulled the small bag from his pocket. “I have something for you.”
He handed her the panella.
She held up the clear bag and her eyes widened. She opened the packet and smiled.
“Oh, I love these.” She popped one small sweet into her mouth and made a humming noise.
Watching her savor the sweetness, Acton felt a strange tensing in his gut.
“Thank you, Acton.” She pressed a hand against one of his, her fingers brushing the metal. “I know you say you don’t feel, but I don’t buy it.”
He cleared his throat. “Sage—”
“You are way too nice not to feel anything. But don’t worry—” she bumped her shoulder against his “—your secret is safe with me.”
The next morning, Sage walked down a set of steps in the House of Rone, her steps light.
She felt a little better and she’d slept surprisingly well. Her quiet time with Acton and bingeing on panella had helped.
Today, she was not going to beat herself up about not feeling on top of the world. As a paramedic, she’d been practical and focused. As a woman, she liked to believe the best in people. She hated negativity of any kind. But the Edull had drained some of that positivity out of her.
How she was feeling right now was normal. Give yourself time. Acton’s cool voice slid through her head.
She smiled. Of everyone around her on this strange alien planet, the lethal, emotionless cyborg made her feel the most confident and secure. She shook her head.
The sound of fighting from the training arena filled the air. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned a corner, and then paused.
The arena had a sand floor, and was currently dotted with mostly shirtless gladiators and cyborgs. There were a few females, but not many. They were mostly males—big, muscled males.
Not a bad view, she had to admit.
Several of the gladiators were unenhanced. Ever had told her that cyborgs were banned from fighting in the famous gladiatorial arena, so their fighters had to be devoid of enhancements. She spotted Xias—the champion of the House of Rone gladiators. His dark skin was slicked with sweat. He swung a giant axe, roaring as it smacked into a training dummy.
She saw two younger, leaner cyborgs training together. One had a metal leg that was streamlined and futuristic. Another had several circular implants across his body.
Their swords clashed violently, and they were both breathing heavily.
“Stop.” A familiar voice.
Acton stepped into view. Black, leather trousers hugged his long, toned legs, and he wasn’t wearing a shirt.
The sunlight glinted off his metal arms, and the rest of his skin was that glorious shade of gold. Her gaze drifted downward, over a toned, tight stomach. He was leaner than Mace and Magnus, all honed strength. She watched him patiently explain something to the young cyborgs.
They both nodded, listening intently. Acton lifted a sword, his muscles flexing.
Sage’s mouth went dry, and she felt a flicker of desire.
Crap. Her mouth dropped open. This was Acton. He was her friend. He was a cyborg who didn’t feel, or rather, he did, but it was very muted. What he did feel, he liked to ignore.
Then she watched him move.
He launched into the fight sequence, moving like a blur. He spun, his body agile, the swing of the sword smooth and powerful.
Sage felt herself go damp between her legs.
Oh, God. She was lusting after Acton. This wasn’t good.
She backed up a few steps, her hip hitting the wall.
All of a sudden, he stopped, and lifted his head. Across the sand, his gaze zeroed in on her. He didn’t smile, but he lifted a hand.
Heart pounding in her chest, she waved back.
Then she turned and quickly walked away. She didn’t want him to talk to her right now. Jayna had told her that the cyborgs all had enhanced senses. They could smell a woman’s arousal.
Crapola. Don’t be stupid, Sage.
Acton didn’t feel. Of all the people for her to be attracted to… Her mother had liked to tell Sage—repeatedly—that men were no-good users. Some of her earliest memories were of her mother’s “friends” dropping by. Her mom would set Sage in front of the television and disappear into her room with her man of the moment. They never lasted long.
She spotted the drinks table set up for the exercising gladiators. She grabbed some water and gulped it down. She knew her mother was a bitter woman who blamed other people for her own failings. There were plenty of nice, affectionate guys out there.
Acton just wasn’t one of them.
This was silly. She closed her eyes. It would pass.
She’d had several nice boyfriends, and she’d liked sex. She pulled a face. Although, after thinking she was dead, Daniel had happily moved on with somebody else and was now expecting a baby. Sage had to admit that stung a bit.
She’d always, always wanted someone who loved her. When she was younger, she’d dreamed of a prince or a knight, who’d sweep her away, and love and protect her. As she got older, she’d just wanted a man who put her first and loved her completely. Her mother never had, and Daniel never had.
That was something she could never have with Acton.
Hearing a feminine giggle, she looked up.
She spotted Calla and Zaden. The cyborg had the alien woman pressed against the stone wall, stealing a kiss.
She watched him raise his head, then he smiled at the pretty, brown-skinned Calla. Sage froze. Zaden had been so cool and composed just weeks ago. Power literally thrummed from him. She never could have imagined him smiling like this, love in his eyes.
But Calla had woken something up in the powerful cyborg. When she’d been in danger, he’d done everything to save her.
Could Acton wake up and embrace his emotions too? Sage bit her lip. He was way more enhanced than the others.
“Sage?”
Ever’s voice made Sage jolt. “Oh, hi.”
“Are you all right?” The woman’s pale-green gaze narrowed.
Sage pulled out her I’m fine smile. “I’m great. Where’s Asha?”
“With her daddy.”
Magnus Rone toting his tiny daughter around… Maybe miracles did happen.
“Hey,” Ever said. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Sure.”
“I usually teach a class today with several of the House of Rone kids. I teach them about Earth, the different animals, peoples, customs. But I have some people coming in to take a look at some tech that I’ve been working on in the lab. Jayna’s going to be with me, and I’m not sure how Quinn would do with a room full of kids.” Ever’s nose wrinkled. “She’d probably teach them to throw a punch or swing a staff. Could you help me out?”
“Sounds like fun.” Sage nodded, happy to be helpful in some small way. “Sure thing.”
Ever smiled. “You’re a lifesaver, Sage.”
Chapter Three
Sage walked into the bright, airy room, and a bunch of curious faces turned to look up at her.
She was just as curious about them. All the children in the room were of different alien species. Mostly humanoid—thanks to the ancient aliens she’d learned had seeded life throughout the galaxy—but there was still a mix of different-colored skin, interesting patterns, and some with cybernetic enhancements.
“Hi, I’m Sage.” She smiled brightly.
She got waves, hellos, and shy smiles.
“You were rescued,” one confident boy with dark skin said.
“Yes.”
“Were there explosions during your rescue?” a girl asked. “Did you see the cyborgs fight?”
Sage smiled. Kids were apparently the same whatever planet they came from. “Sorry, I was mostly unconscious at the time.”
“I’m glad you’re safe.” A wide-eyed boy shot her a sweet smile.
“Thanks, me too.”
A pretty girl with dark hair and a gold pattern along the edges of her face leaned forward. “I was rescued
too.”
Sage smiled at Nemma. The little alien girl came from Rella, the same planet as Calla.
“I know. I’m glad that you’re safe, Nemma.”
From what Sage had heard, the girl was settling in well at the House of Rone. Despite being wrenched from her family and dragged away by alien slavers, she’d bounced back. She’d been placed with the family of one of the House of Rone workers who had other children her age. But Sage knew the young girl spent a lot of time with Calla and Zaden as well.
Leaning against the desk at the front of the room, Sage set her hands on the smooth surface. “So, I’m here to talk to you about Earth.”
Ever had some pictures up on the screen and Sage pointed. “This is my planet.”
There were gasps all around.
“So much water!” an older boy said.
“That’s right. It has lots of different climates, from icy poles at the very north and the south, to mountains, forests, jungles, and deserts like Carthago. Years ago, our climate was changing due to increasing population, and people not taking care of the environment as much as they could. But clever humans used their brains, and they managed our resources well and invented better technology to help us recycle, create cleaner energy, and keep our oceans clean.”
“Where are you from on Earth?” an older girl asked.
“A place called Austin, Texas.” Sage pointed at a map. “About here.”
A boy propped his chin on his cupped palm. “Is your family still there?”
“My mother is.”
“What about your father? Or don’t you have one?”
“My father wasn’t around.”
Nemma nibbled on her bottom lip. “Your mother must miss you.”
There was such sadness in the little girl’s voice, and it stabbed at Sage. Unfortunately, Sage’s mother was a disinterested parent. Jenny McAlister had accidentally fallen pregnant young, and Sage’s father had taken off. Her mother had always seen her child as a burden. Sage had tried so hard, for so long, to be a good daughter. She’d wanted a good relationship with the woman who’d given birth to her, wanted love and affection. It’d taken years before Sage had finally given up.
With a tight smile, she made a noncommittal sound. “Okay, let’s talk about animals.”
