She touches the cut along my arm. “I’m sorry about everything. Not making sure Ethan didn’t follow me. About coming on this trip in the first place. My presence has caused a lot of trouble for you, hasn’t it? I only wanted to have some time with you so we could talk.”
“We’ve talked.”
Slowly, she removes her hand. “You’re mad.”
Vekk, I miss her touch already. “I’m frustrated. I don’t know how to give you what you want and keep you.”
“What if you’re what I want?”
“Does that mean you’ve given up on returning to New Earth?”
She looks at Ethan, then at me, and plasters her mouth to mine. The kiss isn’t long, but the passion there tells me all I need to know. She wants me as her mate.
“I have to do what’s best for him, but I don’t want to lose you,” she confirms.
“I would accept the youngling as my own.”
She leans her forehead against mine. “You are not the problem. It’s the rest of your people. They will never accept him, not in a way he deserves.”
I take her face in my hands so she will look at me and not misunderstand what I’m about to say. “Change will be slow, but I’ll never stop fighting for him.”
When she doesn’t respond, I narrow my eyes. “This isn’t about him, is it? You are not ready to accept me in risha. To form a permanent bond with me.”
When the door opens, a flash of lightning outside temporarily blinds me. “Sojek, close the vekking door.”
The door slams shut. But it’s not Sojek.
Five vints and two humans block our only escape. One by one, they draw their weapons. This time, they’re armed with more than knives.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
TANSEY
Verig shoves me behind him, and I push Ethan behind me. That’s when I spot two humans with the vints. Men with blasters.
“Hand over the woman and child,” Joe Foster says.
The sound of steel sliding from a sheath echoes through the room as Verig draws his sword. “Leave or die. Your choice.” Then he points to one of the vints. “This time I will take more than your hand.”
The one-handed vint points his blaster at Verig.
“Stop,” I shout. “This is crazy. I can leave if I want to, Joe. I’m not a captive.”
“You and your son were kidnapped.”
“Yes, but a lot has changed. We could leave if we want.”
“Show me. Walk out that door.” Joe and Caleb step to the side, creating a path for Ethan and me.
With the door shut, I can’t see who might be waiting outside. There might be no one there, or more of my people. Or vints.
Joe and Caleb stand shoulder-to-shoulder, best buddies, with several vints, the people who have been attacking New Earth along our borders.
I don’t trust any of them. Only Verig, but we need to avoid a fight. I won’t risk Ethan. Or Verig. He’s a mighty warrior, but he’s vastly outnumbered, and with more than knives and sticks this time.
“Stay behind me,” Verig warns. He doesn’t trust them either.
“Why are you with a bunch of vints, Joe?” I ask, trying to find a peaceful way out of this situation.
