22
Anna
Rovos’ arms band around me, holding me so tightly that I can barely take a breath. I’d bet apples to oranges he knows what’s happening, and it has him freaked out.
“What’s going on?” I tilt my chin so I can look up at him.
Our eyes meet, and then he turns to where Deja and her mate are standing. “They tracked our shuttle.”
“What?” I shake my head. “No. I watched you take out the tracker thing.”
“I don’t know how.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Deja’s male says. “What kind of trouble are we expecting?”
“A battalion. I don’t know what species, but their leader is Vesen.”
My hand flies to my mouth. “Volethos?”
Rovos nods.
“Deja, evacuate the women and children into the safe hold,” Deja’s mate says, and then he turns back to Rovos and holds his arm out, hand straight up. “I’m Xan.”
Rovos grips his hand in that arm wrestling hold I saw him use with Volethos. “Rovos. Do you have an armory?”
A grin splits across Xan’s lips. “You could say that. Come with me.”
Rovos takes a step to follow him, only to freeze and turn back to me.
“I’ll be fine,” I try to assure him. “I’ll stay with Deja, and you can find me when it’s over, okay?”
For a moment he looks torn. Then his arm bands around my back, and he pulls me against his chest.
“Stay safe,” he rumbles before his mouth crashes down on mine. He gives me the most toe-curling kiss I’ve ever experienced, and considering some of the kisses we’ve shared, that’s saying something.
“I will.” My legs feel like jelly, and I’m panting when he lets me go. “You be careful too.”
With a quick nod, he turns and follows Xan out of the room.
“Come with me, Anna.” Deja tucks her arm through mine and, with a knowing smile, pulls me in the opposite direction of our men.
We hurry down a hallway, where a group of women and children are gathered around a trap door. One by one, they are being led down a dark staircase.
“This way,” Deja says in my ear, and we veer around the group. “Start checking rooms. Make sure everyone is out.”
It doesn’t take long to check all the rooms. Most are empty. We flush the few who are still there toward the trap door. When we’re sure that everyone is in the safe room under the compound, Deja and I make our way down the steps. It takes two humans to pull the stone doors closed behind us. Just before they seal us in, I hear the tinny sound of laser fire from above. My stomach knots, and I throw out a quick prayer for Rovos’ safety to whatever higher power might be listening.
Everywhere I look, I see the familiar signs of humans caring for one another. Mothers settling their children. Elders being reassured. Women and teenagers rushing around, checking to make sure needs are being met.
“We’re safe down here,” Deja assures me. “This bunker is completely encased in rock that can withstand anything short of a direct hit with a thermal bomb.”
My eyes go to the ceiling. Are bombs something I should be worrying about?
“One of those would level the entire capital.”
“That doesn’t reassure me,” I tell her. But she just smiles and pats my arm.
“This way, Anna.” She leads me to the far end of the bunker, where two stern-looking women guard another thick stone door. I expect them to bar our access. Instead, they nod to Deja and step aside.
