AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It took Ansley about two hours to master the basic skill. The problem was she struggled to maintain the barrier once Tandor slipped out of the meld. “You’re just indulging me, aren’t you? You guys can break through this puny shield anytime you want.”
He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her temple. “If it’s obvious you do not want to share your thoughts, we will respect your privacy.”
“That’s not what I asked.” She scooted forward and pivoted enough so she could see him. “You both have formal training and years of practice. The answer is obvious.”
He leaned down and kissed her gently before admitting, “We are both strong telepaths. We can force our way through most shields. However, you are our mate. We would not be that disrespectful, unless there was a very good reason.”
The caveat confused her. “What would be a good enough reason for you to force your way into someone’s mind?”
“Into someone’s mind or into yours?” Jobek asked.
She looked at him sharply. “Either—no, both.”
He shrugged. “We might enter a mind without permission if we were interrogating someone. Is there any reason we would need to interrogate you?”
She scoffed, swinging her feet to the floor as she sat up. “I know less than nothing thanks to the founders.”
“Then the only reason we would ever enter your mind without your permission is if you were in danger,” Jobek told her. “We are trying to earn your trust. Forcing our way into your mind sounds like a damn good way of ensuring that you never trust us.”
Pleased by Jobek’s candor, she nodded, then patted the seat next to her. “Now that this courtship is fully underway, we need to figure out a strategy for—”
A flicker of light drew her attention to the center of the room just in time to watch a massive male and tiny female materialize. Ansley’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.Star Trekgot that effect just right. She’d been teleported onto Jobek’s shuttle so she knew how it felt. This was the first time she’d watched it happen.
“Sorry to interrupt,” the male growled out sarcastically. “I’m rather anxious to complete my mission.”
The woman hurried forward and drew Ansley to her feet then led her to the far side of the room. “Are you all right? I’m Raina, by the way. Cylex is one of my mates. You don’t need to be afraid of him.”
So that was the mysterious Cylex. And Ansley had been wrong. Raina was average sized. She just looked tiny standing next to her hulking husband. “I’m fine. Are all of my friends being well treated? Were any of them claimed by members of Neloff’s crew?”
“Let’s stay focused on you. You’ve been at the mercy of those two for the better part of two days now. If they forced you to do anything, I will have them brought up on charges.”
“You’re part of a bonded triad, correct?”
Raina nodded.
“Then you know what’s involved in stabilizing a conduit’s power.”
“Did they claim you?”
Ansley wasn’t sure how to answer. If she insisted that they had claimed her, would they let her stay with them? She might be able to fool Raina, but she’d never fool her mates. “Not yet. As you said, we’ve only been together for a few days.”
“Did you give them permission to do everything they did?”
Raina was clearly frustrated by Ansley’s attitude, but Ansley wasn’t sure why. If Raina were human, her attitude would make sense. But she had two mates. One of them had to be a controller. “They didn’t rape me and they haven’t abused me. They desperately want to claim me and they’ve done everything in their power to convince me to let them. I don’t know what you were hoping to hear, but that’s the truth.”
Raising both her hands in surrender, Raina took a step back. “I just want to make sure you’re all right.”
“I am. Now can you please answer my questions? Are my friends okay?”
“They’re scared and confused, but we arrived before anyone could touch them.”
“No one would have touched them ever,” Tandor stressed. “I am part owner of theMadelle, and we do not allow the abuse of females.”
“Well, mate, what’s the verdict?” Cylex wanted to know. “Can I release these two to return to their ship or should I arrest them?”
“They’re free to go, but I’d like her to come with us. I think she’s being influenced by them.”
Ansley dropped her newly constructed shields and reached out for her mates.Should I have told her you already claimed me? I’d rather stay with you.
