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The waiter took their order and the conversation turned to lighter topics. Ansley and Kendra told Eden all the things that had happened while she was gone. Who was actively courting, who developed unusual abilities, and who was causing trouble. As usual, Jessie headed the list of the troublemakers.
“I was honestly hoping that a new situation would improve her attitude,” Eden said as she heard about Jessie’s most recent antics.
“Every day Jessie finds a new way to interrupt class and draw everyone’s attention. Provost Nadis is ready to strangle her, and none of us would blame her if she did,” Kendra explained.
Ansley shook her head, compassion shining in her blue eyes. “I am not a fan of Jessie, but there’s a reason she acts out. Someone needs to figure out what’s wrong with her.”
“What has Provost Nadis tried? Has anyone, I don’t know, scanned her memory?” Eden mused.
“I have no idea what they’ve tried,” Kendra admitted. “All we see is her misbehavior.”
Their food was delivered a few minutes later and the friends chatted comfortably while they ate. Ansley finished first and her expression became deeply speculative as she sipped a glass of wine.
“Where’d you go?” Eden asked as she nudged Ansley under the table. “You’re clearly not here anymore.”
“I circled back around to your new mission.”
“My new mission?” Eden wasn’t sure what she meant.
Ansley set down her wineglass and folded her forearms on the table. “Restoring real choice to conduits.”
Eden smiled. She hadn’t thought of it as a mission, but maybe she should have. “On Earth, I was good at digging up information. Everyone was afraid of the internet, so they’d come to me with their questions. I want to do the same thing here, but I’m unfamiliar with Altorian technology. I’m not sure how to start my search or if I’ll have access to the information I need.”
“It sounds likethatis where we need to begin our search,” Ansley said with a bright smile. “We need a crash course in the Altorian data stream and other sources of information.”
“We need?” Eden asked hopefully. “Are you offering to help me?”
“Of course we’ll help you,” Kendra said. “What kind of friends would we be if we ignored such an important mission?”
Thrilled by their support, Eden’s smile spread from ear to ear.
CHAPTER7
Afew nights later Neloff lay with Eden and Kyrex in a tangle of naked limbs. His body was satisfied but his mind was conflicted. Each time they shared pleasure with Eden she surrendered her body completely, but her mind resisted and a thick hedge of mistrust still surrounded her heart. They had been so patient with her, awakening her gradually to both submissive passion and the intensity of her energy. He wasn’t sure what else they could do to prove that she was their mate and they were destined to spend the rest of their lives together. She was outwardly affectionate, seemed to enjoy spending time with them, but she stubbornly held herself back.
“Zevon would like us to pose as Torretian rebels for a week or two.” Kyrex told her after a long, silent pause. He lay on his back, arms raised, hands tucked under his head. “We need to make preparations and be ready to depart in three days or less.”
“I can’t leave right now,” Eden objected. Her mental shields snapped shut, blocking Neloff’s access to her emotions. “My friends and I are working on something important.”
“That was my next question.” Kyrex sat up and shoved a couple of pillows behind him so he could recline against the wall. “Zevon said that your involvement was up to us. Taking you with us makes our story more believable, but it also increases the risk.”
“It’s probably best if I stay here,” she decided without hesitation.
Shocked by her immediate answer, Neloff barely kept his jaw from dropping. “You want to stay here?” He was glad she had activities that she was enjoying, but being without her right now would be torture. Apparently, she didn’t feel the same.
She glanced at him then scooted around to sit at the foot of the bed. She could see them both now and she’d drawn the sheet around her, covering up her lovely body. “Arcon just came from the rebels. Can’t he tell Zevon anything he wants to know?”
“Laidon, the male most consider their leader, recently returned to Torret,” Kyrex explained. “Zevon needs to know Laidon’s plans now that he’s back in control.”
“Why doesn’t Zevon just ask him?” Her tone verged on flippant as she waved away the conflict. “They both hate Jevara. Aren’t they on the same side?”
Annoyed by her attitude, Neloff swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood up. He pulled on his pants before answering her question. “Zevon thought he’d negotiate an alliance with Laidon, but Laidon turned on him and tried to kidnap Raina. Laidon was in one of the holding cells here at the Citadel until a few days ago.”
Eden crawled off the bed, dragging the sheet with her. “Why do you two have to go? Can’t someone else take the mission?”
Kyrex studied her carefully, unconcerned about his nudity. “Will you miss us while we’re gone?” Despite his playful tone, his gaze reflected his concern. She was shutting them out and Kyrex wanted to know why.
Are you picking up anything from her?Kyrex asked Neloff, using their familial link rather than the connection they shared with Eden.
