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“What’s going on?” she muttered as Kyrex pushed her behind him.
“Something went horribly wrong in there,” Kyrex predicted. “Can you sense Neloff?”
She carefully lowered her mental shields and reached out across the soul bond. “I don’t feel danger, but his signal feels muted.”
“I think he’s unconscious.”
Rebels, armed with handguns or pulse rifles, appeared all around them. Eden didn’t stop to count, but there had to be at least fifty fighters. They stood at the intersection of two corridors and soldiers filled the hallways in all four directions.
“Someone better explain!” Soro shouted. “Who ordered this ambush?” He sounded almost as confused as Eden. Why were the rebels threatening them?
“We were told to secure the female,” a rebel with salt and pepper hair announced. He stood to Soro’s right now but he’d entered from the corridor behind him. The newcomer’s flashing dark eyes warned Eden that he meant to carry out his orders.
Understanding jarred Eden, threatening her composure. Oh, God, Laidon was still after a conduit. And she was his current target.
“We already bonded with her,” Kyrex snarled. “A conduit cannot be claimed twice.”
Not while her mates were alive. The thought sent panic ricocheting through her system. Her heart started thudding and her hands began to tremble.
She reached out for Neloff again, but he still felt very far away. What the hell were they going to do? They couldn’t function without their source.
We need to rouse him, Kyrex urged.I’ll pass healing energy to you, but you need to channel it into Neloff. You can do this.
Their soul bond came alive with a rush of emotions, sensations, and tingling energy. Eden concentrated on the healing energy, isolating it and pushing it into Neloff’s mind. His signal gradually intensified.It’s working. I can sense him much better now.
Then power up, my love. We’re going to have to fight our way out of this mess.
She moved slightly to the side so she could see beyond Kyrex’s broad back.
“Did Laidon order this?” Soro demanded, sounding disbelieving despite the evidence all around him.
The salt-and-pepper-haired rebel ignored the question and shouldered past him.
“Milet!” Soro snapped. “Stand down. They came here in good faith.”
“Step aside.” Milet motioned with his weapon.
“Never going to happen,” Kyrex insisted.
Milet fired.
Eden cried out as the pulse of energy zipped between her and Kyrex, coming precariously close to his cheek.
“That was a warning. The next pulse will drop you.”
Laidon stepped out of the press box, eyes gleaming maniacally.
“What the fuck did you do to Neloff?” Kyrex yelled. He tensed, but remained in front of Eden, shielding her with his body.
Rather than answering the question, Laindon addressed the crowd. “They came here to offer us crumbs from Zevon’s table. After decades of injustice, I say we’re entitled to every conduit alive today, and we’re going to start with her!”
Neloff emerged from the press box a moment later, looking disheveled and dazed.
Eden took a step toward him, but Kyrex’s arm shot out, blocking her way.
Let him come to us, Kyrex urged.Our position is more strategic.
“You’re out of your mind,” Soro responded, shaking his head. “There is no reason for this.”
