“What’s that all about?”
He smiles, winces, and then pinches my chin. “Let me get cleaned up first. Then we’ll talk. Ohni, ma’am… I apologize for the mess. But Myndrous are dangerous. They can have no mercy. They will only use your kindness against you.”
Ohni’s attention is on the bodies being loaded up. “While we don’t condone killing in defense of oneself, we also cannot blame you. Our security system failed to isolate the games, yet again. So this isn’t on you. It’s on us. Please take care of your injuries and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. You know where the infirmary is?”
“I do.” Zorin keeps me close as we head for the doors beside the Mingle Celebration. But his touch is on my arm now, like I am a problematic teen being escorted out of a bar, something I’ve done myself a time or two.
Out of the crowd that’s gathered around the secured perimeter, another Mindoran runs up to us. He has scars over his face like Zorin. “Aegeris, I would have assisted if I had known.”
“Carnas. They came up on us where we were on the mountain,” Zorin replies.
“At least let me assist with your injuries.”
Zorin stops and rests a hand on his shoulder. “Just watch out for Myndrous.”
“Myndrous…” Carnas glances back at the fields then down at me. “That’s what attacked you?”
“Not the first time,” I mutter.
Zorin faces him. “Would you guard Tessi for me while I get patched up?”
Carnas studies me. “Of course.”
He pats Carnas on the shoulder, releases me, and turns for the infirmary.
His shoulders sag, and I can’t endure the guilt I feel any longer. I hustle after him.
Zorin grumbles, “I need a lot of attention. I would prefer for you to go enjoy the celebration. Carnas will keep you safe.”
Carnas shrugs when I look back. A red-banded woman walks up to him, looking concerned.
I catch up to Zorin. “I’m staying with you. You’re just going to have to deal with it.”
A startled breath lifts Zorin’s shoulders like he didn’t expect me to come after him.
“What?”
Zorin blinks slowly, shakes his head, and continues to the infirmary.
11: Zorin
Myndrous, the horrific blend of my Mindoran kind and the enemy, have been bred to kill us, to destroy anyone who resists the Nebulous Empire. Now they’re here, on Earth, and invading Mindor and Alpha Prime. So far, according to General Viriden, Amphirans and Drathious are safe, Drathis too, mostly because they have powers strong enough to defend their worlds. We don’t.
“You have to protect Tessi, no questions asked.” Viriden is dead serious as we speak. There is a strange tension that isn’t normally in his voice. He’s used to commanding soldiers, but this is desperation, personal concern.
“I came here to find a mate. I found her. I’m scent-bonded,” I defend. “I will protect her with my life.”
“This is bigger than you, Aegeris. Bigger than your world. This could cause the tides of the war with the empire to shift. You can put the federation above your mating desires, can’t you? If you can’t, I will find someone who can.”
My chest aches as my Shifter howls inside me in agony. Of course, the moment I find my mate, I can’thaveher.
“She cannot be allowed to get pregnant. That’s all I’m going to say. Can you keep her safe and control yourother side?”
It’s the only way I will get to stay close to her. And as much as a big part of me, mostly my Shifter, just wants to sulk away into a hole, curl up, and die, I fight him. “I can.”
Even as I say it, tangy Myndrous blood still swirling between my teeth, I’m not sure if I can keep her safe or keep my hands off of her. But I’m damn well going to try because I don’t want to be taken from her the way Rhysan was taken from us.
Viriden gives me a few other instructions, then hangs up.
