“Look, Zorin… The empire likely knows she was touched by the ancient ones. To Nebs, it doesn’t matter what could be or what is. They act on their beliefs. So whatever story they tell themselves will be what they act on. And that is unpredictable. Either way, it won’t end well for Tessi. We must ensure she is a single being if they get their hands on her. I have…seen it.”
Viriden’s light flickers, even if it is only momentary.
“Sir?”
He braces his hands on his hips, curls his lips inward, and hurries out of the room. I’m not certain, but I think Viriden haspersonalexperience with the situation.
I slump down beside Tessi’s bed and stare at her smooth face. My life just got a lot more complicated. I’m not surprised she’s special like Jezza, carrying an extra gift and in need ofprotection. It is why Jezza chose Azrim. She believed he could protect her.
I can’t fail Tessi.
My hope of finding a mate was foolish and naive. I’ve never felt theshiftlike this before. Even now, the slightest brush of my skin over hers makes a subtle ripple of short fur turn to something dark, like my Shifter knows it’sherthat I touch.
The nurse returns and assures me she’ll be in good hands. “Viriden wants you in the conference room down the hall with the others.”
But I don’t feel right leaving her side.
“I’m watching.”
“Shit.” I cringe as Onidus speaks from the other side of the bed. I can’t see him, except for a lightly warped mirage. “Have you been standing in here the whole time?”
“Usually. The things I’ve seen…”
He reveals his glowing eyes to me. “I will guard your female, Zorin. You saved my life when I was a young, dumb Ion. You have earned my eternal respect for that.”
He steps back and hides himself again.
I reluctantly get up and follow the path Viriden took. He waits for me in the hallway outside a conference room. The way he paces and rubs the back of his neck like he’s in pain concerns me.
When he sees me, he starts for the room.
“Sir.”
He pauses, cocks his jaw to one side and sniffles hard. “I’m good.”
“No you’re not. You’re shoving it deep enough that it’s affecting your Luminescence.”
Viriden faces me. “It doesn’t matter how I feel, just that I hold my family together. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I can’t hold anyone else together if I am broken.”
Viriden pats me on the shoulder. “A black hole has no right to tell a nova it is dim. You are more than broken, Zorin. I read the entire report on your situation, thanks to your lieutenant.”
He has seen through my apathetic mask to my emptiness.
“Some of us just heal by helping others and protecting them from our kind of pain.” Viriden motions to the conference room.
I step inside, and Viriden follows. I think he understands better than most how hard I’m trying.
Davarok lifts his hands as if to ask,what the fuck is going on?
“Tessi needs to stay in the game with Zorin,” Viriden says.
“What?” I turn to him. “No. We need to get her somewhere safer.”
He holds up a finger. “We need to avoid causing intergalactic panic. Allies know the Myndrous program has been implemented on several worlds.”
“What do they want Zorin’s mate for?” Rorsar asks.
