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Epilogue

Dallin

Three weeks later

“I’m not blaming anyonefor the lack of progress.” Cleo paced Dallin’s lab, her footsteps quick as she walked back and forth. “But it’s been weeks. We need an antidote for this new variant of Siblet poison.”

Hunter leaned next to the tank Dallin’s octo-squibs were in, tapping on the glass.

Dallin walked over and stood in front of the tank. He nudged Hunter away. “They don’t like that.”

Hunter grinned at him. “How do you know what they like?”

“Hunter, stop annoying the slimies,” Cleo said.

“They’re not slimy, they’re...” Dallin shrugged. They were slimy, but he didn’t mind that. They understood him.

“Let’s go over the data one more time,” Cleo said.

Dallin’s spine stiffened as information flooded his brain. “There have been three hundred and fifty-two tests run. Two hundred and ninety-eight results are back, negative success on all of them. I forecast the work schedule for the next week—”

“We know you’re working as hard as you can,” Cleo said. “But while the Siblet have the upper hand, pursuing them is risky.”

“I don’t mind a little risk,” Hunter said.

“I’m not risking you,” Cleo said.

He walked over to her and brushed his thumb gently across her cheekbone, where a red scar was slowly fading.

Dallin’s brain overload died as he studied their tender show of affection. He hadn’t even realized Cleo and Hunter were a thing until Sloane pointed it out to him.

He glanced at his equipment bench and shrugged. If the object didn’t fit on a micro slide, he never paid much attention. He liked things he could study and understand. Emotions were far too intangible to get a handle on how they worked.

Cleo smiled up at Hunter, then turned back to Dallin. “I’m not complaining at you, I’m just frustrated because we’ve found no permanent cure. The Siblet have us by the balls, and I hate that. And High Command is refusing to engage with them while they have a weapon that kills us.”

“The Apexians will go it alone if we have to,” Hunter said.

“And be exposed to a weapon you won’t survive?” Cleo shook her head. “That’s a suicide mission.”

“It doesn’t help that the Siblet have gone into hiding again,” Hunter said. “What was left of the base we found on Rowick is empty.”

Dallin slid open the top of the octo-squib tank and sprinkled food inside.

Hunter walked over and peered in at them. “I don’t know why you keep these things around.”

“They’re better company than you.” He rolled his shoulders. His eyes were burning from spending so many hours studying the results of the tests, but he wouldn’t give up. Cleo was counting on him, as was the rest of the crew, and potentially every Apexian that would go up against the Siblet.

“Angel has been linking in with Atticus on Laire again,” Cleo said. “Their test results will be in soon. They could have a breakthrough.”

Dallin nodded. He’d been speaking to Atticus. He was bright, almost as smart as him. “And I’ve got some ideas on tests we can run.”

“Let me know if you need any additional resources,” Cleo said.

“I’ve got everything I need.” Dallin’s gaze swept around the room. Although one important piece of his puzzle was missing. She was small, curvy, and kept him from going completely insane.

As if he’d summoned her with his mind, the door slid open and Sloane Harper sashayed in. Her warm smile shot straight to Dallin’s heart.

He instantly looked away, but just as quickly, looked back.