by Reagan Woods
Despite his concerns, Vank laughed. “Isn’t that the truth.” He’d debated bringing this up with her for a while because he didn’t want to push her, but he wanted to know. “Speaking of all that, why do you close yourself off from me so often now?”
“I still try to stay open except when you’re working, but I’m trying not to use the woo woo.”
“Huh?” He considered their ability to share thoughts one of their greatest strengths – especially in life or death situations. With as much trouble as they’d seen together, he thought they should hone that gift constantly. Plus, he liked engaging her in dirty fantasies when they were apart.
“Lights ten percent,” she commanded. In the dim illumination, she propped an elbow next to his head and leaned down until they were nose to nose. “It would be weird if we never spoke aloud, don’t you think? Besides, think how awkward it is for other people when we tune them out and talk to each other. They don’t know we’re communicating. Instead, they think we’re weirdos.”
Rubbing a strand of her silky hair between his thumb and forefinger, Vank considered. “I like knowing what you’re thinking. Other people don’t matter.”
“I know.” She kissed his forehead and nuzzled their noses together. “I’ve been feeling pretty low, though, and I don’t want that to affect you. This stuff with my sister…”
“Today was good, right?” He pulled her completely on top of him.
Her blonde head pressed into his shoulder as she wiggled around seeking a comfortable position. “It was everything I hoped for,” she admitted quietly.
“I guess you didn’t change your mind about having a few babies, huh?” He teased. “I’m sure my mother would love to know we’re doing our part to propagate the species.”
“That’s probably not the way to talk a female into carrying your young,” Lara said drolly. “Talk of mothers and propagation isn’t sexy. Just a heads-up.”
“Good to know.” He wrapped his arms around her slim body and relished the closeness. “In all seriousness, I love you, Lara.”
“I love you, too.” Her breaths evened out.
Vank began to drift, thoughts of early morning PT and a possible scouting trip to Earth running through his mind.
“Arianna isn’t psychic.” Lara’s mental voice was perplexed as her finger began tracing over the markings on his chest.
He roused with difficulty, her ticklish touch finally pulling him out of the twilight stupor. “Er – that’s what you said before.”
“She’s something else. So is Rian. Sari is like me.”
That was unexpected. “Shouldn’t you tell them?” He referred to Darvan and Arianna.
“She knows.”
Vank didn’t understand how that could be true, but he was wide awake now.
“She knows - and I think she’s afraid.”
He knew he had to tread carefully. Lara’s abilities increased daily. Unfortunately, her gift didn’t march in a straight line, one logical step to the next. “What makes you believe that?”
“I did a skim reading on her tonight. With all this talk of brain injury, I wondered what I’d find.”
She paused when he sucked in a breath, but he didn’t interrupt. Finding out everything was his mission now. If Darvan thought Lara had harmed Arianna, he’d stop at nothing to exact revenge. Frankly, Vank was surprised the General wasn’t pounding on their door now.
“Relax,” Lara chided. “She didn’t even know I did it. I didn’t touch her or try to transmit to her. All I did was watch and listen.”
“Well, what did you find?” Vank knew his mental voice was loud. Sometimes his mate was deliberately provocative – not in a fun way.
“Nothing,” Lara answered. “I can’t go beyond reading her aura. She’s completely shut. Rian is, too. Sari wanted to chatter my ear off, though. That one really likes her milk.”
“Er – is this a joke?” Vank asked dubiously, catching her teasing finger as it edged lower on his abdomen.
Lara snorted derisively. “I’m not that cruel. I’m starting to wonder, though, if all these diversions to keep the General here are really designed to keep him out of the CORANOS fight. No matter how fearsome, can one General and his Warriors make that much difference?”
“What else could it be?” It was Vank’s turn for derision.
“In the Horizon’s last battle, you chased a VENTIX ship,” she reminded. “Hash-Han knows where Earth is, and his fingerprints are all over the siege of Corian space, you witnessed that. Maybe the old bastards on the High Council told him about Arianna. Maybe he figured out she’s my sister and keeping her and the babies here are payment for his help? If Hash-Han is up to his old tricks, trying for one last psychic harvest on Earth, he could net three gifted females - four if you count me - with very little effort.”
Vank could see how she might come to such a conclusion. “I think you might be paranoid where the VENTIX are concerned. You’re all safe here with so many Warriors to protect you. Not one of them would allow the General’s family or my mate to be taken.”
“You’re probably right,” Lara agreed. She snuggled in, commanding the lights off. “You always know what to say to put me at ease.” Her silky hair trailed over his skin as she turned her head to place a soft kiss over his heart. “Goodnight, my love.”
Vank held her close as her body relaxed into slumber. Her soft snores filled the room and he ached to follow her into sleep. Instead, he gritted his teeth against the stark dread that settled into his stomach like a ball of ice. What if he was wrong?
Earth Neverafter Series
and Coming Soon
Book 1: Arianna’s Alien
Book 2: Willa’s Way
Book 3: The Lost
Shortie 3.5 Buidling Bridges
Book 4: Found
Book 5: Hero August 2018