by Jenn Nixon
“What about the guards?” she asked as Liam joined the group and handed her a glass of the green goop.
Duncan shook his head. “Same damn thing Reich said, they have blocking implants. We can’t take them out without knowing exactly what they do. I can’t break into their heads and they’re not talking.”
“Didn’t they have—”
“Their phones are all encrypted, not even I can get in,” Lexa answered Dina’s next question and shrugged.
“And Caelum?” Her voice cracked. “Is he okay?”
Bates nodded, thankfully. “Sanjeeta’s with him.”
“So what’s next?” The room went silent. Dina tilted her head, staring at her brother. “Nothing?”
“Other than waiting for Aime’s results and Hinta’s hook up, there’s not much to do,” Kim said with a shrug.
“Unless one of the phones rings or someone else shows up at Phoenix,” Duncan added.
Theo frowned. “We’ve exhausted every lead.”
“I’m sure once we get into their servers, we’ll have more than enough information to find him,” Liam said.
“Maybe…” Duncan began only to trail off when Valtor shot him a look and said, “Never mind.”
Dina didn’t need to ask, his thoughts often mirrored her own. “It’s okay…I’ve thought about it too. I honestly think everything’s starting to fade or something.”
“There’s one way to find out,” Jazara said.
Zila shook her head, speaking up finally. “Make it your final option. Foreknowledge of the future is dangerous when it comes from a seer’s mind. Most times there is no way to avoid what is seen, at least that has been my experience.”
“It’s one of the reasons Vepsatian bureaucrats seek us out to govern, what I see is usually set in stone, though, I much preferred when I didn’t know that,” Jazara said with a heavy sigh.
Dina winced and rubbed her temple. Liam’s hand fell to her shoulder filling her with his soothing energy as the group grew silent. Bates and Lexa yawned at the same time, making everyone chuckle. Kim, already nodding to Duncan got up from her chair and stretched.
“Zila, you’re more than welcome to stay in our spare room,” Duncan said.
“As long as you keep the implant, or we could switch to the wristband now,” Jazara added cautiously, and shrugged. “Making amends takes time.”
“I’m ready to prove myself, to all of you.”
“Your help has been invaluable, Zila, thank you,” Valtor said, hiding a deeper meaning that Dina was able to ascertain. Although she was curious, she had enough on her mind without trying to dig through theirs to find answers.
“This one really is a team effort,” Duncan said. “Kim and I will take first shift in the base, no way I’m sleeping anytime soon.”
“Well, I’m busted, we’re heading out,” Lexa said with a chuckle as she tugged Bates toward the exit.
“I’ll update Hinta and have him check in with Duncan,” Jazara said.
“Casey and I will stay in the shuttle tonight, keep an eye on our guests until we decide what to do with them,” Theo said, wrapping his arm around Casey’s back.
Dina didn’t feel weird meeting his gaze anymore. Like the memories, whatever her future counterpart felt, started to fade away too. She hated the rift between her and Theo. Since she’d reconciled with Casey, she knew it was time to talk to him and brushed her mind against his as the group began to disperse. When Theo met her eyes and nodded, Dina wrapped her fingers around Liam’s hand to catch his gaze.
Grab the pizza and a couple of beers and meet me upstairs, I’m gonna talk to Theo.
Good. It’s about time, Dina.
I know, she replied and got up to kiss his cheek. See you in a few.
Liam went to the kitchen, while she said goodbye to Kim and Jazara and goodnight to her father who escorted everyone to the foyer. Casey broke from Theo’s hug and smiled over at Dina while giving her a slight nod before walking away.
Stuck in place, Dina lifted her thumb to her mouth and chewed the corner suddenly unsure what to say. Luckily, Theo spoke first.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Yeah, me too.”
He approached tentatively. “Dina…”
“I hope it never happens, Theo, but—”
“I know,” he said, taking a step closer and holding out his hand. “I didn’t understand it when Casey told me, but I do now.” Dina swallowed and took his hand. Nothing overtly odd happened, yet she sensed a slew of emotions rolling through the former general, the complete opposite of his cool exterior. “I mask them well. So well, others never notice, except you. You always notice. She said only someone like you could save me from my grief. You’ve already helped me do it once, Dina, and as much as I hope you never have to do it again, I need you, Duncan…this whole team in my life.”
To conceal her tears, Dina threw her arms around his back and hid her face. He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. I’m just glad I didn’t ruin anything between you and Casey…I’d never be able to—
You didn’t, I promise, it honestly brought us closer.
Good.
Quite.
This is all your fault you know. Dina broke from his hug, squeezed his hand, and then broke physical contact. You started flirting with me when you came to the base.
Because you couldn’t stop undressing me with your mind, Dina. Believe me, I felt it.
Well, I don’t have to do that anymore do I? She cracked and watched his cheeks darken.
“Dina,” he said, his tone warning.
“I don’t know if we’ll lose the dream, Theo, and I’m glad they had each other, but that future’s gone.”
“Are you sure?”
Dina winced and furrowed her brow. “Not a hundred percent, but Sanjeeta didn’t meet Caelum when she first came here for help with Marjorie, now she’s his Conduit.”
“Do the others know?”
Dina shook her head. “I’ll clue in Liam, but we should keep it quiet for now until I’m certain.”
“Good idea.” Theo nodded, locking eyes with her again. “And you can let him know we’ll be around more often, I know it’s been on his mind lately.”
“We need you too, Theo, all of us, for different reasons. No more exiles for anyone.” Dina walked him to the foyer, even hugged him again before he teleported away, and then ran up the stairs to see Liam.
When she saw him fast asleep on the bed, clad only in boxers, she chuckled softly and quickly ate a piece of pizza, skipping the beer. Then she turned down the lights as she stripped out of her clothes and slipped into bed, gently snuggling close so she wouldn’t wake him, and shut her eyes, ready to fall back asleep with him at her side and save the rest of the pizza for breakfast.
Chapter Thirty
Sanjeeta stared up at Caelum frozen by his words unsure exactly what he meant and before she could ask, he dipped his head down and trapped her bottom lip between his, sparking her libido to life instantly. She kissed him back, more forcefully, feeling the link form and his mind spill into her head. The rush made her dizzy.
Caelum picked her up in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his silver eyes shimmered, breathing hitched, and face flushed red.
My place, she projected.
He nodded, and in the next moment, they were standing in her living room between the couch and kitchen table. Caelum set her down, keeping hold of her hand allowing the link to continue feeding her the commotion from his mind, showing her all he’d seen while he was away, the pain and anguish that consumed his thoughts as he tried to forget his friends, his promise, the way he felt when he stayed on Earth. Sanjeeta devoured it all.
As he stroked the back of his hand across her cheek, the chaos began to dissipate revealing everything Caelum felt deep inside, the emotions lost by the burden he carried. Lust, fear, and a desperate yearning for affection so strong it broke her heart.
Why did you say that? You’r
e my Enhancer. Sanjeeta leaned into him, lifting her hand to his mouth, and caressing his bottom lip.
Caelum shuddered and shut his eyes. Because you are beyond unique. There’s never been and never will be another like you. His breathing increased making his skin vibrate beneath her fingers. Seeing his reaction to her touch made her feel powerful, wanted. I crave the control of a Conduit, more to help keep me sane and stop me from going too far. Knowing my lover holds that power over me brings forth a dark need inside of me, Sanjeeta.
His ominous words rippled over her flesh.
She whispered, “What do you mean?”
“Sarpians are never whole until they find a true match, a lifemate they trust with their mind and body…for me that has never seemed possible until you. I am not explaining this well.”
“Your actions speak louder, Caelum.”
“My mind is almost, free, Sanjeeta,” he murmured, snaking his arm around her waist and drawing her against his inferno of a body. “Soon, only you will consume my thoughts, allowing me to fulfill every desire you have.”
Sanjeeta’s skin blazed. She pulled him to her, taking his mouth hostage, curling her fingers into the fabric of his shirt to keep him close. He lifted her up, set her on the table, and moved between her legs. His hands teased up her thighs, and rose higher, slipping beneath her shirt. He swept his fingers over her stomach, making her flesh burn.
They both moaned into the kiss.
Every inch of skin he touched sizzled. Caelum’s body vibrated wildly. She deepened the kiss, swelling with raw desire. She needed him naked and hard, right now.
Take off our clothes.
The cool air blasted her skin. They both gasped, breaking the kiss. Caelum’s hands moved to her hips as his mouth found her neck and then her collarbone and slid lower until he captured a nipple between his lips. Sanjeeta gasped, reached down, and wrapped her fingers around his erection. He jerked in her hand, groaning and sucked harder as his hand settled on the small of her back creating tremors through her body.
“Sanjeeta,” he moaned and gazed up at her with his baby blues.
Caelum was ready.
She stroked him, guiding him closer. Needing him desperately, Sanjeeta tilted her hips on the edge of the table and wrapped her legs around his waist. He filled her slowly, breathing raggedly, somehow arousing her even more. Caelum rocked deeper, kissing a trail up her chest and the side of her neck, spreading the euphoria to every corner of her body.
When he found her mouth, the lust exploded between them speeding up Caelum’s tempo and tightening her body. A thousand years may have passed and she’d never know. All that existed was here, in her arms.
Only after he broke from her mouth, did she realize he’d lifted her off the table and had her pressed against the wall between the bathroom and bed.
As she panted against his lips, he eased out, shuddering the entire way. Sanjeeta unwrapped her legs from his waist and lowered her feet to the ground. The hunger in his stare as he gazed down at her shocked her entire system. Caelum spun her around and drove back into her with an erotic growl that reverberated through her whole body.
“Yes, Caelum, faster,” she cried, parting her legs and arching her back to bring him deeper.
He slid his hands up her hips and around her waist, moving up to cup and tease her breasts as his thrust increased in strength and speed. The sounds he made drove her wild. Pleasure was the only thing on his mind. Caelum pressed his body to her, kissing her shoulder and neck, moaning against her ear. She tightened around him, heading toward the peak.
When her legs began to shake, he wrapped an arm around her stomach and slowed his pace until he went still. Then he withdrew. Not yet, little star.
Sanjeeta turned to meet his gaze as she tried to catch her breath.
He stepped closer.
She walked backward, pausing when she hit the bed.
Caelum’s voracious stare made her delirious.
Sanjeeta caught his fingertips with hers and pulled him to the bed as she slid to the middle of the mattress. He maneuvered between her thighs, bracing his hands near her shoulders as he hovered.
After her head hit the mattress, he returned to her body, making her arch and her toes curl. His slow seductive pace boiled her insides. She cupped his face with both hands and rose up to kiss him. The carnal energy detonated between them making slow impossible. Caelum went flush against her body, delving deeper, faster, and grinding harder, tangling his hands around her back and widening her thighs with his. His tongue teased hers as they shared breath and pleasure without any barriers holding them back. She cried out as she tensed and rocketed toward the edge of sanity.
He rumbled against her mouth as his skin vibrated like sound waves from a speaker. His power pulsed through her. She arched into him, clinging to his shoulders as the ecstasy rocked her body.
“Caelum,” she moaned, digging her nails into his skin, feeling her muscles tighten.
“You’re close again,” he groaned against her mouth, sliding his tongue along her bottom lip as he moved even faster.
“Yes, oh, yes,” she wheezed, gripping the back of his neck as she met his gaze.
What do you desire, Sanjeeta? his voice enter her thoughts like a solar flare.
You, Caelum, only you.
He grabbed her waist and plunged into her, quicker and rougher and deeper until she whimpered and froze in place. Come, little star, set us both free.
His mouth stifled the scream escaping her lips as their bodies collided and erupted in a united climax that surged through every muscle, every cell, and every inch of skin. The shared experience prolonged the bliss and heightened the ecstasy as everything inside her mind spilled into his, mixing and swirling before returning to her, heightened and stronger and filling her with his yearnings and needs and all the pleasure he was experiencing with her.
Sanjeeta! Caelum mental voice echoed as his already swift pace doubled and his arms constricted around her body. A second, more powerful climax wracked their bodies sending her soaring beyond the heavens.
When he fell into her arms, shaking and twitching as much as she was, Sanjeeta wrapped her arms around his back, riding the aftershocks together. Whatever came of this bond, it had already proved its strength. Making love to Caelum transcended reality.
A sting of tears filled her eyes.
Caelum tilted his head, concern spreading on his ethereal face. Sanjeeta?
She met his gaze and brushed her fingers over his cheek. To think we almost missed this chance…
A sad smile crossed his lips as he nodded. The thought of leaving you left me heartbroken. It’s not a feeling I wish to experience again.
Sanjeeta traced his chin and sighed. “I can’t promise you that, Caelum…I am human, you’ll surely outlive me.”
“Perhaps,” he replied, slipping from her body slowly and rolling to his side.
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“The bond we share will keep you alive for a very long time. How long, I’m uncertain. One of my Conduits was with me for two thousand years.”
“I hope we have that much time together,” she said, imagining all the things they could do. “You can show me the whole galaxy.”
“And more,” he replied and stroked his hand up her stomach, creating more shudders. “Did I live up to my word, little star, did this time surpass the last?”
“Oh yes, most definitely,” she said, chuckling. “You can sense me now, can’t you?”
“It’s fading, but I did and you are glorious, a goddess in my eyes.”
The only eyes that matter to me, Caelum. She cupped his cheek, rubbing her thumb along his chin.
You were right, the bond did not alter our feelings.
I’m fairly sure nothing can. We may be beyond explanation, but we make a great couple.
“We are destined to be much more than that,” he said, as he brushed a finger over her breast making her shudder. “You have roused a need I’d forgotte
n, long, very long ago.”
“Love,” she said, smiling as tears saturated her eyes.
“Yes. Loving me is easy for most beings, I say this not because of ego—”
“I know what you mean. I don’t see the powerful god-like Enhancer they see, I see you. The man with a chaotic past who overcame every obstacle and still has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. Someone who always lived on the outside, observing. A man who would sacrifice his life for those he cares about. I see a man who arouses me with one look, makes me laugh, calls me a goddess, and sees me, not some psychic freak. That’s who I’m falling in love with.”
“I very much look forward to falling too, Sanjeeta,” he said, drawing her into his arms and kissing her gently.
More than ready to feel him inside her again, she rolled on top of him and pinned his arms to the side as she gazed down. And I’m looking forward to some of those naughty thoughts rolling around in your head, baby blue.
Caelum grinned, stopping her heart. I am your Enhancer, Sanjeeta Desai, you only need to command me.
That could be very dangerous. She brushed her fingers over his lips knowing how it made him feel.
No, in your hands I’ll be safe.
Yes, you will, Caelum, until my last breath.
***
Dina’s soft murmur woke him. Her hand twitched on his chest. Liam opened his eyes and blinked away the fading dream. Dina shifted against him, her head resting on his shoulder as half her body covered his. The simple, wonderful fact that she was still sleeping was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes.
When she tilted her head and her eyelids fluttered opened, Liam smiled and stroked his hand over her cheek. She captured the back of his neck and drew him to her mouth.
Her kiss ignited his body.
Dina rolled onto her back, bringing him along as she deepened the kiss and lowered every block around her mind. Her overpowering emotions surged through him, fueling his own desires as hers mixed with his.
I’ve missed you, Liam. I need you so much.
I need you, too. Dina was vital to his existence and he had to make sure she understood. Lost in her eyes and filled with her love, Liam paced himself, making sure every moment, every kiss and touch, each caress and stroke, proved just how much he loved her.