Hostage to Pleasure

“Not much at this stage. The group won’t discuss the exact nature of its activities with nonmembers. My family is being cautious about getting involved-we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our standing with the Council.”

It was a veiled offer to feed him information. Kaleb knew Silver’s family would cut his throat without a thought if he lost his power, but for now, he had the Mercant resources at his disposal. He’d have been concerned that Silver would betray him with the same glibness, but that wasn’t the Mercant way. The family had a history of unswerving loyalty unless and until the object of that loyalty proved weak. “Thank you, Silver,” he said. “I’d appreciate being kept updated on Pure Psy’s activities.”

“Yes, sir. Was that all?”

“Yes.”

After his aide left, Kaleb took a small platinum charm from his pocket.

A single star. A marker.

The NetMind and DarkMind had both defied him in his search for the owner of the charm, but he would succeed. Failure simply wasn’t an option.

CHAPTER 43

Iliana Aleine was interned at the Center as per Council order 507179, and given intensive rehabilitation. She did not wake from the final procedure. The death arose from complications due to her diseased mind and has been ruled natural.

– Death notice received by Ashaya and Amara Aleine, December 2069

“I asked Lucas to get Sascha,” Dorian told Ashaya after closing his phone and slinging Amara back over his shoulder. “Her gift might help with your sister.”

Ashaya nodded, hovering as they returned to the cabin and he put his burden in a chair inside.

“We have to be safe,” he told her as he immobilized Amara with ropes.

“I know.” But she watched her twin with need in her eyes that Dorian knew would never be fulfilled. Amara was incapable of love as most people understood it-he’d got that with only a glancing acquaintance. But, he thought, tying the final knot, there was something there. It had driven Amara this far into dangerous territory. “Is she really out?” Going to Ashaya, he took her in his arms.

“Not as deep as before. She’ll probably wake within the next few minutes. You should change. The broadcast.” The plan was for her to make the morning news.

“I don’t know if I can do it.” She put her ear over his heartbeat.

Man and leopard were both pleased she saw safety in him. “Yes, you can. Don’t give up.”

“I can’t leave her alone.” She looked more lost than he’d ever seen her.

“We won’t.” He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip in a predator’s soothing caress. “Dezi’s already out there and more packmates are heading over. But,” he added, “I’m not going to push you. I’ve been thinking about how far the Council seems ready to go-they came close to violating our implied truce today.” It displayed an arrogant determination that had him questioning his earlier belief that a high profile would ensure his mate’s safety. “We’ll find another way to-”

Ashaya was already shaking her head. “No.” A husky voice, crushed velvet and feminine will. “I need to do this, for Ekaterina. For my mother. They killed her for daring to speak out, then told us she’d died a ‘natural’ death.” She took a deep breath. “I need to show everyone the Council hasn’t intimidated me into silence.”

His protective instincts collided with a raw sense of pride. “Once more,” he said, voice husky. “After that, we renegotiate.”

“One more broadcast might be all that’s needed.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll go change.”

Dorian nodded, but kept his senses focused on Amara. “Can she attack you from a distance?”

“No, not telepathically,” Ashaya said from the bathroom. “She’s not strong enough.” The sound of crisp cotton sliding over warm skin. It made his body tighten, but he stayed put, his eyes on a woman who should’ve been identical to his mate but wasn’t.

“What about through the PsyNet?” he asked.

A pause. “Possible. She’s the only one who can find me there. If she does, it’ll blow my cover… even though I’m starting to panic about exactly how that cover is staying in place. I’m feeling too much-my shields should’ve been compromised days ago.”

Dorian ignored her final murmurs. “Would she do that, put you at risk?”

Ashaya walked back out, fingers busy with the buttons on the cuffs of her ice-blue shirt. “I broke the rules-I brought someone else into our game. I don’t know what she’ll do in retaliation.”

About to answer, he heard Amara take a deeper, more conscious breath. “She’s waking up.”

Ashaya gave him a startled look. “How can you tell? She’s shut me out, I can’t feel her anymore.”

“Good.” Amara’s head rose from her chest to pin Ashaya to the spot, but when she spoke again, it was to Dorian. “Wonder what the Council will say about changelings interfering in their business again.”