Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changeling #15) - Nalini Singh Page 0,151

send me instructions from your suite.”

Eyes of blue-violet took in the way Nikita’s hand was pressed flat on her desk in an effort to control the trembling. “Collapsing after overextending yourself is why you’re in such bad condition when you should’ve already been well on the way to a full recovery.”

Sometimes Nikita wondered why she kept Sophia in her employ. Of course, it was partly because the other woman told her the truth, no matter what. “There are people watching me. Duncan stocks will start falling again should anyone realize the state of my health.” It was why the medics always came to her, courtesy of a Tk in her employ. All were paid extremely well to keep their mouths shut. She’d also reminded them who she was and what she could do to their brains should they cross her.

Sophia’s eyes went to the glass of the walls behind and to Nikita’s left. “Even if someone is spying on your movements, they can’t know what you’re doing if you step out. I’ll even make a note in your diary that you’re in an internal conference room in the unlikely scenario that someone is able to hack into our systems.”

The other woman placed her organizer on Nikita’s desk, her stance resolute . . . and concern in her gaze. The J had a softer heart than she liked to pretend. Nikita knew; she recognized the signs after raising a daughter with an even softer heart.

“You’ve made enough of an appearance today,” Sophia continued. “You also have a meeting at an external location tomorrow for which you need to be physically fit. I can juggle everything else so no one is the wiser about your health.”

Nikita’s abdomen was throbbing, but she couldn’t risk using the pain-control mechanisms she’d been taught as a child, lest she unknowingly ignore a bleed or a tear because she couldn’t feel it. “All right. I’ll read the airjet data package upstairs.” She’d get into bed first, try to sleep through the worst of the pain. “If the pain gets any worse, we’ll get an M-Psy in to run a scan.”

Sophia nodded. “I’ll send the package to your organizer.” The younger woman walked with Nikita to the door, stayed beside her as she got in the elevator.

Nikita didn’t tell Sophia not to accompany her upstairs. She was weaker than she could remember being for weeks—it was possible she might collapse.

She trusted Sophia to catch her.

It wasn’t until she’d changed into simple pajamas of navy blue and slipped into bed that she realized there was something she didn’t trust Sophia to do: keep her silence about Nikita’s condition when it came to two specific individuals. Sophia, she said telepathically. Don’t contact my daughter or Anthony about the current status of my health.

I already did.

Nikita knew she should discipline her subordinate, but she simply didn’t have the energy. We’ll discuss this after I rest.

The voice that came into her mind seconds later was a male one. Sleep. I’ll make sure you’re safe.

I can keep myself safe, Nikita said . . . or tried to say. Except her eyes were heavy from the exhaustion of maintaining her front as a ruthless woman undaunted by what could’ve been a fatal wound, and she’d become used to that male voice.

Anthony Kyriakus hadn’t yet let her down.

Sleep crashed over her in a black wave a heartbeat after that thought passed through her mind.

Letters to Nina

From the private diaries of Father Xavier Perez

August 10, 2079

Nina,

The world is changing in drastic and perilous ways. My two friends are unafraid of meting out death in their quest to erase evil and bring freedom to their people. It disturbs me and I argue often with them, but I can’t sway them from their course—they believe the evil in the Psy race is too deeply rooted, that it must be excised with brutal force.

Only then can compassion have a chance to bud and bloom.

I’ve sat for hours in my church, praying for answers, for a way forward that won’t stain the world in red, but I hear only silence from the heavens. I wish you were here. My friends think me wise, but you were always the one who could see through to the heart of the most complex questions.

I miss you each and every day.

Xavier

Chapter 45

SASCHA HUNG UP the phone and turned to Lucas, worry gnawing her gut. “That was Sophie. Nikita’s still in pain, exhausted.” It didn’t surprise her that she hadn’t picked up Nikita’s exhaustion during