Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changeling #15) - Nalini Singh Page 0,176
I’d see such a being as having changed into something other, a new entity with which we’d no longer have much in common.”
Again, Malachai looked at him with those eyes that weren’t quite right, the color having faded even further. “An interesting idea for a security chief. Profoundly philosophical.”
Bo shrugged. “I can even read without moving my lips.”
The BlackSea male’s chuckle was deep. “So can I. Though it’s difficult when the sea is turbulent.” Amusement alive on his face, he said, “How about a drink?”
“I know a place.”
They fell into step again as Bo led Malachai to Bo’s favorite hole-in-the-wall bar. They didn’t speak about politics or alliances or whether Malachai had been messing with his head with that talk of two-hundred-year-old changeling tortoises, but the fact that the BlackSea security chief was having a beer with the Human Alliance security chief was notable in itself.
And it was noted by those who knew what and who Malachai was.
Some saw it as a sign of Trinity’s success. Others saw it as a possible problem. Still others saw it and decided that any pact or union between the two groups could not be permitted to succeed. Humans and water changelings covered every part of the planet. Should they unite, they could become an unstoppable power.
But no one did anything on that hazy Venetian day as the sun dropped into the ocean and the stars started to glitter.
That day, two dangerous men sat, had a beer, and discussed the latest football scores.
• • •
THE next day on the other side of the world, in a valley drenched in sunshine, the most lethal Psy men and women in the world came together with their young. Aden hadn’t been sure the event would work, that his people would understand what it was to celebrate, but he’d forgotten to factor in a new data point.
Arrow children had been playing and meeting with their changeling and human friends for some time now, had picked up far more than Aden realized. All the adults had to do was mention an upcoming celebration and they’d gone into creative mode, making decorations to hang around the central gathering area and suggesting suitable foods.
A few had shyly asked if they could have colorful new clothes.
The event was undoubtedly far more structured than a comparative gathering of humans or changelings, but . . . “I sense no discomfort,” Aden said to Zaira. “People are glad to be here, to acknowledge those of us who have bonded.”
His commander nodded, her curls blue-black in the sunshine. “To see us gives others hope.” With that, she turned and hauled down his head for a kiss intimate and possessive and as full of wildfire as Zaira.
His head was still spinning when they broke apart, and though he knew others watched, he was interested only in the woman who was his. “An attempt to engender even more hope?”
“Arrows are practical.” She ran possessive hands over his shoulders. “It’s good for them to see what lies ahead if they take a chance and step outside the cold black box of Silence.”
Aden was about to answer when he noticed something. “Look at the picnic table to the left.”
Carolina, long green ribbons in her pale blonde hair, was trying to pick up a cupcake that kept disappearing out from under her fingers, only to reappear on another part of the table. Her cheeks got hot red, her eyes narrowed, her breath puffing out as she tried to beat the switch. Finally, the infuriated six-year-old spun around and, scowling, ran straight to where an innocent-faced Tavish sat on the grass with a friend.
As Aden watched, she snatched the cupcake from his plate and took a big bite.
“Hey!” Tavish cried.
Chewing the bite and swallowing, Carolina said, “I know it was you!” She defiantly stuffed the rest of the cupcake into her mouth, then hands on her hips, glared at him while her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk’s.
Tavish started to protest his innocence but only lasted half a minute before he collapsed into laughter with his friend. “It was so funny!”
Having swallowed the cupcake by now, Carolina glared at the two boys for another minute before the first giggle escaped her.
Zaira’s lips curved. “Tavish is right, it was funny.” Reaching up to push back a lock of Aden’s hair that had fallen on his forehead, she said, “Psychically gifted children are going to find unique ways of getting into trouble.” In her expression, he read memories of how she’d been beaten and