The Healer (The Order of Intergalactic Peace #1) - Kelly Lucille Page 0,24

just enough to get her point across but not enough to make him think she was fighting him. She didn’t need to be told he would let her go when he was ready and not before. “You can let me go now.”

She watched something flash behind his cold eyes, but it was there and gone before she could identify what it was. Then he dropped her to her feet and stepped back, making her aware how high she had been pressed up the wall. His movements as abrupt as when he had pulled away from that kiss.

Briefly Serenity wobbled on her feet, but she was able to steady herself against the wall without giving too much away. She raised her chin and met those blue eyes again, hoping he couldn’t see the effort the move took.

“I have done nothing that would warrant you sending your pet hunter and a shield after me.” She realized her mistake as soon as she spoke.

Shit. She thought using one of her father’s archaic curses. That was a lie, and from the way his lips quirked up in a cruel grin, he knew it as well as she did. She snorted inwardly at her own stupidity. The man was the most powerful reader alive, and his power was wrapped so tightly with hers they were glowing in swirls of his silver and her golden glow as if it were painted across their skin. Something she was valiantly trying to ignore.

She sucked in a calming breath and tried again. “I am a free citizen of Earth, and since I would remember if I had joined the OIP, you have no right to send your pet hunter and shield to forcefully remove me from my home. And you certainly have no right to hold me here.”

He stepped back as if he would keep all of her in sight and crossed his arms over his chest, raising a brow at her. Whatever that meant. His power didn’t let up in the slightest. If it didn’t feel so damn good mingling and caressing along her own, the pressure alone would be daunting.

Ignoring that, she reminded herself.

“I Would like to return to earth. Now.” No truer words had ever been spoken. Even if she knew he wasn’t going to just send her back. Still, she had to try.

“You aided a known criminal,” he reminded her almost mildly. “Neutral planet or not, doing so makes you a criminal and subject to Order justice.”

She crossed her own arms, nearly brushing his in the process since he was still too close. “I am a healer. My nature makes it impossible to ignore anyone in need of healing. That doesn’t make me a criminal. Under your Order guidelines, under article exceptions for my designation, I cannot be persecuted for healing.” Serenity had never been so grateful that her father had insisted she learn the OIP rules and expectations for healers. At the time it had felt like useless information, as she had no intention of mingling with the troops. Her father had disagreed since she was determined to tempt fate by entering the occupied towns.

Mal Ryn smiled again, and she wished he would stop doing that. It was frightening. Then he spoke and the smile turned mocking. “Under that same exception healers are required to register their designation with the order and report any criminal activity they become aware of while administering their gift.” His smile dropped away and a twinkle of what looked like satisfaction flashed in those cold eyes. As if he knew he had her. “I have looked through our records and there is no healer of your power level registered to Earth. Or anywhere else for that matter.”

Because anyone as strong as her would have been long since conscripted. Serenity thought wryly. Or just plain disappeared without a word as she had done. “I showed you where I saw supposed criminal activity,” she reminded him this time. “I took you right to where they had been staying. It’s not my fault you didn’t ask the right questions.”

That had anger flashing and then blinking out even as she watched. “You failed to mention that you were the healer my hunters sensed there.”

“Again,” she reminded him. “You didn’t ask the right questions.” She spoke again interrupting what looked suspiciously like a snarl forming on his lips with her hand raised in supplication. “But I would be happy to answer any questions you have, and then would appreciate a quick return to Earth