The Healer (The Order of Intergalactic Peace #1) - Kelly Lucille Page 0,67

to throw his mental stability into question. Mostly because he would use it as a chance to take Serenity from him and call it protection. And while he was confident in the Phoenix, they were not the only ones who would notice if he needed a clean-up of his ready room. That he could and did control his anger when he had never been able to before he attributed to Serenity. Something his connection with her had done allowed him more control over his temper than he had ever had.

The thought of her both soothed him and at the same time, her refusal to move into his rooms with him made a different kind of frustration nip at him. Although, in this instance it had helped his case that she was not living in his rooms. When the councilman left again however, that was going to change.

His com beeped at him.

“What?” he growled out as soon as the line was open.

Jas growled right back. “The councilman is in med bay.”

With a snarl Mal headed for the door. “Who else is there?”

“I’m on my way, but it’s only the med crew and Handsly now. He reported in as soon as the councilman showed but no one is close, and I can’t get a hold of Riff. He was trailing the councilman and has gone radio silent.”

At the door Mal motioned to Tram and Barak who he saw had joined him, to follow. He didn’t bother to slow down or speak again. Instead he ran, uncaring of who might see and report his actions.

Tram and Barak followed on his heels. If they had questions they kept them to themselves. He just hoped he made it to med bay before Serenity was hurt, or worse. And if Gren harmed a hair on her head. Councilman or not, he was a dead man.

The sudden pounding in his head was the worst it had ever been, but he ignored it all the same. The only thing he could think about just then was getting to Serenity in time.

***

Serenity looked up when the door swooshed open again. Wondering if they had a rare patient. The sight of Councilman Gren stepping so nonchalantly into their space had the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Everyone froze, and from the way he smiled and looked them all over he liked the fear he produced just my stepping into a room. His eyes passed over Handsly and lingered only briefly on Meg before he found her sitting at the com station towards the back. He smiled, and it held enough malice and satisfaction to tell Serenity she was in the presence of a true predator. Not that she hadn’t known that from the moment she touched his power.

Serenity took a deep quiet breath and stood up. “Are you in need of healing Councilman Gren?”

“I just thought it would be a good idea to see you for myself without Lord Ryn’s interference.” He looked her over from top to bottom and his power was reaching for her even as he walked closer, a look of malice on his face. “Why am I not sensing this great power you have?” he asked. If you are all that the rumors say you should be lit up like a supernova in my eyes. You read like a normal human.”

“I thought only readers could see power signatures,” she said watching him stalk closer and wondering when he would stop. She wanted to back up from the tendrils of seeking power that preceded him but knew he would see it as a weakness if she showed fear.

He shrugged. “You have not had the education to know about the abilities of the truly powerful. Healer power comes from a place of light and life, let’s just say my particular ability allows me to taste that kind of power in others.”

He stopped a few feet away, close enough that his dark tendrils finally reached her. It licked along the skin of her neck as if searching. She could not stop the shudder it caused, even as she held perfectly still.

“Sensitive,” he murmured with appreciation. “But where is that light I felt for just a moment earlier? Such a sweet taste, there and gone, making me wonder if I imagined it.”

He reached forward so fast he had his hand wrapped around her throat before she realized what he intended. He lifted her as the rest of the room erupted around them until her feet