Sentinel - Cyndi Friberg Page 0,38
all night. It’s the interplanetary ones that wear me out.”
Her brows scrunched up and she tilted her head. “Then why did we walk to the first workhouse? You said we could get stranded if you used too much energy.”
His smile turned into a rumbling chuckle. “What I told you is true. I just exaggerated how quickly it can happen.”
“Why did you do that?” She wasn’t sure she found this amusing.
“I wanted a few minutes alone with you.” Gently taking her hands, he drew her toward him and wrapped his arm around her back. “Caster took over our night. I wanted to steal a small piece of it back.”
Pleased with his instinct and relieved by the way the night turned out, she moved closer and wrapped both her arms around him.
“Here we go,” he whispered against her hair, then opened the portal with a graceful wave of his hand.
Knowing what to expect made the staggering rush a little less disorienting. She pressed her face against his chest and held on tightly as reality faded away. For one intimate moment he was the only solid thing in her universe. She was supported by his strong arms and comforted by the warm press of his body.
Light appeared in the distance, seeping in through her tightly closed lids. They smoothly accelerated, the power at his command awe-inspiring. Always before she couldn’t wait to reach the other end of the portal. This time she didn’t want the experience to end. He guided her out and into the middle of his living room. She clung to him, unable to summon the strength to pull away.
She was content and protected, appreciated and happy. She had friends and a family that loved her. She was on an alien plant surrounded by wonders few humans could imagine. An amazing male was courting her. And he didn’t just want her in his bed. He wanted her as his mate. She had so much and the urbanite orphans had nothing. They were ridiculed and ostracized, abused and forgotten, dumped in dark alleys like garbage.
An unexpected rush of emotion trapped her breath in her throat. Her lips trembled and tears gathered in her eyes. She’d delivered care packages to needy families during the holidays, even volunteered at a soup kitchen sponsored by her parents’ restaurant, but nothing she’d seen on earth compared to the abject poverty she’d witnessed today. Urbanite orphans were faced with so many different challenges she wasn’t sure how to begin to help them.
“You all right?” He brushed her hair back from her face.
Slowly opening her eyes, she looked into his. “I’m just tired.” She blinked furiously, but tears escaped the corners of her eyes.
He caught the moisture on the pad of his thumbs, his gaze warm and compassionate. “Let it out, love. Everyone cries the first time they see Ghost City, and you saw some of the worst parts.”
She rested her forehead against his chest and sobbed, mourning the loss of innocence and the daily struggle to survive. War, greed, and cruelty had created a situation to which no child should ever be subjected. She wanted to gather them up and protect them. She would feed and care for them until they were old enough to provide for themselves. All she needed was a place, a plan, and an unlimited budget.
“Please tell me Serpent isn’t the only one attempting to help those poor orphans.” She finally forced words past the tightness in her throat.
“There are many who are willing to donate, but few who will actually do the work. Poverty makes people uncomfortable. They would rather pretend it doesn’t exist.”
She shook her head and released a sigh of frustration. “Sounds like every charity on Earth.”
With obvious reluctance, he slid his hands down her arms and took her by the hand. They crossed the living room and sat on the sofa. He pivoted toward her then extended his arm along the back cushions. “If you’re serious about wanting to help them, you could put some pressure on your best friend.”
The suggestion confused her. “What does this have to do with Kara?”
“Kara is bonded with the male who controls the placement and focus of the alliance outposts.”
Contemplating a course of action allowed her to relax enough to smile. “Last I checked you have a pretty significant connection to the same male.”
“Being born into the same family doesn’t ensure anyone influence over another. I’ve suggested to my stubborn older brother that the Ghost City Outpost be focused on children more than