Lord Maxim is not thrilled to have his mate involved in issues like this, but Lady Rone was able to get Gwen to come here. If, and I mean if, here was a cargo ship in Sector 437, protected by Commander Karter’s battlegroup, where there was no chance Helion would try to capture her as well.”
Helion’s clenched jaw was all the indication I needed to know that had been his hope. It seemed the Earth female was smart—or very familiar with the IC commander.
“Girl talk, I’ve heard it’s called,” Helion replied as if it was sour in his mouth.
“You are speaking of my mate and your queen. She and Lady Rone achieved overnight what you have yet to accomplish. Tread carefully, Doctor.” Lord Ander spoke quietly, but his words carried the weight not just of Queen Jessica’s mate, but of a warrior who was battle scarred and very protective of his female, as all Prillon warriors should be. And he was here with this asshole rather than at the palace with her.
As usual for the doctor, he did not apologize but continued on. “The human females have disproportionately affected this war.” The speed of his pacing increased. “They seem uniquely adaptable and highly creative. Their minds can handle the effects of the Hive implants and still retain control. It’s remarkable. The brain bleeds are a problem, but with time I’m sure I can solve that obstacle. I simply need more of the females to work with.”
The doctor was obviously thinking aloud. Still I felt my ire rise at the thought of the doctor placing Hive implants in any human’s brain, especially my Lucy’s. “Don’t even think about it, Helion.”
I spoke for all Earth females, not just mine.
Sambor’s rage rivaled my own, the psychic link between our collars making me speak a bit more forcefully than I had intended. I did not lose my composure. Ever.
Helion stopped midstep and looked up at me with surprise. When his gaze dropped to the mating collar around my neck, he sighed. “Fuck. Not you, too.”
Ander shocked me by chuckling. I had never heard the scarred male laugh.
“A human?” Helion asked.
“Yes.”
He stared as if waiting for me to give him more information about Lucy, but I was not inclined to provide details to a male who had just spoken of experimenting on human females and their brains. He would know nothing of her.
“I am happy for you, Niklas,” he said, sharing the smallest shred of courtesy. “Sambor is your second?”
“Yes.” Sambor answered for himself, which was unusual. Normally he remained silent and watchful as I conducted business. But I felt his need through the collars to make Helion aware of the danger of messing with our female.
“Good for you.” He paced again, his impatience growing. “Where is that female?”
“In a hurry, Doctor?” Lord Ander asked, sarcasm lacing his words. “Please note, whatever outcome this meeting has, we are adjourned for the next three days. My mate’s generosity in helping you has caused me to be away from her. The same can be said for Niklas and Sambor and their new mate. You will need to plumb your own depths to be the diplomat all on your own, Helion.”
Helion’s cheeks mottled red at Lord Ander’s scolding, but I didn’t blame Ander. Gods, I wished I’d said the words myself. I felt Sambor’s satisfaction.
Dr. Helion turned away, fists clenched and shoulders stiff, as we all felt the disturbance of energy in the room. “They are arriving.”
I couldn’t decide who was more pleased by that.
Sambor took his weapon out and leveled it at an area of visual disturbance on the other side of the cargo hold. The space was large, and Ander had said he’d given our visitors precise coordinates.
When the two guests materialized, I was surprised to find the female looked completely human. And lovely. Long black hair fell to her waist. She had darker skin than my Lucy, and her eyes were a deep brown similar to some of the other human females I had seen. Next to her, Makarios of Kronos was massive, as I’d expected. What I had not imagined was the apparent lack of concern on his part for his female. She stood out in the open next to him, unprotected should Sambor decide to take a shot. Helion’s weapon was at the ready, and I knew Ander and his contingency of guards with him were armed.
“Dr. Helion, I presume.” The female spoke first, looking to the IC commander. The uniform had been