The guard pulled off her helmet and waited while one of those floating robots scanned her profile and matched up the blood, DNA and bone structure.
Another movement caught my attention. I inhaled and Connor’s spicy scent hit me. I waited to see him, my stomach doing weird jumps, but he didn’t turn our way at all, he just strode by with purpose on his face. I did a double take when Zander walked by behind Connor.
“I need to see Connor.” I didn’t, but I wanted to know what he was up to.
“No. He knew you were there.” Stone inhaled. “After all, your stink is mixed with his. If he wanted you with him, he would have called you to heel.” He half-smirked, half-snarled, keeping his arm in my way.
My hands fisted. In this position, his chest was open to an attack. Was he that stupid he didn’t realise? Or just so arrogant he didn’t think a mere female would attack him? Then I saw the expectant glitter in his eyes. He was goading me, leaving himself vulnerable. I wasn’t that stupid. Nonchalantly, I shrugged, and with my back against the wall, slid to the floor. “I might as well have a seat then.”
Reed lifted one big shoulder. “Of course. Would you like me to find you a chair?” He frowned at my position on the floor.
My eyes widened, and I opened my mouth ready to snap at him for that sarcastic remark—until I realised he was absolutely serious. “I...er...no, I’m good, thank you.” Bloody hell, he really was a gentleman. How on earth had he gotten mixed up in all this shit?
Stone snorted, flashing Reed a what the fuck? look.
I ignored them both and leaned my head back against the wall, closing my eyes just enough so that I could still see Stone. I didn’t trust that fucker at all.
Reed frowned down at me, but I couldn’t care less about my position. It was nice to just sit for a moment. My body was aching, and I was far more weary than I’d admit. When Reed sat on the other side of me, keeping his vigil as my guard, I actually let myself relax. Stone took his hand off the wall and leaned against the door frame, watching.
His gaze didn’t bother me as much as I think he hoped it would. I tried peering into the corridor beyond him a couple of times, but it was quiet and empty. It was at least ten minutes before people started moving around again. When the first people came from the direction we were going, I went to stand. Reed jumped to his feet before I could get to mine.
“Here, let me help you up,” he said, holding his hand out for me.
I didn’t need help to get up, but I didn’t want to be rude. Besides, Reed was just being nice. Stone rolled his eyes as I accepted.
“Thank you.” I smiled at Reed. When the nice guy turned his back, I gave Stone the finger. He snarled, his eyes flashing purple as he took a stride towards me.
I quickly stepped up to Reed’s side and through the door into the now busy corridor.
“Hey,” greeted Myles.
Reed actually flushed a little. “Hey, man, what are you doing here? Did the boss put you on Ember watch?” He winked at me.
Ember watch? Not only did I get silly nicknames, so did anything related to me it seemed.
“Nah,” Myles said, his gaze running down Reed’s body and back up to his face like he couldn’t help it. “I need you.” His voice and eyes held such heat, the meaning was clear.
“Me?” replied Reed, though he swallowed hard, not missing the suggestive tone in Myles’s voice. “I, erm, I can't. I need to get Ember back to the training hall.”
“I’ll be fine, Reed.” I smiled widely. Well, wasn’t this interesting? Reed’s heart rate and breathing had kicked up a pace and his face had flushed more. “You go and, err, see what Myles needs you for.” But it was pretty bloody obvious to me.
“No.” Reed took a step back from Myles, whose eyes narrowed. “I was given a job by my Prime and I’m not abandoning it.” He glared at Stone accusingly.
I almost laughed at Stone’s pissed expression. He glared at me like him leaving the training ring this morning was my fault. I just put an innocent look on my face, knowing that he shouldn’t have left my side, but still glad he had.