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I don’t want to lose her.

But could Tasha respect a man who turns from a fight?

10

Tasha

The feeling of their auras going farther and further away wakes me up.

Two of my Aurelians, Iunia and Vinicus, are now leaving The Instigator – descending to the surface of Tarrion, the green giant below.

There, they’ll set up anti-air batteries and wait in ambush for the coming attack…

…wait a second.

MyAurelians?

I can’t think of them like that! Not when I’m going to be leaving them behind like a memory.

I shake my head. It’s so strange to be waking up alone in bed and yetfeelingthem in my mind. I can still feel them in my body, too. I’m sore from their passionate lovemaking – and I’m probably going to limping for at least a day or two.

The auras of Vinicus and Iunia have the constant feeling of waiting – taut and ready to spring to action. I sense they want a fight, just like their Captain and leader.

But in contrast, Aelon is stressed and on the edge. It’s so strange. Now, I finally understand that his cocky nonchalance is merely hiding the immense pressure he’s under. He’d love to be on the ground with his triad, waiting for the Toads to swoop into their ambush, so he can wipe them out of the sky. Aelon’s hatred for the species burns like a sun.

Speaking of which – my ass is still burning from yesterday. The Bond was nice enough to turn that pain to pleasure during sex, but now it’s just sore.

“Could you give me some relief?” I plead to the Bond, as if it’s something sentient.

Now that’s a scary thought!

The Bond – it’s a completely…alienexperience. It’s not like being drunk, or on drugs. It’s just this constantitch. I know it can only be sated when I’m in bed, tangling with the three magnificent warriors.

I’ll guess I’ll just have to learn to deal with that itch if I’m leaving them.

Which means my ass burning is the least of my worries.

I stand up and stretch. I’ve got an escape plan to put into action – one that’s relying more on luck than I’d like to risk. It will require full concentration and fortune’s favor to pull off. I’m just glad we’re a small team of trusted crewmembers. I’d trust Sawoot with my life – and, as for Theme, I know he’ll do as he’s told and can pull through with the proper support.

As for the rest of my so-called crew – well, they tried to rebel before. Not being responsible for Chris anymore will be the one blessing that came from that rough spanking. It was a hard pill to swallow when I realized that I’d hired Chris and his ilk out of insecurity. I’d told myself it was because they were good at their jobs – when, in reality, it was because I needed to feel like I could lead men who didn’t respect me.

I’ve had years of experience dealing with rough men, but I’d need a couple moredecadesto feel comfortable trying to deal with those three Aurelians. They are masculinity taken to its most extreme – with all the negativesandpositives that come with it.

Now, though, I’m only responsible for those who I can trust, and who respect me.

Sawoot and Theme.

We’re getting out of here – tonight.

I don’t trust Captain Aelon. I cansensethe possessiveness oozing through his aura and into my being. He’s trying to pull us closer together. He views me ashisnow that we’re Bonded.

Aelon’s going to experience a harsh realization when I bust the three of us out of here and never see his triad again.

I test their auras in my mind. The more I focus on them, the clearer they feel in my head. Next, I focus on ignoring them, and their auras grow smaller. I feel less of their emotions in my mind, and it even gets hard to pinpoint which direction they’re in.

I can’t quite make them disappear from my mind – but I can mute them out, like I’m putting on noise-cancelling headphones. I bet with practice I could shut the three of them out of my mind almost altogether. It’s going to be a skill I need to learn if I want to make it harder for Aelon, Vinicus and Iunia to chase me down.

I check the cupboards in this bed chamber, trying to find something to wear that isn’t rough and cheap – the only two words that could describe my wardrobe from before I met the Aurelians.