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His demeanor was so far removed from the unruffled leader Horvan had come to know and respect that it gave him pause. “What do you mean?”

“Scott is with the inmates. We took them to the school in Boston for the time being. And….” Aelryn swallowed. “He says he’s found our mate. She was one of them.”

Horvan beamed. “That’s awesome.” Something in Aelryn’s manner checked his exuberance. “Isn’t it?”

“Of course it is, but… why now?” Aelryn demanded. “Why are our mates suddenly emerging?”

Horvan got where he was coming from. “Therehavebeen a few lately.”

“Yes, but….” Aelryn frowned. “Look at Hashtag and Roadkill. Military buddies for more than a decade, nothing more than friends, and no indication that they were mates. Then Eve comes along, and something clicks into place.”

“I can’t explain it either.”

Aelryn locked gazes with him. “What if something in the universe has also just clicked into place? Because there has to be a reason. I can’t believe this is nothing but mere chance.”

Horvan couldn’t believe that either.

“Maybe we’ll never know why this is happening,” he murmured. “Maybe we shouldn’t try to come up with explanations, but accept it for what it is.”

Aelryn’s dark eyes met his. “But you want answers too, don’t you?”

Yeah, he did.

“H, we’re almost ready to leave,” Brick hollered. “Unless you wanna stay here?”

Aelryn followed Horvan’s gaze. “I don’t blame him for what he did.”

“We talking about him dispatching Fielding without orders?” Not that Horvan blamed him either.

“If truth be told, he solved a problem for us. I don’t know how long we could’ve kept Fielding a prisoner.” Aelryn glanced at Horvan. “You do realize there could be a price to pay, once Theron learns of Fielding’s demise?”

“Yeah. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. First thing on the agenda is to find wherever Theron is hiding—andwhathe’s hiding.” He grinned. “I’ve always wanted to visit the UK.”

“When we know where we’re headed, I’ll organize a team to join forces with you. And I’ll put you in contact with Derek Ferguson. He’s a team leader, based in the UK. A good man. Maybe Richard Deveraux too, especially if you’re going to be in the north of the country.” He clasped Horvan’s forearm. “Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome. Will I be seeing you in the UK too?”

Aelryn’s eyes glinted. “When it could mean finally meeting the leader of all Gerans? Which is what Theron is, according to Jake. Not to mention uncovering whatever he’s keeping in that room.” He smiled. “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Horvan had a feeling the contents of those stone caskets might turn their world upside down.

EVERYTHING ISmoving so goddamn fast.And Jake was struggling to keep up.

Nicholas Tranter’s presence was the one thing that anchored him, gave him something to hold on to.

He managed a smile. “I see planes haven’t gotten any quieter in the last thirty years.” He gazed out of the small window at the earth below. “Not that I remember a thing about the last time I was in a plane. One minute I was in Rome. The next? I was waking up in the US with one helluva headache and unable to shift.”

All those years of not knowing what had become of his wife and son. Sure, he had Dellan back in his life, but learning the truth about Miranda had only caused more pain.

“It’s over now,” Nicholas murmured beside him.

Jake jerked his head to stare at him. “Do you really believe that?”

Nicholas sighed. “No, of course not. It’s wishful thinking on my part. But itcanbe over—for a short while. At least until we know more about Theron’s whereabouts.” He smiled. “You’ve more than earned a break.”

Jake didn’t want to talk about Theron. All that did was twist his stomach into knots and give him one bastard of a headache. He twisted in his seat to peer at Nicholas. “Why did you never marry?”

He shrugged. “I finished my studies, I became a doctor—and then I was recruited by the military. There was no time to think of such things. Life got in the way.”