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Mia hummed under her breath. “I can’t speak to the earthquakes, but the way the pathogen spread seems weird to me. Its focus was too specific. Most natural pathogens don’t work that way, from my understanding.”

“Such is our experience as well,” Jyrak said, then bit off a rare curse. “Why did we not question this when we first investigated the matter?”

“Shock?” Mia said. “Grief?”

“Indeed.” A pause, then Alara sighed. “Have you spoken to Thorian about direct communications with Earth? I should like to discuss this matter with Mia’s mother, given her experience with such pathogens.”

Zoran’s surprise gave way to the first stirring of anger. He had specifically cautioned Thorian against allowing the human females to contact their Earth families. The women must be given adequate time to come to terms with their new status as citizens of Zephyria, to understand that they could never return to their former homes.

He would never let Mia go. Had he not explained this to her? Did she even now dare to defy him?

Had she been using her fellow scientists to help her escape?

Jyrak grunted. “He says it is a simple request, yet does he delay the doing.”

“Men,” Mia said sagely, drawing mild humor from her companions.

“It will be done,” Alara assured her. “Your mother is a valuable resource. I welcome the opportunity to speak with her, one scientist to another.”

“She’ll be ecstatic to hear from you.” Mia hesitated a moment. “Are you sure you don’t mind stepping back into an administrative role here?”

Zoran’s temper broke, washing over him in a wave of furious rage. He stepped into the room and snarled, “What is this?”

Mia startled and whirled around, her expression bright and welcoming. “Zoran! We didn’t see you standing there.”

Alara and Jyrak exchanged a concerned glance, then Alara said, “Jyrak, would you contact the organizer of the upcoming festival in my stead and assure that it progresses well?”

Jyrak immediately dropped her head in a sharp, respectful bow. “Yes, milady.” She shot an unreadable look at Mia as she hurried out.

Mia’s smile had faded. “Is something wrong? Did you get bad news about thevyirkolen?”

Before Zoran could snap at her, Alara clasped her hands behind her back. “All will be as it should, my daughter.”

“Ok,” Mia said, drawing the word out slowly.

Alara pivoted toward Zoran, her expression hard. “Do not assume, my son, when you have not all the answers.”

She marched away, closing the door quietly behind herself.

Zoran reached over and locked it, ensuring privacy. None would dare interrupt his next actions, on pain of facing his wrath.

Mia glanced at the door, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Ok, now you’re scaring me. What’s wrong, Zoran?”

“What is wrong?” His voice was deceptively quiet as he stalked toward her. “My mate plots against me, then asks what is wrong?”

“N-no,” Mia said, shaking her head as she stepped away from him. “Where did you get a crazy idea like that?”

“You wish to contact Earth, though I have expressly forbidden it. You wish to return there when I have declared Zephyria to be your home. You have abdicated a position afforded you because you are my mate and responsible for the wellbeing of our clan!”

The final words came out in a roar. Mia flinched and held out a hand, as if to placate him. “You’ve got it all wrong, Zoran. If you’d let me explain—”

“Enough!” he growled. “Sit down.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Her quiet words snapped whatever tenuous control remained within him. He leapt forward, crowding her until she dropped into her chair, and leaned into her, his face nearly touching hers.

“Lift your tunic,” he commanded, his voice a sharp whip.