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A smile tipped his lips as he lifted her delicate hands and kissed them. He’d thought as much.

“Thank you. But you’ll lose your voice before that message is heard. Let’s get whatever you want from your quarters.” He led her into the hidden passage.

“I’m sorry,” she said with a frown.

He stopped in the corridor and turned to her.

“Please don’t apologize.” He couldn’t believe she was apologizing tohimwhen everything had happened toher. “They’re not your fault. None of this was your fault.”

Nadzia cupped his cheek. “It’s not your fault either.”

“Wrong,” he bit out, angry with himself. “It’s my conclave that’s treated you like this, and I’m the one those vasta reptiles are after.”

That reminded him. He spun Nadzia and tugged up her shirt, then growled seeing the welt on her back.

Any higher and it would’ve cracked the little cage of bones circling her chest.The thought of how bad it could’ve been if she hadn’t been shelled physically made him hurt.

“It’s fine.” She felt the spot. “I used to get worse when we played paintball.”

“Paint ball?” He frowned. He understood what paint was and what a ball was, but combined the concept didn’t translate.

“It’s a game my family played. I’m pretty sure having all girls made my dad a little insane. He worried all the time about what the boys were up to,” she laughed and he smiled hearing the sound. “He insisted we know how to defend ourselves and I think he enjoyed pretending for a few hours that we were sons instead.”

“Males are rare. I hope he didn’t make you feel bad for being a female.” He frowned.

“No,” she laughed again. “It’s not like here, where girls outnumber the boys planet-wide. It was just how it was in our family and Dad never made us feel bad.”

“Good.” He nodded as they continued toward her suite.

“Anyway, we’d play this combat game, hunting in teams. Instead of live rounds the guns shot balls filled with paint. When they hit you, it stings like a bitch and leaves a welt.” Nadzia gestured to her back.

“I don’t think I like the sound of this game.” Although Osivoire females trained like the males, Nadzia was not Osivoire. Her skin was soft and smooth, easily marred.

“I can see what you’re thinking. Again, I’m not delicate. And my aim isn’t as good as Providence’s but I’m still a pretty good shot.” She scowled at him as they entered her room.

There was a flash of white and he barely ducked in time to avoid the clawed foot that struck out, nearly slicing through his shell.

“Nadzia, get back!” He slammed the passage shut, but if he was thinking he would’ve backed into it with her.

Where did a Xerocle come from?

The endangered avian was twice his size and one of those rare creatures that could slice through an Osivoire’s shell with its claws or pierce with its hooked beak.

And it’s here in the Sanctuary!

The Xerocle hissed, luminescent feathers standing in agitation, midnight eyes following as he backed against the wall. His attention was drawn to the open veranda door as a crested male entered to join its mate.

“Break me!” he groaned.

“What’s going on?” Nadzia shouted on the other side of the door.

Hearing her voice, the female Xerocle screeched, and attempted to spear him with its razor-sharp beak.

“Torment!”

He dodged the strike, then had to tumble to avoid the claw that immediately followed. The floor vibrated as the crested male pounded across the room, knocking over furniture in his wake. His gaze darted to the main door. If he could make it there, he just might have a chance.

I’m going to start arming myself everywhere I go.Between this and the assassins disguised as Sanctuary guards, it wasn’t that bad of an idea.