Page 11

A bonding experience.

“Why are we doing this?” I asked, my voice almost at a whine, as Seth put what looked like a vest with wires and nodes and techno shit on me.

He tightened it, and I shivered from the slight touches of his fingers.

It wasn’t all fear or disgust either; it was need, want, attraction.

Also, just bone-deep longing. It had been far too long since someone had touched me pleasantly, and I was starved for it. For Seth especially.

How did he not understand what he did to me?

Seth grunted, tightening the straps. “Because I love experiences. It’s a kind of immersive shooter game that Kal and I play. It’ll be fun for all of us. Team Human, I guess.”

“Aren’t all the humans on Team Human? That’s what Caleb says.” He’d inducted Camden and Brad into Team Human almost instantly, because they’d decided to stay. I hadn’t. I was waffling. Leave or stay? Seth and Teddy or unwriting the past? Nightmares or peace?

“Fine. Because I want you and Kal to get along,” Seth said, his hands slipping into his hoodie pockets. When I opened my mouth to lie, he said, “Don’t pretend. I noticed. It was fairly obvious.”

That he noticed. Fuck Kal.

“He’s not Travis, Vince. I promise. Kal has never hurt me and he won’t. Not ever. I know you’re worried. You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t worried, but he’s not him.”

“I’m trying to protect you. He has a temper.”

“He does,” Seth said. “So do you, if I remember correctly.”

“I won’t hurt you.”

“Neither will Kal.” Seth tugged me into a hug, and after the initial flinch, I settled into his embrace, burying my face against his shoulder to inhale his citrus scent.

I rubbed my cheek on the soft hoodie, so unbelievably pleased he was wearing one. At the height of Travis being the ass that he was, he’d controlled everything Seth wore, which meant no hoodies. Seth had reclaimed that part of himself, and I was so damn proud.

Seth whispered, “Please get to know him.”

I wanted to throw Kal over a cliff and watch him splat on the ground, though that probably wouldn’t work. He had wings. Annoying fucker. I squeezed Seth tight. I kissed his cheek and pulled back, my tense shoulders instantly relaxing once Seth was no longer touching me.

“Fine,” I conceded. “I will try. But if he ever raises a hand to you, I’m figuring out how to open an airlock.”

Seth frowned. “I love him, and he won’t hurt me. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

He never had in the past.

“Are we going to do this?” Caleb asked, gripping his cane as Fyn got him suited with the same techy vest.

All of the brothers had joined. We were working in teams, and I was paired with Don. I would’ve liked to be with Seth or Teddy, but I much preferred Don over Kal.

As Seth went to Kal’s side, Don came to mine. I smiled in welcome; he returned it, keeping his distance from me.

“Why are we paired up?” I asked.

“Because the mates want to play together.”

I figured as much. “Why am I here?”

“You’re Seth’s and Bartholomew’s friend. Seth wanted you, and Kalvoxrencol won’t deny him anything.”

I grunted.

“As we start, watch out for Seth and Kalvoxrencol. Both are skilled at blasters, Seth more so.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Also watch out for Caleb and Zoltilvoxfyn.”

“Are they our other main competitors?”

“No,” he said, lips twitching. “Caleb is an—” He broke off into a snarling growl. “I believe that is the correct word.”

That garbled nonsense meant nothing to me.

“They both like having sex where others might find them. Zoltilvoxfyn won’t start anything here, but Caleb might if he is feeling aroused.”

I laughed, turning toward him. “They will seriously fuck during our game?”

“No. They don’t have our consent, but they might become distracted.

But when we get back to Tamkolvanloknol, do not approach Zoltilvoxfyn’s greenhouse after dark.

You might find them there, though Zoltilvoxfyn does try to prevent people from seeing them in the greenhouse.

He simply finds the possibility arousing. ”

I wasn’t going back. Maybe. Probably not. I wasn’t sure. Besides, I wouldn’t be in the palace, even if Seth and Teddy were there.

He paused in adjusting his vest. “You’re returning to Earth.”

I glanced at Seth; he was talking to Kal, who had his tail coiled around Seth’s ankle, then my eyes flicked to Teddy who was flushed as Mindy chattered on. I whispered. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“You haven’t told Seth or Bartholomew.”

“No, and I’m still deciding.”

“I will not say anything.”

“Thanks.”

We crept around the jutting red rock formations filled with nooks and rough holes. This experience was based on a canyon on Barus. A good friend of our family, Urgg, was from Barus and had helped craft this experience for our family, though others besides us enjoyed it.

As far as experiences went, this one was rather simple and lacked any and all story. The goal was to shoot the other teams and be the last one standing. It was merely a way for my family, including my parents, to play together.

Normally, I’d have my entire mental focus on the game, but I kept staring at Vince’s narrow back and the way the light danced on his shiny black hair.

He was concentrating on the game, unlike me.

He was solely focused on finding and shooting our competitors, but I kept returning to his thoughts from earlier.

He wasn’t planning on staying, in all likelihood.

I’d assumed, much as Seth had, that his and Bartholomew’s presences would be enough to hold Vince here, even though Vince had given no indication of wanting to stay.

I wanted him to, and I didn’t know why.

Vince’s acceptance of my gift was intriguing.

His humor enjoyable. I wanted to chuckle at his thoughts of throwing Kalvoxrencol off a cliff, only to have him fly up.

The way he trusted me to hold his face and ease his mind so he could sleep.

Last night, his fingers had touched mine as he grinned sleepily at me.

I had wanted to trace that smile, but I didn’t, because he hadn’t given me permission to do so.

An orange blast went over my head, and I instinctively crouched while reaching for Vince to pull him down.

The instant my hand gripped his arm, terror flashed in his mind followed by scattering memories of someone holding him down as he cried.

I ripped away, but his fear didn’t quiet.

He held the front of the black leathers simulated by the techplate.

He’d gone even paler than usual as sweat dotted his brow.

“Vince,” I said in a low voice. “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”

He didn’t respond. His mind stuck in eddies of memories, ripping him around.

We were crouched behind a sizable rock, lending us a bit of privacy.

None of the other teams had found us, but they would soon.

Vince wouldn’t want anyone to see him like this.

He hadn’t told Seth or Bartholomew, and I didn’t know if he intended to or not.

Regardless, Vince should be allowed to reveal his past however wanted and only if he chose to do so.

Slowly, I reached toward him, and Vince scuttled back, making divots in the red sand. I paused, hand still extended. “I will not harm you,” I whispered. “Let me help.”

Vince pushed his cheek into my hand, and I fought the urge to draw away. The fear and pain were overwhelming. My jaw clenched, grinding my teeth together, as I struggled to find my inner calm. I could not give what I didn’t possess. I had to be centered and calm to provide it to others.

I breathed in his crisp floral scent, and it soothed my soul.

This was Vince, and he needed me. I pushed my own calm into him while stealing his fear.

The panic slid through my veins as the memories rushed over me.

My muscles tightened as my soul pounded in time with the terror I was stealing.

As I was taught, I released the memories.

They were still there, but I didn’t allow them to touch me. I could easily be traumatized by what I stole, but I’d been taught to let them go by another who shared the same inner fire.

Vince sagged toward me.

I gently held his arm, comforting him as best I could. Vince scooted closer until his head rested against my chest. My soul sped from the small contact. I wanted to draw him into my embrace, but I didn’t. I kept cradling his cheek while I held his arm in a loose grip.

Vince rubbed his forehead against me, breathing deeply.

“You are safe,” I said in a quiet voice. “I will allow no one to harm you.”

Vince took a shuddering breath.

The memories of the past had disappeared under the gentle waves of calm.

I’d supplied him with one of my own favorite memories.

Standing on the beach. The green-blue water lapping against the purple sand.

The double moons of Tamkolvanloknol hung in the night sky while a warm breeze ruffled my hair.

The stars winking in the distance. The trees shivering in the wind.

I was alone, but content in the peace of the night sky.

“You’re down, Mindy,” Seth shouted.

Vince jolted out of my embrace, looking around. He backed away with a flush on his pale cheeks and embarrassment ringing in his mind. “Sorry.”

“It’s I who should apologize. I shouldn’t have touched you. It was instinct to protect my comrade in arms.”

“It’s fine,” Vince said.

But it wasn’t. I had frightened him; something I never wanted to do.

Vince was usually much calmer when Seth and Bartholomew touched him.

I wasn’t the same. The thought, while painful, made sense.

He’d known Seth since they were children, and Bartholomew and he were exceedingly close because of their shared experience on Xome.

I was new, however much I was helping him.

Kalvoxrencol cheered when he shot Bartholomew in the shoulder. Seth grinned and took his mate’s hand before they disappeared around an outcropping of rocks.