Page 75 of Elex

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Do you always answer a question with a question?” I asked.

“What does it matter?” he asked.

“Fine,” I said, grinning. Stubborn Mageia.

“Fucking,” I said, drawing the word out as I watched him closely. “Which do you prefer to have sex with, men or women?”

“Neither,” he responded, his face calm. “I am an equal opportunity whore.”

I paused, looking at him for a moment. His voice had remained calm, his breathing steady. Something about what he said rang true. Or rather, he believed it to be true. But still… I swallowed hard, considering for a moment how much was relying on me being able to accurately read this Mageia. For a minute, I didn’t think I’d be able to decide whether he was lying or not, but when I swallowed, I saw his eyes drop to my throat, and his lips opened slightly, as if he were suddenly very thirsty.

“Lie,” I said, drawing out the word slowly.

This time he flushed like his brother had, making me smile.

“Question three…” I trailed off and I decided I wanted to play with him some more. My eyes swept over his face, down his shoulders to his narrow waist, strong legs, his calloused hands sitting on his knees. “What question did you most want me to ask you?”

This time I was the one swallowing hard. He held my gaze for a moment, and I wondered how I had ever thought those eyes were cold. They were the sharp blue heat of electricity. The smell of ozone seemed to linger in my nose as I took in all the data my senses were giving me.

“Nothing,” he whispered. “I didn’t want you to ask me anything.”

His breath and heartbeat remained calm, but he couldn’t control how the irises of his eyes expanded or contracted.

“Lie,” I breathed.

We sat frozen for a moment before he scrambled to his feet with a curse and strode across the room, running his hands through his hair.

“Wow,” I heard V whisper behind me. “You certainly got under his skin fast. Is that something all Somas can do?”

I turned back to him and smiled wryly.

“You guys don’t like to play by the rules, do you?” I asked. “There were a lot of lies in that conversation.”

V shook his head.

“We’ve had to make our own rules,” he muttered. “So what’s your plan? I mean, I’m assuming you do have a plan? To get out of here, I mean.”

“Yes, I have a plan,” I said. “But I need to know if you two are in or not before I share it with you.”

I held my breath. Something in me desperately wanted these two men to join our cause. It felt…imperative, somehow. Another look passed between the brothers before Kat finally turned back and answered.

“We’re in.” There was such reluctance in his tone I couldn’t help but smile.

“Before I share details, I need you both to answer this question. Do you intend to cause, or by inaction, allow harm to be caused to the Illyrian troops? Will you honestly try and support the Illyrian cause?” I asked.

V started to respond, but his brother stopped him with a raised hand, of course.

“We mean you no harm, as long as you and yours mean us no harm,” Kat said.

His pulse and breathing remained steady.

“Finally, the truth.”

I looked at V. He repeated his brothers’ words.

“Okay, then,” I said, clapping my hands together. “Welcome aboard.”