Page 18 of Guardian's Soul (Space Guardian's Mate #2)

THARAAX

We called it a night after that conversation. I wasn't sure why she suddenly seemed more distant and colder, but I figured she had to be exhausted. It took a long time before her breathing evened out, indicating that she had fallen asleep. It took even longer for me to join her. Part of me was worried I would dream about that place again. Or about her . Suahaana . The other part was disappointed when I woke the next morning without dreaming at all.

I felt better, though. My head was clear, my mind sharp. I let Hannah sleep and went to the health center to work, then for a shower, then breakfast—alone since Hannah was still fast asleep.

On the bridge, I connected the ship's computer to the GTU network and began researching. That's when it hit me. I had been walking away from Hannah farther than ever before without the mating marks acting up. I pushed the question aside. I didn't have time to dwell on it. First, I needed to know how long it would take to get to Ohrur. Five days. Okay. Then I could work on a plan and decide if I wanted Possedion to keep pulling us toward him or if I should take us to Astrionis as planned.

He knew I had the ability to overwrite his commands to my ship's computer. So if I allowed it to happen, he would know that I had a plan. He wouldn't assume that I was simply coming because he demanded it. He was a smart male.

I knew he was going to set a trap just like he knew I would do the same. I only had to outsmart him—just like I would have to overpower his guards. Space Guardians, like me. All the while keeping Hannah close to me and safe.

Good thing I liked challenges.

I had no doubt that Possedion would have guards waiting for us wherever he decided to land the ship. Enough guards to make it impossible for me to fight our way out. That left me with a few options.

I could crash the ship, and Hannah and I could make our way up to the mansion while Possedion sent most of his guards to check on the crash site.

Or Hannah and I could bail from the ship beforehand, doing the same thing. The problem with this plan was that Possedion would know if the ship stopped somewhere.

Or Hannah and I could hide aboard the ship, making it seem as if we had left it some time ago.

There was another option, which was for Hannah and me to simply vanish. Go to Astrionis, where I was sure Lord Protector Garth and Lady Silla would welcome us, or live on any other planet in the universe. The problem with that plan was that I had no idea how living with Hannah was going to work out for us. Despite the mating marks, I still wasn't the kind of male who wanted a mate and family. I didn't think she did either, at least not with me. I had come to care for her—and there was a strong sexual pull—like I would have with anybody else in this same situation, but caring for someone was a far cry from the deep love and connection we were supposed to be feeling as fated mates. That was only part of what made me hesitant, though. The truth was that now I not only wanted answers, I needed them. The resentment I had always felt toward the Ohrurs was turning sharper, becoming a furious fire that demanded revenge. I just wasn't sure for what.

Hiding aboard the ship was counterproductive. They could simply gas us out, or even if, by some miracle, we went undetected, I would have to deal with too many guards at Possedion's mansion.

Which left the options of either staging a crash landing or bailing before the ship landed.

I liked the ship, and we might need it later. I was also confident that Possedion would send more guards to the ship if it landed as planned. A crash would arouse his suspicions, and he might request extra guards.

All right, time for some more detailed planning. I left the bridge and walked down the hallway. The door to the exercise area was open, and from the sound of strained breathing coming from inside, I figured Hannah was up and running, so to speak. I stopped for a moment, frowning at the reminder that our mating marks were suddenly allowing us some distance. Interesting. Did that mean their hold was waning?

Unexpectedly, I didn't like that idea one bit. What I should have felt was relief. Instead, what formed inside my gut could only be described as dread. The realization was too confusing for me to dwell on more. It meant I was starting to feel more for her than simply caring , and I wasn't prepared to dive deeper into what that may or may not mean.

The equipment room I was walking to was only a couple of doors down from the exercise room. I paid special attention to my marks, but once again, they remained still as I walked away from Hannah.

Once inside, the collection of weapons and tools I had accumulated over the last twenty-odd years in Ohrur employ distracted me. They may not have been paying me well—or at all—but they had never once barked at any expenses I incurred. They even had special tools shipped to me when a new gadget came on the market.

Now I would use them to take down one of their own.

I perused the assorted weapons and made a mental list of what I would need until my eyes fell on the object I had been looking for—a very old-fashioned jumpsuit. I had never used it before, but for this mission, it would be perfect.

The dead charge was a simple fix. Once plugged in, it would be ready to go by tomorrow. Then I would check it over to make sure it was in perfect working condition. We still had a few days to finalize the finer points of Operation Possedion . Right now, it was probably about time to fill Hannah in. I wasn't sure how I would handle it if she didn't like the plan, but I figured the sooner I found out, the more time I would have to convince her.