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“Can you help her?” he demanded, holding Zive’s gaze. “Or is she just an oddity you wish to study?” His tone dripped venom.

“Unknown implies we must study her,” Zive said, not backing down. “As to whether we can help her, that is an unknown, too.”

The urge to deactivate the med-E.D. and whisk Wren to safety gripped Cylo. He gritted his teeth, fighting the urge. His males wouldn’t harm her, not on purpose.

“Let the med-E.D. re-analyze her.” Yelur grasped Cylo’s shoulder. “The more information we have, the better we can help her.

“That the Maloidians are intent on this path is most alarming,” Ariez said when he glanced at Qaff. “Have you compared her compatibility with Maloidians’ and Yithians’ DNA?”

Qaff stilled then sent his fingers across the console keys. “Doing so now.”

Cylo held his breath. He forced himself to release it and the tension forming a knot in his gut.

“Whatever your findings, they must never know.” Yelur swept his gaze across those gathered.

Cylo grimaced. “Whether successful or not, they will continue with these experiments. Qaff, once you have informed us, you are free to depart on the Nahatyr .”

The males Cylo had started this mission with had almost all left him. If it wasn’t for the Ethera, Durok, too, would no longer be on board. Not that Cylo blamed them. Only he was committed to Wren’s welfare.

“Operative?” Ariez arched a brow.

Cylo yanked himself out of his thoughts. “Yes?”

“I was saying how remarkable your female is.”

He pursed his lips, not wanting to remind the older male once again that she wasn’t his. Instead, he asked, “In what way?”

“Consider all she has endured, and yet, she greeted us with a smile. A lesser being would despise us for our inability to end these abductions. King Xeus was most adamant I inform you that henceforth, Etteria will have a zero-tolerance approach.”

Cylo grinned at that bit of good news. “Kill them on sight?”

“With proof of their G.C. violations, yes.”

Cylo bowed his head. “Of course.” Even though he had every intention of firing first. Diplomacy had done nothing to thwart these kidnappings. As Hiossu had said, females had died…that the Maloidian knew of.

“Oh,” Qaff gasped, flicked a glance at Zive before their O.D.I.s buzzed.

“This does not bode well,” Yelur muttered, reading off his wrist. “Restrict this information to us five. We will convey these findings to the medical council in person. For now, let us find a way to stabilize Lady Eight’s markers.”

“Agreed,” Zive said. “Pity we do not have her DNA prior to this…” He curled his lip. “Incident.”

“We do.” Qaff paused amid clearing the counter. “Olin discovered it in the historical data on Lady Wren.”

Ariez beamed. “With that, we should be able to create a—”

“Do not say cure,” Zive growled. “What has set cannot be undone.”

“But you can help her?” Cylo asked.

Qaff frowned. “Another concoction might do more harm than good.”

“She is still vulnerable to influence. Have you mated her yet?” Zive met Cylo’s gaze and held it.

“For the last time, I am not her Eth,” Cylo gritted out.

Zive stared at him for too long. “An injection of Etterian DNA might be reckless, but if you lay with her, her body’s natural ability to assimilate sperm may ease the shock of—”

“No,” Cylo roared. “I shall not mate her to appease your curiosity and definitely not if it will endanger her further.”

He shook with so much fury, he could barely control himself. A large part of him wanted nothing more than to sink into the pleasure between her thighs. Thankfully, the sane side of his soul held him accountable.

“Build her DNA as it is documented. If injecting it into her does not change the outcome, then find a male with void to spare.” Zive stormed past Cylo.

“Find a male?” he whispered, his heart thundering in his ears. A roar started in the pit of his stomach, and only his clenched jaw stopped it from escaping.

“Start the DNA replication, Qaff. I shall work alongside you.” Ariez settled beside him. “Then leave. The Nahatyr is eager to depart for Yithia .”

“Already begun,” Qaff said and shoved the tablet at Ariez. He bowed and disappeared into his quarters.

Cylo gazed at Wren’s serene face, his chest swelling even as his fury dwindled. Yes, he’d be the male to lay with her…should it be required. It wouldn’t be a hardship.

He almost snorted at that. On their date, they’d come damn close.

And yet, Qaff had said not to. Who did Cylo listen to?

That she was compatible with Yithians and Maloidians meant the xemi had succeeded. If they learned of this, they wouldn’t know which scientist and his concoction had worked. This knowledge would only encourage further trials. Zive was correct to insist this discovery remained sealed.

“Are you done?” Cylo gestured to Wren still asleep.

“Indeed.” Ariez tapped the med-E.D.’s console.

The dome retracted while lowering her to the bed. She moaned and stretched, her every movement sensual.

“Ask her,” Zive muttered between sips of giyua. “Let her decide her fate.”

“Do not dare,” Cylo muttered.

She stiffened, glanced at them, then sat up. “And?”

“We will re-introduce your original DNA to perhaps…” Zive winced. “I cannot deceive. They managed the impossible, milady.”

Cylo grabbed the male by the arm, glaring him into silence.

“No, let him finish.” She shifted to the edge of the bed. “Are you saying whatever they did to me worked? That humans can now have sex with these…sharks?”

“Not humans… You.” Cylo released Zive and settled nearer to her in case she needed him.

“And you’re hoping my old DNA will do what?” She swung her legs off the side, her focus fixed on Zive.

“Stabilize the last markers,” Zive said, pulling himself free.

“But?” She pinched her brow.

Zive’s stern expression softened for a moment. “My concern is your compatibility with Etterians. That has been weakened.”

She frowned. “What? So you want to throw your DNA into the melting pot that is my body?” She muttered a few curses. “Qaff insisted that Cylo and I didn’t—” Her cheeks darkened. “Regardless, DNA transfer via penetration isn’t a thing.”

Ariez offered a weak smile. “It is when yours is vulnerable to Etterian sperm. It is why Princess Oriana and Prince Enyl glow.”

Wren squeaked, her eyes wide. “In what way?”

“Like bioluminescence,” Ariez said, shifting his focus between her and the tablet. “Something in the protein bonds and enzymes impacts Earthian physiology. Princess Oriana also has a mutated gene tied to her red coloring. And since they are paired, the prince shares this phenomenon.

Zive squared his shoulders. “We assumed Cylo was your Eth, but if he does not suit, we will find another—”

“I’m not about to fuck a stranger,” she snapped.

Zive stiffened, his expression once more stoic. “An injection of pure Etterian DNA might worsen your condition. We were hoping your body’s natural—”

“No.” She pushed herself off the bed. “Don’t you have a say?” She scowled at Cylo.

“I, too, rejected the idea.” No matter how tempted I am.

Pain scrunched her brow, then she grinned, her joy slicing through. “I would never say no to you.”

She must have read his thoughts. His breath caught at her new skill and that she’d choose him…

Let him have her even if it was only once.

He swallowed hard. A glance across the common confirmed they had an audience.

So he met and held her gaze, not sure how this telepathy thing worked. Finish what we started at the picnic?

“Yes.” Her answer set his senses ablaze.

Having a somewhat telepathic discussion with her was mind-blowing.

“Unless your void can’t.” She stroked the collar of his armor; the heat of her fingers seared him.

It has not expanded, remember?

“Then you have nothing to lose.” She beamed.

Not true. He covered her hand with his, trapping her fingers. I cannot lose you, ensa .

“You’re stuck with me. We made a deal.” She tugged her hand free, caught his, and laced their fingers. “Come, Cylo.”

“Now?” He peeked at Ariez and Zive, who, despite listening to them, flicked through something on the tablet.

“Return here afterward.” Zive didn’t glance up.

“And I will ensure we are en route to Issneen as soon as possible.” Ariez strode to the comm.

Cylo faced Yelur, half expecting a final comment from him, too. The lima kuu peered into Cylo’s eyes before crossing medical to the display vids.

“Ensa.” Cylo hesitated and drew her close. “This is reckless.” He released a shuddering breath.

“I could die tomorrow, an hour from now, next week… I do know I want this…you.”

“You are not dying,” he growled.

She scoffed. “You’d swear I was leading you to the gallows.”

“Gallows?” His O.D.I. hurried to educate him. He grimaced at the imagery. “You did this to your people?”

“We are a brutal species.”

“And no, you are not leading me to such a death. Never think that.” He pressed a kiss to her palm, his fingers trembling. To mate her today couldn’t compare to having her for an eternity.

“I feel the same.” A tear slipped free and glimmered as it forged a path down her cheek.

He ushered her to his quarters, swiveled on a heel, and took her to the viewing deck instead.

There, only his thoughts and emotions would bombard her.

The smoothness of her hand in his, her ragged breathing, the smile that threatened to form on her plump lips—everything registered and hit him in the chest.

He climbed the ladder first then pulled her up and through the hatch. After sealing it, he faced her but managed only a step when she removed her top garment.

A chill shot into his core, pulsing out liquid heat.

Maker, is this truly happening?