Page 152 of The Edge of Dawn

Thank you, my sweetest sarien.

Dragek reversed the direction of his dagger, loosening the thick metal loops of Amun’s metal appendage—just enough to release himself.

He pushed with great force and then released the hilt of the dagger, unbalancing Amun. He dropped to his haunches, pivoting with Tarak’s sword in one hand.

Then he rose to his feet and instantly had the tip of the sword pressed against Amun’s temple, ready to strike if he did anything stupid.

“Kaiin’s Hells,” Amun whispered. “Sometimes, it’s easy to forget what you Silent Ones are capable of. Fine. I agree to all of your terms, General.”

“Easy enough to agree with a sword pointed at your head,” Dragek said acidly, having had enough of Amun’s tricks.

But secretly, he was pleased. That potent little burst of power radiating through his aura… it wasn’t him.

That was all Jade.

Clearly, she’d grown tired of Amun’s antics as well.

And she was far more powerful than anyone suspected. Imagine what she’d be like when she learned to control it.

All of a sudden, she retreated, releasing her grip on him at last.

He could still feel her, but her aura was faint. Instead of panicking, Dragek let out a small puff of relief.

She slipped away.

The last thing he sensed before he lost her presence entirely was that she’d fallen asleep.

She wasn’t hurt. She wasn’t in danger. She was in the center of the Fleet Station, one of the most heavily guarded places in the Universe.

She was safe.

Just tired, like him.

He couldn’t believe he’d withstood the Mating Fever for this long, but the fact that he’d been able to channel his energy into fighting and maintaining qim had helped immensely.

After this, he would go to her.

He would finish what they’d started.

“Do you believe him?” Dragek asked Tarak. “Can I release him now?”

“You can,” Tarak agreed. He turned to Amun. “You know better than to try anything stupid. My terms are as stated. In exchange, we will provide safety and freedom for your humans and their offspring. And I will personally oversee the mission to retrieve the one you claim to be your sister. Enough now. You will behave, Amun Kazharan.”

“For now,” the prince said softly. “As long as you uphold your end of the bargain.”

Tarak gestured toward Dragek.

Dragek lowered his blade.

Amun lowered his metal-barbed tail, tucking it behind his augmented body. Actually, he was as physically imposing as any of the First Division warriors.

Who had made him this way, and why?

“Seems like I’m all out of options.” Amun tapped the side of his head. “The only thing I have is what’s inside here.”

“They could just give you a truth serum,” Dragek suggested.

“That won’t work on me, I’m afraid.” Amun bared his fangs. “But you can try.”

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