Page 43 of The Edge of Dawn

She shook her head slowly, lips parting ever so slightly, revealing a tantalizing hint of smooth, gleaming teeth. “No matter how strong you are, I don’t see you dragging me out of here on that rickety ladder. I’m heavy, you know.”

He returned her skepticism with a hint of a smile, finding her flustered state slightly amusing. Her innocence was what got him, each and every time. It was so refreshing to interact with a creature that knew so little of his world. Because if she really understood what he was, she would be paralyzed with fear.

He’d seen it all too many times before as he’d moved amidst the Inner Galaxies, even when he was rendered mute.

Almost every civilization throughout the Nine Galaxies knew of his kind. By some insanity, there were even those who mythologized the Silent Ones, believing they were direct descendants of the gods.

“I’m not going to carry you up that thing,” he shrugged. “Just wait.”

He reached out with his ka’qui and found Ashrael’s familiar presence. The Silent One was uncloaked, making him easy to locate.

How could anyone miss that formidable aura?

I need a lift, he said.

A lift? Again, amusement colored the Silent One’s mental voice.

A line, at the very least. A way to lift her out of here. She’s injured.

Leave it to me.

This time, Ashrael wasn’t fucking around. He quickly disappeared, leaving Dragek standing before her, trying to figure out how to gain her acceptance.

“I’ll take you to the entrance,” he informed Jade. “Our team will send a retrieval apparatus.”

“So you aren’t going to carry me up the ladder?”

“No,” he said flatly. “Even though I could.”

He couldn’t help but imagine how he would do it. He’d get her to cling to his side, probably, and command her to wrap her legs around his torso. He would then hold her tightly around her waist with one arm, using the other to pull them up the ladder. His legs would do most of the heavy lifting. Despite her claim of being heavy, he was fairly certain he could lift her with ease.

Kordolians were physically stronger than humans. It was just the way it was.

She returned his look with a wary glance, stiffening slightly. Her features were etched with tension. Although she tried to hide it, it was obvious she was in pain.

Actually, considering all she’d been through, she was somewhat stoic.

Actually, considering she’d just absorbed his terrible psychic imprint, she was doing rather well…

For a human.

“You’re in pain,” he said softly, not really knowing how to do this sort of thing. “At least allow me to take the weight from your leg.”

Jade hesitated. Her tough outer mask slipped ever so slightly. Her shoulders slumped. Suddenly, the prickly exterior was gone, replaced with vulnerability. “I… wouldn’t mind that.”

“Here.” His voice turned hoarse as he gestured for her to give him her arm.

Gingerly, she offered it.

He took her arm and draped it around his neck. Then, he wrapped his arm around her waist. Her heat radiated through the thin material of her long-sleeved shirt. He caught a tendril of her scent: rich, earthy fragrance.

He didn’t mind the feeling of her leaning against him. He tilted his body slightly until he was supporting most of her weight.

Together, they made their way toward the exit.

He was well aware of the humans in the background. Extending his ka’qui, he sensed their movements, their breathing, their heartbeat, even the confusion radiating from them as the tremendous force of Jade’s psychic projection disappeared, leaving them disoriented and incoherent.

Soon, they would regain their senses.

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