Page 48 of Obsession

"I don't brood."

She snorted and tossed her pale hair off her shoulder. "Right. And I don't love reading maps.”

I frowned at this. What Assassin did not love maps and plans?

Torq approached, his serious bearing a stark contrast to Morgan's casual stance. "The weapons are loaded.” He glanced at the ship. "Though I wish Kann were here to double-check my work."

I put a hand on the cadet’s shoulder. He should not be going into such a fraught situation so soon in his time as a Blade, but I also knew that he could handle it. After all, he had been training with me and Kann, and we had not hesitated to challenge him. At first, it had been to teach the cocky Drexian a lesson, but our toughness was paying off now.

"Speaking of Kann," Fiona said as she joined us, "any update from Zav?"

I shook my head. "Still working on stabilizing the holochamber. But he thinks he is close to a solution."

"Good." Fiona’s voice was tight. "The sooner we get Britta and Kann out, the sooner they can join the rescue mission."

Morgan glanced at Commander Vyk. “I never thought I would say this, but I’m glad the security chief is leading our team.”

"The Inferno Force doesn't leave their own behind," Fiona said softly. "None of us do."

My throat was tight as I thought about Kann in the holo simulation. I might not be Inferno Force, but I would never abandon my best friend. I could not leave him behind.

Tivek walked up, a leather satchel hooked onto one shoulder and a blaster hooked to his belt. He no longer dressed like the admiral, or even like a member of the academy. He looked more like a renegade, or a smuggler, in his brown pants and dark shirt that hung open at the neck.

Even Morgan blinked at the transformation. “Whoa. What happened to you?”

Tivek’s lips quirked at the corners. “This is a mission into enemy space. I did not think formal attire was appropriate.”

Fiona’s brows lifted, and I did not miss the nudge she gave Morgan

Movement at the ship caught my eye as Ariana emerged from the top of the loading ramp. "Pre-flight checks are complete," she announced, putting her hands on her hips. "We're ready to go."

My heart sank even as pride swelled in my chest. She was magnificent—confident, capable, everything I'd ever wanted in a partner. I walked toward her, as if drawn to her by a magnetic force. She met my gaze, grinned and launched herself off the ramp at me.

I caught her easily, her lithe body sliding down mine as I lowered her into an embrace. She smelled of engine oil and that flowery soap she loved, and I couldn't help but bury my facein her neck, pressing kisses along her throat. Her pulse jumped beneath my lips as I worked my way up to her mouth.

The kiss was deep, desperate, filled with everything I couldn't say. Her fingers tangled in my hair as she held me close, and for a moment I forgot we weren't alone. Heat coursed through my body as her tongue swept across mine, and I had to fight the urge to carry her somewhere private.

She laughed softly as we finally broke apart. "Either you're trying to send me off really missing you, or you're just really horny."

“Why can’t it be both?” I teased, my voice husky.

“I’ll see you soon,” she said, her words forceful.

I nodded. “Stay safe until I can join you.”

I pulled her into another crushing embrace, memorizing the feel of her in my arms, until Vyk's voice cut through the moment. "Time to go."

Reluctantly, I released her and let her step back. She squeezed my hand once more before turning to board the ship. I moved to stand with Fiona and Jess, and we were soon joined by Admiral Zoran, who emerged from the academy looking grimmer than usual. He nodded to Tivek as his adjutant ascended the ramp, and I was reminded that we all had someone on the mission we could not lose.

The four of us backed away as the engines fired, filling the air with the acrid scent of plasma fuel. Waves of heat rolled over us as the thrusters engaged, and the ship rose gracefully into the air.

"They'll succeed," Zoran said firmly. "We'll be watching their return before we know it."

Fiona and Jess nodded, but neither made any comment. I wondered if, like me, they were fighting to keep from running after the ship. I understood their concern—the sooner the rest of us could join the mission, the better their chances of success.

Once the ship had vanished behind the gray cloud cover, I gave a curt nod, more to myself than anyone. They were gone. It was time to focus on Kann.

"If you'll excuse me," I said, more to the admiral than anyone else, "I need to check on Zav and the holochamber situation."

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