Page 28 of Guardian's Soul

Because he's supposed to be mine, rushed, unbidden, through my head.

Whoa!

I rose from the chair and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window that didn't show anything other than pitch black. Just as pitch black as my mind felt.

What good are those stupid mating marks when he's pining for another woman?

I didn't even know why this upset me. It wasn't like we were lovers or anything. Most of the time he was annoying as hell anyway.

"Are we still going to Ohrur?" I asked.

When he didn't answer, I turned to find him sitting at the edge of the beanbag, his elbows resting on his knees, his head in his hands. A surge of pity flooded me. Followed by guilt.

All I had done so far was think about myself. How Earth was being destroyed by the Cryons, how I and so many others had been taken, how I didn't want to be a colonist, how I didn't like the mating marks, I, I, I.

Not once had I stopped to think about how he felt about any of this. He had been a man with a purpose, a Space Guardian. Now he had mating marks, was questioning his existence, was out of a job, was hunted by his ex-employers, and was mourning someone he couldn't even remember.

I stepped to his side. "I'm sorry."

He lifted his head. His face was contorted with anguish. "About what?"

"Everything," I replied because I was a coward and didn't want to go into all the details of how sorry I was about everything that was affecting him now because he had helped me.

He shook his head. "It's not your fault."

"No?" I snorted in disbelief. "How in the world can it not be my fault? If you hadn't helped me, you wouldn't behere." Exasperated, I encompassed the ship with my arms, meaning prisoners on our way to his ex-boss.

"You might have been a catalyst, but you're not the source," he replied. "You might have sped things up, but this"—he raised his hands helplessly, indicating the same mess I had before—"would have come to me either way. At least now I'm somewhat prepared. Have some sort of a plan."

"Which is?" I would have loved to have a plan.

"We'll get Possedion as intended, and he'll give us the answers we need. He has to know what these mean and how we can get rid of them." This time, he indicated his marks, and I winced as if he had hit me.

THARAAX

We calledit 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 aboutthatplace again. Or abouther.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 keeppulling 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 likeheknew 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 howlivingwith 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 fatedmates. That was only part of what made me hesitant, though. The truth was that now I not onlywantedanswers, Ineededthem. 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.

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