Page 60 of Sy

Not just any alien, but a genetically engineered warrior from a species that had, until recently, been humanity’s greatest existential threat. A man who carried another consciousness within him and who could kill with terrifying efficiency.

Her heart clenched painfully. What did she truly know about Izaean customs regarding relationships? Did they even have them? Sy had said Izaeans didn’t breed, so did they even have relationships in that way? Looking back, he spoke of his future as if it held nothing but duty and combat, as if he expected—or intended—to live and die by the sword. The thought sent daggers of ice through her chest. Would he even want her? Want this? Or was she merely a pleasant diversion, a warm body to pass the time with until duty called him back to the stars?

Without conscious thought, she reached out to brush a strand of hair from his face. The silken strands slipped through her fingers like liquid metal, and Sy’s lips curved into a deeper smile. His eyes fluttered open, revealing familiar red irises warmed with something that made her breath catch. Before she could withdraw, he caught her wrist and pressed a kiss to her palm. Heat curled through her belly at the tender gesture.

In one fluid motion, he tugged her closer against his broad chest. His mouth found hers, the kiss soft and unhurried, tasting of promise and passion barely banked. His hand slid up her back, leaving trails of warmth in its wake, and she melted into him with a contented sigh.

“Hey, beautiful,” he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with sleep.

She couldn’t help but smile. “Hey yourself.”

“How did you sleep?” His fingers traced lazy patterns along her spine, making coherent thought nearly impossible.

“Terrible,” she managed, fighting to keep her expression serious even as pleasure coursed through her veins. “This very handsome, very insistent guy kept me awake all night.”

A wicked grin spread across his face, lazy heat kindling in his eyes. “All night, huh?” His hand settled possessively on her hip. “Can I get you to tell all the others that?”

The sharp chirp of his comm device cut through the air like a plasma blade. The playful warmth in his expression vanished, replaced by lethal focus as he reached for the device.

The comm chirped again, more insistent. The display flashed with alien symbols before Sy answered, “Sir.”

“Sy.” Kraath’s deep voice carried clearly through the comm. “A warship just entered the system.”

Sy’s body coiled against hers like a predator preparing to strike. “Hostile?”

“Purist.”

Ashley felt the change ripple through Sy like an electrical storm. His face transformed into a mask of fierce intensity she’d never witnessed before, all trace of sleep obliterated in an instant.

“How long?” The words emerged like shards of ice.

“Now. Get to the command center.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sy exploded into motion as the comm cut off, practically launching himself from the bed. “Get dressed,” he ordered, already pulling on his own clothes with lethal efficiency. “Now.”

Ashley scrambled to comply, confusion and worry churning in her gut. “What’s going on?” She grabbed for her scatteredclothing, trying to track his movements as he armed himself with practiced precision.

“A Latharian warship is entering orbit,” he said, checking his weapons with sharp, economical movements.

“But aren’t you guys Lathar as well?” She pulled her shirt over her head, watching as his jaw clenched tightly enough to crack stone. “Why would they be here?”

“Yeah, but we’re mutations.” His voice carried an edge that could have cut through battleplate. “And they’re Purist scum. The only reason they would be here would be to kill people like me and Tor.”

19

This couldn’t be happening, not with his precious female and her daughter on the planet.

Sy strode into the command center with Ashley right behind him. The blue-tinged holographic displays cast harsh shadows across the gathered warriors’ faces around the curved command table, making them look alien and unfamiliar.

Every warrior present radiated the same coiled energy that thrummed through his own muscles. They all knew what it meant when command called an emergency meeting. Nothing good ever came of it.

“Why is the human here?” Vraal asked from the other side of the room. Sy had managed to avoid him since their incident the other day, but he was on the command team. Kraath looked up from the tactical display, his gaze sharp enough to cut diamond.

“If there’s danger to my people, I need to know about it.” Ashley stepped forward, her chin raised in challenge. “I won’t stand by while decisions are made about their lives.”

Kraath studied her for a long moment before nodding.

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