Page 31 of Heart’s Prisoner

As the screen was lifted Lana saw Xerus had his back to the window, head bowed. Placing her ISpad on the chair and stepping over to the glass, he lifted his head.

"So...you didn't run."

A chill went down Lana's spine as if she were remembering something. "No. I didn't," she said softly.

Xerus twisted around and his hellfire gaze caught hers. "When you didn't come back after...I could only assume."

"I wasn't allowed back. They forced me to leave."

Xerus grunted and looked away. "I theorized that as well."

"Are you hurt?"

Xerus' tail flicked beside him. He looked back at her and for a moment all he did was stare. "Nothingtheydo could hurt me."

Lana frowned. She placed her hand gently on the glass. "Xerus, why did you do it?"

Xerus turned away. "You know why," he said in a low rumble.

Lana shook her head. Then she thought about it and looked down at the ground. "You want to be free."

"No."

Lana looked up at him in shock. He stood up slowly and turned around to face her.

"Yes, I want to be free, but that wasn't the reason."

"I don't under..." Lana's brows furrowed. Then she gazed at him and somehow knew. "Your mission. You're still trying to find a way to..." Lana's throat tightened and she thought she might be on the verge of tears. "Damn you" She hit her fist against the glass. "Damn you!"

Xerus straightened, his nostrils flaring, pupil's narrowing. Lana took it as a sign of surprise.

Lana whipped around and picked up her ISpad from the seat. She brought up the record controls and hit the button to speak to Cole. "I need five minutes, " she said quickly. Before he could answer she shut off the recorder. Turning back to Xerus, she couldn't stop shaking.

"You have no idea what you did cost you. They willneverlet you go, do you understand, Xerus? Does...does anything I've done mean anything to you? I'm the only one who wants you free,the only one!"

Xerus remained quietly still and Lana laughed.

"They brought in a SEAL team. That's the best soldiers we have. They intend to stay for as long as you remain here, I guarantee it." Lana shook her head. "Everything was working out, we had a chance..."

"We?"

Lana closed her eyes. "You...You had a chance. But now I don't..." Lana opened her eyes. She remembered what Jacob had told her. "You may only have one last chance. I know your mission is important, whatever it is and I know you won't say. But be honest with me, just tell me one thing just this once, that you don't intend to harm anyone here."

Xerus came closer to the window, to stand near her. He placed his arm on the glass and leaned against it. His head lowered so that she was made to lock eyes with his.

"I must destroy my enemy. That is a fact. And that enemy is all–"

"All around, yes, I know," Lana said, exasperated.

Xerus gazed at her, his eyes darkening. "In time you will know and you will understand."

Lana made a noise and put her hands up in defeat. She turned from the window and went back to her ISpad. "Forget it." She went to turn back on the recorder.

"Some of your theories were correct..."

Lana paused and glanced back at him.

"...And some of them weren't." Xerus said.

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