“Both of us.” Sara slipped her arm around his. “We’ll do it together.”

He gave her a grateful smile.

“Pin, Ki-ah,” Korben pointed at them, “will you join us?”

“Us?” Pin asked.

“I’m afraid Zar’s temper will not allow him to make nice with those who disagree with his opinion.”

Simone snorted. “You got that right.”

Zar gave his mate a dirty look. “What are we doing in the meanwhile? Will we launch a secret mission to weed out these degenerates who harbor hatred for humans?”

“Neh. I need you to do something else.”

“Something like what?” Simone asked.

“Investigate the landing points.” He frowned. “I need to know exactly what happened when that beam of light hit this planet and brought the females here.”

Twenty-Two

Tiegan

Tiegan ledSim-pony out of the sacred damas. His footsteps were quick and urgent but, when he noticed her struggling to keep up, he slowed to her speed.

“Thanks.” She looked up at him with her deep brown eyes. Her hand was warm in his and he wanted to hold on forever. To never let go. He dared any rebel to try and harm his woman. He would burn their camps to the ground if they lay a finger on her.

“Tiegan, where are we going?” Sim-pony tugged on his hand when she saw that he was leading her away from Korben and the others.

Tiegan stared straight ahead without answering.

Sim-pony gasped. “Are you… are you trying to finish what we started earlier? Because I don’t think now is the time…” She licked her lips nervously.

He smirked. “We were interrupted.”

“Yes, but I mean… I don’t think we should be doingthatwhen we have a mission.”

“Can you focus on a mission if you are burning for me?”

She scowled at him. “Aren’tyouburning for me?”

“I am,” he said simply. He wanted her as badly as his next breath.

She blinked. “Oh.”

“You sound surprised.”

“You’re being a little too honest.”

“Why would I hide how much I want to make you scream?”

She coughed. “That sounds great, Tiegan. I mean, it sounds slightly violent and terrifying.” She swallowed hard. “But touching you is nice. And it’s not that I don’t want to.”

“Why does this feel like a rejection?” His frown was concerned.

“No, of course not. I like you. I mean, kissing you. I like kissing you, and we could just make out or whatever, but…” She tried to shuffle her stride to slow him down.

He glanced back.