Page 52 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

"Thanks," I said ironically, but I was happy to have him at my back. Well, as happy as someone who was a prisoner of the Iritauri again could be. This was a habit I really would have preferred we not get into.

"It'll be all right," Zarex said softly.

I glanced over my shoulder, sure he referred to something in particular.

"I hope so," I said. The longer this went on, the more sure I was the IF would laser theHalcyonout of existence. Maybe I wouldn't blame them.

I added my blaster to the pile and moved to stand beside Slek. He slid his hand into mine and Zarex took the other.

Danec gave us a look. Was he jealous? Did he still think we could be together, nanobots and all?

I honestly couldn't guess what he was thinking. I wasn't sure I wanted to. I loved him, but how much of him was in there? I couldn't pretend things weren't different now. They were. Totally fucked up, and totally different. This wasn't how I anticipated my day going when I woke up this morning.

He shook his head as though dislodging a thought. "Walk," he said curtly.

"I see you've been taking diplomacy lessons from J'avet," I said lightly.

J'avet frowned at me, but said nothing.

"Too many words waste time," Danec said.

"I disagree," I said. "A good conversation is a way to get to know someone better. You want that, right? If we're all going to be Iri some day, then we might as well get along."

"The Iritauri are of one mind," Danec said.

"That's what I was afraid of," I said under my breath. "Do you mean that literally?" I asked.

"It must be difficult to control all those seperate hosts," Slek said. He looked thoughtful. "I mean, they aren't really one mind, or they would all be here, trying to make me one of them."

"Should you be reminding him?" I asked.

Slek glanced at Danec. "I have a feeling something else is going on here."

"Something bad?" I asked. My stomach fluttered with anxiety.

"Absolutely, without a doubt," he replied. "Very bad." He smiled, but the expression in his eyes spoke volumes about his fear. Every so often, he'd glance at Danec. They were like brothers, or friends. Now, I could almost put my hand on the tension between them.

The idea they might be enemies now made me want to build a blanket fort and hide inside with a teddy bear. I had no teddy, but I was sure I could find one, or something similar.

That brought my mind back to Brinley. I hoped Danec was honest when he said she was okay. I also hoped he lied about Doctor Mazic. The Danec I knew and loved would be horrified at the idea of killing anyone.

Or would he?

I reminded myself that he joined GASP. Would he join the military if he didn't expect to kill someone at some point? The logic made sense, but I still couldn't imagine Danec harming a soul.

This Danec might not have a choice.

He followed us to the mess and waved us inside.

"Is this all that's left?" I gaped.

From a crew and passengers of nearly two thousand, less than a hundred remained. The Iri numbered maybe fifty.

Slek was the only Freytauri left who hadn't been claimed as a host.

"Edie." Brinley half rose before she was waved back down again. "You're okay."

"So are you." I flopped down beside her before Danec or anyone could tell me not to. I gave her a brief hug and told her everything.

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