Page 83 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

I try something else telepathically, concentrating on Archan.

“Can I project my thoughts to one person?”

“Yes, you are doing it now,”he replies.

“Good. Can you speak to me telepathically without me making contact first?”

“Yes, but you would have to be open to it. It’s like a tugging sensation. Your mental shields are strong. I doubt anyone could contact you telepathically without your permission.”

“Then thank you.”

“For what?”

“For saving me in return.”He frowns, a look of confusion and fear flashing through his eyes.

“Who was it?” I ask aloud, my gaze flitting to the bloody sheets.

“Khalkaroth,” he replies, watching my reaction carefully.

I blank my expression in an attempt to control my emotions. “Where’s Zee?” It’s unlikely he’s chosen to sit at home, waiting for our return.

“We have him in containment. He was a little… volatile,” Jed pipes up. “I’ll return him to your apartment the second you’re home.”

“Locks,” Duncan speaks up. I turn to him. He makes a small gesture at his temple—right, shields. I don’t even think, picking “Toxic” by Britney—appropriate on so many levels. They all laugh, every single one of them.

I huff. “Don’t you all have something better to do than eavesdrop in my head?”

“But it’s so entertaining,” chokes out Jed.

Ignoring him, I turn to Duncan and Aaden. “I need to go home.” Duncan frowns.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t want to be out on the streets. I’d rather teleport you.”

I wave my hand. “Okay, beam me up, Scotty.”

Aaden snorts. “He can only take one of us at a time.”

I nod. “Take Aaden first, it’s no problem.”

Duncan eyes Archan over my shoulder. “I’d prefer to not leave you alone.”

I shrug. “Then take me first.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone in the apartment either.”

I roll my eyes. Archan wraps his arm around me, pulling me firmly against his chest. “I’ll meet you there,” he says. I feel the pull of moving through space, except it’s different this time. Ribbons of color caress my body in a welcoming embrace, and time seems to slow down. Warmth and serenity envelop me—it feels like coming home. Before I can talk to Archan about it, we come to a smooth stop, and the familiar surroundings of my bedroom come into view.

“That was…” I search for the best description.

“Much like being teleported by Duncan, but smoother, I imagine. I have had more practice.”

I frown and lift a finger to debate the differences, but a sexy smirk tugs at his lips, stopping me. His eyes begin to lighten. I put a hand on his chest and take a step back. “No.”

“No?” he parrots, frowning.

“Archan… come on. Our philosophies on relationships don’t match.”

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