Ch. 281..290

Chapter 281

"You can't meet them like this," Nick said a minute later after he'd finished laughing, his voice quiet, but firm.

"Meet who?"

"The decision makers."

Shit. She'd forgotten about that. She grimaced and took another drink from the glass. Nick stared down at her but did step back so she had more space. She was grateful. It gave her a moment to think.

"Actually," she said after a moment, "if anything this has just convinced me I need to talk to them more."

Nick's eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"Because they're the only ones who can let me get the females out of this hellhole," she said, meeting his eyes with a lot more courage than she felt.

Nick sighed like he was disappointed. "You're not seeing this clearly at all."

"Yes, I am."

"No," he said pointedly, "You're not. You need to understand that having them here, using them for experimentation is what's keeping them alive."

"How can you say that? Did you not see those females in that second apartment? They are falling apart at the seams, Nick. You're killing them! And I'm guessing your domesticated Chimera might be a little healthier because they aren't being haunted by a missing bond, but there's something desperately wrong there too. You're killing these women!"

"They aren't women, they're females."

"Who cares what word we use—you're killing these people!"

"They aren't pe—"

"Nick, for fuck's sake. They are intelligent beings with feeling and hearts and emotions, and they're going to die if they stay here!"

"They're going to die if they don't stay here. So how long do you want to keep them alive?"

Sasha's head jerked back. "What?"

"I'm trying to tell you, Sasha, those females are only alive at all because they're needed. You can't forget the goal here: The goal is to improve the entire human race. Project Abraham is Zev, but Zev is only the beginning. Once we figure out how to make babies that have that blend, once we can get humans reproducing, the entire world changes. You realize that, right? Right now the men I work for believe those females are the link between what Zev is, and what we are. If you steal them away, or convince my bosses that they aren't needed… they'll be killed. It's that simple. They are expensive and time consuming. And as long as they're providing hope that we'll get where we're going, they're safe. But the minute you remove them from the equation, there's no more reason to keep them alive."

Sasha's jaw went slack.

Then Nick moved to checkmate. "The same is true for you, you know?"

Sasha blinked. "What?"

Nick folded his arms. "The reason you're here, the reason you're alive, is because you provide hope. The project is now in phase two. You've bonded with Zev. It's time to see if you're the doorway we need into phase three."

She recoiled in horror. "If you think you're going to put me in the breeding arena—"

"No, Sasha. Geez. Zev being in the breeding arena was a test—not just to see if he could get them pregnant, but to see if he could form the bond. But now he's formed the bond with you. So the next step is to see if you're two for two. But that's where things get tricky for you."

"How?"

He leaned in. "Because if you can. If you do? And your baby is everything they think it's going to be… we don't need the Chimeran females. At all. The game plan shifts. Now we need the males. It all circles back, Sasha. As soon as we know the foolproof way forward, any other players that aren't necessary to that process… they become an unnecessary drain on resources and time."

"How can you talk that way about living beings?" Sasha whispered. "You can walk down that hallway and have a conversation with those females! You can connect with them! Make friends with them! They can have lives and mates and families. How can you act like they're nothing but… but… broodmares?"

"Because if I don't, this place will kill me in a week," Nick snarled, then snapped his mouth closed as if he hadn't meant to say the words. He shook his head.

Sasha was stunned. Was it true? Did he have a conscience he was ignoring? Or was it all a ploy to get her to trust him.

"This is what I meant about finding common goals, Sasha. It's not as simple as you think. Because if your common goals don't include another piece of the puzzle, that piece goes in the trash. So… don't be so quick to decide you're getting the females out of here. My advice is to focus on you and Zev, and your safety as a couple. The rest… you can work that out later."

"No," she spat. "No. I am not going to sit here, knowing what these people are going through and just… sit here!"

"Then you're going to die, and Zev's going to be heartbroken, and they're going to decide he's useless, and he'll die too, and you've defeated the program, but saved no one, because without him, the rest are done. We start over.

"You want out of here? You want to be with Zev? Great, then you're the key. It's all in your hands, Sasha."

"How can you even say that?"

"Because if you're pregnant, you hold all the cards. If you're pregnant that's the most precious commodity these men have ever encountered. You get a lot of power, then. You get a lot of sway. Maybe… maybe even enough to save some other lives. Who knows?"

Sasha swallowed. "You think if I get pregnant they'll let me demand the other females? Back in Thana?"

Nick shrugged. "Who knows? I know that's more likely to be successful than any two-bit plan you're trying to hash up to get into this place and steal them. So… maybe?"

"No, Nick. No maybe. If I'm meeting these men, I need to know exactly what will work and how to get them on my side. Tell me: If I'm pregnant, what will it take? What would tempt them to free the females back into Thana?"

Nick regarded her thoughtfully for a long moment. Sasha held her breath. Then he raised his hands as if he was surrendering. "A straight exchange," he said.

"Of what?"

He held her gaze, and his went sharp. "Your baby for their lives. That's the only thing I can see that would tempt them."

Absolutely. Fucking.. Not.

 

Chapter 282

Sasha had been allowed to shower again, then change into something a little more refined—Nick provided a blazer and dark jeans because, he said, the bosses would take her more seriously if she looked a little more put together.

Sasha had snorted with the ridiculousness of it all, but even as she'd quailed, a steady resolve began a drumbeat in her chest. She had an idea. Vague and uncertain as it was, it was an idea and she held her breath as she and Nick were driven to another area deeper into the forest, then let out of the vehicle in front of the first building that had the refinement Sasha would have expected from men of the sort Nick described.

She was glad he'd given her the blazer. She already felt like she was on the back foot with these people. If she'd shown up in a hoodie it would have sucked her power completely.

Now she sat at the table chewing at a breadstick to try and keep her stomach settled, while Nick made small talk with two of the four men they were expecting.

"…and you're looking well, Sasha. It looks like Thana agreed with you!" She turned to meet eyes with the man who spoke. She'd been introduced but couldn't remember his name. But he was surprisingly jovial—like a knock-off Santa Claus with no hair. He had a shiny dome, but a thick white beard, bright blue eyes that made her stomach clench because they reminded her of Zev, and a round, protruding stomach that was slightly slimmed by his double-breasted suit jacket.

She wanted to spit in his face, but instead she smiled.

"Yes, I love Thana," she said carefully, examining every word for potential landmines. "But I've also been learning about your projects here. It's all very… impressive."

Santa Claus smiled and nudged the dark, brooding man next to him. "You see, I told you she was a smart girl."

The sour puss was much younger, probably barely out of his forties. His black hair slicked back and barely peppered at the temples with gray—the kind of gray that made a man look distinguished, rather than old. He was fit, athletic, naturally tan, and he wore dark slacks and a trim sweater that hugged his body.

His eyes were deep-set and he stared out at her as if from twin caves of suspicion. "That's good to hear, Sasha," he said, his voice a deep drawl. "What, exactly, exceeded your expectations?"

The level of sheer malice you all bestow on the world, Sasha thought, but didn't say. "The most surprising thing to me was the technology, I think," she said. "That material that you used in the stables. I didn't even know that existed. I can see many ways it would be useful in the real world."

The man put his tumbler of some brown liquor down on the table and tilted his head. "I assure you, Sasha, this world you're in now is far more real than the one you left."

Sasha mirrored his head tilt. "Oh? How so?" She'd never sounded more like a Bond Villain in her life. What had these people done to her?

"Because this is the world where you can see the whole picture," the man said darkly. "From here, you see the comfortable fa?ade that you were raised in—the world that will allow people to live and let live, as long as they don't interfere. But also, you can see those who are actually important. Most of the players in your former daily drama were just puppets. Here you walk with people who have actual power."

He moved to pick up his glass again, but hadn't dropped her gaze. There was a warning in his eyes, and in his tone.

Sasha nodded slowly, acknowledging it. "That's exactly why I describe all this as impressive," she said, waving a hand around at their surroundings. "You people, what you're doing, the fact that you've achieved all of this without the world finding out. It's mind boggling."

Sour puss looked like he would question her further, but just then a formal waiter arrived at the side of the table, ushering two more men with him. He pulled out their chairs, took their drink orders, and bowed.

Sasha was introduced the moment the staff member left, yet she couldn't retain the names of these two either. But she did study their faces.

Once everyone had ordered and their food had arrived, conversation turned back to Sasha—who was slowly sipping soup and chewing more bread. She was worried her stomach might revolt again.

She could feel their eyes on her, even when she looked down at her bowl. Her skin prickled and she wondered if this was what it was like to be in a zoo. Just sitting there, under eyes. People discussing you as if you didn't exist, or couldn't understand.

It was creepy.

"So, Sasha, we hear that you've been acknowledged as Alpha on Thana. I must say, that was a surprise," Santa Claus said, waggling his bushy eyebrows. "Your own form of impressive."

Sasha forced a smile at his reference. "I promise you no one was more surprised than me," she said honestly. "But because they trust Zev, they trust me too, so I'll do the best job that I can."

"What about Zev?" Santa Claus asked casually. "What's he doing if you're Alpha?"

"He's the Alpha of the wolf clan, and my second." She almost spoke about her proposal for a shared leadership, but she didn't want to give them ideas they didn't have. She kept her mouth closed.

"I'll admit, I have reservations. We've never seen any propensity among the Chimera to follow easily, or offer leadership quickly. I struggle to believe that your title of Alpha is genuine," Sour Puss said frankly.

"You can question it all you like. I can't deny that I didn't believe it myself at first. But Nick can tell you—they submit to me. For them, this is real. I'm not going to let them down. I came because Nick said the Alpha needed to come here, to work with you, for everyone's safety. So here I am. And I suspect you wouldn't be here if you didn't have evidence beyond my word that it was true, so let's not play games."

Then she put her spoon down and met eyes with every man at the table, waiting for them to respond.

 

Chapter 283

There were no other diners in eyeshot, they'd been given a private dining alcove. But suddenly the sounds of the dining room nearby—the clink of silverware and hum of hushed voices—became very loud to Sasha's ears, because none of the men were speaking.

Next to her, Nick had gone very still in his seat, but when Sasha turned to meet his eyes, he was scanning the other men. She followed suit and examined each of them in turn.

From what she could see, none of them were obviously impressed by her little show of backbone. But they weren't dismissive of it either.

Santa Claus was the first to speak. "So you admit that you are an unlikely leader for people like the Chimera?"

Sasha nodded. "Especially in that environment. I resisted the idea at first—I didn't feel equipped. But Zev was very clear that keeping some kind of stability, showing a fa?ade of confidence even if I didn't feel it, was very important. I still have a lot to learn about surviving in Thana. But I have to say, I'm beginning to think holding the reins of power might be more comfortable than I thought."

Nick shot her a warning look, but she wasn't lying. She just didn't mean it the way she hoped they'd hear it.

"Oh, please," Sour Puss muttered. "You're the least ambitious over-achiever I've ever had the tedium to surveil."

Sasha forced a brittle smile. "I do apologize if your invasion of my privacy was an inconvenient boredom for you," she said through her teeth. "But that wasn't what I meant."

Sour Puss's eyes flashed at the anger in her tone. He sat forward, elbows on the table and gestured to her. "Great, then please explain. If it were up to me we wouldn't even be here. You'd be in the stable and we'd sit back and wait for Zev to show up—because all of us know the only true power you hold is over our boy Zev, and if you're here, he won't be far behind. Both of you fool yourselves into believing you have any influence that we haven't handed to you. So let's be done with the charade shall we? You hold no power—no freedom—that we didn't give you. Do you understand that?"

"Of course," Sasha snapped back. "Nick's been very clear. That's why I'm here."

"Good. Then we have a list of expectations for you. If you agree to abide by them, and give us assurances of exactly how you will do that, we may choose to let you return to Thana under certain restrictions. But that is by no means a given. You will be watched and evaluated for deceit. You are not negotiating from a position of power here, Sasha."

"Then it sounds like you should let me know what your expectations are, so I can start making plans about how to fulfill them right away," Sasha countered sarcastically.

Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he didn't interrupt.

Sour Puss gave her a lazy smile. "I see through your bravado."

"I see through your pretend dis-interest," she shot back.

Sour Puss's eyebrows popped up and his smile disappeared. "Well then," he said quietly. "Let's get to the real reason that we're all here."

Sasha's mouth was dry and her stomach quivering, but she faced this man down. She hadn't expected him to be the one who would speak for all the others, but none of them—not even Santa Claus—seemed inclined to interrupt him, so she assumed he was the final decision maker among them, and gave him her attention.

As he revealed his list which sounded so broad and predictable on the outside, images popped into her mind time and again of how this had looked for Xar, and where his cooperation had gotten them all.

Sour Puss sat back in his chair and began his list, toneless and firm, without any question that she would agree.

Sasha, as Alpha, would take orders. Whenever, and however they chose to deliver them.

She would be told who to trust, and she would trust only those individuals to bring word from this group of men. She nodded, looking down, making a mental note to be certain whoever these men trusted, no one else could. But Sour Puss went on.

She would support every decision they made, whether she agreed or not. She would not undermine them with the Chimera.

She'd visit this facility as often and for as long as they required. She'd also receive their workers in Thana whenever they chose—and she would ensure that the people followed their orders.

She wouldn't only answer any questions these men had at any time, she would offer information she learned that could benefit them, even if they didn't ask.

And she would, at all times, support their endeavors within Thana, and in her own world. She would not share their secrets, or attempt to thwart any of their actions within Thana, or her own world.

"…In short," Sour Puss said bluntly, "We own you."

It was a work of sheer will not to swallow. All five men including Nick, were staring at her, measuring her. Even Santa Claus's eyes were sharp and assessing.

"Is that all?" she said lightly.

"If you're going to pretend not to take this seriously, this conversation is over," Sour Puss said starkly.

Sasha dropped her head and let her nervousness show through. He was right that they could see through her bluster. She had to keep them believing that she was frightened, but determined. Which was true. But she also needed them to underestimate her.

"I believe, as long as you let me keep Zev, and you don't ask me to actually harm anyone else, I can do those things for you," she said. "But I do have some questions, and some expectations of my own."

Sour Puss snorted. "You're not in a position to enforce expectations. Your job here is to listen, and to act—as we tell you to. Then you stay alive. Then you get to live your life. Otherwise, if you can't, we'll just bring you here and add you to the breeding pool."

Sasha visibly shuddered at the idea, and her stomach turned over.

None of the men reacted.

"I have some suggestions that I believe would be mutually beneficial," she said faintly. "If you'd humor me."

Sour Puss looked at the others, then nodded to her. "Go ahead." But just as Sasha was about to open her mouth, he added, "Just don't waste our time.. Or you'll have a chance to ask the other females here what exactly happens when we get impatient."

 

Chapter 284

"Please, share your ideas, Sasha." Sour Puss smiled at her. Sasha just stared at him for a moment, before turning to the others and praying that she'd be able to persuade them.

"Nick has shared your goal with me—for the… the betterment of humanity in general. That is a goal anyone can get behind, I think. But because I've been in Thana, not as a team member, and not as Chimera, but as human they're coming to see as one of them, I think I can add insight into what drives them and how to motivate them. And also… what you're doing that isn't working. And I think I can tell you why."

"And yet, somehow we've gotten this far without you," Sour Puss purred.

Sasha nodded. "But I'd say that you might have had more success if you'd approached some of these things in different ways. If I'm going to work with you, I'd like to see the Chimeran's morale grow. I understand the worst of this began with a health crisis, and given what I've seen recently, I fear you might be headed for another. But I know how to improve things for everyone. And… and I think I can help you reach your goals faster and easier in the process."

"So, what are your goals, Sasha?" Santa Claus asked.

"Safety for me and Zev, first and foremost," she said without hesitation. "And I do mean true safety: If the Chimera are led by a Pair who are solid and not anxious, they will feel stronger and more certain themselves. Everyone, all the Clans will benefit."

"Trust me, none of us want to see Zev harmed."

"I think you underestimate the impact of threatening me, in Zev's world," she said through her teeth. "You've used me to manipulate and drive him so often, I think you've forgotten how willing he was to work with you when you allowed him access to me.

"Instead of threatening and stealing me away, what if we were to… meet at the table? Zev could be given some assurance that his bonded Pair is under your protection, rather than at threat of her life. And the same for me—if you agree not to remove Zev again. If you give your word that he won't be manipulated, kidnapped, or coerced into leaving, it would relieve a great deal of stress for me."

"Perhaps you'll forgive us if your stress levels aren't our primary concern."

"But don't you see?" she shot back. "They should be—and not just mine, but any female that you're trying to breed. You would think with all of your research and knowledge you'd understand the impacts that stress can have on the female hormones and physiology. I am honestly stunned to find that you believe keeping females locked up and imprisoned here is or was ever going to lead to healthy offspring. Human beings don't do well under those circumstances, Chimera are like caged lions. They don't understand our way of life, and they can't relax in our environments—just like we can't relax in theirs." Her mind tripped back to that night Zev had to leave the tree house because he was feeling too closed in. How much trauma were these females carrying? And no way to escape it, even for a minute? She wanted to growl.

"You have so much space here. If you'd let the females be free, make their own homes, build their own societies… even engage with the males when they aren't… in heat," she said, her cheeks pinking. "I think you'd be pleasantly surprised by how much more successful you'd become over time.

"But even better, if you could bring them back to Thana—even Zev noted that the Chimera used to breed and have offspring. That there haven't been any new babies since the females were taken. You have to see that you're creating barriers for them, surely? And if you remove my mate from me, or keep us under threat, you'll do the same for me.

"I want to have a family too! I may not be physically driven to it like the Chimera. But there's no more beautiful idea to me than bearing Zev's babies. Yet, the idea of doing that while staring down the barrel of a gun, or at the tip of a blade? You're insane if you think that's going to end in fertile, strong women. It simply won't.

"You have to let me go back and maintain at least some kind of facade of independence. They had lost their faith in Xar because they saw just how weak he was in your hands. I can feed you information, I can action your goals. But if you don't let me make them think I'm keeping some kind of distance from you, they won't trust me, and this whole thing will fall apart."

She took a deep breath and they all waited. "That's it," she said eventually. "That's my goals: Safety for me and Zev, and freedom for the females. Let me make them think we're independent. That's it."

Three of the men chuckled. It was Sour Puss who just stared.

"That's a very bold request, Sasha," Santa Claus said. "I admire your spunk young lady, but you're being incredibly na?ve if you believe that we would simple… cast caution to the wind. This project has cost us billions so far. We cannot risk losing all our assets just so that they're more… happy."

"Why is it a risk? The females were in Thana until three years ago—even Nick said that you've proven Zev can't reproduce with any of them. What harm is there in returning them to a place where they can live happily? And form bonds? You'll likely gain a lot more Chimera with a lot less work."

"But not the Chimera we need," Sour Puss snapped. "This isn't a game. We are attempting to breed to specific genetics, specific traits. We can't leave the results up to the whims of stressed out half-wolves."

"What Chimera do you need if Zev and I are successful?" she asked plainly. "That's the goal, correct? Zev? And more like him? Our offspring—and others like ours? Why not allow the Chimera to grow and develop as a people while we… try? Everyone involved—including Zev and I—will be happier and more fertile if you do! Why not give us a couple of years—you can watch Zev and I, then apply what you learn later to—"

"What we do is a little bit more than watch," Sour Puss said patronizingly.

But Sasha wasn't going to be diverted. "Great. Then tell me how we work through this together. Because the reason I'm here is to work with you. The only thing I won't do is be a tool for death or harm. You keep the rest of them safe, and I'll work with you."

Eyebrows around the table rose.

"You're giving your assurance? Your... promise?" Nick asked carefully.

"If you keep us all safe and I can show some strength to the clans, yes. I already told you I would do it. I want to have a family with Zev. What I don't want is for our children to be raised in this hellhole. Let us build a life. Build a healthy society. Bring the females back. And if you do…. if you do, I will be your lab rat. I'll do whatever you ask. As long as I don't have to kill or harm anyone else, you can do whatever you want with me."

Until the day they're all in Thana, she added silently to herself. Then I'll find a way to keep you all out of Chimeran lives forever.

 

Chapter 285

There was a pregnant pause—Sasha almost snorted at her own pun—after she'd finished speaking, where the four Board members all stared at her. Then one of them nodded.

She'd expected conversation. Some kind of… she didn't know, negotiation? But instead, the two men who'd sat there barely speaking both rose from their seats and began their farewells to Santa Claus and Sour Puss.

Sasha frowned at them, then looked at Nick.

"They're only here to cast votes in the event of a conflict," he said quietly. "But since you agree to be a part of this, they'll leave the logistics to me, Horace and Nathan."

Nathan. That was Sour Puss's name. She tried to make it stick this time. And Santa Claus was named Horace?

She cleared her throat. "So they just… believe me?"

"I told you, Sasha, we can tell when you're telling the truth. All your indicators are that you mean what you say. I'll admit, I didn't think you were that committed."

Committed to what? She'd told them she'd have Zev's babies and work with them. She'd tried to get them to send the females over to Thana. No one had actually assured her—

"Is she pregnant?" Nathan said flatly, to Nick.

Nick shrugged. "We'll take the test in the morning, it's the most likely time of day to show an accurate result."

Sasha stared at him. "They" wouldn't be doing anything. She would be taking a test it sounded like.

"When is her cycle due?"

Sasha was horrified that the question was directed not at her, but at Nick.

She was almost sick when Nick responded, "Tomorrow. It's another reason to wait until then." She gaped at him.

"I'm not pregnant," she said, then repeated it when the three men still at the table just stared. "I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just telling you. I think I'd know. And there's nothing. I'm not pregnant. So you're going to have to let me go back to Zev to make that happen."

"We don't have to do anything," Nathan said darkly.

Nick flapped a hand. "Once we're certain and we have the details ironed out, we'll get you back to him, Sasha. Nathan and Horace just need some reassurance and we need to figure out the agreements."

"I just made an agreement. What else is there to figure out?"

"What medications you'll be taking if you aren't pregnant, and which ones you'll take if you are," Horace said gently.

"Medications? I can't take medications if I'm pregnant! It will hurt the baby!"

"Not the ones we give you," Nathan snapped.

Sasha bristled. "I told you I will have his babies—but do no harm, remember?"

Nick put a hand to her arm as she leaned over the table towards Nathan. "Sasha, just listen for a moment. If you're pregnant, your baby is half-Chimeran. And Chimeran offspring have nutritional and hormonal needs that human babies don't. We won't be giving you drugs. We will be… supplementing your body. A Chimeran baby is an even higher drain on the mother's body than a human baby. Chimeran female bodies are designed to fulfill those needs. But yours will need assistance unless you want to get really sick."

Getting sick seemed unavoidable around these people.

Sasha was incredibly uneasy. "I don't know…"

"We'll go through it when it's relevant," Nick said.

"But if you aren't pregnant, you'll be taking… supplements that will aide your body in reaching fertility frequently. And with ideal physiological support," Nathan added.

"I am not taking—"

"You will take what we prescribe or you will be held, bound to a bed, kept in a cell, and forced to take it. We'll bring Zev to the breeding arena for you, is that what you want?" Nathan barked.

Sasha blinked, her heart thrumming in her ears. "No, of course not."

"Then listen and learn, Sasha. This is not a negotiation. We will listen to you when we believe there is something to gain, but we will not waiver from our chosen course. You have proposed changes to our project that we may decide to adopt under certain circumstances. But if you want any hope of seeing other females alive and healthy in Thana, take your fucking supplements."

"How will I know they won't hurt the baby?"

Nathan rolled his eyes as if she were a frustrating child. "Do you really think that as we walk towards the culmination of decades of work, we wish to harm that baby?"

"Maybe not intentionally," she spat. "But I've seen what you're doing to the females, keeping them caged and out of their natural environment. Somehow you've determined that that's good for them? How do I know your judgment isn't equally off on what would be best for my child—in the event that I become pregnant?" she added, intentionally to spite him.

But Nathan's eyes snapped to Nick and he pointed across the table. "You haven't taken her to the Sanctuary yet. You were supposed to do that this afternoon."

"We had a little… delay after the breeding arena. I'll take her in the morning."

"See that you do, I'm sick of listening to this whining about how we treat our females." Nathan turned back to Sasha. "You show strength and intelligence, but you are playing in waters so far over your head, you can't even see the surface. If you want my advice—and trust me, you do—your only chance for surviving this with any kind of pleasant outcome is to stop making assumptions, and start listening and observing. This Board will hear you when your thoughts are relevant, but we will not sit here to be chastised by a woman who has been in Thana for a week and is in the throes of mating hormones. You have demonstrated your ignorance today. I will forgive it this time because it isn't your fault that our helpers ran behind schedule. But you will not bring me this bullshit again after you've seen what we do here, do you understand me?"

Sasha's throat closed. She nodded, but didn't drop his gaze. "If you don't make me harm my baby or anyone else, you'll find me a very hard worker."

"Good. We'll eagerly await news of your tests tomorrow. In the event that you are not pregnant, we will discuss the schedule for your supplements, and the provision of them by the team, and then you'll be allowed to return to Thana. But if you are already carrying Zev's child, we have many tests and levels we need to establish before we can let you return. So prepare yourself for a delay."

"Do you want her tested for human hormones, or Chimeran?" Nick asked quietly, as Sasha's heart rose and fell in a single movement.

Nathan stared at her for a moment, then answered, "Both. Take no risks. We don't know how this is going to go. Do both."

 

Chapter 286

Sasha's head spun as she and Nick rode in the car back to the building that housed her apartment. She felt like she'd heard things that should make her ecstatic—Nathan saying she could return to Thana if she wasn't pregnant? But for some reason, she couldn't allow herself to believe it. Even though she was certain she wasn't pregnant, that Nick's bluster, while probably true about the people they'd placed in her life and their access to her, she didn't see how they could have messed with her hormones without her noticing the changes in her body.

She prayed, literally prayed, the entire way back, that she was right, and that she wasn't pregnant.

Nick was on a small device that looked a lot like a cellphone, or small tablet, but thicker and didn't seem to be receiving calls as much as messages.

"That went better than I expected," he said casually, still tapping on the device as they rolled and bounced together in the back of the SUV that was navigating potholes and tree-roots on its way back to the main building.

"How?" Sasha asked, swallowing against the nausea that still wanted to return, despite her light dinner.

"Nathan was pissed off, but he was listening. That means he thinks you have a brain in your head. Trust me, it could have gone a lot worse. And he said you could go back to Thana. That was a surprise. I thought he'd leave you hanging on that one, to keep you motivated."

"I promise you, nothing motivates me more than getting back to Zev."

"I'm guessing he figured that out, which is why he dangled the carrot. But don't get too certain about it yet. We still have the test to take in the morning. Two of them."

"Why two?"

"Because Chimeran pregnancies are different. We aren't sure how a half-Chimeran baby will affect your body, so we're going to test for both markers, just in case."

"Test, how?"

"Blood tests, and… just some scrapes and swabs. Don't worry about it."

"Scrapes and swabs of what?"

"Nothing that's going to harm you or the baby, don't worry."

Sasha looked at him, but they were just pulling up to the main building. The headlights of the SUV panning over the face of it. The downstairs office was dark, but there was light showing in the windows upstairs. Apparently Sasha wasn't the only one using an apartment up there. Nick thanked the driver and got out, opening the door for her so she could let herself down to the gravel, then they entered together.

As they walked up the stairs and into the hallway at the top, Sasha was rocked with a wave of tiredness. It had been the most overwhelming day, and right on the back of a night of virtually no sleep. Now that she felt like they were done with responsibilities, suddenly, other than to be in Zev's arms, she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Nick ushered her upstairs and into the apartment, then walked through, checking that everything she needed was there. Sasha stood dumbly in the center of the floor, asking herself how she'd gotten there, and what she was going to do.

Suddenly, the night loomed ahead of her, dark and lonely.

She wanted Zev. So badly. Just to curl into his arms. To feel the warmth of his skin.

What if he was sicker? What if her leaving had triggered some kind of attack or… or he'd hurt himself trying to come after her?

What if he was over there dying and she didn't even know it.

She dropped her face into her hands, breathing deeply. She couldn't give in to this while Nick was still there.

But he'd already seen her distress.

"It's going to be fine, Sasha. I promise. You're doing well. They liked you. I know it probably didn't seem that way, but I promise you, Nathan doesn't suffer fools. Most people wouldn't have held his attention for five minutes. Let alone over an hour."

"I just… I just want to get out of here," she sighed, swallowing back tears.

"Well, I guess we'll find out tomorrow if that's going to happen quickly. But I'd say your chances are good. Keep doing what you're doing—don't pretend everything's fine, but do show that you're willing to work with them. It's going to work in your favor."

Sasha nodded, but she felt completely deflated.

Then Nick came to stand in front of her and put one hand to her upper arm, rubbing up and down just like her father used to do. "Hey, don't cry. You did so well! I was impressed, Sasha. Really. I expected that to be a lot worse."

"Thank you," she mumbled, creeped out, but needing him on her side. "I'm just tired. I need to have a drink then go to bed."

Nick helped her find the glasses and showed her where a set of pajamas and another set of fresh clothes had been left out for her.

Sasha thanked him, but her skin was beginning to crawl at his attentiveness, so she told him he could go, that she was just going to sleep.

Taking the hint, Nick agreed. As he opened the door, he turned, and that compassion she'd seen earlier was back in his eyes.

"I told you that I could see why Zev chose you," he said quietly. "And I meant it. You're perfect for him, Sash. And… everything else aside, I'm really, really grateful that you love him, and you're fighting so hard to be back with him. It… it makes me happy."

Sasha blinked and forced herself to focus. "You're, uh, welcome, I guess?"

Nick gave a dry smile. "I know, I know. I'm hardly the natural father figure, but it's true, Sash. I really do care about him. And I'm glad he's got you to lean on."

And leaving that strange turn of tone hanging in the air, he stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind him, leaving Sasha staring at it, trying to figure out what just happened.

She was still uncertain a few minutes later when she finally snapped out of her haze and stumbled to the bed, changed, and fell into the blankets with a brokenhearted sigh.

 

Chapter 287

The first instinct he had as he was rolling out of sleep was to reach for Sasha. But when his arm found only cold, empty furs, he grunted and rolled onto his back.

Before he'd even opened his eyes, he knew he was healing. The sharp burn in his side was gone. His body felt… moderate. And the overall pain was far less. He'd been so tired last night after the walk, he'd been afraid he'd done himself harm. But instead, as he opened his eyes and sat up, taking a deep breath of the forest air, only slightly damp from the cave, he felt like himself again. Almost.

The ache for Sasha was more painful than the ache in his side.

"Good morning," a deep voice growled from behind him. Zev turned, twisting his body to see. Even though his ribs complained, it was a little ache, not the grabbing pain he'd had the past few days.

Skhal sat on a folded fur, his back against the wall of the cave, head tipped forward so his hair fell into his eyes, but he stared out between the strands, measuring Zev with an intensity only the older wolf was capable of.

"Good morning to you, too," Zev said, his voice still hoarse with sleep. "You don't need to glare at me, I slept."

"I'm not glaring at you for sleeping, I'm glaring at you because I can already see your puppy mind deciding that it's safe to venture out of the den even though your mother said not to."

Zev snorted, but was glad for the excuse to turn away from Skhal and get himself unwound from the furs. "I'm not going anywhere today except the Healer's center. I promised Allory last night. If I don't uphold my end he won't let me sleep here tonight. And when I'm not drugged I can't sleep inside those fucking walls."

There was a beat before Skhal responded. When he did, his voice was quiet, inviting confidence. "What did they do to you?"

Zev hesitated in the act of crawling out of the furs to dress, but then forced himself to keep moving. As he shook out his furs, he shrugged. "It's not even what they did, it's more… I don't know how to explain it. There's a feeling I had when I was there, working with them. A darkness. And when I'm inside straight walls, that feeling comes back."

"Like a scent on the wind that creeps in and makes your body feel as if you're in another place," Skhal said, nodding.

Zev straightened and looked him. "Yes. How did you know?"

Skhal huffed. "You think you're the only male to experience trauma, Zev? Honestly, I'm surprised you've functioned as well as you have."

Zev frowned. "I've never been unable to function. I just have nightmares, that's all."

"And panic attacks."

Zev flapped a hand at him. "I don't panic, I just—"

"Stop breathing. Feel like you have to escape. Need to be outside?" Skhal stared at him, brows high, and Zev wanted to growl.

"All of us feel those ways at times."

"True. But not when we're otherwise safe. Your instincts kick in because your mind feels unsafe."

"I know," he said, and let it roll into a growl.

"Don't be angry with me for speaking the truth. It's what you told me you wanted from me, remember?"

Zev took a deep breath. It was true. He had told Skhal not to hold back. The older wolf was notorious for creating conflict, or raising issues among the wolves that others felt were unnecessary. But Zev had always seen the value in having someone around who questioned everything.

A leader knew they weren't sight-blind when Skhal was at their shoulder, muttering all his cynicism.

It was fucking annoying, though.

Zev finished dressing and stamped his feet. His legs felt a little shaky, but nothing like the day before. He turned to face the wolf who hadn't moved from his spot where he'd kept guard all night. Zev felt a rush of gratitude. He'd been so exhausted he likely wouldn't have heard if a boar had come rootling into the cave.

"Thank you for coming to watch out for me."

"It's fine. It's what I'm here for."

Zev snorted. "Babysitting the Alpha?"

Skhal chuckled. "Yes, exactly."

They grinned at each other for a moment, then Zev looked to the cave mouth to measure the light. "Did you want to get some breakfast before I go to the Healers? Or do you need to sleep?"

"I'll sleep. I find my patience with the village growing thin. I'm avoiding it as much as possible. I'll rest today so I can watch again tonight."

Zev turned back to him, hoping the truth of his gratitude showed in his face. "Thank you, friend. This is… You treat me well."

Skhal shrugged. "Like I said, it's why I'm here. I'm apprehensive about Sasha, but oddly optimistic about what you're going to achieve this time, Zev. You've grown—in your mind, as well as your body. I can see the strength in you that you lacked when you left. Whatever happened to bring those years about, the Creator has… refined you in them."

Zev's smile fell off his face. He clawed a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Nothing that was right has been happening in our lives. If I can get Sasha back… together I think we can make a change."

"Why is she needed?"

"I don't know. She just… sees things I don't see. And I see things she can't. We are stronger together," he said, absently rubbing that place at the center of his chest. Then his eyes snapped back up to Skhal. "She isn't a traitor, or a selfish person. She didn't go to the humans out of some plot, or—"

"I know," Skhal said softly.

Zev blinked. "Then why did you raise that idea in front of the others? You only plant seeds when you say things like that. I want your challenges, Skhal. I want your wisdom. But sometimes there's a time and place—"

"I wasn't planting seeds. I'd heard whispers. I spoke what others feared to speak to you directly, so they could all see you address it. If you're going to win them to trust, you have to meet these things head-on, Zev. Your heart is soft and trusting. Most of theirs aren't. Don't shy from answering the unspoken question, or the teeth of it will close on your neck in the dark."

Zev considered that carefully. "Okay, then, I'll make you a deal: You keep raising difficult things like that only when you've heard others speak about them. Otherwise, you come to me in private."

Skhal's lips twisted, but he nodded. "Okay."

Zev crossed the space between them and leaned down to share scents. "I'm grateful for you, brother."

Skhal snorted.. "Tell me that next time I grab you by the scruff in front of the Alphas."

 

Chapter 288

Zev chuckled, but his amusement didn't last long. His mind swam suddenly with images of Sasha, trapped in the human world while a group of Chimeran Alphas fought here amongst themselves. He couldn't let them forget her.

"Relax, Zev, I was joking," Skhal said quietly.

"I know. I'm not worried about that. I was just thinking about Sasha."

Skhal sighed. "What do you need?"

"I need a strategy—an actual plan, not just a vague idea—about how to get her back if they don't return her quickly."

"Do you really think there's any chance that they will?"

Zev took a deep breath. "It's hard to say. If there's any reason they think it benefits them, they will. But it won't come without cost. Now that they have her, they'll be squeezing her, manipulating her. Pushing her…"

Zev swallowed. There was one aspect to all of this that he hadn't raised in the meeting last night, because he hadn't wanted to create fear for the others, but if someone else had the idea or Skhal heard murmurings…

He cleared his throat. "There's one risk that I'd ask for your help with. Yours, and no other wolves," he said pointedly.

The man tipped his head. "What is it?"

Zev shifted his weight and put his hands to his hips, trying to feel strong enough for this. Speaking it would make it real and he didn't want it to be real. But he also didn't trust himself… He swallowed hard. "If she does come back we have to watch her for… odd changes. They may have interfered with her mind."

Skhal nodded. "Like Xar, with the medications."

"Possibly, though knowing Nick, he's not going to use exactly the same approach, because he knows I'll be on to it. He'll have taken a different route with her, I think. Possibly more subtle. No one is likely to notice the difference except me. And I… you have to keep me honest, Skhal. Make me answer the question. Don't let me ignore my instincts. I will want to, I know it. I'll be so relieved to have her back… the temptation will be just to trust that she's okay if she says she is. But I know them. I know how they work. They find the place inside you that you're desperate to keep safe and they use that against you."

"What's hers?" Skhal asked.

"Me," Zev said without hesitation. "Which is why I'm probably the only who will see it, at least early on. So… ask me. If she shows back up—or if we're successful in bringing her back, you have to get in my face and make me look. Force me to answer the hard questions."

"About?"

"About whether she's become a tool in their hands. Whether she's set up to betray me. Us. All of us."

Skhal's face went dark. "What would be the signs?"

Zev shrugged. "I can only guess. But I'd be watching for sudden changes in her motives, or… if she's dismissive of things that she used to be concerned about. If she's less focused on the things we discussed before, and more focused on making the humans happy—or putting off doing things we have to do to guard against them. Things like that."

Skhal nodded. "I'll watch."

"I'm telling you, you probably won't see it. Their way of shifting people's minds, it's very subtle. I was surprised they were so open with Xar. Obviously they got him under their thumbs very quickly. Because the didn't even seem to be trying to hide that. I think they'll be smarter with Sasha. If they're able to break her. It wouldn't surprise me if she turned them on their own heads. She's capable of it."

"One person, one mind against their entire team? That seems too much to ask of anyone, Zev."

He shrugged again. "I don't know. She's stunning, Skhal. So smart. And so… right. I don't know how to put it. There's something deep inside here that is resolute. When she knows what's right, she goes for it. She doesn't waver. She's far stronger than me in that way. But if they can convince her—either through deception, or by altering her mind—that something she believes is wrong, or won't help, she'll be just a resolute for whatever new goal or new idea she has set. That's the danger. They'll struggle to crack her, but if they do…"

Skhal took a deep breath. "Are you certain, utterly certain that she's on our side? She spent so little time here."

Zev locked eyes with him and let the male see his conviction. "Utterly."

Skhal nodded slowly.

"No, Skhal, hear me: Not only is she committed to getting the females back here for all of us, she's… she's certain about me."

Skhal snorted. "You might me mistaking desire for—"

"Don't patronize me," Zev snapped. "That's not what I meant and you know it. I mean that she's… she believes in me. And when I told her that we need to be free of the humans, that she's got a role to play in that—she's all in, Skhal. If she's been altered while she's there, it's against her will. I would bet my life on it."

Skhal watched him for a moment, then one side of his mouth tipped up, pressing lines into his weathered cheeks. "If that is all true, Zev, your mate is truly to be cherished. By all of us. I pray for your sake that she lives true to this strength you see in her. I'll admit, I saw her courage, but I wasn't as convinced it was based in anything quite so… admirable."

"You just didn't have the chance," Zev said quietly. "Ask Yhet. He's got to see her. She's amazing."

Skhal finally pushed to his feet and came to stand in front of Zev, putting one hand to his shoulder and leaning in. "Then you fight for her, Zev. Every day. You fight to get her back here. You fight for the others to keep following her. And you fight for the future with her in it. Because I don't care what world you're in, we need leaders like that—male or female. If she can lead us against the humans with that kind of strength, and that's coupled with your goodness and capability, the Chimera will thrive."

Zev flattened his lips. "If we can get free of the humans."

Skhal nodded. "Yes. If we can."

They both got lost in their thoughts, then.

 

Chapter 289 -

Zev had promised the healers he wouldn't shift until they'd cleared his wound, that the tissue was strong enough to withstand the process. So he walked in human form, all the way back to the Village, teeth set against the delay, but knowing if he didn't do as he'd promised they'd hobble him further.

He did go to the Trough first, to eat before he had to submit to being prodded and tucked into a bed again.

Despite the early hour, normally the Trough would have been half full of hunters and others with long days ahead. Yet only a handful of tables had bodies at them when he walked in. Zev frowned, but didn't have time to consider it as Dunken caught him just as he sat down with a plate, then Yhet's booming greeting made the trees shake as he entered the Trough and had to slide the bench halfway out to fit his long legs under the tabletop.

"It's good to see you on your feet, brother," Yhet beamed at Zev.

Zev grinned back. "It's better to be on my feet, I can promise you."

"But you won't do too much, right?" Yhet said worriedly. "I don't want to have to fight the Alphas to get out you out of here and back to Sasha."

Zev's jerked with surprise. "You'd do that for me, Yhet?"

"I'd do that for Sasha," the man rumbled. "I promised her I would care for you, but I also promised her I would watch over her. I failed her once, during the ritual, I won't do it again. I don't trust the humans, Zev. We need to get her out of there as quickly as we can."

Zev nodded, swallowing a sudden pinch in his throat. He couldn't agree more, but he understood the caution too. Even the walk this morning had made his limbs feel weary. While it was just a lagging tiredness, he knew if he had to fight…

He clapped a hand to Yhet's back. "Thank you, brother. I'm going to be wise—I promised her that I would. But the first moment I'm certain the time is right, I'll ask for your help."

Yhet nodded as if that only made sense.

"If you two are finished growling at the trees, perhaps we can discuss the actual plan? I've set more guards along the path between the gateway and the village. To ensure both that Sasha doesn't enter without us there to help her, but also in case the humans have gotten clever with their weapons.

"All accounts are that Nick believed the humans could enter and take down any force we leave in the cave. We needed to have a greater presence—not to fight, but to raise the alarm in case the humans do actually attack. But that means our forces in the village are strained—especially now that half of them have already moved to the City."

Zev stopped eating. How had he forgotten that? He'd been so surrounded by the healers and the Alphas, he'd forgotten she'd given the order. "Has anyone spoken with the twins?" he blurted?

"They're uneasy, but engaging," Dunken said. "They didn't cause problems for anyone showing up, and they're helping the leaders identify centers for each Clan."

"Centers?"

Dunken sighed. "I wasn't comfortable with everyone just moving en-masse when we don't know how or if the humans will step through again. So we've set up an alarm system. But it requires central notification for each Clan—a buddy system of sorts. If the alarm is raised by the guards, the City will know from our sentries within an hour, and everyone within the city will be notified in less time than that."

"Thank you," Zev said, feeling disappointed in himself. "I was so focused… I hadn't thought about… thank you."

Dunken's face was blank, expressionless as he nodded. "There's a lot going on, and you're not at your best, Zev." But he never met Zev's eyes.

A sick pit opened in Zev's stomach. He couldn't let himself become so focused on Sasha's safety that he forgot everything else. Clearly Sasha hadn't done that when she'd decided to leave.

Zev muttered a curse under his breath and turned his mind to the rest of the Chimera. It was good if most of them were out of the Village already. That would make it easier to guard, and harder for the humans to interfere if they did show up. But there would be stresses and conflicts occurring in the City, too. They couldn't let the hierarchy there fall over while they fought the humans. That would only harm the clans in a different way.

He needed someone to show strength in the City, but run communication with him as well.

Lhars arrived then, face drawn and eyes shadowed. He barely greeted the others, but took a seat across from Zev and began shoveling food into his mouth.

"Lhars," Zev said quietly.

His brother nodded a greeting, but barely took his eyes from his food.

Zev sighed. "I'm afraid I have another request for you."

Lhars stopped eating and his eyes rose to find Zev's nerves and an edge of anger in his scent. Why? But he was waiting to hear what Zev had to say. At least he wasn't giving in to it.

"Can you visit the City this morning and… curb any conflicts that might be arising as everyone finds their place? Then come back and tell me what you think is needed there?"

Lhars nodded, but his blank expression didn't change.

Zev watched him as Dunken and Yhet began to discuss what would be needed to infiltrate the Team Headquarters. Then he reached out to scratch at his brother's mind. Lhars opened to him immediately, but didn't look up from his food.

Are you okay? He asked Lhars hesitantly.

Nope.

What's going on?

Lhars was chewing a mouthful, but he just met Zev's eyes with a flat look. Seriously?

Zev rolled his eyes. I mean, what's going on with you personally?

Lhars dropped his gaze again and took another bite before he answered.

 

Chapter 290

Have you seen Kyelle this morning?

The words seemed to seep into Zev's head, as if Lhars wasn't entirely sure he wanted to share them. Or perhaps was frightened of the answer? What had happened to Kyelle? Zev stiffened.

No. Is she okay? Zev asked, trying not to put his Alpha authority behind it. He didn't want to break the uneasy peace they'd found. But he was worried.

I'm sure she's fine, Lhars replied. But she's pissed off with me. Avoiding me, I think.

Well good luck when she's got her hackles up. What did you do this time?

Lhars' chewing slowed for a moment. It was the only warning Zev had that this wasn't a moment to tease his brother.

I told her about my feelings for her. Tried to kiss her.

Zev had to drop his own head so the others wouldn't see the shock painted all over his face. Lhars had actually approached her?

Did you display for her? He asked, his voice hushed in Lhars' head.

Lhars shook his head. I didn't think I needed to. When I first stated my feelings she didn't back away. I thought perhaps we were beyond that.

No wonder she's pissed off.

Zev regretted letting his brother hear the words the moment he thought them.

Lhars' grip on his knife tightened until his knuckles were white. He didn't lift his head from the plate.

Sorry, Zev sent apologetically. I didn't mean that. I just meant… I know she… she's kind of sensitive about always being treated like a male. She thinks we don't see her as a female because she can't have young.

Lhars nodded. She told me. It's ridiculous. Can't she see—

It's how she feels, Lhars. Do you want her to tell you your feelings are ridiculous?

His brother went very still. Then he looked up to meet Zev's eyes.

No, I don't, he sent quietly.

I wish you luck, brother, Zev sent genuinely. I hope she can see you better than I did.

Kyelle has always seen me more clearly than you did, Lhars replied dryly.

Zev huffed and took another bite of his own breakfast. He thought that would be the end of the conversation and was turning his attention back to the discussion between Yhet and Dunken about the Team Headquarters in the human world, when Lhars' voice appeared in his head again.

What did you do to convince Kyelle that you didn't care she was an owl? How did you get her to trust that you didn't judge her for not being able to have offspring?

Zev blinked. I… uh… I mean, I just didn't care. I treated her as I would anyone else.

Lhars rolled his eyes. Remarkable. Earth shattering wisdom.

Zev raised an eyebrow at him. And yet, apparently I convinced her where you haven't?

Lhars growled and heads turned at the table, but Lhars had always been better at subterfuge than Zev. And apparently better at listening to multiple conversations at the same time than Zev was, too. Because Lhars met eyes with the other males like he'd been listening all along.

"When the call is made to go, go at night. Early evening. Make the crossing so you arrive in the human world in the hours of darkness. Then you can travel all night and sleep through the day before approaching the following night. It will give the scouts a chance to make sure you haven't been followed or detected, too. Also, to make sure Sasha's actually there."

"She'll be there," Zev muttered. "It's the only secure lab in the area of the gateway. And they won't risk taking her too far away in case they want to come back here. The question is whether they'll bring her back with them."

"You don't think they'll just free her to return?" Lhars asked.

"No, of course not."

"They did with Xar."

"Xar was clearly interfered with. They'd gotten in his head. Sasha won't let them. She'll resist. She'll either be kept there, or brought back under their control," Zev said through his teeth, his grip on his own knife tightening. He wanted to stab it right into Nick's throat at the idea of what Sasha might be enduring—things he knew that the others didn't. And he couldn't tell them because it might affect their willingness to believe in Sasha.

He wouldn't undermine her while she was gone, not when she'd sacrificed her own safety to help all of them. If the humans did anything to her, he'd figure it out when they got her back. Somehow.

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, he turned his mind back to the conversation at the table, but Lhars was staring at him, and looking frustrated.

What? he asked his brother, trying to keep impatience out of his tone.

Lhars shook his head. It's not important, he sent. What's important is that you're healing and we need to get Sasha back and keep the humans out.

Zev sucked in a breath, nodding.

It's good that you're certain of your path, Lhars sent, a tinge of sadness in his voice. Good that you know exactly what you want and which way to aim.

Zev looked at his brother carefully. Don't you know that, also?

Knowing and being able to pursue are two different things. Your goals align with all of our needs. We can all get behind that. And your certainty makes you a decisive leader. It's what we've been missing for these years, Zev. So don't waver. Step carefully, avoid any kind of revolt from the males. Don't give them a reason to mistrust you. But lead. Step in. Do what you know is needed. The rest… the rest we can figure out as we go.

Zev nodded. The problem is, everything's pulling me to her. Out of Thana, back to the human world where she is. She's under my skin. My existence is tied to her. But I know I have to be so careful—not just for my own sake, but for hers. But… I can't leave her there, Lhars. I start to sweat every time I so much as think of what they could do to her.

He shivered and Lhars nodded. But there was no further discussion.

They both turned their minds back to the discussion between Yhet and Dunken about the layout of the Headquarters, and while Zev was able to give more detail, he spoke only rarely.

Because the truth was, his resolve didn't matter when he couldn't think of a single, likely way to break through the security and technology of the team.

He didn't want to think that they were at the mercy of Nick, but… what choice did he have?

He had to get her out of there! Had to! But what would it do her if he only got himself captured in the process.

If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that if the humans got hands on both of them at the same time, that would be the end.

It was, he realized, why Sasha had gone. Because she seen that instinctively. She'd kept them away from the village. Away from him.

God, he loved her so much.

She had to be safe. And smart. She had to get out of there.. She just had to.