Why? She supposed Laney and Kendall wanted a look at her, Kareena, and Parker. The other two women were the first from Earth to mate Delroi warriors. She reached for her top and he took it out of her hand, passing her another that he’d removed from one of the bags. It was maroon. Idis house colors. Her stomach clenched and she looked up to meet his gaze, shaking her head.

  “I can’t wear this in public.”

  “You can and you will,” he said. His tone said he wouldn’t hear any arguments. So much for giving her a choice.

  “What happened to my two weeks?”

  Sighing, he stepped close, invading her space and grabbing her hips when she tried to escape him.

  “You have your two weeks, der’lan. But this is an official visit from the Overchief. Kareena and Parker will be wearing house colors. Hell, so will my mother and sister.”

  “I’m not a member of your house,” she tried to point out calmly but even she could hear the panic in her voice.

  “For now, that’s a formality,” he countered. He considered this thing between them to be a done deal. It pissed her off, his conviction that she was just going to give up a lifetime of conditioning and give control of her life to a man. He looked at her like he knew exactly what she was thinking and she hastily checked her shields. All intact.

  “Wear it for me then,” he said softly. “Daggar is bringing his household guard. That’s a lot of unattached warriors, sweetheart. Plus, you need to be in my colors when we visit Xan and your mother. I want it clear to him another clan has a claim on you.”

  She stared down at the shirt while his words circled around in her head. She heard the protectiveness and ownership in his tone, felt it in her bones. She was leery, but she wasn’t scared.

  “Don’t take this as one of those unspoken signs of acceptance you Keep guys are always going on about,” she said, pulling the garment over her head.

  His expression remained neutral, but she felt his pleasure as she turned to the mirror to straighten the shirt. Oh hell. It was sleeveless and tight, cupping her breasts like an offering, and the hem just skimmed the top of her belly button. When she moved it would be on full display. Her pants, the beige priestesses wore, hung low across her stomach. Once she strapped on her weapons she made a picture a lot of men on Earth would have found sexy as hell. On Delroi? Probably not so much. Her goddess tattoos, a stylized sun on her left wrist with the crescent moon bisected by a sword above it, were clearly visible. At least people would know what she was.

  “You ready?” Jarek asked. She turned to see him shouldering her bags. When she arched an eyebrow, he said, “We’ll drop them in my rooms then go to the shuttle pad.”

  She nodded and minutes later they were outside, joining the Idis and Stian families. There were a few raised eyebrows and Rona’s knowing smirk, but since the shuttles were landing it was too loud for anyone to say anything.

  “So. Nice color,” Parker said into her mind. She felt Kareena join the connection too, and groaned.

  “Long story.”

  “You can tell me all about it on the flight to the Bana stronghold.”

  “It’s not official,” she cautioned them, but she didn’t have the chance to say more.

  There were three shuttles. Two disgorged a platoon of warriors and a handful of Delroi women and kids before the ramp lowered on the middle one. The warriors took up guard positions as the Overchief and his family exited. She’d seen enough pictures to identify them. Daggar Torfa and his mate, Kendall Marks, formerly an Army doctor on Earth and pregnant if Zola interpreted the subtle swelling of her belly right. His brother, Alrik, and his mate, Laney Bradford, formerly a Sergeant Major on Earth, were next. She held their infant son in her arms. They were followed by more warriors.

  Roarr stepped forward to make introductions and Zola felt eyes linger on her. She didn’t respond to what was a justifiable attack of nerves. Oddly, it didn’t have anything to do with her and more to do with the assessing looks sent to the man at her side. As if she was in no way his equal or worthy of a guy like him. They were right too. His hand settled on the small of her back and he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

  “Whatever just went through your head, stop it. You’re mine and you’re perfect.”

  She knew her eyes widened at that statement, couldn’t stop them, but before she could respond Laney (without her baby) and Kendall were standing in front of her, and Kareena and Parker were moving to join them.

  “If we could have a private word with your, der’lan, I promise we’ll give her back soon,” Laney said in a no non-sense, you have no choice voice.

  Zola turned to see Jarek nod, but he didn’t just move away. Oh no, he cupped the side of her face and bent to kiss her. It was light, lingering, and in front of everyone. She blushed bright red. Damn, her complexion anyway. But, hell, that was a blatant stamp of ownership wasn’t it? Before she could react he was gone, and Kareena was next to her, waving her hand in front of her face as if to ward off heat. Zola glared. It wasn’t that hot yet.

  “Not a word,” she snapped.

  “Oh come on,” Parker said, grinning. “When did this happen?”

  Zola stared her. She didn’t mind talking to them about it, but the newcomers? Who were waiting and watching avidly. No way. Finally, she shook her head. “Later.”

  Kendall laughed and nudged Laney. “Think we’ll get to hear this story?”

  Laney had her head titlted a bit to the side, watching. Zola knew she was being assessed by one of the most brilliant military minds in Earth history. The woman was a legend. Hell, Zola had followed her career for years.

  “Maybe in a couple years,” Laney answered. “After she’s decided she trusts us.”

  Zola had no idea what to make of that. She couldn’t imagine trusting anyone other than Parker and Kareena. And Jarek. She changed the subject.

  “I’m guessing you want to talk to me about Tel?”

  “Yeah,” Laney said. “The organization has been decimated. It seems pretty stupid for what remains to focus on getting revenge against one woman on another planet.”

  “It does,” she agreed. Then shrugged. “The six who are left here may not even know what’s happened on Earth. I’m hoping to get more information out of my mother.”

  “Will you?”

  “I’m not holding my breath,” she said dryly. “Her secrets have secrets.”

  Laney and Kendall looked at each other then laughed. What the hell was that about? They took pity on her.

  “Have you met Britt and Janice yet? Sounds like them,” Kendall said.

  Zola knew her responding smile was weak. Yes, she’d met them. But those two had never been as deep as she was. Before she could respond, their men joined them and Zola couldn’t help but stare at Alrik Torfa. He was huge and fierce looking, until he looked down at the baby held cradled against his chest. It made something in Zola ache, yearn. Unlike Kareena who’d lost her family young and Parker who’d never had one, Zola had had a disappointing one. What would it be like to have a man who loved her? A child she could be free to love? Alrik met her gaze, held it for a long moment before a small smile curled his lips.

  “Would you like to hold him?”

  She was stunned at the offer, even more so that she wanted to take him up on it. She looked to Laney for permission before nodding and stepping forward. The transfer from the warrior’s arms to hers was made smoothly and Zola couldn’t help but grin when the baby boy gripped one of her fingers, smiled, and cooed.

  “He’s beautiful,” she told his parents. “What’s his name?”

  “We decided to introduce an Earth pantheon,” Alrik said. “His name is Zeus.”

  Zola laughed. “King of the gods, huh, little guy?”

  “Hopefully wiser,” Laney joked.

  She was getting ready to hand him back over to his parents when Jarek came up behind her, circling her waist with his arms and leaning down to rest his chin on her shoulder and look down at Zeus.

  “You look good with a baby in your arms,” Jarek whispered, turning to press a kiss to her cheek.

  She didn’t know how she looked, but it felt good. It felt right. She had the sudden gut clenching urge to take Jarek up on everything he offered her. If only she didn’t have Tel hanging over her head. Feeling wistful, she gave the child back to his mother.

  “Thanks for letting me holding him,” she said softly.

  “Not the first baby you’ve held,” Laney guessed.

  She shook her head. “I used to volunteer at the hospital sometimes. Especially with the little kids.”

  Everyone was staring at her like she’d grown an extra head, except for Jarek.

  “Why are y’all looking at me like that?” she asked Kareena and Parker.

  “I think you just ruined your badass image,” Parker joked.

  “Whatever,” she muttered.

  Thankfully, the crowd was already slipping away and she was left alone with Jarek.

  “Roarr’s son should grow up with a cousin close to his age, don’t you think?” he mused.

  Okay, maybe that wasn’t so good. It was pretty shitty of him to use her desire for a real family against her. She whirled around, but he caught her hand before she could get away.

  “Wait a minute, Zola,” he snapped when she struggled against his hold. “What did I say that set you off?”

  “You’re pushing me.”

  He didn’t even have the grace to look contrite. He nodded. “I am. I want you. I know we’re right together. And I saw the look on your face when you held Zeus. You can’t tell me you don’t want that.”

  His words made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t deny them, but she didn’t know if it would ever be safe to pursue that kind of life. “Until I deal with Tel, I can’t even think about it, Jarek. I won’t drag anyone into that world with me.”

  She could see he wanted to argue but he seemed to come to some other decision. He nodded instead.

  “Fine. Let’s get on with it then.”

  With that he took her hand and led her to the shuttle they were taking to the Bana stronghold.

  *

  She’d seen pictures of the stronghold so she recognized it when she stepped off the shuttle, but she was still surprised at how stark the place was. They were deep in the desert. It was all sand and stone. They’d landed on the valley floor in front of the massive edifice. Many warriors were in the area and she saw her mother waiting at the bottom of a dozen steps that led up to the building’s huge doors. Xan Bana stood at her side.

  Zola didn’t wait for anyone. She wanted a word with her mother alone. She wanted to judge for herself what motivated the woman who’d raised her. She shrugged Jarek off and stalked across the courtyard, anger rising with every step. She felt her power whipping at her. Eager to lash out. If Anna Leigh was alarmed, she didn’t show it. Zola stopped a few feet away, felt Jarek at her back.

  “Zola,” her mother said coolly. “You look good.”

  She felt her control slip and directed the power into parts of the yard that were unoccupied. Little dust devils suddenly danced everywhere.

  “If you came to kill me, I promise I’ll take you with me,” she said.

  She saw a crack in Anna Leigh’s composure, but she couldn’t be sure it wasn’t artifice. She shook her head. “I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to help.”

  Zola laughed but it was bitter. She was angry and suspicious and hurt. Why couldn’t she have had a normal life? A normal family? She buried those thoughts deep but somehow Jarek knew. He stepped up next to her, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and bent to whisper in her ear.

  “We’ll have that, sweetheart. I promise.”

  Oh goddess, she hoped so but not yet. Even dreaming of it made her weak and she pushed it deep. Straightening her spine, she made sure her expression was clear. By then Roarr, Kaje, Parker, Barak, Britt, Falkor, Janice, and Sergei were flanking her. Most of them didn’t trust her, but they did trust Jarek and he’d clearly thrown his support behind her. It made her feel good. She had a couple friends and a lot of allies here.

  “We need to talk, Mother,” she said and managed to do it serenely.

  To her credit, Anna Leigh didn’t react. She simply nodded and stepped back to clear the way to the open door. Her mate stopped Zola and Jarek at the threshold, however.

  “You’re wearing Idis colors,” he said, almost gently, like he was trying and it was totally unfamiliar.

  “She’s my der’lan,” Jarek replied before she could say anything, and there was pure challenge in his soft tone. It was almost a dare. Just fucking great. Xan looked at her and his question was just as low, just as dangerous.

  “Is that so, daughter?”

  The honorific froze her for a moment. She’d never known her father and never imagined having one. That this big scary looking man she’d just met felt the need to claim her in such a way stunned her.

  “He is,” she answered when she realized Jarek had grown tense and silent at her back. She felt his exhalation of relief but it was so subtle, she doubted anyone else noticed.

  Xan nodded. “We’ve prepared a brunch.”

  He led everyone into a private room that was just small enough to be considered cozy. There was a long fireplace on the wall to her right, a wall of glass doors directly ahead, and food laden sideboards against the wall to her right. The center of the space contained a couple couches, several comfortable looking chairs, and a few small round tables. She really liked the space and after they’d filled plates, found herself sitting next to Jarek with her mother and Xan across from them. She studied the man her mother had hooked up with while she picked at her food. He seemed just as interested in her.

  “You’re bond isn’t complete,” he said disapprovingly, and while he watched Zola, she got the feeling he was speaking to Jarek.

  “You know how it is in the Keep,” Jarek said, mildly. “She’s mine. We both know it. No need to hurry.”

  It pissed her off to be spoken of as if she wasn’t even there, but it was taking enough of her concentration to hold her shit together as it was. She’d never thought to see her mother again. Was surprised at the feelings that had inundated her when she had. Fear, betrayal, rage. Love. Even after all this time she still wanted a mother who loved her.

  She set her food on the table and stood to wander to the doors. They opened onto an indoor garden and it was a sight to see. Lush and green and bright. She stepped inside and looked up to the huge glass ceiling. Amazing. Several paths branched off the patio and she followed one that seemed to lead to water. A few minutes later she walked into a clearing with a pond and bubbling stream. It was an odd sight in the middle of a fortress in the desert.

  “The stronghold was built around an oasis,” her mother said behind her.

  Zola had known she was there, that she was following, but she still jumped.

  When she turned around Anna Leigh was sitting on one of the little park’s stone benches. She didn’t look anything like herself, yet Zola would have known her anywhere. The eyes could never really be changed, nor psychic energy. It was a feeling Zola’s mind would always recognize. But no one else would know Anna Leigh.

  “The surgeon did a good job,” she said.

  “I hope so. I paid him enough.”

  That exhausted her ideas for conversation. A long, uncomfortable silence fell between them. It was Anna Leigh who broke it.

  “Tel wasn’t always evil. It wasn’t like this when we started it, and it changed so slowly, so subtly, it was far too late when I realized what we’d become. Your brother tried to make me see. That I didn’t is a shame I will take to my grave.”

  Her mother’s statement made her so furious she had no idea how she contained it. Her beloved older brother was assassinated by the committee for daring to question their motives while their mother sat by and did nothing.

  “I warned Zane that you’d never listen. Is that why you’re here? You want forgiveness, Mother? Absolution? Even if it was mine to give you, I wouldn’t.”

  A stricken expression crossed her face, but it was gone so quickly Zola figured it was just wishful thinking on her part. This was just another fucking Tel game.

  “You gave Britt a list of names,” she said coldly. “I need more information.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I want their dossiers. I’m sure you brought them with you.”

  She’d told Britt to ask for them, but Anna Leigh had put her off. Had insisted she see Zola before she hand over anything. Now she reached into her pocket and held up a thumb sized memory card. Zola took it and started back down the trail.

  “Britt, I have a memory card. Do you have a way to check it for viruses before we open it?”

  “Yes. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Britt and Jarek were waiting just outside the door. Zola handed the chip to the other woman and Jarek took her hand, leading her a few feet into the yard and away from prying eyes.

  “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  She was far from fine and he knew it. His eyes sharpened. “Don’t lie to me, baby.”

  She sighed. She felt raw and exposed, which was bad enough, but she was close to losing it and there was no way she’d risk that with so many people around to watch her implode.

  “I can’t talk about it here, Jarek.”

  He understood even though she didn’t explain further. “When we’re alone then.”

  She nodded. She couldn’t avoid him even if she wanted to, and she didn’t. She let him take her hand and lead her back inside. Britt, Janice, and Sergei were in one corner huddled in a circle. Britt motioned her over.

  “We’re running facial recognition now. You have a tablet? I’ll send you the files. Maybe you’ll see something we don’t.”

  She started to shake her head, but Jarek handed her his comm. She turned on the unit and entered the command to expand it to tablet size. Seconds later she watched eight files download. Two were irrelevant. They were already dead. She’d seen the names before, but they were aliases so they were unfamiliar. It was the photos that went with them she wanted to see first. And of course, she recognized most of them. Two of them really surprised her. She looked up and across the room, scowling at her mother, who met her gaze and slowly rose to her feet.

 

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