Core stood on the deck overlooking the river. His fingers tightened on the railing when he saw a dark shadow moving toward him along a nearby thick branch. He didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment.

“Go away, Merrick,” Core ordered before his cousin had a chance to jump down onto the deck.

“RITA2 told me that Avery left,” Merrick said, ignoring Core’s order to leave.

Core scowled. “She needs to be disconnected,” he snapped.

Merrick chuckled. “I’d be careful about what you say or DAR might take offense,” he replied.

Core glanced at his cousin with an annoyed expression. He was about to give a sarcastic retort when he saw the look of concern on Merrick’s face. Merrick turned to look out over the river.

“She’s hurting and I don’t know what to do,” he suddenly admitted.

“Be there for her. Human women are very complex creatures. I believe your Avery is even more so…. She reminds me a lot of Lord Mak’s mate. Perhaps you should speak to Tansy. She might be able to help you understand and give you guidance,” Merrick suggested.

Core frowned. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought about Tansy Bell. She and Avery had many things in common. If anyone could help him understand what Avery was going through, it would be Tansy.

“Where is she?” he asked, turning to look at Merrick.

“Mak’s island home. I would not go until tomorrow,” Merrick replied.

Core nodded before he released a deep sigh. “How did the meeting with the Council go?” he asked.

Merrick muttered a few disgruntled words under his breath before he shrugged. “Pour me a drink and I will tell you. I swear it would have been easier just to remain isolated from the rest of the clans. The only reason I’m bothering to be a part of the Council is because they control who has access to the Gateway between our world and Earth,” he muttered.

Core started to turn away. “The Gateway device we had was destroyed. We need another if I am to travel after Avery,” he said.

Merrick looked at him with a serious expression. “All access between the worlds has to be preapproved and strict regulations have been added. The Council does not want a repeat of what happened to me. The human President has also informed Cosmos that he does not want any aliens running around without prior notification. Even RITA2 has been barred from interfering or giving unauthorized access to the Gateway. Any violations will result in RITA2’s quarantine,” he explained.

A soft curse escaped Core. His stomach tightened at the thought of not being able to go after Avery. He was already feeling the effect of their separation.

“I have to be granted permission, Merrick. You have to help me,” he said, looking at his cousin.

Merrick flashed him a grin. “I’m a member of the Council now. Of course I’ll help you,” he replied.

A reluctant smile curved Core’s lips. “The Council has no idea of what they’ve done by letting you on the panel, do they?” he remarked.

Merrick slapped him on the shoulder, causing him to wince. His cousin’s strength was returning. He rubbed the offended area.

“No, they don’t. Teriff thought it was time for some new blood on the Council. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Derik’s bond mate is almost of age,” Merrick replied with a sharp-toothed grin.

Core turned and walked back inside, listening as Merrick talked about the Council members from the Northern, Southern, and Western Clans. He was pouring them both a drink when Merrick got to the part where the Council had discussed the Juangans, a vicious, pirating, reptilian-like species, who were ramping up their attacks on military and merchant shipping alike.

“If the Juangans are not contained soon, it may well be war,” Merrick was saying.

Calais, Maine:

Avery stood frozen on the other side of the Gateway in Cosmos’ lab, letting her body tremble with the aching emotions engulfing her.

She forced her feet to move through the security measures. The sound of her boots against the concrete echoed in the cavernous room. Once through, she gripped the railing as she climbed the metal staircase to the upper level.

When she reached the top, she looked back at the doorway. Nothing but concrete showed now. Avery blinked away the tears blurring her vision. Lifting her head, she turned her back on what she had left behind and walked along the landing to Cosmos’ desk.

“Block it, Avery,” she murmured to herself.

She carefully placed the silver cylinder on the note that Cosmos had left her. For a second, the impulse to grab the cylinder and open the Gateway almost overwhelmed her.

She closed her eyes. Images of Core rose in her mind’s eye. A bittersweet smile curved her lips as she remembered his teasing, their laughter, and his touch. She forced her eyes open when she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Drawing in a deep breath, she fished her cell phone out. Glancing at the number, she swiped her finger across the screen.

“How can I help you, Secretary Albertson?” she answered.

“I’ve been calling. Where have you been?” Richmond demanded.

Avery’s eyes narrowed at his sharp tone. “I don’t work for you, sir. Therefore, my other commitments took priority,” she replied in a cool tone.

“…Yes… of course. Are you in Houston?” he asked.

“Not at the moment. I will be returning to Houston this evening,” she replied, placing her bag on the desk before she rubbed at the ache forming between her eyes.

“I would like to meet with you. Is it possible for you to come to my home in Virginia?” he inquired.

Avery closed her eyes irritably. This was one of the reasons her days of working for the government were long past.

“I can meet you in Washington,” she countered.

He was silent for a moment before she heard him exhale. The spoiled politician would just have to deal with the inconvenience. It wasn’t her job to make him happy. In fact, at the moment, she could happily tell him to go fuck off. She wanted to get back to her apartment, take a hot shower, and get her emotions back under control before she dealt with anyone. She impatiently waited for his answer.

“In Washington then. When will you be here?” he demanded in a gruff tone.

“I’ll take a flight this afternoon. I can meet you later this evening or sometime tomorrow,” she dispassionately offered.

“Tonight, ten o’clock at the Jefferson Memorial,” he said.

“I’ll see you at ten o’clock,” she agreed, “Can I inquire about the purpose of this meeting?”

“It’s a matter of national security. I’ll brief you when we meet this evening. Don’t be late,” he replied in a terse tone before he disconnected the call.

Avery stared at her cell phone. Her gut twisted. The hand that had been rubbing the throbbing spot between her eyes moved to her stomach. She didn’t know if her pain was a manifestation of her feelings for Core or nerves about the upcoming meeting, but this was certainly not the time to get soft.

Avery looked down at her palm. The intricate mark pulsed with the same beat as her heart. Her fingers curled into a tight fist. The longing to go to him was threatening to break through the walls she had built.

She looked up at the ceiling. This was what she imagined withdrawal from drugs would feel like. She needed to see him, touch him, hear his voice.

Her gaze turned to the silver cylinder. She had to get out of here. Her original plan had been to take a shower, catch up on her emails, and check in with Rose and Maria before calling for the corporate jet to return her to Houston. Now she would only be doing the last part.

Pushing the number for the corporate pilot that was on standby for her, she picked up her bag and began walking toward the exit of the lab. Each step away from the Gateway device and her only hope of seeing Core again was agonizing. The deep voice on the other end of the phone pulled her back to the present.

“I’ll be there in an hour. File a flight plan to Washington, DC. I’ll also need a car and driver,” she stated.

“Yes, Ms. Lennox. The jet will be fueled and ready to go when you arrive,” Rex cheerfully assured her.

“Thank you,” she replied, ending the call.

“You know, Cosmos might get a little upset if you accidentally forget to return a Gateway device, but I’ll never tell him,” RITA replied, suddenly appearing to walk beside her.

“I want to be alone, RITA,” Avery gritted through clenched teeth.

“Avery….” RITA started to say.

Avery turned on the AI system. Her eyes flashed with pain, grief, and fury. She would not have her life controlled by anyone—not even an advanced computer system.

“Terminate this conversation immediately, RITA, or I will personally speak with Cosmos about your interference,” Avery warned.

“As you wish, Avery,” RITA quietly replied.

RITA faded, and for a moment Avery looked through the clear doors to the main part of the building, then she struck her fist against the clear material. The sound of the case of her cell phone striking the material reminded her that she was still holding it.

Blinded by tears, she pocketed her phone and activated the door leading out to the hallway. Her speed picked up and soon she was running down the stairs instead of taking the elevator to the parking garage under the warehouse.

She strode across the dimly lit parking lot to the Tesla. The doors unlocked as she approached. She opened the passenger door and tossed her bag inside, then slammed the door shut and walked around the car. Grief hit her hard as she pulled the driver’s door open. Lowering her head, she did something she hadn’t done since she was a child—she let the tears fall without trying to stop them.

Karl impatiently tapped his fingers on the steering wheel of the car that he’d been living in the last three days. He ran his hand along his jaw. The rough stubble irritated him almost as much as the grainy feel of his eyes from lack of sleep.

He knew Avery Lennox had to be still in the building. A soft curse escaped him when he felt his full bladder protest. He was about to push open his door when a movement from across the street caught his attention. A sleek red Tesla pulled out of the parking area under the warehouse. In the driver’s seat was Avery Lennox. She paused and looked both ways before she pulled out onto the street.

His bladder would have to wait. Pressing the ignition button, he pulled out behind the Tesla. He’d spent a lot of time planning what he would do next. He’d also read over the report on Avery Lennox.

There hadn’t been much about her. Lennox was clearly well versed in keeping her life private. The limited information about her hadn’t been worth the high cost—but, he knew that she had a vulnerability.

Avery Lennox cared about people. That information hadn’t come from the little thief he’d paid a fortune to, it had come from his own sleuthing. He had combined the report he’d received with other facts from his contacts in the government, as well as public news articles, and he’d discovered that Avery Lennox’s life was dedicated to helping and protecting people.

The death of Adam Raines had hit her hard. His new dossier contained a picture of her, composed and protective as she stood behind Cosmos and Ava Raines at the cemetery. He’d studied that image of her and noted her terse remark to the reporter who had covered the funeral. ‘Those responsible for Adam Raines’ death will be brought to justice—one way or another.’

Avery Lennox didn’t get mad, she got what she wanted. His informant in the government had said the same thing. Richmond Albertson, the Secretary of State, had been very candid with him, though he hadn’t exactly been a fount of specific information as he warned Karl that Avery was more dangerous than she appeared to be. All Albertson knew was that Lennox was smart, seemed to know things she shouldn’t, and that she worked for Cosmos Raines—who also wasn’t all he appeared to be. Karl didn’t need Albertson to tell him that, and it was obvious Albertson knew nothing about what Raines had been up to. If Raines was palling around with aliens, what else was he capable of? Avery Lennox would know the answer to that question, and now that she was back, it was time to schedule a meeting before she disappeared again.

He looked down at his phone when it vibrated. Seeing the caller’s name, he reached out and picked up the phone. Pressing the answer icon, he waited without speaking.

“She’s meeting me at the Jefferson Memorial tonight at ten o’clock,” the voice on the other end stated.

“Meet her alone. Leave your security personnel behind,” he responded. There was silence on the other end. A smile curved his lips when the silence grew longer. He knew what Albertson was thinking. “You are still useful to me, Richmond.”

“I’ll meet her alone,” Richmond hesitantly agreed, then he took a breath as if to say something, but apparently lost his nerve.

“What is it?” Karl finally demanded, allowing a touch of his irritation to seep into his voice.

“She’ll know I set her up,” Richmond replied in a slightly desperate tone.

His eyes narrowed on the car in front of him. “There is no need to worry about Avery Lennox, Mr. Secretary. I’ll take care of everything,” he replied before ending the call.

His gaze narrowed on the red Tesla pulling farther ahead of him. He knew where she was going so he didn’t need to follow her now. Pressing the call button on his phone, he quickly made arrangements for his own flight to Washington, DC.