Arton shot to his feet, no longer able to maintain his cool. “I will not share a meal with that female and pretend that we are friends!”

“No. You’ll share a meal with her and stop pretending you’re enemies!” Kage shot right back. He stood on the other side of a large, square table designed to seat eight. They’d retreated to the war room for privacy when Arton returned from the clinic. Lily’s leg required regeneration, so she was sleeping off the sedative. “We need to know how Skyla found us,” Kage went on, “and we need to know about this Ghost Guide nonsense. And you’re going to find out for me.”

Running both hands through his hair, Arton paused for a deep breath. “First Sedrik and now Skyla? If I didn’t owe you my life, I might take this personally.”

“You take everything personally,” Kage countered. “That’s part of the problem.”

Arton just glared at him. The war room was adjacent to the Viper’s command deck, which was where Arton had caught up to Kage. Even though the ship would likely never leave the ground again, each system needed to be monitored and maintenance. Without the ship’s replication abilities, the living conditions would have been primitive indeed.

“Is Lily still sleeping?” Kage asked after a long, tense pause.

Arton reached for her mind, assessing her wellbeing without violating her privacy. “She’s resting peacefully.”

“Good. Have you told her about the anchor bond yet?”

Clenching his fists, Arton squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I see no need. Our arrangement has worked well for more than two decades. I don’t want to change it.”

“Then you’re an idiot.” There was no hint of humor in Kage’s tone. “Lily is extraordinary. If you screw this up, I’ll court her myself.”

Arton searched his friend’s gaze. Had he meant that literally? “She’s mine,” he growled.

“Then act like it. The anchor bond would allow you two to communicate like true mates. You could—” He stopped himself and waved away the rest. “I’m preaching to the choir. You know more about it than I do. It’s the answer and you know it. Stop being such a coward.”

“I am not a coward,” Arton flared. “Lily is too...sweet to understand many of the things you know about me.”

“That’s horse shit and you know it. Lily is much stronger than you’re giving her credit for. She wants to mate with you. You need to get her as close to that goal as you possibly can.”

“I hear you.” But he didn’t agree to follow his advice. “I’ll set up something with Skyla.” Then he took the coward’s way out. “As soon as Lily wakes up.”

Kage finally chuckled. “Need a mediator? Or just moral support?”

“A little of both. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Arton returned to his cabin and found Lily still soundly asleep. He changed out of his uniform and into a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing else felt as comfortable, in his opinion. He’d fallen in love with the human garments during a prolonged mission in Chicago. A team of Outcasts had been hired by government officials to secretly eliminate strategic gang members and drug dealers in the hopes of controlling the criminal activity in certain areas of the city. They’d eventually fulfilled the contract, but the strategy had only been partially successful.

He tossed the uniform into the recycler and the computer announced, “Skyla Lux would like to enter. Shall I let her in?”

“Sure, I’ve got nothing better to do.” His sarcasm was lost on the computer, but it understood enough to approve the visitor.

He walked out into the living room as the main door slid open. Skyla had changed as well. She wore a casual dress with a full skirt, and her hair was now loose around her shoulders. “Why are you here?” Despite his promise to the overlord, he couldn’t quiet summon civility.

“First hell hounds and now your hostility, you’re not making me feel very welcome.”

He smiled helplessly. She was just too damn likable. “They’re called battle cats, and I’ve always been hostile, so why are you surprised?”

“Not surprised, just disappointed. I was hoping Lily would have you straightened out by now. How is she, if you don’t mind my asking?”

It would have been more of a shock if she hadn’t known about Lily. Skyla was the most powerful psychic he’d ever met and that was saying a lot. “Resting. Her leg required regeneration, but it responded very well. It will be tender for a day or two, but nothing she can’t handle. So, what brings you to our humble settlement and how did you manage to find it?”

“Print me a glass of blood wine and I’ll tell you.”

Bilarrians and their blood wine. He grimaced. It might not contain actual blood anymore, but he had no desire to drink the stuff. Still, if she was determined to go through the motions, he was willing to play along. “Have a seat.”

She strolled over to the sofa and sat, her skirt billowed out around her. He printed the requested beverage, handed it to her, then sat in one of the armchairs facing her. “How’d you find me?” So much for playing the attentive host.

After taking a sip of wine, she looked him in the eyes and admitted, “I tagged you when you first came home. I’ve been able to locate you whenever I want ever since.”

Shocked and horrified he just stared at her. “You tagged me? Like an animal?”

“No, dear. Not a literal microchip. I imprinted your...how do I explain this? The rhythm of your energy is unique. I’ve used that uniqueness to search for you on the metaphysical plane. I’ve lost you from time to time—you’ve tried very hard to be elusive—but I always manage to find you again.”

“Why? Why do you even care?”

She looked confused by the question. “I love your father with all my heart and your father loves you, even though you keep breaking his. I want to love you too, Arton, but you won’t let me.”

Arton pushed to his feet, unable to sit there and take her subtle attacks. “Kryton loved me so much that he left me in hell for nineteen years,” he sneered. “Loving fathers don’t abandon their children.”

She shook her head and a weary sadness came into her eyes. He’d heard her excuses before repeatedly, but his instructors told a very different story. “Your father tried everything in his power to have you returned to him, but the law was on their side. A law that he has worked tirelessly to nullify, by the way. But when all legal recourse was exhausted, he tried to break in and steal you. Over and over, he tried. If he hadn’t been a crown favorite, he likely would have been executed for his repeated attempts. How can you doubt that he wanted you back? He thought of nothing else.”

Rather than echoing past arguments that had no resolution, he changed the subject. “Did Sedrik com you?”

With obvious reluctance, she followed his lead. “Not Sedrik. His lovely mate contacted me. Have you met Rebecca? I think you’d like her.”

“I have met her and I do like her,” he rattled off impatiently. “How much did she tell you?” If they kept this strictly business, maybe there was some tiny hope of success.

“One failed attempt, female is in a coma. Is that still true? Is there only one?” Clearly, she understood his strategy.

He nodded, momentarily unable to maneuver words around the lump in his throat. Why did her willingness to let the past drop bother him? He’s the one refusing to talk about it. Gods above! These females were making him irrational. “Can you help her, or do you know someone who can?”

“I need to see her to decide.”

“Of course, I’ll take you to her.”

Lily ducked back from the bedroom doorway as Arton and Skyla walked past. She didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping. But what she’d heard tore at her heart. It was obvious Skyla was desperate for reconciliation, and equally obvious that Arton wasn’t ready to try. Why did he have to be so damn stubborn? Sometimes she just wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled.

Once she was certain they’d gone, she pulled on the clean uniform Arton had left for her and went out into the living room. Maybe it was time to have a chat with Arton’s best, and likely only, friend. She pictured Kage as she’d first seen him, chest bare, dark eyes flashing. The image still made her hands tremble, but she’d spent more time with him since then and he didn’t seem to be as ferocious as his reputation. Or maybe he just knew how to turn that ferociousness on and off. Whatever the case, for Arton she would risk it.

She’d been injected with com-bots when she signed on with the Intrepid, so the language barrier that many of the former captives faced wasn’t a problem for her. One of the main advantages of being able to speak Rodyte was accessing the ship’s main computer. Her time on the battle born ships taught her all sorts of ship features that entertained and amazed the other women. She was about to utilize one of her favorites. “Computer what is Overlord Razel’s current location?”

“Overlord Razel is in the war room. Would you like me to open a com-link?”

“That’s not necessary. Is he alone?”

“Yes, Lily. Would you like an illuminated guide?”

That was the offer she’d hoped to trigger. She smiled and said, “Yes, please.” A stylized star appeared on the floor, the symbol just bright enough to distinguish it from the rest of the decking.

Because all twelve ships in the Wheel were exactly the same, it was surprisingly easy to get turned around. The illuminated guide would escort her anywhere she wanted to go.

“Shall we begin?” The computer prompted when Lily didn’t immediately start waking.

Did she really have the nerve to walk up to Kage Razel without an invitation and ask him to sit down for a chat? The knots in her stomach said no, but her stubborn heart shouted an emphatic yes. “I’m ready.”

The illuminated guide moved slowly across the floor, only picking up speed when Lily walked faster. It led her out into the corridor, around two corners, and onto the nearest lift, which the computer activated without prompting from Lily. When they arrived on deck one, Lily hesitated. Was the war room restricted like the command deck? Only one way to find out. She took a small step forward and the star continued its trek toward the overlord’s location.

When they reached an unmarked door, the computer told Lily to wait. She was starting to feel foolish when the door slid open and Kage Razel smiled down at her. “What a pleasant surprise. Are you looking for Arton?”

“No, sir. I was looking for you.” She licked her lips, wishing she were wearing her lab coat. At least then she’d have somewhere to put her hands.

“Come in.” He stepped aside so she could, then motioned toward the eight empty chairs surrounding the raised table. Eight rectangular screens were inset in the table, likely housing com-systems and holographic imaging. The war room was a fancy conference room, she realized, feeling a little less intimidated. “What can I do for you, and please call me Kage.”

She sat on the first chair she reached. Like the table, it was raised, feeling more like a barstool than a conference room chair. Kage skirted the table and sat facing her. He was dressed in a uniform today. The sides of his head were completely shaved and the rest of his thick black hair—a five-inch patch down the center—had been combed straight back from his face. It was less dramatic than the Mohawk, but it made him look even more dangerous. The severe style accented the symmetry of his features and his magnetic eyes. “I...I’m not sure how to begin.”

“I have an idea.” He crossed the room and printed two mugs of something hot enough to steam. Returning to the table, he handed her a mug, then went back to his seat.

She raised the mug to her face and inhaled. The savory scent of coffee filled her nose and she closed her eyes and inhaled again. Then it dawned on her. “How did you print coffee? Everyone else thinks we don’t have the molecular pattern for it.”

“It’s an overlord’s prerogative to keep secrets, and to share them. Drink.” He winked at her and Lily about dropped her mug. There was definitely more to Kage Razel than most people realized.

She took a long sip, savoring the full-bodied flavor. It was robust without being bitter. “It’s good, really good.”

“See, now we’re just two friends having a cup of coffee. So tell me what’s bothering you.”

“You’re best friend is driving me insane. He is filled with such pain and anger, but he also has his emotions locked down so tight, I’m not sure they can be pried loose.”

“They need to be, badly.”

With that one sentence, she knew she’d made the right decision. Kage was clearly an ally, so she poured out her heart to him. “First of all, I’m rapidly falling in love with him, which scares me to death. I want to help him, but I don’t know how. He won’t talk to me, won’t let me do anything to comfort him. Well, other than...the obvious.”

He smiled. “Sometimes the obvious can be very cathartic. Don’t underestimate the power of sex.”

Ten minutes ago she’d been afraid and now they were talking about sex. Go coffee. “I don’t underestimate it and I’m not afraid to use it, but I need other strategies. I think it’s going to take every trick in the book to penetrate his emotional armor.”

“Undoubtedly.” He slid his mug from hand to hand as he silently studied her. “Has he told you anything about his past?”

She hesitated. Was it disloyal to plot behind Arton’s back like this? No. She had to figure out how to reach him and she was out of options on her own. “He’s told me a little. Basically rattled off his resume. I know he’s seen tons of battles and was exposed to everything that goes with modern warfare. But this goes so much deeper. It all started at the academy, didn’t it? What did they do to him?”

“How much do you know about Harbinger Guild? Do you know how he ended up at the academy?”

She nodded, feeling sick already and they had barely begun. “He told me. But if he was a baby when they took him, did Arton even remember his father?”

“He was two, so it’s doubtful. But other parents were allowed to visit. Arton kept waiting for his parents to return. Month after month, then year after year, he waited, hoping his family would be like all the others and take time to visit the academy.”

“What kept them away?”

“The harbingers, of course. They claimed Kryton was dangerous, that he’d abused Arton before turning him over. None of it was true, but it was enough to get a court order preventing either of his parents from seeing him.”

She furiously blinked back tears, feeling overwhelming sympathy, not only for the terrified child Arton must have been, but for his tormented father. It was much too soon to break down. They’d only covered how the tragedy began. She cleared her throat and gradually regained her composure. “Arton said there were laws allowing all of this. How the hell did that happen?”

“Harbingers predict the future, some with alarming accuracy. Ambitious people will do anything to access that sort of power. The guild leaders wanted to control anyone with even the potential for prophetic gifts, and greedy politicians were happy to oblige them. And the worst part was the harbingers began to prey on each other. The guild leaders were supposed to protect the trainees against exploitation and abuse. Instead they corrupted traditional training into something evil and auctioned the defenseless off to the highest bidder, regardless of the character of the person who won the bid.”

“But all that has changed now, right?” She couldn’t bear to think that children were still being abused in that horrible place. “There was a long series of articles about the reformation of Harbinger Guild.”

“Yes. They’re working very hard to clean up the mess, but that doesn’t help Arton.”

She drank some more coffee but it was really a stall. Did she want to know the specifics of what Arton had suffered?

“You need to know.”

Her gaze flew back to Kage. Had he read her mind or just her expression? If she was serious about building a future with Arton, she needed to understand his past. Swallowing past her uncertainty, she said, “Tell me.”

“As his anchor, I have access to his memories.” Something almost calculative flashed in his dark eyes as he asked, “Has he explained what an anchor is?”

She nodded. “They used to be called masters, but anchor sounds less demeaning.”

Kage hesitated, as if he’d say more on the subject. Instead, he sighed and returned to the overarching topic. “Their ‘training’ program utilized many brainwashing techniques, isolation, utter dependency, sensory deprivation, or over stimulation. He endured countless beatings. At times he was starved, and through it all, he was ridiculed and demeaned, told that he was nothing without his mentors. The guild was the only family he would ever have. He was so worthless, so hated, that his father begged them to take him away. Without the academy, he would be homeless and destitute.”

Her first tear escaped with the sweep of her lashes, and then she couldn’t stop. She covered her mouth with her hand and wept. “Who would do that to a child? God, who would do that to anyone?” Kage walked around the table and lightly patted her back.

After a long pause, he removed his hand and asked, “Can you take more or should I stop?”

She took a deep breath, then shook her head. “Don’t stop. I want to hear everything.”

“Not in one sitting you don’t.” He shuddered violently, then shook his head and walked back to his side of the table. He returned to his seat as he continued his explanation. “I’ve had more than twenty years to sift through his nightmares and there are parts I still can’t stomach.”

But Arton didn’t have that choice. He’d lived through every horrific event. He had no way to escape the memories. “Go on.”

Kage accepted her decision with a nod. “They convinced him he was a destitute orphan, when in reality he was heir to one of the largest fortunes on Rodymia. He was taught that his only hope in life was to hone his skills and dedicate himself to Harbinger Guild. Blind obedience and brainless acceptance was their goal with every trainee. So they played all sorts of head games with him. One tutor would be horribly abusive so another could rush in and rescue Arton from the abuse. This allowed the rescuer to gain his trust and take him deeper into the indoctrination.”

“And this went on until he was nineteen?”

“He was rescued when he was nineteen, but he’s still fighting to purge his mind of their...poison.”

She nodded. They’d barely scratched the surface, she was sure, but it gave her a much better idea of what Arton had lived through. “And becoming a mercenary certainly didn’t help in his search to find peace. Why couldn’t he have become a house painter? I don’t know, something soothing and mundane.”

Kage chuckled as he stood. “Arton’s search for peace is new, but I want to encourage it in any way I can.”

“I agree.” He was obviously ready to get back to work, so she stood too. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“Anytime. And I’ll offer one last piece of advice. Don’t be afraid to push him. He’s never going to bring those walls down on his own.”

* * *

ARTON SHOVED HIS PLATE aside, not caring that his food was only half eaten. Listening to Skyla and Lily chat away as if they didn’t have a care in the world had destroyed his appetite. Lily was clearly in awe of Skyla, and Arton couldn’t really blame her. Skyla was impressive. Ten minutes after she’d walked into main medical, Jillian was sitting up fully conscious and joking with Stront, her newly bonded mate.

When Skyla was bombarded with questions about how she’d done it, she just smiled and said, “Trade secrets. I’m not allowed to say.”

Kage drew Arton aside and urged him to question her in private. If they could learn how Skyla had freed Jillian from her mental oblivion, they should be able to prevent others from falling into the same trap.

So here he sat in his cabin’s small dining room, sharing a meal with his father’s war bride, the female he resented above all others. He watched her objectively, trying hard to keep his feelings distanced. Lily clearly found her amusing and warm. Even he had to admit Skyla was charming and undeniably intelligent.

“How did you do it?” he asked point blank as their conversation momentarily lapsed.

“How did I do what, dear?” Skyla looked at him over the rim of her wineglass. Her open, honest expression made her seem innocent, but the subtle hint of amusement in her voice told him she knew exactly what he was asking.

“How did you heal Jillian?”

“I’ll explain it to you because you might actually understand my meaning. Those Rodyte doctors, even the overlord, have no real context for what Jillian was experiencing.”

Most believed Kage was a techno-mage with no real psychic abilities, so her mildly bigoted conclusion didn’t surprise him. “I appreciate your confidence. What happened to Jillian?”

“She was trapped on the metaphysical plane.”

He nodded, remembering the images in his dream. “So you simply guided her out?”

“Basically. She had to free Stront’s magic before the realm would release her, but that didn’t take long once I calmed her down.”

His gaze narrowed and he reached for his water glass. “Are you inferring that you’re this Ghost Guide?”

She laughed and looked at Lily. “Took him long enough.”

“But you were nowhere near Earth when the battle born transformations began,” he pointed out.

Her elegant hand waved away his objection. “You can dream meld. You know the metaphysical plane has nothing to do with physical space. How did you contact Sedrik and Rebecca?”

“But why help the battle born? Their ambitions have nothing to do with Bilarri.”

“I have little to do with Bilarri anymore. My life mate is Rodyte and three of my four sons are battle born.”

Her four sons? Did she expect him to be flattered by the inclusion?

“One of your sons commands the Intrepid,” Lily easily connected the dots. “Did Kaden ask for your assistance, or were you just checking up on him?”

“I was uninvited in the beginning, but it didn’t take long for Kaden to figure things out.”

Lily seemed satisfied with the answer, but he saw a hole in her explanation. “Their program is still going strong, and yet you’re here with us. How are you able to accomplish both?”

“Delegation, silly man. I trained my replacement and she trained an entire team. The scientists can deny it all they like, but there is a metaphysical element to these transformations.” She shot Lily an apologetic smile. “No insult intended.”

“None taken. And I happen to agree. It’s hard for we scientists to think outside the box, but it has become more and more apparent that there are forces at work in this situation that we can’t explain through scientific principles.”

“You’re the Ghost Guide?” It made perfect sense, but his resentment made it hard to believe.

“Actually I was the Ghost Guide.” She smiled again. “Rebecca now holds that title.”

“Sedrik’s mate.” Arton rolled his eyes and pushed back from the table. “Of course he would find a female capable of commanding magic. Nothing but the best for good old Sedrik.”

Skyla arched her brows, but sadness clouded her gaze. “Do you realize how jealous that makes you sound?”

“Of course I’m jealous of Sedrik,” Arton snapped, yet he’d never admitted it before. Not even to himself. “Who wouldn’t be?”

Skyla left the table as well, approaching him cautiously. “Your brother’s life is pretty idyllic, but yours could be a lot better if you would stop fighting your heritage. You’re a Lux, Arton. In fact you’re—”

“I am Arton the Heretic! That will never change. Arton Lux died a very long time ago.”

Skyla didn’t argue with him, nor did she turn away. “Then how do I get to know the person you are now? I want to be part of your life and I’m willing to do so on your terms.”

He just stared at her, unable to comprehend her motivation. She gained nothing by befriending him, so why make the effort? But evidence of her sincerity was all around him—had been for years if he were honest with himself. “Why?” His throat was so filled with emotion he barely got the word out.

She moved closer and tentatively touched his arm. “You know why. You’re important to my life mate, which makes you important to me.”

He ground his teeth and jerked away. “Only one thing is important to Kryton Lux and that is Kryton Lux. I need some air.” Without looking at either of the females, he stormed from the cabin.