“That’s enough.” Jude plucked the earbud from Octavia’s ear.

Her head shot up. “What’s going on?”

“You can barely keep your eyes open. Time for you to get some sleep.”

“I don’t need it. I’m fine.” She reached for the earbud, but Jude kept it out of her grasp.

“You’re exhausted. There’s no way you’re coming out on this night mission if you’re not properly rested.”

“You’re not sleeping.” She glowered at him.

“I have a routine I keep to,” said Jude. “I’ll be going to bed soon.”

“I’ll do one more hour.”

“No more listening. What if you fall asleep and miss something important?”

“Everything is being recorded,” said Octavia. “I won’t make a mistake.”

His face softened. “I know you won’t. But I can’t have you collapsing from tiredness. Let’s find you a room. You can get some proper sleep before we head out.”

“I never sleep when I’m in a strange bed.” Octavia’s fingers slid toward the earbud.

“You’ll sleep if you’re tired enough.” Jude’s gaze ran over the enormous green T-shirt he’d given her. It swamped her tiny figure. “And I’ll see if I can find you some better clothes, as well.”

She looked down and plucked at the T-shirt. “This is fine. It’s clean. That’s all I care about.”

He stood and held his hand out to her. “Let’s go. No more stalling.”

She grumbled, ignoring his hand as she stalked to the door.

He grinned as he activated his wrist comm. “Annie, is there a free room for Octavia?”

Annie came on the comms line. “Section D has a spare room. Fourth door down on the right. I’ll get it unlocked for you.”

“Thanks.” He caught up with Octavia and led her along the corridors toward the living quarters. “Did I mention, you get your own shower?”

She slowed and glanced at him. “Are you joking?”

“I thought you might like it.”

Octavia sniffed her armpits and wrinkled her nose. “I definitely do. I also need it.”

“Each unit cuts off the hot water after three minutes. It makes sure we don’t waste any.”

“Three minutes will be a luxury.”

Jude stopped by the empty room, the green light next to it showing it was open. He waved his hand over the sensor and the door slid back. “This is yours.”

He watched as Octavia stepped inside and looked around. “This is all for me?”

“I know it’s not much.” Jude looked at the single bed covered with a gray blanket, the kitchenette, and the door leading to a compact wet room.

“Are you kidding?” She turned toward him, a smile lighting up her face. “This is like the Hilton. And I don’t have to share with anyone?”

“Not yet,” said Jude. “We are talking about maybe having to double up soon if we don’t expand fast enough.”

Octavia moved to the single bed and sat on the edge. “A real bed. It beats the sofa-come-bed I had in the van.”

“I’m glad you like it,” said Jude. “This is your home now.”

She looked around some more. Her gaze settled on Jude. “I guess it is.”

A frisson of uncertainty slid across Jude. He wanted to stay. The thought of Octavia alone in bed seemed wrong.

She seemed to sense it too. She patted the space next to her. “Is it time for you to get some rest?”

He took a step forward, but then stopped himself. “I still have things to do.”

“Can you do them later?” Her gaze dipped down and her fingers slid across the bed.

Shit! He could. Why wait? Jude forced himself to think with his head, and not the hardness between his legs. “We need to be mission ready for tonight.”

Octavia’s hand went to her face. She covered the scars. “It’s fine.”

Jude strode over, pulled her hand from her face, and pushed her back on the bed. He covered her body with his, pinned her arms above her head, and kissed her until they were both breathless.

The urgent throb between his legs encouraged him on. It took every ounce of willpower to drag himself off of Octavia. “Get some sleep.”

“You think I can sleep after that?” Lust filled her gaze as she sat up and reached for him.

This was torture. “I promise you, we’re just getting started.” He grabbed her for another kiss and then turned to leave.

“I will hold you to that,” said Octavia, her already husky tones sounding deep and warm.

Her voice sent shivers down his spine. He turned and winked at her. “I’ll make it worth the wait.” Jude headed back to the comms room. He spent the next couple of hours listening to the messages before letting the programs take over and grabbing some sleep of his own.

As he sank onto his mattress, his thoughts filled with Octavia. He should go to her. He wanted to. There was something about her that had him craving more. He would never get bored with this incredible woman. She figured herself as somehow damaged and not worthy of anyone’s attention. He would show her that was wrong. He let his fantasies about Octavia take over as he disappeared into sleep.

Four hours later, and after grabbing a quick shower and a change of clothes, Jude walked to the weapons room. He hoped they wouldn’t encounter any resistance when they went out to this location, but they needed to be covered for anything.

As he opened the door, he found Heath and Danni already there.

“Have you made progress with the communications the State are sending?” asked Danni.

“Nothing so far,” said Jude. “This equipment we’re getting from Octavia’s secure store will help.” He checked the pulse laser gun he’d taken from the rack.

The door opened. Octavia appeared, her scarf back in place and her black cap pulled low. “I wasn’t sure I was in the right place.”

“If you’re looking for weapons, you are.” Heath extended a hand. “We’ve not met properly.”

She shook his hand. “I’ve heard all about you from Jude. I feel like I know you, having spent such a long time keeping an eye on what you’re doing.”

Heath smiled. “We’re glad you’re continuing to do that. Especially if it helps us figure out the messages the State are sending.”

“It should work,” said Octavia.

Malachi entered the room and nodded at everybody. “Are we ready to go?”

“We’re ready,” said Heath. “We’ll take a Foxhound. The coordinates are keyed in, waiting for us. It’s just the four of us.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” said Danni. “Keep us up to date as to how you get on.”

“So long as we stay under the radar of the State, this will be a simple grab-and-go mission,” said Heath.

Jude led the way out of the weapons room, along the corridor, and into the vehicle bay. Octavia walked alongside him. She smelled different. She must have showered. He wasn’t sure whether he preferred that, or the earthy, spicy scent she had when they first met.

“How did you sleep?”

“I passed right out,” said Octavia. “I must have been more tired than I realized. How about you?”

“I always sleep fine.” That was when his dreams weren’t interspersed with his desire for Octavia.

They reached the Foxhound. It was lighter and smaller than the Cobras they used on larger missions, but with its v-shaped hull and Invis Tech capability, it was ideal for keeping them safe.

Heath climbed into the driver’s seat. Malachi sat next to him. Jude and Octavia got in the back.

Low-level lighting lit the ramp as they journeyed toward the double doors sliding open in front of them. Then they were out in the night, making the hour’s journey to Octavia’s secure shelter.

Jude passed her a pulse laser protection vest. “It’s a good idea to wear one of these.”

Octavia nodded and took it from him.

He flicked on the comms channel and began a rapid scan of the main channels used by the State.  “It’s all quiet so far.”

“Let’s hope it remains that way,” said Heath. “It will only take a single drone to spot us and decide to be nosy.”

Jude gritted his teeth. Even though the site they were going to was out of the way, there was always the risk of detection.

He sat in silence, his knee bumping against Octavia’s as they both listened to the comms channels. He liked their closeness. It felt easy and natural. His thoughts kept drifting back to earlier when they’d been on the bed together. An ache of longing filled him. Next time, he wouldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t stop himself. Jude wanted Octavia, every sexy inch of her.

“They always make me nervous when they’re quiet.” Octavia’s voice was low.

“Even Dinnorms have to sleep.” Jude touched the brim of her cap. “You don’t need to hide if you don’t want to.”

She glanced at Heath and Malachi. “Everyone will know soon enough. I can only conceal my face for so long before it gets strange.”

“You’re not strange, you’re gorgeous.”

She gave him a small smile. “I think you’re biased.”

“Damn straight I am.” He tucked in a strand of her hair that had come loose. “There’s no hurry. Whenever you’re ready. No one will think any less of you because of a few scars.”

She looked at the floor of the Foxhound. “Sometimes people get this look on their face. It’s like they see them, but then they don’t. They stare and look away. I guess they don’t know what to say.”

“They don’t do that to be mean.”

Octavia shrugged. “It feels mean.”

Jude placed a hand on her knee and felt her shiver. He hated her feeling bad. He wanted to say more, try to take this hurt away, but it was buried deep in Octavia. She would not let it go that easily. They continued the journey in silence, focusing on the radio transmissions.

“This is the place.” Heath killed the engine.

Octavia peered through the front window. It looked different every time she came here. The air raid shelter was concealed by a hedgerow of untamed bushes that changed with the seasons. There were swathes of brambles and thorny twigs that prevented people getting curious. It was a perfect, natural defense.

“We’ll keep watch from here,” said Heath. “Jude, you and Octavia head to the air raid shelter and get what you need. Let us know if there are any problems.”

Jude nodded as he unlocked the back door of the Foxhound. After a quick look around to make sure everything was clear, he hopped out. Octavia followed him.

“This used to be someone’s garden.” Octavia led the way past the hedgerow. “To the left of the garden was a huge detached house. It’s rubble now.”

“How the hell did you find this place?” Jude cursed as a thorn sliced his hand.

“I was searching the few remaining houses in this town,” said Octavia. “I came to the pile of bricks that used to be the house and kept going. Some of these big places have their own vegetable plots. You could often find fresh vegetables that had been abandoned. I came in at a different angle on my first visit and discovered the air raid shelter. It was perfect for what I needed. I stayed several days to make sure it was secure and no one else was using it.”

“It’s definitely got great defenses.” Jude sidestepped a thorn bush.

“Watch out for this bit up ahead. There are holly bushes. They’ll have your eyes out if you take a wrong step.”

Jude ducked under a vicious-looking branch of holly. He rounded the corner and slowed. In front of them was a squat gray bunker, partially sunk into the earth, with a black metal door and a huge padlock.

Octavia fished in her pocket and pulled out a key. “I’ve got a combination code on the door as well. It’s hidden round the side so no one will notice it and get suspicious about what’s inside.”

Jude watched as Octavia shifted a loose brick and keyed in a code. She then moved to the front door and unlocked the padlock. The door was silent as she yanked it open.

His eyes widened as he peered inside. There were three shelves, rammed full of equipment. “I never knew you were a hoarder.”

She gave him a half smile. “It’s always handy having backups. Some of this stuff doesn’t work, but it’s useful for spare parts. Things were always breaking on the van, and I needed to know I’d be able to repair it.”

Jude walked into the air raid shelter. He inspected three transmitters and a damaged laptop.

“If there’s anything you want to take while we’re here, go ahead,” said Octavia.

He glanced at her and his gaze shifted down her body. He knew what he wanted, but it wasn’t a piece of equipment.

Their gazes met, and Octavia’s cheeks flushed. She grinned at him before turning away.

“This is what we came for.” She patted a small, squat black box. “With this, we’ll be able to keep up with the State.”

“How’s it going in there?” Heath said over the comms.

Jude activated his earbud. “It’s all good. We’re checking over the equipment now. We’ll be back in five minutes.”

“Can we take some of the extra kit?” asked Octavia. She handed him the frequency hopper equipment, which he stuffed into his own backpack.

“Grab what you need,” said Jude. “We’ll need to be quick. The longer we’re out in the open, the riskier it gets.”

“I understand that.” Octavia pulled open the backpack she’d brought with her. “I could do with a few new circuit boards and, somewhere in here, I have a bio-nanomachine. It’s an early prototype, but I want to see if I can get it working.”

Jude quickly scanned the rest of the shelves. He grabbed a receiver and what looked like a motherboard from a wetware server.

Octavia zipped up her backpack and turned to him. “I’ve got what I need. Let’s get out of here.”

They headed back out into the darkness. Octavia locked the bunker, and they made their way through the thorn and holly bushes.

“We’re on our way back now,” said Jude.

There was no response from Heath or Malachi.

He tried again. Nothing. A shiver of concern ran through him. He opened the comms link to the bunker. “Is everything okay with the comms?”

Kade came online. “Everything’s good this end. Are you having problems with the equipment?”

“I’m not getting a response from Heath or Malachi.”

“Hold on a second, let me check.”

Jude increased his pace, dodging thorns as he did so. Something felt wrong.

“Everything is working this end,” said Kade. “But I’m not picking up anything in your location.”

“You mean you can’t see all of us?”

“I mean, I can’t see anything. You’ve just vanished from my screen.”

***

OCTAVIA SAW THE WORRIED look in Jude’s eyes as he broke into a run. “It could be the State jamming signals with an EMP.”

“If they did that, I wouldn’t have been able to reach the bunker,” said Jude.

She tamped down on her panic. The State couldn’t know they were here. She was always careful when she’d visited, concealing her tracks and traveling by foot for the last part of the journey so they wouldn’t detect any electronic signals.

Jude raised a hand, gesturing for Octavia to stop. They’d reached the hedges. He eased out his pulse laser before looking around the side of the hedge.

Octavia held her breath, expecting a blast of pulse laser to hit them.

There was nothing.

Jude cursed under his breath. He stepped around the hedge. “They’re not here.”

Octavia followed him. The road was empty. The Foxhound had gone, along with Heath and Malachi.

“Maybe they thought they’d been detected and hid.”

“They’d have let us know.”

“They can’t have gone far,” said Octavia. “We’ve been gone ten minutes.”

Jude tried the comms link again. “Heath. Malachi. Can either of you hear me?”

An ominous silence sounded along the comms link.

“Kade, we have a problem,” said Jude.

Octavia’s stomach clenched as no reply came back.

“Shit!” Jude’s fingers clenched around his pulse laser.

“We need to get to a safe place. If they haven’t destroyed them, there are three houses about half a mile down the road. We can try them.” Octavia was already moving.

Jude grabbed her arm. “Go slow. Keep a lookout for any militia.” He handed her a pulse laser. “Use this if you have to.”

She knew her way around a pulse laser and kept it in her hand as they walked swiftly along the road.

Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, Octavia swung to the left and raised her weapon. She couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched.

“Let’s keep moving,” said Jude, “and get to these houses.”

“It will be okay.” The words sounded like a lie on Octavia’s breath.

Jude swung to his right, his weapon raised.

“What do you see?”

He kept his weapon up. “Nothing for certain. I just have this feeling...”

“You’re not the only one,” breathed out Octavia. “We’re being watched.”

A twig snapped, and they both tensed.

“Lower your weapons,” said a harsh male voice.

“No bloody way,” muttered Jude.

“We already have your companions. If you want them to live, you’ll do as we say.”

“Don’t listen to him,” whispered Octavia. “He could be lying.”

Movement behind her had Octavia turning. Three militia dressed in black emerged from the shadows, their pulse lasers aimed at her.

“You won’t be told again. Drop your weapons and put your hands in the air.”

Jude glanced behind him. He looked at Octavia and gave a small shake of his head. Slowly, he lowered his pulse laser.

With gritted teeth, Octavia did the same, placing the pulse laser on the damp soil in front of her.

“I want the female to walk toward me,” said one of the three militia as he emerged from the darkness. “Keep your hands raised at all times. Any sudden movements and I will shoot you.”

“You take us together,” said Jude.

“You don’t get a say in what happens from now on,” said the soldier. He gestured at Octavia. “Over here. Now.”

She glanced at Jude. “I’ll be okay.” Keeping her chin up, she inched toward the soldier. When she was within arm’s reach, he grabbed her and spun her around, restraining her arms behind her back.

“Be careful,” growled Jude.

The soldier restraining Octavia smirked at him.

A second soldier stood in front of her. His skin was pockmarked with old acne scars, and he was missing several teeth. He leered at her as he yanked her cap off and grabbed a handful of her hair. “This one would be pretty if it wasn’t for these scars.” The rough pad of his thumb grazed across her cheek.

“Keep your damn hands off me.” Octavia turned her head away, out of his rough grasp.

“I can’t do that,” said the soldier. “You belong to us now. That means we can do whatever we like with you.”

“Stop playing with her,” said the soldier restraining Octavia. “Check for weapons. We need to get out of here.”

“I’m happy to oblige.” The soldier with the pockmarked face kicked Octavia’s legs apart.

“Watch it,” she hissed at him.

Jude made a move toward her, his hands in fists and his glare fixed to the soldiers.

Octavia’s eyes widened as she saw three more militia appear behind Jude. They grabbed him before he could get any closer.

The soldier in front of her grinned. “Looks like your boyfriend can’t help you now.”

“You’re going to pay for this.”

“Keep your mouth shut.” He ducked down and ran his hands up her left leg and then her right. His fingers rubbed across her groin, a leer crossing his face as he did so. “We can have fun with you before it’s over.”

“I’d rather be dead.”

“That won’t be a long time coming,” said the soldier. “I’ll fuck you from behind so I don’t have to see your scars.”

Octavia’s throat tightened, but she refused to drop her gaze as the soldier ran his hands up her arms and across her chest.

He took a step closer and inhaled deeply.

Octavia slammed her knee into his groin. Her foot connected with his jaw as he bent over. She struggled in the other soldier’s grip, slamming her head back and making contact with his nose.

For a second, she was free. Her gaze landed on a pulse laser on the ground. She launched herself at it. Her fingers had just touched the weapon when her head was yanked back by a fist tangled in her hair.

“Try that again and you’ll be dead.” The soldier she’d head-butted spun her around and backhanded her across the cheek, making tears spring to her eyes.

He dragged her back to the waiting militia. The soldier with the pockmarks still clutched his groin. He stared daggers at her.

“I will enjoy making you pay for that,” he spat at her.

“I doubt anything you’ve got is working after that.”

“You’ll find out soon enough, you little bitch.”

“That’s enough,” said the soldier who held her. His gaze shifted to Jude. “Is that another Ember brother?”

“This one’s Jude,” said a tall, blond soldier who had him by the arm.

A sly smile spread across the soldier’s face. “It looks like we got lucky tonight. Two Ember brothers, a dragon hybrid, and who are you?” His gaze roved over Octavia. “Just another deluded resistance fighter?”

“Better than being deluded and brainwashed by the State.”

The soldier shook his head. “Whatever you say. Your loyalty to the resistance movement will be rewarded by your death. I hope it was worth it.”

Octavia looked at Jude. It was. For all the sleepless nights and worry she’d gone through, for the danger she’d faced and the risk of discovery, it had all been worth it. To keep him safe. To keep as many people as possible safe.

“Take her to the transport,” said the soldier. “The rest of you get Jude to talk.”

He pushed Octavia toward the guy with the pockmarked face, who tied her hands behind her back and shoved her forward. “Get moving, bitch.”

She glared at him, but her gaze shifted as she heard Jude groan.

Two soldiers held his arms, while another slammed his fists into Jude’s stomach.

Her breath caught in her throat. They were going to kill him. She had to stop them. She took a step toward Jude but got yanked back by her hair.

“Keep walking. He’s not your concern anymore.”

Octavia glared at the soldier. “You won’t get away with this.”

“We will. We do. Your life is over. You’re a dead woman walking. And your friend back there, he’s already dead.”