In the corridor outside the tech lab came the commotion of approaching people. In moments, the room was filled with a cacophony of voices as most of the warriors and many of the Order’s women crowded into the room to hear what had happened.

After Lucan relayed his conversation with Selene, the Order’s leader turned to Zael. “Now more than ever we need to take steps to ensure that Selene does not amass any more power than she already possesses.”

Zael nodded. “We are in complete agreement on that.”

“And the colony?” Lucan prompted.

“What about them?”

“They also have one of the crystals. I will need their promise that if the time should come that Selene escalates this thing into war, the colony will pledge their crystal to us.”

Zael slowly shook his head. “That won’t happen, Lucan. As I told you, the colony’s crystal is their shield from the world outside—the same way Selene’s remaining one protects what’s left of the Atlantean realm. Without it in place, the colony—like Selene—is vulnerable to breach and attack. They will never give it up. For their own security, they can’t.”

“Then I will need their agreement that they will never surrender it to Selene either.”

“That much I can assure you,” Zael said.

Lucan didn’t look convinced. “I hope you’ll understand when I say that I need more than that to make me comfortable that the colony can be relied upon in this. I need their word, Zael, not just yours.”

“The colony wants peace as much as anyone. I have to believe the elders can be persuaded to give your their commitment that the crystal will never be given up to Selene.”

“Excellent,” Lucan announced. “I hope you’re right. We can make arrangements to leave for the colony as soon as you’re ready.”

“We?” Zael nearly choked at the suggestion, but it was obvious from the warrior’s determined expression that he had every expectation of making the trip with him. “Er, that’s not… Lucan, that will not be possible.”

A black brow arched in challenge. “I wasn’t asking, Zael.”

“I realize that. However, the colony does not permit outsiders. They never have. Most certainly not a member of the Order, and least of all the Order’s formidable Gen One leader.” Zael cleared his throat. “I’m afraid your reputation precedes you, Lucan.”

“They will have to make an exception.”

“They won’t. And if I try to bring you—or any Breed warrior—through the veil, the sentries on watch will have no choice but to kill us both.”

Lucan grunted. “They’ll die trying.”

“With all due respect, my friend, you’re only proving the point.” Zael held the hard gray stare, knowing if the tables were turned, he’d likely be pressing the Order just as insistently. “The colony has survived this long because they’re hidden, protected by the crystal. I am the only one they allow to travel in and out, and that’s by special arrangement with the council elders. I won’t break that trust by bringing a warrior to their doorstep.” Zael shook his head. “I’m afraid I cannot accommodate you on this, Lucan, but I will do my best to present the Order’s case to the elders.”

“And if you are unable to convince the colony to ally with the Order? Granted, diplomacy has never been my strong suit, but I’d feel a hell of a lot more comfortable sending someone in to plead the case for us alongside you. Someone who can speak for the Order and represent the Breed as well.”

“Perhaps I should be the one to go with Zael,” Jordana suggested from where she stood with her mate, Nathan. “I’m part of both the Atlantean world and the Order’s now. Let me speak for both.”

“Not without me at your side,” Nathan said, his tone dark and protective. “No fucking way am I letting you near that place or any other Atlantean stronghold unless I can be there too. It was only a couple of weeks ago that Selene did her damnedest to take you from me. Never again.”

“Nathan is right,” Zael agreed. “And as an Atlantean, you would not be permitted to leave the colony if you did pass through the veil, Jordana. They would hold you for your own protection and theirs.”

“Then what about Brynne?” Tavia’s question drew the attention of everyone, though no one looked less enthused than Brynne herself.

Eyes widened in surprise, she glanced from the intrigued faces of the Order and their mates, to Zael. He could read the reluctance in her gaze.

She frowned at her sister. “Tavia, I… I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t imagine Zael would think so either.”

No, he didn’t, and for many reasons. Not the least of which being that, like Nathan with Jordana, he wanted to keep Brynne as far away from the front lines of the coming battle with Selene as possible too. She would be safest here with the Order. Even if leaving her behind was the last thing he wanted to do.

But Tavia didn’t give him or Brynne the chance to argue.

“Why not you, Brynne? Bringing a warrior from the Order is out of the question, but why not a diplomat who can also demonstrate to the colony that the Breed can be trusted as an ally if and when the time should come? Especially one that Zael can personally vouch for?”

As much as he wanted to reject the idea outright, he had to admit there was some merit in it. He could say all he wanted to attempt to convince his people to look at the Breed as something other than an enemy, but nothing would be so persuasive as meeting one of their kind and seeing that they had similar goals and desires for the world they inhabited.

Zael considered for longer than he should have. It was a bad idea, and he knew it. But as reluctant as he was to drag Brynne into the fray with him, the even less palatable option was leaving without her.

“All right,” he relented, catching Brynne’s reticent gaze. “But we don’t have much time. If you agree, then we can—and should—depart immediately.”

CHAPTER 26

From the moment Tavia suggested it, Brynne had her doubts about acting as the Order’s liaison with the Atlantean colony.

Those doubts hadn’t left her, even after she and Zael had departed on the Order’s jet out of D.C., headed for Athens, Greece, where a private car had picked them up and taken them to a small Mediterranean port and a fully equipped sailing yacht that waited at the dock for their arrival.