EVERYONE ROSE FROM THEIR SEATS when Cat and Alek entered. Sabyn felt relieved to see they both looked at ease this morning. After the horrific scenes yesterday and the squabble between Cat and Loi, he hadn't expected it.He watched as Cat paused in front of Loi.Last night had been tense.After the heated argument he'd had with Loi in the training room, they had attempted a proper discussion about it in her quarters. It was hard to really understand what they were going through and he often forgot how much younger she was than the other girls. After the shocking revelation of the girls' actual home planet a couple of weeks ago, it surprised Sabyn that Loi hadn't discussed it before now. The conversation had lasted late into the night and left them both exhausted. But at least now he felt he understood her a little better. Knowing how much she missed her former life didn't make it easy for him; he tried not to think about 'what ifs'.Elena was right, he thought. Yes, we may be soul

'STILL NOTHING?'Elena shook her head at her sister's image in the mirror. 'No. Though Deas hasn't reported in yesterday or today, so I am hopeful a successful report will be coming in soon.''I'm concerned that there's no evidence yet, Ellie.'Elena sighed. 'I'll see what today's report brings, and decide from there.''Take care, Ellie.''Always.'The mirror's surface shimmered and her sister's image vanished. With an elbow on the dresser and her chin resting on the back of her hand, Elena pondered the current situation. It concerned her that nothing at all had turned up yet, and where was Deas? She had told him to check in daily, even if he had no news.Whatever he's waited for, it better be worth it.Drumming fingers on the dresser didn't inspire any new ideas and only served to frustrate her more. Elena went to stand when the mirror began to shimmer. 'Verani? Did you for' The shimmering cleared and Elena's heart thudded loudly in her ears as she stared at the mirror.'Gree

LOI BIT BACK A GRIN when Iggy smiled charmingly at Cat. Sabyn brushed against her and she turned, exchanging an amused glance with him. As soon as the Lieutenant had been informed of Cat's lineage his attitude toward them all had done an about face, and he seemed rather genuine about it. Meanwhile, his attitude toward Alek had cooled considerably.A snob, Loi thought watching the man. And one who doesn't appear to like aliens either. They all set off into groups of three, one woman to two men, so to teach them how to fight against two opponents at once. Something they would likely encounter in Jenviet's territory.'Actually,' said Rashid grimly. 'It will likely be three or four to one. Two is wishful thinking.''And an excellent way to learn,' Ignatius added smoothly.WHATEVER IGGY'S REASON FOR BEING more pleasant, I wasn't going to complain. Training was hard enough so I didn't miss the malicious undertones at all. Although the friendly, charming Iggy took some time to get used

AT THE END OF THE discussion, everyone headed their separate ways. Rumal arched a brow at Kassie while she regarded him with a stern expression. 'What?''Explain. What is a syren? How do you "survive an encounter" with one? Why don't your siblings or parents have the same eyes?'Her questions came thick and fast. She clambered onto the couch and held him by the shoulders while peering at his eyes. Rumal laughed as she held his face, and took the opportunity to wrap both arms around her and kiss those pouting lips.'NOW, WHICH QUESTION DID YOU want answered first?' Rumal asked as Kassie caught her breath. The sudden urge to drag him to their room almost overcame her curiosity. Almost. The night is still young, she thought. Plenty of time for that later.'What is a syren?''A syren is a sea creature. It comes ashore when it's ready to mate and takes the form of a humanoid creature. Then it mates with the first male it can find. When a syren peaks, it screams, and that usually kill

ELENA APPEARED DELIGHTED WHEN WE reported the progress to her in the library after dinner. It had been a productive day for her too, and she announced that the men would drop Leseach at the first village in two days' time. Alek, Rumal and Daron would go this time, so we'd be left to practice with the Lieutenants for possibly three days.'I hope it's only two,' I said to Alek as we climbed into bed.'Me too. Though it'll be interesting to see how she does it. And it's always good to meet more of our subjects.'I nodded against the pillow, feeling that odd anxiety at the words "our subjects"; still such a strange concept. Alek reached out, his large hands clasping my hips and dragged me back against him.THE SENSATION OF HER BARE ass against his thighs tempted him. Such a pity I'm so tired from the day's training, he thought and pulled Cat closer still. Just the thought of leaving her for three days made him want her.Cat gave a satisfied sigh when he gently kissed the back of her