Epilogue

Centauran Exploratory Vessel

Sector Nine

“This is the last Centauran ship I can secure for you.” Paxel, the most weaselly Tau Ceti Hayley had ever encountered, handed an ID pad to Norem.

“It’s the last one I’ll need,” Norem said.

“I mean it,” Paxel said. “Something is brewing with our ‘allies.’ They’re growing suspicious, especially of anything involving you.”

“Well, in a few more months, I’ll be able to share my research with them.” Norem smiled. “Then their suspicions will be ended—along with their lives.”

Paxel laughed. “You always did have too high of an opinion of yourself.”

“I think my opinion is just about as high as it should be.” Norem pressed his palm against the ID pad, holding it there until a green light flashed.

“You know, this is a big ship.” Paxel took back the ID pad. He held his hand above its screen, but didn’t press it. “You bringing on a crew?”

‘So close…’ Hayley thought. ‘Come on…’

“I don’t need a crew,” Norem said. “Although, an update from my colleagues would be nice,” he muttered under his breath.”

“What’s that?” Paxel said.

“Nothing. All I need is H-0. I’ve finished the last augmentation. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for it to set so that I can implant the final memories and programming. She’ll be able to run everything for me.”

She can already run everything. She just needs the final access codes.

Paxel stared up at Hayley, squinting at her through the viscous liquid. She kept her eyelids nearly closed, staring through the tiniest slit between them and keeping her eyelids motionless. Norem thought she was unconscious, unaware of everything going on around her. She needed him to keep thinking that for just a little while longer.

The last augmentation had been a game changer. Norem thought he was using some kind of neural link to make it easier to program her cybernetics and download whatever brainwashing programs he wanted to install in her mind based on a test run with someone he called K-0. Instead, Hayley had come out of her last fever-state able to control technology with the power of thought.

She had managed to alter a memory upload from one of the other Norem clones, warning him to remove the programming after discovering that it had done a lot more than make it easier for organic minds to communicate with cybernetics. Hayley had made it sound harmless. Successful, even. She had kept her new abilities quiet, only practicing when she was alone. Small tests.

This was the final exam.

“Whatever you say.” Paxel sneered, obviously unconvinced. He pressed his hand to the ID pad.

Hayley didn’t let herself hold her breath. She kept her vitals absolutely stable, even though her heart wanted to race, her palms wanted to sweat and her lungs wanted to lock in every molecule of oxygen. One of the benefits of being half machine was the ability to keep all of her autonomic systems functioning not-so-autonomically.

She waited.

This would be it. She would send part of her consciousness through the circuits in the tank where she floated. Glowing yellow circuit boards would light up as her awareness flowed through them, turning green as she made them her own. The narrow corridor of electric conduits would open up into a huge horizon, just as it did in her practices with the Tau Ceti ship Norem had kept them on before this one. She would soar into the black void of endless possibilities stretching above her, her mind’s eye looking down at the mainframe of the ship.

Norem would be confused when he heard the ship speak of departure orders. He would turn and look at her with dread that turned to fear that turned to terror as her tank drained at his feet. Her eyes would open slowly, and just as he had greeted her every time he let her gain consciousness over the last few torturous months, she would say, ‘ Hello, Norem, ’ and then smash through the tank and kill him.

Morbid delight skittered through her. All she needed was for the transfer of ship’s functions to be completed and she could—

The moment the light on the ID pad turned green, Norem lashed out with his arm, punching Paxel in the stomach. No, not punching him… impaling him.

Her heart thundered, her eyes flying open. All her careful self-control fled as she saw the light glinting off of what looked like a silver spear tip sticking out of Paxel’s back. Norem caught the ID pad as it fell, letting Paxel’s lifeless body slide to the floor. Only, now it wasn’t Norem.

His skin rippled with silver light that she had once thought beautiful. Now, it only filled her with rage. His features morphed into soft lips, strong jaw, chiseled cheekbones, and expressive eyes. The light faded, leaving his brown hair as unruly as always, his outfit changing to the dark turtleneck and charcoal gray slacks that he knew were her favorite.

His warm chestnut eyes turned to her, eyes filled with so much pain, her heart clenched and she gasped, pulling in extra liquid through the gills in her neck. The gills that wouldn’t be there if Norem hadn’t had a chance to transform her DNA, adding in physical characteristics from different species as it suited his curiosity. Rage chased away whatever kinder emotions might have tried to rise within her, dousing the flicker of warmth she still felt for this man—this Scorpiian.

Dean…

“Hayley, I’m here. I…” His eyes roved over her and his jaw clenched, a muscle twitching along his cheek. Silver light rippled over his skin again. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The rippling stopped. He pressed his free hand to the tank, stepping closer.

“It’s over,” he said, his voice filled with an intensity that sent a shiver over her. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

If only that were true. Floating in the tank, staring at him, all the feelings she had pushed aside came rushing back. The excitement of their budding relationship. The thrill of the thought of going into space. The deep connection that she swore she had felt building between them.

And the way it had all ended.

Hayley closed her eyes, unable to look at the man who had given her so much hope and caused her so much pain. She forced her traitorous heart to slow, reminded herself that even though Norem took much from her, he had also given her power. More power than anyone realized.

But they would learn, starting with the man who had broken her heart. Starting with Dean.

—

WAIT!!! I know you’re upset. I said Rom’s story would be the last book in the Cygnian 7 series. But that was before . Before Hayley turned out to be Hayley’s clone and Dean/Zakarri earned himself a redemption arc. That was before Tobek earned his place as an honorary Cygnian warrior. It was certainly before so many of my readers emailed me asking if I could please, please, please write more Cygnian 7 books. Well, buckle up, readers, because things are about to become a lot more intense! And read on for a sneak peek at the book no one expected, but everybody wanted…

Zakarri: A Cygnian Allies Romance

Cygnian 7

Book Eight (I know, right???)