Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

He just… left.

First, he entered her room unannounced, without permission. Then, he very obligingly exited—at her request.

And when he returned—also at her request—he'd approached her with this blazing intensity, staring through her with that uncanny sightless gaze of his, and because she understood how much he truly perceived, his scrutiny was more than a little overwhelming.

He was all dark-and-silver intensity, still wearing nothing but his trousers, his feet bare and his torso uncovered, exuding a raw physicality that was unmatched in anyone she'd ever encountered.

The more she saw him, the more she became addicted to the sight of him. What a complete and utter fantasy it was to have this alien male hovering around her, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was so fucking… desirable.

And just then, she could have sworn he was oddly intense.

The look he'd given her was imprinted on her consciousness.

Nobody had ever looked at her like that before.

Ever.

Just thinking about it sent a ripple of anticipation down her spine. Tiny goosebumps appeared on her forearms. She squirmed a little, causing the fluid material of her robes to slide over her skin.

Why did he do that?

He'd come all this way just to tell her he was leaving on a mission?

All this time, he'd been hovering protectively around her like a silent shadow, and a certain familiarity had developed—to the point where she'd almost forgotten what he was.

"You're a professional warrior, then? A soldier? "

" Something like that."

She'd blurted the question without thinking about it too much—utterly naive on her part.

His response had been tinged with deep, indecipherable emotion. For a moment, he'd become terribly cold, a glacial stranger. Of course, she already knew he wasn't an ordinary soldier. What kind of soldier had psychic abilities?

What was he really, to react that way?

She closed her eyes and sighed, allowing herself to flop backward onto the bed. The surface was firm, not soft and pillowy like the beds she was used to on Earth. But it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it seemed to mold against her body.

She twisted and writhed, tangling herself in her sumptuous robes and the soft sheets that were laid out on the bed.

This restlessness …

She'd never experienced anything like it before. Frantic energy was building up inside her like steam, with nowhere to go. She was hot and flustered. Tingly all over. There was no way she could rest in this state.

She'd felt restlessness before; in fact, she was always restless, to the point where people close to her would complain about the fact that she could never sit still, but she'd never felt like this before…

She couldn't get him out of her head. That damn Kordolian.

At the start, he'd been almost indifferent toward her, but suddenly, he'd thawed.

When had things changed?

Why?

The sensation of pressure intensified to the point where she could barely stand it. And still, she couldn't get his image out of her mind.

Her frustration spilled over.

What the hell was that, Dragek?

Hm. You called?

Huh? Her eyes snapped open as his voice echoed inside her head, as loud and clear as if he were standing right next to her. How did you get in my head again? I thought you left.

I did. And I did not get inside your head. I'm not the one who initiated the mindspeech.

Well, neither did I.

Are you sure?

I… don't know how to do that.

It appears you do. Don't underestimate yourself.

How was she supposed to tell him she hadn't done anything at all but conjure his image in her mind? Actually, she hadn't even needed to conjure anything. The memory of him was so potent it had driven her to this.

It was an accident. I didn't intend to. Are you sure you're not doing anything right now? Jade's suspicion grew.

I'm not. Apart from the fact that I'm returning your mindspeech, it's all you. Try to recognize the feeling of my presence. Register it and remember it. When you want to contact me again, you can find me simply by seeking out my ka'qui.

I'll try. Jade hadn't the faintest idea what he was talking about, but she memorized it anyway. So, you do want me to contact you?

Did I say otherwise?

Well, you just left abruptly. I didn't know what to think—whether I'd upset you or something.

You couldn't possibly upset me right now, Jade. His mindvoice was deep and resonant, as smooth as butter and laced with a hint of dangerous intensity. It was the very same feeling she'd gotten from the look in his eyes.

So why did you take off like that?

You wouldn't understand.

I've been told that before. There was a tightness in her chest, almost like pain. Her heart was pounding like crazy. She tried to calm herself down and failed. In her past life, working as a divorce lawyer, Jade had dealt with people on either side of the most acrimonious breakups. She'd learned to keep her cool through volatile displays of temper and unpredictable behavior. She'd weathered storms of emotion as steadily as a rock wall.

So why was she falling apart right now?

You haven't encountered one such as me before. The rules of your past life don't apply here. You'd better forget everything you learned in the human world. There's no going back for you, Jade.

Not everything. Even if this—she could hardly believe it… this ability —did something unfathomable to her, Jade silently vowed that she would never let go of her humanity.

She would never forget… what it felt like to be purely human, afraid and helpless.

Don't you understand yet? You're going to become incredibly powerful. It's almost unheard of to initiate mindspeech like that without learning first.

I don't care whether I become powerful or not. I just want to understand what's happening to me.

It's simple. You have the same ability I do, but yours is… more. Noali and the elder will help you understand. In the meantime, why don't you try to follow me as far as you can? Let's keep talking.

Why?

I'm leaving soon… departing this ship for another. I want to see how far you can go.

Is that all? Suspicion entered her tone. He was up to something, surely. I'm tired. I should leave.

Do you even know how?

Jade closed her eyes again and tried to shake off his presence, but she couldn't. It felt like she was stuck with him… to him, like the time he'd entered her consciousness and taken over her body, only this time it was all her doing. I got to you in the first place, didn't I? I'm sure I can figure it out.

Don't go yet. To her immense surprise, a hint of a plea entered his voice. To hear that from him, of all people, was nothing short of astounding.

Then answer me. Why did you leave like that?

Because, he said softly, his tone deepening inside her head, filling her with warmth, if I'd physically stayed with you any longer, I would have done something that neither you nor I are ready for.