Page 42 of Between Imminent Fates

Something about the confused note in his voice had Key softening. “The Link will bridge the gap between Circe’s tracking and the technology you control, Remmus. Through the tech, Circe will trace Torrin’s original contact—Brigadier General Winters—based on Barlowe’s electronic communication with him. Then, once she’s located him, the three of you—Circe, Remmus, and Zia—will teleport to him and strip him of any memories and documents associated with the project.”

“I’m not letting Circe go alone.” Though the edge in his voice had tempered, Lucius remained reluctant to let her go where he couldn’t follow.

“You’re not letting her go alone, Lucius. Remmus and Zia will accompany her,” Key continued. “My visions of today’s events are very clear, and none of them will be injured or compromised in any fashion.” More empathetic, she added, “It’ll be okay. This will work.”

A bit of tension loosened from the vampire’s shoulders, and Remmus joined Circe to stand before Key. She closed her eyes, focusing on the one talent she’d rarely had reason to practice. Rusty with disuse, her Link ability swelled inside her as she pulled on its string.

Immediately, it recognized the two Raeths in front of her. Despite the very gentle way she dipped into the well of their magic, she felt their unavoidable combined flinch at the sensation.

“It won’t harm you, I promise,” she explained, “but it’ll only work if you allow me in.”

There was a pause before Circe’s shields cracked open, giving Key full access to her gifts. Remmus was far more guarded. Given his past, she didn’t fault him, but his reservations needed to be pushed aside—or at least placed on hold—for this to be successful.

“Remmus, you’re holding out on me.” Key teased at a smile. “I have no reason to hurt you.”

He was far too valuable for that.

When the massive Raeth male finally did collapse his shields, it was at the prompting of his mate. Ava’s hands gently reached out to enclose his clenched fist, her subtle whisper meant for his ears alone.

The actual merging of talents was simple; getting Remmus and Circe on the same wavelength was not. Both instinctively took the lead in exploring the connection that opened between them. It took several attempts to coordinate through the path that led them to Winters.

And then the three Raeths were gone.

Beside her, Jax gently trailed his fingers along her arm. Though it tickled slightly, she couldn’t resist sighing at the subtle act of tenderness. She reached out to straighten the lapels of his uniform.

“Our technopath has already forged the documentation that places you back under the command of your previous officer. I’ll have it in your apartment before nightfall.”

“Thank you.”

He reached out to twirl a lock of her silver-blonde hair around his fingers. It was as if neither of them could resist touching the other, like they were bound together by something stronger than coincidence or situation. “And after this—are you going home?”

“Yes. At least, until the next deadly scenario arises.”

“I want you to be safe too, Key.”

Letting him wrap her up in his embrace, Key enjoyed every moment of temporary protectiveness. “I’m never going to be safe, Jax.”

“Let me try.Please.”

Key smiled sadly. Intensity pooled on his features, and when he dipped his head to capture her lips, there was nothing she wanted more. She lost herself to the sinfully delicious taste of him. Desire battered through her and egged her on for more. While the emotion was unfamiliar, it wasn’t unwanted.

At some point, she was aware that the three Raeths she’d sent out had returned, and everyone was waiting on her to continue.

Key tore herself away. Gently tracing the name stitched on his fatigues, she whispered, “We have to go—and so do you, Jax.”

Her soldier threw a wary glance at their companions.

“I’ll be fine, Jax. Go.”

It didn’t matter that the pulling sensation in her chest wanted him to stay. This was a part of the plan, and it needed to be followed to the letter to ensure they all survived.

Jax nodded, then glanced at his commanding officer with concern. Barlowe continued to stare blankly ahead, lost in the trance Zia had placed him under. Key was surprised he wasn’t drooling.

Remmus was stripping Barlowe’s phone of any trace of information regarding the site, Rayn, or the wolves, then covertly blocked Rayn’s cell phone number. Given that the Colonel’s psychic signature had altered, teleportation would not be an issue.

“Is he capable of walking back to the car?”

“Get in the car, Barlowe.” Lucius’ suggestion, heavy as maple syrup, prompted the Colonel into immediate action. He followed the vampire’s orders to the letter, automatically buckling his seatbelt and closing the truck door behind him.

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