Page 62 of Green Ravens

When he was close enough, he could almost hear Valor’s thoughts—Are you okay?

Cipher gestured for Valor to come closer.

“This is Zorion. He is the other half of your two-man team.” Cipher was inching backward. “The director insisted it was time you two meet, yeah?”

Cipher paused and watched the two of them.

As if unable to resist, he and Valor inched closer.

Cipher and his cowardly men continued to give them room as the guards hovered, their hands over their holstered tasers.

Zorion guessed it was a precaution just in case he and Valor started to fight each other.

“Uh, are you guys good?”

Neither he nor Valor answered Cipher. They stood in each other’s orbit and drowned everything and everyone else out.

No one else knew they weren’t making a first-time introduction.

Valor closed in until their chests were pressed together. Zorion leaned his head to the side, keeping his breaths even. He heard one of the guys whisper.

“Shit, what’s happening?”

I don’t know,” another answered in what he probably thought was a secretive tone. “Maybe it’s the animal parts making them act this way.”

“I think you’re right,” Cipher said.

“Sure, let them think that,” Valor said so low against the rim of Zorion’s ear it was impossible for anyone else to hear.

“Uh, maybe you should shake each other’s hands or something,” Cipher suggested.

“Allow them to observe each other,” Dr. O’Reilley said over the intercom. “This is a natural effect of the transformation.”

There were gasps and hums of astonishment from several yards away as Valor nuzzled Zorion’s throat.

“I want them to think we are more animal than man,” Valor said.

Zorion gave a subtle nod.

“You are strong and spectacular.” Valor’s lips gently caressed the sensitive skin behind his ear. “I can sense your anger, but I need you to stay calm. Wewillget out of here, I swear it.”

“Holy shit.” Cipher chuckled, then clicked a button on what sounded like a two-way radio. “Director, give me a couple of weeks with them, then we go to phase three.”

Zorion tensed.

Valor pressed into him harder.

“Easy. I won’t let them take this from us.”

“Swear it,” Zorion stressed.

“I swear thatno onewill ever be able to take what ismine.”

They weren’t acting…this was real.

“I won’t be caged and only let out when they want me to kill for them,” Zorion bit out.

Valor’s rumble was so powerful Zorion felt it in his own chest.

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