Page 36 of Destinies of Diamond
He went rigid, as if I’d just physically struck him. I almost felt bad for hurting him like this. He hadn’t done anything to warrant this kind of behavior. But I was confused. Where was my family? Why was this place so barren, so empty of life?
“I want Selene Renard,” he replied.
The answer didn’t satisfy me, but I kissed him anyway. He was just so close and he made me feel so safe, as if I could take sanctuary in his arms and never have to fear anything again. It was brief, only a peck, but it was enough to unleash a wildfire inside him. He pulled me into his arms and held me tighter, thrusting his tongue into my mouth, making my head spin with desire.
He tasted like fire, passion, and metal. His body felt solid and hard in places I’d expected to find flesh. He was as immovable as a chimera, but even so, there was a deep gentleness in his touch, one I took comfort in.
It was that warmth and kindness that snapped me out of my strange fugue. He pulled away, cupped my cheek, and looked at me with glowing, inhuman eyes. I blinked, and just like that, I became aware of what I’d just done.
With a gasp, I stumbled away from him. “Gaia help me… I’m so sorry, Sir. I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s all right, Selene. It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.”
He sounded tired, and I hated myself a little for it. I shouldn’t have kissed him. My hormones might be all over the place, but that was no excuse for assaulting him like I had. I might have my problems with my lovers, but that didn’t mean I could jump in bed with any man who was convenient. Besides, Commander Trevor was my teacher and my military superior. This had been so inappropriate I didn’t know what to say or do next.
To make matters worse, I got the feeling I’d coerced him into his response. He’d never displayed attraction to me before and it was just too odd that he’d do so now, when my hormones were acting up like crazy.
It was practically sexual assault and I felt like I was going to be sick.
My knees went weak and I almost fell to the ground. Distantly, I was aware that I was still in public and someone must have seen us kiss. I’d have been okay with that, since I deserved whatever reprimand I received, but I was terrified that if The Grand Judiciary did look into this incident, they’d find out about my pregnancy.
Commander Trevor caught me before I could fall and picked me up in his arms. “Don’t be afraid, Selene,” he said. “I have a pretty good idea what’s going through that brilliant mind of yours. You don’t need to worry. No one saw us. The only ones who could have were the Harpies and they’re too far. I made sure we were alone so that we wouldn’t risk exposing any of your secrets to people not in the know.”
A shiver ran down my spine. The way he said that suggested he knew far more than he was saying.
I’d asked him what he wanted and he’d said he wanted me. I didn’t think that had been a lie. But I already had a lot of men who wanted me and so far, that hadn’t ended well.
“Sir, can you please be straightforward with me for once? Why did you bring me here? There’s more to this than an assignment, right?”
Commander Trevor sighed. “This isn’t an assignment. This has nothing to do with school. This is a war, and you, Acting Pilot Renard, are our best weapon and our clearest target.”
****
Jared
Meanwhile, Earth
It had taken me more time than I’d have liked to sneak into Gaia’s Temple. I’d approached it before, but I’d never gone inside, into the inner sanctum. Overall, the Terrans might be easy to fool, but Gaia’s Temple was a special place and the priestesses were protective of it.
In the end, I resorted to turning into my Heliad form. If I was careful, the light manipulation techniques I’d learned from the Great Mother would allow me to go unseen.
Fortunately, the method worked as well this time around as it had near Gaia’s Haven. I was able to make my way through the female-only section of New Washington and into the temple.
It was early in the morning, but the priestesses had already awakened and were out and about. My ability to bend light made them unable to see me, but they could still run into me, and it was tough to advance through the temple. I’d chosen this hour because during the day, it was easier for me to access Helios’s powers from Terra, but I half-wished I’d waited, since this was a little counterproductive too.
It certainly didn’t help that the temple’s corridors were cramped. I’d already noticed this before about Terran buildings and it made sense, since Terrans didn’t have a lot of room to work with. Still, it made my job even tougher than it had already been.
But I was determined and I pushed forward. If nothing else, the size of the building kept me from having to search for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Even if I had no real map, it wasn’t that difficult to figure out where the High Priestess’s main quarters and offices were.
As expected, the area was guarded, but the priestesses didn’t see me. They fidgeted slightly in discomfort as I walked past them. One of them tugged at the collar of her robes. “Is it just me or is it getting hotter?”
“I hope not,” her companion replied. “Heat is never a good thing. And with what’s been happening lately…”
Their exchange piqued my interest and I stayed for a little while longer to see what they wanted to talk about. Oblivious to my presence, the first guard sighed. “I know. The High Priestess isn’t saying it, but she’s concerned. This might be in some way related to her daughter.”
“Sister Yolanda seems to think so, but I’m not convinced. Not everything is about Selene. She’s just one person.”
“I know that, but ever since she left for Chimera Academy, things have just been going worse and worse. I get the feeling it can’t be a coincidence.”
