Luwyn spat out his drink. “What?”
“I told you that Xenak picked the wrong person to kidnap.” Crossing my arms, I leaned back on the couch. “His actions may have triggered a galactic war. Everything depends on when I get home and in what condition. I’m already scarred, so who knows how they will take the news. The torture of a high-ranking CEG citizen won’t sit well with my powerful friends.”
While I was bluffing about the CEG, I was speaking the truth about the impending war. Zirene wouldn’t hesitate to start one to rescue me, and Kaede didn’t need an excuse to kill someone; he murdered for fun. If I hadn’t calmed Zirene during our conversation in the dreamscape, I had no doubt that he would already be leading a huge fleet toward the base.
An asteroid base could not defend against an advanced Aldawi fleet seeking revenge, especially not with only five ships and two commanders.
“Xenak really fucked up, didn’t he?” Tori mumbled.
“And all I wanted to do was relax on my tropical moon with my clan.” I gave her a small smile before glancing at her Cosmic Soul. “Do you have the power and range?”
“I don’t know…”
“Can I speak to them?
“You want to speak to them? How?”
“Projection,” he replied simply. “If I project myself into an ethereal form, I am capable of speaking out loud.”
“I thought you wanted to remain hidden while we are here?”
“Celyze already suspects something, though he isn’t willing to admit that to us. He hasn’t told the others about your position within the Aldawi Empire and your moon, either. I don’t think he picked up on your connection with Mwe and Oeta when he scried your mind.”
“It’s good to know he didn’t learn everything about me,” I replied, feeling slight relief. I had hoped he wouldn’t start acting awkward around me because he had seen my passionate times with my mates. “If you believe speaking to him will help, then go ahead.”
“I will only ever do so if you approve,” he swore. “Also, he did witness your mating sessions with your males… though he hasn’t spoken about them with anyone.”
I could feel my cheeks redden as I eyed Celyze. While nudity was natural to my mates, knowing that he had seen me being ravished wasn’t.
A golden, ethereal human male appeared, dressed in a robe and casting a bright glow in the room’s open space. Buzzing erupted from the three males as they formed a wall of wings and flesh between Vowels and Tori and me.
“Who are you?” Luwyn demanded, clenching his fists. “Why are you here?”
“I am Euouae, Selena’s Oetsae protector,” Vowels announced, his spoken voice sounding exactly like his mental one. “I am here to speak with Celyze about joining threads with me so we can grant Selena’s wish.”
“Is this true?” Tori whispered, grabbing my hand. “Is he yours?”
“Yes, it’s true,” I announced for all to hear. “When I was kidnapped, they drugged me and cut me open to harvest my organs. Kaede was able to rescue me, but I was dying. To save me, he placed Euouae inside me in hopes he could heal me in time. Because I was kidnapped, I was forced to accept a sentient symbiont for the rest of my life.”
Pressing my hand against Celyze’s back, I pushed him out of my way and walked to my new partner with Tori following me. Eyeing his ethereal form, I was glad he had listened to my request and was no longer borrowing the appearance of someone I knew. This male was attractive with his short hair and a sleek body. It was oddly comforting to see him, as if his face were familiar to me.
“Are you solid or would my hand pass through you?”
“I am solid-like.” He grinned, raising his hand. “I can’t pass through living things, but inanimate objects go straight through me.”
That made sense.
He was a living thing, even if he was currently a projection. While I couldn’t walk through walls, he could, because he was made of energy. Passing through another person would be like merging with me, and he was already mine, so that couldn’t happen.
Raising my other hand, I touched palms with Vowels. A warm, fuzzy feeling filled me, bringing a grin to my face.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” I teased.
“Same to you, Selena.” He bowed his head. “I hope to be able to take this form more often in the future.”
“Can I try?” Tori asked, her voice faint as she released my hand and offered it to Vowels. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
He met my gaze, his glowing golden eyes searched mine. Nodding, I shot them both a smile and backed away. I wouldn’t deny Tori this opportunity. Vowels was mine like Celyze was hers. There was no need to be jealous over platonic actions between friends, possibly soon-to-be acquaintances.
“Is this wise?” Luwyn asked, floating beside me. “How can you trust something that isn’t there?”
“What do you mean, he isn’t there?” Crossing my arms, I eyed the aggressive emerald male. “Do you see him? Try touching him, then ask me if he’s real.”
“I don’t want to touch him.” He shivered. “It’s unnatural.”
“Yeah, well, so am I, but I’m here,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
Celyze coughed and I smirked knowingly. He had learned of my secret value, and now he knew my importance to high-ranking CEG officials.
Giggles erupted from Tori as she pressed both of her hands against Vowels’.
“You are real!” She shot a glance over her shoulder at her mates. “You need to try this! He’s real! This is so cool…”
“If I may, I was hoping to speak with Celyze,” Vowels said, dropping his hands and peering at the Cosmic Soul. “Selena may be a shielder and I may be a healer, but the three of us should be able to reach one or both the minds Selena wants to contact.”
“Will you be willing to help?” I stepped
