Chapter Twenty Five
My hand trembles as I press two fingers to Ray’s neck, feeling for a pulse. His skin is cold under my touch, and I’m worried about the color. Instead of the light purple fading slowly, he’s gonecompletelydark.
I close my eyes, willing his heartbeat to thrum against my fingertips.Nothing.But I’m shaking so hard, Ican’t trust my senses. There’s just too much going on around me.
A booming voice suddenly blasts through the air, amplified by speakers. “This is Guardian Trolla of the Sinth Sovereignty. We have taken control of this military base. The killing will now cease. Lay down your weapons.”
My eyes fly open. The voice is like thunder, loud and threatening. But the words... they have control? Stop the killing?
I don’t understand. If the killing has stopped, why are there still shouts and pounding feet all around me?
Wiggling, I”m almost completely out from under Ray when his weight disappears, and I glance up to see a Sinth I don”t know reaching for me. ”I”m fine,” I assure him, taking a deep breath as I scramble onto my knees and lean over Ray next to me. He”s still not moving.
“Ray,” I whisper, smoothing my hand over his cropped hair. His eyelids don’t even flutter. Fear clutches my heart. “Don’t you die on me. You hear me? Don’t you dare die!”
I press my ear to his chest, listening for a heartbeat. Still nothing.
No, this can’t be happening. Not now. Not so close to this finally being over.
“Ray, please,” I beg, tears stinging my eyes. “Please wake up. I can’t do this without you.”
I clutch his hand, willing my strength into him. But his fingers remain limp in my grasp. The booming voice continues to echo through the hall, announcing the end of the battle. But the fight inside rages on.
A shadow falls over usandmy head jerks up. One of the alien doctorsis reachingfor Ray, his scaled hand outstretched. Rage boils up inside me.
Motherfucker!
Istart tolunge at the doctor when suddenly Purlogh appears behind him like an avenging angel. He wraps his arms around the doctor, enveloping thembothin a swirling gray cloud.
I gasp, scrambling back. The dust settlesandPurlogh stands alone. He skids to his knees next to me, his light blue eyes flashing when a red strobe kicks on behind my back somewhere.
“Let me see him,” he says urgently, reaching for Ray. His voice is gravelly, but his touch is surprisingly gentle as he examines Ray.
I hover next to him anxiously. “Is he...?”
I can’t bring myself to say the word dead. Just thinking about it makes my stomach twist.
Purlogh shakes his head. “He lives, but his pulse is barely detectable. We must actquicklyif we are to save him.”
Hope has me climbing to my feet, following Purlogh as he scoops up Ray and stands. “What do we need to do?” As long as there’s a chance, I’ll do anything.
I already lost my mother. I can’t lose Raytoo.
Purlogh meets my gaze, narrowing his blue eyes. “We must take him to my dimension.He’ll be hiddenfrom everyone, and I’ll bring a medic to help.”
I nod, squeezing Ray’s hand that dangles in front of me. Just hold on a little longer, I plead silently. We’re going to get you help. You’re going to make it through this. You have to.
Chaos continues around us as Purlogh speaks. Men shout and race past, weapons raised as they kick up more of the fine gray powder on the floor. The air fills with dust, limiting visibility.
A voice calls out from the haze to my left. “Purlogh! Take those two and get out of here. We’ll deal with the Sovereignty.”
I stumble into Purlogh as Jamie slams into my side, pressing us into him and Ray. “Stay tight against me, Summer.”
The air shimmers around us. The familiar weightless sensation takes over and streaming colors swirl through the air, making everything lighter. My lungs fill with clean, fresh air, but I still cough, blinking against the brightness.
We’re no longer in the destroyed base. Instead, sunlight streams through windows overlooking a tranquil garden. The sweet scent of flowers fills the air.
“Where are we?” I ask in wonder.
“My home.” Purlogh turns, cutting past a kitchen and dining area as he heads toward a hall that must have bedrooms. “Ray will be safe here.”
“Don’t worry,” Jamie assures me as we follow him. “Are you going for Desin?”
“Yes.” Gently, Purlogh lays Ray on a soft bed. “Stay here.”
Where would I go?
I snort as I glance at Purlogh, but he’s staring at Jamie as he fades from the room.
Right.
My heart clenches at how pale Ray still looks. His dark skin has an ashy tint, making him look dead. My throat tightens, and my wavering voice sounds far away. “Will he be alright?”
“Summer…” Jamie perches next to me by the bed, reaching forward to touch the strange silver clothing. “I can’t be certain, but based on what these guys have been through… definitely.”
“Good point.” I agree, blinking back tears as I clasp Ray’s hand. He looks so vulnerable like this.
“Look at this material.” Jamie curls—or tries to—some of the material at the cuff of his sleeve. “It feels like metal.”
“And those damn boots,” I mutter. They remind me of the booties cleaning technicians wear. “Let’s try to get at least those off.”
Jamie comes over, frowning. “We might have to cut them.Thisis some serious shit.”
I bite my lip uncertainly. With Ray unconscious, it seems risky to start slicing away next to his skin. But leaving them on could be worse. Clearly, it isn’t normal material. What if it’s draining him somehow? Like siphoning off his energy or something? It makes sense they’d do something like that while they moved him. But it didn’t work.
Thank God. He was such a light purple when he was glowing in the hall.Litup like a Christmas tree has a whole new meaning.
As we tug on the shoes, trying to yank them over his heels, the air shimmers. Purlogh reappears with another alien by his side. The newcomer steps toward Ray, and his serious eyes study his prone form intently.
“This is Desin,” Purlogh explains. “He’s been studying the alien genetics used by the Taxin in their experiments.”
Desin’s gaze lingers on Ray’s shoes and pants. “That material is...unfamiliar. I must analyze it before attempting removal.”
He vanishes as abruptly as he arrived.
Jamie huffs in frustration. “Seriously? We’re just supposed to sit here—?”
“Desin will help,” Purlogh assures us. “Be patient.”
I force myself to sit, clasping Ray’s hand tightly. I keep expecting him to open his eyes and smile at me.
Moments later, Desin reappears, holding somekind ofhandheld device. He waves it over Ray’s body, studying the readouts that face him.
“Well?” I ask anxiously.
Desin looks up with a grim expression. “He’s in a deep coma. His brainwaves are almost non-existent but don’t despair. There may yet be hope.”
My heart skips. “What kind of hope?”
“If I’m correct about his genetic heritage, his people can recover from comas given time...and the right stimulation.”
“But... what do you mean?” I meet the doctor’s meaningful gaze, swallowing hard. “I don’t know anything about his genetics.”
“Indeed.” Desin nods patiently. “But you share a connection. Right?”
I nod, wondering where this is going. I guess “a connection” is one way to put it.
“His body and mind have experienced tremendous shock. With Caapelepse…he needs an anchor. Something to cling to. To pull him back.” The doctor gestures to our clasped hands. “As his mate, your energy connection can guide him back to you.”
His mate?
Is that how Ray sees me? We’ve barely had a chance to get to know each other. Personally, anyway.But rememberingthe wayhe looked atme,andhow hetalked about wanting to be together...maybe there is something deeper between us.
I meet Desin’s expectant gaze, swallowing hard. “Tell me what to do.”
“A melding of your energies is required,” he explains. “An intimate joining of your—”
“Oh!” I interrupt, and my face heats as it dawns on me what he’s suggesting. “You mean, um… sex?”
“Yes.” Desin nods. “It’s the most potent way to combine your life forces.”
My head spins, and I fight to control my breathing. Fucking hell. Is he serious?
But no one is smiling and shouting, “Gotcha!”
“Summer,” Jamie begins, sinking down on the edge of the bed next to me. “If you—”
“Don’t.”
If this is what Ray needs, then I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.