Chapter 51
SELAS
T he sun’s rays slowly light up the sky as a dark silhouette makes its way across campus and slips into one of the dorms. The figure glows against my monochromatic vision, a soft amber, the color of sexual satisfaction.
“I’m not going to ask where you’ve been,” Orix says, handing me a cup of coffee. “But you should get some sleep soon.”
I wrap my hands around its warmth. “Do you think Serath is doing the right thing pushing Cameron away like this?”
“I can respect his decision,” Orix says. “But I hated seeing her so upset the other night. Him not coming home made it worse.”
“She thought he was with Jana.”
“It’s what he wanted her to believe. I’m glad she had some quality time with her friends today.”
“I don’t think he has to rub it in her face. She already believes that he spent two weeks with Jana. She doesn’t know he spent them doing the rounds of other outposts.”
“He’s protecting Cameron.”
“Then he shouldn’t have taken her on a date in Asteria.”
Orix joins me at the window. “It’s not always easy to give up the things that we want.”
The gentle heat of his gaze kisses the side of my face, then drops to my mouth. If I turn toward him now, he’ll step closer and touch me. Will I let him? No. Not any longer. There is another male under my skin now. At least until he too is taken from me.
Orix releases me from his probing gaze. “Cam will be fine. She has a strong support network. She’ll help us get Romi back, and then she’ll leave.
If she thinks Serath is seeing Jana, she’ll steer clear of him.
Heck, she probably hates him a little now.
He just needs to keep up the charade for three more weeks. ”
But what if we don’t get Romi back? Or what if we get him back and he’s wrong like Varsa? No. I can’t think about that. I must keep a positive mindset.
I look up into the night sky. “It would be better if Serath could stay gone until after the cadet exams.”
“I know. But Lionel will expect him to be present.”
“If Lionel even shows.”
“Carter said he would,” Orix reminds me.
The door swings open and Prasan enters carrying a ring bind folder. “What are you two doing awake?”
“Waiting on you,” Orix says. “How did it go? All set for tomorrow?”
“Willowman and I have everything set up. If the traitor makes a move, we’ll catch him. Willowman even set up a shut-down on the wards if we get a hit.”
“So the traitor won’t be able to escape?”
“Exactly.” Prasan grins. “I have it all under control.” He crosses to the computers and settles in his seat.
“I thought everything was set up?” Orix says.
“It is. I’m going to run a diagnostic on our system, make sure all channels are clear and operational.”
“Didn’t you do that last week?” Orix asks.
A flash of annoyance crosses Prasan’s usually amiable features. “Do I tell you how to do your job?”
Taz hisses at Prasan.
“Hey, I was just asking.”
Prasan sighs. “Sorry, I’m just tired. Planting the transmitters took a lot out of me. But Willowman looked about ready to drop.” He taps away at the keyboard. “Is Serath back yet?”
“Not yet,” Orix says.
Taz wanders over to the door and stares at it.
“It’s weird having Serath dropping in and out like this,” Prasan says.
“I honestly think he should just tell Cameron the truth about what happened at Outpost Ten, that he only kissed Jana so she wouldn’t get suspicious and start digging into why he suddenly didn’t want to sleep with her any longer.
She needs to know he isn’t sleeping with anyone. ”
“We’ve been over this,” Orix says. “It’s best if Cam hates Serath.”
I snort. “He’s her fated mate. She can’t hate him.”
“Dislike then.”
Taz claws at the door and meows.
Orix crosses the room and opens the door for him, but Taz isn’t interested in leaving.
Orix and I exchange glances.
“Do you think there was someone there?” Orix whispers.
My heart sinks because the only other person in the tower except us is Cameron.