She stiffened, turning to glare at the fortress. “We have to stop him.”

  “We will.” Toren leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “I promise you.”

  Tylee appeared, her head bowed. “I am sorry to interrupt, but there is a rider at the gate asking to speak with you.”

  Toren and Simone shared a look. Spinning, he strode toward the front gate.

  On the screen built into the wall, he saw an image of a man with green skin sitting atop a tarnid—a six-legged, scaled beast used for desert transport. The man was alone, and Rillian’s security system didn’t detect any dangerous weapons.

  Toren touched a button and the gates slid open.

  The man slid off the tarnid, the large beast snorting. He moved forward and bowed his head. “Greetings.”

  “Who are you?” Toren demanded.

  “I work for Master Alev Erroth, who owns the property neighboring yours.”

  Toren sensed Simone tensing, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “We’re vacationing here.”

  The green-skinned man gave another nod. “We noted that someone was in residence. My master would like to invite you to attend dinner at his property.” The man held out a small holo-cube, and then glanced at Simone. “Both of you.”

  Toren took the cube and the man turned, mounted the tarnid, and left in a cloud of dust.

  Once the gates closed, Toren held up the cube and pressed a button on the side. An image of Alev appeared above it, his hair in elaborate twists.

  “The desert can be so very tedious.” The man smiled—wide and toothy. “I heard that there was someone in residence at your villa, and I would love your company for dinner. See you at sunset.”

  The hologram winked off.

  “We have to go,” Simone said.

  Lead her into Alev’s lair. Toren felt a muscle in his jaw tick. He didn’t like this idea.

  “Toren?”

  “I don’t want you anywhere near that man. He’s dangerous.”

  “I’ve already been in danger.” She slid her arms around him. “I want Alev stopped, and the Edull, so they can’t hurt any more people.”

  “Simone—”

  “If he can lead us to Bari Batu and Bellamy, any risk is worth it.”

  Toren dropped his mouth to hers. Need rolled through him. It was strange to feel such competing emotions—fear, desire, the need to protect, the need to complete his mission.

  They were all overridden by the need to claim her.

  He backed her into the wall, deepening the kiss. Her hands pressed into his back.

  Then he reached down and yanked her trousers down until they pooled at her ankles. She gasped. “Tylee—”

  “Won’t interrupt.” He slid his hand between Simone’s thighs, stroking and listening to her small mewls of pleasure. “If we go into that sand-cursed fortress, you’ll stay by my side every second.”

  “Toren—”

  “No debate.”

  “Yes, okay, but you’ll also stay by mine.”

  Toren dropped to his knees, pushing her thighs apart. Then his mouth was on her.

  “Oh, God,” she panted.

  He lifted her up to his hungry mouth and she cried out, her taste exploding on his tongue. He looked up at her—so beautiful and flushed. “I can’t stop wanting you.”

  “No one has ever wanted me like you do.”

  He cupped her ass and went back to licking and sucking. He kept working her, listening to her cries grow more frantic.

  Then she came, crying out his name and trembling against his mouth. The sweetest sound.

  Toren surged up, fumbling with his own trousers. He pinned Simone to the wall and her legs clamped around his waist.

  He surged inside her and their groans mingled.

  “You stretch me so much,” she moaned. “Fill me up.”

  He kept his thrusts firm and steady. Her body clenched on him, driving him wild. He pulled his cock out and she cried out in protest. Then he spun her, cupping her sweet ass, and drove back in.

  “So wet for me,” he growled.

  “Yes.”

  He leaned back, watching himself pump inside her, and the slight, sexy jiggle of her buttocks. He felt himself harden even more.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged, pushing back against him. Her voice was husky with need.

  He slid a hand into her silky hair, feeling as though a wild beast were loose inside him. He felt a primal need to claim his mate.

  Simone started orgasming, her scream of pleasure like a prize. Her body clenched on his cock and he groaned.

  Toren thrust again, pleasure like a hot flame. “Take me, Simone, all of me.”

  She pushed back against him, and he came, their surroundings fading. Everything narrowed to Simone and the hot pleasure tearing through him.

  “Simone…drak…”

  When he came back to awareness, he was pinning her to the wall. She turned her head and nuzzled him.

  “We should go and get ready for this dinner,” she said quietly.

  And just like that, his bubble of contentment burst. Drak, for a moment he’d forgotten why they were there.

  He had no weapon, and he was half the cyborg he’d been just weeks before, and now he spent every second dealing with his unruly emotions. But he still had to find a way to protect her.

  He kissed her shoulder and pulled back.

  Toren would do whatever the mission required, and whatever it took to keep her safe.

  * * *

  Simone sat in front of Toren on the tarnid. She’d finally adjusted to the beast’s strange gait as its six legs moved across the sand.

  She wore a filmy dress in a deep green that floated around her body and was tied at the back of her neck, leaving her shoulders bare.

  Toren was in a new set of leathers and a dark shirt. It made him look less cyborg and more man. He’d been all man when they’d gone at each other against the wall earlier.

  She closed her eyes, her belly hitching. She could still feel him between her legs.

  She suddenly realized that she was facing a far greater risk than the Edull. She swallowed. She was falling for Toren, and that scared the hell out of her.

  The way he worshiped her, desired her, it was addictive. But she knew that one day, he’d wake up and not feel that way about her. Michael had. Toren was experimenting with his new emotions, and he’d find others to experiment with, or finally heal and go back to the emotionless way he’d been before.

  The pain under her heart was so sharp. She bit her lip hard.

  Either way, one day, he wouldn’t want her anymore, and she couldn’t let herself get too attached. She twisted her hands together.

  “Don’t be nervous,” he murmured in her ear. “It’ll be okay.”

  She didn’t tell him what she was really worried about, just nodded. As they neared the rocky ridge, a trail of burning torches appeared, lining the path leading up the mountainside.

  “The flames help keep the night beasts away,” Toren said.

  Shame it didn’t keep the two-legged ones away as well. She thought of Alev up there, safe while he caused so much pain.

  As their tarnid climbed the rocky path, they passed armed guards, standing silently by the side of the road.

  Finally, they reached the fortress.

  Simone stared in wonder at the rock-cut monstrosity. It looked like it could be in some medieval fantasy story.

  A fountain burbled in the courtyard, but it was nothing like the pretty fountains at Rillian’s villa. Toren slid off the tarnid, then lifted her down, the breeze pressing the skirt of her dress against her legs.

  When she glanced at the fountain, she saw strange beasts carved into the sides of it, water spraying out of their fang-filled mouths. Lovely.

  “I both love and hate this dress,” Toren murmured.

  She knew it draped her body and clung to her. He smoothed his hands down her sides.

  “I want to pull it up and touch you,” he whispered.

  Her breath hitched. “Toren.”

  “And I don’t want anyone else to see you in it.” He gave her a quick kiss.

  A burly servant arrived dressed in a black uniform. “If you’ll follow me.”

  They followed the man inside. The place was opulent. Heavy wall hangings in rich colors coated the walls, along with lots of ceremonial weapons. They passed through several sets of carved wooden doors.

  The servant led them into a large room where another fountain sat in the center of the space, strange, purple fish leaping into the air and back into the water.

  “Welcome to my home,” a smooth voice drawled.

  Alev stalked into the room, smiling, his arms held wide. He wore a bright yellow shirt tucked into dark leather trousers.

  Look at me, all friendly and harmless. Simone managed a smile.

  “I am Alev,” he said.

  “Toren.” Toren’s hand tightened on hers. “And this is Simone.”

  “I was so happy to see neighbors in residence. The place is usually empty.”

  “Rillian is a busy man,” Toren said.

  Alev’s smile sharpened. “He is. As am I.” Their host led them over to a long table laden with food and drinks. “Let’s get you both a drink.”

  “You have a beautiful place,” Simone lied.

  “Thank you. I had this stone carried from the Grand Basin of Goren. It was hand cut by the best off-world artisans.”

  Great, he was what Grace called a one-upper. He had to be better than everyone else, and own things that were better and fancier. If you owned something, he owned five. If you could do something, he could do it blindfolded.

  “The food looks lovely.” Simone sat in the chair Toren held out for her.

  “Everything is from my greenhouses in Kor Magna. Only the best.” Alev winked at her, but his gaze skated over her in a way that made her skin crawl.

  She felt Toren’s hand curl around her shoulder. He sat beside her, and instantly, his hands gripped a knife on the table, his knuckles turning white. She reached over and stroked his fingers.

  “You’re clearly very successful to have a place like this,” Simone said. “What do you do?”

  “A little of everything that interests me.” Alev lifted a heavy decanter and poured some lime-green fluid into some long, slender glasses. He handed one to Simone with a small bow, then another to Toren. “I enjoy the perks of wealth and power.”

  She barely stopped her eyes from rolling. Just like Michael, he felt the need to tell everyone how powerful and important he was. The opposite of the men of the House of Rone.

  Their host sprawled in a chair at the head of the table, watching them.

  “So, what brings you to the Kylantha Oasis?” Alev asked.

  Toren took a sip of his drink. “I was…injured recently. I needed some quiet time to recuperate.”

  “Sorry to hear that. Hope you’re better now.” Alev’s gaze moved over Toren’s shoulder and Simone stiffened.

  “I’m fine,” Toren replied.

  “Yes, well there’s plenty of quiet to rest and recuperate here in the desert.”

  “And you, Alev?” Simone asked. “Why do you come to the desert? You seem like a very busy man.”

  He smiled. “Fewer prying eyes.” His tone lowered. “Usually.”

  Tension filled her. What did that mean? She fought the urge to look at Toren. Did Alev know they’d found his ugly junkyard? Did he suspect that they were here to spy on him?

  “I would assume the attention on a powerful man like yourself is overwhelming in the city,” she said.

  Alev grunted. “Everyone wants to be around me.”

  Bleurgh, the man was insufferable. Servers appeared, setting more food on the table. They ate their meal and Simone found it hard to swallow each mouthful. She noted Toren didn’t eat much.

  Alev swirled a glass of amber fluid around. “You’re a cyborg, Toren.”

  “Yes.”

  “I am fascinated by the melding of technology and biology. Metal and flesh. Both so strong and weak in their own ways.”

  Toren made a noncommittal sound.

  Simone licked her lips. “It’s been fascinating to learn about cyborgs since I came to Carthago.”

  Alev tilted his head. “How did you end up here, sweet Simone? I’ve never seen someone of your species before.”

  Boggy ground. She needed to tread carefully. Her insides were jumping. Alev was watching them like he knew more than he should.

  Shit, what if he didn’t let them leave?

  Stay calm, Simone. She hated the sensation of walking on a tightrope, knowing that any second, a sword could fall. “I was abducted from my own world. I have no way home.”

  Alev leaned forward, his eyes alight. “How horrible for you.”

  She inclined her head. There was no sympathy in his gaze, only sick curiosity. Asshole.

  Beside her, Toren was as stiff as a board. A bomb waiting to go off.

  “So, what do you do for fun out here, Alev?” She forced herself to brighten her tone. “Swim? Collect rocks?”

  He let out a booming laugh. “I’m an inventor.”

  Her hands clenched on her fork. She felt the tension radiating from Toren, and she slipped her hand beneath the table to grip his hard thigh.

  “Interesting,” she choked out.

  “Oh, it can be. The act of creation, of blending things together to bring new life.” Alev’s eyes lit up, taking on a wild edge. “It’s almost like being a god.”

  Her stomach turned over.

  His white teeth glinted under the lights. “In my little corner of the world, I am a god. I do what I want, when I want, with who I want.” His gaze dropped to her breasts.

  She felt Toren’s muscles bunching. This wasn’t going well.

  Suddenly, a servant hurried into the room. He leaned in close to whisper to Alev. Their host’s brows drew together and he stood abruptly.

  “Unfortunately, I have to cut this short.” A dark look settled over his face, his mouth bracketed by lines.

  “I hope everything is okay,” Simone said.

  “There are some problems that need my attention. I hope to see you both again soon.” His gaze met hers. “Very soon.”

  He bowed and then strode out.

  As soon as he was gone, Toren pushed his chair back. “We’re leaving. Now.”

  He took her arm, and she felt his need to hurry. “Toren—”

  “I want you out of here.” He lowered his voice. “Before our host gives in to his desire to dissect us.”

  They hurried out of the fortress and the night breeze hit them. Toren wasted no time getting a servant to bring their tarnid. He boosted her up and climbed up behind her.

  “Yah.” He kicked the tarnid into motion. At a fast gallop, they left Alev’s fortress and raced down the hill.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When they reached Rillian’s villa, Toren could still sense that Simone was churned up.

  As he lifted her off the tarnid, she paced away. “That man is rotten. He’s up to something bad.”

  Toren released the tarnid’s reins to the silent Tylee, who led the beast back to the stables. He watched Simone’s jerky pacing. He was still angry, his own gut churning and surging. The way Alev had looked at Simone, the way that it had been obvious that the man had wanted to touch her, had made Toren want to punch him.

  He took Simone’s hand. “Hey.”

  She dragged in a breath and let him lead her into the villa. He pulled her out some doors and onto the night-drenched patio. Tylee had lit some braziers, the flames licking into the night sky. Toren walked across the pavers and saw the moonlight glinting off the oasis pool. He settled on a long lounger, and pulled Simone onto his lap.

  “I hated Alev’s gaze on you. You breathing the same air as him.”

  She snuggled into Toren. “He made my skin crawl.” She shuddered. “What now?”

  “I’m not sure,” Toren said. “We need to keep watching him until we see any signs that will lead us to the Edull.”

  “I hate the waiting. Poor Bellamy.” Then Simone smiled. “Although that woman is as tough as stone. She sure could shout. I think all the engineers on the ship were afraid of her.”

  He stroked Simone’s hair. “We won’t abandon her.”

  Suddenly, lights flickered in the sky and Toren straightened.

  “What?” she asked.

  He stared at the fortress and saw a bright light glowing from the property.

  Simone straightened. “I’ll get the binocs.”

  What the drak was Alev doing? Simone returned quickly and Toren held the device to his face, zooming in.

  He could see some buildings glowing, almost like they were on fire, but nothing more. “Alev is being stealthy.”

  “He doesn’t want us to know what he’s doing.” Simone spun. “We have to sneak in and see what’s going on.”

  “His security—”

  She made a scoffing sound. “I saw you assessing the place while we were there. I guess you have a plan.”

  “Yes,” he admitted reluctantly. “I’ll go in and investigate. Alone.”

  “No, not alone. You might need help.” She gripped his arms. “Don’t make me sit here and worry about you, Toren. Please.”

  The emotion in that single word cut into him. “I need you safe, Simone.”

  “I can’t let you risk yourself again.”

  “I’d risk it all for you. I’d risk everything to keep you safe.”

  Her face softened and she pressed her forehead to his. “I need to do this for myself. For Grace. I have to be a role model for my daughter and I need to reclaim something that the Edull took from me.”

  Drak. Toren felt like he was being pulled apart. Her eyes looked up at him, filled with hope.

  “Okay,” he growled.

  She kissed him. “Let’s go.”

  They took a few minutes to change into dark clothes and then climbed on the morlochs. Soon, they were headed out to the desert.

  “I saw an old path that led up the ridge to the fortress,” he called out to her. “It was rocky and steep. Clearly hasn’t been used for a long time.”

  She gave a resolute nod. “Let’s do it.”

  They kept well clear of the main path, and he led her to the older track he’d noticed. They slid off the morlochs and left the animals near a rocky outcrop. Toren led her up the steep path, but it got rockier and rockier. Finally, it ended in a cliff face.