Read 3013: CLAIMED for Free Online

her while she was unconscious. I tell you, when your mother finds out, she is going to skin you alive.”
    Jax shot his father a glare. “She won’t find out.”
    Regent Spartan snorted. “Of course she will. That woman knows everything.”
    “You better hope she doesn’t. Or else she might also find out you’re the one who ordered her daughter-in-law into interrogation.”
    Serra wanted to laugh at the pained expression that settled over Regent Spartan’s face, but another man stepped forward, claiming her attention. The newcomer was taller than the other men in the room, and so beautiful, it almost hurt to look at him. He had an innate sensuality that hit her like a psychic punch. His long white-blond hair was pulled back at the temples, leaving his perfect face free of encumbrances. Iridescent blue eyes stared down at her, swirling with sympathy and a calm so soothing that it helped her center herself again.
    This new male was one of the D’Aire race. Humans had nicknamed them Angels due to the majestic wings they could spring from their backs. They could call forth the wings at will, but like now, often kept them hidden using the magic of their species. Serra had been to the home planet of the D’Aire many times, and had a deep respect for their people.
    “Greetings to you, one of the light,” she said the formal greeting of his race and watched as his lips curved in a small smile. He gave a slight bow of his head.
    “Greetings to you as well, little one. I am Arik of the V’Dir clan.”
    Serra thought that Arik and Dom looked comical standing next to one another. It was like looking at the devil standing next to an angel. Arik had a lean body compared to Dominic’s stockier build, but both of them were packed with muscle that would warn anyone that they’d be formidable opponents.
    “Whatever is ailing her is not something your medical technology can counter. I can sense a blank space in her mind, even standing over here. If I am right, her memory has been altered and that is what’s causing her pain.”
    “What does that mean?” Archer demanded, but Arik didn’t look away from Serra. He took a step forward, only stopping when Jax put a hand on his chest.
    “Explain.”
    Arik tore his gaze away from Serra, and looked at the barely restrained fury on Jax and Archer’s faces. They were her protectors, her bonded. In the D’Aire culture they would be called the keepers of her heart . Of course they would require an explanation.
    They all would.

***
    Chapter Three
     
    “Help me up.”
    At Serra’s request, Jax moved the medical console down toward the foot of the bed as Sully raised the gel-bed so she was sitting up. She felt better, more stable being able to see everyone. Gripping the weighted blanket to her chest, she focused her attention on the D’Aire, but remained acutely aware of the two men by her sides. “You’re talking about xili , aren’t you?”
    “I am.”
    “What the hell is xili ?” Jax demanded.
    Arik let out a sigh, then shifted his position so he could address everyone. They were in a private room in the medical center, which was good since the less people that had the information he was about to give, the better. Everyone in the room had been implanted with the language converter chip that allowed them to understand the different languages of the races, but then again, so had most of the medical staff in the center.
    Director Dominic Stryker may have been the lowest ranking member in the room, but Arik trusted him implicitly. When Arik sent him a look, Dom nodded and strode over to the door and shut it, ensuring privacy for their conversation. Regents Spartan and Wyland-Ross, as well as High Commander Newgate could be trusted. It helped that Arik could pick up on nuances of someone’s character when he touched them, so he was assured of that.
    The D’Aire had the ability to slip into someone’s mind and do a scan, although it was against their code to do so without