way to eliminate this link without compounding the trauma,” Blayne concluded.
“ Our plan is the only way to minimize the danger.” Lor faced Tori and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Blayne will take good care of her and if she has latent abilities, as you did, this is the perfect place for her to explore them.”
The bathroom door opened and Angie emerged, steam rolling out in her wake. Thank the gods, she was fully dressed. “I feel better.” Turning, she saw Tori and let out a happy cry. She flew down the hall and into her sister’s waiting arms. “I can’t believe how much I missed you.”
Tori hugged her in return, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. “I missed you too.”
“So, all these aliens, was this the reason you wanted me to stay away from Las Vegas?”
Tori laughed and eased Angie to arm’s length. “You weren’t supposed to find out about any of this.”
“And let you have all the fun?” She gave her a playful shove. “That’s so selfish.”
“I just want you to be safe and happy.” Tori stubbornly blinked back her tears. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Why are you all weepy?” Angie looked at Lor and then Blayne. “And you two look like you’re about to tell me I have cancer. What’s going on?”
Tori reached for Angie’s hand, but Angie snatched it away. “Blayne is going to take you to a sort of specialist, someone who can—”
“I’m not going anywhere with Blayne. Scratch that. I’m not going anywhere period. I’m tired of running scared and hiding from the danger.” She looked at Blayne, determination burning in her gaze. “Can Nazerel be harmed by conventional weapons or can he deflect bullets or flash out of their way?”
“ Bullets would likely be ineffective. We have weapons that can harm him, but we have to trap him first. That’s easier said than done. He’s fast and careful. If it were easy, he would be in custody.”
“This isn’t personal. I just got back.” Her pain -filled gaze switched back to her sister. “Why are you sending me away again?”
A sob escaped Tori and she pulled Angie into her arms. “I’ m not sending you away. Blayne can explain it in more detail when you reach your destination.”
“Nazerel knew where to find you,” Lor said , drawing Angie’s undivided attention for the first time. She wiggled out of Tori’s embrace and faced him. “That means he’s been listening in, perhaps even watching.”
“You’re Lor, right? You’re the man in charge?”
“I am. I’m also your sister’s—”
“Lover,” Tori cut in. “We are lovers.”
Lor looked at her with question in his eyes, then Blayne felt the faint ripple of a telepathic exchange. Why didn’t she want Angie to know they were soul-bonded mates? Wouldn’t Angie share her sister’s happiness?
Just go with it , Lor advised. Tori insists knowing of our union will only upset Angie more.
Blayne couldn’t imagine why that would be, but it was none of his business.
Angie seemed oblivious to the undercurrent anyway as she latched on to her goal with laser focus. “I’m not a coward and I’m not completely helpless,” she spoke directly to Lor. “Give me a weapon and I’ll fight. I will not—”
Lor flashed behind her and trapped her arms against her sides, lightly grasping her throat with h is other hand. “And Nazerel is faster than I am.”
Angie twisted out of Lor’s arms, ending up in the middle of the other three. “Why is this happening? I don’t want this…attention. Why did he pick me?”
Tori reached for Angie, her need to comfort palpable.
Rather than accept her sister’s embrace, Angie moved to Blayne and dropped her forehead onto his chest. For a startled moment he looked at Tori over Angie’s head. Was she just spiting her sister or did Angie really want his embrace? Feeling awkward just standing there, he slowly wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer to his body.
Suddenly emotions burst from her
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