Read Codename Summer (Undercover Embassy, Book Four) for Free Online

they trust you?” She had to know why they gave him freedoms no other corporeal being was allowed. “No one refuses them anything, yet you’re no longer a host.”
    “The Gathosian I hosted died while he inhabited me. The energy he left behind is tainted. It would poison—” He stopped and finished his drink. “That’s bullshit. It’s the lie I’ve been telling for years.”
    “Then what’s the truth?”
    “I don’t understand the specifics, but there’s something about my DNA that allowed their experiments to succeed where all other combinations failed.” He glanced at her then averted his face. “When I realized they have to have samples from a live, healthy donor, my position strengthened considerably.”
    She blew out a slow, quiet breath, not sure she wanted to know where this led. “What sort of experiments?”
    “They’re cloning anchors, creating biological puppets they can operate without the hassle of controlling a sentient being.”
    “How close are they to…” The possibilities spread out before her and bile rose to the back of her throat. “Why the hell did you cooperate? If they can mass-produce anchors it will fortify their only weakness.”
    “I only just figured it out.” His tone was sharp and defensive. He slammed down his empty glass and stalked toward her. “When I’m in the Hub I can sense things, echoes of thoughts and images. It took me years to piece it all together. I knew it had to do with anchors but I was told they were trying to prolong the lifespan of the existing hosts. If I’d known what they were doing, I would have fought them every step of the way.”
    She didn’t argue. They had all been deceived by the Gathosians. Manipulation was their specialty. “What is the Hub?”
     
    Dread chilled Malik’s blood and clenched his fists. If he told Saroji about the Hub there would be no turning back. He’d be a member of the Resistance. He was here to learn about Autumn and Ra’jen’s operation, not be interrogated. How had Saroji flipped this on him?
    Saroji hadn’t done anything. That cool, calculated look belonged to Summer, the well-trained spy.
    Forcing his emotions under control, he offered her a sexy smile. “It’s your turn, sweetheart. I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours.”
    She didn’t look pleased but she didn’t object. “What do you want to know?”
    “How far have you gotten with the antidote?” He sat on the end of the coffee table, his body angled toward her. “Is it still theoretical, or is Evard conducting human trials even as we speak?” Uncertainty crept over her features and he sighed. She didn’t trust him. Even after all he’d explained she was unsure of his motives. “I didn’t ask for a tour of his lab. I’m just trying to establish a timeframe.”
    “A timeframe for what?”
    “We’ll only get one chance at this. If anything I say or do makes the Gathosians suspicious, there’s no telling what they’ll do.”
    She was quiet for a moment then asked, “Are the clones operational?”
    “Sort of. They have a working prototype. Inwatta’s replacement intends to field-test the unit. If all goes as they hope, the next step is mass production.”
    Her uncertainty turned to panic and she shot to her feet. “I have to warn Ra’jen. We need to move before they have time to mass-produce the clones.”
    He caught both her hands and gave them a squeeze. “It can wait until morning. It will take months for them to begin production.”
    “How can you be sure?”
    “The prototype has to be proven.” He slid his hands up her arms inside the sleeves of her robe. “They won’t waste their time or resources on a flawed product.”
    After one last glance toward the door, she calmed and looked into his eyes. “Then what shall we do until morning?”
    “We forget about the Gathosians and the Resistance, and rediscover each other.”
    “What did you have in mind—Sir?”
    The title sent heat straight to his balls and his cock