Grace giggled. “You’re funny.”
“Really?” He sounded surprised.
“You make me smile.”
There was a pause and Simone bit her lip.
“I like that,” he said.
“Mom told me that you’re learning to feel.”
“It’s very difficult.”
“But you’re a cyborg. I thought you could do anything.”
“Not anything.” Something darker threaded his voice.
“I bet you’ll work it out, Toren. Mom tells me we can’t always be good at something the first time we try it.”
Simone saw Toren go still. “Your mother is very wise.”
“You’re smart and strong and brave.” Grace grinned. “You’ll keep practicing, and you’ll nail it.”
He frowned. “Nail it?”
“Yes, get it right, win, succeed.”
Toren touched Grace’s head, ruffling her hair. “Thank you, Grace. You’re very wise too.”
The young girl beamed.
They came back into the living room, and Simone met his gaze. A flicker of connection passed between them. Suddenly, Simone’s pulse sped up.
Then there was a pounding at the door. She jolted, and for a second, she was back in an Edull cell, the guards rattling the door.
She shook her head and swallowed. She was not a prisoner anymore. She hurried over and opened the door.
Jax stood in the hall, his red cloak falling off his broad shoulders. “Simone, sorry to interrupt. I’m looking for Toren.”
The serious look on Jax’s face made her stomach roll. “Hi, Jax.”
“I’m here.” Toren walked toward them, Grace clinging to his leg.
The sight of them made Simone’s heart go pitter-pat.
“Toren, there’s a meeting in Magnus’ office,” Jax said.
“What about?” Simone asked.
Jax’s face turned wary, and he glanced at Grace.
“Tell us,” Simone said.
“The Edull,” Jax replied. “There’s been a sighting.” The House of Rone’s second-in-command looked at Toren. “Galen’s here.”
Simone had met the imposing imperator of the House of Galen before. He’d taken in the first human abductees who’d been stolen from Jupiter’s Fortuna Space Station. Those survivors from Earth were now all happily mated to House of Galen gladiators and their allies.
“I’m coming,” she said.
“Simone—”
She skewered Jax with a sharp look. “I deserve to know. They snatched us, held us captive.” Her chest burned. “This is my fight too.”
Toren stepped up beside her. She felt his fingers brush the small of her back, and the silent support made her throat tighten.
Jax stared at Toren a beat, then inclined his head. “Very well.”
“I’ll ask Nemma’s foster family to watch Grace.”
“Mom—”
“Get ready for bed, baby girl,” Simone said.
Her girl looked ready to argue, but finally, she nodded.
Toren reached out and touched Grace’s nose. “Thank you for this evening, Grace.”
“See you tomorrow, Toren.”
Simone lifted her chin. Her ex had once accused her of being cowardly. He was wrong. She’d survived hell and she wasn’t hiding. She was facing the Edull head-on.
There was another woman from Earth out there, and who knew how many other captives of different species, all of whom deserved freedom.
We’re going to find you, Bellamy.
The Edull had to be stopped.
Chapter Four
As Toren walked into Magnus’s office, the first thing he saw was Galen.
Imperator Galen had a craggy face, dominated by the black eye patch over his left eye. His dark hair was cut short, with a dash of gray at the temples. His powerful body was covered in black leather, with a black cloak falling down his back.
The imperator was flanked by his mate and his champion gladiator.
Samantha Santos wore fighting leathers, her blonde-brown hair in a long braid. She’d survived her Thraxian captors, won in their violent desert arena, and now stood at Galen’s side. Raiden Tiago, one of the best fighters in the Kor Magna Arena, stood on the other side of Galen. The muscular gladiator wore a red cloak, his arms crossed over his chest.
Magnus glanced at Simone, and for a second, Toren thought his imperator might send her away. Instead, he nodded and sat behind his desk.
“What have we got?” Toren asked.
“Two Edull were spotted in Kor Magna,” Galen said in a deep voice.
Simone sucked in a breath and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Do you…?” She straightened. “Do you think that they are after me and Grace?”
“Not that we can tell,” Sam answered.
“No doubt planning more trouble,” Magnus said.
“Where were they spotted?” Toren asked.
“At an auction,” Raiden said. “An exclusive event attended by a lot of wealthy buyers.”
Toren felt a shot of anger. “Where? And what was for sale at this auction?”
Galen shifted. “It was in the District.”
“There was a lot for sale,” Raiden said. “But mostly, it was high-end slaves.”
Simone let out a shocked breath.
“And some high-end tech,” the gladiator continued. “Our source thought that some of it was likely of Edull origin.”
“I’ve already talked with Rillian,” Galen said. “He’s trying to get an invite to the next auction. He’s also asking around discreetly to find out who else was on the invite list, because as far as he knows, there were no Edull names on it.”
A muscle ticked in Magnus’ jaw. “They were someone’s guests.”
Galen nodded.
“We have to find these Edull.” Toren knew that this was the only lead they had to Bari Batu and the battle arena. Rage surged, dark memories clawing at his mind.
Then he felt the brush of fingers against his hand.
Simone.
No one saw the small move. Barely a brush, and yet it steadied him.
“We’ll find them,” Magnus said. “We won’t stop until we do.”
Toren nodded.
Magnus sat back in his chair. “Once we have more information, I’ll keep everyone informed.”
Toren knew they’d been dismissed. He took Simone’s arm and led her out. Her face was pale.
“I need to get back to Grace.” She pulled away from him.
“Simone—”
She chafed her arms with her hands. “I’ll be fine.” She headed down the corridor.
He watched her walk away. So graceful and composed. She’d been through so much, and yet, she still held herself like a queen. He felt that flare of heat in his gut again.
Swiveling, Toren headed toward his own rooms.
He didn’t need much sleep, but he knew he should try to rest. Their head healer Avarn had told him that sleep would help with his healing.
He’d do anything to help his organics heal, so he could get his implant back and his emotions gone. He reached up and touched the plate on his shoulder. The metal was cool under his fingers. His weapon wasn’t there and he felt its absence keenly.