“I hope you’re right.” Liv’s silver-gray eyes were shiny with tears too. “I hope you are, Kat, because I don’t know what I’d do if—” But she stopped, unable to say it.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Lauren whispered from the viewscreen. “I feel horrible. I was hoping you could get a whole squadron of Kindred together—like an army or something—not just the four of you.”
Baird shook his head. “Not without involving the Council and that would take far too long.”
“Besides, a smaller force might be more effective.” Sylvan looked thoughtful. “No doubt the AllFather is only expecting Xairn to show up and that’s all he’s prepared for. If we attacked with an army, he’d mobilize all his forces and we’d be locked in a stand-off—unable to get to him. But a single ship with what he believes is only one passenger is no threat.”
“You’re right, Brother.” Deep sounded excited. “He’ll let us in by the front door without suspecting a thing.”
“So you’ll have him outnumbered?” Sophia asked hopefully.
“Except for the thousands of vat-grown soldiers who live only to serve that evil bastard’s will,” Liv said flatly. “Sorry,” she said when her twin gave her a reproachful look. “But aren’t they supposed to be like fighting machines?”
“They’re big but they can also be slow and stupid,” Kat said, trying to comfort Sophie. “Then can’t even work guns—uh, blazers—because they’re too dumb to know how to use them.”
“We’ll use that to our advantage,” Sylvan said, kissing his bride. “Please, Talana, don’t cry. I’ll be coming back to you—I swear it.”
“You’d better.” She clung to him and pressed her face to his neck. “You’d better come back to me, Sylvan. I don’t…don’t think I could live without you.”
“That goes double for me,” Liv said in a trembling voice.
“Lilenta, please try to understand—” Baird began but she held up a hand to stop him.
“Spare me the ‘I could not love thee half so much, loved I not honor more’ speech. I know you’re going and I know why. Just remember your son, Baird.” She patted her belly again.
“I’ll remember and I’ll return to both of you.” He kissed her gently and then leaned down to kiss her belly as well.
“Well…” Kat turned to her own two males who were standing on either side of her, as always. “I guess we’d better get in on the goodbye action too. I…I…” Suddenly hot tears were pouring down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. “Here I am making speeches about being brave and I can’t…can’t even keep from…from crying myself.”
“It’s all right, my lady,” Lock murmured as he and Deep both embraced her, holding her in the special three-way hug she’d come to love so much.
“Hold on, little Kat.” Deep kissed her deeply and stroked her hair. “The Goddess sent me back to you once—she will not fail to keep Lock and myself safe for you again.”
“I hope you’re right.” Kat sniffed and tried to get hold of herself. “God, I really, really hope you are, Deep.”
“I am,” he said firmly but she couldn’t help thinking that she saw some doubt in his black eyes. Doubt mixed with determination—he was going to do this no matter what she said. All of their males were. The only thing she and Liv and Sophie could do was pray for their safe return.
“I love you,” she said and heard the simple sentiment echoed throughout the viewing room as all the warriors got a last hug and kiss. Then they filed out of the doorway one by one, heads up, shoulders back, the light of battle in their eyes. Though she knew it might be the last time she saw Deep and Lock, Kat couldn’t help the stirrings of pride in her heart. They were males of valor—honor and courage ran in their veins like blood. She had never been more proud—and more unhappy—to be mated to her Kindred males.
As the males left, Nadiah came in the door. “What are you all doing in here and where are Sylvan and the rest of them going? Hello, Lauren.” She nodded at the viewscreen and Lauren nodded back miserably. “What’s wrong?”
Sophia pounced on her. “Nadiah! Xairn has gone to confront the AllFather and Sylvan and Baird and Deep and Lock are going to help him. We’re all scared to death but you—you have the gift—the Sight!”
Olivia’s eyes were wide. “She does, doesn’t she? Quick, Nadiah—can you see anything? Do you feel anything?”