“No, don’t,” he said quickly, staying her with a hand on her arm. “You look great, and the element of surprise is an excellent advantage.”
She blew out her breath. “Yeah, well, it’s the only one I have.” At his arched brow she added, “I’m a veterinarian. If you have a sick pet, you won’t find anyone better to handle it than me. But if you want Sydney Bristow, you’re out of luck.”
His grin widened. “Let’s see if you can exit the slipstream.”
“What?”
He gestured for her to precede him, and the other men moved out of their way. “According to the prophecy, you’re the Key, and we’re supposed to be scared shitless of you. I can’t see you doing much damage trapped in your own stream of unconsciousness.”
She paused. “What happens if I can’t get out?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay.” Lyssa caught his hand and squeezed it. His eyes widened in surprise. “What’s your name? Your first name.”
“Philip.”
“Promise me, Philip. If I can’t help, promise me that you’ll save Captain Cross no matter what.”
“Definitely.”
The word was said with such conviction that she believed him without question. “Okay, then. I’m ready.”
For what, she didn’t know. But she was as prepared as she would ever be.
With a firm hand at the small of her back, he led her away from the door toward a wall of shimmering blue light. Beyond it, she could barely make out shadowed forms. It was like looking through a curtain of electric blue water.
“Can you see that?” he asked.
She nodded.
“All you have to do is jump out.”
“All right. Here goes nothing.” Lyssa took a deep breath and leaped.
There was one mistake that everyone who crossed Connor Bruce made more often than they should—they underestimated him. Usually he found grim satisfaction in this. Today was no exception.
“We are pleased that you see our side now,” one of the Elders said, a lone voice speaking for the collective.
“Forgive me for my earlier behavior.” Connor bowed in a feigned show of remorse. “I’m not a man who likes to be taken by surprise, and I certainly don’t like being restrained.”
“We knew you wouldn’t immediately understand why Captain Cross had to be taken into protective custody. But we hope you remember that our purpose has always been to serve and protect our people.”
“Of course,” Connor lied smoothly. “No one doubts this, least of all me.”
“Captain Cross does.”
Connor shrugged, hiding the intensity of his enmity with half-lidded eyes. “The Key has corrupted him, but he’s always put his duty before everything else. A small amount of time away from her influence, and he’ll return to his senses. He’s gone without a romantic relationship longer than any man I know. First loves always screw with your head, but it’s only temporary. I’m sure you all know this.”
“Of course, and we agree. The captain will be sequestered for a time, and then he will slowly be reintegrated into the community.”
“I will be available to assist you with his reacclimation when the time comes.”
“Excellent. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. You may return to duty, Captain Bruce.”
Connor’s glance swept over the sea of shadowed faces before him. He bowed again and then departed, stepping out to the courtyard where unknowing Guardians mingled completely unaware of the lies they lived with.
The sky was dark, the day long over. A cool breeze blew past him, carrying the scent of fragrant night-blooming flowers. In the distance, the roar of the waterfalls could be heard.
Home.
Like Aidan, he’d been born here and had no memories of the world the Guardians had abandoned long ago. But what was home? Was it a place? Or was it people who cared about you?
He knew he was being watched, so he went straight to the Valley of Dreams. Biding his time was something he had learned to do well during his service in the Elite. He expected it would take a few moments of clearing his head before he could adequately consider all the places they would take Aidan to be “sequestered.” His feet hit the ground running, which was why he couldn’t stop in time to avoid the lithe blond who popped out of a slipstream directly before him.
He hit her full force and down they went, her screech so loud his ears rang. Clutching her to his chest, he twisted mid-fall and kicked upward, shooting them straight up into the air to avoid crushing her on the ground.
“What the hell?” she yelled, kicking his shin.
“Ow! Fuck.”