Deep laughed harshly. “Trying being the operative word, Brother. Bonding her to us would bring her nothing but unhappiness and pain, no matter how hard you tried to do otherwise.”
“That’s not true,” Lock protested angrily. “Or it wouldn’t be if you could just stop—”
“Stop what?” Deep raised an eyebrow. “Stop being myself? I’m afraid I can’t do that, Brother.”
“Don’t call me that.” Lock’s voice was a dangerous growl. “I told you I don’t want that relationship with you anymore. I don’t want any relationship with you.”
“Then press your hand to the scanner and get into the machine, damn you.” Deep sounded exasperated. “Look.” He pressed his large palm to a flat black screen on the control panel which lit up immediately with a low hum. “I’ve got the damn thing all set up—we just need to activate it and step inside.”
“How will separating the two of us from the lady Kat free me of you?” Lock demanded.
“Stop clouding the issue and just do it.” Deep took a step toward Lock who was standing his ground with his fists clenched. “You stupid bastard. If you think—”
“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!” Kat couldn’t take any more. She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, trying to hold back the tears as their negative emotions filled her to overflowing. More than anything she couldn’t stand it when they fought, when they hated each other out loud like that. Next they’ll be throwing things or Dad will hit Mom… No! She took a deep breath. They’re not Mom and Dad. They’re Deep and Lock. Get hold of yourself, Kat. Suck it up and deal.
She opened her eyes to see both of them staring at her with concerned looks on their faces.
“My lady?” Lock asked tentatively. “Are you all right?”
“Fine, I’m sorry.” Kat ran a trembling hand through her hair. “It’s just…you two shouldn’t be fighting. Especially not over me.”
“Are you saying you’re not worth it?” Deep gave her a penetrating glance. “Because I would have to disagree.”
“I’m worth it, all right.” Kat raised her chin and glared at him. “But I don’t want it. And I don’t want to come between you and be the reason you two start hating each other.”
“You’re not,” Deep said shortly. “So don’t worry about that.”
“I am,” Kat insisted. “And it’s not right. Twin Kindred aren’t supposed to fight like this, are they?”
Lock looked troubled. “It’s true that we’re supposed to be of one mind on just about everything. We used to be, anyway.”
“Well we’re not of one mind on this,” Deep snapped. “You want to keep the soul bond and I don’t. So let’s just do this and get it over with.” He pointed to the flat black screen which had scanned his handprint. “Go on.”
Lock folded his arms over his broad chest. “I won’t.”
“Well, I will.” Kat stepped forward and slapped her palm down on the scanner. There was a low humming sound and her hand was briefly outlined by a brilliant white light. “There,” she said, stepping back when the process was complete. “I’m sorry, Lock,” she said softly, seeing the agonized look on the light twin’s face. “But I’m not going to stay with a man who doesn’t want me and since you two are a package deal…”
“I understand.” Nodding slowly, Lock pressed his palm to the scanner as well. Then he stood back and looked at Deep with real hatred in his brown eyes. “Now what, Brother?”
Deep took a deep breath and a look passed over his dark features too quickly for Kat to read. Remorse? Grief? Whatever it was, it was there and gone again, leaving his face perfectly blank. She tried to read his emotions but all she got was a storm cloud of negativity—too thick and black to penetrate or understand.
“Now,” he said. “We need to—”
“What you need to do is turn around slowly and keep your hands where I can see them.”
The deep voice behind them startled them all. Kat’s heart began to pound when she turned her head to see a huge male with glowing red-on-black eyes pointing some kind of weapon at them. He looked horribly familiar and suddenly Kat realized where she’d seen him before. That’s the one, she thought numbly, staring at him. The Scourge who kidnapped Sophie and was going to kill her. Oh my God, what is he doing here?
“Guys?” she whispered as Deep and Lock turned around as well.