CassaFire (31 page)

Incoming wounded!
he announced, broadcasting his thoughts to every open mind on the Rennather.

Pulling back on the throttle, Byron threw the engines into reverse. The Cosbolt’s runners touched with a rough jolt as he landed the ship. The heavy fighter’s momentum carried it to far side of the bay and he brought it to a rest moments before striking the far wall.

Officer Byron!
the commander exclaimed, his thought loud in Byron’s head.

I need medical personnel in the hanger immediately! Athee’s mind isn’t responding.

He continued trying to reach her as the Cosbolt was pulled through the double doors. The computer confirmed she was still alive, but her mind resembled an empty void. The thought of losing Athee cut deep into his soul, causing a wave of panic in Byron. Heart pounding in his chest, he removed his helmet and gloves and waited with growing impatience as the Cosbolt was towed into the hanger.

Unfastening his harness, he opened the canopy before the ship even came to a halt. Pulling himself upright, Byron realized the hanger crew was still scrambling to locate a platform tall enough to accommodate the Cosbolt. Unwilling to wait for an exterior foothold, he threw his torso across the divide between navigator and pilot. His hands grasped Athee’s limp body as it lay crumpled in the seat.

“
Athee!” he called, shaking the woman.

When she did not respond, he pried the helmet from her head and tossed it across the hanger. Adjusting her body’s position, he rested her head against the back of the seat. Wrapping his hand around her neck, Byron felt her weak but persistent pulse. However, her mind displayed no signs of life.

Ripping off one of her gloves, he grasped the woman’s hand. “Athee, come on. Wake up. You’ve got to wake up.”

His mind projected his words as well, desperate to reach Athee. If she’d merely passed out from the experience, her brain would still be active. She couldn’t answer, but he’d still be able to touch her mind. He probed deep into her thoughts, desperate to discover any indication of life within the woman.

Byron couldn’t detect any brainwaves, though. No thoughts stirred in her head. Her mind was empty.

Pulling his body closer, Byron pressed the side of his head against hers. “Athee, please answer me,” he gasped, squeezing her hand. “Please wake up. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

Feeling tears come to his eyes, he squeezed them shut. The ache of loss gripped his heart, and he uttered a soft sob. She was gone.

Athee…

He pressed his cheek against hers, fighting the agony that threatened to consume him. Damn it, I can’t do this again, he thought. I can’t live without her…

Something stirred within Athee’s mind. Byron grasped at the sensation, abandoning all inhibition. The ripple grew in intensity, and he clung to the thoughts as they strengthened. Suddenly, Athee’s mind exploded back to life. Byron uttered a tearful cry of joy.

Athee, wake up now,
he thought, leaning away to view her face. Byron adjusted his hold on her neck and gave her hand a gentle shake.
Come on, wake up.

Her eyelids fluttered and he sensed she was regaining consciousness at last. Uttering a gasp, Athee opened her eyes. Byron greeted her with a relieved gasp of his own.

Welcome back,
he thought, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Her brows came together.
What happened?
she thought, her mental voice hovering above a whisper.

The scanner knocked you out. I couldn’t even hear your mind.

Did it work?

I don’t know.
Byron pressed his forehead against hers.
I’m just relieved you’re still with me.

A loud noise caught his attention. Byron discovered a platform resting against the fighter. Medical personnel scurried up the ladder, arms pumping in frantic strokes. The lead man reached them and knelt down to examine Athee.

“
She’s awake now,” Byron announced, the words cascading relief down his back.

The officer checked her eyes and nodded. “We need to get her to medical for a full evaluation,” he cautioned, reaching for her other hand.

“
No!” said Byron. He leapt from the cockpit, his torso sliding off the divide. “I’ll get her.”

Removing her other glove, he assisted Athee to her feet. She all but fell out of the cockpit, but he caught her in time. Securing his hold, Byron scooped her up in his arms. She managed to place her arms around his neck, her body limp. The medical officers stood aside as he descended the stairs with care to the hanger floor.

She felt good in his arms. Drawing strength from the sensation, Byron held her even closer. He refused to set her on the gurney and announced he would carry Athee to medical. The two officers protested, but he kept moving toward the exit. The hanger boasted a larger-than-normal amount of personnel. Byron didn’t slow his pace to take stock of the onlookers. His only concern was Athee’s well-being.

Byron stayed with her while the medical officers performed numerous tests. Her mind registered on every level and appeared fully functional. Other than exhaustion, Athee had sustained no permanent damage. Relieved by the news, he suggested she sleep for a while.

I’ll be right here when you awaken,
he thought when she opened her mouth to protest.
I promise.

Athee smiled at him and Byron squeezed her hand. She adjusted her head’s position on the pillow, burrowing even further into the medical bed. She drifted into unconsciousness, her mind slipping into sleep mode. Her thoughts stopped projecting and fell to a soft murmur. Exhaling a deep breath, Byron allowed his muscles to relax. At least this time, Athee would awaken.

And I’m not losing contact with you ever again, he thought, his hands wrapped around her petite fingers.

Chapter Seventeen

Her body slowly roused. She wasn’t yet ready to leave the comforts of sleep. Wrinkling her nose, Athee buried her face further into the pillow.

As her mind grew alert, she became aware of her surroundings. Subtle background noises reached her ears. A deep hum vibrated in her chest and an assortment of strange smells assaulted her nose. However, it was the presence in her head that snapped Athee out of slumber. Grasping her pillow, her eyes flew open.

Byron’s wry grin greeted Athee. Still clad in his flight suit, the pilot rested on a stool beside her bed. He reached for her hand and gently untwined her fingers from their death grasp on the pillow. He didn’t speak, but his comforting thoughts drifted through her mind.

How long have I been asleep?
she thought, enjoying the sensation of his hand curled around her own.

Not long. Maybe an hour?

Wiggling her other hand free from the covers, Athee grasped his fingers. Byron leaned closer and enclosed her hands within his, thumbs rubbing her skin in a slow, rhythmic motion. His mental shields were absent and she was surprised by the level of affection residing within his mind. Drawing strength from his tender thoughts, Athee sought to quiet the one concern nagging at her heart.

What about the alien ship?

His smile grew.
It’s currently on its way into deep space.

The good news brightened her spirits, but something tugged at her thoughts. Athee struggled to focus on the wisps of information and images fluttering in her mind.

What’s wrong?
Byron thought, his grip on her hands growing tighter.

I’m trying to remember,
she thought, grasping at the reflections in her head. It was like recalling a hazy dream. Anxiety began to churn in her stomach.
When that ship scanned me, I caught a glimpse of the beings who sent that ship.

What did you see?

It wasn’t so much a visual image as just a sense of purpose. Mevine was right. That ship was seeking proficiency of mental powers. We were an experiment. That alien race was trying to confirm our proper development. And if the ship hadn’t scanned me, if the appropriate level wasn’t discovered near the site…

But it did scan you,
Byron thought, reassurance flowing from his mind.

My people could’ve been wiped out!

Byron lifted a hand and placed it alongside her cheek.
But they weren’t.

Athee stared at him, trying to process his words. Byron’s thoughts were calming and a smile tugged at his lips. It dawned on Athee her worries carried no merit now. The ship was no longer a threat. Releasing all apprehension, she allowed her muscles to relax. Her people were safe, and that was all that mattered.

Athee pulled herself into an upright position. Byron adjusted the pillow at her back and grasped her hand once more. She grinned, feeling triumphant.

We did it,
she thought.

Byron opened his mouth as if to protest that statement. He nodded instead.
Yes, we did it.

She sensed more stirring in his thoughts and cocked her head. Byron’s chin dropped and he stared at her hand.

I thought I’d lost you.

His words were tinged with anxiety, an emotion rarely exhibited by the stoic pilot. Disturbed by his distraught feelings, Athee squeezed his hand. She’d feared death, but for reasons beyond the confirmation of her own mortality. Dying meant she would leave unresolved feelings behind. Athee craved validation of the words she longed to utter. She’d almost lost the chance to say them. If she didn’t speak now…

Byron, I love you.

Lifting his chin, Byron fixed her with a penetrating stare.
I love you,
he thought, his words causing her fingers to tighten their grip in response
. And I’m not about to risk losing you again.

Leaning closer, he grasped her head and planted his lips on her forehead. The accompanying thoughts of genuine affection filled her senses. No longer inhibited, Athee allowed her own feelings to flow freely into his mind. Byron leaned away, his eyes closed and a faint smile on his lips. Byron’s fingers stroked her hair, his touch full of purpose. Opening his eyes, he met her gaze.

I know I’m not an easy man to get along with,
he thought.
And I’ll not deny I value my privacy. I’ve existed in survival mode for most of my life, but I’m tired of it. I’d like to enjoy life. The only way I can do that is with you.

Athee’s heart beat faster. To hear Byron confess that he shared her desires overwhelmed her senses. She wanted nothing more than to spend her days in his presence. She had ached for a sign from this aloof Cassan for so long, anything that indicated he cared, and now Athee was enjoying a full declaration of adoration. Unable to contain herself, she smiled as tears came to her eyes.

Byron…
she thought, trying to formulate an appropriate response.

His expression grew even more serious.
Athee, I want you to be my mate.

Jolted by his unexpected words, Athee’s mouth fell open. Abandoning all pretext of restraint, she leaned forward and threw her arms around his neck. His hands pressed against her back and she delighted in the sensation. Byron’s physical touch was accompanied by an open connection with her mind stronger than their moments together in flight. Athee didn’t fully understand bonding, but if it meant his thoughts would always be available, she relished the idea. At last, she’d gain some insight into this reserved, but genuine man.

A sound reached her ears and Byron pulled away. A medical officer had entered the room to check on Athee. She responded to his questions in a polite manner. However, the interruption annoyed her. Couldn’t this have waited just five more minutes?

Don’t worry. We’ve plenty of time ahead of us.

Pleased with that thought, her muscles relaxed.

Informing Athee she’d be discharged soon, the man departed. As he stepped out of the room, she noticed someone in the hallway. The person appeared to be hiding behind the doorframe, afraid to enter. She glanced at Byron and he winked.

“
Mevine, I said you could enter!” he called.

The young man stepped into view, his shoulders down, and he peered anxiously into the room. Byron gestured him forward. Mevine took a few timid steps toward the bed.

“
I…I wanted to be sure you were all right,” he stammered. His balled fists moved with a nervous quiver at his sides.

Athee smiled to quiet his fears. “I’m fine.”

“
No permanent damage,” Byron added, resting his hand across hers. “Technician even said she can leave medical soon.”

Mevine’s expression was one of relief. “That’s good news.”

He shuffled his feet and glanced down. His troubled thoughts, straightforward and unshielded, tugged at her heart. Athee waited for Byron’s friend to compose himself. Mevine’s brows came together and his shoulders drooped further.

“
Officer Byron, Athee, I am really sorry I put you in such a dangerous situation. I was just so sure of my calculations that I didn’t stop to think that you might get hurt or even die. I just wanted to apologize...”

“
Mevine!” said Athee, exasperated by his self-defamation. “You saved my people.”

He paused, mouth ajar. Brows coming together, the young man shook his head. “You’re the one who took the risk. I didn’t do anything…”