Page 43 of Bikar

Murgul, bless him, reaches out and pulls me in front of him, smooshing me next to a visibly alarmed Gwen. “Bambi, is Bikar the one doing all of this?”

Swallowing my nerves, I make an educated guess and go with it. “Yeah, he is. Bikar is… different in his… modifications. The ones the Aynar forced on him.”

That should answer her question without revealing things Bikar doesn’t want anyone besides me to know.

I hear a whoosh from behind before a gust of air hits us all in the back, knocking me forward a couple of steps before Murgul drags me back next to Gwen. Whipping around to look past the bulk of Murgul’s body, I see the Zenith lifting off.

By itself.

Bikar’s piloting it with nothing but his mind, showing the full scope of what he’s capable. Rowan and Ruby are probably terrified out of their minds right now.

Slavic does his best to get Bikar’s attention, bellowing over the sound of the engine. “Bikar, get your shet together. Turn the weapons system off!”

Gwen’s eyes are bugged out of her head, and I know my face looks the same. The lights are on, but nobody is home right nowinside Bikar’s mind because he’s got every weapon on the Zenith red hot activated, and they’re all pointed at Vornek.

Vornek must have balls of steel because he hasn’t attempted to take cover. He’s tucked Myev and Lurtza behind him and is waiting for Bikar to do… something. Booted feet are braced apart, knees slightly bent to withstand the wind coming off the Zenith, and his massive arms are folded across his chest. What’s moderately alarming is he looks… bored.

Like Bikar is doing nothing but throwing a small temper tantrum. The man is either crazy or stupid.

Possibly both.

CHAPTER 38

BIKAR

Absently, I acknowledge I am ruining our chances of staying here, but this fracker demeaned not only my mate but our bond as well. He has also been trying to hack my systems since we got here, which solidifies my theory that he was experimented on the same way I was.

He is good; I will give him that.

I am better.

I stop in front of him and cock my head, observing his reactions as I contemplate my next step. “For the sake of your people, cease your infiltration attempts.”

Surprise flares in his pale eyes. “You are aware of that?”

Scoffing, I take a step closer so that our chests touch. “Yes. Your attempts, while passable, are not sufficient enough to escape my notice. Especially since you showed your hand earlier, letting me know of your… talents. Moving forward, mymateis not a topic of conversation you are permitted to discuss, or else I will tear this entire world apart. Consequences be drayt.”

Forcing a data bridge between our minds, I shove a line of code in his head and wait for him to process it. His eyes flare as realization dawns and the information unfolds.

“Understood. You have my apologies for my commentary regarding your mate. It was uncouth of me.”

Eyeing the ongoing destruction around us, he quirks an eyebrow. “I do not suppose you would put the hangar back to its proper operating status?”

Resuming my congenial demeanor, I offer him a friendly smile. “Of course.”

Tics later, all the mayhem has been righted, and I have repaired any items displaying damage.

Lurtza peeks out from around her brother while Myev waits silently beside her. “Have the two of you concluded your male posturing?”

Sketching a jaunty bow to her in affirmation is my only reply. Wordlessly touching my wings together closes the matter completely, and I pivot on my boot heels to face my mate… and brothers. I have not lost my temper like that in many orbital rotations, and I am sure my older brothers are going to have something to say.

Slavic certainty will.

Ruarc too.

Einar will want to run tests.

And Murgul… he will say nothing but will understand with more clarity than the others.