Page 153 of Galaxy Circus Act One

“Well, while you’re doing that, how about Xavier and I help Saxon move into our quarters?” Caspian suggests behind me, and I watch as Saxon blinks, kind of bewildered, before gracing us with that blinding smile again.

Fucking swoon. I feel Cas suck in a breath behind me, and I chuckle. See? I am not the only one affected. Even Xavier, who peeled back his mist once everyone left, looks a little dazzled, but he and Saxon have a history that I’m just dying to hear more about.

“Would you like that?” I ask Saxon, not wanting to assume anything. I can’t imagine he’s going to be happy leaving his clan, but he grabs my hand, easing my doubt. Caspian reluctantly releases it so Saxon can lift it to his mouth and place a kiss on top.

“Nothing would make me happier. I will inform my clan of my intentions to leave. The Lila Adams clan will now be my family, and I couldn’t be happier. We may need to mediate the dissolution though. Radella and Estrella are not going to make it easy, but Xenos can facilitate that.” Saxon shrugs like it’s no big deal, but my happiness dims a little at the challenge.

“Right, let us know if they cause any problems for you. Now, what did you find out about that damn nurse?” Eric asks.

“I may be able to shed some light on that situation.” A voice at the doorway has us all turning to find Maxsim and Echo, the lightning cats, standing there. Had they been lurking at the door, waiting for the opportunity to interject?

“Did you find more information after we left?” Xavier asks, gesturing for them to join us. I watch as the two cats cross the room. They have this graceful, predatory way of moving that is downright hypnotic, and their feline features, fur, and tail make them sexy as fuck.

“Yes, unfortunately I need to report that Natalia was indeed helping him. I believe it was in return for sexual favors.”

Cyborg? Natalia? Sexual favors? What the fricky frack am I missing?

Also… gross. Just gross.

“Ah, yes, there’s still some information you don’t know. Maybe Xavier can get us up to speed,” William suggests. I must have said that out loud. The temptation to face-palm myself is real, but I am far too curious to let my slight embarrassment get the best of me.

Xavier proceeds to tell Saxon and me exactly what happened to set our blood rose bonding in motion, and by the time he’s finished, I practically have steam coming out of my ears, and I can see Saxon isn’t much happier.

Those scheming motherfucking D-bags.

“Where are those bitches? Let me get my hands on them.” I struggle to get out of Caspian’s embrace, but his tentacles hold me tight. “Saxon, I must rely on you to avenge me,” I cry dramatically when I’m unable to free myself, and the room falls silent before everyone bursts into laughter, including my Vilaxian hubby.Damn traitors.

“Well, I removed Lexus’s and Nambra’s powers, and they will be shunned, and Elyan is a pile of ash on the floor of my harems’ quarters now. I’m assuming since they were all here at the meeting, no one has had time to clean her up.”

“And the cyborg?” I ask, arching an eyebrow at Xavier. I hope he met a similar fate as Elyan.

“Dead,” Caspian rumbles behind me, and Saxon pouts before nodding his approval.

“Well, okay then.” I settle down, slightly mollified by their response.

“And we will personally return Natalia to Iceen. I think it’s time I give our support for a new elected matriarchal family.” William nods at Maxsim. “I would like to nominate your motheras the new candidate. It’s time for a change. Iceen has been stagnating with that family for years.”

Maxsim bows his head. “I will let my mother know you will support her challenge. She, too, is ready for change, and I know that the other top four families will support her as well.”

Echo has been quiet all this time, hiding behind Maxsim. I’m having trouble looking anywhere else but at both of them. They are so exotic and sexy. I desperately want to reach out and run my hand through their fur to see if they will purr for me—especially Echo. There’s something about him that draws me to him, a vulnerability of sorts. I just want to wrap him up in blankets and smother him with snuggles… and maybe my breasts. Or both. Definitely both.

Eric claps his hands, and I jolt out of my daydream. “Well then. Natalia can join our soon to be detainee in the brig for the return journey. Can I leave it up to you to retrieve her for us since she never attended the meeting?” He looks from the two cats to Saxon and Xavier, and all four of them appear almost feral with excitement as they agree.

“What about the twins’ involvement?” Xavier asks my grandpas. “Unfortunately, I can’t find any video footage showing that they were responsible for Viggy being on Earth. The transport operator is showing a blank space in his mind, but I have no idea how, or who, would be capable of such a thing.” I can hear the disappointment in my warlock’s tone, and I feel disappointed along with him. Those two have been nothing but a pain in the ass since I arrived.

“What about compulsion? Some of my clan have those capabilities,” Saxon suggests, and Xavier rubs a hand across his chin in thought.

“Maybe. I would have thought I would be able to sensesomethingor tell the difference, but maybe not.”

“What are we going to do about them? Even though we may not have proof of them releasing Viggy, we still have them on the security footage with the others, right?” Link asks, and William and Eric exchange a glance.

“Nothing for now. We will continue to monitor them, and they will eventually mess up.” William stands, brushing off his hands and effectively ending that conversation. I’m slightly annoyed, but I guess they have more pressing problems on their hands. “Right then. We need to retrieve the circus pod, so Caspian, while Link is checking over Lila, can you ask Magenta to help you put out the holo emitters and get the takeoff procedure started? It will be a mostly empty ship, since only the flight deck crew headed back to the circus pod once the meeting was finished.”

Eric also stands up, joining William, and it’s like a cue for everyone to start moving.

“As soon as Link is done, Lila and I will go to Area 51. It shouldn’t take long unless Agent Smith is in one of his moods, but then we should be ready to leave Earth’s orbit and set a course for Celestia.”

My stomach lurches. This is it, we’re finally heading farther into space. It’s equally terrifying and exciting at the same time, but first things first—Area 51. I’m so excited I could squeal, but I won’t.Be cool, Lila, be cool.