Page 111 of Shielded in the Shadows

Goosebumps erupted all over my body.

The only person who’d ever called me Kee was Calla when we were little, before we’d been sold and separated. And I’d all but forgotten her nickname for me.

Jarrix’s arm tightened around my middle. “Why don’t Vos and I prepare an evening meal while you and your sister talk?” He glanced at Vos. “If our hosts don’t mind?”

“I do not mind,” Vos said. “I very much enjoy cooking and welcome your assistance.”

“He does enjoy cooking,” Calla said, managing a small smile. She kissed her mate’s jaw and he smiled at her, revealing sharp, pointed teeth. She winked at me. “He’s been cooking for me from the moment we met.”

“Jarrix tried to cook for me,” I admitted. “But I didn’t let him.”

“She made it a rule aboard her ship,” Jarrix confirmed. “Ground rule number one, in fact. ‘The captain cooks for herself.’” He nuzzled my temple. “It has since ceased to be enforced.”

“It was the dumplings,” I muttered.

Calla perked up. “Dumplings?”

“Perhaps your sister’s mate will share his recipe.” Vos gave Calla a quick kiss and used his tentacles to put her on her feet. “You and Keela should talk privately in our room while Jarrix and I cook. We will call you when the meal is ready.”

“What about—?” I began, and then realized Zwee was snoring softly in the nest next to Poe, who’d retreated inside her shell to sleep. “Never mind,” I finished. “It looks like they’re fine.”

“Come with me, Kee,” Calla said. She took my hand, tugged me out of Jarrix’s lap, and herded me down the hall toward the back of the capsule home. “Our bedroom would be fine, but I have an even better idea for where we can talk.”

CHAPTER 27

JARRIX

Our mates were in the gigantic bathtub wearing what Calla called swim suits.

And they were laughing.

Vos leaned against the counter while his tentacles gathered the necessary ingredients to make a savory broth. “I have not heard my mate laugh like that before,” he said quietly, though there was no chance we would be overheard with the bathroom door closed.

“I haven’t either,” I said.

We exchanged a look of unspoken understanding.

It was surprisingly brotherly feeling, given before today I wouldn’t have thought a retired Silent Guard assassin could feel such sentiment. Every Guard I’d ever encountered had been cold and emotionless in the extreme. Their cruel training and isolated, dangerous lives made them nearly robotic.

But Vos’s love and devotion to Calla was as real and obvious as my feelings for my own mate, so perhaps our shared moment wasn’t so unexpected.

“How did you meet Calla?” I asked as I mixed the dumpling dough.

He gazed out the kitchen window toward the swamp. “In a very similar way to how you encountered Keela. My Calla crashed into the ocean not far from here. I happened to be swimming nearby that night and witnessed her ship being salvaged by the raiders who lived at the base where you landed today.” His hands flexed and his tentacles vibrated as if he was reliving the memory. “They took her, either intending to ransom her or use her for their pleasure before she died.”

“Despicable,” I growled. “I hope they are dead.”

He flashed his pointed teeth. “Very.”

“Good.” This was a male after my own hearts. “Is that why the base is in ruins?” I asked.

Vos chuckled. “No, that was their own doing.” He set a pot on the cooking surface with more force than was necessary and hissed. “It was at those ruins that N’vera encountered my Calla and me.”

He looked at me, his gaze hard. “I know letting them leave alive led Keela to us and reunited her with her sister. I am happy when my mate is happy. But I cannot help but wish I had killed all the Kurutans that day. If this N’vera knew where my Calla is, perhaps others in their group do too.”

“I understand,” I said, and I did. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep Keela safe. Quietly, I added, “Though perhaps we do not voice this opinion to our mates.”

He returned his dark gaze to the window and the rain. “Perhaps not.”