Darkness Read online

  Darkness scowled. “What does that mean?”

  “Sorry. That’s my bad attempt at humor.”

  “It wasn’t funny!” he roared.

  Kat started.

  Darkness panted, backing away. “You rest.” He didn’t yell that time but he still looked enraged. “And don’t mention the boy to anyone. You shouldn’t have seen him.”

  “I signed the confidentiality agreement. He’s cute. He won’t get into trouble, will he? I swear I won’t tell anyone about him.”

  “He better not have gone to Missy’s room. I need to check. It would make her a security risk.”

  “She’d rather die than put a child in danger. I know her as well as myself. She’s my best friend. Don’t threaten her, Darkness. Just explain the situation or I will if Salvation paid her a visit. She’ll keep it a secret.”

  “Stay in bed and allow your body more time to heal.”

  He spun, unlocked the door and was gone. Kat leaned back on the bed. “Shit.” She’d nearly died. Darkness had saved her life. All those facts were sinking in. He was also trying to pick fights with her.

  So much for our clean break. She was right back at Homeland. If she believed in signs, it would be a flashing neon one. She and Darkness weren’t done. Not by a long shot. And I’m not sorry about it. I just think he is.

  Darkness located Fury and Salvation down the hallway. He approached. Fury whispered to the boy, chastising him about his behavior. He was on the floor, on his knees at the boy’s level. Darkness caught the end of their conversation.

  “That’s why you can’t roam, Sal. That human knew about our children but what if she didn’t? You’re too young to understand but we have enemies. You need to trust me. I’m your dad.”

  “Sorry.” Salvation appeared contrite.

  Fury ruffled his hair and pulled him into his arms. “You just need to be more careful.”

  Darkness halted a few feet from them. “Did he visit Missy too?”

  Fury looked up and shook his head. “No. Just Kat. How did she take it?”

  “She thinks he’s a baby.”

  Fury grinned. “Ellie does as well.”

  “I’m no baby.” Sal growled, showing his fangs.

  Darkness bent. “Then follow orders and don’t go against your father’s rules. Adults know boundaries.”

  Sal leaned heavily against his father, a little fear flashing in his eyes. “I’m not an adult. I’m a young male.”

  Fury hugged the boy to his chest and rose to stand with his son in his arms. “Is this going to be a problem?”

  “Kat won’t say anything about Sal. She understands why Species children need to remain secret.”

  “Good. How is she?”

  “Much better but weak.”

  “It’s to be expected. Trisha and Alli have gone home to their mates. Treadmont wanted to be informed when she woke.”

  “Why?”

  “To check on his patient. He is the only doctor on duty right now.”

  “She’s well.”

  “There’s no neurological damage?”

  “She’s a little,” he searched for an appropriate word, “mellow, but I think it’s from the sedative.”

  “Ted can determine that better than you.”

  “She’s fine. She’s just not as focused as normal. There’s no slur to her speech, no loss of mobility in her limbs and her memory is intact. Those were the things they said to watch out for. Tell him to avoid her room.”

  “Why don’t you want Treadmont to see her? He’s a good doctor.”

  “He wanted to take her off the healing drugs.”

  “Okay.” Fury frowned. “Because it’s dangerous for humans.”

  “He was going to leave the choice to Missy.”

  “She is her friend.”

  “It was my choice but he didn’t respect that.”

  Fury’s eyebrows rose. “You’re not her mate. Or are you?”

  “I need to go.”

  “Where? Back to her room?”

  “She needs rest. I have things to do.”

  “What is more important than staying with your female while she’s in Medical?” Fury grinned.

  “Stop that.”

  “What?”

  “Being amused.”

  “She’s yours. Admit it. You usually deny that when I say it.”

  Darkness was irritated. “I’m not playing word games with you. Kat and Missy have no home. I don’t want her working for the FBI any longer. That means they are going to need housing. Kat will work for the NSO. I have arrangements to make.”

  “You’re keeping her.” Fury chuckled. “I’ll have mate papers drawn up. Congratulations.”

  “Don’t make me curse in front of your young.” He darted a glance at Salvation then glared at Fury. “Stay out of my business.”

  “Whatever you say, brother.”

  “Keep your son away from Missy. That would actually be helpful.”

  “But Sal can have free access to Kat?” Fury had the nerve to chuckle again.

  Darkness snarled and stormed out of Medical. Fury was purposely being aggravating. There were details he needed to take care of before Kat and Missy were released. He jogged toward Security, hopeful that a little exercise would release some of his anger.

  He entered and scanned the room, taking note of everyone on duty. He needed to ask a favor and Bluebird seemed the most likely to do it. She had said she wanted to be helpful. He approached her. She turned in her chair, her smile instant.

  “Hello, Darkness.”

  He glanced around and crouched, lowering his voice. “I need a list of all available homes at Homeland.”

  Her eyebrows arched, her surprise evident.

  “In the Species section. Is there anything open?”

  She recovered and turned to face the monitor. Her fingertips flew over the keyboard as she hunted the information he wanted. “Always. Why do you want to know?”

  “Don’t ask questions.”

  She paused, turning her head. “They are usually for mated couples. Did you take one?”

  “No.”

  She swiveled back around. “See the highlighted dots? Take your pick.” She pointed to one. “True and Jeanie are normally in residence at this one though it comes up in search as available because we removed them from the system when we thought the FBI was coming after her.”

  “Which one is the most distanced from others?”

  She gave him the information. “Is it just curiosity or do you want me to mark it as being used?”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Okay.” She frowned. “You no longer wish to live at the men’s dorms? Some males have private homes. You’ll live next to Brass when he’s at Homeland. He’s a single male.”

  He debated giving her an answer, realized she deserved one. “I want more privacy. Recent events have left me irritated with certain males.”

  “You know anyone would have assigned you the house if you’d just asked. Why come to me as if you don’t want anyone to know?”

  He clenched his teeth but calmed. “I can’t do anything without everyone discussing it.”

  “Everyone worries because we care about you.”

  “I’m tired of it. This will allow me to come and go as I wish, without it being commented on.”

  “Understood.”

  “Do they still allow Species-friendly human females to stay in the women’s dorms the way Ellie did?”

  “We don’t need a new house mother but yes, it would be okay for Katrina to stay there if you wish. We’re human-female friendly.”

  “Are there any apartments open?”

  “Always. We are fewer than the males.”

  “Is there anyone willing to give a tour of the dorm?”

  “I can do it.” Bluebird smiled. “I’d like to get to know Katrina better.”

  He scowled. “Thank you. I’ll see when Treadmont is going to release his patient.”

  “Just call me.” She wink