New Book 13 Excerpt

Chapter Six
I Thought You Knew


1
“Can we hurry?”
Angela frowned at Kendle. They were already running through the hall. “Go on. It’ll cover my arrival.”
Kendle took off without worrying over Angela’s safety. She has more power than anyone else here. She’s covered.
Angela watched Kendle run to help a friend with their recharge, then she ducked into the privacy of the bathroom. She only had a few minutes left until Marc got to her cabin.
“I’m on the last bag.” Charlie kept going by the bathroom.
“See you later!”
Charlie grinned. “Yes, you will.” They were going to play chess again. Then he and Tracy were meeting in the mess to go over wedding plans with Candy. He’d had a good day.
Angela enjoyed Charlie’s happiness. Playing Santa was fun.
Angela flipped on the light and splashed her face with water from the faucet. She dried, watching her skin in the mirror. The power underneath had been fighting for release during her workout. The training had helped her, but not enough.
May I visit you soon?
Angela nodded into the mirror even though it wasn’t a doorway. She knew he was watching. “I’d like to bring a friend.”
“As you wish. Call me.”
Angela snickered at a private joke.
The King left her as footsteps sounded in the hall.
Angela climbed into the supply cabinet. She shut it just as the bathroom door opened.
“Who keeps leaving these lights on?!” Zack paused. “Well, while I’m here.” He spotted the empty toilet paper holder and rotated to the cabinet.
He opened the door.
Angela smiled at him. “Hello.”
“Oh, shit!” Zack stared at her, hand over his thumping heart.
Angela stared back. “Did you need something?”
 “Toilet paper.” He grimaced. “I just shit myself.”
Angela handed him a roll.
Zack took it, questions forming.
Angela tugged the cabinet shut.
Zack stared. “...can I help you with something?”
“No; thanks.”
Zack waited for her to speak again. When she didn’t, he looked at the toilet paper, then the empty stall. He put the paper on the roller, then went back to the cabinet. He opened it.
“Where did she go?”
He glanced around but nothing moved, not even the door. Is she gone?
Zack reached out and swiped inside the closet to make sure.
Angela slapped his hand.
Zack staggered back. “Why?!”
Angela shut the cabinet door again.
Zack heard footsteps run by. “Is that your shadow?”
“Shh...”
Zack heard the steps slow and realized he was blowing the cover of a very well-hidden Eagle. He went to the sink to wash his hands.
Ian opened the door. “Anyone in here?”
Zack snorted.
Ian swept the small room, nodded to Zack, and left.
Zack shook his head. “Rookies never catch the tone of a snort.” He dried his hands. “Did you ditch him?”
“Nope.”
“Who’s he looking for?”
“No one--just clearing the ship for Marc.” Angela emerged from the cabinet, thrilled with her experiment. The ship liked games. It had covered her presence. “Thank you for helping me with Cathy.”
Zack frowned at her in the mirror. “Yeah, what’s her deal?”
“She’s trying to live a little before she dies.”
Zack grunted. “Cancer too?”
Angela nodded, joining him at the sink. “Zack?”
He turned to her, not liking the tone. “Yes, Boss?”
She locked eyes with him. “Are you an Invisible?”
 
 
2
“Coming in.” Kendle didn’t wait for an answer. She slid between Morgan and Kenn, ignoring Marc.
Tommy glared at her. “Why are you here?”
Kendle sat on his cot, then forced herself to crawl onto his body and hug him. She was terrified of being rejected. “I had to come.”
Tommy let her stay. “But I don’t need her here.”
Marc was proud of Kendle and dismayed by a brief flare of jealousy. He motioned at Kenn. “You connect us this time. Morgan will do it for the last two sets.”
Both men liked getting in the practice.
Kenn connected them easily. “Let the flow even out; then we’ll give you energy hard and fast.”
Marc smiled at Tommy. “You’re getting special treatment because I need you.”
Tommy didn’t ask what for; he was just glad to hear those words from anyone, and with Kendle lying on his chest, the chaotic mind he’d been fighting since waking in the infirmary started to settle down.
“I’ll stay overnight if you like. I’m off duty until dawn.” Kendle waited, braced for pain.
“What about Quinn?” Tommy couldn’t handle any drama.
“He’ll whine for a minute, then be glad he knows where I am while he works and sleeps.”
Tommy sighed, enjoying her warmth too much to refuse. “This doesn’t change anything.”
Marc cleared his throat. “Yes, it does, but you can talk about it later.” He waved.
All three rechargers hit Tommy with a strong wave of energy.
Tommy’s normal human body should have filled up in seconds.
Nothing happened.
Tommy waited for pain.
Marc increased the strength, but there was no reaction. He let go, breaking the connection.
Kenn stared at Tommy. “What was that?”
Kendle sighed. “Me. I think I blocked it.”
“You didn’t know you’d have to be open too.” Tommy understood. “I’ll be okay. Just stay.”
Kendle nodded, letting go of the block.
Marc and the rechargers connected.
Tommy arched at the first contact. His energy banks refilled in seconds.
Marc kept going, following Angela’s suggestion.
Kenn and Morgan also kept going, but they watched for Marc’s call to stop.
Tommy screamed.
Kendle’s arms tightened on him. “Just a little more...”
Tommy bit his lip to hold in the shouts.
Kendle shuddered. “Stop now.”
Marc kept going.
Tommy’s scream ripped through the halls.
Kendle rose, eyes glowing. “That’s enough.”
Marc stopped. She cares for him. Interesting. Angela was right again.
Morgan lifted a brow.
Marc stared at Kendle. “He’ll figure it out in about thirty seconds after we connect you to help him.”
Kendle buried her head against Tommy’s wide chest. “He already hates me. What’s one more layer if it saves him some pain?”
Tommy was already fighting the fire. “Tell me.”
“She wants to use Wade’s...method of suppression.”
Tommy’s body went rigid under her.
Kendle held on tighter as Marc headed for the door. She refused to move when Tommy cramped up and tried to push her away.
Marc held the door for Kenn and Morgan. “Can I give you a word of advice, Eagle?”
Tommy grunted. “I’m listening.”
“Love her when she wants it and find a distraction when she’s busy. No man on this ship can get her full attention; be happy with what she wants to give.” Marc shut the door, not saying the rest of that. They all knew who she wanted to, and who didn’t want her. Keeping her occupied was a favor to Marc.
Marc spotted Zack coming down the hallway, with Angela on his back. “What the hell?!” He stomped to her cabin and opened the door.
Tonya jerked awake. She spotted Zack and Angela, and rolled her eyes. “I only dozed off for a minute!”
Angela laughed, holding up a roll from the mess. “I wanted a snack.”
Marc chuckled, anger gone. She’d been with Zack; it was okay.