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“Forced,” I murmur. “I was given tolyian.” I must return home for my own supply of suppressant before it gets past the point where I cannot control it. “Jyrion must suspect something between Luca and me. He forced me to take the herb to bring on my rut so I can get the breeding out of the way.”

“But you have a VySytheh. Even in a rut, you would not be able to couple with another,” the other Tarek says.

I offer a wry smile and flick my ears in agreement. “Mm. That may be why he has done this. To prove I am a traitor and to order my death. And Luca’s.”

Rathyn stiffens. “I will kill him first.”

Sabik reaches into his satchel and pulls out a very small, egg-shaped device and hands it to Rathyn. “If you need to escape, use this. A single press of your thumb will bring us to your location.”

Rathyn stares down at it. “What technology is this?”

“Vorthex,” the third Tarek says. He slides his tentacle over Zeial’s shoulder, and Zeial leans back into him. “We have been using it for some time, training with it. It uses portals so it’s not invulnerable, but the Vyastil council does not know about them. They work locally, on Erethar only, but they have been an effective tool.”

I feel some measure of relief as I slip it into my tunic pocket. Another rush of burning heat, and this time coupled with need, begins to build at the base of my tail. I close my eyes and reach for Luca.

I need you.

I’m here. What’s wrong?

I’m coming home soon. Are you alone?

Yes.

When I open my eyes, all three Tarek are staring at me. “I was communicating with my VySytheh.” It feels strange and freeing to admit this aloud in a room where neither Luca nor I are at risk. “I must take my leave now.”

“We will be in contact soon,” Sabik says. “But should anything happen between now and our next meeting, use the borelian.” He gestures at my pocket.

“Thank you.” I turn to Rathyn and step close so I can press my forehead to his. “I need you to find somewhere safe for Everest to be, and then head to my office, but be ready to portal to Luca. Jyrion said he will be sending guards for me to take me to the breeding grounds. I will not go quietly, but I cannot let them take Luca. And if they do⁠—”

“I will save him,” Rathyn swears. “I have an unauthorized portal key. I will use it to bring him and you back to Earth.”

“Him,” I insist. “If you cannot get to us both.”

Rathyn’s eyes flash, and his ears flick in irritation, but after a long moment, he nods. He must know that he would ask the same if it came to him and Everest. “Yes.”

“If you can do that without alerting Jyrion that you are aligned with me, I beg you to do it,” I go on. “If I am compromised, I need you to take my place.”

Rathyn looks torn, but after a short while, he steps back and nods again. “I will.”

My relief is enough to eclipse my oncoming rut, but only for a moment. The need, the want, the feral desire for my VySytheh is starting to overwhelm me. “I must go.” My voice is thready and weak. “Be safe. All of you.”

I don’t wait for them to answer. Turning on my heel, I dig my claws into the cave floor, and then I start to run as fast as I am able. I must get to my Luca. I must stop this before it destroys everything I have worked for.

thirty-three

LUCA

Eissa is a different color when he appears in the doorway of the house, his skin fluttering, his tail coiled so tightly around him that he looks like he may be split in two.

‘What is it? What happened?’ I ask as I rush toward him.

‘I need the herbs,’ he says, his hands shaking as he signs. ‘The suppression ones.’

My brow furrows. ‘What? Why?’

‘Jyrion. He gave me something, and it has put me into rut early. He wants me to breed. I need the herb so I can…’ He doubles over, and his ears turn down. The sight makes my chest ache.

I don’t like that, the fact that he doesn’t want to rut me. And is it even safe to mix the suppression herbs with what Jyrion gave him? I don’t know.