Somber Resplendence

Prologue

ALAND FLASHED into the locker room of the dance studio, Sirius, his best friend and brother-at-arms, near his side. They'd been on the hunt for a group of renegade Constellaziogēn warriors. Men who ignored the rules set in place by their king long ago. The renegades didn't care that they were hurting, stealing and even killing human women. All that mattered to them was finding a mate, someone to sate their needs and spend their seed in with the hopes of reproducing. Whether or not that female was willing and was truly destined to be theirs was secondary. They hunted for women with psychic gifts, born under the same astrological sign as the legion in which the warrior served. Their actions sickened Aland. While he didn't exactly believe humans were the be-all and end-all, he did respect their lives and understand their value to the way of things. They were part of the natural order. A balance needed to keep all realms healthy and happy.

The stench of a renegade was all around them. Tainted power and magik almost always accompanied the ones who had grown too bold, who thought themselves untouchable as did the main one they hunted now.

Xipil.

It was the renegades who still worried about being caught who proved the hardest to track. They bothered to cover their energy signature and looked for new ways to sneak paste the Gatekeepers undetected.

Blinding white light from a portal caused them both to lift their hands to shield their faces. Between the smell, the light and the strumming of power in the air around them, it was evident someone had opened an unauthorized portal. Not only that, they'd done so in a location that did not naturally lend itself to one. The physics of their society were far more advanced than that of humans. Even so, a heavy amount of constellation appreciation, knowledge and magik was required. To open a portal in a spot ill-equipped for one meant the person was desperate. They were unstable at best. While they wouldn't do much in the way of damage to the surrounding area, they weren't something Aland would willingly pass through—not if he wanted to come out the other side totally intact. This lot apparently didn't care about safety.

Catching sight of Sirius, Aland reached out, nudging his friend. "Where's Phoebe?" he asked, concern for his friend's mate first and foremost on his mind.

The sound of a male voice drifted to them. It was coming from the other side of the locker room. "Tell me, Phoebe, when is the last time you visited your sister?"

"What's wrong with Sidney?" Phoebe asked, her voice tight.

Sirius reacted first, rushing in the direction of his mate's voice. Aland followed closely behind. Xipil, the renegade, had betrayed his own kind by trying to take what wasn't rightfully his—a mate. He and others like him had orchestrated abductions all over the area the media was now dubbing the Zodiac Zone. So far, Xipil was the only renegade stupid enough to make another go at Phoebe.

"Nothing," Xipil said. "Other than the fact she foolishly separated herself from you on purpose. With no mate present, and two powerful females in one location, you were like a beacon to us. She sensed this."

Aland and Sirius slowed their pace, using a row of lockers as cover. If Xipil knew they'd arrived, he'd do something rash, like kill Phoebe. Sirius motioned to Aland to move around and flank Xipil from the other side. With a nod, Aland did as instructed, drawing upon his natural-born powers along the way.

"She even managed to keep us at bay," Xipil said, still talking with Phoebe. Aland was confused as to who the "she" of the matter was but he held his questions for a later date. "There is even word that she managed to reach a Gatekeeper, summoning him forth to aid in protecting you."

"What do you want from me?" Phoebe demanded. "You have to realize that I'm not about to run off into the sunset with you, and that my husband will kill you when he gets his hands on you."

Aland slipped into position and let his magik trickle out and through the locker room in search of Sirius. When it found him, he formed a mental link with his long-time friend. It wasn't something that could be done all the time between males who weren't blood related but it was something that could be done in short bursts.

Your mate is in my line of fire, he pushed with his mind. Get her to go to the floor.

Xipil picked that moment to point at the television in the upper corner of the locker room. It sat just above Aland's current hiding place. He stepped into the shadows more to get a better look at what the renegade was doing. The channel on the television changed. An image filled the screen, one Aland knew wasn't being broadcast from anywhere other than Xipil himself. It was something he was determined to show Phoebe.

Three young girls appeared. One he recognized instantly as Phoebe as a child. Another he reasoned to be her cousin Heather. The third was one he'd not yet met but his deductive skills told him it was most likely Sidney, Phoebe's sister— who now resided in a mental ward.

While too young for him, the girl was breathtakingly beautiful. It was easy to see she would grow up to be stunning. Something about her caused an odd pulling sensation to occur behind Aland's navel. He tried to rip his gaze from the image of Sidney, but couldn't.

A dog ran in a circle around the three girls as they played. Sidney bent, helping Phoebe tie her shoes.

"You were destined to be one of us," Xipil said to Phoebe as she too watched the television screen, seeming as captivated as Aland was.

"The others, the Gatekeepers, do not see what we see," Xipil continued. "The resistance knows the truth. You and the others like you, Phoebe, are more than connected to us. You're not human like the others wish to believe. See for yourself."

The image continued to play out on the screen. The girls all had chalk and were drawing upon the sidewalk. Phoebe near her sister, giving instructions on how best to draw symbols human children should know nothing about.

They were symbols meant for travel between the realms. Symbols used by his people.

Sidney glanced at Heather, giving a small sigh. "How long do you think she's going to keep making us draw the same thing?"

Heather laughed. "You don't want to know."

"You're not putting all of them on there again," Phoebe protested, her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. "Why?"

Pushing her long black hair from her face, Sidney stared out from blue eyes, seeming annoyed with the child. "Because you just keep making up new ones so I have to draw more."

"No I don't," Phoebe said. "Lynx is real. It's just not as old as most of them. But it's really up there. It's another gate point. A secret one. Don't tell anyone that it's a gate point too because they'll know I visit and they'll get mad."

Sidney and Heather stared at one another. "What do you mean 'visit'?" Sidney forced a smile to her face as she centered her focus on her sister. "Phoebe, please tell me you're just making up more stories."

"What?" Heather asked, nudging Sidney lightly. "You don't believe her, do you? I mean, no one can…" She seemed to ponder something for a moment, biting at her lower lip before speaking once more, "What if I told you I dreamed about this constellation?"

"Ooo, want to go for real? Here." Putting her tiny arms out in the air, Phoebe began to twirl. Flower petals appeared out of nowhere, floating about the girls' heads. Sidney and Heather raced toward Phoebe.

"Phoebe, stopff" Sidney pleaded. "They'll sense youff They'll come and steal you like Daddy said they would. Stopff"

"But don't you want to see it?" the younger version of Phoebe asked. "It's very pretty. It's like when we go to stay at great-grandma's house. Lots of trees, birds, really big birds. I saw a purple one before. Honest-to-Gods purple."

Renegade warriors filled the screen, converging on the girls. One grabbed Phoebe and the dog bit the warrior's arm, causing him to release the young girl. Sidney and Heather lunged for her, grabbing her and then tumbling into a heap. The renegades continued to come for them.

Pushing her way to the top of the pile, Sidney glared at the men, as if daring them to make another move. They did and when she spoke, it was with the native tongue of his people. Her words, loosely translated, were a call to open a portal to another realm. Aland couldn't look away. Never had he seen any female, let alone a human one, do something such as that.

The renegade warriors were sucked through the portal quickly. A terrified Phoebe clung to her cousin all the while Sidney remained calm and collected. She whispered something softly, again in Aland's native tongue. "Forget that which you have witnessed upon this day. I shall take the memories, the fear and the knowledge of this with me to my death for it is my duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

The words were ones that would be spoken by ancient warriors. They weren't ones said by a human child who was barely in her teens. The image faded to black and Aland almost foolishly revealed his location in hopes of seeing more of Sidney. How dare the renegade drag up memories best left forgotten. How dare he know anything about events that had obviously taken a toll on not only Phoebe but her sister as well—a female Aland felt an unnatural pull toward.

"Do you know what she did for you, Phoebe?" Xipil questioned.

Aland wanted to level the man but Phoebe was still in the way.

"Of course not," Xipil said. "She cast a memory spell on you and Heather. She did it so you could both still sleep at night. Though in doing so, she isolated herself, never able to talk about what had happened, what she knew was going to happen." He took a step toward her. "You see, Phoebe, your sister was well aware we would keep coming for you all. She shouldered that burden on her own to allow you, the baby girl, to live without fear. It drove her mad. You drove her mad."

Phoebe shook her head. "No. I didn't drive Sidney crazy. I didn't. Did I?"

"Come. I can fix her, Phoebe." Xipil extended his hand. "I can make Sidney whole again. All you have to do is agree to come with me. To join me."

Phoebe got down fast. Aland struck without warning, as did Sirius, thrusting their power out and above Phoebe's body. Xipil tumbled backward. A fellow renegade appeared, this one bearing scars on his arms.

Phoebe rose slowly, her attention fixed on the newcomer. Anger radiated off her in powerful waves.

He gave a lecherous smile. "Xipil, she is even more glorious than you said." He took a step toward her and she laughed. "You think me funny, human?"

"Very," Phoebe replied.

The scarred renegade blinked away only to reappear directly in front of Phoebe, blocking Aland's clear shot of him. "I visit your sister often, Phoebe," he said. "Shall I tell you what I do to her while she's strapped down?"

White-hot hate filled Aland. For a moment, the only sound he heard was that of his heart thumping in his ears. He clenched his fists, his power coursing through his veins at the thought of Sidney being hunted by the renegade. All too easily Aland could picture her being tormented by the man.

He snarled, the desire to kill great.

Much to Aland's surprise, Phoebe took matters into her own hands, delivering a wicked kick to the groin. "What have you done to my sister, asshole?"

"Well done, Phoebe," Xipil said, clapping. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to take down a Constellaziogēn even when you are one yourself? I find it nearly impossible to believe one as young as you can do it. Had I not seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it."

The scarred warrior made a move for her again.

Phoebe surprised Aland more by tapping into gifts he wasn't aware she possessed. She locked the scarred warrior in power, holding him in place. He tapped the force-field surrounding him. "I sensed this in you when you were just a child," he said. "I knew. I told the others that you and the other girls were more than just human. I bet you're as sweet to taste as your sister. I bet your—"

Aland roared, his magik breaking free of him. He lost himself in the moment, the primal need to kill the man who had dared to harm Sidney all consuming. He gave in. The room shook as a ball of yellow light shot forth from Aland. It struck the scarred renegade, going through Phoebe's power, circling him, causing pain the likes of which the man had never known before.

Aland walked with purpose out from his position behind the locker, his gaze never leaving the scarred renegade. "What did you do to Sidney?"

"N-nothing. I-I swear," the man said, stumbling over his words. "She doesn't let anyone near her. S-she's powerful."

"You're lyingff" Aland shouted, thrusting additional power at the man. "What the fuck did you do to her? You had no right to look upon her, let alone touch herff No rightff"

Aland's magik continued to do as it pleased. It wanted to exact revenge. So did he.

Doing nothing to stop it, Aland watched through narrowed eyes as a funnel-shaped white portal opened directly behind the enemy. It was not his doing. This portal was forced open by Sirius as he thrust Xipil through it. Aland stared down at the scarred man as he prepared to deliver a killing blow.

Sirius rushed toward him, shaking his head. "Aland, don't do this. Send him to the King's dungeons to await trial. Killing him isn't the answer."

"He hurt Sidney," Aland whispered, pain lancing his chest.

"You know my sister?" Phoebe questioned, sounding surprised.

Sirius grunted, his gaze still on Aland. "You can't help her if you're being held on charges by the King."

His friend was right. Aiding Sidney would be impossible if he was sitting in one of the king's cells. Pulling back on his power slightly, he tapped into Sirius' residual energy, opening another portal. He kicked the scarred warrior through it, waiting until he was sure there could be no hope of rescue before forcing the portal closed at its midpoint.

If Sirius asked, Aland would tell his friend what he'd want to hear—that he'd sent the renegade to a cell in one of the king's dungeons. The truth of the matter was far more grim.

The renegade was dead.

Nothing could survive a portal being terminated in mid-stream. Aland would risk the wrath of his king if it meant Sidney was safe. He turned to stare at the now-blank television screen.

One thought held firm.

She's my mate and she needs me.

The image flickered and this time his magik latched onto it, causing his mind to see the truth of the matter. She was indeed all grown now and alone. For a split second Aland was positive Sidney's soul called to his. He lost his footing and stumbled, catching himself with a hand to the wall. With a ragged breath, he gathered his wits about him and pulled his power back into himself. Soon, he'd make his move. Very, very soon.

Chapter One

ALAND WERNER WALKED through the darkened halls of the hospital, wondering how it was he could have missed Sidney's signal, missed she was so very close to him all these years. Literally within his precinct. He still marveled at how destiny had seemingly laid her out before him. Had Aland not been aiding Sirius, in concerns with his mate Phoebe, he'd have never known Sidney was his, and so very close. Had a renegade warrior from his own race not tipped his hand, revealing he'd been in contact with Sidney, he would have never seen his mate's face frozen on a television screen on a dance studio in the Zodiac Zone. He'd have never known she'd been in danger.

Anger welled inside him once more. A slow, calculated grin slipped over his face as he thought of the painful way in which the renegade had met his death. Aland wanted to summon the man back from the afterlife and torture him for eternity for daring to terrify his mate. Already he chanced too much, tempting the fates by killing the man when he should have sent him forth to be tried in the king's courts. Aland had to keep his nose clean and his power off the radar for a while, just until he was certain no one would notice the death of a renegade. As strict as their king was with traitors, he respected and abided by the rules of the realm, expecting those who served as his head guards and Gatekeepers to do the same.

Aland shook his head, trying to will the thoughts from it. He was too close to finally coming face-to-face with his mate to let anything, even fear of his king, interfere.

How many times had he and his partner driven past this very hospital? How many times had he responded to calls generating from the emergency room on the lowest level? Here she was, under his nose even though she'd seemed so far away. In truth, she'd seemed more like a figment of his imagination or even wishful thinking on his part.

When he was but a boy his father had talked of true mates, women destined for the men of their race from birth. He thought the stories to be just that—fairy tale. He was wrong. He could still see the happiness in his father's eyes as he spoke to Aland of women from Earth who were said to be fated to wed warriors of their kind. It was as if the man knew something of Aland's future that he did not. Like he knew one day Aland would find his slice of happiness among humans. Since the female population in his home realm of Constellaziogēn was low—only one female to every twenty men—he'd always assumed the stories were created to give young warriors hope of one day finding happiness. He never dreamed the fates had aligned and selected that one person to complete him. And his one person was here, locked away from other humans, treated as a second-rate citizen, her rights stripped away, all because she knew too much.

The hospital environment was sterile, smelling heavily of disinfectant and lacking anything noteworthy. No matter where he looked, all Aland found was shades of gray and white. Devoid of color and emotion. He wondered how anyone could survive staring at the same setting, day in and day out. It had to be mind-numbing.

Exactly the way it was intended to be.

The night security guard sat with his feet propped on the counter behind unbreakable glass, watching various screens. The man switched ankles, lifting one and crossing the other. His keys jingled on his side. It was the only noise to be heard.

Aland walked right past him, knowing he would not be seen unless he willed it. Humans were almost too easy to manipulate. They presented next to no challenge for him. Long ago he'd learned the only real threat to the Gates between his realm and the human one came from his own kind. He'd never heard of a human accidently stumbling through one or being able to open a portal at all. Though he had heard of them being dragged through by renegade warriors of his race.

He sighed. Where once portals being opened let off a certain energy signature, the enemy was becoming crafty. Already they'd found ways to shield their activities, hiding their movements between realms.

He let his power trickle out and over the hospital level in search of the woman who had captured his attention—the woman he knew to be his mate. She'd been locked away for years, believed to be insane when all along she was gifted beyond the humans' limited comprehension. She had at least bits of his people's powers. Somewhere in her family history there had to be a Constellaziogēn. Since his kind had been among humans for many centuries, the ancestor could be further back than even Sidney's family could trace. All Aland was sure of was Sidney had been able to draw upon enough power to open a portal when she was just a child. That was saying something.

Aland sensed her there and, for the first time in centuries, a feeling of completion came over him. She was in the room at the end of the corridor. Her signature was unmistakable. It thrummed the air, beckoning him closer. He quickened his pace, the need to see her to freedom too great to dismiss.

As he approached her large metal door, he felt something brush past him, going toward the room. Raw and pure animal lust raced through his veins, seeming to center in his groin, wrenching a moan from him. His cock stood at attention, almost as ready as he to find what had caused such a reaction in him.

Aland stalled, glancing around, positive someone or something had touched him. He found nothing. He wasn't human and his powers were greater than normal while on Earth. For something to make it past him, unseen, it had to be very powerful.

Powerful and able to make my dick hard.

As a Constellaziogēn, an immortal Gatekeeper sent forth hundreds of years ago to guard the portals on Earth, his mission was to protect against unmonitored passage between realms. A task easier said than done since their presence was a closely guarded secret for good reason— their powers, normal in their own realm, were the thing of fantasy on Earth, and there was a risk he and his kind would be revered as gods by humans, or pandemonium would result should the public learn of their presence.

So Aland hid among humans, assuming the same day-to-day lifestyle as they did. His position as a police detective afforded Aland the chance to enforce laws, as he was accustomed to doing, and to receive firsthand information in the event something was to go wrong with the portals, as had been the case recently.

When Aland had seen Sidney's frozen image on that television screen, he'd known deep down who she was to him. At the time, forced to help Sirius protect Phoebe, Aland had struggled between aiding another or going to his mate, locked away from the world in an institution. He'd done what was required of him at the time, but it was time to seek Sidney out and protect her. With the band of renegades broken up, Aland felt secure she was safe from them, but still, risking losing her wasn't an option. If nothing else, he needed to simply be near her, even for a little bit until he could devise a plan to get her released through the proper channels.

He continued down the hall, coming to a stop just outside of the door to her room. Putting his palm to the cool metal, Aland let additional power rise from deep within him, scanning the room. He found her there, lying in the bed. Desperate to finally see her, he utilized his power and walked directly through the door, materializing on the other side. The moment his gaze landed on the tall, slender frame in the bed, Aland froze.

Sidney had sacrificed herself to ensure her baby sister and cousin lived as normal lives as they could considering they were destined to mate with powerful Constellaziogēn warriors—a fact their father apparently was well aware of and had tried to stress upon the girls.

Long, silky black hair hung in waves over the edge of the bed. One pale white shoulder showed and he visually traced a line down the length of her body. She was thin. Thinner than she should be and that only served to infuriate Aland more. He should have sensed her need of him and not left her to rot slowly in a mental institution. He'd never bought into the idea of having a special someone and had been content with sating his baser needs with random woman when his cock required attention. It wasn't until Sidney's presence was made known to him that nature seemed to take its course—demanding he go to her.

She lay perfectly still as he took a step closer. He reached out tentatively, needing to make contact with her. Something struck Aland, knocking him back into the cinder brick wall with a thud. He blinked, shocked he'd not sensed anyone with him, and stared around the room. Other than the female he'd come for, he was completely alone. His cock once again stiffened at the feel of the energy around him.

He felt it then, something brushing past him once more. It headed straight for her and his insides tightened. "Sidney, wake upff"

She didn't stir. Instead, whatever power had passed by him, struck her sleeping body and she jerked. Aland cried out and reached for her, knowing then there was no mistake—he'd sacrifice all for her.

Sidney Fisher came awake with a start, gasping for breath as she sensed one of them near. She rolled out of the bed and onto the floor, ignoring the stab of pain running up her leg from making contact with the linoleum too hard. Her mane of black hair fell forward over her face, masking her view of the room. She swept it back and remained crouched like a tiger ready to strike.

Her breathing was shallow as she let her eyes adjust to the darkened room. There was little doubt in her mind that one of them was close. The men from the stars paid her frequent visits, each time trying to take her with them or torment her. They seemed amused by either outcome and eager to test her limits. Where she once welcomed the challenge, Sidney was growing tired of the continual battle. Giving in wasn't an option. So long as she drew the men to her, her sister and cousin stood a chance of living lives free of them.

She sensed someone nearing and she scrambled backward, frantically scanning the room to pinpoint their exact location. The men who came could hide themselves from the view of humans, helping to encourage the belief she was crazy if she spouted off about seeing men surrounding her. It had taken her nearly a year before she'd come to fully realize no one but she could sense them when they pulled their vanishing routines. It was a year's worth of sedation and restraints, of learning to tap into her inborn magik to keep them at bay. She was far from helpless as many of them could attest to.

Her wrists ached at the thought of memories over ten years old now. She rubbed her wrists, taking tiny, measured breaths as she remained in the ready position. There were times when the lines between sanity and insanity blurred and she wondered if it was the fear of being held down and forced to lose control because of the administering of medications, or the fear of being taken by the star men that scared her more.

"Sidney," said a deep voice from the other side of the room. It didn't strike fear into her as did the others, but she knew better than to trust any of them. They were sly and calculating when they needed to be. Their stunning good looks and powerful bodies could easily make a girl forget they were deadly. Some who had come had attempted first to gain her trust by offering cunning smiles and trying to court her in their own way. She never let her guard down with them, going on instinct where it concerned them. Others resorted to violence almost instantly. In the end, it didn't matter what avenue they took, they'd all felt the same to her.

Wrong and dangerous.

Well, almost all of them did. This one seemed different and that unnerved her even more than the fact he was in the room with her.

"I won't hurt you," he said, with a slight lilt. His voice was like velvet and the pull of it alone almost had her giving in.

Sidney used the wall behind her to push to stand. The cold floor bit at the soles of her bare feet and the thin hospital-issue pajama bottoms did little in the way of warming her. Her nipples hardened from the cold and she could almost feel the man's gaze snap to them. Heat fiared through her. The desire to have the man come forth and touch her, tweak her aching nipples and ease the burning deep inside, caught Sidney off guard. Never before had the men who came made her body react so.

A light rapping at the door caught her attention. "You all right in there, sweetheart?" Barry, the night security guard, asked. His voice was a deep baritone and it seemed to have a naturally calming effect to it. One she welcomed when she felt lost and alone.

She made her way around the room, keeping her back pressed to the wall as best she could. When she got to the door, she maintained her stance in order to watch the room closely. "I'm fine, Barry."

An audible sigh came from Barry's side of the door. "Have another dream, pumpkin?" he asked, the slightest hint of a Southern drawl evident in his voice. He was a good man. One of only a few guards she genuinely liked. His first grandchild was due any day now and he'd worked at the hospital since Sidney arrived almost ten years ago. They'd forged a friendship that had stood the test of time.

She nodded, keeping her back to the door. "Yes, but I'm better now. I just can't sleep. That's all. I'm fine."

Barry did what he always did when she was having problems sleeping, he sang softly. It was a hymn, one of many he knew by heart. While Sidney held little to no faith in the higher power that Barry did, she was comforted by his gesture and always had been. He'd sung to her the first night she arrived, terrified, drugged, screaming to keep the men from the stars away. It was Barry who took pity on her, refusing to treat her as a nutcase without feelings but rather a young girl, going through a rough period.

Sidney leaned against the door, sinking a little as she hummed along with him, the need to be consoled too great to reject. Tears threatened to fall but she held tight to them, refusing to let the enemy see her weakness. As Barry finished, Sidney closed her eyes. She heard Barry's footfalls and knew he'd left to do his rounds. It was easy to read his emotions and his thoughts. He, like many people, never knew Sidney was prying into his mind. It broke his heart to leave her alone when she couldn't sleep.

Something brushed over her cheek lightly and Sidney drew in a hasty breath. Soft, warm lips pressed to her ear. An inborn awareness trickled up her spine, telling her this man would not hurt her. The newfound alertness guided her, telling her that whoever was there wouldn't show themselves just yet. She kept her eyes closed a moment, enjoying the sensation of peace and safety.

"Trust in me, Sidney," he repeated, seeming to want to stress it as often as possible.

She remained still, mulling over his words. Trust in him? Could she dare? Would hope be what finally broke the fragile state of her sanity? She'd come so far. Stood against so many. To openly allow one under her defenses could be her undoing.

Powerful magik crept over her slowly, heating her body and causing liquid to gather at the juncture of her thighs. Her chest rose and fell, slow at first and then faster as the magik slid between her legs, caressing her feverish skin and delivering sweet suffering. Alarmed, she resisted at first, the intrusion new to her.

"No," she whimpered.

"Trust me, Sidney." His mantra returned, tranquility settling over her once again.

She didn't relax. Moving as much as she could, she pulled her knees close to her chin, hating her traitorous body. Cream flooded her sex. She wanted more but was too scared to give in.

"He can't hurt you anymore," the man said. "He's dead. I promise."

He?

The mystery man spoke as if only one star man had come for her. She would have corrected him but the feel of a mouth pressing to her neck made a tingling sensation rush over her. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter, shaking her head back and forth.

"Sidney," he hinted. "Do you want me to go?"

Yes. No. She didn't know.

Reaching out, she managed to make contact with him. Her fingers curled around his powerful shoulder. Any thoughts she might have had about sending the mystery man away vanished. Not only did he promise pleasure, he promised peace. Too long she'd been denied both.

She clung to him. "Don't leave me," she pleaded, desperation coating her every word. She wasn't sure why. Sidney had thought she'd hardened herself from vulnerabilities. Obviously, she'd been wrong.

"I won't," he promised, easing closer to her. Still, she refused to open her eyes. He traced a finger under her right eye. "I'm here now, Sidney. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

"I'm not afraid." Even she knew it was a lie but she said it all the same, scooting closer to him.

His muscular arms enveloped her body. He tugged her closer and a shuddered breath escaped her. "I know." The way he said it let her know he was appeasing her. She didn't care. It was comfort and she was starved for what he offered. So many others of his kind she'd refused, battled with all she had while locked away. Him, she seemed instantly drawn to and so far, she sensed no trickery on his part.

"No games," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. "I told you that you can trust me and I mean it."

She would have questioned how it was he tapped into her thoughts but others of his kind had done similar things in the past. Of course, when they did it, it felt like someone was pealing back the layers of her mind with a sharp object. Not even a hint of pain lingered with this one. He read her thoughts and emotions with ease and without harming her.

Unsure how much time had passed, Sidney squirmed slightly, still staying close to him. She stretched her legs and then pulled them back up, keeping them tucked in near her.

"Talk to me, Sidney," he said, his embrace warm. "Tell me something about yourself. About your past. Anything."

"I once had a dog named Copper," she blurted out, not exactly sure why. "He's dead now though." Her father had shared the news with her on one of his many visits. Sidney had been heartbroken, but her father's attempts to talk her into agreeing to "get better" had overshadowed the dog's passing. It would have been easy enough to convince the doctors and the hospital staff that she wasn't crazy and that she'd found her way back from whatever mental disorder they'd labeled her with that week. She didn't because her safe haven was just that—a place she knew well and where she knew she could take on the men from the stars and hopefully prevail. In the outside world, the real one, she wasn't so sure she could handle it all.

The compulsion to talk to the man took over. "I like to read. Dr. Marmora is good about bringing me books. When I was little, I liked to draw and paint. It's lost some of its shine now though."

"But you haven't," he said. It was odd and she found herself snuggling against him.

"Funny. I feel like I've lost all my shine."

"You haven't," he assured.

Smiling, Sidney found herself blurting out more details about herself and her life. They weren't secrets but they were pieces of information about herself that she'd never shared with any of the star men before. Time passed slowly and she even noticed herself caressing him as she spoke. He listened quietly, providing the comfort she hungered for.

"Do you have a favorite ice cream?"

She laughed at his question. It seemed out of place but worked to help forge the connection she felt building between them. "I don't really get to try too many flavors in here. It's vanilla or chocolate. That's it."

"Sometime soon," he confessed, "I'd like to take you out of here. You could taste as many flavors as you want then."

She tensed. Leave the hospital? She clutched his arm, her fingers digging deep.

"Sidney," he said. "It's okay. I'm not asking you to leave right this minute. I can see you're not ready for that but I won't lie, I would like you to leave here." It was his turn to stiffen as if he were awaiting her answer. "Even just for ice cream?"

A tiny snort fell free from her. "You mean like go on a date with you and at the end of it, you'd kiss me good night on the doorstep to the loony bin?"

His laugh was deep and created a fluttering sensation deep in her belly. "Do they give you a curfew here?"

She knew he was joking and it was appreciated. Twisting somewhat in his arms, Sidney's body ignited. His lips eased over hers and she tensed, her eyes still shut tight.

"Sidney," he said softly, touching her chin. "If I continue to shield myself from your view, will you open your eyes?"

"I can't."

"Why?" he asked.

"What if you turn out to be like the rest?" She bit her lower lip. "Worse yet, what if I'm imagining you?"

"I'm not and you're not," he soothed, tapping the end of her nose lightly. "Please. Open your eyes. You have beautiful ones."

"Promise not to show yourself first."

A manly chuckle followed. "I promise."

Opening her eyes, Sidney half expected to find herself staring at the mystery man. She saw nothing yet knew he was still there, holding her, his mouth close to hers. His lips swept over hers again and she moaned, parting her lips. The feel of his tongue inching around hers had her falling against him, allowing him to take the lead.

Aland knew the kiss was no small victory. He also knew he wouldn't be satisfied with just a small taste of her. She was pure perfection. Everything he wanted in a woman and more. She tipped her head, giving him a better angle to increase their kiss. He seized the moment, his tongue lacing around hers.

Tightness in his jeans reminded him of the power he was allowing the beauty before him to have. Already she made his cock respond faster than any other woman ever had. He made sweeping, swirling motions in her mouth, mapping it boldly with his tongue.

She broke the kiss, her breathing heavy. Her forehead came to a rest against his lips. "Why did I do that? Why did I kiss you?"

"I kissed you," he corrected, putting his hands on both sides of her head. He cupped her face gently, forcing her to look upwards. She seemed so lost. His chest ached and guilt nearly consumed him for having left her there so long. "I'm going to do it again, Sidney. You need to understand that."

Something flashed in her eyes and he could have sworn it was desire. That was all the incentive he needed to return to sampling her mouth. She moaned and he drank it away as he continued kissing her. She fidgeted and he held tighter to her face, ensuring she'd accept him. Before long, it was Sidney who was trying to up the heat level of their actions. He smiled against her mouth and she bit his jaw lightly. There was a wild, wanton woman in her, wanting to be free.

Purring, she rubbed her body against his. His cock twitched, damn near spilling come in his jeans. "Fuck, Sid. You're killing me here."

"Mmm, yes, fuck," she repeated, her hands roaming over the planes of his chest. Aland had to make a conscious effect to keep himself masked from her view. All he wanted to do was drag her to the floor and ram his cock deep into her. She wasn't quite ready for that, no matter how willing she seemed to be at the moment.

"Touch me," she pleaded, her voice small. "Please."

Unable to deny her, Aland ran the backs of his fingers down the front of her body. The thin material of her clothing allowed him to feel her skin. Sidney grabbed his wrist with both her hands and yanked it down, forcing his hand between her legs. "Here. Touch me here. I ache."

Dampness already resided there and he knew she'd be wet. He clenched his teeth, willing himself to walk away. To let her be.

He couldn't.

He put his palm against her mound. "Like this?"

"More," she said, nodding.

He rubbed his hand against her clothed pussy and used his free hand to grab himself through his thick jeans. Sidney whimpered and he knew she needed more. He tugged open the top of her pajama bottoms and swirled his index finger just under her navel.

She hissed, tossing her head back and letting her legs open wide for him. He dipped his hand lower, bringing in the use of his magik as well to ensure her the ultimate pleasure. As much as Aland wanted to drive his fingers into her hot, wet entrance, he resisted. He settled for parting her folds and rubbing her swollen clit while allowing his magik to ease into her cunt, slow at first and then faster.

Sidney nearly shot off the floor at the feel of the magikal fingers spreading her pussy, making her cry out.

"So tight, une srecota moje, so warm," her mystery man whispered against her temple.

Sidney clawed the door, needing something, anything to ground her as pleasure built. She turned her head to the side and bit her lip, hoping to block her mind from the sensual onslaught. It didn't work. The power increased as did her pleasure. She gasped as the magik slipped into her body, pushing past her entrance and deep into her pussy. She rocked against it, moaning as an orgasm neared.

It was too much yet not nearly enough.

The energy continued, buzzing about, running over her and bringing with it pleasure. The star men had tried something similar with her before but her inborn gifts and power had retaliated with no thought on her part. This was different. This she wanted.

She opened her legs more and turned her head, panting. The power moved in and out of her cunt, mimicking a cock.

A really fucking big cock.

"Come for me," the man whispered, his voice calming while the power was hot and branding. "I feel what you feel, Sidney. Give me this gift."

There was no logical reason why she should obey him but she did. She arched her back to him, nodding as she closed her eyes tight again. She bit her lower lip as the pressure between her legs increased. The energy paid close attention to her clit. It tweaked it with skill, sending her closer to the edge of culmination. She thrashed her head back and forth as her legs began to quiver. Her belly tightened and a sensation like none other crashed into her and rippled through her entire body.

"Ah yes, une srecota moje. Look at how beautiful you are, covered in my power and sated."

Opening her eyes, Sidney half expected to actually see the bringer of pleasure. He was still masking himself from her. It was probably for the best. It was easier for her to be brave when she wasn't staring at the harsh reminder of what hunted her day in and day out.

The power around her began to caress her once more. "Mmm, Sidney, already I can't get enough of you."

She couldn't go through that again. He'd confused her. Made her want him.

Sidney drew upon her inborn gifts and thrust out energy, needing air, anything to clear her head. "Noff"

The magik and the hand down her pants jerked away as if she'd scalded them. She knew the source of the power still lingered, waiting and watching her. She also knew he wouldn't harm her. The strangest sense of peace settled back over her, chasing away the demons in her mind.

Curious, she tipped her head and stared around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Still, she saw no one. She felt him though. The distinctively male presence was close.

She let out a shaky laugh and thumped her head against the door. The hollow sound echoed throughout the room. If she didn't stop, Barry would return and worry more about her. "You're the first one who hasn't terrified me."

Sidney wasn't sure why she admitted that to him and felt no need to take it back. It was the truth. Something she rarely saw much of anymore. Her life was a lie, encouraged by her to ensure she drew the star men close to her, not her sister or her cousin.

Memories of her sister Phoebe filled her head. It had been far too long since Phoebe had visited and Sidney understood why. Almost two full years since Phoebe had arrived in the common room to spend a half hour with her. Sure, Sidney's parents still visited often enough but it wasn't the same. It was hard for her sister to see her locked away like a caged animal. It was even harder knowing Phoebe was out in the world, unprotected.

Clearing her mind of thoughts of her sister, Sidney sank to the floor and landed with a thump on her bottom. She sat, staring around the room, still sensing the man near. A smile played at the edges of her lips. "It's been a long time since I felt safe. Thank you for that."

She ran her fingers over the edging on the floor as she hummed softly. She hugged her legs to her with her other arm and began to count the number of times she tapped the floor. The habit was a hard one to break and had developed soon after her arrival at the hospital.

Some time passed before Sidney sensed the male presence sitting next to her. She didn't need to see him to know he was big and strong. They all were. She also guessed he was handsome. The race of men seemed to lack anything even close to substandard as far as looks went.

"If you're thinking of showing yourself, don't," she said, continuing to tap lightly. "It's enough I'm letting you this close to me."

Cool breath skated over her cheek. "It's enough for now, Sidney."

A smiled danced on her lips. She hummed the same hymn Barry had sung to her and tapped until her eyelids grew too heavy to keep open. Giving in to sleep, she leaned against a warm, strong shoulder and sighed. ALAND LIFTED Sidney's sleeping form and laid her in her bed. It broke his heart, knowing his kind had instilled that amount of fear in her. He slid in behind her, somehow managing to get his large frame on the tiny bed as well. Spooning her, he held her close, drawing in the scent of her hair. He wanted to whisk her away, then and there, but it would raise too many suspicions. It wouldn't do to have the human authorities on a manhunt for his mate. It wasn't as though humans allowed their escaped mental patients to roam freely. Already he'd have enough to do keeping her safe from his kind. Having to hide from her people too would never do. He had to get her released even if it meant manipulating the minds of the people holding her. If she was officially free of the hospital, she wouldn't have to live in fear of being discovered and taken back. Though, he got the distinct feeling she actually kind of liked being tucked away from the world. He hoped he was wrong.

He put his lips to her ear and whispered softly to her, "You can trust me, Sidney. I'll get you out of here and protect you."

She wiggled against him, her hand finding his. She laced their fingers together. "I know," she said, her voice so low it was barely there. Her rhythmic breathing signified she was still asleep and it warmed him to know she responded to him. The truth of her words did something to him as well.

He could only guess the horrors his kind had filled her with. For her to admit to trusting him was a huge step. More than he'd dreamed possible.

Time ticked by slowly as Aland held her, cradling her in a protective manner, all the while keeping his power up and at the ready to avoid being seen. Sidney moaned and twisted in her sleep. She rolled over, nearly falling from the bed but he caught her to him. Her breasts pressed to his chest and she exhaled softly, her hand finding his hip.

He gritted his teeth, tipping his head back, willing himself to keep from touching her. It would be wrong and he knew it. Still, the desire to taste her mouth on his, to dip a finger into her cunt was all consuming. He'd pleasured her with his power before and each lick of it drove him madder with need. She'd come with a passion that both shocked and pleased him.

"Sidney," he whispered, unsure why.

Her pink tongue darted out and over her lower lip before she nuzzled her head to his neck. Their bodies seemed to conform to one another as though they were longtime lovers, used to sharing tight sleeping quarters. It was strange. He'd never before been as at ease with a woman or felt the need to provide comfort in such a way. He wondered what it was about her that broke him so easily.

Because she's made for you, jackass.

He ran his fingers through her silky black hair, loving the feel of it. Her lips pressed tiny kisses to his collarbone and he stilled, wondering if she was awake. She caressed his chest. "Don't let them take me," she pleaded, her voice sounding sleep-heavy.

"He's dead now. He can't hurt you again." Aland wanted to hit something as thoughts of the renegade coming for her came to him. It took him a moment to realize he was still holding her hair, almost yanking on it now. Releasing it, he kissed her forehead and she lifted her head, her lids fluttering open momentarily before her lips met his.

Fire exploded within him. His hand returned to her hair, this time curling in it, assuring she remained close to him. Her kisses continued and his power fiared as it had earlier when he'd sat next to her by the door. His magik seeped out and over her, caressing her body with its mystical tendrils.

"Une zeena," he hissed, wanting her spread out before him, ready and willing to truly accept him—all of him. Because of who she was to him, he already knew her body would want him. It was natural. He wanted the woman to want him as well. But the woman wasn't ready for that just yet. Maybe she never would be at a point he could perform the ritual necessary to tie them together for all time. Aland couldn't worry about that now. His only concern was Sidney's well-being and giving her some portion of pleasure. Thankfully, his centuries had taught him patience.

His flesh felt every caress of his power on her skin. It was as if he were truly touching her. Her nipples tightened as her breasts swelled. Her breathing grew shallow and she whimpered, nipping at his collarbone more.

Grudgingly, Aland was about to pull back and flash away, hating himself for his weakness, when a power separate from his own appeared, radiating from Sidney. It latched onto his, combining forces. Suddenly, it was his body being caressed by power. His cock responded, hardening to the brink of explosion. It felt as though he were buried in a tight, hot pussy. One that molded like a glove to his dick.

"Fuck," he whispered, pushing his head back onto the bed.

The feeling increased and Sidney cried out next to him, finding release with his power. Hers stroked him, pulled him to the edge, and then sent him crashing over the edge into the oblivion. With a shout, he came, his cock erupting in his jeans.

Never had anything remotely close to that happened to him before. His friend Sirius had spoken of bonding with his mate prior to actually meeting her in the flesh. He talked of feeling as if he were with her, their bodies one when they were really nowhere near one another. He'd always thought Sirius was making more out of the bond than truly was.

Clearly, he was wrong. The load of come in his jeans proved as much. If she could drive him to that point without even really meaning to, he was a goner.