“I believe Jura wishes to place a spy among their ranks to keep an eye on them and inform us of their whereabouts.” Kyle smiled. “And to eventually reveal the location of this UnderHisWings hideout.Ifyou agree to the plan.”
Landry stared at the still picture of Thomas on the screen for several moments before he said, “Brilliant. Tell Jura I agree. Never mind.” He tossed the pen to his desk. “I can tell him myself when he arrives.” He looked Kyle up and down as if he were a gnat to swat away.
Kyle swallowed. He knew he was a mere sergeant, but he had a special relationship with Jura, and he wasn’t about to be replaced.
“Ifhe agrees to an audience with you, sir. He doesn’t enjoy talking with most humans.”
“We’ll see about that.” He rose, and Kyle stood at attention. “Good work, Cruz. Stay on task. If Thomas leads us to this Deviant hideout, it could mean a huge promotion for you, not to mention several rewards for myself.”
“Yes, sir.”
Three hours later, Jura arrived…or more like appeared suddenly in the middle of the control room of the Reformation Headquarters, two Tall Whites of lesser rank on either side of him. Though Kyle had seen him materialize at least a dozen times, it never failed to unnerve him.
It terrified most of the technicians, who stood frozen, staring at the alluring man…being…whatever he was. That the Neflams could travel inter-dimensionally was well known, but when you witnessed it in action…well, that was another thing.
“My liege, Jura.” Kyle approached with a smile. “Regent Landry awaits.” He gestured for Jura to follow him.
“I wish to speak to you alone first.” Jura’s bright blue eyes shimmered.
“Very well.” Kyle led him to his office, smiling at the way the technicians in the room, both male and female, couldn’t take their eyes off the Tall Whites.
He couldn’t blame them. They truly were stunning creatures. One might call them the perfect humanoid—beautiful, muscular, without a single defect. Jura’s escorts remained as Kyle led him to his office and shut the door.
His body reacted as it always did in Jura’s presence.
The Tall White glanced at the big screen and a scene appeared. It was Tori leading a group of people through a trash-strewn alleyway. Thomas was by her side, helping a young woman walk, while an old man and a middle-aged woman with two children followed close behind.
“There they are!” Kyle exclaimed, skirting around Jura to the other side of his desk.
Jura smiled. “Our spy is in place.”
Curious, Kyle stared back at the screen. “Which one?”
“The old man. She healed him. Or she thinks she did. Now he joins them.”
“Excellent.” Kyle sat back on his desk. “She does not sense him, then?”
“Nay. His power is great. As you will soon see.”
Jura gazed at him, and a strange sensation warmed Kyle. Rising, he took a step away. “And they will lead us to the enemy hideout?”
Jura made no response, only smiled before he faced the scene once again. “The human, Thomas, is his main target.”
“Because he does not follow our enemy?”
“Yes, but also because he seeks a father, an approving father. His was overbearing, always disappointed in him.”
Kyle swallowed down a burst of emotion. He could relate. His eyes moistened and he looked away.
“Our spy will be a father to him,” Jura continued. “He will encourage and approve of him, giving him the longings of his heart. Then he will find no need for the love of our enemy. He will find his love in our god, Lucifer.”
Kyle nodded, still unable to speak. Wounds he thought long since buried in his heart rose to fester.
Jura looked at him curiously, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
A spiral of desire coursed through him.
“Your father belonged to our enemy and, as such, mistreated you, did he not?”
