Encouraged by her pleasure, the crew sent the coffee around again, then they carefully doled out the sugar and cream. This time, their expressions were full of wonder.
“Amazing,” Cine whispered. “It's completely transformed.”
The others agreed.
Vor scowled, leaning over Lena's shoulder to peer into her mug.
“Do you want to try a sip?” Lena lifted her mug.
He didn't. But Vor would never refuse his woman. She offered him her mug. That was a great honor. So, he accepted it and brought it to his lips, careful to put his mouth preciselywhere hers had been. He took the tiniest sip. Then blinked. He put the mug back into her hands.
“What do you think?” Lena asked.
“It's delicious. But I will not be controlled by a beverage.”
Lena burst out laughing. Just as they had with Vor, the Nethren gaped at Lena. But there was admiration in their stares this time. And wonder.
Vor cleared his throat, glaring especially at the men. He was about to say something when a boom came, rattling the pots that hung above the worktable. Another boom followed the first. Everyone went still, listening to the deadly sounds. And then a strange rumbling came.
“Was that thunder?” Lena lifted her head and looked at the ceiling.
Vor scowled. “I, uh, don't know what thunder sounds like.”
Lena swung her head to look at him. “You don't know what—”
Suddenly, the fortress shook. There was no explosive sound, just the crash of an impact. This wasn't just a routine volley on the Paradefense camp. The ward was down too long—long enough for Paradefense to return fire. Pots and pans jangled wildly, something crashed to the floor, and everyone had to steady themselves.
Lena screamed.
Even as Vor realized what this was—that his lieutenant commander was orchestrating the raid he had suggested withoutwaiting for Vor's attendance—his body went cold. Vor knew, in his head, that they weren't in danger. Zucar would set the ward again as soon as the unit was back in the fortress. Nevertheless, he shivered and covered Lena with his body. It was as if his flesh didn't understand what his mind knew to be true.
Vor drew Lena to the floor, pushing her into a fetal position as he bent over her. Another boom came, this one further off. Then more. And more. The battle went into full force, the fortress vibrating with the hits. Most didn't land on the main buildings, but he could still feel them. His heart raced. He needed to get her somewhere safer than this. Vor waited, and when he heard a break in the attacks, he scooped Lena into his arms and ran out of the kitchens.
Lena tucked her head in against Vor's chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. Even as he ran for the back of the fortress, as far from the attack as possible, Vor's chest expanded. It felt good to have her cling to him. Even better to know that Lena was seeking his protection. But he didn't like that she was scared.
“It will be over soon, sweetheart. Don't be frightened. I'm taking you to the back of the fortress. It will be safer here.”
Lena looked up. “I thought there was a ward?”
“There is, and it will be up again soon.”
“Why is it down?”
He didn't answer her, just found a room and took her inside. Only after he had her safe, sitting on a bed, did he explain. “It will be over soon.” Vor sat down beside Lena and put his arm around her. To his amazement, she didn't pull away. “A unit was deployed to search the Paradefense camp.”
Lena jerked back to look at him. “Search the camp? For what?”
“We need to know their plans. The attack is to cover their infiltration.” A shiver filled the air, and Vor looked up. “What was that?”
“You felt that?” Lena gaped at him.
“Yes. What was it?”
“The ward,” she whispered. “You shouldn't be able to sense it.”
“And yet I did.” Vor stared back at her, excitement filling him. “I felt a convergence!”
Lena stood up. “It must be over. I don't hear any blasters.”
