He looked around. “Ah, come on. Why am I in the dreamworld again?”
“Sorry.” Hope studied him.
He was an anomaly in the Kurjan nation, with his blue eyes and completely black hair, absent any red tips. She had felt sorry for him before because he’d always seemed a little lost. Now, he flanked his cousin, his gaze fixed on Paxton.
Drake’s gaze traveled Hope’s form, and then he looked at Paxton, not hiding the hatred glowing in his eyes. “I meant the truce until we kill Ulric, and then I’m coming for you.”
Paxton lifted his chin. “Any timeand any place.”
“I want you at full strength when I kill you.” Drake growled. “You’re looking very pale. Is it from the drug that Ulricshot into you?”
“I’m fine,” Paxton said shortly.
Hope jolted and looked over at her friend. He did look pale. She had gotten used to the change already, and yet he was almost as pale as Drake. “Are you feeling all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” he repeated calmly.
She had to take him at his word, although she figured he wouldn’t show any weakness in frontof the Kurjans.
“Did you find out anything about those drugs?” she asked Drake, ignoring the tension momentarily.
“No, sorry.” He kept his gaze on Paxton. “You really don’t look well.”
Vero hadn’t moved his gaze from Paxton and looked prepared to take any measure necessary to protect Drake. It was interesting that he was now the guard dog. He had seemed so sweet and sensitive before. Besides, Hope didn’t figure Drake needed protection.
“So you want to fix the world?” Pax drawled. “I guess you’re readyto kill Ulric.”
Drake cut a look at Vero. “I was going to bring you in on this.”
Vero was silent. Interesting. Hope watched the interplay. Paxton had no doubt made the claim just to see if Vero knew anything. Apparently, Drake had not shared his concerns about Ulric.
“Have you figured out how to kill Ulric?” Drake asked when his cousin didn’t reply.
“Not yet,” Hope admitted. “We know it’ll take the blood of the Keys and probably the Lock, but we haven’t figured out if that will do it. We think maybe if we get a bullet of the stuff down his throat, it will mingle with his blood and destroy him.” She perked up. “Do you have any ancient texts or legends that would give us more info? We’ve found some recently, but I was thinking there mightbe a lot more.”
“We have a few,” Drake said shortly, focusing once again completely on her. “We’ve always been more of an action-oriented society, not one of books. I could start sending scouts out, but we’re stretched a little thin right now with my faction fighting Ulric’s. There are more Kurjans joining the Cyst thanI would hope.”
“So you want to take him out,” Paxton drawled. “That seems rather disloyal of you.”
Hope searched Vero’s expression for any hint as to what he was thinking, but he had learned to mask his thoughts well. “What’s your plan?” she asked, hopingDrake had one.
He smiled. “A temporary treaty with the Realm, of course.”
Excitement started to drum through her. If she could negotiate a treaty between the two nations, she would have fulfilled at least part of her fate. Anything temporary could turn into something permanent. This was good. She smiled. “All right, what are your terms?”
“They’re simple,” Drake said. “One, you kill Ulric and then give me a year to consolidate the power of the Kurjan and Cyst nations. Two, immediate acceptance into the Realm and everything that entails. If we’re attacked, we have your full defense behind us. Three, full access to all Realm satellites and data regarding the Kurjan nation and the Cyst. Four, all information regarding all enhanced human females in the world shall be shared. And five—” His gaze warmed. “We commingle our peoples in the same way treaties have been cemented in the past. Youmate me, Hope.”
Paxton instantly stepped in front of her. “The last one’s a no go. Probably the third one as well.”
“That’s nonnegotiable,” Drake said.
Hope cocked her head to the side. “You and I have a deal, remember?” She ignored the way Paxton’s body stiffened. “Find out what drugs are in Pax’s system and get me a cure. ThenI’ll mate you.”
Drake lifted one powerful shoulder. “You and I have been destined from the moment you were born. I think you know that. Treaties have been consolidated by matings for much longer than any of us have lived. That part isnonnegotiable.”
“No,” Pax growled. He glanced at her over his shoulder. “No way will I allow you tomate this guy.”
She couldn’t help it. “It’s not likeyou’veasked me.”
