She’d been so terrified of losing those she loved that she never entertained the thought that she might be the one to leave them behind. And, for some reason, that hurt even more. How long would Christian hold her after an alien parasite took away her last breath?
“I would suggest, though, that Gemma not use this new ability until we know more,” Doctor Manae said.
“Understood.” Rami sighed. “Thank you for your time. We’ll be in touch.”
“My pleasure, sir.” She stepped away to conduct further research.
Rami led Christian and Gemma from the laboratory, and once they were in the hall, Rami gave instruction. “I want you to start a daily log of your symptoms, Gemma. And Christian, you will report to me immediately if there are any changes in her personality, demeanor...”
Gemma’s focus shifted when a message appeared on her eyepiece.
Nadine wants to talk. 10:00. Come alone. -C
A map of Zion, with a specific location marked, arrived a second later.
Gemma’s legs buckled, and she dropped to the ground despite Christian’s arm around her.
He was at her side immediately, a firm grip on her arms. “What’s wrong?”
“My sister...” was all she was able to get out. Had the Dissent kidnapped Nadine because Gemma turned on them? Were they going to use Nadine as a reason to force Gemma back into the Dissent?
“Gemma”—Christian brushed loose hair from her forehead—“talk to me. What about your sister?”
“Colton,” she forced out, “says she wants to talk. I don’t understand.” Her eyes burned.Oh, stars, if they hurt her...
Christian swore.
Rami tapped on his comm before turning his attention to Christian. “Get Gemma to the war room. Everybody’s on their way. I’ll meet you there.” He hurried away.
A feeling of heaviness expanded through her. Gemma clutched her chest, bile rising in her throat. “This is my fault. I tried to kill Colton. He said Reymond would be angry. What if they have her? What if they hurt her?”
Christian took her face in his hands. “Don’t do that. Don’t think of worst-case scenarios. For all we know, this is just a trap to get us looking for him in the wrong place. Take a deep breath, okay?”
Gemma closed her eyes and obeyed, her exhale shaky as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Christian wiped it away. “Good. Take another one.”
She sucked in another deep breath, and he kissed her forehead. After agreeing she could stand, Christian helped her onto her feet, and with hands gripped so tightly that even a black hole couldn’t pull them apart, they rushed to meet their team.
“What in the blazes is going on?” Imara said as she and Hawk scurried through the war room’s door.
Christian explained as much as he knew—as much as Gemma had been able to tell him—until Rami arrived, the Kaizen on his heels. At the sight of her, Gemma exploded.
“This is your fault!” Gemma leapt up with more strength than she’d ever been able to manage. She threw herself at the Kaizen, knocking them both to the floor. “If you hadn’t tortured me until I agreed to spy for Rami, they wouldn’t have taken my sister!”
Gemma smashed her fist into the Kaizen’s face before Christian could get his arms around her. He lifted her off the captain.
“If she’s hurt, I’m gonna fucking kill you!” Gemma screamed at the red-haired woman, but the Kaizen simply stared at Gemma with wide eyes.
“Stop,” Christian said calmly, his breath tickling her ear.
Gemma struggled against him so she could rip off the Kaizen’s face, but he was too strong, and the words he kept quietly saying in her ear were soothing. Her body couldn’t help but relax, even before her mind did.
“Christian,” Hawk said, nodding toward Gemma. His eyes were tight, unlike the Kaizen’s. The captain continued to stare at Gemma, pale-faced, her large brown eyes almost circles.
Gemma stilled, noticing the warmth trailing down her upper lip.Oh, no.
She ran the back of her hand beneath her nostrils—it came away with purple blood. Everyone else had seen the color change already. But now the Kaizen knew there was something wrong with her too.
