“It probably wasn’t meant for him, or he would have sensed it,” Rax told her.
“I feel bad that it happened when they were rescuing me,” said Mikki.
“Don’t. He knows the risk. It could have happened any time. And he’s going to recover. This won’t stop him from going out there again.”
“There are still thousands of people out there that will never get near this place,” Mikki said.
“Calan’s only just got started. These are the people who are still free. He didn’t want to start working on the overlords’ captives until he found you because of what you mean to Ajha,” Rax explained.
“And he got himself shot for his trouble,” Mikki mused again.
“That was not your fault. No one knows who shot him or why. It could have been a careless shot fired in the air to scare someone,” Rax said.
“Since they didn’t sense an attack, it was probably accidental. It sure scared the hell out of Ajha and me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Calan opened his eyes then looked around the room blinking a couple times as he realized where he was. Then he remembered what happened. He drew in a deep breath, relieved that it didn’t hurt. Turning his head as Ajha stirred against him, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
He turned on his side and pulled her close. She opened her eyes and reached up to caress his cheek and push his hair back from his forehead. He smiled at her profound relief that he seemed to have recovered. Even more, he felt her love flowing into his mind. He sent it back to her and softly touched his mouth to hers.
Calan was about to kiss her with the passion building between them, but he sensed Rax and Mikki approaching to check on them. Giving Ajha a more chaste kiss, he helped her to sit up and sat up on the bed beside her.
Momentarily, the door slid open, and their two friends strolled into the room.
“Hey, you sure look better than you did last night,” Mikki said with a smile for both of them. “Do you have any idea what happened?”
Calan shook his head. “It was a total surprise. I have sensed people watching us other times we went into overlord territories. This time I got nothing.”
“Neither did I---I don’t think that shot was meant for Calan,” Ajha agreed.
“Now that Mikki is safe, we can start freeing the captives in the brothels and fight houses,” Calan said.
“You really are looking to get killed, aren’t you,” Mikki said shaking her head.
“Not at all,” he shook his head. “What they’re doing is wrong. What they did to you is wrong. They’re using those people as slaves---stealing their lives to make money. I feel their despair every day. I shut most of it out, but I know it’s still there.”
“But what can you do? You’re just one man,” Mikki said.
“I’m going to help,” said Ajha.
“You’re as crazy as he is?” Mikki shook her head.
“No, we’re psions,” Calan said. “We got you out smooth and easy.”
“But you never know when one of those gangers is going to be shooting off those projectile guns. You could still get yourself killed.”
“Not if I can help it,” Calan murmured. “Ajha and I have just found each other. We’re going to pledge soon.”
“I’m happy for you,” Mikki said with a touch of mockery. “Rax and I have news too. He’s told me I amhisfemale.”
“Oh?” Calan quirked a dark brow, sensing Mikki’s mixed feelings about the announcement.
“It’s too soon after what I’ve been through these last two years. I don’t even know how to explain it to Rax,” she said almost as though the cyborg wasn’t standing right there taking in every word.
“It’s okay. I can wait,” Rax said. “Mikki is the only one I want.”
“That’s something you, two will have to work out between you,” Calan said.
