Page 38 of Warrior’s Mate

"Why?"

"Because everyone is trying to contact someone, and every personal call adds traffic."

"Maelis."

"What?"

"Find your brother."

She shook her head. "I can't justify—"

"One message."

"No."

"That isn't logistics. That's punishment."

Her head came up. He held her gaze.

"You don't have to prove you're useful by having fewer needs than everyone else."

The words landed too accurately. She disliked him for that. She also wanted, suddenly and painfully, to put her forehead against his chest and stand there until the world stopped shaking. Instead she opened the family channel.

One message.

Taren? Confirm status.

She waited while Kaiven stayed beside her without speaking. Thirty seconds passed with nothing.

A minute became two before her wrist unit finally chimed.

SAFE. NORTH TERRACE CELLAR. WITH NERIS + 11 OTHERS. DON'T COME HERE. LOVE YOU.

Maelis laughed once, helplessly.

"Neris is with him."

"Your grandmother?"

"She'll be furious anyone suggested she evacuate."

"Sounds familiar."

Maelis looked at him.

"Careful."

His mouth curved, and the expression transformed him. Rank, danger, and biology had crowded everything else since recognition; his smile let her glimpse the man beneath them, and she wanted to know him.

The realization arrived quietly. The realization belonged to Kaiven himself, not to the bond. Because he had noticed she was afraid to ask whether her family was alive. A sharp burst of static cut across Kaiven's comm.

He straightened.

"Security Two, repeat."

"...movement north... not ours..."

Kaiven went still.