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Her limbs grew heavy, and her eyes struggled to stay open. She fell, and the back of her head banged against the wall.

Daisy’s blurry gaze moved to Rexx. He was still fighting. He tossed a guard to one side and charged toward her. He slammed into another guard just as he was turning, his weapon lifting. The gun and the guard went flying.

Rexx grabbed hold of Daisy and forced his mouth to hers.

What the hell was this? He wanted to make out now?

Daisy jerked back as blood filled her mouth. “You just bit me?”

His intense gaze locked onto hers. “That was the plan. Get ready.” He kissed her again, and she tasted more blood.

A jolt of energy surged through her. It was so powerful it made her entire body shake. Tears leaked out of her eyes, her arms twitched uncontrollably, and red sparks flashed in her vision as Rexx continued the energy transfer, mingling their blood and forcing his powers into her.

Daisy tried to protest and pull away. This was insane. Apexians weren’t supposed to transfer energy on a regular basis. It was dangerous for them. It left them vulnerable. Rexx wouldn’t be able to defend himself if he gave her too much.

She gasped as he was ripped away by Gente guards. They dragged him to the ground and rained hard blows on him.

Rexx struggled to stand but was taken out before he could get to his feet. He crashed to the floor, making the room shudder.

His skin was gray and sweat covered his face. Dammit! He’d given her too much energy. He couldn’t defend himself.

Whatever drug the Gente had given her had already left her system thanks to Rexx’s energy transfer. She felt alert, buzzing with energy, and angry as all hell. Daisy was ready to kill. But she resisted the urge to tear limbs from bodies. For now, she’d play the helpless, useless victim.

The Gente had no idea what Rexx had given her. He’d just saved her life. But in doing so, he’d sacrificed himself.

Her heart raced, a mixture of pulsing adrenaline and concern for what would happen to Rexx.

She tried to appear dozy as a Gente guard pulled her to her feet. She needed to find the right moment to strike back. That moment would come soon. And when it did, she’d get Rexx and take out all these Gente and any slime-soaked Inkral who stood in her way.

Commander Malem stood in front of her and lifted her chin. “I was going to make this easy on you, but you’ll pay for your defiance. You’ve insulted the ambassador of the Inkral. He’s a client with deep pockets. We won’t have him unhappy.”

Daisy hung her head, faking near unconsciousness. There was definitely payback needed here, but it wouldn’t be hers. These sneaky, deceitful aliens would be the ones who regretted ever using her. They’d lose their lives, their slimy client, and their money.

And she’d be the one to make that happen.

***

A stabbing throb of hot pain in his side forced Rexx to open his eyes. Harsh, bright light blinded him. He blinked as his vision adjusted to his new surroundings.

His hands and legs were bound to a table, and two straps were wrapped around his chest. He was flat out on some kind of medical table.

A chemical, antiseptic smell filled his nose as he took in the tray of medical equipment by his right side.

Rexx looked down at his stomach and winced. No wonder his torso ached. There were three metal probes sticking out of him.

A thin, gray, globular Inkral slid over and peered down at him. “I was beginning to think you were too badly damaged to be of use to me.”

“I’m no use to you. Where’s Daisy?”

“Test subject number one is in a separate examination room.” A moist tentacle adjusted a probe on his stomach.

“She’s not a test subject.” Rexx yanked against the restraints on his arms, but tiredness made his muscles shake. After the energy exchange with Daisy, it was an effort even to breathe.

It had been a risk to give her a second energy transfer so soon after the first. He hadn’t been certain what it would do to her. Humans were fragile, despite Daisy acting like she was indestructible. Too many transfers could overwhelm her and short-circuit her brain, but he’d had to take that risk. He needed her to have every advantage.

“How much pain are you in?” the Inkral beside him said.

“On a scale of screw you and go fuck yourself, I’d say you’re dead when I get free of these bonds.”