“Some human males are attracted to other males. Is that it? None of our kind have felt that way yet but there are so few of us. It is bound to happen at some point. No one would tease you if that’s why you don’t smile at our females.”

Darkness rumbled, his dark eyes turning almost black.

Flame backed up enough to bump the wall. “Sorry.”

“I’m attracted to females. Is that what everyone thinks? I like males instead?”

Flame kept his lips firmly sealed but barely nodded.

“Fuck.” Darkness shot True a furious look. “Is that what you think too?”

“I don’t think about you and sex at all.”

That seemed to appease Darkness because he looked back at Flame and stepped into the male’s space, going nose to nose with him. “You shouldn’t talk to me about why I’m not with a female when you can’t shut up about the one you want but don’t have the balls to go after her,” he growled. “But to appease your curiosity I’ll share a secret with you that better not get out.” He paused, the rumble from his chest ceasing. “I’m not too eager to allow anyone close to me, considering the last female I f**ked was one I had to kill.”

He spun away then, leaving both of them in stunned silence. The elevator door opened, he stepped inside and it closed. Moments passed before Flame gaped at True with a horrified expression.

“He was messing with me, right?”

True pondered the expression he’d seen on Darkness’ face. “I don’t believe so.”

“Shit. I stepped in it, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to upset him.”

“You have to remember he isn’t quite like us, Flame. We all did what we had to, to survive while held in captivity but they expected much worse from him.” Thoughts of Jeanie filled True’s mind. What if Polanitis had dosed me with the breeding drug and thrown her into my cell, loosening the chains enough for me to reach her no matter where she tried to flee? The answer was easy. It would have badly damaged him inside if he’d killed her when he’d been insane and would have had to live the rest of his life with that knowledge. “I’m moving us down the hallway to new quarters and taking her to get clothing.”

“Both corner units are open at the end of the hall. Take your pick. I hate going to supply to pick out clothes so do you mind if I stay here while you take her? I was told to guard the door, not escort you both everywhere. I could transfer your clothing and personal items to the new unit while you’re gone.”

“That would be appreciated. I want the one on the same side I’m on now. I like the view.”

“Done. I also want to avoid going downstairs.”

True didn’t blame the male for wanting to avoid Darkness for a while. “I’ll tell her we’re leaving now.”

Chapter Ten

True smiled at Jeanie when she did a slow circle in front of him wearing a pair of his sweats. They were rolled at the ankles and she’d rolled the waist a few times to make them narrow enough to prevent them from slipping down her hips. The result was amusing but unsettling at the same time. The excess material over her stomach under the too-baggy shirt gave her a slight appearance of pregnancy.

His mind went there, imagining what it would be like if she were to carry his child. He suspected the faint achy feeling in his chest might be longing. To have a mate and to create a life with her was something every male wanted. It would mean he could keep Jeanie forever. He pushed those thoughts away.

“Let’s go. You need the sunshine and we need to get you some clothing that fits. Mine is too big. Flame will take my things to the new home down the hallway while we are gone.”

She still hesitated. “Are you sure we can’t just have them send things here?”

He inhaled, picking up the slight trace of fear in her sweet scent. He held out his hand. “Trust me. Going outside will be good for you since I don’t want you to feel imprisoned inside my home and you should pick what you want to wear. Otherwise they will just toss in whatever they think you might like.”

She bit at her bottom lip.

He sighed. “Don’t you want to see some of Homeland? Aren’t you curious?”

“Yes.” Interest finally sparked in her eyes. “I’ve always wished someone would show pictures of it in articles that cover New Species but they never do.”

“We don’t allow reporters into Homeland or Reservation. It’s a security risk for anyone to know the layout of our streets and buildings in case someone wants to attack. The air above NSO land is a no-fly zone. It’s also law that they can’t climb trees and use telescopes to peer over our walls and take photos or videos. All press conferences are held outside the walls.”

“Aren’t they like twenty feet high?”

“Thirty in most places.”

“That’s pretty tall.”

He tugged on her hand, leading her through the broken door into the hallway. Flame smiled at both of them but kept silent and out of the way. Jeanie walked a little slow so he adjusted his stride for her shorter one. Talking seemed to distract her so he continued to share information she might find interesting.

“We don’t allow them to photograph our females either.”

“I knew that. I just don’t know why.”

“All males who have been photographed or attended press conferences have gotten death threats and hate mail. We don’t wish our females to be subjected to that.”