MINE TO POSSESS

“Can it kill?” Talin asked, mouth full of cotton wool.

Sascha’s eyes grew poignant. “Yes. For the PsyNet born, yes. But you don’t need as much. You would have simply made Clay very tired. As it is, you only took a big bite”—she smiled—“from him once, and he’s had time to regenerate. With the bond settled in the Web, you’re soaking it in from the general extraneous buildup, like me and Faith. It harms no one.”

“Okay.” Now that she knew Clay was fine, it was all she could say, her mind numb.

“Clay,” Lucas said, “how about we pick this up tomorrow?” His eyes were intent on Talin. “I think your Tally needs time to recover, and my Sascha darling needs to work off some of her excitement.”

There was a gasp and a chuckle from someone, but Talin was barely aware of it. As she was barely aware of Clay ending the call, peeling off her robe, and dropping it to the floor along with his own clothes. But when he kissed her, it was as if a switch had been thrown inside her. She came to life and what exuberant life it was. She laughed and they played and when it was over, she lay with her head on his heart, and thought about forever.





CHAPTER 48


In the PsyNet, the third emergency session of the Psy Council was taking place.

“We can’t have a repeat of the situation we had last year with Enrique,” Shoshanna said, referring to the Councilor whose death had led to Kaleb’s ascension. “We need to swear in a new Councilor before anyone starts questioning the true circumstances of Marshall’s death.”

“Yes,” Tatiana agreed. “Though the populace does seem to be accepting the explanation of accidental death very well.”

“There’s one more thing we need to discuss,” Ming interrupted. “We may have a situation with Ashaya Aleine.”

“She’s controlled,” Kaleb said, brushing the issue aside. “We have her son, correct?”

“Yes. However, I’m not sure how long that’s going to hold her.”

“But it does for now,” Nikita responded. “Shoshanna’s right—we need a new Councilor fast.”

“Agreed,” Ming replied. “But unlike with Kaleb, there’s no one ready to step into the role. We considered Gia Khan in the last round, but she’s since proven weak, unable to stop unrest in her local region.”

A taut silence.

“I have a suggestion,” Kaleb said. “He was once a Council candidate, is now powerful enough that he defies us, and he’s strong enough to take on Marshall’s responsibilities.”

“You’re talking about Anthony Kyriakus,” Shoshanna said. “The man is a thorn in our side, but you could be right. Make him Council and we gain access to his considerable resources and business network.”

“He turned down a Council seat once before,” Nikita reminded them. “He may not accept now.”

Kaleb considered his next words with care. “After the confirmation of Marshall’s death, I had a discussion with Anthony.”

“Without Council authorization?”

“Give me credit, Ming,” Kaleb responded. “There are ways to gauge interest without saying anything of the least note.”

“Your conclusion?” Tatiana asked.

“He may be willing.”

Shoshanna’s mental star swirled in thought. “He has considerable contact with changelings—he’s still subcontracting work to his daughter, Faith.”

“That,” Nikita said, “could be another advantage. He has to have gained a lot of knowledge about the cats.”

“A good point,” Ming acceded. “I have no reservations against him as a candidate.”

“I have one,” Henry said. “Like Nikita, he also has a daughter who has dropped out of the Net. Will that weaken the Council’s image?”

“In my opinion, no,” Kaleb responded. “He’s already proven he can hold us at bay. He has more businesses backing him than any of us.”

“I agree,” Shoshanna said. “I vote yes.”

One by one, the others all agreed.

A day later, Anthony Kyriakus, leader of the influential NightStar Group and father of the most powerful F-Psy in the world, accepted their offer.


At the same time, Ashaya Aleine unfolded a plain pen and paper note hidden inside the latest batch of equipment she had requested. Keenan would be flown in for his next scheduled visit, but the one after that would be by car.

She hoped the man who had held a gun on her the night she’d set Jonquil Duchslaya and Noor Hassan free had told the truth. Because they would have only one chance. Ming was watching her. She had overplayed her hand, and now the Councilor was inches away from enforcing her obedience through the most vicious of mental violations.





EPILOGUE