He’d watched Sasha fight for happiness all night, catching herself whenever she threatened to tip into tears. Despite all his assurances that she could get emotional, she’d shaken her head and done her best to find her joy again. While Zev had ached and burned all night—ached for her, burned with anger.

When she finally fell asleep hours after they got back to the cave, he’d curled himself around her, the top of her head under his chin, his back around hers in the way that he’d always curled himself over her since they were teenagers—she fit inside the curve of him. He’d bent his knees up behind hers, cradling her with his body, and as her breathing drifted into slow and even, he’d stared at the wall, and later the ceiling.

Everything within him fought. Fought against his instincts that were screaming that there was more to this. That Nick knew what he was doing. That his reasons for coming to Thana were far bigger than he’d let on.

That the whole Team was up to something, perhaps sinister, perhaps just mercenary. But he didn’t know. And that was what burned. He didn’t know, and couldn’t. Unless he could get his hands on Nick’s device.

Zev huffed into the dark. Nick treated that thing like an extra limb. It never left his sight, never left his possession. It was the only thing he’d fought when Zev searched his bags when he arrived, and Zev had known he would. Nick’s entire world was kept in that device. Even years earlier, when they were at peace with each other, Nick had gone ballistic the time he’d found Zev looking over his shoulder as he typed a message.

Nick was protective of the device because he said it controlled everything. And it held his brain.

Zev had to get his hands on it and see if it had any information about Sasha. About her body or what they’d done to her—or this pregnancy. He had to get answers, real answers that he could trust. Even if Nick told the truth, he never knew why—he could never trust that he was getting the whole picture.

He needed information that wasn’t tainted or framed. And he needed that information in a way that he could decipher its implications for himself. And then, when this was all done and they knew everything, he needed revenge.

While Sasha slept, Zev let himself indulge in a fantasy—feeding Nick to Ernie. Fighting Nick and snapping his neck. Drugging Nathan and cutting the guy open and turning him into a science experiment.

Bombing the entire compound so that everyone who’d ever had anything to do with controlling the Chimera was dead.

Except it wouldn’t work, he knew.

First of all, he’d never have the chance to do those things. Not if he wanted to stay safe and get everyone out of here with Sasha.

And secondly, even if he razed that place to the ground, there were others, he knew. Ambitious scientists and curious wealthy people who all wanted the fountain of youth and health they thought the Chimera represented.

Even if he removed Nick and Nathan and Horace—even if he killed the entire board… more would just come.

He knew that.

But **, he’d enjoy seeing those cunts in pain.

Sasha squirmed and he realized he was squeezing her. Zev blew out a breath and loosened his grip so she could settle again. He barely breathed until she’d gone still again and her breathing even.

Then he made himself let go of the hate and rage. Let it turn cold.

He would always choose loving her over hating them. He would always choose protecting the Chimera over indulging in his own revenge.

But Nick better believe that he ever saw a chance to do both, he’d take it.

He kissed Sasha’s hair and made himself close his eyes. Made himself turn his thoughts to practical plans. Things that would help them all. Ways to get the answers he needed. And ways to keep Sasha from being hurt in the process. Because there was no way he was putting her in a position to fear something that might not have happened.

But he knew his strong, bold mate would join him in lighting a fire under these **ers if they found out his instincts were true.

Zev smiled the smile of a predator as he forced himself to breathe and relax, to let his body sleep. He might be helpless just then. But he would not stay there.

He would make them pay. Somehow. He would find the truth and make them pay.

*****

They’d slept for hours—far longer than Zev thought he’d be able to.

He’d hoped that his anger would have faded by the time he woke, but as soon as he opened his eyes and reassured himself that Sasha was okay, the very next thing he was aware of was the rage that wanted to snap his teeth and roll in his throat.

But he swallowed it back and instead helped Sasha make breakfast.

They didn’t have time to dawdle that morning. They needed to be back to the City and get Skhal and Lhars filled in on what the Creatures were doing.

So once they started out, though Zev held her hand, they walked in virtual silence.

”Are you okay?” she asked more than once, rubbing his arm, watching him with concern. But the tension she thought was fear, was actually anger and he didn’t want to vent it on her.

”I’m fine, don’t worry.”

It was only half a lie.

*****

~ SASHA ~

Something was wrong with Zev, but he wouldn’t tell her what it was. Well, she knew the source, but she couldn’t figure out what he was feeling. What was making him so quiet and cold?

At first, she’d been afraid that maybe he thought she couldn’t have offspring—would this challenge his assurance that he’d never want her less even if she couldn’t? But when she watched him as they walked, his eyes still warmed when he looked at her. And she knew if she asked he’d be upset that she’d even thought of it.

When they’d almost reached the City, Sasha was out of ideas and ready to just confront him, but when she turned and started to pull him to a halt, his attention was suddenly distracted. He frowned and looked back up the trail in the direction they’d been traveling, nostrils flaring, then he’d pulled her behind him.

”Zev, what—”

”Someone’s coming. Fast,” he said, keeping her at his back. “I can hear them running, but the wind’s in the wrong direction, I can’t smell who it is yet. Just stay behind me.”

But soon he relaxed. “It’s just Kyelle,” he said, loosening his grip on her.

Kyelle appeared on the trail, her face pinched in pain, and Sasha’s stomach sank. What had happened while they’d been gone? Why hadn’t they come for them?

”What is it?” she asked, stepping forward.

Kyelle ran straight to her and stood there, chest heaving. “One of the females died,” she said, her voice breaking. “She crawled up on the roof. I don’t know if she fell, or if she jumped but… but she died.”

Zev growled as Sasha began to cry.