Chase Read Free Page B

are you?"
    "I am Drioth Nerosa, guardian of the Oefric colony on Mkara." He bowed, his naked torso rippling in the most fascinating of ways, his brown hair sliding over one eye as he stood.
    "I am Hexar Wen, guardian of the Oefric colony on Mkara. What is your name, lady?"
    She sighed and got it over with. "Nenita Chase of the Alliance Protectorate of Terra, assigned to Venith Station."
    Drioth frowned. "You are the woman that the one known as Nishino was after."
    She scowled. "Apparently. How long have you been here?"
    Hexar grunted, "Six weeks. We were lured into a trap on Mkara and ended up here. They trot us out for sparring practice."
    "I know why they wanted me, but why did they take you?"
    Drioth answered, "They love to fight against natural talents. They work on enhancing themselves so that they can be more aggressive in their attacks. Well, that and the Tival constantly attempt to breed talents into their bloodlines. This way, they can try out their experiments on those they plan to attack."
    She looked at their thick necks and licked her lower lip. "Is your collar wired into your brain?"
    They blinked and as one, they noticed her collar on her arm. Hexar nodded. "Yes, they are. It causes us to seize when they trigger the pain."
    "Would you like them removed? You can still wear them, but they won't work on you anymore." She quickly finished her last sentence when it looked like they would interrupt her.
    Hexar quirked a brow. "How would you do that?"
    She pulled her quill out of her wrap and looked up into his golden eyes. "Do you trust me?"

    Chapter Four
    Hexar was in front of her and Nenita had to admit his back was truly a lovely sight. She stifled her hormones and examined his collar. It was a lot easier from this angle.
    "The quill fits into this small space and with the correct pressure on the nodes, it retracts the filaments that are linked to your nervous system."
    "You can do that with a small spike? It took surgeons to implant them." Drioth was watching over her shoulder.
    "The collars seem to have a failsafe if you die or it needs to be removed in case of emergency. This tiny spot, the same size as the quill tip, is perfect for striking the sensor." She paused and asked Hexar, "Are you ready?"
    "If it will free me from this control, I am. Drioth, keep an eye out for any additional visitors. I don't know if more suitors will be released to seek her out." Hexar sighed and leaned forward to give her complete access to his neck.
    "Nenita, whenever you are ready." He let his air out and breathed slowly.
    "I will tell you when to hold your breath, but this will be painful, so try not to shout and startle me." Her fingers stroked along the nodes activating the sequence that her talent told her was correct. It was different from the combination on her collar, but when the light began to blink blue on it, she inserted the quill and said, "Hold your breath."
    He froze and she could see the tick on his forearms as the electrodes retracted. The moment it was completely free of him, he collapsed, leaving her to unlatch the collar and put it to the side.
    Sounds of battle drew her attention. Drioth had found some more suitors and based on the snarls and growls, they were having a difference of opinion.
    "Stay here, Hexar. You will be fine in a few minutes." Nenita moved toward the sounds of battle while checking back on Hexar. He was lying on one side, his hand pressed to his neck where the paler skin marked where the collar had been.
    Drioth was dealing with more than two suitors. Four men bearing the marks of the guards were attacking him. Drioth was in that in-between form again. Long claws, huge teeth, a long muzzle and only his blue-green eyes were the same. His body covered in molten gold fur and muscles banded with sinew and looked designed to kill.
    Two of the guards were sparring with Drioth and a third was using a remote to trigger the collar. His teeth were clenched as he fought the pain, but the growl was