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into the room. Ignoring the others, they came to her, and she knew they could see how precariously close she was to losing herself to the hysterical blindness that could consume her. She wanted to tell them how happy she was to see them, how much she needed them there with her, but the words were locked in her throat that had all but closed as the muscles of her body locked up.
    “Commander Spartan, Commander Archer. That door was locked. You’re not authorized to interrupt this interrogation,” High Commander Newgate bit out in a harsh tone.
    Ignoring him, Sullivan Archer yanked Serra’s chair to the side so he could kneel in front of her. Gripping her chin he raised her head so she was staring into beautiful light-brown eyes. Just the sight of them calmed her more than anything else could.
    “Hello, hummingbird. Just breathe. I’m here. Nothing is going to hurt you.”
    She focused on Sully as pain surged through her head. It hurt to look at him, but she couldn’t seem to look away. She needed to see him. Needed him there with her.
    High Commander Newgate made a move to push Archer away, but Jax shoved him back before he could get close.
    “Commander Spartan, you are very close to being brought up on charges.”
    Jax ignored the cold fury in High Commander Newgate’s voice. “You can’t touch her when she’s in this state. She’ll react without thinking and lash out. If you read her goddamn file, you would’ve known that.”
    High Commander Newgate relaxed at the reminder. “Yes, I did. You’re right.”
    “I’m sorry,” Regent Wyland-Ross said softly, shaken herself for almost making such a costly error. “I shouldn’t have tried to touch her, but I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
    “Archer and I will see to her.”
    “You shouldn’t be in here,” High Commander Newgate said, but the heat of anger had faded.
    Jax’s deadly smile would have made a lesser man shiver with fear. “Serra Lysander is ours to protect. And we will, from anyone. Even you. We claim her.”
    He ignored High Commander Newgate’s curse and Regent Wyland-Ross’ sharp inhale, and turned at the sound of Archer’s voice. It was low, but there was a sense of urgency in it that instantly alarmed Jax.
    “Jax. Something’s wrong.”
    Dismissing everyone else, Jax quickly squatted down next to Archer so he could look into Serra’s eyes. Damn, the impact of those light-green eyes seared straight through to his soul. He could see that they were glazed with pain and fear, but there was something else shining back at him. There was relief. Relief at seeing him and Archer. She should have known they would come to her when she needed them.
    This woman owned them.
    And now they would own her as well.
    “She’s in pain, but I don’t know why,” Archer whispered as he reached up to wipe away the sweat beading her brow. “Something is really wrong. This isn’t just a panic attack.”
    “What is it, son?”
    Gone was the powerful regent, replaced by a concerned father as Jax felt a hand grip his shoulder. “I don’t know. Get a med tech in here. Now!”
    Jax didn’t look away from Serra as he barked out the order. The sound of scrambling feet behind him assured him that help was coming, but seeing the pain in her eyes was making him crazy. Beside him, Archer ripped off his uniform top and wrapped it carefully around her shoulders when she began to shake.
    Serra winced as she raised a hand up to touch her fingers to her temple and Jax grabbed her other hand, gripping it tight in his own. Fingers wrapped around his like a vise, as if she were desperate to hold onto something. Her skin was cool to the touch, and he could feel her trembling increase. “What is it, sweetheart?”
    “Don’t…know…head hurts…”
    “Everything is going to be okay. We’ll take care of you. You know we will. You belong to us, Serra. Do you deny it?”
    The throbbing in Serra’s head was making it hard to think, but she was aware enough