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system. “Where are you taking me?” It was a demand this time and still he ignored her.
    Darkness engulfed them for just a moment then Danvier engaged the hyperdrive and reality became a stream of colorful lights. Haven closed her eyes, fighting back the nauseating vertigo. The absence of light only heightened the spinning, so she opened her eyes and took several deep breaths. Finally, her body adjusted to the altered reality.
    “You’re a deceitful bastard,” she muttered as she struggled to regain her equilibrium.
    “Look who’s talking.” He shot her a sidelong glance filled with anger and awareness. “You’ve been trying to sabotage this mission since Vox brought you aboard. When that didn’t work, you attacked me without provocation. We were nothing but polite with you.”
    What he said was true, but she didn’t know them, had no reason to trust them. Of course she was going to try to escape. “You lied to me.”
    “No I didn’t. I said you’d be released. I never said where.”
    She snapped her head toward him and glared, but her stomach heaved in protest of her sudden movement. “You tricked me and you know it.” Little by little the unnatural pull on her body eased and the streaks all around the ship became a mix of glowing colors. “I demand that you take me to IG Headquarters. This was not our deal.”
    “I’m under orders to take you somewhere else.”
    “I don’t care!” She hit the chair release with the heel of her ankle boot and swiveled toward him. “I kept up my end of the bargain. Now I expect you to keep up yours.”
    He finished whatever he was doing and eased his hands out of the control matrix before he responded to her demand. “You’ll be safer where we’re going.”
    “That was Pyre’s excuse.” She unbuckled her safety straps and scooted to the edge of her seat, far too angry to remain still. “I didn’t believe her and I don’t believe you. Now take me home.” She stressed each word, accenting her resolve, and her desperation. She’d already been away too long. Every second that ticked by increased the chances that someone would discover Javin had passed beyond.
    Danvier slowly released his restraints, turned toward her, and leaned forward. “You don’t even realize how much danger you’re in. Pyre isn’t the only one determined to control you.”
    “No one controls me,” she snapped. Javin had tried. Hell, he’d nearly succeeded, but then she’d sneaked a look behind his mask.
    Slowly, Danvier touched his middle finger to her temple, a clear reminder of her attack. “Does your mate still live?”
    The question sent unexpected heat curling through her body. “Why do you care?”
    His finger slid slowly downward, caressing her from temple to chin. “A female as beautiful as you should never be left unprotected. If your mate still lives, he’s useless.”
    She hated to admit it, but the harbinger was right. Javin might have been an amoral monster, but he’d kept her safe. Even after his passing, his reputation had opened doors she would never have been able to access alone. Needing a male’s protection was an outdated concept according to the social mores of Earth, but these men were Rodyte, not human. At times it was easy to forget, but so was she.
    Danvier’s long fingers curved around her chin and his thumb traced her bottom lip. “How long have you been alone, vulnerable—defenseless?”
    “I’m not defenseless.” She turned her face to the side, dislodging his hand. “I knocked you on your ass, didn’t I?”
    “Why are you so afraid?” His legs framed hers, trapping her chair in its sideways position. He hadn’t really touched her, but the promise was there in his eyes. If she pushed him, he’d retaliate. He’d restrain her, control her, until all his mission objectives were complete. He might look like an angel, but he clearly thought like a soldier.
    “I’m not afraid. I’m proactive.”
    His only response was a small shift in