Harry's Sacrifice Read Online Free PDF Page B

y’all were up to. Just had to prove how serious this is.”
    For some reason, Rick believed him. He didn’t trust him, but he believed him in this instance. Rick let it go as he looked over at Davin and nodded once.
    “He’s been here a while.” Rick stood back and watched while his partner—a man he had come to respect in many ways—turned to deal with the alien.
    “What are you?” Davin asked of the only other Alvian in the room.
    Ronin stood, flanked by his operatives.
    “We are Zxerah .”
    “ Zxerah? ” Davin repeated, clearly shocked.
    “What the heck is Zxerah ?” Rick asked, apparently the only one in the room who didn’t know what the alien word meant.
    “Like ninjas,” the woman spoke for the first time. “Only better.” She sent him a sassy smile as she sat on the edge of the conference table.
    “Alvian ninjas? You’ve got to be kidding.”
    The woman laughed and the sound was rich and clean. Her eyes sparkled with humor and her Asian features lit with something like happiness. Rick hadn’t seen such an open look on any human woman’s face, aside from those in the O’Hara family, in more years than he could count. That expression alone said a lot for the alien, and the care he took of his people.
    “The Zxerah tradition started on Alvia Prime,” Ronin said. “But since arriving on Earth and encountering humans, I have extended our clan to include certain humans as well. It was always common among the Brotherhood to adopt new members into the clan in each generation. Those who proved themselves willing to learn, able to contribute, or simply in need of protection have long been welcomed among us to improve our bloodlines and our abilities.”
    “But your sect was believed to have died out centuries ago,” Davin interjected. “I assume the Council is aware of your continued existence?”
    “They are among the very few allowed to know.” Ronin inclined his head in acknowledgement. “And now I have decided to include you and your mates in that number. The time fast approaches when the Zxerah will most likely reveal our existence to the rest of the Alvian race, whether the Council likes it or not.”
    “For what purpose?”
    “For the purpose I stated earlier,” Ronin answered Davin’s accusatory tone. “As a race, we have lost our way. We need to reestablish a connection with our ancestral selves. We need some emotion in our lives. Living with and observing my human clan mates has convinced me this is the wisest course.”
    “And who are you to decide the course of an entire race?” Davin challenged. Rick had never seen him so combative toward another Alvian—unless they’d earned it.
    “I am the Patriarch.”
    That announcement fell on the room like a ton of bricks. Rick wasn’t sure exactly what it meant, but it was clearly something that meant a lot to Davin.
    Rick was distracted by movement at the door. Sure enough, Callie had come to investigate. Undoubtedly, she’d felt the disturbance in her mates’ emotions. She was as sensitive—if not more sensitive—than her mother. Both women were strong empaths, bound closely to their men. Rick should have expected her to pick up on the mélange of emotions swirling around him and Davin.
    Rick didn’t think there was any imminent threat in these Zxerah people, but he motioned for her to stay near the doorway just in case. She could be of some help here, reading the emotions of these newcomers. She’d probably be able to tell him if they were on the level or not, but he’d keep himself between her and these ninja wannabes. Just in case.
    “Well, that explains the ancient codes you transmitted,” Davin said into the tense silence. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
    “The honor is mine, Chief Engineer. And I assume this is your mate?” His gaze shifted to Callie, still in the doorway.
    She smiled tentatively. “I’m Callie. I hope I’m not intruding.”
    “You know perfectly well you are, sweetheart. I’m going to