“Next on the agenda is—”
“Being introduced to the group.”
I spun my chair around at the voice. Quinn.
Whispers erupted down the long table at the interruption. At the unfamiliar face… at least to them. For me, the face was very familiar. I remembered the long, wheat colored hair, the strong brow, the eyes that seemed to be able to look into my soul. The Roman nose, the full lips. I remembered all of it.
I stared at him, mouth open.
He grinned, ignored everyone in the room and gazed at me. Took in my uniform, the way my hair was pulled back into a bun at my nape. The way I sat at the head of the table. How long had he been standing there?
I didn’t need to ask how he sneaked in so quietly. He was a Hunter. So was I, dammit. I should have heard him. Sensed him. Instead, I’d been lost in my thoughts. About him. I breathed deeply. Yes, I smelled him now. I focused my mind away from the meeting and to him. Heard the beat of his heart. I noticed everything.
The Atlan who taught hand-to-hand fighting stood, ready to prove his skills if Quinn were a threat. It was almost laughable because I was the only other Everian in the room. No one else was as fast or ruthless as Quinn. The Atlan might be huge and could rip Quinn’s head off, but there was no way he’d catch him to do so.
“Thank you, Warlord,” I said as I rose from my chair, holding out my hand to stop him. I moved to stand beside Quinn. “I apologize for the interruption, but perhaps now is the time to take a break.”
“You’re not going to introduce me, mate? I’ve come all the way from Sector 437.”
The word mate wasn’t missed by anyone. In fact, everyone smiled and began talking at once. A few clapped even.
Smiling—I couldn’t help it, I was so happy to see him—I turned to the group. “Everyone, may I introduce Elite Hunter Quinn of Everis.”
The room erupted into a chorus of greetings and murmurs, no doubt speculating about that word… mate. Mate. I wasn’t sure if they were so enthused because I had found a mate or because it was a happy event. I was pleased to see Quinn. Stunned, even. But he’d interrupted my meeting, messed with my order. My routine.
Prime Nial’s lead representative came around the table. “Congratulations, Vice Admiral.” He tipped his head at Quinn. “Elite Hunter.”
Quinn nodded in response and the Prillon returned his gaze to me. “Vice Admiral, if you wish to excuse yourself, I can lead the remainder of the meeting.”
“That won’t be—”
“Thank you, Warrior,” Quinn said, cutting me off.
I narrowed my eyes. Glared. How dare he! This was my meeting. My work. “I am able to continue and—”
“No, you’re not,” Quinn said. “The warrior has offered his leadership and we shall take him up on that.”
He took my elbow in a firm grip and steered me toward the door.
“Quinn,” I hissed quietly, but he didn’t even turn to look at me. I knew he could hear me. He could hear my heart beating in my chest. His name as a whisper on my lips, he would hear as clearly as a shout.
Cadets in the corridor stopped and saluted as I passed, but I knew t
hey were wondering why I was being led from my own building.
Once outside, Quinn finally stopped. “Where are your quarters?”
“Now you’re paying attention to me?”
He frowned. “I’ve always seen you.”
I huffed. “Seen me, but listened? That was my meeting.”
He shrugged. “It’s just a meeting.”
My eyes bugged out. “Just a—”
Two cadets walked past, saluted.