Free New Species 08 Obsidian by Laurann Dohner

you attack me. Are we clear?”
    His eyebrows lifted as he glanced at the two females before taking a seat on the edge of the bed to study the one named Breeze. “I will not strike out at you.”
    “That is good to know.” She smiled. “How are you doing with knowing freedom? You look strong and healthy. I heard you ventured outside today to take a walk.”
    “I am well.”
    “You don’t speak much to others, do you?”
    “I am adjusting. It is strange.” He avoided discussing why he wasn’t talkative, unwilling to admit he didn’t feel comfortable around so many after his solitary life with only his mate.
    Sympathy flashed in Breeze’s eyes. “We all understand that but trust me, you have it way better than we did. Humans had to deal with us after we were rescued. It was tough on them, as well as us, to find a happy middle ground. You’re surrounded by your own kind.”
    “Why would I feel trust? I don’t know you.” He wanted to be honest.
    She grinned and he relaxed slightly when her features softened.
    “True. We’re your kind though and you are ours. We have to stick together and you can depend on us to have your back. Do you know what that means?”
    “You are telling me I can trust you.”
    “That’s right. You can.” She leaned forward a little. “How are you really doing?”
    “I’m growing stronger.”
    “I mean how are you doing inside your head? I know you lost your mate. Are you filled with rage?”
    He nodded. “I want revenge for her death.”
    “We have the assholes who killed her.”
    He tensed. “They are here?”
    “We captured them when you were rescued. They were sent to a cage of their own and will pay for her death. Does that help? They will never be free again.”
    “I want to be taken to them.”
    She shook her head. “You desire to make them bleed but you can’t. We don’t kill humans. We lock up the ones who committed crimes against us. They suffer. They are now caged and under the mercy of humans themselves.” Her smile looked forced. “Does that help?”
    “They should die.” Anger boiled inside him.
    “I agree but we are better than the ones who imprisoned us. We show mercy.”
    “I don’t.”
    Her gaze sparked with amusement. “You have a heavy sense of justice inside you.”
    He said nothing but wasn’t sure what she meant.
    “You would have done anything to protect your mate, right? Broken any rule to keep her safe?”
    “Yes. They killed her without provocation. I did nothing to anger them.”
    “Those Mercile employees were mean assholes.” She took a deep breath and glanced at the females by the door before speaking softly to them. “How does it look?”
    The one with streaked red hair glanced away. “We’re still clear.”
    Breeze met his gaze. “We’re not supposed to be here but sometimes we are bad at following orders. I had an officer who owed me a favor turn off the cameras.” She pointed to the corner. “They are there for your protection and to make sure you are in no danger but are currently off.”
    He became alarmed. “Is there a threat to my life?”
    “Not from us.” She cocked her head. “Do you know who is in danger?”
    “Who?” He quickly became confused.
    One of the women by the door revealed her hand, which had rested behind her back. It held a clear bag with material inside, which pulled it out and tossed to him. It was a shirt. The sweet scent he inhaled was familiar and a soft growl tore from his throat before he could stifle it.
    “Her name is Alli.” Breeze hesitated. “Dr. Allison Baker. She’s human but never worked for Mercile. She risked her ass to save yours. I like her.” She jerked her head toward the other two women. “They like her too. Do you want to know why? Alli is a good human. She’s sweet and our friend.”
    He fisted the female’s shirt in his hands but said nothing. He wasn’t sure what they expected from him. Part of him worried they were trying to spot a reaction that would