Free Paige's Warriors (Bondmates Book 3) by Ann Mayburn Page B

dire, but it would not hurt for your enemies to be aware that your Matriarch is well protected on all political fronts.”
    “Thank you.”
    “There is another issue I must discuss with you. Security level Zupulon.”
    His heart was already beating hard from the rescue, but when she invoked one of the highest levels of secrecy Tren’s body surged with adrenaline. Security level Zupulon was reserved only for the most sensitive information that was a life or death matter. “What is the threat?”
    “We received information that there are slavers on the Reaping ship.”
    “Are you sure of this?”
    “No, but we intercepted a communication yesterday from someone on the ship regarding the price of an Earth woman of a specific type. It was astronomical. Earth men and women are the hottest commodity right now as an exotic species built for sex. If the slavers are using the Reaping ship to fulfill their orders we need to stop them, now.”
    Red filled his vision, and he almost choked on a howl of rage. Nearby a woman burst into hysterical tears while clutching at her healer, staring at Tren with a look of horror. Still wearing his helmet, he strode over to the other side of the holding room, to where additional stasis pods were being set up.
    “Commander Trenzent,” Lady Elsin snapped with enough bite to her words to get through to him. “I know this is trying for you, but your bride will soon be on the Reaping ship, and I thought you should know.”
    “I will destroy them and feast on their hearts.”
    “I am sure you will, but first you must find them. I am sending my best Negotiators to help you try and find our enemies before they strike. A friend of yours whose loyalty you do not deserve, but have none the less.”
    His gut clenched, and he locked his emotions down as best he could, already suspecting he knew who she was sending. “Lord Rell.”
    “Yes. He is the best man for this job in many ways. I trust you two will be able to put aside any personal issues and work together to stop the slavers?”
    What he wanted to do was never see Rell again, but it seemed the Lord of Life, and Lady Elsin, had other plans. Part of him wanted to reject her offer, but what she said was true. If the slavers really were trying to find a foothold in the Milky Way galaxy, no one was better at finding them than Rell.
    Too bad Tren didn’t know if he could be near the other man without fighting with him. Though his hatred seemed to be fading for some reason, he still couldn’t stand the thought of being near Rell. He considered bringing that up with Lady Elsin, but she would want to know the personal nature of their dispute, and he wasn’t sharing that information with anyone. The shame of his own actions that fateful day still haunted him with strong guilt. All those men, dead, because he wanted to spend more time with his secret blood brother.
    “Commander Trenzent?”
    “Are you sure Lord Rell is the best fit for this?”
    “I am absolutely certain.” Her voice softened. “Commander Trenzent, he needs you.”
    “I-I do not understand what you are saying.”
    “Lord Rell is even older than you are, Commander, and without the bond of a true blood brother he has been suffering.”
    “The madness?”
    “Not yet,” she said with a heavy emphasis on the word ‘yet’. “I must go, may the Lord of Life hold you in His grace, Supreme Commander.”
    “You as well, Lady Elsin.”
    After they disconnected, he forced himself to remain standing, not wanting the men carefully watching him to see even a moment of weakness. The threats to Paige from his enemies, the kidnappings, and the involvement of the slavers all tore at his self-control, but knowing Rell was on his way, that Tren would have to see his estranged blood brother, had Tren coming as close to breaking as he ever had. The feral part of him wanted to take his bride and flee, to hide her someplace where no one could hurt her, to keep her safe, but he knew that was the