Free Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4 by Michelle Howard

sweat-dampened hair. “We were doing our job. You should increase your security until the truce is in effect.”
    Brushing at his thick silver-streaked mane, the ambassador agreed instantly, his leonine smile huge in his blue striped face. “Of course. We will request armed assistance.”
    Duna Ilamon, the ambassador’s wife, came forward, her yellow ankle length skirt sweeping along the floor. Her nut brown skin matched Suravi’s perfectly. She clasped Kyele’s forearm and peered at him with sincerity blazing from her startling blue eyes. “If there is anything we can ever do for you, please don’t hesitate. Suravi is our only.” Her voice broke and her tail whipped up in agitation. “We can have no more children so you must understand how relieved we are to have her back.”
    The effusive thanks sent a flush up Kyele’s neck. He preferred to be in the background and this was the reason why. Jaron did better at these face-to-face interactions. Even Faruk curse his soul, had handled people better than he did.
    “Again, we do not need thanks.”
    A protest started on Duna’s lips when the alert went off. Kyele pressed a finger to the black disc in his ear to silence it and noticed Savi, Stefin, Markus and Creed mirroring his action with a puzzled frown. Unease slivered through Kyele, increasing his desire to leave immediately.
    He broke away from the Ambassador’s wife to squat beside Suravi. “You will be alright now.”
    She looped her arms around her father’s legs but smiled at Kyele. He noted no shadows in her eyes from her harrowing experience. “Evidi’shuu.” Thank you .
    “Evidi’shaa.” You are much welcome . He rose to his feet smoothly, ignoring the smirks from his team as they rushed back to the waiting shuttle.
    “You are good with children, Kyele.” The others joined in laughing at Savi’s quip.
    Kyele stared, gaze going cold and unflinching. The grin fell from Savi’s lips as he hurriedly fastened his safety harness. The typical reaction amused Kyele.
    As soon as he settled in his own seat, he unsheathed his knife and began rolling the blade between his fingers with unerring accuracy and contacted Jaron. His pleasure at a successful mission was short lived as he placed the Team Leader on speaker.
    “Team Two report to Enotia immediately regardless of mission status. Repeat return to Enotia.” Nothing could hide the terror in Jaron’s voice.
    “Jaron, Team Two on route. Status of emergency?”
    The gazes of the others burned brightly as they waited, their ribbing of one another cut off abruptly.
    “The facility was attacked.”
    Kyele stilled. He thought of sparkling gold eyes and hair like fire. Gone? Not possible. Torkel’s security measures had security measures. No way anyone could breach their home. But what if someone had? What if they’d taken away the only female Kyele cared for? He forced the next word through stiff lips. “Casualties?”
    Savi leaned forward. Creed and Stefin sat with hands knotted in their laps. Markus pounded the overhead panel, denting the metal with his fist.
    “I do not know.” Kyele drew in a sharp breath, legs braced apart as Jaron continued. “The perimeter alarms were turned off an hour ago.”
    “By who?” Anger snapped through Kyele’s tone. Those alarms were to be on at all times.
    “Joni’s code was used.”
    Lancing pain pierced his middle. Kyele lowered his head, ramming the fingers of one hand through his hair and stared at the floor to conceal his unguarded expression. Had she disarmed them voluntarily or under duress?
    “The secondary alarm to the rear door signaled ten minutes ago. Joni again. Team Three is dark. We can’t recall them. I’m heading back with Team One but you’re closer.”
    Kyele lifted his head as he tried to imagine his Unit Leader’s reaction to this. “Have you spoken to Torkel yet?”
    Jaron muttered a curse. “He’s with Rydak. I haven’t notified him.”
    Savi groaned and thumped his head on the