Free The Unveiling by Shyla Colt Page A

always thought of him as a slacker. But now he saw he’d simply chosen a different path, one they'd all been dependent upon. He was an integral part of adapting to life here.
    "You just schooled me."
    Mars burst into laughter. "Did you just use that phrase? Holy shit, we've been spending too much time together."
    "Wasn't that the proper way to use it?" Bastien asked.
    "Technically, yes, but it doesn’t sound right coming from you." Mars wiped the tears away from his eyes as his laughter ebbed.
    "Look, we have to come up with a plan of attack and get started. You need a crash course on women, a subject that happens to be my specialty." Mars flashed a huge grin, and Bastien shook his head. If nothing else he was in a much better mood.
    "I don't need a lesson on all women, just one."
    "True, but we can teach you the basics. ‘Cause right now you're a blank canvas, and clueless is not a good look on you."
    "Don’t pull any punches, do you?"
    "You can take it."
    "You're supposed to be making me feel better," he said.
    "Aren't you?"
    "Yes, you smug bastard."
    "You know we don't coddle in this family. Save that for Rivka ." Bastien tossed a pillow, chuckling when it nailed his unsuspecting brother in the face. "You come to me for help, and this is the thanks I get?"
    "It made me feel better." Bastien shrugged.
    "Good, that was the point. Now we need to do some recon."
    "On women?" he asked, lost.
    "No, on Rivka. We know what she does, but we don't know anything about the woman—at least I don't. Do you?"
    "No," Bastien said. Why hadn't he thought of this?
    "Let's get our laptops and head downstairs to get some food. I'm starving, and this might take a while. I doubt she does interviews for People magazine, so we'll really have to search."
    "We should call Kade," Bastien said.
    "He might be working in the lab. He's been overseeing the search for the chemical compound,” Mars said.
    "I'll hunt him down, and we'll meet you in the kitchen."
    "Good deal." Mars walked him to the door, and Bastien paused. "Thanks, Mars."
    "I'm happy to be able to help you for once. Seems like we always ask you. I know it's part of your job description, but it's got to be exhausting nonetheless. Truth be told, I'm glad to see you with your mate. She'll make you happy, and you deserve that after all the years of selfless service and sacrifice. I know your shoulders are broad, but they could use a break."
    His throat closed, and he proceeded down the hallway, unable to speak around the lump that had formed. In the beginning he hadn't been given a choice about what he wanted to do with his life. When he looked back he knew he wouldn’t have had it any other way. A few minutes later he pulled out his phone and called Kade.
    "Hey Bast, what's up?"
    "Ran into a problem I could really use your help with. What are you up to right now?"
    "In the labs."
    "Can you get away?"
    "Yeah, you want to meet me down here? I'm waiting on some test results coming up in a few minutes."
    "Yeah, I'm on my way now."
    "See you when you get here."
    They disconnected, and Bastien made his way to the bottom floor of the house. He nodded to the workers he passed. His skin crawled at the sight of the army of men and women in lab coats. He found Kade clad in a white lab coat and a pair of pale blue-green scrubs. His head was down as he studied the print outs in his hand in the middle of the research office. Bastien knocked.
    "Hey, come on in," Kade said.
    "Did you find what you were looking for?" Bastien asked, perching on the edge of the desk in front of him.
    "No, something's still missing. I've been thinking of going undercover and taking a trip to Branzor."
    "Why?" Bastien asked.
    "I think that's where Tavel’s source is coming from. I need fresh specimens and the chance to talk to locals. He may be using something not commonly known. It's my best guess as to why we haven't been able to recreate the things we've found. I'll need to put together a team for the expedition, and