“Bane,” she whispered, peering at him with wonder. “You heard me and responded. How? I have to know! And why ignore me for so long?”

“I couldn’t speak with you. You blocked me.”

Really? “How?” she asked again.

“Don’t know.” He cataloged the terrain while gripping two daggers.

No doubt he’d taken in every detail.

Well, she cataloged him. Locks of pale hair stuck out in tangled spikes. Contempt glittered in his amber eyes, stronger than before. No big deal. I don’t care. Dirt streaked his skin, and caked under his nails and around the edges of his shoulder wound. He was shirtless, of course, his only clothing a pair of ripped camo pants. On his feet, scuffed combat boots.

Wait. He wore boots. Plural.

“Your foot,” she said, easing into an upright position. His foot had grown back, just as she’d commanded—Heal. Grow a new foot as quickly as possible.

The first order—heal—should have encompassed every injury, even the shoulder one. Still. He’d regrown a freaking foot and teleported! Because she’d given an order. The implications of this were mindboggling. Wonder enveloped her.

“Your shoulder,” she said next.

“A mystical sword gave me a wound that cannot be mended.”

“That sucks!”

“I will find a way.”

So would she!

But first, she wondered if he would obey all of her commands, no matter what. Would others?

Nola squeezed her eyes shut and whispered, “Appear before me, Vale.”

Moments passed in suspended anticipation. She pried open her eyelids and... Nope. No Vale.

Disappointment settled over her. Maybe the ability—or whatever it was—worked only with Bane.

“Since we were last together, the foot grew back and I clawed my way out of a mountain. I also saw your sister,” Bane said, dragging his gaze over her. “As of three hours ago, she was alive and well.”

“Thank God!” A thousand pounds of worry lifted. “And a thousand thanks to you for telling me.”

“Don’t thank me. Inform me. Where’s Zion?” Even before she responded, he made a show of sheathing his weapons. With his gaze locked on Nola, he dropped his chin to his sternum and crossed the distance like a total predator. Crouching in front of her, he smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear, uncharacteristically gentle. “Tell me, Nola.”

“I don’t know where he is,” she admitted, stretching her arms overhead. As her spine arched, her breasts thrust forward. She let her head drop back, and a wealth of tension seeped from her muscles. A slow smile bloomed. So good!

Little growls rumbled from Bane. “Cease moving about. Wipe that rapturous look off your face.”

Why would he... Unless he... Did Bane find her attractive? He must. He just didn’t want to want her.