She swallowed. “Yes. Just one more question. If the Cysts want to get rid of all enhanced females, why are they trying to kidnap them all across the globe?”

He should’ve shaved, but it was too late for that. “There are a couple of possible reasons that we’re exploring, and I’ll share those when I know more.” He didn’t want to discuss it.

“No.” Her teeth played with her bottom lip as she thought through the problem. “Do you think they have some sort of cure or protection for their own mates from whatever Ulric has in mind? That would make sense, right? They could gather as many enhanced females as they wanted.” She cleared her throat. “Um, can a human be mated without consent? I mean, completely?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” She turned pale. “I didn’t know that.”

“It’s against the Realm laws and the laws of all the other nations, except the Kurjans,” he said, needing her to understand the danger out there. “I think the Cysts have spent the last centuries trying to figure out how to save the females they wanted and destroy the rest of us. If our mates die, we might as well, too.” He brushed a knuckle down the side of her face, marveling at the delicate bone structure. How had she survived that coma?

She leaned into his touch. “So that’s why?’

“Yes.” He really was finished discussing this topic.

Her gaze narrowed. “There’s more you’re not saying.”

He exhaled. Was she trying to stall his bite? “Do you want to do this or not?”

She ignored him, a variety of expressions crossing her face. “Wait a minute. You said Ulric killed a hundred enhanced women and used their blood to create true immortality for himself.”

“Yes.” Man, she was like a dragon with a bucket of gold. Although, he did admire how quickly her mind worked. Every moment he spent with her made her more intriguing.

“Immortality would be lonely,” she whispered. “He’s going to make more immortal Cyst soldiers—by killing hundreds more enhanced women.”

Adare didn’t need to reply. It had been his theory for a while, and it made sense. “So you see why we need to take out the Kurjan base in Arizona.”

She nodded. “Yeah. I see.”

He leaned back, stretching his legs further. Apparently there would be no biting tonight. Fine with him. Although, with her tight butt on his legs, his body was getting other ideas. Fast. “How are you feeling?”

She wiggled a little. “Tired, concerned and a little aroused.” She bit her lip again. “Maybe a lot aroused.”

His body woke up with a growl he felt to his toes. When the woman decided to be honest, she sure as shit did it with a vengeance. The biting was back on. He shifted her slightly for better access. “You sure about this?”