“Why are you?” she countered, ignoring the first question.

“They are helping me retrieve something that was stolen from me.”

“It’s not like you to be so sentimental, General,” she taunted. “Or perhaps you just don’t care about anyone but yourself.” The bitter words hinted at deeper resentment, but she shook herself, and her tone returned to the light taunting she’d been using all along. “If you cooperate, you can have the child back in a little while. We no longer need him.”

Well, that sounded extremely ominous.

“Where are the others?” Torran demanded.

The telekinetic tilted her head. “What others?” she asked innocently.

“They left her behind with two flunkies and the kid,” Lexi said. “Why? And why is she stalling?”

“She’s waiting for the others to escape,” I murmured.

“Or she’s waiting for someone else to show up,” Eli said.

“Or both,” Lexi growled. She was ever the optimist, our Lexi.

The telekinetic spoke. “You have something that I want. I have something that you want. Let’s trade.”

“No,” Torran said flatly.

“Don’t be so hasty, General. I’m not asking for anything you aren’t willing to part with. Give me the humans, and I’ll return Cien to you safe and sound.”

Torran remained silent for a beat, then he shrugged. “Deal.” Telekinetic power wrapped around me, and my feet lifted from the ground.

Chapter Thirty

The comm exploded with outraged voices as my team turned on their Valovian counterparts, weapons drawn. The telekinetic holding Cien laughed in delight. “I want the hero of Rodeni alive, but you can kill the rest,” she told Torran.

My team lifted into the air, their weapons useless.

Just how strong was Torran?

“Quiet,” I demanded over the comm. “He’s not going to betray us.” I sounded confident to my own ears, but it was difficult not to harbor doubts. His power held me gently, not at all like the crushing grip of the other telekinetic. I wanted to believe that it was because he wouldn’t hurt us, but were my feelings getting in the way of reality?

No. Torran had vowed a life debt, and the care I’d felt from him wasn’t faked. He had a plan; I just wished I knew what it was. And how to help.

“Remove Cien’s vest and I will hand over the humans,” Torran said.

The other telekinetic laughed. “Give me the humans, and I will show you where the trigger is, but know that I also have a remote override. You will let me leave, and I will not use it.”

It was Torran’s turn to scoff. “And you expect me to trust you?”

“I suggest you work fast, General.”

“Kee, did you find the remote signal?” I asked.