The Power of Persuasion by Kate Pearce Page B

Schaeffer himself. He’s okayed all the details. Between him, Ash and my mother, I don’t think the prof stands a chance.” She bent to kiss him. “Are you still okay about this?”
    “About accompanying you to Pavlovan?” He met her gaze head on. “If it means I can save the other telepaths from becoming Professor Dean’s lab rats, then yes.”
    She took a step backward. “So it’s purely a business decision.”
    “You know it’s more than that.” He stood up. “I want to hear what this Oracle of yours has to say.”
    “And depending on what you hear, and how you interpret it, you’ll decide whether to stay or go?”
    “It’s the best I can offer you at this point.”
    “For a telepath you are so damn unemotional.” She turned on her heel, her heart a tight fist in her chest.
    “Neeve—“
    “What?” She wouldn’t turn around.
    “Give me a chance here, will you? I’m trying, I really am.”
    “Understood. Good night, Mac, see you at the spaceport at 0500 hours.” She held the door open until he came toward her.
    “Would you rather I lied to you?”
    “Of course not.”
    He stopped in front of her and it took every centimeter of her control not to reach out and touch him. “I’m not trying to fuck you around, but—“
    “I know . Just fucking’s fine without all the other stuff. Go away.”
    She stepped around him, pushed him hard in the chest and shut the door in his face. The fact that he could enter her mind at will meant her action was pointless, but it was, at least, symbolic. It hurt her to realize he didn’t understand her world as much as it hurt him to consider sharing her with anyone else.
    Neeve sat down on the bed still warm from Mac’s presence. Whatever the Oracle said, there were still a lot of issues to decide. Getting Mac to Pavlovan was only the first step of a potentially long battle. Would they ever see eye to eye?

Chapter Eight
    Waking up from stasis and reuniting with the other six members of the super soldier project who’d agreed to leave Earth was a surprisingly emotional experience for Mac. He hadn’t expected to feel so in tune with them so fast. Apart from Neeve, the rest of the crew were unable to communicate telepathically which meant the telepaths could exchange information quickly and easily without having to worry about Professor Dean and her colleagues analyzing every thought anymore.
    Some of the men were stronger telepaths than others, but the ease with which they slipped back into the same command structure was both surprising and reassuring. Kaiden was a natural leader and all the men automatically deferred to him. It was good to sit down and explain the situation in more detail, outlining the potential to stay in Pavlovan if they wished, and the likelihood of Professor Dean reclaiming them as research subjects if they did choose to return to Earth.
    Mac sat back and watched everyone’s faces as Kaiden outlined the mission ahead. Everyone except Declan O’Hara seemed enthusiastic about meeting other telepaths and exploring the possibilities of a new world. Mac knew that it wasn’t because Declan didn’t want to be there. It was more that he was always the last of the bunch to commit to anything. His caution had saved more than one of the super soldiers’ lives, and his opinion, when given, was always respected.
    “Do we have to remain in the military?” Declan finally asked.
    Kaiden looked at Mac. “I don’t think so, Dec, but we can confirm that with the Assembly leader when we arrive.”
    “Good.”
    That was all Declan had to say at this point. He nodded his auburn head and studied his clasped hands.
    Kaiden stood up. “I think it’s time you all met Dr. Neeve. She’s the Pavlovan female who arranged for us to leave Earth. We’ll be protecting her on the last stage of this journey to Pavlovan through potentially hostile space.”
    There was a knock on the door and Neeve came through. She seemed unfazed as all the males shot to their