PART SIX

Max glanced at the library clock, and saw that it was just after 12:30 a.m. He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, trying to decide what to do. He could work until 1:00 a.m., when the building closed.

Or he could go home to Liz.

At the mere thought of her, he felt an answering shimmer of fire build within his body.

He drew a deep shuddering breath, anything to soothe the energy that had instantly begun stirring within him.

He’d told Liz the truth--this was starting to drive him slightly insane…the unending need, the constant desire.

And yet what they shared lately was beyond beautiful… completely delirious, but also slightly torturous at moments like these.

He started gathering his books together, realizing this was fruitless. No matter how hard he’d tried to focus on his work tonight, his thoughts had just kept wandering back to Liz—to what he wanted to do with her the minute he got home.

He’d sat here in the library for almost two hours, his body thrumming powerfully, feeling so restless that he’d barely accomplished anything at all.

No, this was definitely a futile exercise, Max thought, hoisting his backpack over his shoulder--and there was only one thing to be done about it.

***

Outside the library, the winter air was bitingly cold against his heated skin, and Max thrust his hands deep in his pockets in an effort to keep them warm. The weather was unseasonably cold, and it looked like they might get a little snow. He smiled, glancing at the cloudy night sky, thinking how much Liz would love that. She was still such a little girl whenever there was even a hint of snow.

The campus walkway was deserted and quiet, and only the faint sound of someone’s stereo could be heard in the distance. But the silence was quickly broken when a loud shout reverberated through the quad, followed by the lilting strain of feminine laughter. Undoubtedly some weeknight party in one of the dorm rooms, Max thought, turning to walk home--and it struck him how different the lives of his fellow students were from his own. Max’s group could only pretend to be normal--keep their heads down and hope that no one attacked.

None of these other students lived like that. They drank and partied, watched movies…while he worried that someone might hurt his wife. His precious, beautiful wife--and he realized that was part of why he hadn’t been able to stop thinking of her while in the library. Certainly, it had been this driving physical need, but something more that that, too. He’d felt unsettled ever since Marco’s revelation about their lives being endangered.

He quickened his pace down the walkway, glancing at his watch. He had a long walk ahead of him, even though their apartment was only right off campus. In retrospect, Max realized that he should have driven the jeep, but he’d thought the walk might help clear his thoughts.

As Max began his journey home, he heard footsteps echoing close behind him, and his heart began beating more quickly. He stopped a moment, adjusting his backpack, so that he might glimpse the person behind him. But he couldn’t see anyone, just the empty walkway—and then suddenly, strong arms were grabbing him, choking the breath from his chest, as he was dragged into the darkness. He tried to wrestle his hands free, so that he might use his powers, but his attacker quickly wrangled his arms behind his back.

In that single moment, Max realized that all his dread--all his fear-- had come upon him.

This would be his end. And Liz would be left alone and unprotected.

***

Liz nestled her face against Max’s pillow, drinking in his scent as she curled into a tight ball on his side of the bed. Tess had left almost an hour ago, and she’d donned her flannel pajamas—definitely not sexy, but warm on this chilling night. Yet Liz knew that it hardly mattered what she wore, because once Max arrived, he’d have her clothes off in no time at all.

So she lay there in the inky blackness, nuzzling her face against his favorite pillow, drinking in the trace aroma of her love. She drew her knees up, forming a tight little ball there in the bed…and thought about her conversation with Tess.

There was just so much to contemplate. The idea that she and Max were in some kind of mating cycle would be easy enough to explain to him, even if a bit uncomfortable. The two of them never kept any secrets, so that part of the conversation actually seemed fairly effortless. She knew Max would welcome an explanation for their recent…urges. And she also knew that he’d find it incredibly sexy, because she did too, now that she’d had some time to adjust to the notion.

In fact, the whole concept had grown on her quite a bit. And with her burgeoning acceptance of it, her desire had begun ricocheting crazily through her body, forming quiet pools of electricity ever since she’d settled in their bed.

Somehow Tess’s words had absolved her of any regret, any sense of shame. Now she was only left with a spiraling desperation for her husband. Her mate.

As she lay between the cool sheets, her body simply burned for him. It was as if learning about this season had unleashed something within her, so that all her aching need had only intensified drastically. All she could do was lie and wait for Max, trying to calm her heart and the searing fire that raged within her veins. Unfortunately, that proved a nearly impossible task.

She pulled his pillow closer against her face, drawing in a husky breath, and wished that he would find his way to her more quickly. She considered connecting with him, calling him home, but decided against it. He needed this time to study, and would be in their bed soon enough.

But even as she tried to settle herself, she remembered the more disturbing element of her conversation with Tess. How could she explain to Max about her alien side—that he could unlock it within her? That seemed far too amorphous and difficult to verbalize. She decided to pin her hopes on his simply knowing…being able to read her heart as he had so many times in the past.

Because even as Tess had spoken to her tonight, she’d realized that Max already knew all of her deep fears about that other side of herself—otherwise he would have pushed her, not just as her husband, but as her leader—to develop her powers long ago.

Max was so gentle and sensitive, and could read her better than anyone else. He definitely knew she was afraid, of that Liz was certain. The question was how did she help him understand that she was ready now--on the verge of opening that part of herself finally? Because her conversation with Tess had left her poised, more than ever before, to exploring that hidden aspect of herself. She’d avoided it for far too long.

Liz sighed heavily into Max’s pillow. He would know, because there was no doubt about one thing--Max always knew her heart.

***

Max struggled against his unseen assailant, trying desperately to free his hands, but the arm around his chest was simply too strong. The man had covered his mouth, dragging him into a dark patch of trees off the main walkway. Another large hand pinned his arms roughly behind him, and Max’s thoughts raced crazily, as he tried to wrestle free.

"I’m sorry to do this," a husky voice breathed against his neck. "But you left me no alternative."

Then suddenly, the arms were releasing him, letting him go. Max spun quickly to face his attacker.

And found himself staring into Marco’s dark eyes, brooding and angry.

"What the hell are you doing?" Max demanded, gasping for breath.

"Making an important point," Marco hissed, then bowed his head softly. "With all due respect."

Max was furious…yet he found himself humbled by Marco’s gentle gesture of honor.

"Max, I could have been anyone," Marco continued quietly, his dark eyes somber.

"You were an open target, this late at night,"

"So you had to scare the living crap out of me to prove that point?" Max questioned tensely, still wrestling for breath.

"Apparently so," Marco continued. "Though I apologize for my methods."

"And well you should."

"Max, I don’t think you understand the gravity of your situation," he said softly, his eyes continually scanning the surrounding terrain. "You had no business out this late…walking alone."

"You told us to go on with our lives," Max answered stiffly. "This is my life, Marco. I work, I study, I write on my damn thesis…and it all keeps me up very late."

Marco stared at him a long moment, sighing heavily. "But you’ve got to be more careful."

Max studied his somber expression, and realization began to slowly dawn. Marco hadn’t revealed everything to them—not yet.

Max stepped closer to him, meeting his gaze intently. "Our situation is even more serious than you told us, isn’t it?" he asked.

Marco nodded slowly, his expression guarded. But Max could read his features, and knew that there was more going on than they’d realized.

"Is it Liz…or me?"

"Both of you."

"If it’s this serious, why didn’t you just tell us?" Max asked, terror gripping his heart. "I should never have left Liz alone in the apartment."

"Liz isn’t alone," Marco reassured him, shaking his head vigorously. "She’s being watched."

"What do you mean? By whom?"

"I can’t tell you that yet," he answered firmly. "But she’s definitely being watched at all times."

"And me?"

"I knew exactly where you were, didn’t I?"

"Why didn’t you warn us about how serious things really are right now?"

Marco hesitated a long moment, staring down at his dark hiking boots. Max watched numerous emotions shift across his features. "Because we felt that if you knew, it would be paralyzing, Max. Especially because you have no alternative but to keep on with your lives."

"I want to take Liz into hiding, Marco." Max stated firmly. "Tonight."

"No." Marco shook his head. "I understand your feelings, but so long as you’re both careful and smart, everything will be okay."

"How can you know that? You’re not telling us everything, and yet obviously we’re both at great risk."

"Max…you must remember that you weren’t even meant to know about me yet." Marco stared at him thoughtfully, raking a hand through his hair. "I told you earlier that we have a key informant within Khivar’s camp. You must trust me about who it is. If you and Liz run now, we’ll all lose more than you can imagine."

"Liz’s life is more important," Max answered angrily.

"Your life is more important, Max," Marco argued. "Everything we do is about putting you back on the throne."

Max shivered, couldn’t stop himself. It was so unreal that there were people literally following him—waiting for him to take his rightful place again.

"Max, I’m serious," Marco emphasized. "Of course Liz is important…but you need to worry about yourself, too. Our contact within Khivar’s camp has given us our greatest advantage yet in this revolution."

Max felt his world spin on its axis. He’d spent six years anticipating this—some moment when he’d find his political destiny emerging. But now with talk about revolutions and his taking the throne, it all felt too surreal.

"If you believe this is who I am, I don’t understand why you won’t tell me everything," Max answered, his voice measured and quiet. "It doesn’t make sense. If I’m the leader, I should know."

Marco met his gaze intently. "Because we all swore to protect you, Max. And that’s what we’re doing even now. There will come a day when you will command our every move, this revolution. But for now, we protect you—that’s our job."

Max felt suddenly furiously angry…so frustrated. He turned his back on Marco and began walking swiftly away. He heard him following closely behind, and turned, facing him again.

"I know Liz is in more danger than I am, Marco," he stated tensely. "I can’t explain how, but I do."

"What do you know?" He asked, eyes still scanning the landscape all around them. Max realized that he was literally constantly watching over him—which made him feel a little strange.

"I had a premonition." Max ran a shaky hand through his hair. "It will sound crazy."

Marco’s eyes widened, meeting his own, and Max couldn’t miss the concern flashing in his dark features.

"Max…"

"It was just a kind of feeling, Marco. That was all," he said. "But I’m terrified for her."

"Did you try to tap into it further?"

"What do you mean?"

"Press in closer on the feeling? Because otherwise it could mean anything…could relate to something twenty years from now, for all you know."

Max shook his head, feeling suddenly very confused. What was Marco talking about?

"You do know how to do that, don’t you?" Marco questioned gently. "Press in with your intuition."

"No." Max shook his head slowly.

"Which means you haven’t developed that aspect of your powers yet."

"I…haven’t been sure how to. I haven’t really known what to do with it."

"It doesn’t control you," Marco explained. "You control it, Max. I think I can help you develop it more."

"That would be…good," he answered softly. "I understand how to heal people. It’s very instinctive. But I’m a little afraid of all the impressions I get sometimes."

"What about Liz? It’s her primary gift. Does she use it?"

"No." Max shook his head vigorously. He knew that Liz still wasn’t ready to explore any of her powers.

"Do you think she’d be open to…learning?"

"Liz just isn’t there yet, Marco. Okay?"

Marco nodded thoughtfully, and was quiet for a long moment. "But she needs to be, Max. For all of you."

Max thought a long moment, because he knew the truth. "She’s just not ready."

"You’re saying that as her husband…not as her leader," Marco countered gently. "She needs to do it. We all need her to—otherwise the unit is incomplete."

"What are you saying?" Max asked, something unidentifiable rising within him.

"That Liz is critical to our survival. That her gifts are," he replied quietly. "But I think you probably guessed that long ago."

Max nodded slowly, his mind spinning. Because Marco was right—he’d known it for ages—that Liz was key to their survival. He couldn’t say exactly how he’d known, just that he did, somewhere deep in his heart.

"Max, you complete one another…your powers need to join so that they will increase," he said seriously. "There’s a reason why you share the same gifts. She balances you, Max. But your powers can’t join if she’s not using them."

Intuition…he thought. That strange instinct of knowing things, even those unsearchable depths he wasn’t meant to plunder. Yes, he’d always known Liz completed him in every way--maybe even years ago, when he’d leapt from a booth in the Crashdown and saved her life—not that it had been his motivation. That had only been love, pure and beautiful.

Yet, ever since that day, Max had slowly begun to sense that Liz Parker Evans meant everything to their future--to their survival, on this planet or any other. He just hadn’t known how to push her…to press her with her gifts.

But as his mind churned with all these thoughts, he knew it was time for his lovely Zillia to arise.