"Knycuz, wait," Zork'ak whispered.
"Where. Is. She."
Leslie took him in, assessing him, and to Makhan's surprise, she turned to the people guarding the door. "Bring Jessica Wright in here. She is waiting with the group in Lunchroom A."
They nodded, one pulling open the door just as Zork'ak shouted, "And Wren."
"Wren." Leslie stared at him, and he nodded.
"Yes. Wren."
She turned back toward the partially opened door. "Bring Jessica Wright and Wren Healy."
As the door shut again, Leslie's gaze moved over Zork'ak, who was trying to stay calm, to Knycuz, who was visibly barely restraining himself. And then she turned, those dark green eyes focusing on Makhan.
"No requests from you?"
He shook his head, giving her a similar perusal. Something tugged in his chest as he took her in, even though he knew this was the last person he should be attracted to. "There's no one out there waiting for me."
While the words could have portrayed the loneliness that he had been shoving down, they came out more suggestive. He saw the edge of her lips quirk, and it had him leaning closer to her.
"Shame." Another quick flick down his body. "Because you're trouble?"
A smile curled his lips and he leaned forward, wishing that there was nothing separating them. "Not quite." He knew better than to incriminate himself. He could not give this woman any reason to keep him locked up.
The door opened behind her before she could respond, and Makhan stepped back as he watched Wren rush in. Her small frame was trembling as she went right to Zork'ak, her palms pressing to the door separating them. "Zor. I didn't know where you had gone. I was worried. Are you okay?"
Zork'ak leaned forward, pressing his hands just opposite of hers. "I'm fine. We have only talked. Nothing more." His voice softened. "Breathe for me, Wren. I am unharmed."
She nodded frantically, but even Makhan could see how rapidly she was sucking in breaths as she whipped around to look at Leslie. "Why is he locked up? Open the door."
Leslie motioned to the guards. "Open it."
Stepping forward, one pressed a keycard to a flat scanner on the wall and the lock disengaged. As soon as the door slid open, Wren flung herself into Zork'ak's arms.
He caught her, pulling her against his chest as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. He spoke to her so softly that Makhan couldn't even hear it, but she was nodding. He was clearly calming her down.
"Open this." Knycuz's growled demand distracted Makhan from watching Zork'ak and Wren. "Now."
He lifted a hand toward the door, clearly threatening he'd break it, but Jessica called out to him as she moved in front of his cell. "Wait." She threw a look over her shoulder at Leslie, who only gestured for the guard to open Knycuz's door as well.
Knycuz took one step forward before Jessica was jumping into his arms. Two gripped her legs that had wrapped around his waist and the other two pressed her closer to him, one on her lower back and one cupping her head. "I will not be letting you out of my sight again," he told her, his voice rough and still angry.
"I know." Her arms tightened around his neck. "I didn't like it either. We're going to get you out of here."
Knycuz just squeezed her tighter, and Makhan found himself almost smiling. He'd done everything he could to get Jess back to Knycuz, and seeing them together had made it worth it. Even if Makhan had nearly lost his life as a result.
His eyes moved to Leslie, who was watching both of the couples with a pinch in her brow. "Interesting," she murmured, like she was just now understanding the motive behind the Klyl's presence.
And then there was Makhan. Still locked in his cell. Still alone.
