Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any of these characters. All rights belong to Nalini Singh.

Note: I'm in grad school, which means it's hard for me to find time to write. That said, I'm sorry for the delay. If you guys don't mind my poor grammar and spelling, then I'll post more of these chapters. I can always come back and fix them later. So, I apologize in advance for poor grammar and spelling. I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless. Thanks for all the support and the wonderful reviews. Don't hesitate to send me a private message if you have any questions.

Chapter 28. Redemption

Nikita waited for her eyes to adjust before taking in the intricate walls of Anthony's mansion. Kaleb had teleported them, seconds earlier, to the NightStar Clan's headquarters and home of its leader Anthony Kyriakus. The building was old, full of history, and it smelled of sunflowers.

"If you are not hungry we could go for a swim," Anthony's soothing tone reminded Nikita of his kisses.

"I'm not hungry," she said, having exposed herself to more stimuli in the weeks following the start of the de-conditioning program than any other time in her life. The day's events, having saved a young woman from a sought-out rapist, left Nikita raw inside.

"The water will help soothe you."

Nikita checked her metal shields and discovered them intact. She glanced up at him and found Anthony's watchful eyes on Kaleb.

"Aden and his third in command have disappeared." The young man's expression didn't betray his frustration, but Nikita thought she saw his left eye twitch. "I find myself unable to teleport to him. Vasik can't reach him either."

"Kidnapped?" Nikita asked. The kidnapping of the Arrow leader could lead the world to chaos.

"Anthony, the populous is likely to trust you and Ivy more than any of us," Kaleb said, and his lack of response to her question gave her the answer. Someone kidnapped the leader of the Arrows.

"I'll prepare a statement," Anthony said, and the younger man teleported away with a nod.

"There's no proof of kidnapping," Nikita answered finding it difficult to maintain eye contact. "We have to deny the accusations."

"I sent my assistant the details." He pulled her out the door, and she followed him through corridors decorated with antique furniture. "What are you thinking?

"This house is a museum," she breathed, consuming the beauty of the paintings on the wall. The works of art revealed the old history of the Kyriakus family, and she would have stopped to examine the pictures closely for clues, but Anthony's urgent steps ushered her through a winding hallway. "What…"

Anthony's mouth crashed into hers before she could ask the question. She stilled and gathered her thoughts before the walls protecting her mind could drop.

"Privacy," he whispered. She froze realizing that Anthony might have come to his conclusions after she had attacked him hours earlier. She could feel her skin heating up in the memory of their shared intimacy.

"I don't think I'm ready for that," she said. In truth, she didn't think she would ever be ready, but there was no point in arguing with Anthony about the issue. "I apologize for my primitive behavior."

"Primitive?" Anthony's eyebrows borrowed, and it was an open display of emotion. Nikita didn't think he was aware.

"I am sorry about earlier." She needed to apologize for her behavior. The young woman's experience had opened a Pandora's box of feelings, and ironically, it had felt her craving his caresses to counteract the maliciousness of what she had experienced through the young woman.

"Give me your thoughts," he said, and she could see the genuine concern in his eyes despite his patrician expression.

"It was a thoughtless reaction," she said, searching for the right words. "I needed to…"

"Change the tone?" He asked, guiding her to the small attic's study, where he hid from the rest of the word. "We have helped women who had experienced all sorts of sexual assault, and every one of them processed the trauma differently. A woman once expressed frustration with the fact that PsyNet rules did not allow romantic relationships. She wished to replace her traumatic experience with something positive."

"It can't be healthy," Nikira responded, "regardless of the rules of the Silence protocol."

"It's different for everyone," he said, pulling her towards the small sofa crammed into a wooden nook. "She's now free to live a life of emotion and discover her identity."

"How many people have you saved?" She asked, understanding Anthony's duality as a figure of power across the world. He was the head of NightStar's Clan in public, and he was the leader of an underground movement against the Council, and she was part of the Council.

"Probably not enough," he said, and his eyes lost all shine for a moment.

"It must have been hard." Nikita's lungs felt heavy, and her breathing labored. During his gaze, she became interested in the patterns of the floor.

"If only I could read your mind," Anthony said, reaching out for her hands, but she quickly withdrew.

"You do not want to be in my head," she said, recalling of all the orders of rehabilitation and execution that touched her desk.

"Why don't you tell me what you're thinking?" he asked.

"It's poison," she said, knowing that her thoughts would only ruin the moment. "My mind is poison."

"Nikita, you don't have to die," Anthony said, this time taking her hand and bringing it to his chest. She could feel his heartbeat under her palm. "I made it clear to you. I want you for myself. "

"We had this conversation already," she said.

"No, we haven't," he said, scooting closer. "If it's true, let me have you. If I can't give you life, then you can die knowing that you lived. It's only fair."

"It's not redemption," she said.

"Do you want redemption?" He asked, and she felt his raw psychic power touch her mind.