Witness [A First Contact Romance]-COMPLETE

62. An Offer (Part 2)

Earth

2027

Morfrain shrugged. "I'll only make you Commander if you're willing. I've tried forcing someone to play the part before. It did not turn out well. I can only encourage you to reconsider."

Reconsider? This wasn't some job interview. "You're crazier than Vehru."

"I could even make the case for you to bring more than the two who are usually allowed. There could be a place for your squad." He laughed. "Hell, you could bring the mistress if you really want to let Aeryn have her little Earthling." Morfrain looked over at a picture of Theo and Aeryn hanging on the wall. "Whatever you're into is fine with me."

Jace shook his head, at a loss for words.

"I hope you will come around. Vehru refused the offer at first too. She agreed in the end." Morfrain lifted his palms in the air. "She simply needed help understanding what kind of life she would be subjecting her family to. You need the same help."

"Don't–"

"Please, spare me from your pathetic pleas. You have the opportunity to save them and give them a peaceful life. That opportunity will remain for some time. All you have to do is seize it. So, don't beg me to show you mercy when you deny it for yourself and for them. Just know that whatever happens to your wife and child is something you could have prevented. Know it is entirely your fault."

Panic pounded hot in his temples.

"We might as well get started."

The pain Jace knew too well erupted over his body and dropped him to his knees. Just as it began to seize him, heat enveloped his body, and Morfrain transported him away from Aeryn's house.

They appeared high in the sky above woods to the east and a field beyond that. Jace caught himself as he started to fall and used his flight mods to hover in the air. The aftershocks of the neuroweb popped along his body, but it hadn't been used long enough to really bring him down.

"I needed to send a message," Morfrain said.

"To who?"

The man only smiled. "You've really mastered your flight mod." Morfrain studied him. "It looks like you're using my tech when I know yours is not as good. It took you nearly twenty years but you did it."

Jace drifted closer, snarling. "Why did you bring me out here?"

"You're very curious to see what I can do and how much you've managed to accomplish as you've pushed yourself with training." Morfrain lifted his arms out wide. "Let us have a test. Hit me with all you have."

No need to tell Jace twice. He'd planned to do that anyway. This way, they wouldn't draw attention being in the middle of nowhere.

Instead of launching straight for Morfrain, Jace flew up in the sky with the sun to his back. Morfrain surely had good enough eyes for the sunlight to not bother him, but Jace would take any potential advantage that he could.