Guardians: Away Mission Book 2 of the Guardians Saga COMPLETED except for edits

Before Battle Ch. 9.2

Dex uncurled from the chair and crept to the bed. He knelt on the side closest to Razz, who opened his eyes.

"Would our mistress allow me to join you?" Dex whispered, his tiny frame trembling.

"Yes, she is as generous with her body heat as she is with her protection. It is a great blessing to soak in." Razz held out a hand to his brother, who took it.

Rile murmured, "But Alex is easily embarrassed. When her uh, body heat turns into a white glow, stay still and never mention it to her."

"It does not hurt her or drain her and is quite restorative," Razz said. "I believe it is why she enjoys sleeping so much."

Rile hummed. "That's a very good point, Razz. Alex said she needs sleep to recharge her powers. That must be part of the process."

"Perhaps we are helping her?" Dex ventured shyly before Razz hauled him up into the bed.

Alex stretched and yawned. Rile, Razz, and Dex froze.

"What's up?" she murmured.

"Dex has gained courage to join us," Razz said.

"Good. I don't bite." Alex yawned again.

"Mistress, are you happy with Rile back?" Dex asked.

"Of course," Alex said.

"Are you happy you won Razz and myself?" He started shaking again.

Alex blinked her eyes open. "Uhm, very happy. Don't worry about it. You don't have to please me."

"You do know that your friend Cale is safe in Deela's harem, yes?" Dex trembled so hard that the bed shook.

Alex reached over Razz to pat Dex's shoulder. "Thanks for the reassurance. I hoped he was."

"Gabe went willingly to Cla." Dex squeezed his eyes shut and hunched his shoulders, as if waiting for a blow.

Alex sat up and Rile sighed.

"Where are you going with this, Dex?" Alex asked.

Dex flinched like she had hit him. Razz hugged him and crooned to him.

"Dex, I'm not angry." Alex stroked Dex's head with a sparkling hand, the only part of him she could reach. "I'm curious, that's all. You've never spoken this much to me."

"I want you to stay here," Dex said in a scared rush. "You have Rile, Razz and myself. We will make you happy. Do not fight in the revolution. The Anolis females on both sides will kill you."

"That had occurred to me," Alex said. "I'm not stupid...okay, I'm stupid over certain things, but not about vicious Anolis females. They're all lying, sadistic traitors. Why do you think I'm taking Rile with me? He's ten times the warrior I am."

Rile straightened a little in pride.

"But why would you fight?" Dex wailed. "You have no reason. You have Rile. You have us. Your friends are where they want to be."

Alex leaned over and kissed the top of his head. "I'm not here for me. I'm here for you and Razz and Trac and Kress and every enslaved Anolis male. Trust me, that makes me very, very, happy."

"We're Guardians Called here for a purpose," Rile said. "Alex is an excellent Guardian. She won't shirk her duty."

Dex nodded, still miserable. "I was not insulting Alex."

A scratching at the door interrupted them.

"What now?" Alex roared. "I'm in bed with three males in the middle of the night!"