Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

of the Faction stronghold, with Baindan leading the discussion. His experience and ability to see the flaws or holes in their planning was invaluable, and now that they had committed to escaping, despite the risks, they had the makings of a strategy. It was still only an initial proposition, though, and they had to talk to their friends in unit seven.

Talking about ways to circumvent the Faction patrols had also given them something to focus on as they tried to ease each other’s injuries. Each of them had had their backs gently inspected by someone else in order to assess the damage.

Genlie and Siray had gone into the tiny washroom, taking a small pile of clean clothes with them, the closed-off room affording them privacy while they stripped down to examine each other’s backs.

Siray had helped Genlie to ease her over shirt and sleeveless top off, using a wet rag to dislodge some dried blood that was sticking the garment’s to the female’s wound, Genlie hissing as muscle shifted.

Siray talked as she worked, to provide them both a distraction from the task. ‘I see Kovi is still watching you closely.’

Genlie stilled for a moment, then she sighed. ‘It’s funny how these things work out, isn’t it? I’ve been surrounded by males all the time I’ve been fighting with the Resistance, ignoring most advances, and yet, there’s something about him. Even now, in this place, we’re still growing closer.’

Siray could hear the smile in Genlie’s voice. ‘It’s nice to see,’ she said softly to her friend, fighting against her own feelings as Deson’s face flashed through her mind. Upon first meeting him, she had thought him arrogant and unfeeling. Yet after getting to know him better, she had realised that Deson’s demeanour was merely a wall he had erected to protect himself from further loss.

Swallowing, Siray lifted the wet shirt from Genlie’s back, wincing in sympathy as she felt the cloth still pull in some places against her friend’s skin.

Genlie breathed in audibly.

‘Almost there,’ Siray assured her.

With a final quick tug, and another sharp intake of breath by Genlie, Siray was also able to ease the sleeveless top over her friend’s head.

Once both garment’s were off, Genlie sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing, but Siray tapped her side, her gesture making Genlie aware that they still had to remove her wrappings.

Given the tightness of the supporting bands, the cutting end of the whip had sliced mostly through them, resulting in the wrapped layers peeling back from the edges of the wound. Yet the blood from the laceration had made other parts of the fabric stick to her skin. While removing the wrappings was less painful than it could have been, it was still a delicate task.

Genlie’s back now bare, Siray peered at her friend’s injury, the small light emitter on the wall above them throwing out just enough illumination for the examination.

‘You shouldn’t think that what’s happening now won’t have any impact on your situation with Baindan and Zale either.’

Siray froze where she was bent over, her hands and eyes on Genlie’s back. ‘What do you mean?’

Genlie gave a soft laugh which ended in a hiss as the motion caused her back to spasm. ‘You know what I mean. I’m talking about their interest in you.’

Siray straightened a little, her stomach clenching at the thought. She’d just lost Deson. Even though he’d only been courting her, along with Baindan, and there’d been no formal arrangement between them, her affection towards Deson had grown significantly before his death. And now, the loss was too fresh to consider anyone else so soon. It felt like a betrayal of Deson’s memory. ‘I can’t think about that now,’ Siray said flatly.

Genlie turned her head slightly. ‘You might need to,’ she warned quietly. ‘They’re only going to get more protective, you know, the longer we’re here.’

‘I … I can’t. I mean, I don’t—’

‘Sssshh.’ Genlie hushed her, twisting farther around, although the movement made her wince. She put out a hand to Siray, smiling softly ‘I know you’re new to how this type of thing plays out. Kovi and I, we’ve both decided. We’re committed. Even if it may impact us in this place.’

Siray knew what Genlie meant. They were going to look after each other, even if their bond might be used against them at some point.

‘Kovi and I know how to manage this,’ Genlie continued. ‘We’ve discussed it. But you …’ Genlie took in a deep breath. ‘You might have a hard time trying to hide the connection between the three of you if you don’t decide on one of them.’

Siray shook her head and then opened her mouth to speak, but the memory of a pair of dark-brown eyes stopped her.

Her face must have shifted, as Genlie grasped her arm more firmly. ‘Siray, I’m sorry. That was inappropriate of me. I know that Deson also had special meaning to you.’

Siray nodded. Cleared her throat. ‘He did,’ she said in a dull voice. ‘No more or less than Baindan or Zale does now, but there was … something special. Yet now I’ll never know what it might have been.’

Genlie nodded. ‘Rivalry for a female creates a level of connection between the female and any male involved. After you make your choice, the bond with the unselected male also alters, and you usually become firm friends. So I know what it is you’ve lost. And why you must be reluctant to even think on it.’

Siray nodded again, thankful for her older friend’s understanding.

‘But,’ Genlie continued, ‘make sure you consciously manage the situation. Baindan seems to have himself in check, and Zale appears have a fair bit of sense, but don’t forget what instincts can do.’ Genlie turned back around. ‘Even to you.’

Siray nodded again and then bent to continue her assessment, her tongue clucking at what she saw.

Genlie sighed. ‘It’s not pretty, is it?’

‘No, but some males dig scars,’ Siray quipped. They were the same words Genlie had spoken when Siray had learned of the facial