Dream Unchained by Kate Douglas Read Free Book Online Page A

engine room. Nattoch told me to keep my stone, to leave. I did as he asked.”
    She bowed her head, sobbing openly against Finn’s chest. He kissed the crown of her head, gently nuzzling her thick, red hair, and it was a gesture so tender, so at odds with Mac’s original view of Finn O’Toole that it twisted something in Mac’s heart.
    What was it about these Nyrians that they could change even the most cynical among them? But holy crap, their rescue plans were totally shredded. Now what? “Morgan, Finn, I don’t know what we do now, other than get everyone comfortable until we receive further word.”
    â€œI think that’s the best idea. At least it works for me. You okay with that, Finn?” Morgan stepped aside, speaking softly to the women who’d claimed him so quickly, sending them with the others.
    Four men who seemed to be with Kiera helped her and Cameron organize the rest of the Nyrians, quickly moving them out of the dream shack. Finn kissed Tara once again and pressed his forehead to hers. “Go with Cam and Kiera. We’ll figure out a way to get Duran and the others. Please try not to worry.”
    â€œOh, Finn.” She pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle her sobs and took a deep, shuddering breath. “I think not worrying is impossible, but I trust you to do whatever you can.” She stretched up on her toes and kissed him. Mac felt the spinning emotions swirling between the two of them, emotions so deep and powerful they left him aching. He averted his gaze as Tara finally pulled away from Finn and followed the others.
    Rodie stood at the open door and hugged two slender women. Mac noticed that all three of them had tears in their eyes and he had to consciously drag air into his lungs. The small, crowded room was closing in around him, the emotions in the dream shack throwing Mac into sensory overload.
    Each of the Nyrians here owed their physical form, their human body, to one of his team members. All of them already had a powerful connection, yet none of them had learned to shield their emotions in this form. Now their fear was shared. Their need, all of their fears and hopes, swirling in a telepathic maelstrom that buffeted his mind and tore at his heart.
    Cam paused at the open door and caught Mac’s attention. His calm, pragmatic manner gave Mac something to focus on.
    â€œWe’ll get them something to eat and wait for you in the lodge,” Cam said. “Is that okay?”
    It had to be. For the moment, Mac was lost—stunned by the sudden change in all their plans, the onslaught of emotions, his own inability to block and break free. “Thanks,” he said, scrambling to organize his thoughts. People counted on him to make the right decision. This was his project. He had to remind himself he was their leader, the one they’d all look to for answers.
    So why in the hell was his mind totally blank right now?
    Because you’ve dropped your shields, Mac. You need to protect yourself. Raise your barriers so you can think without everyone tangling your thoughts.
    Zianne! Thank you. Are you okay?
    Tired, Mac. Very tired. I’m going to rest. Don’t worry about me. We have greater worries now. Block. You have to block. I can still get through if I need to.
    I love you.
    I love you, too, Mac. It will work. It has to work.
    Zianne’s thoughts slipped away. The door closed and loneliness washed over Mac, a sense of loss that, in spite of his logical mind, made him feel as if Zianne had unfairly closed him out. But she was right. He was drowning in everyone’s emotions, feeding on them to the point they were immobilizing him.
    Mac took a deep breath, raised the shields he’d totally ignored, and focused on the people who remained. Dink, Morgan, Rodie, Finn, Lizzie. And Zianne. Dear gods, how he loved her.
    â€œMac?”
    Still not thinking as clearly as he should, Mac turned to Lizzie.
    â€œWe’ve got