The Healer's Kiss: Book Four of the Forced To Serve Series by Donna McDonald

long time since he’d thought of his conversion to demon mist. Perhaps it was uppermost in his mind lately because of finally being in a host body all alone. It wasn’t quite the same as having his original form, but the life he had in Conor Synar’s empty shell was close.
    He listened to Zade ask permission to board the Paladin. Permission received, they docked easily inside the hull of the giant vessel. They were waved along by a docking crew of general crewmen, not even ensigns, acknowledging the insignia on their uniform shirts with hasty nods. Since no one had come to escort them, they walked through the docking bay, looking around on their own, which was fine by him, Malachi decided.
    Directions about where to go on the ship had been included in their orders. Noticing the amount of people in the docking bay and all the activity going on, Dorian had the realization that it had been a long time since he’d been on a Guardian level cruiser. The Liberator felt like little more than a large shuttle next to a ship as big as this one.
    Malachi twisted and turned in every direction, glancing around him in pleased surprise. “Liam simply has to get one of these. I bet the crew rooms are as large as the captain’s quarters.”
    Despite himself, Dorian laughed at Malachi’s exclamation. “Guardian level ships are costly to produce. They don’t hand this type of ship out often, not even to a demon master captain with an excellent rescue record.”
    “What do they hand them out for then?” Malachi asked.
    “Meritorious service—otherwise known as performing a military miracle. Rumor says a captain only gets this kind of ship after coming back from the dead,” Dorian said softly, nodding to the crew who nodded at them as they walked through the docking bay.
    “Tough one,” Malachi replied, smiling. “In Liam’s judgment, a miracle for the Liberator is not having any crew members abducted during a mission. With such low standards, our crew is probably in for a long wait, wouldn’t you say?”
    He felt rewarded when the usually very serious Siren laughed in reply to his irreverent comment. Perhaps he should be concerned about his growing addiction to causing amusement in the beings he routinely interacted with on the ship. It was one more odd habit he’d picked up since inhabiting Conor’s body.
    “Come on,” Dorian said tightly, stifling his urge to laugh more. “Let’s get your stasis unit and our new lieutenant. I’m looking forward to having more than one sleep cycle off with my mate every four days.”
    “Oh, yes,” Malachi agreed, appreciating that sentiment. “I can see how that would make a mated Siren keen on adding another officer to the crew. By the way, how are you planning to introduce me? I can’t believe that discussion wasn’t in all the rest of the lectures I got before we left.”
    Dorian smiled then because he couldn’t prevent showing pleasure with his companion any longer. He was finding it astounding to be enjoying Malachi’s company so much. “Senior Medic Malachi Synar, who just happens to be kin of the captain. It explains much about your similar appearance and yet says nothing that is not a truth. I find it best to avoid lying whenever possible.”
    “Well done then. I shall endeavor to make Liam proud to have me called his kin, since he was so adamant about not calling me his brother,” Malachi stated firmly. “And I do believe I like the sound of that title. ‘ Senior Medic . ’ Yes. I do like it.”
    “As well you should, it is practically the top position of your new field. Senior Medics often serve in the place of doctors on ships,” Dorian explained, pressing the elevator to head to the conference room where they were scheduled to meet with members of the Paladin crew.
    “That’s even better,” Malachi replied. “That means I’m practically Chiang’s equal in rank now. How ironic is that? I just started working for him. Serves Chiang right for insisting I