by Kelly Goode
Hetti reached up and tried to cup his face. Even on tiptoe, she barely reached his shoulder so he leaned his head down and allowed her to place a leathery hand on each of his cheeks. She kissed him lightly on the forehead.
‘Don’t let her escape. She is good for you.’
‘Maybe I’m not good for her.’
‘Nonsense; this human form we take is not so bad. We’ve lived on this planet long enough for our species to consider assimilating. Embrace your differences. That’s what will make your relationship special.’
‘I kidnapped her away from her people. She’s better off with one of her own kind.’
Viktor hadn’t meant to let it slip to Hetti about the kidnapping part, but the old woman only smiled again.
‘She doesn’t look like a prisoner to me. I assume you gave her the chance to leave and she declined.’
Viktor nodded.
‘Actions speak louder than words,’ she said, as she shuffled into the lift.
Once the doors had closed, Viktor headed back to the kitchen. Helen wasn’t sitting on her stool anymore. She stood anxiously beside the door.
‘Thank you for the clothes,’ she said. ‘I’ll pay you back.’
He appraised her outfit, pleased that she looked comfortable in the pair of faded blue jeans and fitted black sweater that he’d suggested Hetti purchase. He wondered what underwear she was wearing. He’d specified black lace, but that had been a silly fantasy. One where he’d pictured her wearing them and nothing else while he explored every inch of her body.
‘Consider them part of the compensation for your abduction,’ he said gruffly, before changing the subject. ‘Have you eaten?’
Helen nodded. ‘Are you going to tell me where you went?’
Viktor crossed to the fridge and retrieved a bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap and glugged down the contents. He wiped any stray droplets from his chin and leaned against the worktop.
‘I needed to run. I thought the sweatpants and the fact my T-shirt is dripping with sweat might give that away.’
She ignored his little jibe and looked down at her hands.
‘About last night,’ she started, but Viktor waved the rest of her sentence away.
‘Forget about it.’
‘I can’t forget about it.’
Viktor pushed Hetti’s words from his mind and launched into the speech he’d rehearsed during his run.
‘Helen, the reason I left so early this morning was to get my thoughts in order. Whatever circumstances brought us together, I wasn’t prepared to meet someone like you. While it’s clear that we are attracted to each other, which is surprising on my part, it’s also highly inconvenient. Our lives are not compatible. We are not compatible.’
Helen’s brow furrowed with irritation. ‘I wasn’t talking about our situation, Viktor. I was talking about the painting. I can’t forget about the painting.’
‘Oh right.’
‘Where is it?’
‘I got rid of it,’ he lied, and he thought he saw a mixture of disappointment and relief in her eyes before she closed off her emotions again.
‘Great, right, well, good,’ she replied, stumbling over the words. ‘I’m glad we’ve cleared that up.’
‘Me too,’ he said. ‘Now we can concentrate on what really matters.’
‘Which is?’
‘Getting you home safely.’
Viktor finished the rest of his water and then crushed the plastic bottle in his huge hands.
‘I need to return you to the Invasive Species Control Unit where you belong.’
Helen swallowed deeply. ‘I’m not so sure they’re going to welcome me with open arms.’
‘Why not?’
‘I stole something from them.’
Viktor’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
‘Don’t look at me like that,’ she snapped. ‘You stole a person. I stole a microchip. It’s hardly in the same league.’
‘What microchip?’
‘Remember when I told you the regular doctor was dead and that’s why I was at Carson’s house? Well they needed me to remove something from his head. He’d hidden a microchip beneath his skin. Chief Melman, who heads up the unit, told me it was a tracking device but I didn’t believe him. In a moment of madness, I switched the chip. I was planning to look at the data and see what he was keeping from me, but then you were there, and well you know the rest of the story.’
Viktor wiped his brow. ‘Where is the microchip now?’
‘I put it inside a pill bottle and left it inside my coat pocket.’
‘Is that the same white coat you were wearing when I escorted you away from Carson’s house?’
Helen raised her eyebrows. ‘Escorted – is that what we’re calling it now?’
‘Yes. Is it the same coat?’
She nodded. ‘I lost it somewhere along the way.’
‘I remember leaving it behind while we made our escape.’
‘We need to get it. If I can find out what’s on the microchip, I might have something to bargain with. I wouldn’t put it past the ISCU to make another doctor disappear.’
Viktor considered that. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt Helen. He couldn’t be with her, but he could still protect her.
‘I’ll go back for the microchip,’ he said.
‘We’ll go together.’
‘No.’
‘You said I’m not a prisoner.’
Viktor sighed and reached into the pocket of his sweatpants. He pulled out his replacement phone, which was a cheap pay-as-you-go variety, so virtually untraceable. He chucked it towards Helen and she scrambled to catch it.
‘Are all you Earth women so stubborn?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
‘I thought as much. The phone is new. Call home.’
‘Like E.T?’ she replied with a small smile, but he didn’t get the joke or reference.
‘I don’t know who or what that is, but speak to someone you trust at ISCU. Tell them you’re safe. I’ll shower and change my clothes, and then we’ll retrieve that microchip together.’
32
Helen quickly realised that owning a mobile phone had made her lazy. She frequently stored telephone numbers without committing them to memory and the only one she could recall was Philip’s. He wasn’t her first choice, but he was her only choice, as secret departments didn’t put their contact details on the internet.
Helen keyed in the numbers and waited for the call to connect, but it diverted to his office and his secretary answered instead.
‘Philip Carmichael’s office, how may I help you?’
‘Hello, Melissa. It’s Helen.’
‘Helen who?’
Whilst Philip’s mother was also called Helen, she was in her eighties, so it seemed unlikely they sounded the same on the phone.
‘Doctor Helen Peters.’
She resisted adding – Philip’s ex-girlfriend – to the end of her sentence and waited for the young girl to connect the dots. Finally there was the slightest intake of breath before she started speaking again.
‘Yes, hello Doctor Peters. I remember you now. I’m sorry but Philip is not in the office today and I’m fielding his mobile phone calls too. Is it important?’
She detected the hint of suspicion in the young girl’s question.
‘It’s quite important, yes. Tell him to call me back on this number as soon as possible. Day or night, I don’t care. I’ve lost my phone and I need to speak to him urgently.’
‘What do you need to speak to him about?’
‘It’s a private matter.’
‘Is it work-related?’
‘It’s a private matter,’ Helen repeated firmly.
‘Of course it is. I’ll pass your message to Philip as soon as I see him, which will probably be later tonight when he takes me to dinner at The Ivy.’
Philip had dumped Helen at the same restaurant during the fish course and she hadn’t been able to order Dover sole ever since.
‘Enjoy your
meal,’ she said. ‘Don’t order the sole.’
‘I don’t eat fish,’ Melissa replied. ‘Is there anything else I can do to help?’
‘No, wait, yes, actually there is. Can you put me through to the Invasive Species Control Unit?’
‘I’ve never heard of that department.’
‘I assure you it’s in Philip’s directory. Please look for the number and transfer me.’
The line went dead and then reconnected a few seconds later to a familiar voice.
‘I already told you Mr Carmichael, I don’t need your help-’
‘Chief Melman, this is Helen,’ she interrupted and then added, ‘Helen Peters, in case you know more than one Helen.’
‘Where are you?’
‘Somewhere safe.’
‘Where is the chip?’
Helen had known it would be the first thing he’d ask, but it still hurt that he hadn’t bothered to inquire about her welfare.
‘Is that all you have to say to me, where’s the chip? I thought you might at least pretend to care about what happened to me.’
‘I do care, and I’ll ask all the appropriate questions once you tell me you have the microchip.’
‘I have it,’ she lied.
‘Bring it to HQ.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s important.’
‘Because it contains data on the aliens.’
Helen actually heard him grind his teeth.
‘It appears our doctor is slightly better informed than she was a few days ago,’ he replied.
‘You bet your arse I am. It took being kidnapped for me to discover the truth. The truth you should’ve told me once I started working at ISCU.’
Chief Melman sighed, as if she was a petulant child that needed placating.
‘How much do you want?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You have the microchip and you’ve called me from Philip Carmichael’s office, so I’m assuming you want money.’
Helen felt her fury rise like a cobra from its basket.
‘Fuck you,’ she spat. ‘I’m not with Philip and if I wanted money, I’d go to the newspapers and sell them a story about an alien invasion and the secret government agency tasked with eliminating them.’
‘Be careful, Helen. The government will deny all knowledge and you’ll end up in a cell somewhere wishing you’d never heard about aliens.’
Helen heard Viktor’s footsteps as he came down the spiral staircase. His dark, long hair was wet from the shower and he’d tied it at the nape of his neck. He’d swapped his running gear for jeans and a black shirt, and when her eyes met his, she felt her heart thump rapidly inside her chest until she looked away.
‘Believe me, I’m already wishing I’d never heard of them, so let me be clear. I don’t want money.’
‘What do you want?’
‘Answers: that’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted from you.’
Chief Melman paused for a few seconds and then said, ‘and I want the data from the chip.’
‘Maybe I’d be better going direct to the source. Maybe the aliens will give me the answers I deserve.’
‘Don’t you fucking dare,’ he roared, before the phone crackled. There were muffled voices and it sounded as if someone was trying to take the phone from him.
Viktor stopped behind her. His scent invaded her senses and filled her heart with longing. When his hand settled against the small of her back, she leaned against his chest. She hated that his presence comforted her, as she knew she couldn’t rely on him being around for much longer. When this was all over, how was she going to go back to her normal life? That’s what Chief Melman didn’t understand. She needed answers, because otherwise she was going to lose what was left of her fragile mind.
‘Hey, doc. It’s Carson.’
Helen didn’t reply, as she fought back the panic of being alone in the new world she’d discovered full of murderous aliens and shape-shifting creatures.
‘I’m sorry about the chief,’ Carson continued. ‘He doesn’t have the best way with words. We’re glad you’re safe. Blake and the team have been out searching for you. Tell me what happened.’
Helen bit her lip, not knowing where to begin explaining what she’d been through the last few days.
‘Come on, Helen. Talk to me. I know you’re pissed off, but it wasn’t my choice to keep you in the dark. In fact, I wish more people knew about the aliens. Life would be a hell of a lot easier for me; easier to explain my scars. I’m sorry you’re caught up in all this. I really am, but I need to know what happened. Did one of the aliens take you?’
Helen drew in a deep breath and finally managed to answer. ‘Yes.’
‘Are you in danger right at this moment?’
‘No.’
‘Did you escape?’
‘Not exactly,’ Helen replied and looked up into Viktor’s blue eyes. ‘I’m helping someone. A friend. Well not so much a friend, but an alien.’
Carson inhaled sharply. ‘They are not your friends.’
‘I thought you’d understand.’
‘Then you’ve misinterpreted what the Invasive Species Control Unit does. We hunt aliens. We don’t make friends with them.’
‘Maybe you should. They’re not all murderers.’
‘Yes, they are. I know you’re under a huge amount of stress, but if you think one of these creatures care about you, you’re wrong.’
Viktor held out his hand, indicating he wanted the phone and she wondered how much of Carson’s conversation he’d heard.
‘I want to speak to Blake,’ he mouthed.
‘Is Blake with you, Carson?’ Helen asked.
‘Yes.’
‘I have someone here who wants to talk to him.’
‘That someone can talk to me. I’d be happy to tell him how I feel about him kidnapping you.’
‘Believe me, I’ve already told him. Pass the phone to Blake. Tell him I’m with Viktor.’
The phone went silent again, and then Blake’s gravelly tone filled the earpiece.
‘If you hurt the doctor, I’ll kill you. She’s a good person and doesn’t deserve to be tangled up in our mess.’
Helen smiled. ‘Thanks for the endorsement. I’m glad someone at that damn unit cares about me.’
‘Sorry, I thought you were Viktor.’
‘I’m passing the phone to him now. Be sure to tell him the part about me being a good person.’
Blake chuckled softly. ‘I bet he got more than he bargained for when he took you.’
‘I’d say that’s an understatement. We clashed at the start, but I suppose you could say we’ve reached an understanding now.’
‘I’m glad to hear that because I meant what I said about killing him if he hurts you.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Now put the bastard on the phone so we can sort this shit out and get you home.’
33
Viktor took his phone from Helen and walked to the terrace. She didn’t attempt to follow him and he was grateful, as it meant he could speak freely.
‘You weren’t kidding about these human women,’ he said as he lifted the phone to his ear.
‘I warned you,’ Blake replied.
‘That you did.’
‘I should’ve also warned you that you can’t go around stealing them either. That’s not the way it’s done on Earth. Prince or no Prince.’
Viktor felt his jaw clench of its own accord. ‘I didn’t mean to steal her. I came for Carson, but Helen just happened to wander across my path.’
‘Why were you looking for Carson?’ Blake growled.
‘I wanted to get your attention and I thought the best way to do that was by kidnapping your lover.’
‘You have my attention.’
‘Erik told me what happened.’
‘Ah, so this is because of Erik.’
Viktor waited for Blake to elaborate, but he didn’t.
‘Is that all you have to say to me
?’ Viktor finally snapped.
‘That depends on whether you believed his story or not.’
‘How would I know if it’s a story?’
Blake growled again. ‘I wouldn’t hurt Sebastian or Theo, but the fact you openly admit you were going to take Carson from me means that you at least entertained the notion that I killed them.’
‘What was I supposed to think? One of my trusted councillors returned from your property with lacerations to his chest-’
‘Self-inflicted lacerations,’ Blake cut in. ‘Did you ask the healer to check the wounds?’
‘I did.’
‘And I bet he confirmed they were superficial.’
‘He did, but it doesn’t make sense. Why would Erik turn against his fellow councillors and lie about what you did?’
‘He’s crazy,’ Blake replied. ‘Proper lost-his-mind crazy. Maybe Earth’s atmosphere finally got to him. He wants to create a hybrid army to take on the desquamaters.’
‘That will never work.’
‘There are over seven billion humans on this planet, over fifty million in England alone. If Erik converts even a small percentage of them, he’ll have his legion.’
‘The council would never agree to that,’ Viktor said, as dread settled inside the pit of his stomach. ‘The fatality rate would be too high a risk to justify.’
‘And Erik knew that, which was why he took out Theo and Sebastian, and then tried to blame me.’
‘He also took a big risk by coming to me and hoping I’d believe his version of events.’
‘He said if you questioned him, he’d kill you too.’
‘Hindsight is a bitch,’ Viktor said. ‘I think Erik decided the desquamaters would provide a more convincing death. They attacked the colony yesterday.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. You already know they attacked Carson at home too. They are growing bolder.’
Viktor felt his jaktten stir beneath the surface, as the intense need to bring Erik to justice made it hard to contain his fury. The only thing stopping him from transforming was Helen. He didn’t want to scare her again, and he would if he lost control now.
‘I couldn’t work out how the desquamaters got inside the house,’ Viktor said. ‘Jared and Brandon wouldn’t have questioned Erik’s coming and going, so I think he deliberately left a way in.’