by Rena Marks
She smiled, using her other hand to brush his hair from his forehead. “I considered our first date to be when you had lunch with us and told the children the story.”
“Oh, good. This is our second then. It would be acceptable to kiss you goodbye when I take you back?”
“Only if you kiss me hello first.” She knew she was being bold, but after that adrenaline rush, she wasn’t taking any chances. Suddenly she realized life was too short. Hell, they could have died.
His eyes looked up at her with something akin to amazement. Very slowly, she dropped her gaze to his mouth. She inched forward and then pressed her lips to his. Somehow her head slanted, sliding her mouth over his to deepen the kiss. He opened her mouth with his lips and her tongue slid against his. It was hungry, wanton, and delicious. Everything fell away but their need for each other.
The hovercraft stopped, making her pull away guiltily.
Thane swore. “Crappy timing.”
She giggled against his lips even as the winged, red-haired Xeno Sapien flung open the double doors.
“None of that,” the redhead said. “No taking advantage of the weaker sex. It’s just wrong.”
“I wasn’t.” Thane glared.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” the winged man said, holding out his hand for Everly and giving her an exaggerated glare.
She giggled as she took his hand for help down. A couple of Xeno Sapiens moved from the front steps to help the winged man pull the stretcher from the craft.
“I’m Blaze,” the redhead said. “I’ll walk you inside and leave you with Robyn while my…err, my doctor, Irina, looks over this guy.” He jerked his head toward the stretcher.
“I’m Everly,” she said, tearing her eyes from Thane. She lowered her voice. “Do you think everything’s okay with him?”
“Yeah,” he said gently. “He’s tough. Probably already healing, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. If he’s healed a leg while it was broke, it might not be set right. Dr. Irina will have to re-break it in order for it to straighten.” He stopped speaking at her horrified look. “Um, kidding? Just kidding. I’m sure she’d never re-break a leg.”
“She wasn’t horrified at that,” another Xeno Sapien said. Everly couldn’t help but gape. This guy was massive, too. What was the size of the average Xeno around here? The new one was black skinned with gold stripes of skin slashed through the darkness. His golden blond hair was cut short as if shorn, and floated in a golden blond wispy halo. Like all Xeno Sapiens, he had magnificent colored, piercing eyes. His were a shocking shade of cobalt. “She was horrified because you said his leg would be almost healed.” He turned his oddly colored eyes to her. “I’m Beast.”
“Everly,” she murmured.
“She knows I was teasing,” Blaze said. “No one heals that fast.” His laugh was a falsetto, which made Beast wince.
“Dude, act natural.”
“You act natural!”
“I am acting natural.”
“I’m acting more natural. I’m used to humans. My best friend mated one. I mated one, while you mated an other…though she is still cute as hell.”
There were other humans here mated to the Xeno Sapiens? At her swift intake of breath, Blaze stopped talking.
“Cute? She’s fucking gorgeous,” Beast said, into the sudden silence.
“I don’t mean I’m like mated mated,” Blaze said, realizing what he said and holding out his hands to make air quotes.
“More like mated in his head,” Beast said, twirling his index finger in a circle at his temple.
“This might be why Robyn sent me to stop you two guys from talking to her.” Lily Xeno Sapien stepped in, her green hair obvious.
“And Lily’s not mated to a human, either,” Blaze explained. “It’s all rumor.”
“Especially not that human Jason who was out helping to subdue Zee,” Beast said.
“Goddess, what are you two? The gossip-patrol? Silence is golden.” Lily took her by the arm, pulling her away from them.
“Are they always like that?” Everly asked Lily. She’d seen her on vidcam more than once and felt comfortable with her. It was probably a television ruse to make a person comfortable around their Xeno Sapien spokesperson, but one that worked. The world felt like they knew Lily Xeno Sapien personally. She inspired trust. With Everly, it worked.
“Unfortunately. They seem to share a whole brain between them.” But her smile belied her words. “We’ve been instructed to keep certain secrets within the gates. It’s not a huge deal, but every little bit we leak out causes rumors to run rampant. So we keep relationships private, medical histories private, stuff like that.”
More than likely, Thane was able to heal rather quickly. More than likely, Blaze was mated to a human, along with his best friend, whoever that was. And she was sure Lily was, too.
“I understand rumors,” Everly said. “I won’t say a word about anything I’ve learned here.”
Lily smiled and opened the door to an office, where a dark haired woman sat. “Everly, this is Robyn. You can wait in here while Thane gets fixed up and he’ll come get you, okay?”
“Thanks, Lily. It was nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
“Hello, Everly. Won’t you have a seat?” The woman who stayed seated was a brunette, her hair thick and shiny. Her eyes were equally dark, staring with intent focus on her.
For some reason, Everly felt like she was about to be interrogated. And her feelings were never, ever wrong. No matter how she tried to suppress them.
Her back prickled with awareness as Robyn studied her.
This woman—the head of Xenia—knew. She knew her background. She knew her secrets.
Chapter Five
Robyn didn’t pull any punches, despite her warm smile. “Will you tell me what happened out there with Zealish?”
“Thane and I came across him. He seemed okay at first, just basking in the sun. A breeze blew and suddenly he froze. He stared at me and just seemed to…change. I don’t know. It all happened so fast. Thane was hurrying toward him, wanting to introduce me. Before I knew it, the ground collapsed, like a trap. A ditch had been covered with twigs and leaves. Thane lay at the bottom, his leg bent at an impossible angle and he passed out. Then other people came and tried to calm Zealish down, but it was like he wasn’t thinking. Wasn’t talking. He was animalistic by then, you know? Guttural. He kept insisting that I was his and everyone needed to leave or he’d kill Thane. Thane attacked him from behind and the rest of the men jumped in. Steele pulled me away and stuck me in the same hovercraft that brought Thane here.”
Robyn nodded. “And you’d never met Zealish? I know it wouldn’t seem likely, since he’s one of the Xeno Sapiens that isn’t seen much. As you’re aware, a few don’t leave our city because of their looks. But maybe you saw him arrive when we set up Xenia?”
“No, I watched the arrival on the vidcams. A lot of the Xeno Sapiens wore coverings. Maybe he was one of those because I’ve never seen him in my life.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course.” Her voice rang a bit louder than usual, but she was tired of repeating herself.
Robyn smiled. “I’m just trying to figure out what happened with him. Why he was so sure he knew you. Knew you were his.”
“I don’t know.” Everly shivered. “He said he smelled me. And he was willing to fight Thane to the death.”
“That’s what I mean,” Robyn said. “You’re aware the Xeno Sapiens are telepathic? It’s not out for publication, but it was probably hard to hide during the circumstances.”
Everly nodded.
“The others are having a hard time communicating—even telepathically—with Zee. He’s been unreachable, mentally. His language skills dropped considerably.”
“He’s awake?” Everly heard the alarm in her own voice. She thought for sure they’d keep him tranquilized long enough for her to leave the city, at least.
Robyn nodded. �
�He’s contained. But yes, he woke. And,” she winced. “He’s loud. Roaring and snarling. Are you sure you didn’t notice anything else? Maybe he hit his head in the fight?”
“No.” Everly shook her head emphatically. “He changed from a normal human being to an animal right before us, while enjoying the sun. Like Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Way before the fight.”
“There has to be something that triggered it.” Robyn strummed her fingertips against the metal desk.
“Maybe when he was digging the ditch to trap someone in! He was sitting still when Thane noticed him. Almost like he was sleeping, but he was sitting up. Under a tree, across from his false ditch. As if waiting. When we got closer, I noticed one eye was shut. But as Thane introduced him, before he went all crazy, he opened it.”
“One eye was shut? That’s it. He was sleeping. Somehow that triggered it.”
“Because we woke him?”
“I’m not sure you did. He’s unihemispheric. He can be awake and sleep at the same time. He keeps one eye open, and the awake portion of his brain watches for predators. It’s normal for him; it’s the DNA portion of his alien species.”
“So do you know if he’s awake or asleep now?”
“I’m not sure. But it’s something I’ll check into.” She looked up at a spot behind Everly. “There you are. Feeling better?”
“Yeah, just a little sore.” Everly turned when Thane spoke. He smiled down at her and took the seat next to her, reaching for her hand.
She held her breath at the absurdity of the situation. There was no hint of a broken leg, though he was moving slow.
“How’s Zee?” he asked, keeping his focus on her.
“Not good. He seems to be sinking further into his—” Robyn’s voice paused. “Whatever it is. He’s out of control, roaring for Everly. But his language skills are getting less articulate. His jaw—unable to form words.”
“Perhaps she should stay here where she can be safe.”
“I’m afraid we can’t have that.”
“Why not? She’s in danger.”
“Her background didn’t clear.”
Definitely, this woman knew her secrets.
Everly’s voice was small. “I’ve—uhh, been in trouble.”
Thane seemed shocked. “I—that means nothing,” he said to Robyn. “Heather was in our own jail when we took her in.”
“We knew exactly what Heather did. We don’t know what Everly’s issue is. We can’t check.” She turned to Everly. “Would you like to share with Thane why your records are sealed?”
Everly froze. By the look on her face, Robyn knew—but she was going to force her to tell him.
“That’s her business,” Thane snarled.
“Her business impacts us. Her presence impacts us. With Zealish’s increased sense of scent, he’s going to smell her all over you. Are you willing to not have any contact with her? To stay away from her to not spread the combination of your scents? If not, we need to lay all the cards out on the table.”
“She’s right,” Everly said. “There are things you don’t know about me, Thane.”
“Everly, nothing you can say will change how I feel about you.”
She winced before she continued on. “I’m a felon, Thane. I applied to work at Xenia when I first got out of prison. But my application was rejected. That’s the only reason why I ended up setting up camp with the others outside the gates. I have nowhere else to go.”
Thane looked at Robyn accusingly.
She shrugged. “The application was probably automatically rejected before the first round of paperwork ever made it to my desk.”
“Being in prison doesn’t make her a bad person. Again, Heather was in prison, by us,” he said.
“Thane.” Everly’s hand on his forearm silenced him. “I’m not innocent. I did a bad thing. And I served my time for it. But it was bad. It was bad enough to keep me locked up for years. Most people would have had to serve more time than I did. But I was a model citizen and there was no one around to protest my parole.” No one left was more like it. “So I was released early.” She took a deep breath and looked at Robyn. “I’m ready to leave now. I won’t enter the gates again.”
“Wait, Everly. Please. Please tell us what the felony was for. Maybe we can work around—”
“No, Thane.” Everly took a deep breath. “This isn’t an almost felony. It isn’t fraud or arson, or a petty crime. I’m guilty of murder.”
“Self-defense?” Robyn’s eyes were shrewd, obviously knowing the law.
“No.” Everly shook her head definitely. “He never attacked me. I hit him from behind.”
“Who was it?” Thane asked.
“It was my father. My mother. My uncle.”
Silence met her words.
“Why?”
“He was hurting my sister.”
“You have a sister?”
Everly shook her head. “She’s dead now. I got word the first year I was in prison.”
“I’m so sorry,” Thane said.
“Thank you. But you see, that’s why it couldn’t be called self-defense. I was never touched. Yet I killed him without any mercy.”
Robyn nodded. “I’m so sorry, Everly. I wish we could do more, but we don’t have a leg to stand on to fight with the government over your citizenship.”
“I understand. But I’ll be fine. I thought a prison sentence was the end of my life, but it turns out it wasn’t. I lived through that and I’ll live through this. But I do have one favor to ask.”
Robyn raised an eyebrow.
“Naturally I won’t speak of anything I’ve learned on Xenia. But I also ask that you not share my background with anyone. The people outside—they wouldn’t want a felon around their children. I would never hurt them, but I’d have nowhere else to go if they booted me from camp.”
“Your past doesn’t leave these walls,” Robyn said.
Everly stood and Thane rose with her.
Robyn continued to speak as she got to her feet. “We’ll see if Zealish settles down without the reminder of your presence. Perhaps in time, Thane can head outside the gates. Thane, once you get her back home, I’ll need you decontaminated after contact with Everly. And you’ll need to keep away from the pen surrounding Zealish for a few days.”
Thane nodded. “Understood.”
“Everly, take care, won’t you?”
Everly nodded at her and Thane led her from the room. He kept his hand on her waist as they walked outside of the larger area where Xeno Sapiens milled about. They were a lot more somber now. Everly wondered if they’d already communicated amongst themselves of the situation.
Someone had brought a shuttle to the front area. Thane helped her into it and drove past the gate with a wave to the guard.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect our first date to be like this,” Thane said, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “I didn’t mean for it to turn into our only date.”
“I’m sorry, too. I should have told you about my past before going inside.”
“And I shouldn’t have been so eager to introduce you to crazy Xenos.” Despite his tone, she knew he was worried about his friend. She squeezed his hand.
“I hope he’ll be okay.”
Thane took a deep breath. “He isn’t normally like that, Everly. I don’t know what’s happening with him, but he’s not aggressive toward women. Especially those he doesn’t even know.”
“I don’t know what it is about my scent that triggered his Mr. Hyde personality. Maybe Robyn can figure it out.”
Thane turned the shuttle left and took her along the outside patrol area, past the radius of where the homeless lived. There was a abnormally large crowd of people gathered in the area where they were to park and walk through.
Thane cursed. “Damn, if I didn’t forget! Tonight was the evening the media was going to air the story of life outside the gates. I don’t want them to see me dropping you off. Talk about calling attention to you just when you d
on’t need it. And I certainly don’t want to be on camera.”
“Just drop me off here,” she said quickly. “I can make my way through the crowds and you won’t have to stop and talk to anyone.” He was in a catch 22. He couldn’t be rude and not answer questions because the Xeno Sapiens needed to be looked at in a favorable light. But he hadn’t been prepared to answer questions, either.
“I need to make sure you’re safe,” he said.
“I will be. There are too many people around for something to happen to me. Now, you be safe and get yourself home where you can rest your leg.” It didn’t escape her notice that he had some amazing healing skills but like she promised earlier, she’d never share what she learned.
He stopped the shuttle. Several heads turned their way.
“I’ll be okay. Go on.” She slid from the shuttle before he could object and hurried toward the crowds.
Immediately she was aware that she didn’t even get to kiss him goodbye. But that couldn’t be helped.
A light flashed in her face, stunning her. “Excuse me. Was that a shuttle that dropped you off? Did you just come from inside Xenia? Are you allowed special privileges?”
“Do you go there often?”
“What do they want with you in there?”
She hurried past the swell of reporters, sinking further into the dark, scurrying into the shadows to blend. In the camp next to hers, catcalls followed her. She hated this side. They never turned on any lamps, preferring the darkness over here. She hurried past them, knowing the dangers of being on Earth-Ground in the night. Hell, it was why the Xeno Sapiens patrolled. To keep some law and order in their ranks of supporters.
She was almost safe…almost to her camp. Off in the distance, the lights of the canopy were still on, which meant the children were probably gathered, still playing.
But then, three men stepped in front of her. Her heart sank when she realized one was familiar. He was the one who’d tried to take their lunches.
“In a hurry, sweetheart?” Naturally he would be the one to speak.
“Let me pass.”
“Why the fuck should you be special? That green one brings you food and takes you on fucking vacation getaways into the city while we work our asses off in the heat all day!”