by Pearl Tate
I can’t wait though. Patting up his body, I lean in over him, dropping my face down over his. I should hear something. Heavy breathing or moaning. But he’s still beneath me, and I realize that I don’t even detect his chest rising and falling under me.
“No, no, no… no, Travek!” Screaming in his face, I throw my fists down on him, trying to get some kind of reaction. He can hit me off him for all I care. But he can’t be dead!
I need him. Love him. Fuck! Why didn’t I tell him?
Collapsing on top of him, I wail as I realize that I don’t want to live without him. I don’t even care where we live. We can stay here. As long as he’s alive, I’ll live anywhere.
It takes a second for me to grasp that there’s light behind me. The cabinet box is big, and with my crying, I didn’t even realize that the power has started to come on around me.
“Lisa, come out of the box.”
It’s the strange voice in my head again. Looking down at Travek, I confirm he looks as dead as he feels. Not even his hair is floating around him like it usually does when I’m close to him.
Sobbing, I notice hands on my hips, grasping me firmly and tugging me out and off him. Clinging to him, my body can’t find any purchase since I don’t want to hurt him, and I’m drawn out to drop at his feet.
Looking up, I see exactly what I expected. Greys. There are two of them, and their big heads are bald with black eyes. My vision is clouded as I cry, looking at them with anguish.
“Help him! He’s hurt.” I grip the alien leg next to me. “You guys have to at least try. You got us here, you must be able to help him.”
“Is this what you want?”
“Of course, it’s what I want!” I’m baffled that they’re hesitating.
“Death is the only thing that can break the mating bond. If he dies, you can go home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
- Lisa
My body freezes as I realize what they’re saying. “No!” There’s no way I could ever forgive myself if I made that kind of selfish decision! And I just realized how much I care about him! “I don’t want to go home or anywhere without him. I love him!”
Inclining their heads together, they blink at the same time.
“As you wish.”
They crouch down next to me and begin to pull him out. Realizing what they’re doing, I step over him and catch his head before it thumps onto the floor. They drag him into the small four-foot wide space between the island and lower cabinets.
Kneeling by his head, I wait a few seconds to watch for others rushing in to help, but there’s nothing. Instead, they each place their hands on each side of him.
“Hold his head and relax with us.”
Relax? I snort and snot sputters from me, but I do what they say. Grasping his head, I slide my butt forward placing my legs under his head before resting my palms on either side. I’ve never seen him so still and inanimate. His hair is everywhere around me and under me but lifeless. I brush it out of his face and notice I’ve some trapped under me too.
Looking up at them expectantly, I try not to stare when I realize they don’t have ears or even a nose. Just small holes in the side of their skull. Placing their hands on his chest, they close their eyes.
“Shut your eyes and relax, then call him for us.”
Okay. Okay, I can do this. Shutting my eyes, I call, “Travek!” My voice is loud in the room, and I hear a weird gurgling sound. It’s not Travek. He’s still motionless by me. It takes a minute before I realize that one of these grays is laughing.
Fuck them. Concentrating harder, I crack my eyes and peer down on Travek’s face that I love so much and intend to see for the rest of my life. “Travek!”
My body locks as I notice their hands in the top of my vision begin to have a halo of light around them. Even as I register this, I realize my hands have the same light glowing from them too. “Travek?” Leaning further over him, I watch as he takes a big inhale, rising under my palms before exhaling.
Breaking into tears again, I pull his head further into my lap as I curl over him, hugging his head to me. His hair springs up next, wrapping around me as if it’s as happy to spot me as I am to see him breathing!
After a few deep breaths, his eyes pop open and he focuses on me. Without a word, he rolls over in my arms and pulls me into him as I start to sob. “Your hand. You… your burn…”
“That doesn’t matter.” Clinging to him, I break down into his chest as relief pours into me. His or mine? It’s hard to say.
“Thank you.” Travek’s deep voice vibrates under my cheek, and I turn to stare at the small gray men next to us.
“You wanted to speak with us.”
“Yes.” Travek picks me up, and I scramble to get out of his arms. “Let me walk. You’re recovering.” Grabbing his hand, I stare down in awe at the skin that was so blistered minutes before. It’s red and inflamed looking, but there’s no sign of the blisters on the skin. Although the residual liquid from the blisters and some char is still evident.
“Let us move to the table where you can recover your strength.”
Nodding, Travek grabs my hand and pulls me over to the table we ate at shortly before. He sinks into a chair and tugs me onto his lap. Watching the grays, I realize their bodies are covered with clothing that almost matches their skin. They move in unison to the table and settle into seats on our right and across from us.
“We thank you for your hospitality and for saving us from the planet Earth where we were being held by the Humans and Taxin. But we’d now like to have the opportunity to leave this place.” I thought Travek sounded quite diplomatic. I would have totally forgotten to thank them before asking for the favor.
“Yes, we assumed as much. We only wished to respect your mating. It’s been so long since we witnessed one, and our arrangement with your people states not to interrupt or discuss anything with a Quasarian if you are not mated or in the process.”
Okay. This sounds promising. Travek sounds just as surprised behind me when he answers.
“So that’s why we’ve never seen any of you when we shoot through your zone? We have an agreement of ‘no contact’ with your species?”
“We perceive you've not been made aware of this. Yes, the agreement has been in place for two thousand three hundred and four annual rotations of your sun.”
“You saw me come into the zone and go into Earth’s atmosphere?” Travek’s shocked clarification has them nodding together. It’s so odd to sit and listen to them, because it’s hard to say who’s speaking. Their mouths are there, but they aren’t using them. Are they purely decorative?
“Yes, we were very excited to watch you seeking out your mate. It's been so long since one of your kind was interested. When the agreement was made, your people seemed so against polluting their bloodline. Ironic to us, based on the fact that we are all one.”
“I’ve been taught that you're Earth’s protectors and wanted no one coming into your zone. Everyone on Quasar in our generation believe this. Why were you excited to see me?”
“Because your race has very little time. We’ve heard from other members of the Coalition. We understood your people’s separation from us due to the circumstances. Unfortunately, you've only a few generations left. Then interbreeding will make the number of females drop even further. Your options are limited. Surely, your scientists know this, but we deduce this wasn’t why you were sent?”
“No. The captain of our spaceship Discovery, he—”
“We absorbed this knowledge through your companions. You’re now a mated couple and as such, we cannot read your memories or thoughts unless you call to us. But the others with you, some had mates, but some did not.”
“Are they here? Sol? Gilip?” Travek’s excitement transfers to me. As our surroundings change, I grab onto him tightly around the neck. They can say all the nice shit they want, but it will take a while before I’ll trust again.
“Yes, follow us this way.”
; I try to pull out of Travek’s arms. After all, he was just at death’s door and needs to recover. But he doesn’t let me down, instead picking me up, so I wrap my legs and arms around him, trying to distribute my weight. “Are you sure you’re okay? Aren’t I heavy?”
“I feel great! Look at my hand.” He puts it up in front of my face and sure enough, it looks totally healed already.
“It’s our shared essence. You will experience a heightened and accelerated energy and healing from our combined effort.”
As we walk toward the wall, I realize that the screens that were purely decorations before, are now actual windows. There’s a large, open exterior door that brightens the room by showing a beautiful, sunny day. The air’s warm with a picture-perfect, blue sky. It’s incredible to take our first breath of fresh air in days.
We’re at ground level as we exit the home, crossing a patio. Following the grays, we walk off the cement surface and through a small yard with plush, green grass. The tall hedges block our view, but through the break in them, I see a pool. When we pass the greenery, we’re out in an open area with a huge pool. Lounge chairs are set up in groupings at its edge.
I’m shocked as I realize that there are two other Quasar men there!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
- Travek
I’m more than relieved to see Sol and Gilip sitting in chairs in the water. “Sol! Gilip!” When they realize it’s me, they wave, and my brother flips out of his chair, still keeping an eye on me.
Both their eyes shift to the Ashen in front of us as they climb out of the clear body of water. Backing up, they mumble between themselves under their breath. Even carrying Lisa, I reach them before they move to meet me.
“What’s wrong? Did they do something to you?” Dropping my voice, I know they can hear me, but I’d like my brother to feel like he can tell me. Lisa wiggles and drops her legs, clearly interested in being let down.
“Yes. No… I mean, it’s hard to say.” Sol isn’t making sense, but Gilip cuts in to explain.
“Every time we see one of them come toward us—blip,” he swings his arm wide with a scowl. “We end up somewhere else, losing time and not knowing how we got there. It’s fucked up.”
“That’s because of our influence, and it was necessary to communicate.”
“But they haven’t hurt you?” I clarify, still looking at Sol and Gilip while keeping an arm around Lisa protectively.
“No! This place is great.” Sol wraps me into a hug. “We’ve just been waiting for you guys to show up. I couldn’t wait to meet this beautiful female while she’s awake.” Turning to Lisa, I notice she’s holding out a hand stiffly out in front of her. Ignoring it, Sol pulls her in for a hug that she reciprocates slowly. “This is Lisa, my mate.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you awake. This grumpy bastard over there is Gilip.”
“Hello.” Gilip’s features soften as he runs his eyes up and down Lisa. He’s my closest friend, and I realize that sharing her with others is going to be difficult.
Holding out his arms, Sol turns slowly in a circle. “See anything new?”
“The mating marks!” Lisa’s comment makes me notice he has marks that look like they’re just developing on his chest. She steps forward to touch one, and I grab her hand, tugging her closer to me.
Sol laughs as he nudges Gilip. “Travek was never good at sharing, but I’m not sure I will be either. I was hoping you’d show up soon. I want to go find her.”
“Where did these Ashen tell you we were?” They’re standing off to the side, just watching us silently.
“Mating. Off mating. They wanted to make sure the mating went well, and you bonded. I tried to tell them separating us wasn’t the best idea, but the next thing I knew… they were gone. I forgot, and I haven’t thought about it again until now.” Sol rubs his temple as he glances over at Gilip. “Anything to add to that?”
“No. Just that we didn’t forget about you exactly. We just didn’t think about you most of the time. Meaning at all—until now. It’s the weirdest thing.” Gilip won’t even glance at them. Sol is sneaking sideways peeks over at one of the Ashen who walks forward towards us.
“It’s our influence and the main reason our agreement with your elders was made. We can speak to you each individually or as a group. Our influence is extensive as we can demonstrate with Gilip. Look at me, Gilip.”
Gilip turns towards the smaller gray alien with a blank, impassive face.
“Tell Travek how much you missed him.”
“I missed you Travek. Even though I'm convinced you’re stupid and the most impulsive male I’ve ever dealt with.” Gilip turns to Travek with a deadpan, but sincere expression. “But I was ready for you to get back here, mostly so we can leave.”
“Why do you wish to leave, Gilip?”
“This mating appears to be contagious. I’m not ready to be committed to a female for the rest of my life.” Gilip turns from me and back to the smaller Ashen. His head is tilted to the side as if studying what came out of his mouth.
“Go jump in the pool and swim out to the chair. You’d like to work on your tan.”
“I’m going to work on my tan.” Gilip turns as he speaks and immediately jumps in the pool. He swims out to the reclining chair floating on the water without ever glancing back. I don’t stop staring until he’s pulled himself up and closed his eyes. It’s incredible—and scary.
“You said this is your influence? You can do that to any of us?” I’m beginning to understand why our people were—are afraid of the Ashen.
“Not all of you. Not mated couples, and our influence is decreased even during the bonding. I can talk Sol into something, but he will remember it. Gilip though, will remember nothing unless we express we wish it.”
“Holy fucking shit. So, all the tabloid crap is true about you guys? You really abduct people and make them forget!” Lisa’s anger is clear in her tone and the stiff body posture she has next to me.
“Only those who agree. All our studies are completely voluntary. Often a previous, voluntary subject remembers times with us during hypnosis or stress. But they don’t remember their voluntary agreement.”
“Sure…” Lisa doesn’t sound convinced.
“We’ve upheld our agreement with the Quasarians for thousands of years. We’ve no reason to lie. Once the matings stopped, they were concerned about having any interactions with us. Maybe concerned we would pair you with humans?”
Both Ashen stare at us as their voice echoes in my head. I can’t resist asking, “Would you have?”
“Yes.”
Well, it appears they’re honest.
“Ah, here’s your friend.”
A flash of light makes me flinch and shield my face. An orange static ball next to us lengthens and a humanoid shape solidifies.
“What the hell?” Lisa’s as fascinated as I am while we watch it take shape. Gilip is floating blissfully in the water, totally unaware of anything but working on his tan. But Sol takes a step back across from me and moves to stand on the other side of Lisa. We’re both on guard. It only takes seconds for me to recognize the familiar face of my older brother Remus.
“Remus!” His eyes open as he solidifies in front of us, and Sol steps over to hug him. “Is it really you? You’re here too?”
“Sol! Travek… you’re alright? I just…” he looks around at the greenery and the large body of water that Gilip is still floating on a chair in with his eyes closed. “Where am I?”
“That’s a good question.” Turning to the Ashen right behind him, I tilt my head to indicate they're there. “Where are we?”
“Technically, we are on Earth.”
“We are?” Lisa looks around in wonder. “This does feel like a vacation spot in the Caribbean or something.”
Remus stumbles back when he realizes the Ashen is behind him. Sol grabs his arm and keeps him from backing up all the way into the water. His mouth is hanging open as he takes in our surroundings.
; “I was sent here by the council to make contact with the Ashen. I’m Remus Pelack, representative for the Quasar Council. Fuck, this is dumb. Obviously, you’re here.” He points at me as he gathers his thoughts.
“We have not broken our agreement. We made sure that the males have mates. Everyone we've established contact with and discussed the council agreement with has mates. If anything, the council should thank us for removing these males from the Taxin’s hold on Earth.”
“The council seemed to assume you’d have them. They assumed that Travek came to Earth and told me to enter the atmosphere and wait. They also seemed to trust you'd let us all go?”
“We will in time. We’d like to discuss a new agreement with you and with your council. For now, we will bring out food, and you all may wish to change into bathing suit attire.”
He turns and walks back over to his partner. They are odd looking with their gray skin and large expressionless faces. Even at half our size, they have a large presence.
“Wait!” Taking a step closer to them, they both stare at me blankly. “What do we call you—your names?” One of them blinks slowly while their voice reverberates in my head.
“You may call us Bill and Ted.”
As they turn and walk away, one of them makes a strange, choking sound. Could that be laughter? If so, I don’t understand the joke.
Turning around, Lisa is smiling while Remus and I stare at one another.
“I’m Lisa.” Pulling away from me, Lisa offers her hand again to Remus like she did to Sol.
“She’s my mate,” I grind out as his eyes travel over her barely covered form in the white robe. Pulling her shoulders gently towards me, her hand drops as her back hits my chest.
Throwing his hands up, he laughs. “No problem. I seem to have acquired one of my own, and now that I’m here, she feels closer than ever.” Opening the front of his uniform to between his nipples, he exposes his chest. Sure enough, the intricate and colorful design of his mating marks glow in the bright sunlight.