The Arcav King's Mate

by Hope Hart

  My first stop is Austin, Minnesota. According to the written plan, one of the HAA members has already reserved a room for me. I’ll call when I’m close by, he’ll take the car and fill it up, and then give me the room key. I’ll then wrap a scarf around my face and hopefully avoid any cameras or prying eyes.

  I shift in my seat as I clutch the wheel. All the muscles in my body are aching from being constantly tensed. I roll my neck in an attempt to loosen it up.

  Now that I’m on the road, all I can think about is what I’ve lost. My apartment is at the top of the list.

  When we grew up in foster care, nothing was truly ours. Our clothes were usually bought second-hand or hand-me-downs from the other kids. Anything special was found and taken, and we carried our few items in garbage bags from foster home to foster home.

  I’d vowed that one day I’d have my own home. I’d fill it with comfortable furniture, pretty rugs, and souvenirs from my travels. I’d be able to collect pretty things that caught my eye, because no one would take them for me.

  It took me years to save the downpayment for my apartment. While house prices plummeted after the invasion as people fled the cities, they quickly began to rise again as the Arcav became just another part of life. I never could’ve imagined the complacency that the human race showed. But when it came to technology and weapons, we were outgunned.

  When I’d bought my apartment, I’d immediately furnished it with the exact types of furniture I’d seen in my head as a kid. My sofas were large and squishy, perfect for napping after a long shift. My living room housed bookcases full of books, along with my collection of glass figurines- many of them from my trip to Venice.

  I knew Blake would try to save as much as he could. But the media had my name, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find my address. Curious humans would descend on my apartment, likely taking whatever they could find and sell as ‘The Arcav King’s Mate’s.’

  I shake it off. I’ll create a new home in Montana. All that matters is my freedom.

  My burner phone rings, and I jump at the sudden noise.

  “Hello?”

  “Harlow, thank god you’re okay. Blake gave me this number. You’re seriously running?”

  My brother sounds shocked.

  “Of course I’m running. Did you really think I’d go hand myself over?”

  “No, I just figured they’d get their hands on you. I should’ve known Blake would help get you out of town.” His voice is bitter. Josh has never liked Blake, mostly because Blake has helped me clean up his messes one too many times.

  I sigh.

  When we were children, my only goal was to get out of the system. I always knew I wanted to be a cop, and I was determined to create my own life.

  We’d finally found a decent foster home when I was thirteen. I’d buried myself in school and found a group of friends, while Josh found drugs. Eventually, he ended up in juvie.

  I’ve bailed him out more times than I can count. Over the years he’d come looking for money, high as a kite. Or he’d say he wanted to get clean and beg me for help, I’d get him into rehab, and six months later he’d be stealing for his habit again.

  A year ago, he stole from me. But this time, he cleaned out my jewelry box and pawned anything worth selling.

  Most of it was costume jewelry, but I’d had my mother’s necklace in that jewelry box. It was a small pearl on a silver chain, and while it wasn’t valuable, it was all I had left of her.

  He’d been too desperate for a fix to notice what he was selling.

  I’d put up with other foster kids stealing my things my whole life. But something inside me broke when my brother stole the only memory I had of our mother.

  I’d kicked him out and told him I didn’t want to see him until he was clean and sober for good. We haven’t spoken since.

  “I want to see you, Harlow. I know I’ve been a shitty brother, but I want to be here for you.”

  I sigh. “I’m already on the move, Josh. I can’t come back for you.”

  “I’m not in Chicago. Where are you going?”

  Blake warned me not to tell anyone where my final destination was. Even the HAA members who were helping me would only know enough to help me at each particular stop. None of them will know where my final stop will be, or even my overall direction.

  “I’m not sure,” I lie. “I’m heading to Minnesota tonight.”

  “I’m in St Cloud,” he says. “It’s just outside Minneapolis. Pick me up and we can spend some time together before you go.”

  I sigh. “I don’t know, Josh.”

  “I’m clean right now. I’m sorry about the necklace, sis. I know you won’t believe me, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I want to have a sister again.”

  Drug addicts will lie to anyone at any time. I know this. Addiction is a disease and it changes the chemistry of a brain. But a little part of me wants to believe that my big brother is on my side. While I know Blake has my back, I’ve never felt more alone.

  “I’ll think about it. I can’t go near any cities or cameras. I’ll call you tomorrow and see if we can arrange something.”

  Varian

  It has now been more than twenty-four human hours since my mate was supposed to come to me. I have called a meeting and I’m staring at my top commanders as they try to explain why they haven’t found her.

  “Your majesty, I apologize—”

  I wave my hand, cutting off Assod, who had suggested including my mate in the announcement to the humans. He’d insisted it would be good for morale. Jaret had argued against it, saying we should take her by surprise, but I’d wanted to give her the time she needed to come to me herself.

  I turn to Jaret. “What if she is hurt?”

  “I don’t think she is injured or dead,” he says. “I think she may have… run.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. My mate wouldn’t run from me.”

  Silence fills the room as none of my commanders or advisors say a word. They obviously disagree.

  “What is it?” I roar.

  Jaret stands and turns on the viewing screen. “This man is named Blake Harrison. He works daily with your mate in human security.”

  “They’re called police officers,” one commander pipes up.

  “I know this.”

  “He’s a member of the group ‘Humans Against Arcav.’

  The whole room turns silent again. Humans Against Arcav have been a thorn under our skin. They’ve been difficult to find, and are well-versed in our technology.

  “You think this man is with my mate?”

  “He’s gone into hiding, your majesty. He was last seen driving with her, and then they both disappeared.”

  This is not good news. If the little human is associated with HAA, she could very well have run. The thought is… unexpected. I thought I would have my mate in my arms tonight. Instead, she may want nothing to do with me.

  I look up as Jaret gestures to the guards who bring in a human male.

  “I’ve located her brother,” he says. “He has agreed to help us contact her. I thought you could use a Criel Stone to convince her to turn herself in.”

  I raise my eyebrow. It’s not a bad idea at all. A Criel Stone creates a path to the subconscious. No one knows quite how it works, but it will open her mind while she dreams, allowing me to enter those dreams and communicate with her.

  I stare down at this human, who looks so much like my mate. Only his smell is… off. He smells like some sort of chemical and I can only assume it’s the chemicals that have made him so thin.

  This is a man who would sell out his sister. For a moment, I want to reach out and snap his neck, but I calm myself. My mate wouldn’t like that. From my research, I’ve learned that she seems to love this male. Plus, he can be useful to me.

  “What will this thing do?” he asks me.

  “Nothing that will harm your sister. It will simply allow me to contact her so we can talk.”

  He nods, and
frowns, thinking furiously.

  “I want fifty k.”

  I almost laugh. I would spend one hundred times that paltry amount for a simple conversation with my mate.

  “Agreed.”

  His face tells me he wishes he’d asked for more, but one of my men hands him the stone.

  “Place this somewhere close to her,” I tell him. “Once I’ve contacted her, my advisor will make sure you get the money.”

  He nods, and I can see trepidation on his face. “You’re sure it won’t hurt her?”

  For all his selfishness, he seems to care about his sister. For that, I’ll let him live when she is finally mine.

  I feel my horns lengthen at the suggestion that I’d cause my mate harm. “I would never hurt my mate,” I hiss. “I’ll forgive you for your impetuousness this once. Don’t presume to ask me again.”

  He pales, and takes the device, storing it in a bag he wears on his shoulders.

  I’m satisfied. Soon I’ll convince my mate to come to me.

  Chapter 4

  Harlow

  I pull into the meeting spot, keeping the engine running. I’m in no shape to be driving right now, but I managed to keep going through sheer will, using adrenaline and fear to keep me moving forward.

  A car pulls in behind me and I freeze until the headlights flash twice and I blow out a breath in relief. The driver’s door opens and a man steps out. I feel like an idiot staying in the car, and I touch the gun at my side for reassurance before I do the same, stretching my legs.

  The man strides toward me, holding out a hand.

  “Tim,” he says.

  “Harlow,” I reply.

  He nods.“I’ll take your car from here. You sit in my car and wait. There’s a McDonald’s nearby so I’ll grab you some food.”

  My stomach rumbles and he grins at the sound.

  “Thanks,” I say. We’re on a side street near a gas station. It’s pitch black and deserted, but I still scan the area before I get into his car.

  I slide into the driver’s seat just in case I need to get out of here in a hurry. Tim’s no dummy, and he has left the keys in the ignition

  He’s back a few minutes later and gets into the passenger’s seat, handing me a paper bag.

  We eat in companionable silence, and I linger over my fries. I’ve been driving for eight hours, with my own thoughts and fears making me crazy. Now that I have someone to talk to, I’m not ready to be alone.

  “So what made you join HAA?” I ask, breaking the silence.

  He gulps down some Sprite and then turns, leaning against the door to face me.

  “My sister. Same old story. She was married. Had two kids. The Arcav didn’t care, and when her name was called, she was too scared to run. She knew she couldn’t take the kids with her.”

  His mouth twists and his face hardens at the memory. “After the Arcav male took her, she convinced him to let her say goodbye. He said she could take the kids with her, but she refused to risk it. She was acting completely different. She had these… bands like tattoos on her wrists. Apparently they only appear once they’ve mated,” he runs a hand over his face, shaking his head.

  “She was so… comfortable with him, you know? I think if she hadn’t promised me and her husband to leave the kids she would’ve changed her mind. They looked like they’d been together for years. Once she left, her husband brought the kids to my house. It was just supposed to just be for the night, but he jumped in front of a train.”

  I shiver. “I’m so sorry.”

  He shrugs. “I know its biological. Once she’d met him, she was lost to us. But I can’t help but blame her for not being stronger.” He eyes me. “That’s why I didn’t hesitate when Blake asked me to help. I really admire what you’re doing.”

  I shift uncomfortably. “Thanks,” I mutter. It’s easier for me to run. After all, I don’t have any kids. From what I’ve heard, the Arcav adore children, but I don’t know many women who would risk taking their kids back to an alien planet.

  Tim nods toward the sky, which is starting to lighten. “We better get you inside.”

  I get back in my car and follow Tim to the motel. There’s no need to walk past a front desk, as all of the rooms are outside, facing a parking lot.

  We park outside the parking lot and Tim hands me the key, pointing me toward my room. I wrap a scarf around my head and face, just in case there’s a security camera we haven’t spotted, drive into to the parking lot, and head up to my room. I’ve been wearing my backpack this whole time, and I’m desperate to take it off and enjoy a shower.

  The motel walls are so thin, I can hear a couple having noisy sex a few rooms down. I snort as woman moans in pleasure. At least someone’s having a better night than I am.

  After a day of restless sleep, I turn on the TV, and watch as experts on CNN and Fox examine my life. My picture flashes onto the screen as they debate what this means for human/Arcav relations and I flick the screen off.

  I check my phone. Josh has sent me an address to meet him, and he swears there are no camera’s nearby. I know this could be a stupid move, but I just want to see my brother. I get in the car and drive to St Cloud, cursing my need for family the whole way. If Josh is high, I’m leaving him on the side of the road.

  Thankfully, he seems clean and sober, although I wrinkle my nose as the smell of cigarette smoke follows him into the car. He reaches over to give me a hug, and all of a sudden it’s like I’m eight again, wrapped up in my big brother’s arms.

  “I’m glad you came, Low.”

  “Yeah, me too. I can’t stay for long.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  I give him the side-eye. “Don’t you have a job to go to?”

  He shifts uncomfortably and I know what’s going to come out of his mouth.

  “I quit,” he mutters. “My boss was an asshole.”

  I bite my tongue. My brother has long had a victim complex. Things are always happening to him. It’s always someone else’s fault. But now is not the time to lecture him.

  “Well, God knows I could use the company,” I smile.

  I’ve already switched cars once today, and have a full tank of gas. We spend the night talking about everything and anything, and if I try really hard, I can almost believe we’re just taking a road trip.

  Josh hands me some candy from the stash he bought at the gas station.

  “So, you’re not gonna go near the alien, huh?”

  I snort. “Of course not.” I shoot him a look. “You didn’t seriously think I would, did you?”

  He shrugs. “I dunno, might be nice to have a Queen for a sister.”

  “I hope you’re joking.”

  “I am. They’d take you away from me, Harlow. I’ve missed you, you know.”

  “I’ve missed you too. I’m glad to hear you’re clean. What else has been going on in your life?”

  An expression almost like guilt crosses his face. “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” Sometimes conversations with my brother are like pulling teeth.

  “I just owe someone money, that’s all.”

  Shit.

  “I don’t have any money to give you, Josh. I don’t know how long I’ll have to stay off the radar.”

  He glowers at me. “I don’t want money from you.”

  “Who do you owe?”

  “Just forget it.”

  We’re silent for the rest of the drive, and I kick myself for prying.

  I pull into the next motel, and Josh checks in while I wait in the car.

  He sneers at the ratty comforters on the beds, and immediately pulls out a bottle of vodka from his bag.

  “Drink?”

  I shouldn’t, but I could really use one. Maybe two. Just enough to forget about the bedbugs which will probably be crawling over me tonight. I shudder at the thought.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Josh turns on the TV, and we watch as a perky blonde news anchor describes my life and theorizes over where I
am.

  “At this stage, we can’t rule out a kidnapping. If someone has taken Harlow Black, they’ll be in a position of power.”

  The chiseled man next to her frowns in disbelief. “Anyone planning to kidnap the Arcav King’s mate would have to be suicidal. She’s been missing for one day and she’s already the most wanted women in the world.”

  I swallow as I bring my glass to my lips. Vodka sloshes over my hand and I realize I’m trembling.

  “Turn it off,” I order, and for once Josh doesn’t argue. He shoots me a sympathetic look instead.

  “Bed time?”

  “Yeah.” I hang up one of the blankets to shut out some of the light coming through the curtains, and before I know it, I’m staring at an alien.

  Chapter 5

  Harlow

  I know I’m dreaming. But never has a dream felt so real. I’m sitting on the bed in the motel, staring at a seven-foot tall, bare-chested man with horns.

  My brother is nowhere to be seen.

  “Who are you?” I ask

  He smiles. “You know who I am. I’m Varian. The Arcav King, and your mate.”

  Like every Arcav I’ve seen, he’s incredibly good looking. His body looks almost like it’s been dipped in gold, and he has strange tattoos curling along his chest. He looks human in many ways, until I look into his green eyes, which glow like jewels. His incisors are also longer than ours, and he stares at me from under well-defined, thick eyebrows.

  And then there are the horns. I eye them, and they seem to sit taller at my attention.

  “How did you find me?”

  A fleeting expression crosses his face. On a human, I’d call it uncertainty.

  “Ah. So you really did run from me. I thought that someone had taken you against your will.”

  I eye him. “You mean the way you’re planning to?”

  “You’re a Queen. It’s time for you to come and rule by my side.”

  “Yeah, not gonna happen, buddy.”