by Arlene Webb
He said, no, take her too and he’d follow.
In the emergency room, they lined the stretcher up against the aisle wall, pulled the sheet over her face, and his sergeant paged him for the third time.
At the precinct, everyone seemed puzzled, including himself. Bryan couldn’t give a report to his supervisor that made any sense.
After the father’s frantic 911, Bryan arrived alone due to damn budget cuts. He passed the first ambulance as he pulled in. In the greenhouse, he confronted the woman with seriously yellow skin and laser eyes. To his astonishment, she moved faster than any creature he’d ever seen. Six-one, no excess weight, he had excellent reflex ability. If he hadn’t reacted with his police issue X-26 taser, she’d have slugged him.
So I killed her? He went over and over the facts. A brain worked as a pulse wave generator, controlling involuntary functions like breathing and voluntary functions like movement. Involuntary and voluntary waves use different frequencies to avoid crossed signals. A taser was also a pulse wave generator. It sent specific frequency, elliptical waves designed to be higher or lower than the brain’s. When opposing waves collide at nerve synapses, the weapon overrides the brain.
No one could function under the onslaught of thousands of attacking pulse waves. Instant disorientation created a window of confusion so the subject could be subdued. He’d tasered her at close range, yes, but with non-lethal voltage.
I killed her? She’d have hit him, but he could have easily taken a blow, and then forced her into submission. He told his supervisor the truth. In the minute before she yanked his Glock from him, she hadn’t appeared human. Her eyes were beams of enraged, golden light, filled with sparkles of even brighter yellow. When the probes blasted into her creamy-yellow skin, it turned a normal shade.
He had to repeat his story numerous times. His urine sample, no surprise, was clean. If only he had let her punch him. How could he have hallucinated like that? Why were the witnesses to raging yellow eyes only a severely injured child and a man in a coma?
I killed her. Relieved of duty pending investigation, they allowed him to keep his gun and badge. All killer cops got time off for questionable behavior, especially those with their sanity in doubt. Okay to keep his gun, but not okay to be on the job if he was cracking up. Well to be fair, they’d only returned his Glock because it hadn’t been discharged. They’d certainly kept his taser.
Back at the hospital, it took a five dollar cup of coffee before the front lobby attendant loosened her lips, and computer, to Bryan. She told him Linda Morrison had spent the afternoon between ICU and pediatrics. In ICU, Richard Morrison had his broken jaw wired. Held in a drug induced coma, they waited for brain swelling to decrease. In pediatrics, six-year-old Colleen Morrison was also in a drug induced sleep while specialists X-rayed extensively crushed feet. In the morgue, a Caucasian female in her mid-twenties awaited autopsy.
A career milestone for him, being temporarily out of a job. A woman who looked physically incapable of the destruction she allegedly caused lay dead by his hand, a young kid wouldn’t walk again without prosthetics, and a man, over twice his assailant’s weight might never move another muscle.
Bryan didn’t mention to his information source at the hospital that the dead woman was stunning before all that dazzling yellow was zapped out. He didn’t tell anyone, including the police shrink, how ethereal she felt when he carried her to the ambulance only to be told, “Forget it, she’s dead.”
How could he describe that pure sweet taste that wore off so soon after wonderful, horrible minutes of CPR? He couldn’t share his grief that he’d caused the extinction of an inhumanly beautiful light.
At the end of the bizarre day, the beer melted in front of him. Huddled in the corner at Kelly’s pub, the wall of a killer cop’s silence isolated him by choice. Who was she? What was she? Why, exactly, had she died? A couple of hundred slipped to the coroner had expedited the autopsy, and he’d been promised answers. Tomorrow, day two of being a woman killer, couldn’t come too soon.
Chapter Eight
Dawn of day two and Aaron jerked awake in the chair.
Damn, what a pathetic guard. To his bemusement, the female curled under the blanket on his bed hadn’t been a dream. He stretched. A fast shower? Better not. He hadn’t a clue what she’d do next. His indecision over whether to contact authorities troubled him. Sheltering an alien, no doubt green but minus the card, had to be SWAT team, kick-the-door-down, illegal.
In the bathroom, he splashed water on his face and blinked. Hard.
Luminous eyes, definitely not his, sparkled in the mirror. Light zapped straight to his groin and drained the strength from his legs. At least Miss Green had a reflection, and what a view it was. She’d left the blanket on the bed.
Aphrodite unveiled—so thin, yet every curve exquisite, even her rosebud nipples were emerald. She trembled. Visible goose bumps. Either she was cold, or the schmuck, gawking, had frightened her again. Aaron swallowed back a wad of lust and turned to face her. “Jade, hey. You okay?” How was he to get her dressed before David woke up?
“Why is Jade not gone?” she whispered. “Need more understanding. Why Aaron looks wrong. Why Jade looks like Jade.”
“Sorry, I can’t easily change my appearance. But I won’t hurt you. I give my word.”
She drew a shuddering breath. He had to do better. If he were pressed for a diagnosis, he’d swear she was a victim of ungodly abuse. Her flinch, the fluttered worry, irrational fear made rational by her bewilderment of someone larger than herself, were all red flags, including fear of the flag itself. What had he done but wear a crimson sweatshirt? Okay, in all honesty, if she’s a mind reader, he was screwed. How could he stop thinking? Some clothes would help.
“Why does death not come from Aaron’s teeth and eyes?”
“I don’t know, but it won’t,” he said. “They’re just things, like a towel to dry with or teeth to bite with. You do need to eat, don’t you?”
“Jade doesn’t know.” She stepped toward him. “Jade wants to go back.”
She flowed into his arms. Yes! The beast had gained the beauty’s trust.
“We’ll figure it out.” Her clutch on his arm threatened his circulation. He cupped her face, his voice gentle. “I’ll find answers, but we need to get you dressed. This would be awkward for David. He’ll be awake soon.” He slapped down his urge to kiss the tremble from her lips.
“Awkward?”
“There’s much for you to learn, and I’ll help you.” He pried loose from her, scooped up the discarded dress, and drew another wonderful inhale of her scent. A meadow of grasses, a pine forest, springtime in Ireland—nothing compared. He wanted to weep. Why’d he have to act the adult over nudity?
He shifted her hair, pulled the dress over her head, and covered hips so slender he could enclose her in one arm. The fabric clung. Her hair, tendrils of silk, floated from his hand.
“Jade okay for David?”
God, she was insecure. No way he’d attempt underwear. He inched back. “You’re more than okay. You’re so beautiful. Jade, you should call yourself, I or me, not by your name. Sit down with me. I’ll explain.”
She nodded. By the time he’d followed her into the bedroom, she had the black blanket wrapped around her. She huddled on the bed, her legs curled under her. “Please help. Jade doesn’t understand…me. Shouldn’t be only me. Why is Jade—why is I? Aaron, I-Jade want to go back. I don’t know how.”
He pulled the chair out and sat down. He just had to touch her. “Let me teach you why things can’t hurt you.” His hand swallowed hers, and her shivers faded. “Once you understand, we’ll figure out how you can go wherever you please.”
She slid off the bed and further rocked his world. His heart jumped as she crawled onto his lap. A timid brush of his cheek with her fingertips, and she controlled her obvious desire to shudder as she whispered, “You have death, but Jade…I’m still here. I-I like this…close to you, Aaron.”
&n
bsp; He raised his eyebrows and smiled back with his ugly teeth hidden. “Well, thanks, I guess.” He glanced to the doorway. “Morning, son.”
“I’ll help teach you.” David tripped over his feet in his haste to join them. “Where’d you come from?”
“I don’t know. David, what’s awkward? Towel? Beautiful? Eating? Why’s that light coming back? Can you stop it?”
“One thing at a time.” Aaron stroked her arm. “David will explain eating, then I’ll explain sunrise, okay?”
The simple science of explaining fuel to survive should also calm David. He’d never dealt with his dad cuddling a goddess while the daylight snuck, unwelcome, through the window.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Jade abandoned Aaron’s lap to pace. She’d shown little interest in talk of food, and his explanation of Earth revolving only made her wish night would return. They needed a better way to communicate. Music? A universal language? He turned to David.
“The TV would be a bombardment of color. How about playing a CD? Not something of yours, a good one.”
David frowned. “Your music’s boring. Rap would—”
“She needs structure, pattern, and the beauty of composition, instead of repetitive noise.”
“Numbers put to sound?”
“Exactly.”
David turned from the CD player, taut with excitement, yet ready to slap the off button. Smart kid knew rock and roll could trigger irrational phobias in anyone.
Seconds of the strum of guitar, beat of drum, whoosh of instruments, and green energy ignited. Jade danced—in a tight, sweet circle—soft, seductive spins. Her feet flowed in step, and the curves of her body slammed the air from Aaron’s lungs.
He put his arm around David. Time should freeze, if only physics allowed. Aaron wanted to delight in this moment forever. An explosion of athletic grace, in poetic harmony like no human had ever achieved, lit his bedroom. As the last note faded, Jade’s long hair stopped swirling in sync with the music.
To their amazement, she whispered soft notes in perfect tune. “Can’t start a fire without a spark? I don’t like fire. Dancing in the dark? Dark is safe. Born in the USA? I don’t think so. Please explain later, Aaron. I need more music now.”
When David threw in another disc, her dance dipped, swayed, a dreamy ballet of eroticism—headed toward the kid?
Aaron stiffened. Had she forgotten his request about touching David? Her childlike vulnerability and delight were contagious, yet her unconscious sexuality could stimulate a gay eunuch. David looked ecstatic, as foolish as the father who should protect, or at least cut in on the brat. Jade slowed to let the excited boy keep up. His wide brown eyes sparkled with glee.
When Jade guided David safely into the rhythm of the next song, Aaron gave up trying to control his dopey grin, and he grasped the hand she held out to him.
His heart plummeted to his tapping toes when music faded, and she abandoned them for the CD player. As haunting opera tones filled the room, Jade paused, absorbed.
“I’m getting my iPod from the car. Maybe she’ll dance again.” David raced out the door.
Jade smiled and Aaron fought the need to buckle to his knees. Any desire for the weapon by his bed had vanished, along with concern over his decision to keep her from the authorities, or rational thought in general. His heart began to dance before his clumsy feet moved when she reached for him.
Lighter than air, yet gorgeously solid, she allowed him to hold her close. Her touch, a butterfly whisper, on his arms made his skin prickle with joy. Cloud nine, yet feet grounded, how surreal could this fantasy get? Every surface in his bedroom reflected sparks of light, concentrated into a bright whirl around her. Her very breath flooded him with energy. Supple and sweet, he could lift her in one arm.
Vibrant eyes, silhouetted by long, black-green lashes rose. Why should he care he had a son somewhere? A dependent who’d be frightened by his father kissing a goddess, capable of who knew what? She stared up at Aaron with innocent trust…turning into apprehension? Oh no, no, please. Not again.
Jade halted in mid-twirl, her voice a tremble. “David?”
Heart yammering, he drew back. She really could read his mind?
“Aaron—can’t you hear? Mean voice yells little baby needs his daddy. I thought you were a mama’s boy. Pay up and I’ll let you go. David said…the mean one should screw himself?”
“What? You can hear David?”
“Yes. David’s angry. The other knows nothing about his mother. David’s afraid! He hurt David. Aaron—you’re too slow.” In a blur, light and beauty rushed from his bedroom, and he followed as fast as he could.
Aaron came around the corner of the house. An older boy fled on his bike. David lay against the hood of the car, blood dripping down his chin. Jade bent over David, lifted him—sucking the blood from David’s lips?
“Jade, let him go!”
Either David was unable or unwilling to escape Jade’s embrace. Aaron grabbed her shoulder, his arm raised, but how could he hit her? How could he not? As if she heard the panic thumping from his chest, Jade released David and Aaron yanked her away from the boy.
“Jade, what the hell are you doing? David?”
Jesus. No blood, swelling, or mark on his son. David appeared dazed and—oh God—electrocuted. His blackened eyes had dilated, his charged hair tufted out. Aaron had allowed his child to be kissed by an alien. One he so wanted to taste himself.
“What happened?” He forced his voice calm. “Wait. Let’s get inside. Can you walk? Son?” His dread lessened as David gave a sheepish nod, and pushed himself up from the car.
Aaron made sure the boy could stand on his own, before turning back to meltdown time again. Her huge eyes held so much apprehension. “Jade?”
“Light’s wrong. The sky’s horrid, and this liquid is the most awful.” Jade’s tears welled over. She raised her shaking hand to her lips.
Aaron pushed aside the sight of her pretty, green tongue licking his son’s blood. The deep blue morning sky highlighted a perfect summer day. Her bare feet stood in the ivory sand—he picked her up. Sucked David’s blood? Healed all traces of injury? His bundle of vampiric air cradled tight, Aaron led back into the house and settled Jade on the couch.
David ran into the bedroom. An explosion of kinetic energy that was still half mass, minus an estimated teaspoon or two of blood, multiplied by velocity of alien kiss squared—his son was still human, wasn’t he?
Blanket in hand, David returned and placed it on Jade’s lap. He then sat as close as he dared, and raised his flushed face to Aaron, his chin jutted with defiance. Jade cringed, as if the man kneeling in front of them was judge, jury, and executioner.
“David?”
“Well, this kid, Kenny, he stopped and he hit me.”
“Why?”
“That party last night. I was supposed to give him money…for food and soda. He wanted me to pay, even though I didn’t go. It was dumb because he’s so big, but I kinda told him—you know.”
“Food and soda? Think I’m stupid? Then what happened?”
“Um, Kenny saw Jade. He heard you bang the door, and he ran…then…Dad? She tastes so awesome. Electric. It was—I’m all right. Don’t yell.”
“Don’t yell? She suck the brains out of you? Are you a mutant now? Or just a kid thinking about making out with pretty green aliens?”
“You’re not funny, dad.”
“Wash up and go get breakfast, lunch, whatever, okay?”
David fled to the kitchen. Jade flinched back against the couch as if he’d smack her, and Aaron sagged. “You shouldn’t have kissed David,” he said quietly. “He’s only a kid. How’d you heal him like that?”
“I don’t know. I don’t understand kissing. I wanted to make the wrong…red…go away. I hurt David?”
“He seems fine, but I’m worried. I don’t understand what you are. He’s my son. I need to keep him safe. I don’t mean to frighten you.” He’d love to brush the wobble fr
om her lip, but he settled for running his fingers through his hair. “Is there anything you’d like? Something to eat?”
“I don’t think I need to eat. Aaron? I’m afraid. Everything’s so wrong, and now you’re angry at me and I-I…”
“Shh. I’m struggling not to frighten you. I should get back on my computer. Hopefully, I can find out something other than you like water and music. Hey, maybe a bath would soothe some of your worry. I’ll be right back.”
Aaron headed for his bedroom. Doesn’t eat. Healing powers. Afraid of ridiculous things, especially him. He had to find some answers. He could barely explain inappropriate behavior with preteens without flicking on her overload switch.
Thanks to the brilliance of his late wife, the sunken tub was not standard white. Millions who linked black with death and Satanism were clearly out of the loop. Forget sudsy white bubbles too. Aaron took the CD player from the bedroom and plugged it in the far corner. A classical disc, set for instant replay, should please his green lady. And speaking of whom—anxious and delighted at the same time?
“Hi, Jade, come on in. Could you turn the knobs when the tub’s filled? I’ll be with David in the other room. Call me if you need me. Do you understand?”
She didn’t answer as she stepped in the bath, gleefully filling her cupped hands. He really hoped her powers didn’t include mind reading, but maybe that was why she’d left the dress on.
In the kitchen, Aaron forced David to yield the turkey sandwich. Shoving it in his mouth, he talked around the food. “I’m gonna get online and check for leprechauns and vampires. She’s in the tub. She really likes water. Guess I should Google mermaids, too.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll help after I make a sandwich. Again.” David chewed on his healed lip. “You seriously think I’m a minion now? I should have given Kenny the twenty bucks. Suppose I turn green?”
“Stop worrying. I was only teasing. First kiss, right?” Aaron groaned. “Twelve years old and you locked lips with a goddess. Not fair to the human girls in your future. I know she made you kiss her, but no moves, especially anymore necking, even when we understand what she is.” He grinned and turned to leave. “If anyone kisses her, it should be me. Just because you found her—she’s much closer to my age. Not that we know her age. Maybe she’s only two days old, but I can and will, beat you up.”