Alien Attachments
Page 14
They spent another ten minutes discussing Sandaria before Jared and the Papallo’s excused themselves to do some exploring. Jared asked if Dani wanted to join them, but Ria had other plans.
“Sorry, but she’s coming with me.” Ria gave her an apologetic shrug. “I promised Mordo I’d help with your training.”
“Ah. All right guys, rain check.”
Chapter 12
Dani walked with Ria out into the bright sunny day. Marveling at the clear green sky, she nearly knocked over an elderly lady. Catching the woman’s arm before she toppled over, she apologized profusely while Ria watched and tried not to laugh.
“Thanks for the help,” Dani said, once free of the older woman.
“What? I wasn’t gonna let her fall. Good catch, by the way.”
Back at the arena, Ria set up a corner of the massive space for their practice. Like she’d seen the day before, large and small shapes surrounded them. Some sat stationary on the ground and others hovered in mid-air. Unlike the previous day, one- and two-story obstacles dotted the landscape. The tops of the structures were connected together with various types of bridges. Some appeared solid, but others were nothing more than ropes. Zip-lining, without the zip. Red spheres the size of basketballs floated steadily around the arena as well.
“Okay.” Ria punched the side of a tall rectangle positioned beside her. Its cushy surface gave way. “This is a good way to start. These obstacles will block an opponent’s psi, but they’re soft if you crash into them. These guys”—she pointed to the multi-storied structures—“we get to climb on. They’re all connected, but some are easier to get across than others. We’ll get a great workout here while you hone your skills.”
“Ria, I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I have to concentrate on what I’m doing. I could hurt us both.”
“Don’t worry. This is a protective sim-mode. You can’t get hurt in here. Watch.” Ria took off and climbed up the small one-story structure. She walked over to the edge and belted out a horrid rendition of Mick Jagger’s “Dancing in the Street.” She pranced about, flailing her arms up and down.
Dani laughed until Ria misstepped and went sideways over the edge. A piercing buzz sounded and Ria’s body stopped falling, righted itself and lowered to the ground. “See? This’ll be good for you. Don’t worry about control, just let it flow and have some fun. Oh, and don’t let the red spheres touch you.”
“What happens if they touch you?”
“It hurts. Now move.” Ria flicked her hand and sent the nearest ball smashing into Dani’s shoulder. An electric shock zapped her arm.
“Ow,” Dani laughed. “Game on.” She took off after Ria, who was already halfway up the smallest structure. Without the need to concentrate and make precise movements, Dani let go. A sense of joy and power flowed through her as she recklessly blasted objects. She couldn’t help but laugh when her imprecise attempts at control had unexpected results. The arena’s safety functions were working overtime today. Twice, Ria was laid horizontal in the air and sent spinning like a frisbee. The second time, Dani laughed so hard she cried. The tears blurred her vision and she tripped over an orange square, tumbling head first over the edge of a two-story building.
“Stop,” she cried as she came to a gentle landing on the floor. “I have to stop laughing.” She wiped her face and tried to clear her eyes.
Ria peered over the edge above her, wiping her own tears. “I haven’t laughed this hard or had this much fun in years. What is up with that flying disc move?” Ria stepped off the ledge and made a graceful landing next to Dani. She reached out and gave her a hand up.
Dani shook her head. “No idea. I’m trying to push you but something happens. I can feel my psi splitting. The top half pushes your torso and the bottom kind of sucks at your feet.” She lifted her hands up. “Not trying to do it, I swear.”
Ria nodded. “No, it’s good. You’ll get different results depending upon what your opponent is doing. I was using a small, targeted beam. You must be broadcasting a larger area that my psi basically sliced in half.” Ria crossed her arms. “Still, I’ve never seen that result before. Try narrowing your psi. Should give you more control and use less energy.”
Dani nodded agreement and grinned. “Probably won’t be as entertaining.”
Ria’s suggestion helped a great deal. Forty minutes later, she spun around and dealt a psi blow to Ria’s back.
“Damn girl, you are amazing. Seriously, I can’t believe how much better you’ve gotten.” Ria dodged, then blocked the next of Dani’s attacks.
“Thanks. It’s weird. When I started this morning, I had to focus on everything, but not now. Like when you first learn to drive. In the beginning, everything scares you, and you have to think about every move, but after a few months, you don’t even realize what you’re doing half the time.”
“You are going to be a force.” Ria signaled for a stop and they both used the time to catch their breath. Ria performed some stretches and Dani followed suit.
“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Ria said.
“Of course not. What’s up?”
Ria rubbed her neck. “If I’m out of line say so, but I can’t help but wonder what’s up with you and Ian. You saved the man’s life. What exactly, is going on?”
“I wish I knew.” Dani sighed and kicked a nearby circle, sending mild shock thru her boot as it careened over a large purple square. “Stuff happened, Ria. Stuff I don’t understand.”
“Maybe I can help,” Ria said.
“I’d like to tell you, but it would put you in an awkward position.”
“What do you mean, awkward?” Ria frowned.
“He’s your boss. You know, awkward.” Dani stressed the last word.
“Mother Goddess. You slept with Ian?”
“Shh. Keep it down.” Dani looked around frantically. “Yes, okay? Twice. Kind of.”
“Twice? Mother Goddess.” Ria leaned against a yellow prism.
“Please stop saying that.”
“Okay, tell me what happened. I don’t mean the details of course, but what do you mean, ‘Twice, kind of’?”
“Well, the first time was the night in Como.”
“You did it at my house?” Ria put her hands on her hips.
“Yeah. It was incredible.”
“I bet it was. So, what next?”
“I don’t know. The next morning Armond checked something in me. He didn’t seem happy with the result. After that, Ian changed. Remember the cave? He was being a real jerk by that time.”
“What did Armond do?” Ria asked.
“Nothing as far as I could tell. He took my hand and closed his eyes a few seconds, then sent me on my way.”
“He tried to erase your memory.”
“Of what?” Dani said. “Oh. That. Well, it didn’t work. Then, something happened when we moved the portal. That was intense, because he talked to me in my head.”
Ria started pacing and shook her head. “Okay, that was an extraordinary circumstance. You guys were going to die if it didn’t work. Ian’s strong enough to be able to communicate telepathically. Nothing unusual so far. Aside from the fact he slept with you, which seems way out of character for him. And what about the ‘kind of’ part? What do you mean by that?”
“The night before last, when I healed him. I went to his room. I had this overwhelming feeling that if I didn’t, he’d die. Mara said it’s because I have healing abilities, and knew, somehow, that I’d be able to help him. Anyway”—Dani glanced around, and lowered her voice—“I got into bed with him and basically wrapped myself around his body.” The memory rippled through her psi. She had to turn away from Ria, so she studied the far wall instead. “Nothing physical happened, Ria, but something else did—with our psi. It was the most amazing pleasure I’ve ever had, but again, it didn’t involve our bodies. Which for a human is pretty weird.”
Ria stopped pacing and stared at her.
Ria shook her head.
Dani dropped her arms to her sides. “It’s an Earth thing. ‘If looks could kill, I’d be dead.’ I mean, what the hell? I’d just saved his life and the sensation was so good it was scary. You’d think at least a thank you would be in order, but no. Both those guys treat me like dirt. Does any of this make sense to you?”
Ria’s eyes were wide and her mouth partially open.
“What?”
“I might be wrong. I mean, what with you being human and having psi and all. That’s huge enough, but now…” Ria exhaled.
“Ria, please. Now what?”
“I… It…um…. How do I explain this to a human? You have nothing like it. Okay so, you kind of know how the psi thing works right?”
“I’m learning.”
“Well, there are other aspects of psi. One of the most amazing is called a psi-bond, or just bonding. It doesn’t happen to everyone Dani, but everyone wants it. Probably less than fifty-percent ever find a psi-mate. You just described bonding, or at least partial bonding. With Ian. Oh, Mother Goddess.”
Dani threw her an annoyed look.
Ria took up pacing again. “No wonder he’s a mess. Bonding with a human. That’s just not, I don’t know— I mean it shouldn’t be possible. Oh Mo—”
“Please, stop saying that.”
“Right. Sorry. This is so unbelievable. And you’re human, so there’s no way this can happen, not in our society. This is bad on so many levels. And he knew it, which is why he tried to make you stop.”
“Hey, he’s the one that got me in bed on Como. I experienced this bond thing then, but it didn’t last.”
Ria shook her head. “You said he healed you in a pool, right?”
“Yeah, on Cat Island. That must have been when he figured out I had psi. The first time it happened to me.”
“I’d be willing to bet you guys started bonding in the pool. Ian’s been fighting it ever since. Which is crazy, but it makes sense. He’d have to fight it. But how can you?” Ria stopped pacing. “So the question is, are you or are you not fully bonded? If you were, surely you’d be together. Human or not. I think you guys are, somehow, only partially bonded. I’ve never heard of anyone resisting a bond before. I mean, who would want to, right? It feels incredible, doesn’t it?”
“There are no words to describe how it feels. Humans don’t have that level of pleasure. It’s not only in your body but outside as well.” Under the circumstances, the look of envy on her friend’s face was comical. “You can’t possibly be jealous of this bond?”
“Let’s just say, I’d like to know what it feels like.”
“Fair enough. Okay. So what’s the big deal? I finish my training and go home. It’s not like I saw much of Ian before.”
Ria knitted her brows. “Can you simply walk away? Do you really want to?”
No. I don’t want to. Fear shot through her. She knew what it was like to lose the people you love most in the world. She’d spent her adulthood avoiding any deep emotional connection with men. Now, here she was, bonding on some level she couldn’t even understand.
“He’s so angry with me. With this situation. How can I want this?”
Ria sighed. “No idea. This sucks. At least we know why he’s acting the way he is. He’s being a jerk to keep you away.”
“Because I’m human,” Dani said.
Ria chewed a thumb nail, thinking. “Try to understand. Sandaria’s upper class is based on pure bloodlines. Ian marries you and it’s a downward spiral for the family. Maybe even a crash and burn. He’s an only child. Gordat Prayda would use this to take down Rucon. Those two hate each other. Rucon has stayed out of politics as much as anyone can, but Ian marrying a human would be devastating to the Cavacent power base.” Ria lowered her voice. “A lot of people think the empire is ready to fall. And a lot of us don’t want to be involved with it when it does. Until then, you play by the rules or you lose. Rucon and Ian know this better than most.”
“Okay, so we don’t have a problem. Ian couldn’t have me if he wanted me. I’m not in the market for a relationship, and this whole bond thing can just go away.”
“Bonds don’t just go away, Dani. It’s for life.”
“What?” Ria’s words echoed around her head. Like hell. Not my life.
* * * *
The next day Ria showed up just as Dani finished dressing. Her red hair was a welcome sight as she slid into the room and perched herself on the arm of the chair facing Dani. “How are you doing today?”
“Edgy. I need to move. I feel like a kid that’s had too much sugar.” Dani pulled the zipper up her boot. “This is normal right? Mordo said psi produces energy that needs to be burned off.”
“It does, but not that bad. I can go a week before I start getting edgy. You’ve been working hard. Between training with Mordo and our practice sessions, you should be fine.” Ria crossed her arms. “Maybe it has something to do with your psi being newly…newly what? I don’t even know how to talk about it. Newly released? Newly discovered?”
“Newly annoying?” Dani grinned.
“Yeah, that,” Ria said. “Listen, I can stay till after lunch, but then we’re heading back to Earth with the SAs. There’s been some Torog activity and Ian’s worried about the mines. The gang is going to meet us at the dining hall. They all want to say goodbye before heading back.”
The reality of being left on Sandaria while the others returned to Earth sank in. It must have showed on her face because Ria gave her a gentle punch in the arm. “Don’t worry. You can reach us with this.” Ria handed her a phone like the other’s had. “It’s called a com. I asked Ian, and he agreed you should have one. As long as the portal is active you can call. I’ll come back every few days and practice with you, too.”
Dani inspected the small device. “I can call Earth. How is that possible?”
Ria shook her head. “You need to ask a Portal Master.”
“Guess it doesn’t matter as long as I can reach you. I need to make some other calls as well. Check in with my aunt. That okay?”
“Sure.”
Ria showed Dani how to use the device.
An hour and half later, Dani and Ria battled it out in their favorite rain forest sim. They were soaked to the bone, but as soon as the sim stopped, they’d be dry in minutes. Dani climbed a massive forty-foot tree and scanned for Ria. A sim-blast grazed her shoulder and she laughed as she spun around to find her on a tree opposite. “Great minds, huh?” Dani said.
“You know it, girl. Come on. I’m hungry and tired. And wet. Let’s get lunch.”
Dani holstered her laser. “Sounds good.” She tapped into the arena’s interface with her psi the way Ria taught her and waved her hand. The world morphed around them. The trees lowered the women to the ground and merged with the floor. Ten seconds later they stood near the entrance to the arena, a bit disheveled but drying fast.
“Outstanding!” An unfamiliar voice startled them.
A chill rippled down Dani’s spine. Above, at the entrance level, a tall muscular man with light brown hair stood next to Rucon. His smile radiated from a face with azure blue eyes, amazingly like her own.
“Who’s the hunk?” Dani whispered to Ria.
“Careful,” Ria said, under her breath. “He’s the youngest member of the council.”
Rucon motioned for them to come up. They climbed the stairs and approached the men. Oh my, this one easily gives Ian a run f
or his money. Slightly shorter and leaner than Ian, the man had days worth of stubble on his face that gave him a decidedly ruffian look. Their eyes locked and a thrill ran through her.
The stranger took a step forward with outstretched hand. “You are have extraordinary skill,” he said, as the warmth of his skin enveloped her hand. “With rather amazing eyes.” His smile was genuine.
A blue cloud puffed out of Rucon and covered herself and Ria. His intent was instantly clear. They were to go along with his next words. She made a mental note about the different way he communicated.
“Council Member Balastar Alder, I would like to introduce Dani Standich and Ria Montori,” Rucon said.
Balastar turned. “Ria, you are equally extraordinary.” He took her hand and gave a slight bow. “But you”—he turned back to Dani—“fascinate me. Maybe it’s your eyes, so much like my own.” He waved his hand toward the arena. “I would match either of you against any soldier I know.”
Rucon stepped forward. “That was good work, you two. I explained to Balastar that you are both new to Ian’s Earth Protectorate team. Balastar heard rumors of troubles on our little blue planet and came to see how things were going. I’ve assured him everything is under control.”
“We wouldn’t want our supply of carnium to be interrupted now, would we?” Balastar asked.
“No, sir,” Ria said. “I’m not sure what you heard, but everything is fine on Earth.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Unfortunately, I must be going. Rucon, may I have a few more minutes of your time?”
“Of course, councilman.”
Balastar nodded to Ria, then Dani. He held her gaze slightly longer than comfortable, and her heart skipped a beat.
“I do hope we meet again,” he said.
“Yes, sir. Um, councilman.” Dani knew she’d somehow screwed up the formality.
“You may call me Balastar. The Cavacents are infamous for being informal. I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble.”
“Okay, Balastar. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”