Challa

by Linda Mooney

  The car topped a hill and began its descent. Through the windshield Compton could see the sun peeking between the trees, although the moon still hovered in the sky when he glanced out the back window. He turned back around in his seat in time to see Tiron morphing into her human persona as she casually watched the passing scenery. For some reason he got the impression she had changed without having to think about it.

  Actually, I’ve managed to adapt to changing into a human just as my body senses it. Sort of. I mean, I can still be asleep, but I change anyway without having to be awake to think about it.

  Compton paused with his mouth open. The car slowed as it rounded a tight curve.

  He could feel Challa changing. In fact, he could sense her subconscious sending a signal to her body, and slowly, more slowly than Tiron’s transformation, Challa became human. When the sunshine finally blazed through the window, it bounced off her scarlet hair with an almost ruby-red glow.

  Tiron noticed the change as it happened. The woman glanced up at Compton. “How did she do that?”

  “You mean, change?” Compton countered, slightly confused.

  “Yeah. She’s still unconscious, right?” Tiron asked. “How did Challa change if she’s unconscious?” Her question caught the attention of her husband, who turned around in his seat to look. Compton glanced from one to the other.

  “She told me once that she’d learned how to change while she sleeps. Sort of like having an internal alarm clock that goes off to let her know she needs to humanize herself before the sun rises. Why? Don’t you do the same thing?”

  “No,” Tiron said. Clearly the woman was impressed by Challa’s ability. “I have to set the alarm so I don’t miss my chance.”

  “Roni, have you tried seeing if you can go without using the alarm?” DeGrassi suggested.

  Tiron shook her head. “No. But if Challa can do it—”

  Challa groaned softly and moved in Compton’s arms. Lifting her head so that it rested on his shoulder, he waited. Presently, she opened dazed, unfocused eyes.

  “Compton?”

  “I’m here, honey.”

  She lifted her face toward the sound of his voice. “The Arra?”

  “They’re gone. Or, at least we think they’re gone.” He looked at where Tiron’s face reflected her astonishment. Curious, he asked her, “What’s the matter?”

  “She’s still wearing the burla!”

  “Yeah. So?”

  The Ruinos woman’s eyes widened to where he could see silvery flecks dancing against gray. “That’s impossible. The burla keeps its prisoner under sedation. She shouldn’t…there’s no way she should be able to change!”

  Challa shifted in Compton’s lap, and the movement sent fresh heat through his groin and belly. He watched as she noticed the odd handcuff pipe containing her arms. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, Challa pulled her hands free of the device.

  DeGrassi exclaimed first. “Oh, shit! How did you manage that?”

  “It has to be because she’s human,” Compton guessed. “When she put on her outer skin, it must have blocked the effects of the sedative inside the tube, letting her wake up.” He could see reddish rings encircling her wrists and just below her elbows. Motioning toward them, he said, “I’m taking a stab in the dark with this, but this thing probably lost its grip on her because of her transformation.”

  “We gotta get that information out to the others,” Klotsky announced. Compton saw the man watching them from the rearview mirror. “We gotta let the other Ruinos know that those Arra can’t stand ultraviolet light, and that their burla, or whatever it’s called, loses its potency if the Ruinos change their forms when they’re caught in it.”

  DeGrassi nodded. “Once we tell Sarah, she can get the word out the same way she let the others know about the chip.”

  “But it’s only theory. I could be wrong,” Compton reminded them.

  Tiron picked up the tube and examined it more closely. “But, in theory, it worked. If there’s any truth to it, it’s one more weapon we can use against the Arra. Sarah needs to take this back to the university and have it examined. Anything we can learn about it, the better for us.”

  “How many other Ruinos are you in contact with?” Compton asked.

  “At last count, eight,” Tiron told him. “We’re hoping the Arra didn’t get the others.”

  “T’kor?”

  Compton looked down at where Challa continued to rest against him. “What?”

  “Promise to fill me in later on what I missed?” Although she was awake, she remained groggy. He contributed it to the remaining sedative still in her system.

  “Not a problem.”

  “Speaking of,” DeGrassi said. “Are you two going to set up house back in Cooper?”

  “We hadn’t discussed it, to be honest,” Compton admitted. “Challa’s home was the carnival, but she’s quitting it. I grew up in Cooper, and with my folks dead, I have the property free and clear. With my disability pay, we can live comfortably. Why?”

  “I would think an old Army veteran like yourself would be thinking about how you would be able to protect yourself if the Arra did decide to return.” The deputy raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t have to remind you there’s always safety in numbers.”

  “Tumbril Harbor has a lot to offer,” Tiron said. “Please keep it in mind when you two sit down to decide.”

  Compton nodded and readjusted his grip on Challa, who continued to doze in his lap. DeGrassi was right. Should the Arra find him and Challa in Cooper, there was little chance he could adequately protect her. On the other hand, there was a ready-made Ruinos family already here, and with the full backing of the local law.

  “We’ll discuss it as soon as Challa can stay awake for longer than two seconds,” he promised, grinning, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  His smiled broadened. He had a future now. A real future that promised to be filled with life and love. And surprises. Don’t forget the surprises. Compton held Challa closer to his heart. Which won’t be a problem. We’ll just take it one day at a time, beginning today.

  Today. A new day, and their very first day of complete freedom.

  Chapter 47

  Imitation

  “This stuff is good!” Challa pulled another piece of blue cotton candy from the roll and shoved it in her mouth, promptly licking her fingers afterwards. Her lips and tongue, as well as her fingertips, were the color of a robin’s egg.

  Compton laughed. “I can’t believe in all the time you worked at the carnival that you never had any of that stuff.”

  Shrugging, Challa grinned. “When you smell it day in and day out, you lose interest in it,” she told him. “But I can see now why people like it so much.” She tore off another piece.

  The carnival was crowded, as was expected. Friday’s turnout had been huge, according to Lawson Hall. Tonight’s looked like it might top last night’s sales figures.

  “What time is it?” Challa tilted her head to look at Compton’s watch. His arm was around her shoulder, his hand both guiding her and keeping her close.

  “Should be soon. Let’s head for the tent.”

  As they neared the huge sideshow tent, Compton glanced up at the banner announcing Challa, the Alien Girl. It was still Challa pictured up there, but the woman who would be performing tonight would be a real human, not Ruinos.

  Lawson Hall, dressed in his straw hat and striped vest, appeared from inside the main tent and climbed up to a small podium. He spotted Compton and Challa in the crowd and gave them a conspiratorial wink before beginning his spiel.

  “Welcome to Lawson Hall’s World Famous Carnival and Sideshow! Here, you will see the unbelievable! Witness the indescribable! Learn what few men will attest to, and what is the truth! So step right on in, everyone! But hurry! We have limited room, and can accept only a limited number of tickets!”

  Fortunately, Hall had slipped them a couple of tickets earlier, so they didn’t have to worry about being all
owed in. Like before, they entered the main tent, which was divided into four separate sections, with the alien girl act in the last section.

  They stayed in the back of the tent and observed the woman who had taken over the part. Like Challa, she was green from head to toe, but in this instance it was body paint, plus a few artificial prosthetics to make her appear inhuman. She hissed and growled, and tried to swipe at the squealing crowd with her artificial talons.

  “She’s good,” Compton whispered next to Challa’s ear.

  Challa nodded. “Beatrice has been wanting out off the high wire for months.”

  “Her agility is a plus in imitating you.”

  Challa shot him a curious look. “Do you think she really looks like me?”

  “Well, you have to admit, she does do your little first act gig to a ‘T’.” He grinned at her.

  The fake Challa grabbed some entrails from the bucket and began to gnaw them. She tossed her head so that blood sprayed those customers closest to the cage. There were more screams as the crowd backed away, then surged forward again to watch more closely.

  Compton felt Challa’s revulsion. “Lawson wanted me to do that,” she whispered, “but I can’t stomach flesh, much less the raw kind. Or the blood.”

  “It’s a good addition to the act,” he said. Challa nodded as she agreed with him.

  After the show was over, they followed the crowd outside. Lawson Hall was waiting for them not far from the exit, and gestured for them to join him. “Well, what did you think?” he asked.

  “She’s good.” Challa smiled. “I bet you’re happy she’s willing to do that raw meat thing. That’ll really pack the seats.”

  Hall chuckled. “She’s not you, but she’s the next best thing.” The carnival owner looked over at Compton. “So you’re staying in Cooper?”

  “Yeah. It’s my home, and I’m going to do my damndest to make it Challa’s.”

  “What about the Arra?”

  “Right now, we’re thinking that if the Arra come back, they’re going to descend over Tumbril Harbor. Cooper is just a couple of hours’ drive away in case the others need our help. Then again…” Compton smiled. “You never know what the future holds. Maybe I’ll find a buyer for the farm, and we’ll go join the others. But right now Challa and I want our alone time.”

  “Our honeymoon,” Challa said, grinning. The two men laughed.

  Hall held out his hand, and the men shook. “Here’s wishing you many happy years. Challa…” He held out his arms, and the Ruinos woman happily gave him a hug. “Promise me no more stealing vegetables.”

  “I promise.”

  Hall gave her a quick kiss to the forehead before releasing her and giving them both a little salute. Turning around, the man walked back through the exit and into the sideshow tent without another word or looking back.

  At the same time, Compton draped an arm around Challa’s shoulder and led her back into the carnival midway. Tonight was the show’s first night in Tumbril Harbor. By this time Sunday the carnies would be packing up so they could head out first thing Monday morning for the next town.

  After enjoying the carnival, he and Challa planned to spend the night at a quaint little motel that was run by DeGrassi’s aunt. There they could make as much noise as they wanted to without having to worry about bothering their hosts. And in the morning they would return to Cooper and Compton’s family farm.

  Reaching the front entrance, they paused underneath the banner, and Compton looked back at the rides and games and food booths. “You sure there’s nothing else you want to do?” he asked her. “No one else you want to say goodbye to?”

  Challa shook her head. She had gone to the carnival that morning as soon as it arrived, and packed what little she had. Before she left, the carnies threw her an impromptu combination going away party and bridal shower.

  “No. I’m done. I’m ready to leave this part of my life,” she softly answered. The expression on her face was a mixture of trust, anticipation, and love.

  “Yeah,” Compton said, nodding. “That’s a good way to think of it, leaving behind this part of my life. I will, too. Starting now, I will no longer look upon myself with a ‘poor me’ attitude. I am what I am, and that will never change. And since it doesn’t matter to you how I look, it no longer matters to me, either. As of right now, I am Compton Scott, soon to be the husband of Challa Doon, my blood mate.” Dropping a kiss to her forehead, in the same place where Hall had just kissed her, he added, “Let’s go check in at the motel and get to know each other a whole lot better. How’s that sound?”

  “It sounds wonderful. I hear the motel has a whole forest right behind it!”

  Compton heard the excitement in her voice as they strolled toward the parking lot. It triggered another memory. Something that had been said to him about Ruinos loving to go running in the woods at night.

  “A forest big enough to go running in?” he half-teased.

  “Yes! That’s right! How did you know?” At Challa’s wide-eyed astonishment, he laughed loudly. “Compton! Who told you Ruinos love to run? Was it Lawson? No, Tiron told you, didn’t she? Didn’t she? Compton! Come on, tell me!”

  She continued to pester him all the way to the motel. It wasn’t until he got her sidetracked by more interesting and sensual things that she stopped asking. Even so, he knew that eventually he would have given in. There was nothing he would ever be able to deny her, and the thought of sharing a future with her filled him with more happiness than he ever believed possible.

  But he wasn’t surprised.

  After all, they were meant to be.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Linda loves to write romance with a fantasy or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. By day she is a kindergarten teacher, wife, and mother of two who lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf Coast. But at night she delves into alternate worlds filled with daring exploits and sensual, erotic romance. Linda was recently named 2009 Torrid Author of the Year. She is credited with eleven best sellers, ten of them consecutive Number Ones.

  Visit her website at http://www.LindaMooney.com

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