“Sugar bark sounds interesting,” Ellie smiled, turning her attention back to Mylon, “and a splash of cow’s milk would be great. Thank you.”
“I do enjoy visiting this area of the quadrant,” Mylon said sweetly. “Earth has some excellent offerings. I’m sure being here must be quite eye-opening for you.”
“It is, very,” Ellie said, thinking how strange it was to be talking to what looked like an overgrown chicken with arms, “but please don’t feel the need to entertain me. I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
“Ah, your tea,” she announced. “Excuse me.”
Ellie hadn’t seen anyone approach, nor had Mylon left her desk, but when the feathery creature turned around, Ellie saw a panel had opened in the wall, and sitting on a shelf was a tray with a proper teapot, a milk jug, and a cup and saucer.
“My goodness,” Ellie exclaimed. “Where did that come from?”
“The embassies try to have familiar items from each of the planets in the quadrant. Rarely do we have human visitors, but look, you’re here, and I’m pleased to have something that will help you feel more at home.”
“This is all quite incredible,” Ellie murmured as Mylon rose from her seat and collected the tray.
“Why don’t you sit over here,” Mylon suggested, walking around her desk and leading Ellie to a bizarre-looking chair with a table in front of it, tucked away in a corner. “It’s a cozy spot, and there are some interesting puzzles in those round boxes.”
“Thank you,” Ellie replied, sitting down, finding the seat surprisingly comfortable.
“Let me know if you need anything. The sugar bark is in that bowl. I’ve been told one piece is the same as what you would call a teaspoon.”
“Ah. Got it,” Ellie nodded.
As she watched Mylon walk away, her gait something between a waddle and a strut, in spite of the dire circumstances and lurking danger, Ellie couldn’t help but smile. She was so lucky. She was experiencing something completely extraordinary, and Valodar, though he wasn’t a human man, was a male who was kind and loving, and not only stealing her heart, but making all her salacious fantasies come true… and then some!
“I hope you find out what you need to,” she muttered, staring at the door, “and I pray those horrible Sparians go someplace else to rattle their sabers.”
* * *
The ambassador had confined Endolin in a small ante-room off his office, and had told Valodar she had steadfastly refused to discuss any allegations of wrongdoing. She had insisted that meeting up with the Earth female had been a chance encounter, and the conversation completely innocent.
“Humans are well known to be overly emotional and unpredictable,” Golan remarked. “Is it not possible this Earth female overreacted? Endolin is one of my best workers. She’s never displayed any nastiness, and I rely on her diplomatic skills a great deal. I find it difficult to believe these accusations.”
The ambassador appeared to be sincere, not just defending one of his own, and though Valodar didn’t know Endolin very well, he already thought she didn’t strike him as someone who would have done what Ellie had claimed. Was Golan right? Had Ellie remembered that dreadful night with the greys of her own accord? Perhaps Endolin had said something innocent, and it had triggered the recall.
“Even with the interpreters, miscommunication frequently happens, especially with English,” Valodar offered. “They have multiple meanings for the same words. I’m fluent, but sometimes even I find myself confused. Would you have any objection to me speaking with Endolin privately?”
“Not at all, and she might speak more freely without me in the room. Besides, you have a way about you, Valodar. I know, in many areas, you have been successful where others have failed. She may open up to you.”
“That’s kind of you to say, Ambassador.”
“She’s waiting through that door. The room is quite soundproof. You won’t be overheard.”
“Thank you,” Valodar said gratefully.
The door opened as he approached, and he saw Endolin sitting on the floor looking truly forlorn. She did not look defensive, or wary, or even guilty, she just looked miserable. Stepping inside, he waited until the door had closed behind him, then sat on the floor next to her.
“Hello, Endolin,” he said warmly. “Why aren’t you in one of the chairs?”
“I wasn’t feeling very well, so I laid down.”
“Would you like to tell me what happened with the Earth female?”
“You don’t sound angry,” she said, confusion in her voice as she looked up at him.
“Why would I be angry? I don’t know what happened.”
“But…”
“Endolin, I make no judgements until I have the facts. I know one side of the story, and now I need to hear yours.”
To his surprise, Endolin placed one of her tiny fingers against her beak in a gesture for him to be silent. Intrigued, Valodar nodded his understanding, and as she began to speak, she slowly lifted the side of her blouse.
“When I ran into her, I had no idea who she was, and Ganjin introduced us. We started chatting, and I happened to mention that you were very well known because of your past association with Earth, and that you had helped the greys in their efforts to save their civilization.”
“I see,” Valodar said, staring with great concern at a bump near the bottom of her ribcage. “I think we should have something to drink,” he suggested, understanding exactly what she was showing him. A tiny microphone had been planted just under her skin. She hadn’t trusted Golan enough to show him. That was curious.
“I’ll only be a minute, and while I’m gone, why don’t you see if you can remember anything else you may have said to upset her.”
“I would like some water,” she said, her relief obvious as she dropped her shirt. “Thank you.”
Gently giving her arm a reassuring squeeze, he rose to his feet, and stepping back into the ambassador’s office, he asked if there were any beverages handy.
“Of course, what would you like?” Golan asked.
“You wouldn’t have any Earth vodka, would you, and perhaps some ice?”
“I have both!” he exclaimed, standing up from his desk and walking across to an elaborate drinks cabinet. “It’s very popular. I just had our supply restocked.”
“I thought you might have,” Valodar remarked. “It is said on Earth that alcohol can loosen a tongue, and I’ve seen it do just that.”
“It won’t take much to affect Endolin. It’s a good idea,” Golan said approvingly as he returned with two metal goblets. “Here you are. Don’t you have any truth serum drops on you? Isn’t that what you usually use?”
“I don’t think I’ll need it. I believe this is a simple misunderstanding.”
“Good to hear it,” Golan said with a relieved smile. “I do not believe Endolin capable of anything so nasty. It’s just not in her.”
“I suspect you’re right. I’m sure we’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Returning to the ante-chamber, he found Endolin looking hopeful, and certainly less miserable.
“Here we are,” Valodar declared, “water for us both.”
Giving her a reassuring wink, he placed the two glasses on the table, then reaching to his necklace, he opened one of the squares and withdrew a tiny pencil and a piece of rolled-up parchment. Endolin’s tiny eyes lit up when she saw it, and urgently taking it from his hands, she began to write. It only took her a moment to scribble her message and hand it back to him: I’m so scared. Sparians did this. They can hear everything.
A chill shivered through him. What the hell was going on? He needed to remove the transmitter, and taking back the pencil, he quickly wrote a response.
I’ll remove it. Pretend conversation.
She nodded fervently. He could see her tears brimming, and taking her by the elbow, he helped her into a chair.
“Did you remember anything else?”
“No, nothing, it happened just as I sai
d.”
“If you don’t tell me absolutely everything, Endolin, I’ll have to leave you in here,” he said, pretending to be stern, motioning for her to lift her shirt.
“Then, leave me,” she replied, doing as he asked as she watched him remove one of the silver cylinders around his neck.
“If you choose not to cooperate,” he continued, pulling from it a tiny silver blade, “you will be in here completely alone with nothing but that glass of water. It will not be pleasant.”
She stared at him, then at the blade, then back at him. She was scared. Taking the parchment, he wrote, Drink. It’s vodka.
Hesitantly she picked up a glass, brought it to her beak, took a sip, then shook her head, her small red eyes growing wide. He smiled. She was tiny, and her metabolism would quickly see her buzzed.
He waited a minute, watching the alcohol do its work, and when she leaned back her head and let out a sigh, he dipped the blade into the vodka and touched it to her skin. She let out a soft chirp, but what she’d felt had been minimal; Valodar’s incision had been clean and precise, and the vodka had settled her. Quillians didn’t bleed like humans and Xans, and there was only a tiny speck of clear liquid around the wound.
“I’m waiting,” he said firmly, continuing the pretense.
“But I have nothing else to say,” she squeaked, staring down at her wound.
“All right, since you insist, I will leave you here in complete silence,” he said firmly, holding the miniature receiver between his finger and thumb and studying it.
How long had she been wearing it? The poor creature must have suffered greatly, knowing everything she said and did was being overheard. Was it super-sensitive? Probably. Would closing his palm over it be enough to mute its reception? No, he couldn’t trust it. He would have to leave it there and return for it later. Carrying it to the corner of the room, he pressed it into the fibers of the floor covering. It was impossible to see, and taking Endolin by the hand, he led her to the door.
Chapter Sixteen
As Valodar and Endolin left the ante-room, Valodar turned to make sure the door closed behind them, and as he did, Endolin teetered, but he managed to catch her just before she was about to topple over.
“Sorry,” she chirped. “I feel so giddy.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m the one who suggested you sip that vodka.”
“I’m glad you did,” she said gratefully. “It really helped.”
“I see you’ve had a bit to drink, Endolin,” Golan remarked, raising his head from his desk just in time to see her misstep.
“It doesn’t take much to make me wobbly,” she admitted, “but I needed it. I was so frazzled.”
“Frazzled?” Golan frowned.
“Everything has been settled,” Valodar said hastily. “It was more of a misunderstanding than anything else, but Endolin would still like to apologize personally, so I have invited her to join me and the Earth female in my chambers for a meal.”
“What a splendid suggestion,” the ambassador beamed, “and thank you, Valodar, for being so reasonable all this.”
Valodar was sure Golan was innocent of any wrongdoing. They had been colleagues for a long time, and Golan was deeply loyal to the Consortium, but the presence of a Sparian transmitter needed to be kept quiet, and there was another, more serious concern. If she had been compromised, someone else may have been. Just how secure was the station? Is that why the Sparian ship was lurking? Was it waiting for further intelligence? He needed to talk with Tavlon urgently.
“I’m so relieved this has ended so cordially,” Golan continued, moving around his desk. “Please give my regards to your guest. What is she called?”
“Her name is Ellie,” Valodar replied.
“My apologies, I phrased that incorrectly. I should have asked her name, not what she was called.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Valodar smiled, “but I think we need to get some food into Miss Endolin here.”
“Yes, please,” Endolin said, clutching his arm. “My head is quite swimming.”
Golan walked them to the door, and they said their goodbyes, but as Valodar turned to help Endolin across the reception area, he saw Ellie already on her feet, her hands on her hips, wearing an angry frown.
“Don’t react to anything Ellie says,” he murmured to Endolin. “She’s a human, so she sometimes finds it difficult to control herself. She’s going to be angry that you’re with me until I’ve had a chance to explain.”
“I couldn’t answer her back anyway,” Endolin said softly. “My head is all muddy.”
“Don’t worry,” he said reassuringly as they moved forward. “I have something in my quarters that will help.”
As they neared her, Valodar could see Ellie was about to protest, and though he shot her a warning look, either Ellie didn’t catch it, or she’d chosen to ignore it.
“What’s this?” she demanded, her eyes blazing.
The two words had been filled with fury, and Valodar had heard the questions behind them.
Why do you have your arm around her? What is she doing here? Why do you look so calm?
“Endolin is coming home with us for a meal,” he said evenly. “There is much to discuss.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ellie said sharply. “Why would I want to sit across the table from her?”
He’d ignored her vitriol, but his scolding gaze sent a chill down her spine. It was enough to settle her, but when he turned away and helped Endolin into a chair, her fury, still boiling just below the surface, rose back up with a vengeance. How dare he be so kind to the horrible creature who had hurt her so badly?
“I don’t understand!” Ellie angrily muttered. “I don’t understand this at all!”
With a speed that shocked her, Valodar was suddenly at her side, his fingers wrapping around her elbow, and his lips hot against her ear.
“I will explain once home, but you will stop this immature behavior immediately. If you do not, I will put you over my knee, bare your backside, and spank you right here, in front of everyone. Are we clear? You will say ‘yes, Sir Valodar.’”
The butterflies that sprang to life took her breath away; they were dancing a wild dance, wilder than any they had ever danced before.
“Yes, Sir Valodar.”
Dropping her elbow, he walked back to help Endolin, but Ellie didn’t move. Though his voice had been a mere whisper, he had never sounded more stern. Was she now subject to a punishment spanking? But how could he blame her for being upset? The birdlike creature had been purposefully cruel.
“Come along now, Ellie,” he said firmly, as if speaking to a child who had thrown a tantrum in a shopping center. “We need to get back to my chambers.”
Though her face was burning red and she was feeling deeply chagrined, she couldn’t help but notice Endolin didn’t look very well, and Valodar was supporting her as they headed out. Was the creature sick? As they neared the pod, Ellie paused. There was only room for two, but a moment later Valodar leaned in, and when he stepped back, a second seat had appeared. She shook her head. It was all so confounding! She had so many questions, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated. Not sure where she should sit, she waited. To her relief he helped Endolin settle into the back, and gratefully, she climbed into the front seat next to him. As the pod zipped them back to his chambers, Ellie didn’t stare out the window at the passing sights; her mind was too busy to notice anything. Why was he bringing Endolin back to his quarters? Why was she so poorly?
It had been a quick trip, but for Ellie it had taken far too long. She wanted answers, she needed answers, and she didn’t want to wait. They climbed out, and as the driverless pod started back to its dock, they entered his quarters, moving into the living room Ellie found so familiar and comforting.
“Endolin, sit down here,” Valodar said kindly, leading her to the couch. “I’ll be right back with something to make you feel better. Ellie, stay with her, please, and make her feel welcome.”
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Welcome? Had he just said, make her feel welcome? She wanted to run after him and demand to know what was going on, but her ear was still warm from his stern whispered warning. Suppressing her anger, she glanced across at the funny little creature perched on the sofa.
“Would you like a blanket? I can start the fire. I mean, I think I can,” Ellie offered, fighting her desire to demand answers from the birdlike alien. “I’m willing to give it a try if you want me to. You seem unwell.”
“I had vodka,” Endolin chirped. “It makes me very calm, but then I get giddy and sick in my stomach. I’m sure Valodar will bring me something. I could have found a remedy at the embassy, but we needed to get back here quickly.”
“We did? Why?”
“I’m not very clear-headed at the moment,” Endolin squeaked. “Valodar should explain. I’m sorry about what I told you. I didn’t have a choice.”
Ellie was about to ask her what she meant when Valodar reappeared carrying a tray. On it were two tall glasses, a silver mug, and some finger food.
“This will make you feel better,” Valodar said, handing Endolin the mug, “and one of those glasses is for you, Ellie. I think you’ll like it.”
“Is this Balisin?” Endolin asked as she accepted the mug.
“It is.”
“Thank goodness,” she said gratefully, taking it from him and bringing it to her beak.
“What’s Balisin?” Ellie asked. “Is that like aspirin?”
“Aspirin is candy compared to Balisin,” Valodar replied. “Balisin instantly neutralizes the chemical effects of alcohol, rebalances the body’s acid and alkaline, and reduces inflammation.”
“I wish we had that on Earth,” Ellie remarked. “It sounds great.”
“It is,” Endolin said gratefully. “I’m starting to feel better already.”
“I don’t want to rush you,” Valodar said, sitting next to Endolin, “but you must tell me everything the moment you feel up to it.”
The Alien's Rules Page 13