Dating Outside Your DNA

by Karen Kelley

  “Yes.”

  Her hands fluttered. It was a nervous habit, but she couldn’t stop doing it. Banyon didn’t seem to mind.

  Heat crept up her face again. God, she was standing there staring at him like a moron. She hurried out the door, shutting it behind her. She was going to take a long, hot, rosewater bath, then she was going to dust rose powder all over her body.

  Banyon watched her run across the space back to the main building. He was disgusted. Women didn’t interest him that much. They were toys to be used, then discarded. Simple creatures with very small brains.

  If he’d known the daughter wasn’t here, he would have sent someone else to gather the information. Normally, he wouldn’t dirty his hands, but he wanted to see the daughter for himself.

  Did she look like Aasera? He could feel himself growing hard just remembering the last time he’d seen Aasera.

  There had only been one woman with whom he’d wanted to mate, but Aasera had cringed when he proposed they copulate. He’d been furious and grabbed her. She’d grabbed a glass dish and hit him.

  He fingered the scar on his face, remembering it as though it were yesterday. Anger burned deep inside him, festering over the years like rotting flesh. Now that he was this close, he wouldn’t let anyone stand in his way. He would have his revenge.

  The communicator in his pocket buzzed. He brought it out, setting it on a nearby table, then pushed a button. A screen rose and clicked on. Kragen.

  “Your Majesty.” He bowed slightly.

  A thrill went through Banyon. He’d waited a long time to be addressed as such. He should’ve had his father killed years ago. It wasn’t as though they had cared for each other, but his father had been useful when Banyon was growing up. He’d taught his son what was important in life—if there was a weak link, you got rid of it. His father had been right. Now that the weak link was gone, nothing could stop Banyon.

  He looked at the screen. Kragen was another weak link. “Do you have information that I can actually use this time? Neither Aasera nor her child are here.”

  “You should’ve let me send a soldier to discover the child’s location.”

  “That’s why Aasera wasn’t killed last time. I sent someone else to kill her and Aasera has lived in peace all these years because I was told she was dead. I carry the scar she gave me, while she paid no price for inflicting it.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Kragen bowed again.

  “Do you have new information?”

  “Aasera is still on Nerak.”

  Anger fused through him. He was surrounded by incompetence. But then, he already knew that.

  “You requested daily updates.”

  “Then you have done your duty.” Banyon snapped off the communicator. “Imbecile.”

  His men would take the child when he located her. Once she was back on his planet, he would begin the torture. He would know that he caused Aasera pain.

  The day passed slowly. He had no desire to explore this planet. He sat in the chair instead, and thought of everything he would do to get revenge.

  There was a knock. He would have his answers. He stood and walked to the door. He’d learned quickly that everything was manual on Earth. Very primitive. Why anyone would want to defect was beyond him. Nerak might be disgustingly bright, but at least the Nerakians were far more advanced than earthlings.

  He turned the knob and opened the door. This woman would give him all the information he needed, then he would destroy her.

  He sniffed. “What is that smell?”

  “Roses. I hope you like them.”

  He didn’t. It was a disgusting odor. “Wonderful,” he exclaimed. Her hands began to flutter. He wondered if she would take off in flight. Yes, she was much like an irritating little Nagem.

  There was only one species worse than a Nagem that he’d come across. The Adnams. They were puffers. A shiver of disgust ran through him. The Adnams grew bigger and bigger in size when they were threatened, then exploded an odorous substance all over their victim. It usually wasn’t enough to kill anyone, but the gray slime took forever to remove. Nasty, slimy creatures.

  But they could be useful, and they owed him. They’d caused a disturbance so that he could enter Earth undetected. Not that he thought earthlings had detection equipment that was high tech enough to know he’d landed. However, he wasn’t positive they hadn’t advanced over the years. His father had restricted travel after the incident with Aasera had almost caused an interplanetary uproar. But his father was no longer ruler of Rovertia and things were going to change. One day soon the Roverts would be a force to be reckoned with.

  “I thought we could go to a restaurant not far from here. I hope you like fish,” Anna said, breaking into his thoughts.

  For a moment, he’d forgotten where he was. “It’s my favorite.”

  He wondered how Aasera had adapted to Earth life. That must have gone against everything she had been taught. Nerakians didn’t eat. Nor were there any men on Nerak except for companion units, which were only machines. They had gotten rid of all their temptations.

  Since arriving on Earth, he’d encountered some of these spoils and hadn’t been impressed. His planet had just as much, if not more, to offer.

  He smiled at the thought, then frowned. Aasera had been a purest and shunned all he could offer. It must have been difficult being banned to a planet that had many indulgences.

  He curled his hands into fists. Obviously there had been one indulgence she’d succumbed to since she had borne a child. She’d refused to copulate with him, but had lain with a man from Earth. For that alone, he would eventually kill her child, and he would make sure Aasera knew there would be nothing she could do to stop him.

  “I’ve never even seen the inside of a limo,” Anna said as she got in and slid across the seat.

  “I am glad I can give you pleasure.”

  That was the last thing he was able to say. The female Anna chattered incessantly on the way to the restaurant. She talked about everything except Aasera and her child.

  Once inside the restaurant, they were shown to a table and seated. When she took a drink, he was finally able to talk. “Tell me about my friend and her child. It has been many years and I long to hear about them.”

  She set her glass down, still looking unsure. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. Hers felt cold and clammy. A shiver of revulsion swept over him, but something else, too. Anticipation. He enjoyed the thought of leading her on. Making her think she was important to him, then later, being able to tell her she meant absolutely nothing. He wanted to see the dark despair enter her eyes. The tears fall from them. He wanted to laugh at her ridiculous idea that he could be remotely interested in someone like her. The hunt was exciting because the kill was close on its heels.

  “I have worried you,” he spoke softly. “That wasn’t my intention. I realize I’m a stranger to you. Maybe we should go. It wasn’t my wish to make you feel uncomfortable.” He started to stand.

  “No, no!”

  Her face lost some of its color. He’d won, but then, he’d already known he would. Women were silly creatures. Aasera had been the only one whom he’d felt challenged by.

  He took his seat again. “I would do nothing to cause you distress. It’s just that it’s been so many years since I have seen my friend. Aasera and I lost touch and it pained me very deeply. I would like to look upon her face and see if she is still the same.”

  “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. I mean, you are friends and all.” Her eyes widened. “I have a picture of Aasera.”

  His gut clenched. “I’d like very much to see it.”

  She reached inside her purse and pulled out a small book, then opened it. “Here she is.”

  He took the book and looked at the picture. Aasera. She had aged without the compounds Nerak had to offer. It pleased him to see the wrinkles on her face.

  He flipped to the next page. His heart pounded inside his chest as heat unfurled inside him.
The woman in the picture gazed at the sun as though she worshipped it. There must have been a slight breeze when the picture was taken because her clothes hugged her body like a lover.

  The next page was a close-up of the same woman. Her pale blue eyes drew him in and captured his attention. There was something familiar and mesmerizing about her. He would have this woman before he left Earth. Maybe he would even take her back with him, enjoy her until she bored him.

  He looked at Anna. “And who is this?” He turned the picture toward her.

  “Oh, that’s Lyraka, Aasera’s daughter. Isn’t she a beauty?”

  Excitement rushed through him. Not so much the child then. No, this was a grown woman. “Yes, she is very beautiful.” He smiled inwardly. The contemplation of revenge had never been sweeter. “She is on vacation?”

  “Yes. Such a sweet child. I hope you get to meet her.”

  “I’m sure I will.” He only had to locate her. That might prove difficult.

  “I’m her godmother,” she said. “I knew Aasera when Lyraka was born. She opened the book to the last page and showed it to him. “I even have a lock of her hair.”

  He almost laughed. This foolish woman had just given him Lyraka’s location. Not as simple as a drop of her blood, but in just a few hours, he would know where to find the daughter. First, he had to end this farce.

  He looked at Anna. She met his gaze, then blushed. He knew the effect he had on women. It made him feel powerful that they couldn’t resist him. He doubted it would be different this time.

  “Have you ever met someone and knew that was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with?”

  She began to shred the paper napkin she was holding. “You’re teasing me.”

  “This is too sudden for you. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stop myself.” He looked away.

  “You’re serious?”

  He took her hand, rubbing his thumb across the palm. “I have never wanted a woman as much as I want you right now.”

  “But you’re so handsome and I’m…I’m…”

  “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. You stir my blood with a fire I haven’t felt in a very long time. I want to take you back to the cabin and make love to you all night long.” He sighed. “Now you probably hate me.”

  She squeezed his hand. “No, I don’t hate you at all.” She looked away. “Not when I feel the same way.”

  Of course he would win. He had no doubt about his ability to seduce. “Then we will leave now while my passion burns inside me.”

  “Oh, yes, I wouldn’t want it to die out. Let’s hurry.” She jumped up, grabbed her purse and stuffed the photo book inside. The waiter hurried over, but Anna waved him away. “We’ve changed our mind.”

  She practically ran to the limo, pulling him alongside her. The driver hurried to get inside. They climbed in the back. As soon as the door shut, he pulled her into his arms. Roses filled the space between them and he thought he would be sick. The odor was nauseating.

  “I want you,” he said.

  She trembled in his arms. “Yes, yes. Take me now!”

  His mouth covered hers. He cringed when she stuck her tongue in his mouth. He closed his eyes, completed the seal, and began to inhale. She struggled at first, but it was useless of course.

  When she was completely limp, and in a state of limbo, he let go of her and belched loudly. The air around him was filled with the disgusting smell of roses. He coughed, which only made it worse.

  He leaned forward, pushing the button that lowered the glass between him and the driver.

  “Return to the compound.”

  The driver waved his arm. “Ugh, the smell.”

  “It was her! Not me! She bathed in something she called roses. Just drive.”

  He refused to have someone so far beneath him say he smelled. Kings did not smell. What had she done? Drank a gallon of that awful stuff?

  The smell had only worsened by the time they returned. The driver stopped the limo, opened the door, then quickly stepped back.

  “Take her to her cabin and place her on the bed.” Anna would be in a state of limbo for at least a week. By then, they would have found the daughter and returned home.

  That was the only big problem with the Roverts. They couldn’t actually kill someone by sucking out their essence. They could only leave them in a state of inertia, but it served his purpose because Anna wouldn’t be able to warn Lyraka about him.

  Yes, he could taste his revenge. He belched and filled the back of the limo with the putrid odor of roses again. Ugh, it would take at least six moon cycles to be rid of this odor, but it had been worth it.

  Chapter 23

  Roan opened the door to Joe’s office and walked in. Joe looked up.

  “Have a seat. Something has happened.”

  He sat across from Joe’s desk. “What’s up?”

  “The Adnams are causing a problem. I’m pulling Johnny and Gavin to take a team to meet with their leaders.”

  Better them than him. An Adnam had sprayed his leg once and it had taken a month for him to get off all the slime. The smell had been as bad as the boiled cabbage his aunt used to cook. After he’d been slimed, everyone had stayed clear of him the entire month.

  “You’ll have the new team by yourself,” Joe told him.

  “They learn fast so that won’t be a problem.”

  “We may need them to go out sooner than we’d expected if this turns into a full fledged uprising.”

  “It’ll be too soon. They haven’t trained enough, maybe in another month.”

  “We might not have a choice. I doubt it will be anything but a show of manpower. I only wanted to keep you up to date on what’s going on. They’ve cut our funding, and we’re having to manage on a shoestring budget.” Joe massaged his temples. “Sometimes I wonder if this is all worth it.”

  “The public might feel differently if they knew what we do.”

  “Either that, or there would be all-out panic. Look what happens when aliens monitor us like we monitor them. New Mexico, Arizona, and not too long ago, Stephenville, Texas, of all places. It was in all the blasted papers. Intelligence did a quick cover-up and made a joke out of it. So now it’s even more important that we fly below the surface.”

  “Still…”

  “Yeah, I know.” Joe leaned back in his chair. “Do the best that you can do. That’s all I can ask. What are they doing today?”

  “Taking the day off.” When Joe frowned, he continued. “They’ve been at it solid for the last few weeks. I had to give them a break.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “I am.”

  As he left Joe’s office, Roan had to wonder if deceiving the public was the best thing. People had a right to know other species existed. Most aliens were good, some not so good.

  He looked up, then stopped in his tracks. Lyraka was walking across the yard, talking with Alesha and Warren. As usual, Warren carried a stack of books. He wondered how long before there would be no books left for Warren to read.

  Lyraka laughed at something someone said and looked up. Her gaze met his. She waved the other two on, then changed her direction and started walking toward him.

  Damn, she was so beautiful she made him ache with longing to hold her in his arms. She had a natural easy grace with just the slightest sway in her hips.

  “Did I tell you thanks for the day off?” she asked when she was closer.

  “I just spoke with Joe. It may be the last day off for a while.”

  Worry crossed her face. “Why?”

  “The Adnams are stirring up a few things. Johnny and Gavin are taking a team up.”

  “So we’re on call?”

  “Not yet. It’s probably nothing. This isn’t the first time something has happened to stir up another planet. Usually, a mediator can set things back in order.”

  “What are we supposed to do now?”

  “The team continues to train—tomorrow.” He grabbed her hand. “
Come on, let’s get the hell out of here. I think we both need a day off. Besides, I have a pager.”

  “I thought we weren’t supposed to leave the area?” She cocked an eyebrow. Damn, she was cute when she was a little sassy.

  “It’s allowed if you leave with the instructor.”

  “Really?”

  “Do you want to go or not?”

  “I don’t know. Exactly where are you kidnapping me to?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “No.” She laughed.

  God, he loved the sound of her laughter. He grabbed her hand and headed toward his Jeep, and didn’t release it until they were in front of his vehicle. Her hand was small and soft and he felt it growing warmer. It was nice to know he could do that to her.

  He went to the driver’s side and she to the passenger’s side. After he started the Jeep, he backed out from the parking place and headed down the hill, rather than up.

  “I thought you’d whisk me off to the obstacle course. Where exactly are we going?”

  He shook his head. “The closest town is about an hour away. It’s all downhill until you get to Springtown. I’ve been there once. I think you’ll like it.”

  “Is it big?”

  “About one hundred and ten thousand. The river that I showed you the other day runs through it, there’s a park, a shopping mall, a few bars. It’s a nice town.”

  “I didn’t go into the city much. My mother was always afraid for our safety. It seemed she was always looking over her shoulder.”

  “Was she afraid of other Nerakians? Weren’t the elders the ones who exiled her, rather than her leaving of her own free will?”

  “I hadn’t thought the elders would harm her, but I wondered if it might have been someone else. That she might have an enemy or something.” She shrugged. “Maybe she was just afraid we’d be found out by the government here on Earth. Either way, she was very protective.”

  “Does your mother know what you’re training for?”

  “I think she knew she didn’t have a choice but to let me go. Maybe I finally convinced her how much this meant to me. Who knows? But she cut the apron strings, and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.”