by CJ Ellisson
“And why do you think you need to do that, my lord? She’s having inklings of her inner truth already.”
“She’s going to forget again.”
“What did you say?” Alpha sat up straight.
“It’s part of the process. She starts to remember and then she forgets. And then she remembers again.” He gave her a sly look.
“It’s part of the process?” She lunged to her feet and started pacing. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“You didn’t ask. When have I ever freely indulged my private thoughts?”
“Well,” she spluttered, “never, but I thought you were beginning to trust me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You were here, in the same room as me. You were someone to talk with.”
Her jaw dropped open. “Is that all this was? Well, I am not going to waste my time waiting with you anymore, ka. You’re on your own.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. You’ll be back, however.”
“And why would you think that?”
The corners of his lips turned up and he began to purr, a deep, throaty purr, one she’d only heard briefly before. The purr became a rumbling growl. “Do you like this, my pet?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I smell you--like a cat in heat when I purr. I’ve smelled it before.”
She threw up her hands, as if exasperated. “You’re impossible. You won’t play with me, you won’t give me any. You only like to torment me.”
“And that, my pet, is most entertaining for me. It is a form of play I most enjoy. I do have to find things to do while my beloved sorts herself out down there.”
“Gah! You’re impossible, my lord.”
He threw back his head and laughed.
“I’m not staying,” Alpha said.
“Suit yourself.”
“I’m leaving.”
“You know where the door is.”
“I’m not returning. You can entertain yourself.”
“All right.” The same little smile played along his face. He enjoyed toying with Alpha. He never dreamed of communing with her, not in the way he and the ka’kriyayaga did, but still…it stimulated somewhat and helped pass the time. But then again, he never dreamed. Humans engaged in that sort of thing.
“Is she safe from the ta-ak’tiyani?”
“Not in the least.”
“And you’re not concerned?’
One shoulder rose and fell. “What can we do? We either make it or we don’t. Who can say what the best outcome will be?”
“What happened to your anxiety? To your concern?”
“A momentary lapse in judgment, I assure you. It won’t happen again.”
Alpha stared at her leader, a look of disbelief coloring her lovely features. “You are an impossible being.”
The small, smug smile appeared on his face, the one he reserved for times like this. It let people, beings, whatever, know who ruled. He was the ka, after all. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“I honestly don’t know. And you’re right. I’ll probably be back. But only after I find someone to relieve this so called “cat in heat” condition. Since you won’t do anything with me.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.”
Her face brightened. “Really?”
His duty occasionally required bringing some sort of hopeful cheer to those around him. He smiled indulgently. “Of course. I’ve been letting you see what I do here while my beloved is away, haven’t I?”
“Yes, but…”
“How many of the other Galaxy Dancers do you think I’ve indulged so freely?”
“I don’t know. None?”
“Precisely. You’re the first.”
“So there’s hope for other possibilities?”
“There’s always hope, my pet,” he said in his dreamiest voice. If you’re human. Hope is a useless sentiment. “Now go, take care of your needs, and bring back some refreshment when you return, will you please?”
“Yes, ka,” Alpha breathed. “Oh, yes.” Her wings stiffened once more and she flitted away.
Kayden shook his head. “My Dancers can be so very simple. I would never betray my beloved.” His pacing resumed. Worried? No! I am the ka. Anxious? No, again. But he would not, could not allow evil to consume his beloved. “I am the ka’kriyayago,” he stated to his reflection. He stood tall, rising to his full height.
“And you haven’t been minding yourself, have you now?”
Kayden cringed. “What do you want, old woman? I saw you in her aerobics class. I thought we weren’t supposed to interfere.”
“You’re not supposed to interfere. I do as I please. And I’m only keeping an eye on her.” The old woman threw off her frail disguise. “Bah! I hate appearing like an old Earth woman. They think they’re heading for the fade when in fact they’re heading for glory. They should stand tall and take better care of their physical temples.” Her hair burst into flames, flickering around her face. She patted the fiery strands. “Much better.” She turned to Kayden. “You have a job to do.”
“I don’t like taking orders.”
“And I don’t like being talked back to. Which of us will win, here, hmm?” A mirthless smiled stretched across her ancient face.
Kayden said nothing.
“I want you to return to Earth and appear in a manner suitable for the planet. She seems to be particularly resistant to her truth this time around. We need you to plant a memory in her mortal mind. Plant a dream. Then seal it with a celestial appearance. They support celestial appearances down there.”
Kayden looked shocked. “No! I refuse! I won’t stoop to such foolishness. I had something different in mind.”
“And now, you have a new direction.” The ancient woman stepped up to him. Although he towered over her, she grasped his chin in her hand and squeezed, her fingernails biting into his skin like talons. “Your preferences don’t concern me. Your cooperation does.”
He looked away from her, his gaze steely and ice cold. He refused to show weakness before his elder mentor.
“So. Do I have your cooperation?”
He released a single word from between tight lips. “Yes.”
“Good.” She gave his chin a shake before releasing it. “This is important. It will seed her awakening. At least the first one. She’ll have many opportunities to fail. Get going.” She glared.
“What do you mean she’ll have many opportunities to fail?”
“Just that. She’ll think she’s mastered them. She’ll relax. They’ll grow stronger. She’ll fail at times, I assure you. She’ll need allies. Once she’s awakened, the others will, too.”
“What are you saying?”
“Our kind are down there.” She stabbed a finger toward Earth.
“Think I don’t know that?”
“You’re acting as if you don’t. You’re obsessed with her. Mind this.” She seized his jaw once more, drawing blood. “If she fails to awaken and discover her allies, she’ll die. The whole planet will become a cesspool of horror.”
He flexed his jaw. “Are you finished?”
“Are you going to do what I asked?”
“I told you I would.”
“Then, we’re finished.” She vanished as abruptly as she had appeared.
Kayden grimaced. She and she alone had power over him and he hated that fact. “Bah!” He traipsed over to prepare for his task. Using the powers of his mind - simple, really…a mere parlor trick to do this - he stood before the mirror, changing his appearance and size. “Too big? Perhaps. Clothing? Yes, clothing.” Earth did not picture these beings without clothes, even though he knew they cavorted around naked, like he preferred. He sighed, contemplating the thing she commanded him to do. “This vexes me,” he said to the empty room. “But if it helps things along, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” With one last glance at his reflection, he faded out of the room, resignation and resolve deep in his heart, still wincing from the sting o
f the old woman’s sharp claws.
Chapter Twenty-seven
“I feel different,” Chérie said, stroking Cam’s blond chest hairs.
“Full, I hope.”
“Definitely full, yes. In more ways than one.” She winked at him. “You do make an awesome spaghetti sauce.”
“My mom really knew how to cook.” He frowned.
Do people usually frown when they speak of something they learned from their parents? Something like cooking? “Why the long face, then?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Long story. Never saw her again after I left home. She died.”
“Ouch.” She nestled her head in the crook of his arm, enjoying his body heat. She traced tiny patterns on his biceps. “I liked dessert even better.”
“Mmm,” he murmured in his sexy voice. “I aim to please, Ms. Manhattan.”
“You’re doing a good job of it. You did say you were at my service.”
“When did I say that?”
“When I ran into you, remember?”
“Oh, right. I did say that.”
He caressed her hip, letting his warm, strong, capable hand move languidly along her bare skin. She bet he could do all sort of things with those hands.
Her hand caressed his abdomen. “These are pretty solid.”
“Yeah, they’re all right. They have some machines at the climbing gym. You gotta stay fit when you climb.” His face brightened. “Maybe tomorrow I can take you to the gym. If you like it, I can get you a discount. I work there, you know. It’s a discount for significant others but I’d say you’re pretty significant. Of course, it’s kind of soon for that. I already told you, you can still go slow. But you never know. This thing holds promise.” He stopped and rolled his eyes. “I’ll shut up now.”
She laughed. His thoughts mirrored her own. “It does hold promise.” Her face furrowed. “Oh! I completely forgot! My cats!” She groaned. “I feed them twice a day. They already missed their dinner and I’ll bet they’re going to be pissed.”
“So what do you want to do?”
She scrunched up her face. “I’ve got to head home and feed them. I’m not used to this. They’re definitely not used to this.”
“Not used to what?”
“To me having a fantastic day, followed by a fantastic evening, followed by falling asleep and waking up to more fantastic love-making at two in the morning.”
“It’s a first for me, too.”
“Is it? I thought you were the ultimate player,” she teased.
“Was the ultimate player. This time I’m playing for keeps.” He kissed her temple.
“Good answer.”
“I memorized the playbook.” He grinned and rolled off the futon, reaching for his pants. “Let’s do this before I get hard again.”
Chérie searched for her clothes. “Do you see my panties anywhere?”
“These?” He pulled them out from under the pillow. “What will I use to remember you were here? I wanted to sniff them all night.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You’ll think of something. You seem like a very talented, competent man.”
“At your service, remember?” he said, with a mock salute.
They quickly dressed and headed for the car, stepping into the misty night. The streets were quiet, save for a yowling cat in the distance. “My cats probably sent a smoke signal to these cats.”
“They’re just cats. They’ll live.” Cam unlocked her door.
“They’re not just cats. They’re mine. I hope you get along with cats.”
“I don’t mind them. If it means getting to spend time with you, I’ll deal.”
“Another good answer.”
“Remind me to pick up a pack of score cards. These are all full,” he said, patting his shirt pocket.
“I think I have some,” she said, pulling out an imaginary pack. “Here.”
“These are perfect, thanks.”
As they sped along the street, he said, “You sure make me happy, Ms. Manhattan.”
“You sure make me happy, Cam Tyson.”
“Good. Because I hope to keep you satisfied for a long, long time. If it’s what you want, of course,” he quickly amended.
She glanced at him and smiled. She’d like that. She could get used to this kind of happiness. She hadn’t experienced much joy growing up. And her early twenties? Forget about it. In a few years, she’d be thirty. It’s time to let in some joy. It’s time to let in some love. Her inner angel agreed.
Chapter Twenty-eight
The cats munched on their food, as Chérie wandered outside to sit on the stoop, tea in hand. She yawned. The morning sun had not yet made an appearance but faint light shone on the horizon. Sex with Cam Tyson. Mmm. Her body sizzled with sensation, like liquid electricity. Her heart soared with delight. She took a sip of jasmine tea and pulled the soft, sage green throw blanket tighter around her shoulders. “Chilly on the outside,” she said. “Warm on the inside.” She laughed. “More like hot on the inside. Hot, hot, hot!” A few minutes later the cats trotted out to join her, pushing their ruddy red heads through window opening, one after the other.
You were out late, Mac said silently. Don’t do that again. We nearly starved. He sat next to her, lifted a paw, licked it and swiped his face.
“I was. And you didn’t starve.” She glanced down at him, admiring his sleek shape. Their opinions about life and life’s mysteries had been her only comforts at time. Now…well, now she had Cam Tyson to share companionship.
That doesn’t mean you won’t be sharing companionship with us, Jack said.
“No, it doesn’t. Maybe we’ll all share companionship someday.”
Will he build us a cat door? Jack said.
“He might. He seems good with his hands.” An electric volt shot up her spine. “Very good with his hands.”
Are you in heat? Mac asked. You smell like you’re in heat. I think she’s in heat, don’t you?
Jack sniffed. She’s in heat. So?
“I’m not in heat. We don’t call it that.” Chérie blushed. Why two cats of all creatures could make her blush, she didn’t know. She decided a redirect was in order. “Did you know I named you two after my favorite beer in the whole wide world? Mac and Jack? Did I ever tell you that?”
Mac paused grooming, paw suspended mid-lick. You’re kidding? You named us after an alcoholic beverage? What were you thinking? We’re so much better than that.
“It’s a great beverage. It’s my favorite. I honored you.”
She honored us, Jack said, licking his brother’s head. Whatever that means. You missed a spot. Right here. I’ve got it.
Stop it! Think I can’t groom myself? He pulled away from his brother and made squinty eyes, driving home his point.
Jack batted him with a sharp claw.
Mac countered with a swipe.
They dashed across the yard, one in pursuit of the other.
“Kitties,” Chérie said, shaking her head. She finished her tea and set the mug to the side. Feeling oh, so, delicious, she picked herself up and made her way to the porch swing. She sat and began to sway. The swinging relaxed her. I’ll just lay down here… for a moment…and head upstairs to bed…in a minute…in a bit. Her eyelids fluttered shut and she fell asleep in an instant, propelled by the fuel of her desire for Cam Tyson.
She drifted into a heavenly landscape, surrounded by magnificent beauty. A shimmering spectrum of colors spread in every direction, from cobalt blue to turquoise, gold to red. She floated through stars. She flitted past planets. She danced, enormous, vast, all encompassing, through entire universes. She became aware of someone next to her. He…yes, a male… a part of her. She couldn’t tell if she was him or he was her or…she blinked in confusion. What’s going on here?
She became fully lucid in the dream. No longer dreamily adrift, she stumbled through the cosmos in confusion. Is this where I live? Who am I? She gazed at a distant dot. Is that Earth? She moved closer, whizzing through space like a rocke
t. The thrill of this much speed exhilarated her. The sensation of this much volition frightened her.
Earth loomed larger. She wondered if she’d become a comet and now hurtled toward the planet. Maybe I’m an asteroid. Maybe I’m going to crash and burn to bits on the planet. Maybe this dream is foretelling my demise.
Dark, hungry, specter-like shapes chased her. She sped up. They seemed to want to consume her. Fear clawed at her heart. Come on, come on, come on, faster! You can do this!
Ahead, something…no someone waited for her…her safe harbor here on Earth. He’d waited for her throughout time. She came to be with him, again and again and again.
She shot through space, faster still. Her consciousness blurred and slammed into her body, causing her to bolt upright in the porch swing. “What just happened? What was that?” Her eyes darted around her surroundings. “Oh, my God! What a weird, freaky dream!”
The light of the sun caught her eye. She whipped her head around and saw…is that…is that…are you my angel?
A tall, statuesque, winged male figure floated before her. “Oh! You’re beautiful! You’re so beautiful!”
He smiled at her beatifically and nodded.
“Can you speak?”
He shook his head.
“Right. Angels don’t usually talk, do they?”
Again, a shake of the head.
“Why are you here? I just had a horrible dream. It frightened me.” She furrowed her face, trying to remember. “It inspired me, too. So much beauty. I see that now. You’re here to tell me the world is a wonderful place and I shouldn’t be so scared of it, right? You’re here to let me know I needn’t be frightened of dreams.”
The angel shrugged.
She studied him. “You look familiar. Have I seen you before?”
The angel nodded vigorously before giving his head a flick causing his hair to swirl behind his shoulders.
“I’ve never seen an angel with long, dark hair like that. Yours is beautiful. It looks like you combed stardust through it.” She giggled. “I can see that. You, standing before a mirror, combing star sprinkles into your hair.”