At Night's End

by Katherine Matzen

  Rissa suddenly appeared and dropped to her knees in front of Lateef to take his cold hands into hers.

  His heart thudded to a stop and sank down to his shoes. “No.” He protested loudly as the blood drain from his head. “You can’t tell me…” He tried to pull free and get to Dani, but Rissa tightened her grip.

  “She’s not dead.”

  “Then what?” Fear tightened his throat, choking his voice as terrifying scenarios flooded his mind.

  “She’s badly hurt.” Rissa held a finger to his lips to keep him silent. “And she was so much weaker than anyone suspected before she was shot. Most of the poison on the bolt ended up in her, and you know how hard the drug was to neutralize in the Thane. Mellora isn’t sure how much of the damage will be permanent, but they are optimistic.”

  “Then I…”

  “You are too exhausted and too upset to do anything right now,” Rissa said. “Brandon and Mellora have already taken Dani and a Hatti medic team to Healer Hall. Amarantha will take a Hatti delegation, including Madame Amman to Beryl when they’re ready. The Thane will have to prove he’s okay before Amman will leave, but she insists she’s the only one who can take care of Dani properly.” A bemused look crossed Rissa’s tired face. “She flatly refused to allow a Clan member to recover in some heathen place all alone.”

  “We guard our own, Healer Lateef. Chef Hamilton will recover. Amman shall ensure it.” Taltos nodded his head and walked off as if there was no question everything would go as expected.

  “See? She can’t help but get better.” Rissa touched his shoulder and his rigid control broke. She held him tightly as grief racked his exhausted body.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  That was a foolish thing to do, little one. You ruined several years of planning with your impetuous action. You are to become an Apirri, not die in place of a worthless animal.

  My Apirri tells me you will survive with the Beryllian scum’s help, but I must leave you in their hands for longer than I wish. But maybe I can turn this to my benefit. It is obvious the healer won’t let you go. He would also make an excellent slave.

  His family connections would cause even more chaos to the Alliance. Hmmm. I believe this could work. Maybe your punishment will be much lighter than planned. I will not allow you to remain a couple, though. I have much bigger plans for you, my sweet.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Kyle waited on Dani’s porch as the Sheriff’s car pulled to a stop. The passenger door opened and Abby bounced over Anna White Bear to tear across the yard to greet him. The dog sniffed excitedly at his shoes and up his leg before sneezing and barreling around to the back yard, where sounds of construction filled the quiet afternoon. The sheriff and his wife followed more slowly, their measured tread filling Kyle with dread. Can’t believe they left me alone here.

  “Mr. Manning.” Charlie nodded his head with a frosty politeness. Anna’s head barely reached her husband’s shoulder, and thick black hair with a few silvery strands hung to her waist in two fat braids. But the frosty look in her brown eyes made Kyle’s reptilian brain gibber in fear.

  Kyle’s heart sank to his toes. They know. Anna’ll gut me like a fish. That’s why I’m here instead of one of the aliens. I thought they forgave me.

  “Care to explain the current situation?”

  The sheriff’s question froze the babbling in his mind and Kyle opened his mouth, hoping coherent words of explanation would miraculously pour out.

  “You okay?” Confusion slowly replaced some of the anger in the sheriff’s tone and he removed his hat and swiped his arm across his forehead. “You keep your mouth open like that much longer and you’re going to catch some flies.”

  Kyle snapped his jaw shut and took a deep breath. Maybe he would have a chance to explain before Anna passed judgment again. His ego still burned from the last confrontation, but Charlie was a rational man. Words miraculously gushed out of his mouth. “Hi, Sheriff White Bear. Dani isn’t back yet. Some friends are taking care of her house until she comes home. She wanted me to thank you for watching Abby, and I don’t know how long she’ll be gone.”

  He could see the older man’s expression change from mild interest to anger as the words tumbled from his lips in a torrent he couldn’t slow.

  “Where is Dani? Who are these friends, and how are you involved?”

  Kyle shivered and tried to get his mind focused. I’m so not ready to explain all of this. Where’s Tamarra or one of the others? Isn’t that why they came? At least I hope it was to take care of the house, explain shit to the locals and not to start a new settlement here to take over the Earth. Focus, Kyle.

  “I don’t know where Dani is at this exact moment. There was an… incident and Dani got hurt. Lateef took her to his clinic until she was healthy enough to come home.”

  “What do you mean she’s hurt and you can’t tell me where she is? And why did that stranger take her somewhere?” The deceptively mild expression could not hide the barely leashed fury in the man’s dark eyes. “Two weeks ago, I get a call out of the blue from Danielle asking me to take care of her scatter-brained mutt and she’s gone by the time I get here. She left food on the table and dirty dishes in the kitchen. That girl has never left a room with a single object out of place! And then we find your car in the driveway, but there’s no sign of you. And neither one of you could be bothered to answer a phone call. Dani doesn’t have a cell phone. What’s your excuse?”

  As the muscular lawman loomed over him, Kyle wanted nothing more than to find a quiet spot to sit and think while tossing back a cold brew. The last thing he wanted to cope with was trying to explain things he couldn’t understand.

  “I thought you understood you were to stay away from Dani.”

  Anna’s mellow contralto froze the marrow in his bones. His life passed before his eyes and he hoped whoever cleaned out his apartment would be discreet when disposing of his magazine collection. Playing with a grizzly bear cub would have been safer than talking to Anna. Why couldn’t Charlie have come alone? How could he explain the bizarre situation to this woman who could flay him with her tongue?

  “It’s not my fault.” He cringed at the whiney sound of his voice. How could this woman make him feel like a toddler with only a few words? He sucked in a lung-full of air and gathered the tattered remnants of his courage. “I needed to apologize, we ate pancakes, and then there was a knock on the door and things got out of control. Honestly, Sheriff, I don’t know how to tell you where Dani is.” He ran a shaky hand through his ragged hair. He needed a shave and a haircut. And coffee. Pots and pots of coffee – maybe an IV drip. I’ll never get used to teleportation and alien civilizations.

  “Give the poor guy a break.” Amarantha strolled around the side of the house. Her eyes constantly swept her surroundings, always watching for danger, even as her body appeared relaxed. “He’s had a rough couple of weeks.”

  “Who are you?” Charlie stepped back, one hand reaching automatically for his weapon.

  Abby tore around the side of the house, nearly knocking the wary Amarantha off her feet as she bounded onto the porch. The dog bounced her front feet off Kyle’s stomach, forcing a grunt out of him before dancing around the Sheriff in canine excitement. She stuck her long nose to the ground, sniffing at the front door and then darted out into the yard before returning to the porch to whine at Kyle.

  “She’s not home yet, girl.” Kyle crouched to ruffle the anxious dog’s fur. “She still has some healing to do, but she will be here as soon as possible.”

  The front door opened and Charlie and Anna gaped at the greenish-skinned, bald woman standing there in an outfit reminiscent of ancient Rome.

  “Okay, Kyle. You need to explain who all these people are and why Dani isn’t home yet.” Anna’s tone held a brittle edge that scraped Kyle’s nerves.

  “I think Madame Tamarra will do a better
job than I can.” Kyle shrugged, ruffling Abby’s ears. “She actually understands what’s happening.”

  “Come inside, please. I have food and beverage prepared, although the conditions here are beyond primitive.” Tamarra shuddered before gesturing for the humans to enter Dani’s house.

  Amarantha walked up the porch stairs, sending a final searching glance around the quiet mountain. “I’d recommend obeying Madame Tamarra’s request,” she said in a stage whisper when Charlie balked. “The food’s awesome, and we can bring you up to speed.”

  ****

  “I can’t believe how much you’ve changed the house, Madame Tamarra. Dani’ll be so surprised. The floor plan is very different from what she had before.” Anna exchanged a glance with her husband.

  Kyle’s stomach churned with angst at the knowledge the alien Tamarra was trusted more than he was. Ever since the White Bear’s had learned of the Hatti’s existence Kyle’s reputation had diminished. He was no longer welcome in the small mountain town. Three weeks ago, he wouldn’t have cared, but now he longed to be a part of this growing community. He was amazed at how quickly the town had welcomed the alien Hatti without too many questions. The few people who resented the new buildings and increased population had been won over by the freely provided food and the swarm of well-behaved children or were just willing to give the strangers a chance, no matter where they came from.

  “Do you have any word on when Dani will be home?”

  Kyle heard the tension in Anna’s voice. Apparently, there were limits to her trust. He wanted to hear the answer, too. He should report back to his office. The senator had filled his voicemail with demands for answers after he had told his assistant, Judith, to return the retainer and fire the client. Maybe Mandy could run interference for him. Surely the man had a soft spot for his only niece? Judith’ll call the men in the white suits and butterfly nets when she gets her hands on me. I’ll have to come up with one great story before I think about going home.

  That was a problem for later. He couldn’t concentrate on anything until he knew Dani was okay. Then he could deal with his obnoxious, should-be-ex-client and get on with his life. Amarantha reported Dani was improving but provided no details. And he wasn’t sure he totally trusted the bizarre woman who seemed to teeter on the brink of insanity.

  “I have heard she is expected tomorrow.” Tamarra flicked imaginary dust off her rich robes and motioned for a helper to refill everyone’s coffee mug.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Kyle half-rose from his chair, subsiding as both women glared at him.

  “There was no reason to.” Tamarra’s flat dismissal stung him.

  I should have left days ago. These people all think I’m little better than pond scum. But he couldn’t leave before finding out Dani was okay. Pretending he understood the supposed telepathy, interplanetary travel, and psychic healing was one thing, but he had to see Dani for himself, if only to say good-bye. Then he could pretend all the rest had been a bad dream, and he hadn’t let jealousy goad him into being a jerk.

  “Is there anything you need us to do to get ready?” Anna asked, pointedly turning her back on him.

  “Her room is freshly cleaned, and the healers will send any special supplies she may require. Amman says she resists the healing, and they hope coming home will force her to be sensible.”

  Charlie let out a laugh he quickly stifled as Tamarra turned her glare on him. “Sorry.” He pretended to cough as Anna smacked his leg under the table. “You gotta admit the idea of our Dani being sensible about taking care of herself is pretty funny. You know she’ll try to catch up on her business and the garden and anything else she can as soon as she walks in the door.”

  “There is no reason for her to fret.” Tamarra sat up straighter, gazing down her nose at the sheriff. “She provided us with excellent instructions. We have filled all of her orders and found new customers and her garden was prepared for the season. She need do nothing more than rest and regain her strength.”

  “And maybe convince Bob Saunders you don’t intend to take over his herd of goats.” Kyle couldn’t resist the dig, although the flash of anger in the alien eyes did give him second thoughts.

  “I would not steal from a neighbor.”

  He could hear the longing in her tone, and knew the prickly alien had been smitten with the funny creatures.

  “Nobody thinks you would, Madame Tamarra.” Anna soothed the foreign woman, shooting the men a withering glance.

  Kyle knew his time with these people was coming to a close. He realized with shock he would miss them, even the terrifying Amarantha.

  “Okay, Manning.” Charlie got his feet and dropped a not quite friendly hand onto Kyle’s shoulder, urging him out of the chair. “Why don’t you and I go for a walk while the ladies chat?”

  Kyle allowed himself to be guided out of the newly remodeled house. He was certain Dani would miss the open floor plan, but the first thing the Hatti crew had done was close off the kitchen from the rest of the floor, hanging heavy curtains across the picture windows to get the privacy they considered proper for food preparation. The thought of the conniption fit the sedate Matriarch would throw if she found out about the Gourmet Foodie Network made him chuckle. Maybe it was a good thing Dani didn’t have cable. And that the aliens were too busy to investigate the internet.

  Abby bounded up, dropping a soggy ball on his shoe as he stepped off the porch. He groaned as she gave him a quick canine grin before focusing intently on the ball, waiting for the slightest movement. He pretended to kick it, laughing as the dog followed his feints before he booted the ball across the yard. Abby took off, skimming the ground as her fur flowed behind her.

  “That dog is crazy.” Charlie’s expression was distant as he stared into the heart of the Rocky Mountain Range. “Dani won’t believe all the changes. Not sure how she’ll handle these Hatti being in charge of her space.”

  “The Clan take good care of all of the animals.” Kyle heard the bitterness oozing out of his tone. “They’ll do the same for Dani until she’s able to take care of herself.”

  “And then what?”

  Kyle took a deep breath before kicking the ball again. He watched the dog running, so happy and carefree and felt a smile on his lips. “I don’t know.” He turned to meet Charlie’s bland expression. “I really don’t. Even after being around these aliens for several weeks I don’t know what to think about them. The Hatti owe Dani big-time for saving their Clan. The Beryllians… I don’t know.” He shook his head and kicked the ball again, taking several steps down the driveway in an unconscious desire to get away from the strangeness in the house.

  “Lateef seems to care for Dani, but he left her to die so he could cure the Hatti guy, and his sister helped him do it. Brandon’s nice enough, but he’s not in charge, and that Amarantha lady—well, let’s say if she snaps and kills everyone here, I won’t be surprised.”

  “So, you don’t trust any of them?” Charlie gave him no clue about his own position.

  “I don’t know.” Kyle kicked the ball farther down the drive and walked after it. “Why did any of them drop everything to move to a foreign planet to make things easier for Dani? Could this place be a base to use to take over the world?”

  “What about you?” Charlie fanned himself with his uniform hat before resettling it on his head. “Why are you still here?”

  Kyle’s stomach clenched. He did not want to have this conversation. “I want to make sure Dani gets home safely.”

  Charlie stared at him a long moment. “That’s all? Why’d you show up here to begin with?”

  “I told you I was looking for someone, and she was my best lead.” Sweat trickled down Kyle’s neck, and he resisted the urge to allow his gaze to swerve away. He had to stick around long enough to make sure Dani was okay. Then he could throw the senator off her trail.

  Charlie’s tone
hardened and the temperature around them dropped into the distinctly frigid zone. “Don’t you think it’s time to come clean, Mr. Manning? Confession can be good for the soul.”

  The ground underneath them began to shake and Abby zoomed up to plaster herself against Charlie’s legs.

  “What in the…” Kyle’s exclamation was cut short as the entire compound of people streamed out to stare into the sky where a Beryllian space transport slowed to hover over the front yard.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Dani stared out of the shuttle window, shocked at the changes to her home. There were too many buildings, including a huge greenhouse and more people than she could easily count on her front lawn.

  “What’s going on?” She didn’t realize she had spoken aloud until Lateef took her hand and raised it to his lips.

  “The Hatti are determined to take care of you until you’re back on your feet. Madame Tamarra and her crew moved in to keep your business running, and apparently brought the family with them.”

  Dani tore her gaze away from the window to stare into Lateef’s eyes. Her surprise melted in his warmth and she leaned into his embrace, shaken at the strength of the love surrounding them.

  “I can’t believe you literally fell out of the sky to meet me.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips again. “I can’t believe I had to go to another planet to find the half of my soul I didn’t know I was missing.” His smile faltered. “Or that I’d abandon you to save a stranger.”

  Dani lifted a hand to cup his chin. “You did exactly what I asked you to do—what you had to do to save everyone. If you hadn’t healed Thane Hantili, your sister would’ve been killed and the whole clan would have slowly died out.”

  “I know.” He stretched forward to kiss her gently and she leaned into him.

  “It’s all good, Lateef. And I’m almost home. Abby’ll be nutso.”