Alien Attachments (18 page)

“There are no words to describe how it feels. Humans don’t have that level of pleasure. It’s not only in your body but outside as well.” Under the circumstances, the look of envy on her friend’s face was comical. “You can’t possibly be jealous of this bond?”

“Let’s just say, I’d like to know what it feels like.”

“Fair enough. Okay. So what’s the big deal? I finish my training and go home. It’s not like I saw much of Ian before.”

Ria knitted her brows. “Can you simply walk away? Do you really want to?”

No. I don’t want to.
Fear shot through her. She knew what it was like to lose the people you love most in the world. She’d spent her adulthood avoiding any deep emotional connection with men. Now, here she was, bonding on some level she couldn’t even understand.

“He’s so angry with me. With this situation. How can I want this?”

Ria sighed. “No idea. This sucks. At least we know why he’s acting the way he is. He’s being a jerk to keep you away.”

“Because I’m human,” Dani said.

Ria chewed a thumb nail, thinking. “Try to understand. Sandaria’s upper class is based on pure bloodlines. Ian marries you and it’s a downward spiral for the family. Maybe even a crash and burn. He’s an only child. Gordat Prayda would use this to take down Rucon. Those two hate each other. Rucon has stayed out of politics as much as anyone can, but Ian marrying a human would be devastating to the Cavacent power base.” Ria lowered her voice. “A lot of people think the empire is ready to fall. And a lot of us don’t want to be involved with it when it does. Until then, you play by the rules or you lose. Rucon and Ian know this better than most.”

“Okay, so we don’t have a problem. Ian couldn’t have me if he wanted me. I’m not in the market for a relationship, and this whole bond thing can just go away.”

“Bonds don’t just go away, Dani. It’s for life.”

“What?” Ria’s words echoed around her head.
Like hell. Not my life.

* * * *

The next day Ria showed up just as Dani finished dressing. Her red hair was a welcome sight as she slid into the room and perched herself on the arm of the chair facing Dani. “How are you doing today?”

“Edgy. I need to move. I feel like a kid that’s had too much sugar.” Dani pulled the zipper up her boot. “This is normal right? Mordo said psi produces energy that needs to be burned off.”

“It does, but not that bad. I can go a week before I start getting edgy. You’ve been working hard. Between training with Mordo and our practice sessions, you should be fine.” Ria crossed her arms. “Maybe it has something to do with your psi being newly…newly what? I don’t even know how to talk about it. Newly released? Newly discovered?”

“Newly annoying?” Dani grinned.

“Yeah, that,” Ria said. “Listen, I can stay till after lunch, but then we’re heading back to Earth with the SAs. There’s been some Torog activity and Ian’s worried about the mines. The gang is going to meet us at the dining hall. They all want to say goodbye before heading back.”

The reality of being left on Sandaria while the others returned to Earth sank in. It must have showed on her face because Ria gave her a gentle punch in the arm. “Don’t worry. You can reach us with this.” Ria handed her a phone like the other’s had. “It’s called a com. I asked Ian, and he agreed you should have one. As long as the portal is active you can call. I’ll come back every few days and practice with you, too.”

Dani inspected the small device. “I can call Earth. How is that possible?”

Ria shook her head. “You need to ask a Portal Master.”

“Guess it doesn’t matter as long as I can reach you. I need to make some other calls as well. Check in with my aunt. That okay?”

“Sure.”

Ria showed Dani how to use the device.

An hour and half later, Dani and Ria battled it out in their favorite rain forest sim. They were soaked to the bone, but as soon as the sim stopped, they’d be dry in minutes
.
Dani climbed a massive forty-foot tree and scanned for Ria. A sim-blast grazed her shoulder and she laughed as she spun around to find her on a tree opposite. “Great minds, huh?” Dani said.

“You know it, girl. Come on. I’m hungry and tired. And wet. Let’s get lunch.”

Dani holstered her laser. “Sounds good.” She tapped into the arena’s interface with her psi the way Ria taught her and waved her hand. The world morphed around them. The trees lowered the women to the ground and merged with the floor. Ten seconds later they stood near the entrance to the arena, a bit disheveled but drying fast.

“Outstanding!” An unfamiliar voice startled them.

A chill rippled down Dani’s spine. Above, at the entrance level, a tall muscular man with light brown hair stood next to Rucon. His smile radiated from a face with azure blue eyes, amazingly like her own.

“Who’s the hunk?” Dani whispered to Ria.

“Careful,” Ria said, under her breath. “He’s the youngest member of the council.”

Rucon motioned for them to come up. They climbed the stairs and approached the men.
Oh my, this one easily gives Ian a run for his money.
Slightly shorter and leaner than Ian, the man had days worth of stubble on his face that gave him a decidedly ruffian look. Their eyes locked and a thrill ran through her.

The stranger took a step forward with outstretched hand. “You are have extraordinary skill,” he said, as the warmth of his skin enveloped her hand. “With rather amazing eyes.” His smile was genuine.

A blue cloud puffed out of Rucon and covered herself and Ria. His intent was instantly clear. They were to go along with his next words. She made a mental note about the different way he communicated.

“Council Member Balastar Alder, I would like to introduce Dani Standich and Ria Montori,” Rucon said.

Balastar turned. “Ria, you are equally extraordinary.” He took her hand and gave a slight bow. “But you”—he turned back to Dani—“fascinate me. Maybe it’s your eyes, so much like my own.” He waved his hand toward the arena. “I would match either of you against any soldier I know.”

Rucon stepped forward. “That was good work, you two. I explained to Balastar that you are both new to Ian’s Earth Protectorate team. Balastar heard rumors of troubles on our little blue planet and came to see how things were going. I’ve assured him everything is under control.”

“We wouldn’t want our supply of carnium to be interrupted now, would we?” Balastar asked.

“No, sir,” Ria said. “I’m not sure what you heard, but everything is fine on Earth.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Unfortunately, I must be going. Rucon, may I have a few more minutes of your time?”

“Of course, councilman.”

Balastar nodded to Ria, then Dani. He held her gaze slightly longer than comfortable, and her heart skipped a beat.

“I do hope we meet again,” he said.

“Yes, sir. Um, councilman.” Dani knew she’d somehow screwed up the formality.

“You may call me Balastar. The Cavacents are infamous for being informal. I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble.”

“Okay, Balastar. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“As am I Dani. As am I.”

A delicious warmth flooded her core when he smiled at her before turning to leave.

* * * *

“What was that all about?” Dani asked Ria in a low voice as they made their way to the dining hall.

Ria walked fast, arms swinging. “We should have thought of this. That, my friend, was a near disaster. Balastar is on the council. He can’t find out you’re human.”

“Gordat’s council?”

“It’s not Gordat’s, but yes, one and the same.” Ria pulled them to a stop and scanned their surroundings. “Dani, you need to be careful. Balastar wants you big time and although he’s no fan of Gordat, he’s still on the council. They can make life for the Cavacent’s very difficult.”

“I promise, I’ll be careful with Mr. Yummy.”

Ria fought a smile and lost. “Oh, girl, we are in so much trouble. I’m sure Rucon will contact us when he’s done. He had no choice but to say you were an EP. It makes sense. It lets us keep you close and explains your talent to some degree. Now you have to learn to act like a native. You’ve got to know about Sandaria and our customs. It means”—Ria nudged her with an elbow—“you act duly impressed by a council member. And, you need to be from somewhere, complete with a history. Oh, boy. You need to avoid him at all costs, till we can get you up to speed enough to fake it.”

Dani grinned. “I seriously doubt I’d have to fake anything where he’s concerned.” A twinge of guilt poked her in the side when she thought of Ian, but that just pissed her off. He’d made his position loud and clear.

Later that day, Dani sat perched on the arm of a large couch in Rucon’s library. The Cavacents and the EPs were scattered around the room. Vague memories of the day she and Ian arrived, half dead via the portal in the corner, made her uneasy. So did the fact she was now the only human on the planet.

It was impossible to be near Ian and not notice him on some level. He looked hot as ever in his usual Earth Protector attire.

She hadn’t sensed anything from him. He kept his psi closed to her.

Rucon told the group about Balastar’s visit and his interest in Dani.

“You said what?” Ian didn’t hide his distaste for Rucon’s solution.

“There was no other option,” Rucon said. “I could hardly say she’s human, and if she wasn’t one of ours, then who was she? Unfortunately, that’s not all.” Rucon leaned back in his chair. “Balastar has requested a formal gathering to get to know the Earth crew better. Says he’s fascinated by humans and where they are technologically.”

“
Cragshit
,” Ian said. “He doesn’t care about Earth or its technology.”

“Most likely not. I suspect he wants to get to know Dani,” Ria said.

“Tell him she’s not available,” Marco said.

“At ease, everyone.” Rucon toyed with his com. “Balastar didn’t come here because of Dani. The arena was clearly the first time he’d seen her.”

That got everyone’s attention.

“I believe he wants to talk, but doesn’t know if he can trust me. His father was a good man, but since he died, Balastar has kept to himself. If he’s reaching out now, the fall of the empire may be farther along than I thought. Which may be a blessing.” Rucon eyed his son, then Dani.

Rucon penetrated her with a look. In his eyes and from the brief touch of his psi, Dani sensed part of his animosity slip away. He had a complicated mix of emotions where she was concerned, none of which she understood.

Rucon took a slow, deep breath before continuing. “Ian, what’s the status on the additional Earth properties?”

“Nine purchased and three under contract. All close to existing portals,” Ian said.

The other EPs exchanged glances.

“What do you mean?” Dani asked.

For the second time, Rucon truly looked at her. “It means we’ve been quietly preparing to evacuate our families at a moment’s notice.”

“To Earth? Why?”

“When the empire falls—when, not if—Sandaria has the potential to be a very dangerous place. Rucon turned. “Armond, I understand you have no family on Sandaria.”

“Correct, sir.” The albino spoke with no emotion.

Rucon nodded and addressed Ria and Marco. “There is no guarantee, at this moment, Earth will be safe, but I’m offering my protection, as best I can provide it, to you and your families. If all goes according to plan, I will have the support of the GTO and the military to make Earth our home. If not…”

Rucon glanced to Marco then Ria. “I ask for your complete discretion, of course. We’ll discuss the details later. In the meantime, everything must appear normal, so we entertain Balastar’s whims. He’s asked for the entire Earth Protectorate team to be present. We’ll bring the SAs back on Saturday. Mara is arranging a mid-sized gathering. Enough to appease Balastar without causing friction from those not invited. Dani, we’ve decided our best bet is for you to be from Mitah.”

Mara stood next to her husband behind the large desk. “Yes, I have a large amount of materials covering my home planet. Mitah is not significant politically and we doubt Balastar will know much about it other than perhaps the Summer’s Ball in Watersedge. We’ve also compiled information on Sandaria and the empire.”

“What about my training? Don’t all your EPs have military training from some academy?”

“We considered that,” Rucon said. “We decided it would be best to say we broke with tradition and took on the daughter of an old family friend. A daughter that was trained on Mitah.”

Mara continued. “I’ll also get you the course used by foreign dignitaries coming to Sandaria for the first time. We’ll all take turns drilling you on our government and other aspects of life in the empire. I do hope you’re a fast reader, dear.”

“I am, thankfully.”

“All right,” Rucon said. “With any luck, Balastar will keep his mouth shut and we won’t have to invite any other council members. If anyone asks, it’s a small affair regarding Earth. Keep Dani out of sight as much as possible. And for the sake of the Goddess, Dani, do not encourage Balastar.”

“I assure you I have no intention of encouraging anyone,” Dani said. Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. She wasn’t sure what annoyed her most. That fact that he’d say such a thing or that he might be right. She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

* * * *

Dani had never studied so hard in her life, but it wasn’t difficult because the material was intensely interesting. She’d focused on Mitah first: history, geography, politics, economics, social structure. She hadn’t finish until well after midnight, leaving only a few hours sleep. Today, Ria was giving her a lesson on the Sandarian Empire, the council and the Galactic Trade Organization.

“Thanks for doing this Ria,” Dani said, turning to sit on the couch. “I’m trying to figure out how the GTO, the council, and the Sandarian Empire all fit together. It’s pretty fuzzy.”

“I’m not surprised. The lines are blurred in ways they were never meant to be, and worse, the whole thing is a sham,” Ria said.

“How so?”

“The book you read? About the council being formed to take a step toward what you would consider a more democratic system? That’s the way it’s supposed to work. The council is made up of representatives across the galaxy, providing guidance to the benevolent Emperor, working with the GTO to establish fair trade policies and guiding the military to keep the peace. But everyone knows it’s
cragshit
. There’s nothing benevolent about the Emperor and the council has little power.”