Telling herself that she had an overactive imagination, Mia exited the lab and entered a small aircraft that was sitting next to the lab building. Korum had made it for her for the express purpose of traveling around Lenkarda. Like the wristwatch he’d given her, it was programmed to respond to her verbal commands. Feeling tired after a full day at work, Mia sat down on one of the intelligent seats and ordered the ship to take her home.
* * *
Saret watched Mia leave, his hands nearly shaking with the urge to reach out and touch her.
Having her so close after her long absence had been torturous. The faint sweetness of her scent permeated the lab, and he hadn’t been able to stop himself from coming closer, from breathing it in. If she hadn’t left then, he would’ve done something stupid – like bring her toward him for a taste. And he wouldn’t have been able to stop with just a taste.
When he tried to analyze his own mind – like every mind expert should – he could come up with a dozen reasons for why he’d become so obsessed with her. First and foremost, she belonged to Korum. Even when they’d been children, Saret had always wanted Korum’s toys. His enemy had been inventive even then, altering the designs for popular games and creating something that was better than what anyone else had. Saret had hated Korum for it then, and he hated him now. Of course, he had never let it show. Korum’s enemies never fared well. It was far better to be his friend – or, at least, to act like one.
And Mia was the ultimate toy. So small, so delicate, so perfectly human. For the first time, Saret understood why her species kept pets. Having a cute creature to call your own, to stroke and touch at your whim – there was something incredibly appealing in that. Especially when that creature loved you, depended on you . . . She would make a very good pet, Saret thought wryly, with that thick mass of hair that looked so soft and touchable.
He was surprised Korum let her spend so much time away from him. Saret had tested him in the beginning, insisting that Mia put in a full day, just to see if that would convince Korum of the ridiculousness of having a human in a Krinar work environment. His nemesis was the last person he would’ve expected to treat a human girl as an equal. Sure, she was smart – for a human, at least – but she was also young and malleable. It wouldn’t take much effort to mold her into whatever he wanted her to be. Whatever she thought she wanted now – none of that really mattered. If she had been
his
charl, he could’ve easily convinced her to be happy with her role in his life, in his bed. There were so many amusements for a human girl to enjoy: all kinds of virtual and real-life spa treatments, pretty clothes, interesting recordings, fun books . . . And instead, Korum had her working nonstop. No wonder she still objected to being a charl. Her cheren simply didn’t know how to treat her properly.
Sighing, Saret went back into his office. All the mind analysis in the world didn’t change the fact that he wanted her. And soon he would be able to have her. He just needed to be patient for a while longer.
Turning his attention back to his task, Saret brought up a three-dimensional map of Shanghai.
China was next on his list.
Chapter 2
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Korum said soothingly, placing a white dot on Mia’s temple. “They will love you, just like I do.”
Mia nervously twisted a strand of hair between her fingers before tucking it behind her ear. “They won’t mind that I’m human?”
“They won’t,” he reassured her. “They know all about you already, and they’re very happy that I found someone I care so much about.”
After she’d arrived home from work, Korum had surprised her with the news that he wanted her to meet
his
family as well. So now he was about to take her into a virtual reality setting where she would meet his parents. Supposedly, the environment was very lifelike, and she would be able to interact with his parents there as though they were meeting in person.
It was also on Krina.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t change?” Mia knew she was stalling, but she felt ridiculously anxious. “And won’t your mom mind that I’m wearing your family necklace?”
“You look beautiful, and the necklace is perfect on you,” he said firmly. “My mother will be quite pleased to see it around your neck; she gave it to me explicitly for that purpose – to gift it to the woman I ultimately fall in love with.”
Mia took a deep breath, trying to control her rapid heartbeat. “Okay, then I’m ready.” At least as ready as she would ever be to meet her extraterrestrial lover’s parents – who resided thousands of light years away.
Korum smiled, and the world around her blurred for a second.
Feeling dizzy, Mia closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was standing inside a large, airy building that vaguely resembled Korum’s house in Lenkarda. From the inside, it was fully transparent, and she could see unusual plants outside. Most of the flora was a familiar shade of green, but red, orange, and yellow hues also proliferated. It was strikingly beautiful. The inside of the building had the same ‘Zen’ feel to it as Arman’s house. Everything was a beautiful off-white shade, and the sunlight streaming through the clear ceiling reflected off a gorgeous flower arrangement right in the middle of the room – the only touch of color in an otherwise pristine environment. The flowers seemed to grow right out of an opening in the floor. Along the walls, there were a few familiar-looking floating planks that served as multi-purpose furniture.
“It’s lovely,” Mia whispered, glancing around the room. “Is this your parents’ house?”
Korum nodded, smiling. He looked quite pleased. “It’s my childhood home,” he explained, reaching out to take her hand and squeezing it lightly.
As usual, his touch made her feel warm inside, and she marveled again at how authentic this virtual reality felt. Somehow, this was even more convincing than the club where he’d taken her once to satisfy her fantasy. All her senses were fully engaged, as though she was physically present here, on a planet in a different galaxy.
Inhaling deeply, Mia realized that the air was a little thinner than what she was used to, as if they were at a high altitude. She actually felt a bit light-headed, and she hoped she would adjust to it soon. The temperature was pleasantly warm, and there seemed to be a faint breeze coming from somewhere, even though they were inside the building. There was also an exotic, but appealing scent in the air. Likely from the flowers, Mia decided. The aroma was almost . . . fruity. She’d never smelled anything like it before.
As Mia studied their surroundings, one of the walls dissolved, and a Krinar woman walked in. She was tall and slim, with a supermodel’s leggy build and shiny dark hair. Her eyes were the same warm amber color as Korum’s. It could only be Korum’s mother; their resemblance was unmistakable.
At the sight of them standing there, a huge smile lit her face. “My child,” she said softly, her eyes shining with love as she looked at her son, “I’m so glad to see you.” Like all Ks, her age was impossible to determine; she didn’t look a day older than twenty-five.
Letting go of Mia’s hand, Korum crossed the room and enveloped his mother in a gentle hug. “Me too, Riani, me too . . .”
Mia watched their reunion, feeling like she was intruding on a private family moment. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for his parents, with their son living so far away. Yes, they could meet in this virtual way, but they still probably missed seeing him in person.
Turning toward Mia, Korum smiled and said, “Come here, darling. Let me introduce you to my mother.”
Curving her lips in an answering smile, Mia approached them, noticing the way the K’s eyes examined her from head to toe. Her palms began to sweat. What was this gorgeous woman thinking? Was she wondering how her son had ended up with a human?
Pausing a couple of feet away, Mia smiled wider. “Hello,” she said, uncertain if she should reach out and brush the K’s cheek with her knuckles. She’d learned in the past couple of weeks that it was the customary greeting among Krinar females.
Korum’s mother had no such reservations. Raising her hand, she gently touched Mia’s cheek and smiled in return. “Hello, my dear. I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
“Riani, this is Mia, my charl,” Korum said. “Mia, this is Riani, my mother.”
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Riani.” Mia was starting to feel more at ease. Despite the woman’s luminous beauty and youthful looks, there was something in her manner that was very soothing. Almost motherly, Mia thought with an inner smile.
“Where’s Chiaren?” Korum asked, addressing his mother.
“Oh, he’ll be here soon,” she said, waving her hand. “He was delayed at work. Don’t worry – he knows you’re here.”
Chiaren had to be Korum’s father, Mia decided. It was interesting that he called his parents by name, although it made sense too. As long-lived as the Ks were, the lines between generations were probably much less defined than for humans. Although Korum had mentioned once that his parents were much older than he was, she guessed that the difference between two thousand years and a few thousand years was not all that dramatic.
A quiet whoosh interrupted Mia’s musings. Turning her head to the side, she saw the wall opening again. A darkly handsome Krinar man walked in, dressed in typical K clothing. Swiftly crossing the room, he raised his hand and touched his palm to Korum’s shoulder, greeting his son.
Korum reciprocated the gesture, but he seemed much more reserved than he had been with his mother. “Chiaren,” he said quietly. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Something in the tone of his voice startled Mia. Was there some tension between father and son?
His father inclined his head. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss your visit.” Then, turning his attention to Mia, he cocked his head to the side and studied her with an inscrutable expression on his face.
Mia swallowed, needing to moisten her suddenly dry throat. Chiaren’s posture, the slightly mocking curl to his lips – it was all very familiar to her. Korum might’ve gotten his mother’s looks, but he’d definitely inherited some personality traits from his father as well. She found the K to be intimidating, with his cool dark gaze and lack of visible emotion. He reminded her of Korum when they’d first met.
“Chiaren, this is Mia,” Korum said, stepping toward her and putting a proprietary arm around her back. “She’s my charl. Mia, this is my father, Chiaren.”
The K smiled, suddenly seeming much more approachable. “How lovely,” he said gently. “Such a pretty human girl you’ve got there. How old are you, Mia? You seem younger than I’d imagined.”
“I’m twenty-one,” Mia told him, aware that she probably looked like she was in her late teens. It was a common problem for someone of her petite build – a problem that would now never go away.
Chiaren’s smile widened. “Twenty-one . . .”
Mia flushed, realizing that he thought her little more than a child. And compared to him, she was. Still, she would’ve preferred if he hadn’t looked quite so amused at her age.
“Mia, dear, tell us a bit about yourself,” Riani said, smiling at her with warm encouragement. “Korum mentioned that you’re studying the mind. Is that right?”
Mia nodded, turning her attention to Korum’s mother. She wasn’t certain how she felt about his father yet, but she was definitely growing to like Riani. “I am,” she confirmed. “I started working with Saret this summer. Before that, I majored in psychology at one of our universities.”
“How are you finding it so far? Your apprenticeship?” asked Chiaren. “I imagine it must be quite different from anything you’ve done before.” He seemed genuinely curious.
“Yes, it is,” said Mia. “I’m learning a great deal.” Feeling much more in her element, she told them all about her work at the lab, her eyes lighting up as she explained about the imprinting project.
Afterwards, Riani asked about her family, seeming particularly interested in the fact that Mia had a sibling. Marisa’s pregnancy appeared to fascinate her, and she listened attentively as Mia detailed the difficulties her sister had gone through before Ellet’s arrival. After that, Chiaren wanted to know about Mia’s parents and their occupations, and how human contributions to society were typically measured, so Mia spoke for a while about the role of teachers and professors in the American educational system.
Before long, she found herself engaged in an animated discussion with Korum’s parents. She learned that they had been together for close to three millennia, and that Riani was almost five hundred years older than her mate. Unlike Korum, who had discovered his passion for technological design early on, both Riani and Chiaren were ‘dabblers.’ Most Krinar were, in fact. Instead of specializing in a specific subject, they frequently changed their careers and areas of focus, never fully reaching the ‘expert’ level in any particular field. As a result, while their standing in society was quite respectable, neither one of Korum’s parents had come even close to being involved with the Council.
“I’m not sure how we managed to produce such an intelligent and ambitious child,” Riani confided, grinning. “It certainly wasn’t intentional.”
Seeing the puzzled look on Mia’s face, Chiaren explained, “When a couple decides to have a child, they usually do so under very controlled conditions. They choose the optimal combination of physical traits and potential intellectual abilities, consulting the top medical experts –”