Alien Escape

by Dena Christy

  Chapter Seventeen

  Evie held a trembling Rebecca against her, trying to soothe her. Her friend finally quieted, and she pulled away.

  “We don’t know how long we will be in here, why don’t you lay down and get some rest.” They were in a lounge and there were several chairs and sofas arranged around the room. At least it wasn’t another prison cell. Rebecca nodded and slowly walked over to a sofa away from everyone. She lay down on it and closed her eyes.

  Evie sighed. Clancy’s violence toward Rebecca’s brother had shocked them all, and she knew how her friend must be feeling. She too had lost someone she loved to Clancy’s violence. At least he was dead and would not trouble them any more.

  She twisted her hands together as she thought about her own situation. She hadn’t seen her father since she’d run away, and he’d changed very little. He’d masked his shock at seeing her quickly, and she’d seen it replaced by the anger and disapproval she was so familiar with.

  “What do you think will happen now?” Miranda joined her and sat on the chair beside her.

  “I have no idea. I’m sure that since the men have been rescued, they will be going home, and you will be going with them.” She didn’t know what awaited her.

  “You’ll be coming too. Cynric will not abandon you. Surely the mark has appeared by now.”

  “What mark?” What was this mark that she was talking about and what did it have to do with her going with Cynric? Miranda looked down at her hands as if she’d said something she shouldn’t. “Please tell me.”

  “When Latrothians falls in love, a mark appears on their chest, in the shape of the hand of the woman they are in love with. When the mark appears it tells them that the woman they’ve found is their true mate. If a mating ritual is performed, then they are bound to that woman for the duration of their life.”

  “And you and Synn, and Ryce and Collette have gone through this ritual?” She remembered both her friends making remarks in passing about being mated. She didn’t know that there had been marks of true love involved or mating rituals.

  “Yes. Has Cynric not told you about any of this?”

  “No he hasn’t.” There must be a reason for that. She’d seen his chest many times, and not once had there been a mark upon it. Did that mean that he didn’t feel for her what she felt for him?

  “I’m sure he was going to. We haven’t exactly had an easy few days. I’m sure he loves you.”

  Evie reached out and patted Miranda on the hand. She was sure that her friend meant well, but there had to be a reason that Cynric had not told her about the mark. If the mark proclaimed his love for her, and it didn’t appear, how could Miranda say that he loved her? If his feelings for her had to manifest physically on his body, and the sign of it didn’t come, then there was only one conclusion to be drawn. He didn’t love her. At least not as deeply as Synn loved Miranda and Ryce loved Collette.

  “I’m going to see how Rebecca is doing.” Evie stood and walked over to Rebecca’s side. She sat on the floor next to the sofa. She had to get away from Miranda, to get away from her own doubts and fears. When she was with Cynric, when she made love to him and he held her in his arms she was so sure of what she felt for him and what he felt for her. Now that certainty was thrown into doubt, and she didn’t know what to think.

  “What will happen now?” Rebecca spoke in a quiet voice, and Evie looked over at her. Rebecca held out her hand and Evie grasped it.

  “I don’t know. I’m sure Miranda and Collette will go but I don’t know what’s in store for us.” Hopefully she could speak with her father and negotiate mercy for Rebecca. Out of all of them, Rebecca had not been given a choice to help the Latrothians, and yet she’d lost the most. Surely her father could be persuaded to grant her clemency. “My father is here. I’ll try to speak to him and see what can be done. He’s not an unreasonable man. I’ll make sure that you suffer no further repercussions from this.”

  At least he wasn’t unreasonable where strangers were concerned. For his own daughter, reasonableness did not apply.

  “What about you? Won’t you be going with Cynric?”

  “I don’t know.” She’d thought she’d have time to talk to him about that, but they’d run out of time. And now with her father in the picture it seemed less likely that she would be going anywhere but home with him. Her father had very definite ideas about her place in life, and as far as he was concerned what she wanted didn’t matter at all. She didn’t know what was best for her, her father did. It was why she’d run away with Adam. The trouble she was in now would seem to her father as a direct result of her defiance of his plans for her.

  “We could start over. We made a good team before.” Rebecca looked at her with such hope that Evie didn’t have the heart to tell her that there was no hope in starting over. Now that her father knew she was alive and well, she wouldn’t be going anywhere but home with him.

  “Do you have any other family? Someone who would want to see you?” Maybe if Rebecca had someone to go home to, perhaps it would soften the blow when Evie told her that their working together was at an end. Serena’s organization was a sham, and now that she was dead Evie was certain that someone else would take over, eventually. Even if they did something similar to the work they’d thought they’d been doing, they lacked the resources and connections to do it now.

  “Nigel was my only family. Our parents died years ago, and I got into some trouble with the government for using my computer talents. I’m a wanted felon, and now that we’re all caught I’m sure that my only destination will be a prison cell. I have no one left to speak for me and ask for mercy.”

  “You have me. I’ll speak for you. I’ll persuade my father to grant you clemency somehow.”

  Rebecca nodded and closed her eyes. The exhaustion and grief were clear on her face, and Evie thought she should be allowed to get some rest. There would be plenty for Rebecca to worry about soon enough, because despite Evie’s promises that she would get her mercy, she didn’t know if it was at all possible. Her father would demand something for such a favor, and Evie didn’t know if she was prepared to pay it.

  She looked over at Rebecca and knew that she would do whatever her father asked. Rebecca had been a dear friend to her in the years she’d had no one, and she’d lost so much already. She couldn’t lose her freedom now as well. Evie would do whatever it took to get her father to grant mercy to her.

  She looked over at where Miranda and Collette sat quietly, both looking as exhausted as she felt. For a moment she thought about going over to join them, but didn’t. She loved them both, but she was certain that they would leave to start their new lives. She was less certain about her own life, and she didn’t want to spoil the excitement that they both must feel with worry over what would happen to her.

  She went over to a sofa at the far end of the room and sat on it, curling her legs up on it. Her head fell back to rest against it and she closed her eyes. They’d gone through so much, and it seemed like days since Roland had captured them at the safe house. She would rest her eyes for a moment, and then she would think of what she was going to do next.

  A noise startled her awake. She must have slept, for she felt like she had, but she had no idea how much time had passed. A man stood in front of her, in a soldier’s uniform.

  “Miss Valencia, I will need you to come with me.” He stood straight as an arrow, and she knew why she was being summoned. Her friends looked at her with concern, and Miranda even got up out of her chair.

  “It will be fine.” She waved her hand in what she hoped was assurance and got up off the sofa. The soldier turned smartly on his heel and walked toward the door. Evie followed, certain that she was being led to see her father. Aldo Valencia considered himself too important to get her himself. It fit with what her father thought of himself if he sent someone to fetch her instead.

  She followed the soldier down the corridor until they came to the room they’d been led into when they’d first arri
ved. Unlike before, the room was empty except for one man, who stood with his back to her as he looked out the giant window at the far end of the room. It was the dead of night, and there was nothing for him to see but his own reflection. This was all for show and was fitting with her father’s style of operating.

  “Hello Father,” Evie said as she walked into the room and faced the man she’d hoped she’d never have to deal with again.

  Her father turned away from the window and waved the soldier away. The soldier obeyed instantly and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. She was now alone with her father, and nerves danced in the pit of her stomach. Her father sat at the head of the table and indicated the seat beside him.

  Evie drifted over to it. This differed from what their usual discussions were like. Usually she was the one who was sitting while her father towered over her and made demands.

  “Please sit, Evangeline. The chair won’t bite you.” If there was any impatience in him, he hid it well.

  She pulled the chair out and sat down. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her father, seeing him up close for the first time in years. His years on this planet were showing, and besides the silver that dominated his hair, there were now lines carved into his face. He looked smaller than she remembered, but she didn’t know if age had shrunk him or if she was no longer as intimidated by him as she once was.

  “To say I’m surprised to see you here is an understatement.” She didn’t know what else to say to him. Should she say that she was sorry for running away? She wasn’t and her father wouldn’t appreciate the lie. The only thing she regretted was not contacting her mother once she was gone. She knew that in order to make good on her escape she needed to make a clean break. “How is mother?”

  “Your mother died a few years ago. Much has changed since you left Evangeline.”

  Her mother was dead? Pain lanced through her, and her eyes swam for a moment. “What happened?”

  “Your mother was never the strongest of women, and when she developed cancer, she wasn’t strong enough to fight it. However, we are not here to talk about your mother. I’m sorry if the news comes as a shock to you, but you would have known, would have been with her, had you not run away and let us believe that you were dead.” There was a thread of anger in his voice, and despite the years that past she got a glimpse of the man she’d known her entire life. He might have been trying to present a gentler side of himself, but he could not hide his bitterness over her defiance of him. She tucked her grief for her mother away. She would process her death when she was alone, but right now she was swimming with a shark and she needed to keep her wits about her.

  “You know why I left. If you’d been reasonable, if you gave me a choice in who I spent the rest of my life with, I would not have felt that I had to leave. But I’m sure you did not have me escorted in here to discuss the past. I’m sure you want to discuss how we are to proceed forward into the future.” One thing was certain, she would not be going back to live with him. Without her mother there, there was no reason strong enough to compel her to live with her father again.

  “You’re correct. I did not bring you here to discuss the past. I wanted to tell you what happened with the negotiations. I’m sure you know that your friends Miranda and Collette will leave with the aliens since they are attached to two of them. It has been requested that you be given the choice to go with them or stay here.”

  A thrill went through Evie. Cynric must want her to go with him, otherwise the option would not have been presented. She took a deep breath to declare her intention to go with them, but a thought struck her, and she deflated like a balloon. Her father had said nothing of Rebecca. He’d only mentioned Miranda, Collette and herself. “What about Rebecca?”

  “I’m sure you can appreciate the seriousness of all this. I tried to intervene on your friends behalf, but surely you realize that our government would want someone to be punished for all this. Rebecca has no family now that her brother is dead, and she is a felon. I wouldn’t worry about her. You will move on with your life and go to a planet where you will no longer have the burden of carrying on the Valencia name. That’s what you’ve always wanted isn’t it?”

  It was what she wanted, but how could she let Rebecca be thrown to the wolves? Out of all of them, Rebecca had not been given the option of declining to help Cynric and his men, and she’d also lost the most in all this. How could she move on with her life knowing that Rebecca would continue to suffer for a decision she’d made? She looked at her father, who’s eyes were steady upon her. She knew him well enough to know that despite what he’d said, he had not tried very hard for Rebecca. There was nothing in it for him to save her. But with the right amount of inducement he could be persuaded to help her.

  “If I agree to stay here, to go back home with you, would you make sure that Rebecca is saved? She doesn’t deserve to be punished for all this. She’s lost enough already.”

  To his credit her father did not gloat over her capitulation. He reached out and put his hand on hers. “I hope your friend knows just how much she means to you if you will do this for her. I know the last thing you want is to come home. I will try again, and I think that I can persuade the others to allow Rebecca to leave the planet with the aliens when they go. I’m sure the aliens will want to offer her aid once they know what would be in store for her if she stays.”

  She slipped her hand out from under his. She knew it was the right thing to do, but the pain inside her chest almost crushed the breath from her. The dream she’d had since she’d made love with Cynric the first time, that they would have a life together on his planet, crumbled around her. Her reality was back in her father’s house, and she knew that despite her father’s tenderness toward her now, he would expect her to obey him in all things. It was the price she was going to have to pay to save Rebecca.

  “I’ll do it. I’ll come home with you if you can guarantee that Rebecca will be able to get off this planet and will suffer no repercussions. I want your word of honor.” She looked at him steadily, and his face darkened for a moment. This was too important to not get him to give his promise. Her father may be ruthless, but once he gave his word, he would do his utmost to keep it.

  “You have my word, but you must also do something for me. If they come and ask you what your choice is, to stay here or to go, you must tell them that it is your choice to stay here. I will not go through all the work of helping your friend if we end up at war with the aliens because they feel I’ve coerced you into staying. You must make it clear it is your choice to stay.”

  “You won’t save Rebecca if I tell Cynric or anyone else that saving her was the price you extracted for getting me to stay. I could see how someone outside our family might think that you should help my friend without extracting a price, that you should do it out of love for me, but we both know that’s not how this family works.” Familial love was at the very bottom of the list with her father. Duty, honor and maintaining the standards that he devised for her were far more important. Was she sure she wanted to go back to all that?

  “Is a war worth scoring points against me? Can you not just accept the help I’m going to give your friend graciously? It’s not like I’m asking you to do years of hard labor. I am welcoming you back into your family. I know you think I’m an ogre Evangeline, but I’ve only ever wanted what was best for you. You are my daughter and I’d like you to come back home. Unfortunately the only way I can get you to do that is by extending an olive branch and sticking my neck out to save your friend. I’m not under any illusions that you would do it without some inducement.”

  Evie was quiet as she looked at her father. Had the years with him really been so bad? It had been years since she’d been home, and she’d left because she had fallen in love with someone her father didn’t deem appropriate and he’d had his sights set on a marriage between her and Roland Clancy. Clancy was dead now, and she’d grown up in the years since she’d last seen her father. She’d make the
best of it, since this was the only way she could save Rebecca, and if her father wanted to save face by having her keep quiet about their deal, then so be it.

  “If I’m asked to go with the aliens, I will clarify that my choice is to stay here.”

  Her father reached out and took her hand. This time she kept it in his grasp. “Your mother would be very proud of what you're doing. There is a room here where you can get some rest until it’s time to leave. I’ll have someone escort you. I’ll go speak to the relevant parties about saving your friend.”

  And like that she’d bargained her life away to her father. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as her father drew her to her feet. Now he would keep her away from everyone until it was time to go back home, where she could not be adversely influenced. He would dress it up as concern for her, saying she needed somewhere to rest, but she’d been down this path before.

  He walked her to the door, and the soldier who had led her here stood waiting for her. Her father spoke to him in a quiet tone, which she didn’t bother to listen to. The soldier saluted and Evie followed him down the corridor and up a flight of stairs. He led her to a small room which had a bed, a small bureau and not much else. It was more comfortable than the last cell she was in, but she didn’t kid herself into thinking it was anything other than that. Her father did not trust her to keep her word, but what he didn’t know was that her dislike for him was outweighed by her love for Rebecca.

  She sat down on the edge of the bed, and she didn’t know how much time had passed before there was a knock on the door. She walked over to it and opened it. Her father stood alone in the hall.