Alien Refuge

by Tracy St. John

  As Rivek spoke to the kitchen at the clan’s home, they passed the fire pit. It was lit again today, but not raging as it had been before. Nor was anyone feeding it stunning art, which was a relief for Iris. Important lessons or not, she hated to see masterpieces like Master Nis’ being destroyed.

  Rivek made a turn that took them in the opposite direction of the fire pit. As he clicked off his com, they entered a large, open area where the white marble gave way to a cushion-based flooring surface. Like the empty side of his consultation room, long rods of various lengths and thicknesses lined the walls.

  “We’ll come in here where we have extra room. Do you have any self-defense training?” the priest asked.

  “No. Why? Can you teach me?” Iris was actually excited at the prospect. The E.I.K.’s demonstration had her worried, mostly about Thomas’ safety. Not that the group was known for actually attacking people, but she did want to know she could defend her son if the need arose.

  A vision of Conrad’s handsome but cold face rose in her mind. Iris swallowed and pushed him away. He was gone forever. He couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

  Rivek told her, “I am a fighting expert. I thought a few lessons for you might be appropriate. No one should be left unable to defend themselves.”

  Iris cocked her head as she looked at the serene-seeming priest. “I would have thought an Imdiko – particularly a priest – would be a pacifist.”

  He chuckled. “I do not go looking for trouble. That does not mean it will never come looking for me, especially considering who my Dramok is. There have been problems in the past.”

  Iris nodded. She could imagine a man of Ospar’s importance might become a target for rebellious Earthers. And if they couldn’t get to him, they might zero in on his clanmates.

  Rivek continued. “Besides, physical training puts one in a state of intense mental concentration. You discover what your body and mind are capable of, which translates into the spiritual aspect.” He looked her over and frowned. “Your clothing is somewhat bulky. I did not think to tell you to wear something loose and easy to move in.”

  Iris looked down at herself. She looked twice her size in her sweater, snow pants, and coat. “I’m actually in layers. I think I’ll be okay if I take some of this off.”

  She peeled off clothing and her boots until she was down to a long-sleeved tee shirt that hung halfway down her thighs and a pair of leggings. She found the room a little cool after divesting herself of so much, but reasoned if they were exercising, she’d warm up pretty fast.

  Iris looked up at Rivek, swinging her arms back and forth to show him how she could now move nimbly. She was startled to see his eyes wide and mouth hanging slightly open as he looked at her. It suddenly occurred to Iris that removing layer after layer of clothing in front of him had probably looked rather salacious, even though she was still modestly covered. Her cheeks warmed.

  Rivek blinked and smiled. The look was one of appreciation. “Much better.” His silky voice had gone a little hoarse.

  Iris ducked her head but couldn’t help the grin that came over her face at the Imdiko’s obvious approval. She rarely did anything to make herself attractive. Even her wavy blond hair received little attention these days outside of running a brush through it and putting it in its usual ponytail. Makeup was a luxury of the past. Her clothes were often stained from dealing with Thomas. She was too busy chasing him and eking out a living for any of that girly stuff that had once seemed so important.

  Iris sought for something to say that would move them past the awkward silence. She wiggled her toes in her thick socks. “My clunky old boots might be an issue.”

  Rivek cleared his throat. “Leave them off. You won’t need them. Take off your socks too so you don’t slip.”

  Iris did so, hopping on one foot then the other. Rivek hovered near, as if worried she’d fall. When she was barefooted, he treated her to a little stripping of his own, taking off his three layers of robes to display a body-hugging formsuit that left little to the imagination. It was Iris’ turn to gape as the muscular, blatantly masculine body came into view.

  Rivek didn’t look her in the face. Instead he sat on the floor and indicated she should do the same. “Let’s start with some stretching exercises, and then I will show you the basic moves.”

  They got to work. Iris was delighted to find she was rather flexible during the stretches, although she was no match for Rivek’s lithe grace. She thought a man of his muscular definition should have been a bit clumsy. Yet he assumed postures that defied her with her smaller frame.

  Iris couldn’t help but be acutely aware every time the Imdiko’s hands touched her, helping her steady herself or get in the correct position. His touch was at once gentle but firm, pressing against her back to straighten her spine, aligning her shoulders, flexing her legs. Rivek never made inappropriate contact, and yet Iris felt her insides tremble at being handled by him. A few stray fantasies, ones that did involve intimate contact with bare skin, had her insides heating with definite desire.

  It is official. I have a crush on this man. Ha, his whole clan. Forget crosses, the E.I.K. would set my house on fire if this got out.

  Iris was amused at herself. At the first sign of true kindness from the men, she’d become infatuated. How very school-girlish of her. And dangerous. She’d been the same way with Conrad.

  Rivek and his clan aren’t Conrad. Not by a mile.

  The priest interrupted her thoughts. “I think we’re ready for your first lesson. Stand up and we’ll get started.”

  She did so, facing the tall Imdiko. The pleasant expression suddenly dropped from his face. He snarled, showing her long, thin fangs. Iris took an uncertain step back.

  “Rivek?” she said, her voice quavering.

  He growled and crouched as if ready to spring.

  “What are you doing?” she asked. She didn’t know how she was supposed to respond to the abruptly terrifying Imdiko.

  Rivek lunged.

  “What?” Iris yelped, jerking backwards in utter shock. The next thing she knew, she was on her back, pinned to the floor by the huge Kalquorian.

  Rivek’s vicious expression disappeared. “First lesson: if it looks like someone is about to attack you, assume they will. Most of the time you don’t get that much warning, Matara.”

  “Oh.” She blinked up at him. Now that she knew she was in no danger, she felt incredibly aware of his body hovering over hers. How he held her wrists pinned to the floor. He could easily do things to her right now, things she wouldn’t be able to stop him from doing.

  Arousal was back, making her guts churn with long-forgotten enthusiasm.

  Iris swallowed and forced herself to stop thinking with her sex. “Okay, I get what you’re saying. But I thought I could trust you, so of course I wasn’t ready to be attacked.”

  Rivek smiled and stood, helping to her feet as he got up. “I’m glad to hear you say that you have confidence in my intentions, and I hope to never betray that sentiment. But even those we trust can sometimes turn on us, unfortunately. Did you not trust your husband before he abused you?”

  Iris drew in a sharp breath. “Good point.”

  “How were you raised to behave towards others, Iris?”

  She frowned at the Imdiko. “I was taught to be polite. To treat everyone with respect unless they demonstrated they deserved otherwise.”

  Rivek folded his arms over his chest. “Which automatically puts you in danger in some situations. Suppose an Earther male from this colony, one you don’t know so well, approaches you. You don’t like the looks of him so much. It’s nothing you can readily identify, he just seems off. He asks for your help perhaps, maybe requesting something to drink or to carry a package. Do you do it?”

  Iris thought about that and had to agree that she would probably try to assist someone in such a situation. “Holy heck, Rivek. Am I supposed to run away from every person I see from now on?”

  He chuckled. “No, but you should b
e aware at all times. To not let people whose intentions aren’t clear too close. Because the instant you let someone who is looking to attack you near enough, it may already be too late.” The Imdiko sobered. “In most cases, you don’t have to worry. But it only takes one time to get into real trouble. I’ve noted Earther females tend to be so polite that they open themselves up to harm.”

  Iris got the point. “Okay. I’m on board with that assessment.”

  “Good. Now let me hear you scream.”

  “Scream?”

  Rivek nodded.

  “If Thomas hears, he’ll get upset.”

  Rivek had his com out in an instant. “Copin?”

  The younger man’s voice came back a bit breathless with laughter. “Yes, Master?”

  “Where are you and Thomas located”

  “In Master Nis’ studio. They’re painting together, and Thomas keeps yelling ‘wrong’ at him and going over his work.” There was more laughter in the background, presumably from Nis.

  Rivek grinned as Iris covered her face with her hands. “Thank you. That’s all.”

  She mumbled through her fingers. “Wonderful. My six-year-old is telling someone of Master Nis’ talents that he’s painting wrong.”

  “The humility will do Nis good. His studio is some distance across the temple, so there’s no concern Thomas will hear you make a lot of noise. So please do.”

  Iris lowered her hands and cocked an eyebrow at Rivek. “You want me to scream, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Um, okay.” Feeling foolish, Iris yelled. The sound was thin and wavering.

  “I doubt anyone else here heard that,” Rivek said. He went into an attack crouch and snarled at her. “Now scream for real!”

  This time when he moved towards her, Iris backpedaled and shrieked as loud as she could. The sound echoed throughout the space.

  Rivek straightened and nodded approvingly. “Much better.”

  A voice behind Iris asked, “Is everything all right in here?”

  Iris turned to see a priest she hadn’t met yet standing close by. He cocked his head inquiringly, his face set in a frown as he stared at her.

  When Rivek didn’t answer, Iris was forced to say, “Everything is fine. I’m being taught self-defense. Or about to be taught. Rivek wanted me to scream.”

  “And you see why,” Rivek said. “Your yell brought help to you right away. Sometimes a mere scream will frighten off an attacker. Thank you for helping me demonstrate, Master Elo.”

  The other man nodded, bowed to them both, and walked away.

  “Okay,” Iris said. “Keep potential baddies away even if it doesn’t seem polite. Scream my head off if I’m attacked. And here I thought I’d be karate chopping everything in sight.”

  Rivek laughed. “We’re going to get to some actual physical techniques now. I’m going to come at you again, and I want you to act as if it’s real. Show me how you would defend yourself. I want to work as much with your natural fighting instincts as I can.”

  “Beyond running?”

  He nodded. “Running is not always an available option. It’s also a very bad thing to do if your attacker happens to be a Nobek.”

  Iris cocked an eyebrow. “Why is that?”

  “Running prey excites that breed. They will give chase, and when they catch you they will kill or mate.”

  Iris’ eyes went wide. She gaped at Rivek. “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. “No matter how outmatched you are, you will always do better to try to fend off a Nobek rather than run from him.”

  Iris swallowed. “It’s a good thing Jol isn’t here watching Copin and Thomas chase around then.”

  Rivek shook his head. “They are playing. Jol’s instincts wouldn’t be aroused by that.”

  “Good. Okay, so you’re coming after me?”

  “Yes. Are you ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  The lesson began in earnest. Rivek came at Iris over and over from different angles and situations. He studied her reactions and then began to work on ways to make her defenses more effective. He was patient when she didn’t do the right thing and effusive with praise when she got it right. The two hours of training flew past.

  * * * *

  Thomas was amazed by the massive aquarium wall in the dining room at the clan’s house. He goggled at the living rainbow of fish, clutching the new train he had made with Copin that morning. Bits of metal parts from an air exchanger had become Thomas’ latest toy. Copin had gotten him to draw an engine and its cars, which Thomas had done with astounding accuracy. Then Copin had taken the metal and cut and shaped it to match.

  Iris had been pleased to discover what a good time Thomas had enjoyed with his newfound friend. Copin had explained to Iris, “I let Thomas dictate what we would do today so I could observe what makes him content. It will probably not go so well once I start pushing him to try new things. I’m still hopeful I’ll be able to help him learn some calming and coping behaviors. In fact, I’m going to try to make him a little angry with me just so we can work on those issues.”

  Iris could only wish him luck.

  Right now, Thomas was intent on making the fish notice his new train with its two cars and caboose. “Fish. See train, fish? Ride the train, fish. How many fish? One, two, three, four...” he began to count, struggling because the fish refused to remain still.

  Iris and Rivek stood side by side behind him. Iris couldn’t help but hover, convinced Thomas would at some point begin banging on the aquarium with his new toy.

  She told the Imdiko, “I can’t believe Copin was able to keep him occupied for the entire time you trained with me. Usually Thomas comes looking for me within minutes.”

  Rivek watched Thomas’ attempts to count the darting fish with seeming pleasure. “It will do him and you good to have separate activities. It builds his independence and lets you catch your breath.”

  The soft tread of someone’s footsteps turned them both around. Iris was surprised to see both of Rivek’s clanmates enter from one of two doors across the room. One of men, probably Jol, walked silently.

  Ospar came over with his sunny smile spreading over his face. “Matara Iris. It is so good to see you and Thomas again.”

  As usual, she couldn’t help but return the beaming expression. “Hello. Thomas, say hello to Ospar and Jol,” she prodded.

  Thomas didn’t bother looking at them. He’d given up counting and was walking up and down the wall, intent on keeping up with one of the larger fish, a blue spade-shaped one. He simply waved over his shoulder. “Hello.”

  None of the men took offense, even chuckling indulgently at his fascination. Jol came close, and Iris noted he did walk silently. He said, “The fish are beautiful, aren’t they, Thomas?”

  Thomas pointed at the object of his momentary affections. “Blue fish.”

  “That’s a blue tang,” the Nobek told him.

  Thomas repeated the name carefully. “Blue tang.”

  Four Kalquorian men came in the room from the doorway opposite of where Ospar and Jol had entered. They carried trays and quickly set out lunch on the table. Plates and bowls were placed in front of the chairs: salad greens no doubt purchased from the colony greenhouse, huge steaks, and baked potatoes. A carafe of red wine and goblets also were placed on the table.

  An Imdiko named Utber showed Iris the meal prepared for Thomas. “Are these chicken strips and carrots all right?” he asked in a soft voice.

  “Perfect,” she said, admiring the golden-battered pieces of meat that looked photogenic enough for a recipe book. “Thank you for the effort.”

  “No effort at all. I’m a parent myself, so I’m used to pickier eaters.” He set the plate down, along with a cup of milk. Then he bowed and left the room with the rest of the staff.

  Iris’ husband Conrad had been a well-known businessman with ties to important government officials. They’d had a cleaning service that came to their home twice a week and the occasion
al caterers for parties. As well-off as they’d been, Iris had never had a fulltime kitchen staff like Ospar’s clan did. Somehow, it made her feel grubby as she stood there in her tee-shirt, sweater, and jeans.

  Iris put her sense of being a rube among high society to the side. She said, “Thomas, it’s time to eat. Come sit.”

  The boy immediately stomped a foot and yelled. “No! Watch fish!”

  Jol went down on one knee beside him and grasped Thomas’ shoulders, making him turn to face him. “Thomas. Sit down and eat or the fish will have to go away.” His voice was calm and patient, but uncompromising.

  Thomas shrieked, his face suffusing with grief. “Where’s fish? Thomas’ fish!”

  Jol kept that same quiet tone. “Go sit down and eat and the fish will stay.”

  Thomas turned and sat at the first chair he came to, which had a steak lunch at its place. Without any fuss, Ospar switched it with the chicken meal.

  He praised Thomas. “Good job coming to eat at the table, Thomas. Eat your chicken and carrots, and you can have cake too.”

  That got the boy excited. “Cake! Where’s Thomas’ cake?”

  “Eat your chicken and carrots first.”

  “No, I think cake now.” Despite his demand, Thomas attacked his chicken, taking a huge bite. Iris looked on with some amazement. The men had handled Thomas adroitly, much better than his own father ever had. They worked with him just as she might, as if they instinctively knew what it took to make the boy comply.

  Rivek drew out a chair for her. “Iris, come sit. I hope our kitchen has done your native food justice.”

  She sat down and looked at her food with appreciation. Training with Rivek had given her a huge appetite, and the steak was a generous portion. “It looks and smells divine,” she said.

  There was little delay to everyone getting busy with their food. Iris’ steak was cooked to medium-rare perfection. Her baked potato, served with rich cheddar cheese and sour cream, practically melted on her tongue. Apparently Thomas approved of his own meal, because he downed the chicken without a moment of refusal. Once down to the carrots, he tried to get up a couple of times to return to the aquarium. Before Iris could correct him, Jol firmly and gently sat him back down. When Thomas screamed in frustration once, the Nobek did not lose his temper with the boy. Not one of the men seemed the least put out by Thomas’ display, not even remarking on it though they did heap praise on him when he settled down and resumed eating.