The Edge of it All

by Jessica Grayson

  But I do not believe she feels this way for me, and I find that it does not matter. What she needs is a friend. And I want nothing more than to be whatever she needs.

  Liana

  Sitting at the table, I wait for Soran to hand me my sawdust brick as I've affectionately dubbed the nutrient bar.

  "Voila," he says, using one of the Terran words I've taught him as he slides it toward me.

  From his excitement, you'd think we were at some amazing and delicious restaurant instead of the crew mess to have a sawdust brick and, in his case, liquid sludge.

  Closing his mouth over the straw that sticks up from his protein pack, I wrinkle my nose as he takes a long swig. I still can't believe he can drink that stuff without gagging.

  His sharp, ridged brow creases in confusion as he puts his packet down. "What do you normally have for breakfast, Liana?"

  "Usually some oatmeal with fruit or some toast with coconut oil slathered on it."

  "I...do not know what any of those things are. Your breakfast sounds...interesting," he says thoughtfully.

  My mouth begins to water. Who knew I'd be craving something as simple as oatmeal and toast? Soran is watching me closely, studying my expression—the dreamy look I'm sure is on my face right now at the thought of real food.

  I tap my communicator and hold up the display to him. "I checked our nav charts. It looks like we'll arrive at Le'ro in a little over twenty-two hours."

  Le'ro is a trading planet we'll be stopping at to refuel and pick up some supplies. I'll admit I'm a bit apprehensive about leaving the safety of the ship, but the thought of real food, new clothes, and breathing fresh air is too tempting to pass up. Besides, if this is my new reality now, I need to learn to deal with my fears.

  He nods. "I'll need the measuring scans from you and Tr'lani so I may purchase your clothing. I'll get a sampling of various foods for you to try as well since we do not know what may or may not agree with your system. Rowan will remain on the glider with you both in case—“

  I put my hand up to silence him, giving him an incredulous look. "What? I'm not staying on the ship. I'm going with you."

  His brows shoot up to his forehead. "You are not afraid to leave the glider?"

  "Of course, I'm afraid. I'd be stupid not to be. But I can't let my fears rule me. For better or worse, this is my life now. And the sooner I start learning how to survive here, the better."

  He gives me a hesitant look. "I...do not think it would be wise for you to leave the ship. This trading post is one of the nicer ones in this sector, but there is still risk."

  "There is always going to be risk. Nowhere is completely safe, Soran. Just look at Tr'lani. She wasn't even in the neutral zone. She was on one of the Aerilon system's core planets when she was taken."

  From the shocked expression on his face, I'm guessing she hadn't shared with either of them the exact details of how she was captured. "I still do not think—”

  I cut him off. "Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you can't protect me from everything."

  He huffs his displeasure at my words, but I continue. "This part of the universe is all new to me. The only way I'm going to be able to find my crew and my planet is if I learn how to survive here." I place my hand on his forearm and meet his gaze evenly. "And I would appreciate you teaching me how to do that, Soran."

  With a slight clench of his jaw, he nods. He knows I'm right. "Fine. Follow me to the training room. We will continue your sparring lessons and then practice some more with the blaster and dagger."

  A slow smile curves my lips. "I'll try to remember to set the blaster to stun for our practice,” I tease.

  He laughs, but a hint of worry lingers behind his eyes. I almost caught the ship on fire the first time we practiced when I unknowingly had the blaster set on kill instead of stun. To be fair, I had no idea there were different settings for the weapon, so it technically wasn't my fault.

  I know Soran doesn't like the idea of me going with him, but at least he recognizes and respects my reasons for wanting to go. I appreciate his attempt to shield me from danger, but I'm strong. I don't know what the future holds, but I know I need to be prepared to face whatever challenges await me.

  Chapter 9

  Soran

  Liana hugs Tr'lani tightly as we stand at the airlock. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

  Tr'lani nods and grasps both of Liana's hands in her own. "It's safer on the glider. I wish you wouldn't go. You should stay here with me and Rowan."

  Liana gives her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Besides”—she darts a glance in my direction—“I have a big, strong Mosauran warrior with me. Nobody's going to bother us."

  Thrilled by her appraisal I straighten my back, standing a bit taller as I tilt up my chin and puff my chest out with pride at her words.

  A smile twists her lips as she looks over at me. "All right, all right." She laughs. "Don't let my words go to your head."

  I tilt my chin up even more and arch a teasing brow. "Why would they 'go to my head?' Your words are truth. I am a big, strong Mosauran warrior." I flex my arms to show off the muscles built from years of training, and she laughs even louder.

  Rowan rolls his eyes—a Terran gesture we've all seemed to pick up over the past several days. "It's too late. You have created a monster," he says, using one of the many Terran idioms Liana taught us as he hands her a blaster and laser knife. He claps me on the shoulder and repeats her words in a mocking tone as he passes me my weapons. "Here you go, 'big, strong Mosauran warrior.'"

  I smirk. "Jealousy is not a healthy thing, Rowan. Besides," I touch his bicep. "Your muscles may be much smaller than mine but—“

  He punches at my arm. "I'm not jealous of you, you maltak. And everyone knows I'm stronger than you anyway."

  I laugh and I'm about to tease him when his expression suddenly turns serious. "Check in with me every hour, so I know you're all right."

  Rowan is a good male. Although I am older than him, with the way he constantly worries about me, you'd think that he was the elder brother. "We will," I promise.

  As soon as the airlock door opens, we're assaulted by the bright, blinding light of Le'ro's sun. Liana squints her eyes against the glare before they finally adjust. Her mouth drifts open as she takes in the landscape around us.

  Since it was her first time landing the glider, she chose a remote spot at the far side of the landing zone, near the edge of the thickly forested area surrounding the city. She is an excellent pilot, but she wanted a "buffer" I believe she called it, in case she had problems with the touch down.

  My gaze sweeps over the dozens of other ships in varying shapes and sizes nearby. I suspect many of their owners are mercenaries or mid-level traders by the look of their vessels. With rusted and patchwork-covered hulls, it's a wonder many of these are even space worthy.

  But I also know that corsairs can be extremely clever. Several of these vessels may simply be made up to appear dilapidated—concealing weapons and engines that are actually equal to or better than Rowan's glider. This type of deception is often done to lure others into believing they are easy prey, when in fact, they are the predators.

  I glance back at Rowan, his sharp gaze scanning the ships with slightly narrowed eyes. I'm certain he's thinking the same thing as I, and I'm glad he spared no expense on the glider's defenses. No one can even get near her without the ship's system alerting him.

  When I turn back to Liana, I watch in rapt fascination as she spreads her arms wide and tilts her head up, closing her eyes as she revels in the feel of the sun's warmth upon her skin. Drawing in a deep breath, a smile curves her mouth.

  Le'ro is known in this sector for its majestic forests and soft pink skies. Only a few trading posts exist on this planet, the rest is still wild and uninhabited land. I walk up beside her. "What do you think?"

  Sea-green eyes bright with tears stare up into mine, and her voice is thick with emotion when she speaks. "It's beautiful."
Her gaze drifts out to the forest again. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, her saddened expression disappears just as quickly as it surfaced, and she masks her pain behind a warm smile as she turns back to me. "In the entire time we were held, we went from one space station to another, but I've never been to an alien planet before. Let's go exploring, shall we?"

  I incline my head.

  As we walk through the trading village, I scan the area around us for any potential threats.

  Although I'm certain she is capable of defending herself, I have to force my mouth to remain shut even as everything inside me wants to demand that she return to the glider. Not that she would ever listen. Liana is both fierce and stubborn—a lethal combination in any female. A small puff of air escapes my lips as I smile to myself. I could no sooner make her do something she didn't want than I could get the planets to change their rotation around Mosaura's sun.

  Liana

  As we wind our way through the streets, people watch us with curious expressions. I try to ignore it, but it's very unnerving. I look up at Soran. "Why are they staring at us?"

  His eyes don't leave the crowd as he continually scans our surroundings, on alert for any threat to our safety. The only indication I have that he's heard me is when he answers. "Because of our close proximity during our sparring session earlier, you carry my scent. As a result, many of them probably believe we are a mated pair," he replies matter-of-factly.

  Remembering the feel of his strong muscular arms wrapped around me in the Drogev hold, my entire body flushes with warmth as my heart stutters an erratic beat.

  When we practiced, he leaned down to whisper in my ear, instructing me to calm my breathing and focus on freeing myself. For a moment, I'd thought he was going to kiss me.

  Recalling the memory, I subconsciously reach up to trace my fingers softly over my lips. That moment keeps replaying in my mind. Imagining the taste of his warm mouth, I know I wouldn't have hesitated to return the kiss if he had.

  Shaking my head, I push down my errant thoughts. After everything I've been through, I need to be focusing on finding my crew and getting back home. The last thing I need is to get involved with someone. Especially an alien. I can just imagine the look on my parents' faces if I brought Soran home to meet them. Scales, claws, fangs, wings, and all.

  He looks over at me, flashing his handsome smile, and warmth spreads across my cheeks. I know without a doubt he'd win them over, and my parents wouldn't care about his alien appearance.

  Softly biting my lower lip, I return the smile, and his becomes even brighter.

  Yeah, they'd definitely love him.

  As we walk along the crowded thoroughfare, I'm struck by just how much this reminds me of a Terran marketplace. The cobblestone streets are lined on either side with rows of small shops, while straight down the center dozens of open and shaded carts overflow with what appears to be various food and craft items on display. With tails, fangs, feathers, horns, scales, and wings, aliens of all shapes, sizes, and colors make up the crowd, many of them openly staring at us as we pass.

  One thing strikes me as curious and I turn to Soran. "There are several mated pairs," I use his terminology to get my point across, "that appear to be mixed species. Why do they look so concerned about us, if they think we're together?"

  Scanning for any hint of danger, he is ever vigilant, and his eyes continue to search the people around us. "Two reasons," he replies in a rather clinical tone. "First, they probably believe you are V'loryn, and it is well known that our species barely tolerate each other. And second, I am a big, strong Mosauran warrior." A teasing grin spreads across his face as he gives me a smug look. "A very impressive male indeed."

  I roll my eyes and laugh heartily. "You're not going to let that one go, are you?"

  My heart stops as his silver eyes meet mine and a devastating smile curves his mouth. "Never," he winks. "Because it is truth."

  A soft puff of air escapes my lips as I grin and roll my eyes again. "Okay then, big, strong Mosauran warrior, how about we find me some proper clothes?"

  He grins, gesturing to a shop two doors down. "That is where we are headed to first."

  As soon as we enter the clothing store, a feather-covered alien guy that looks similar to a large green and red version of a peacock moves from behind the counter immediately. He bows low to Soran, spreading his wing-like arms out to display the row of deep crimson feathers that line each one. "Oh, great Mosauran Warrior, how may I help you today?"

  Although his tone and expression are pleasant, I notice the tense set of his shoulders and the fearful look in his eye as he stares up at Soran. Tr'lani was right. Everyone fears the Mosaurans.

  Soran motions to me. "We are shopping for her today."

  The man cocks his strange feathery head to the side, studying me curiously. He waves a small scanner around my body, careful not to touch me. His green eyes are huge, like some kind of over-exaggerated cartoon character, but at least his face looks friendly, and I don't get any creepy vibes from him.

  "I have all the latest V'loryn fashions," he tells me proudly as he points to a vid display overhead.

  An entire lineup of muted-colored tunics and leggings appear on the screen. Tapping my finger to my lip, I stare at the selection but don't see anything I really like.

  Sensing my hesitation, he offers, "We have Aerilon fashions as well."

  Soran hands him the scanning chip with Tr'lani's measurements. "We will also need some Aerilon clothing for another female who is traveling with us. A full wardrobe," he adds.

  The man's jaw drops a moment before he quickly snaps it shut. “A”—he clears his throat—“full wardrobe, you say?"

  "Yes," Soran replies. He gestures to me. "And for my companion as well, once she finds something that is to her liking."

  His eyes go as big as saucers before he gives us a beaming smile. This must be similar to someone on Terra getting a big commission from a sale.

  The display changes to present a selection of brightly colored garments that appear to be made entirely of beautiful, shimmering silk. Like something straight out of a fairy tale and fit for a princess.

  I pick out several items for Tr'lani but don't really find anything that calls out to me, except for a bra. Apparently, they're one of the few species that have any need for them. While Aerilon clothing is undoubtedly beautiful, I don't want something for aesthetics. I need clothes that are durable and easy to move in. My gaze drifts to Soran, and I scan him appraisingly. I want the warrior look too. "Is there a selection of Mosauran attire?"

  The man's eyes dart to Soran and then back to me. "Yes, I apologize. I did not realize you'd wish to match your mate."

  My cheeks heat, and I start to correct him but stop when he spins to go to the back of the store. "I'll just gather the Aerilon items while you peruse the Mosauran selections," he calls out over his shoulder.

  I choose my entire wardrobe from the Mosauran clothing, and I love it. The fabric looks just like Soran’s—the same kind of dark metallic material. According to Soran, it's incredibly strong and resilient. Once I try it on, I find it's also surprisingly comfortable. These are the softest pants and shirt I've ever owned in my life. My boots make me a few inches taller, and they're really light instead of clunky like I'd expected.

  Once I'm fully dressed, it doesn't escape me how Soran's eyes travel discreetly over my form more than once. If he were Terran, I'd definitely think he was checking me out. But, he's Mosauran, so I cannot be sure. Maybe it's merely curiosity that someone so V'loryn-appearing is wearing Mosauran attire.

  After Soran pays the clothier, I watch as a drone takes all our packages to fly back to the glider.

  Satisfied that I have new clothing, I walk a bit taller as we continue through the streets. It feels good to wear something that doesn't look like an oversized nightgown. As we pass a mirror, I do a quick scan of myself, and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I look fierce in this outfit, and I absolutely love it.

  W
ithout warning, something large bumps into my back. I spin to find a mass of writhing green tentacles attached to what could almost pass for a Terran male's upper body. His eyes are wide with yellow, horizontal slit pupils that expand as he looks down at me.

  My mouth drifts open in shock. A cold, thick, slimy rope wraps around my knee, squeezing tight, and I cry out in alarm when I realize it's a tentacle.

  Fear and anger rush through me as I draw my laser knife and slice at another one snaking up my thigh.

  The alien shrieks and jerks away as his now-severed appendage slaps to the pavement with a sickening squelch.

  Soran spins to face me, his eyes quickly scanning the scene. His reaction is almost instantaneous as a primal roar rips from his throat, and he charges, slamming the male back against the wall.

  "Please, Mosauran Warrior, I did not realize she was yours. I would never have touched her if—”

  His words are cut off as Soran's large hand tightens around his throat. With a terrified expression on his face, he tries to speak, but only a wet gurgle escapes his open mouth. Writhing in panic, his tentacles frantically flex and extend but I notice he doesn't dare wrap them around Soran's body.

  Soran's scales flush a darker gray hue, and feral rage burns in his eyes as he glares at him, baring his sharp and deadly fangs. "Even if she were not mine, it does not give you the right to touch her without her consent."

  A sudden sting stabs my right shoulder, and I cry out in surprise. "Ow!" I look to the site and find a small dart. Shocked, I immediately pull it out, and my jaw drops when I notice the long, sharp needle dripping with blood.

  Soran spins to face me. "What happened? Are you—” The words die in his throat as his gaze lands on the dart in my open palm. His eyes go wide in alarm. In one fluid motion, he throws the alien off to the side, grips my forearm, and pulls me behind him, shielding me with his fully extended wings.

  Warmth spreads through my body, and the world begins to spin. My mind floats in a dream-like haze of pure bliss.