Fallen from the Stars

by Tiffany Roberts

  Vasil halted abruptly, tipping his head back to search the ceiling as though he’d see Kane crawling on it like a spider.

  “I suppose it was because of the private interests involved,” Kane continued. “When you have a staff of scientists and researchers working on what may be one of the most valuable resources available to man, I suppose you want to keep them comfortable.”

  Theo shook her head. “Someone couldn’t wait to be nosey.”

  Dracchus stopped immediately behind Theo and growled. Though he did not touch her, his presence was stifling. “How is he speaking through the Facility?”

  Before Theo could react, Vasil had tossed his container down, spun to face Dracchus, and swept Theo behind him, placing himself between her and the bigger kraken. “Back away from her, Dracchus.”

  “She needs to answer, Vasil. This is our home. We cannot allow such things to happen without explanation.”

  Theo placed her hands on Vasil’s back. His tense muscles twitched beneath her palms. “Vasil, it’s okay. Calm down.”

  “She is mine,” Vasil said, not looking away from Dracchus. “I will tolerate no threat to her, no matter how small.”

  A thrill swept through Theo at Vasil’s words — his claim.

  Dracchus grunted. “Then let her explain. How is your computer speaking through the Facility?”

  Theo massaged Vasil’s back in a vain attempt to ease his tension before stepping around him. She inserted herself between the two kraken. She wasn’t threatened by Dracchus — if he’d meant to harm her, he would have, and Vasil would never have brought her into this situation if he truly feared for her safety.

  Vasil tightened the tentacle around her waist and settled a hand upon her shoulder.

  “Kane?” she prompted.

  “It’s quite simple, really,” Kane said from above. “All implanted AI of my generation are equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers to broadcast and receive information, primarily through the networks used and maintained by the IDC. These networks are typically—”

  “He can connect to other electronics through the air,” Theo said. “Basically, he can talk to anything else that has a computer, as long as it has the capability to send and receive signals.”

  Dracchus’s brows fell low. “And this is…all invisible?”

  “To us, yes. Not to Kane.”

  “This Facility is quite outdated,” Kane said. “All of its security is long expired under IDC regulations, even the protection on the top-secret data, meaning I do not require clearance to access any function of this Facility.”

  “Look,” Theo said, lifting her hands to waist level, palms up, “I know you don’t trust us, but we really wouldn’t do anything to hurt you or the rest of the kraken. And Kane would never do anything that would endanger my life. If you have questions about anything the IDC did here, Kane can access that information for you.”

  “While we are here, we will help in whatever way we can,” Kane said.

  Dracchus’s frown, which seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face, deepened slightly, and he studied Theo for a long while. Finally, he nodded.

  Vasil lingered in place for another moment before guiding Theo to turn around. He collected the container and continued down the corridor alongside her, holding her a little tighter, a little closer, than before.

  “Speaking of endangering,” Kane said through the neural link, “there are some concerning results to the preliminary diagnostics I’ve run.”

  What’s wrong? she asked.

  “The most concerning matter is that there’s something off with the air filtration and reclamation system. I’ll need a little more time to run full tests. I don’t want to alarm anyone yet, but there may be a component failure in the near future.”

  Are we safe?

  “Yes. I will look into it, and we’ll talk after you get some rest, if you want.”

  Thank you, Kane. Do what you need to do and let me know.

  She trudged onward beside Vasil, forcing her legs to move; walking was no easier than it had been when she first arrived, but her body adjusted to the strain of it well enough to numb her to the pain. They wound through a few similar-looking corridors, passed several signs denoting different specialized rooms, and finally entered a tunnel with large windows looking out into the dark water. Seeing the metal walls of the next building, cast in white light amidst the darkness, made her think of space.

  How many times had she seen views like this on starships and space stations? Just a bunch of metal set in a fathomless patch of nothingness, less than a speck in the eyes of the universe.

  She suddenly found herself missing the little stretch of beach she’d shared with Vasil. It’d had its discomforts, its dangers, but it had been warm, alive, and beautiful — a little slice of paradise she’d never known she wanted.

  The tunnel led them into the next building, designated the CABINS by the sign near the entry.

  The difference was immediate when they turned down the first hallway; everything was a little smoother here, a little less rigid. The lines and contours of the walls were more pleasing, and even the coloring was subtly warmer. After a short trip down the hallway, that coloring became vibrant; countless paintings adorned the walls, ranging from intricate patterns to almost photo-realistic depictions of plants, the ocean, and strange animals the likes of which Theo had never seen.

  “These were done by Arkon and Aymee,” Vasil said.

  Theo started and turned her head toward him. She hadn’t realized she’d stopped to look at the paintings until he’d spoken. She really needed to get some sleep.

  “They’re beautiful,” she said.

  Dracchus moved past her and continued down the hall, stopping a few doors down. He glanced back at Theo. “My mate, Larkin, prepared this den for you.” Shifting his container to one arm and a tentacle, he pressed a button on the wall, opening the door before him.

  Theo and Vasil moved down the hall to join Dracchus.

  She peered into the room, and her brows nearly touched her hairline. “This…is ours? All of this?”

  “Yes,” Vasil replied. “Ours.”

  His tentacle slipped away as Theo crossed the threshold and gazed around in awe. Though the room she’d had in that last orphanage had been furnished with fancier décor, this place was even better. It was larger than the apartment she’d lived in with her mother, and even if the furnishings weren’t top-of-the-line, they looked practical. Either way, this was a far cry from the cramped bunks she’d shared with other IDC crewmen on-ship and the tiny, often dark rooms she’d slept in while living with Malcolm.

  Hell, just this bed alone was awe-inspiring — it looked like it could fit two people comfortably, maybe four if they squeezed together. And there was another door in the corner leading to a private bathroom; she’d never had her own bathroom. She hurried over to it.

  “Oh my God, is that a shower?” she asked, looking at Vasil over her shoulder.

  He set the container on the floor at the foot of the bed and turned to her, smiling. “Yes. The other humans are fond of them.”

  “They enjoy the hot water,” Dracchus said as he entered the room and placed his container beside the first. “I do not understand why it is so important, but I will not deny my mate her enjoyment of it.”

  “Oh, you know I’m about to enjoy the shit out of it,” Theo said, running her fingers over the circular control at her chest. The diving suit sagged. “Right after I take a long-overdue piss.”

  She yanked her arms free and shoved the suit down her body as she hurried into the bathroom. It didn’t matter how hungry and tired she was, or that her legs could collapse beneath her at any moment. There was hot water, and she needed to empty her abused bladder.

  “Dracchus, out,” Vasil shouted behind her.

  Dracchus grunted in response, and a moment later, the door whooshed closed.

  Vasil’s hearts thumped, and his muscles were stiff with tension. He turned back toward the b
athroom only after Dracchus had exited the room and the door was shut. For kraken, nudity had never been an issue — it was simply their natural state of being. Clothing could be a hindrance in water, and the usefulness of their innate camouflage far outweighed any benefits a piece of clothing could offer. Despite that, the thought of another male seeing his mate bared was unacceptable to Vasil. He’d not realized her lack of inhibition regarding her body could be problematic until now; she was for him only, and he cared about who saw her even if she did not.

  Theo had already climbed into the shower stall and closed the glass door. She turned on the water and moaned in pleasure as it cascaded over her chest. Billowing steam filled the air, fogging the glass and, frustratingly, hindering his view of her.

  He moved into the bathroom, hoping to see more, but the steam was too obscuring. It reduced Theo to a blurred image, hands on the wall beneath the shower nozzle and head bowed to let the spray run over her hair and body.

  “Oh, this is good.” She moaned again; her throaty sounds were similar to those she sometimes made during sex.

  Vasil’s blood heated, but he allowed himself to move no closer to Theo. He was exhausted — he’d spent two days traveling between the pod and the Facility without rest, leaving his muscles rubbery and uncertain. More importantly, she was exhausted. She’d been leaning on him rather heavily after they entered the Facility, and he knew she’d pushed her body to its limits well before their arrival.

  Caring for his mate went well beyond their couplings; she needed food, water, and rest.

  He forced himself out of the bathroom, casting a last glance over his shoulder at her indistinct figure before turning his attention to more pressing matters.

  A table with a pair of chairs stood against one wall in the main room, and Larkin had left a tray with fresh fruit, cheese, and several strips of smoked fish atop it. He would have to thank her and Dracchus for their thoughtfulness later.

  He took one of the glasses from the table and filled it with cold water at the bathroom sink. If Theo noticed him enter again, she made no indication; she remained in the same position she’d been in when he left, hands pressed to the wall. The ventilation system had kicked on, sucking most of the steam out of the air through an opening on the ceiling.

  After placing the glass of water beside the food tray, he went to the upright box of drawers — he believed the human term was dresser — and checked its contents. Clothing of varying colors and materials, all neatly packed and folded, filled the drawers. He hoped Theo would be happy having something to wear other than form-fitting body suits, even if he preferred to see all her delectable curves accentuated as often as possible.

  Now that he thought about it more, perhaps it would be best if she wore baggy, ill-fitting clothing whenever there was a chance of anyone else seeing her.

  No…she is beautiful, and everyone will know it. She should not be hidden.

  “I am being a jealous male,” he muttered as he turned away from the dresser.

  “There’s nothing wrong with a little jealousy,” Kane said softly through an unseen speaker. “It means you will fight all the harder to protect her. So long as you keep in mind that she is not a thing for you to possess, I don’t see a problem.”

  Vasil frowned, unable to keep himself from glancing up in search of the source of Kane’s voice. For as long as he could remember, only the Computer had spoken through the Facility in such a fashion. There had been ghosts — holograms — summoned from time to time, all of which spoke with their own voices, but they were always isolated things, so real and immediate that it almost seemed as though they could be touched. Kane was disembodied and seemed to permeate the whole place. Did he see all, hear all?

  “I know she is not a thing,” Vasil replied. “We have chosen each other, given ourselves over to each other. She is mine as much as I am hers.” He moved to the foot of the bed and spread his tentacles, easing himself down.

  Kane did not immediately respond; the only sound in the room was that of running water from the shower — a steady spray accompanied by heavier splatters as it ran off Theo’s body and hit the floor.

  “Will she be safe here, kraken?” Kane asked.

  “Why do you ask with that tone?”

  “I have seen surveillance footage I find somewhat alarming.”

  “I do not know some of those words,” Vasil said, furrowing his brow.

  “Images captured by cameras in this facility. I’ve seen much of what’s happened here between humans and kraken.”

  “That was from long ago,” Vasil said. “She is safe.”

  “Some of it was not that long ago — about two years, to be exact. That’s hardly a long time. It took place only a few corridors away from here. I’m sure you remember, as you were there.”

  Vasil’s mind flashed back to the battle against Neo and the exiled kraken who’d come back to murder the humans; the hallway had already been a bloody mess by the time Vasil arrived, and he’d added more blood to it. “It was a long time ago for us. We have moved on since then. I will not be dishonest and tell you everything is perfect, but the hatred our people held for humans has passed. I fought to defend the humans who’d come to live with us.”

  “I only want her safe.”

  “Her safety is the main reason I brought her here, Kane.”

  The computer made a sighing sound. “I know you would not knowingly place Theo in danger. I just…worry for her.”

  The flow of water ceased, and Vasil listened as the shower door opened. Theo’s feet padded across the floor. She emerged from the bathroom a few moments later, skin pinkened by the hot water and damp hair loose around her shoulders, clad only in a towel.

  She smiled as she approached Vasil. “I’ll be using that often.”

  When she reached him, she brushed her hand over his jaw. Her touch was warm, but before he could lean into it, she pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed. With a groan, she flopped onto her back.

  Theo stretched her arms to the sides. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to get back up.”

  “You should.” Vasil’s eyes dipped to her thighs; her towel had ridden up to reveal more of her soft, pale flesh, flooding him with desire. He clenched his jaw for a moment to swallow down that craving, well aware of how quickly it could consume him. “There is food and water; eat and drink before we sleep.”

  She grunted, forcing herself to sit up. “What kind of food?”

  He met her gaze, and the sight of her face allowed him to quell his desire; though she was as beautiful as ever, the dark circles under her half-lidded eyes were a stark reminder of how tired they both were.

  Vasil rose and moved to the table, collecting the food tray in one hand and the glass of water in the other before returning to her. He held the laden tray to her in offering. “This kind.”

  “I think I just orgasmed in my mouth.”

  His brows lifted, and Vasil opened his mouth to reply, but he found no words.

  Theo plucked a piece of cheese from the tray. “Is this cheese? Real cheese?” She tossed it into her mouth before Vasil could answer and moaned, closing her eyes.

  Once again, the sound was like those she made when she was climaxing. It only heightened his confusion, given what she’d just said. Was it possible for such a thing to happen in a human’s mouth? Was that why they were so fond of kissing?

  Theo opened her eyes and laughed. “You should see your face right now.”

  “I am far more content seeing yours.” He tilted his head. “Can you really…?”

  She laughed harder and shook her head. “No. It’s just…so good. Think of it as…over-stimulation of the senses. Everything is just more. It’s just an expression.”

  “I understand.” He set the tray down on the bed beside her and passed her the glass. Once she’d accepted it, he plucked a strip of fish from the tray and took a bite.

  Theo ate quickly, though her soft sighs and moans suggested she was enjoying the tastes despit
e her speed. Before long, she’d eaten most of the food and emptied her water.

  Vasil took the tray and the empty glass back to the table. When he turned back toward Theo, she was already laying on her side with her head on a pillow, the covers drawn halfway down the bed with her feet tucked beneath them— as though she couldn’t have been bothered to cover herself any further.

  His eyes swept along her bare thighs and up to the markings on her arm before settling on her face. Her eyelids were shut.

  Frowning, he moved to the other side of the bed and pulled the covers down the rest of the way. He climbed on beside her, wrapped her in his arms and tentacles, and drew her back against his chest. He released his hold on her only long enough to pull the bedding over their bodies.

  She sighed softly and covered one of his arms with her own, curling her fingers over the webbing between his fingers.

  “Will you be happy with a human mate?” she asked sleepily.

  Vasil pressed a gentle kiss to the hair atop her head. It took him a moment to realize that she’d fallen asleep immediately after her question. He brushed his nose over her temple and laid his head down, inhaling her scent.

  “I already am,” he said softly, holding her tighter.

  Chapter 14

  Theo’s body felt like one big bruise when she woke. She stretched and groaned softly, only to still with the sudden realization that she wasn’t reclining on a seat in the pod but lying on a large, comfortable bed in the embrace of a large, cuddly kraken.

  Smiling, she opened her eyes. A small illuminated strip on the wall over the bathroom doorway provided the only light in the room, glowing just brightly enough for her to see the furnishings in fuzzy shades of black and gray. She tilted her head back and looked at Vasil’s face. His eyes were closed, his features relaxed in sleep. He didn’t react when she lifted a hand and brushed her fingers along his jaw.

  Heat radiated from his body, and hers absorbed it greedily. The towel she’d gone to bed wearing had come undone sometime as she slept, allowing their bodies to touch without barriers. She loved the feel of his soft, velvety skin against hers, and at that moment, she wanted nothing more than to run her hands all over him.