Miranda passed them both and made her way to the wall-sized porthole. She lowered herself to sit cross-legged in front of it and stared out the great beyond. Although it was dark with sprinkles of twinkling lights, it was beautiful out there. Truly breathtaking. Every time she looked out of one of the portholes around the ship, she couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. She was in space. There were so many people on Earth who would kill to be in her shoes. When she thought about it longer than a few seconds, her chest hurt with overwhelming fear.
What’s going to happen to us?
Lexi crawled across the floor, leaving the toys Omni had replicated for her behind. When she got to Miranda, she scrambled over her lap and slapped the window. Miranda lifted her to stand, supporting Lexi’s butt as she stood on unsteady legs next to her. Lexi pulled her fingers from her mouth and slapped them on the window, smearing it with spit as she giggled.
“I love this space adventure.” Adam picked up a crayon and worked on the picture he was making of Fanian.
Omni had made the colored sticks and something to draw on using one of the fabrication processors. Miranda couldn’t wrap her head around all the alien technology. She was too drained to even try at the moment.
“How long are we staying with robot Fanian on this adventure anyway?” With his tongue stuck between the side of his lips, Adam concentrated on his coloring.
Miranda winced. She still hadn’t the heart to tell him the truth. Maybe if she hadn’t killed hunters in front of him, it would’ve been easier to tell her son what really happened to them, and they weren’t ever returning to Earth again. If she told him now, after everything he’d seen, her boy would see her for what she truly was. A liar and a killer.
Fanian strolled into the kitchen and took a seat at the dining table, next to Adam. “Robot Fanian doesn’t know because robot Fanian didn’t think any of this through.”
“I think I like this adventure the best. I would’ve liked to meet Santa, though, but the space adventure is fun. We don’t have to sleep outside. We get to eat real food. We get to sleep in beds, and most of all, I don’t have to be quiet anymore!” The last sentence was said with his head tilted back and yelled loudly. “I can’t wait to tell Grams and Grand Da about space. Daddy will want to hear about this adventure too!”
“I’m sure they’ll want to hear about every adventure you’ve had thus far,” Fanian said.
Adam stopped coloring long enough to focus on Fanian. “Do you have a phone? Can I call them?”
“I don’t have an er, phone, but maybe when we reach the next planet, we can look for a one.” Fanian glanced at Miranda for help. It was painfully obvious he didn’t know what a phone was or how to continue the conversation.
“You know what? No more lies.” Miranda let out a breath and helped Lexi to sit. “Baby, we won’t be able to talk to your grandparents or dad again. I wish there were a better way of telling you, but we’re very, very, far away from them. Too far to call. I wish I could tell you that we’ll get back to them one day, but we can’t.”
Adam looked at her and blinked slowly. “What do you mean?”
“We won’t ever see them again.” It pained her to say it, but unless she planned to lie to him for the rest of his life, she had to come clean and tell him the truth.
Adam frowned. “Never again?”
Miranda scooted closer to Adam. “I’m sorry, baby. I wish there were a different outcome. I wish we hadn’t been abducted at the bus stop. I wish we hadn’t been taken to that alien planet, and I wish those aliens hadn’t been hunting us. You’re supposed to be going to pre-school and playing with your friends. You’re not supposed to be in space.”
He blinked a few times. Miranda recognized it as him processing information. She shouldn’t have laid everything on him at once. She should’ve eased him into it gradually, but she was so tired of holding in all the lies.
“Aliens are real? Like, outer space aliens in the movies?”
She nodded. “They weren’t robots in the campground, honey. I’m so sorry.”
“And we weren’t really on an adventure?”
“Oh, this is a real adventure, don’t you think?”
“And now we’re on a new adventure,” Fanian added.
Adam turned to Fanian. “We are?”
Fanian nodded. “We sure are. There’s an evil man who wants your mom, and we have to keep her away from him. We have to get her to safety. Do you think you can help me do that?”
“Is this for real or pretend?” His face was set in concentration. “I’m getting so confused.”
Miranda pulled her knees to her chest. “This is all my fault. I’m the one confusing him.”
“This is very real, and I need your help. Can I count on you?” Fanian said in a tone that was all business.
Adam straightened in his chair. “Yes! We have to keep my mom safe.”
He nodded toward Adam. “I knew I could count on you, co-Captain. First, I have to give you this.” Fanian pulled something gold from his back pocket and handed it to Adam.
“What’s this?” Adam asked.
Fanian glanced toward Miranda. “It’s a medal. It might not be exactly how you’ve described it, but it should be close enough.”
“You remembered what he told you?” Miranda whispered.
Fanian lifted a shoulder. “I tried to.”
Adam clasped the gold in his hand and let the medallion dangle. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry. It sparkled under the artificial lighting.
“Here, let me help you.” Fanian slipped it over Adam’s head.
Adam stroked the medallion gently. “This is the best medal ever. The kids back home are going to be jealous of me when I show this to them.”
Miranda closed her eyes briefly. Adam hadn’t understood a word she’d said about not returning to Earth.
Fanian clasped him on the shoulder. “You helped your mom and sister through all the adventures. This medal is a reward for a job well done.”
“Thank you.” Adam straightened his shoulders. “I’m ready to start our next adventure, Fanian. What do you need me to do?”
“We have to plot our course to the next planet to pick up some supplies. You can help me find the best one.”
Adam leaped from his chair. “You have to show me how to look at the star map, though. You do have a star map, don’t you?”
“Of course. Every good space captain has one.” Fanian stood. “When you get to the bridge, have Omni open the map for you. I’ll be right behind you.”
Adam took off, and Miranda slumped. “I told him the truth, and he still didn’t understand any of it. He didn’t ask about the alien planet, and he might still think you’re a robot. I know for sure that he still thinks we can go home.”
Fanian rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “He’s a child, Mishka. He doesn’t have to know everything right at this moment.”
“He’s going to ask to speak to my parents and his dad again. It’ll break my heart to have to tell him all over that he can’t.”
“When that time comes, you’ll be better prepared to tell him the truth. It doesn’t have to come all at one time. Take your time to tell him what you think he can handle.”
She nodded and rested her chin on her knees. How many times would she have to break the news to him before he finally got it? She let out a heavy sigh. She wanted to call her parents too. Maybe they would have some good advice about how to move forward in this new world.
“I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you. None of this is your fault. It was my choice not to hand you over to Az’ud, and I have to live with the consequences.”
“What’s going to happen now? He didn’t sound too happy.”
“He’s not used to being defied. He’s going to come after me to get you.”
So she wasn’t exactly safe after all. Last night had been her first good night’s sleep since before being taken from Earth. She didn’t know if it had been the soft hum of
the ship’s engine or Fanian holding her tight well into the night. All she’d known was peace. Now she understood that safety and peace had been short-lived.
“I won’t let him get you.”
“Do you have a plan about how we stay away from him?”
“He’ll find me sooner or later. His reach is long, and my face is easily recognizable. His employees will get a hit on me from the facial recognition program as soon as I pass their way.”
“So, my freedom is short-lived then.” She dug her nails into her legs.
He yanked at the end of the hair he wore back up in a high tail. “No. I wasn’t giving Adam busy work. I’ll find you someplace safe to live—a habitable planet where you can blend in and won’t stand out. I’ll give you enough credits to settle down and be comfortable. You’ll live a very happy life.”
She glanced at him, looking for a hint that he’d misspoken. He looked serious. “Wait. It sounds like you’re getting rid of us. Like you’re dumping us off.”
He dragged in a deep breath. “I’m not dumping you off. But we can’t stay together.”
“You expect me to raise my kids on an alien planet, all alone?” The words made her throat hurt. He’s abandoning us.
“The only way Az’ud can get to you is through me. We’ll have to part ways, Mishka. Never see each other again.”
Fanian got up and left the kitchen, leaving Miranda to stare at an empty doorway.
His words hung heavy in the air and heavy in her heart.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Stay close. Don’t wander off.”
Miranda let out an indignant snort. They were on an alien planet. She wasn’t letting Fanian out of her sight. For good measure, she gripped the side of his waistband, slipping her fingers against his skin. He startled, but hadn’t told her to let go. Not that she would’ve without a fight. Her other hand gripped Adam’s, and Lexi was secured to her chest in her carrier.
This planet was much different than Turolois. While Turolois looked very much like an uninhabited alien planet, this planet teemed with activity. There were so many different species, and none of them looked like her or Fanian.
She kept her death grip on his waistband and followed Fanian as he cut a path through what appeared to be an open-air market. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine being at any Farmer’s Market back on Earth. The smells and sounds reminded her of home. It was the visuals that were off.
No one seemed to pay them any mind as they weaved through the throngs of bodies. But even still, she adjusted the cloak Fanian had given her to cover more of her face. Fanian told her it was rare to see humans in this part of the galaxy, and although most wouldn’t recognize her as one, he didn’t want to chance it. According to him, the locals would think she was a Sket and would leave her alone since Skets were notoriously secretive and kept to themselves.
Fanian had given her a choice to stay behind, which she’d done when they’d visited the other planets they’d stopped at for supplies, but this time she wanted to experience life. Live. And that meant not hiding out on the Fortitude.
It’d been four days since Fanian had told her his plan to drop them off on an alien planet, and leave their life forever. It’d been five since he’d held her in his arms. Their relationship was…strained. Neither of them directly addressed the elephant in the room. They talked around it. Fanian had plenty to say to Adam, Lexi, and Omni, but didn’t fully address her. She didn’t know what to say to him either.
Thank you for not handing us over to Az’ud, but what the hell? Why would you think it’s okay to abandon us on an alien planet?
Last night, as she’d listened to Adam and Lexi snore and the white noise of the ship’s engine, she’d come to a decision. She could sit idly by while Fanian gathered supplies and talked to his contacts about what planet would be the best option for them to live on, or she could be instrumental in the decision making process. This was her life, and she was tired of having someone else decide her future.
She’d been confident of her decision up to this point. Visiting new planets was now her new normal, and she had to get used to being around aliens if she was going to live amongst them.
Aliens brushed past her as they walked by, and she wasn’t so sure. Every loud noise made her jump. Everything seemed to startle her. She kept thinking a hunter would pounce on her, or Az’ud would jump out from one of the vendor stalls and grab her.
“I’m having second thoughts. Maybe we should’ve stayed back,” she said under her breath.
“It’s too late to turn back now, Mishka. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ve got to talk to someone. Then we’ll be on our way.”
“What is that?” Adam tugged her, trying to get to a street vendor’s table covered with glowing blue balls.
She pulled him back. “We have to stay with Fanian.”
“But those look cool,” Adam protested.
“After we meet with one of my contacts, we’ll circle back and get you one,” Fanian said.
The vendor, an orange, thin person with short brown hair, wore a multi-colored tunic and matching pants. He called out and waved his hands, gathering a crowd around his table. When he had enough people, he held up the object, then let it go. It floated in mid-air.
As Fanian led them away, the crowd around the vendor continued to grow, and she couldn’t see anymore. If the “oh’s” and “ah’s” were any indication, the colorful balls were doing something expensive, and without any credits, to her name, she couldn’t afford it.
“I don’t know. Maybe we should just focus on getting information and supplies this trip,” she told Fanian.
She was already feeling guilty because, without her and the kids, Fanian wouldn’t need all of the supplies he’d been buying. He also wouldn’t be hightailing it out of this sector.
Fanian led them to another table. This one wasn’t as packed as some of the others they’d passed. The alien behind it was average height and covered in black and white hair. Peeking through overgrown bangs were small black eyes.
Fanian pulled down his hood as they approached the table. When the vendor saw Fanian, a smile splayed across his thin black lips. “Fanian!”
They clasped forearms and touched foreheads. “Senur.”
Fanian had explained the universal greeting, which was thumping a closed hand on the chest. Since this was different and seemed more intimate, she guessed this was a friend.
Senur inclined his head toward Miranda. “Who is this? A friend? This can’t be since I’m your only friend.”
Fanian released him. “That isn’t true. I have other friends.”
“Sure, tell me lies.” Senur chuckled. “Now, who do we have here?”
“Hi, I’m Miranda.” She should’ve released Fanian to give the universal greeting, but she was too nervous to let him go. Senur acknowledged her hand placement with a look and one side of his mouth angled upward.
“And this is Lexi and Adam,” Fanian added quickly.
“Skets?” Senur asked slowly.
“Yes,” Fanian replied.
Senur ran a hairy hand down his face. “Of course, they’re Skets, because I wouldn’t know how you would get your hands on a human family or why one would be with you. Because you wouldn’t do anything to get on the Okuthyu’s bad side.”
Fanian smirked. “You know me. I’m law-abiding.”
“Do I want to hear this story?”
“No.”
“Thank you,” Senur said with a sigh. “I’m too old for this kind of stress. Even coming from you. What can I do for you?”
“We’ve come for supplies, but mainly I wanted to know where a Sket family could live where they wouldn’t fall on Az’ud’s radar.”
“Ancients, Fanian,” Senur said, his jovial tone turned sour quickly. “What have you done?”
“Nothing you need to know about,” Fanian said. “Do you know of such a planet or not?”
“I really wish you wouldn’t have told me any of that.
”
Fanian turned them around, ushering them away. “Come on, I thought he could help, but he can’t.”
Before they could get far, Senur called out, “Wait. I didn’t say that I wouldn’t help. I’m just amazed how stupid you’ve become since you left the family business.”
“Family?” Miranda asked. She’d thought when Fanian left Naahrex, he’d also left any surviving family behind.
Fanian turned back around to face Senur. “It’s a long story.” When Miranda opened her mouth to ask how Fanian was related to this man who looked like one of those large, hairy mountain dogs, but who stood upright, instead of walked on all fours, Fanian added, “I used to work with Senur for his bounty hunting company. He took me in when I needed help. But we’re not about to get into the rest right now. We have other pressing matters.”
Senur pressed his comlink, and a star map appeared in front of them. He waved his hand in the air, pushing some objects out the way and expanding other parts. “You have to go to the AC-141 XM3 system, that’s where the Sket planet is. They could blend into that that sector and would miss anyone’s notice. Anywhere else might not work. But it’s going to be hard. Everyone knows Skets don’t live off-world. You’ll also need to get them Sket identities.” He waved his comlink at Miranda then pressed some buttons on it. “I see Omni has given them one, but it won’t hold up under scrutiny. You’ll need something better if you want to get them settled on a safe planet.” Senur glanced at Fanian. “What happened to the person who did your biomarkers?”
Fanian’s face turned murderous. “He’s working for Az’ud. Besides, I only used him because you weren’t available. Can you do them? I need the best. I need you.”
Senur puffed his chest out. “I’ll get working on them.”
“We’ll need new identities too. Both biomarkers and identities will need to hold up under Sket scrutiny. I thought if I could get them on Sigi, the Sket homeworld, that would be better.”
Senur laughed heartedly. “They look Sket, but a Sket will know immediately they aren’t, fake biomarkers or not. For one, they’re all lighter than a Sket. Their build, features, all of it matches, but their skin tone is way off.”
Hunted by the Alien Vampire: An Alien Abduction Romance (The Hunt Book 4) Page 19
