The Price of Discovery

by Leslie Dicken

  “Did she feel better afterward?”

  He shrugged. “I dunno, but her skin felt real good right then.”

  “Come on, Greg. Stay focused, will you? You’re like a damn horny rabbit.”

  He licked his lips. “Where’s my carrot?”

  Erin took several sips of her Coke. It was either that or kill him. “Did she like seeing the falls? Once you put the lotion on her?”

  “Said she’d never seen one before. Said they have rivers and lakes and mountains and stuff, but she doesn’t travel much where she’s from.”

  Erin’s heart kicked up a notch. “Did she say where she’s from?”

  Greg gulped more beer. “Nope. Just kept saying that the earth was a fascinating place.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She wrote the statement in her book.

  “Dunno.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Not really.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear and took another sip of her Coke. “Anything at all?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “To me, the weirdest thing is that she got very upset when I put on the condom.”

  “Oh, Greg…”

  “You said ‘anything,’ Erin, so I’m telling you something. Write it down.”

  “I don’t want notes on your sex life.”

  “It’s strange. You should realize that.”

  How well she did realize it. Her night with Drakor ended because he didn’t have one to put on. Hell, he didn’t even know what it was. “Maybe she just didn’t realize what it was, Greg.”

  “Well, that’s odd too, isn’t it?”

  Oh, yeah… “But maybe she’s on the Pill and so she wasn’t worried about you getting her pregnant. Or maybe she just doesn’t like the way they feel. Can we stop talking about this now?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t buy it. Not with the hell she was raising over it.”

  “So, did you give in to her?”

  “Hell, no. I don’t care what she says about only being able to get pregnant when she chose to, I’m not risking it. There’s no way I’m supporting a baby right now.”

  Erin looked up from her notes. “Did she say she could get pregnant when she chose to?”

  “Something like that.”

  Could Ankra really control her biological functions? No. She must have been referring to contraceptive usage. Either she was on the Pill or used an IUD or diaphragm. That must have been what she meant.

  Greg drained his beer. “Not to change the subject, but you do know that her brother really likes you.”

  “What makes you say that?” She bit her lip, hoping to stop the erratic heartbeat slamming in her ears.

  He gave her a grin. “Men can tell these things. Have you seen him recently?”

  “As if it’s your business, no, I haven’t. Not since that day you took him to the store. I haven’t been back over there.”

  But she needed to. She never did have that talk with Drakor about Mickey’s. Not that she gave a damn about the dance club, but she did need information from him. Or another chance to look around the house. Maybe she could get a hold of that tiny PDA-looking thing under the dresser.

  Greg lifted his eyebrows. “I’ll bet he’s anxious to see you. You should go back over there.”

  “What’s up? What did he tell you?” She narrowed her eyes. “Where did you go that day?”

  He waved the waiter over. “Another beer.” He turned back to her. “Drakor needed some things at the store and he needed a ride.”

  “So? What is the big deal? What are you gushing on about?”

  “Trust me. If he’s anything like his sister, you won’t be sorry.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  As much as she wanted to be disgusted at his suggestions, Erin couldn’t help the quiver that tickled her stomach. She remembered all too well the skill of Drakor’s fingers and tongue. The weight of his body and the firmness of his hard muscles. Hell, she hadn’t thought of much else since last Saturday night. Already shivers danced under her skin, tickling her nipples and warming her belly.

  “I’m not drunk. I just know when a man is hot for a woman.”

  She shook her head and sighed. “Oh, that’s great. So he wants to screw me. That doesn’t necessarily mean he likes me.”

  “Yeah, he’s a tricky one, but I think there’s more to it than that. I think you should go back over there.”

  Erin put the cap back on her pen. She knew she wouldn’t get too much more out of her brother tonight. “Even if I did go back there, we couldn’t do very much in that house with his whole family there, could we?”

  Greg laughed, his blond hair falling into his eyes. “So just pick him up and take him back to your place.”

  “What’s the matter with you? You think just because you have a new girlfriend, I have to have a boyfriend?” She closed the notebook and shoved it into her overstuffed bag.

  Greg leaned across the table and grabbed her wrist. “Erin, you need to get laid more than any person I know.”

  She put her nose in the air and yanked her arm away. “I have a story to do. If I go back over there it’s to look for evidence.”

  “Evidence of what?”

  She leveled her gaze at him. “Something out of Star Trek. Like a spaceship, perhaps?”

  “Is this what the Researchers gave you to take?”

  Drakor handed the bottle to his father, who stretched across the bed with a cloth on his forehead. Between the vomiting and the headaches, he grew more ill with each passing day. Father hadn’t been well enough to even speak to him for the last three.

  “Perhaps. They have different names here on Earth.” Father squinted at the words. “Builds and maintains strong bones.”

  “So it seems that humans need to have help with this sort of thing too.”

  “Yes. But I wonder if their dosage is the same. And since it was on the shelf at a local store, I’m guessing it must be optional.” He lay back again after the effort of speaking.

  “Probably because they still carry the gene to process it.”

  “Yes, probably so.” Father took the cloth and wiped it over his face. “Will you get your mother for me?”

  “Where is she?”

  “In with your sisters.”

  Drakor turned to go. It was difficult to see his father this way. Wasted and swollen at the same time. His life robbed by the very same drugs supposed to make him healthy. If only they could finish this mission and get back to Elliac. Perhaps the Researchers would discontinue Father’s medicines. Perhaps Father would listen to them.

  “Drakor?”

  “Yes?”

  “After you get your mother, go in and speak with Brundor.”

  His chest tightened. “Why?”

  “He and I talked and he wants to see you.”

  Drakor sighed and went to get his mother. Then, he entered the room he shared with Brundor. The lights were off and the room quiet. He could hear a few crickets singing in the distance outside, but nothing else in the room save for Brundor’s breathing.

  “Are you awake?”

  “Yes. Come in and shut the door.”

  Drakor pushed the door closed and leaned against a mahogany pole on his four-poster bed. He folded his arms over his chest.

  “I have convinced Father to let me go out.”

  “It’s a mistake.”

  “Why won’t you believe that I can control myself? You never believe me.” In the gray shadows of the room, Drakor could see Brundor thrust his arm in the air. “Father gave me this.”

  “You have a watch. Does it tell you the Earth time?”

  “Don’t know. Don’t care. All I know is that it permits me to leave this house.”

  It was a fool’s mechanism. Something they used during the Crossing to trick the mind into believing its power. If Brundor believed the watch would give him control, it very well could. “Are you going to leave it on when you come near females?”

  “I can control mysel
f around them, you know. I don’t even have to have this watch.”

  “You can’t possibly have the strength it takes to control your urges. Especially with your impatience.”

  Brundor sat up, his back to the open window. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me. Ask your girlfriend.”

  “What did you do to her?” Drakor’s stomach clenched. A surge of protectiveness rippled through him, startling him, and he had to grip the pole to hold himself back.

  “I didn’t do anything. That’s my point.”

  Drakor’s breathing increased to a pant. Adrenaline galloped through his veins. “Tell me what happened, Brundor.”

  “The other day you left and I saw her at the top of the stairs alone.”

  “And…” Control. He must retain control.

  Brundor shrugged. “I came up to her. I didn’t touch her, don’t worry. But I wanted to prove to myself and to you and Father that I could be near an Earth female and not touch them.”

  “I would have killed you.” Why did he just say that?

  “I know you’d kill to defend your Mharai. I’m not stupid.”

  “She’s not my Mharai.” Drakor forced the words from his lips. But his body fought his statement. He could barely contain the impulse to strike his own brother. Mates protected each other without hesitation on Elliac; it was as natural to them as breathing.

  Brundor relaxed again on his pillow. “Go on deceiving yourself. Every sign there is points to her. But it sure is some rotten luck.”

  Drakor sucked in a deep breath. “The Fates would not have done that. If I am to have a Mharai, she is waiting for me on Elliac.”

  “Okay, sure. So, when will you take me to that dancing club you and Ankra went to?”

  “What? I’m not going to…” He let the words die away when a familiar sound rumbled in his eardrums.

  Drakor took a step closer to Brundor’s bed, closer to the window. He saw a flash of dual lights and then they darkened. But the sound of the motor did not die away. He squinted and saw the vehicle swerve over toward the line of trees, rolling under their cover of darkness. Then, the hum ceased.

  “What are you looking at?”

  “It’s nothing.” But it was something.

  “Well, can I go?”

  “Yes, fine. We’ll discuss it later.” He turned away from the window and headed for the door. “I just remembered that I have a report to write up. Don’t wait up for me.”

  Brundor chuckled. “Better you than me.”

  Drakor slipped out the door and headed for the staircase. But his mother called to him.

  “Fetch your father a glass of that milk.”

  He stopped and turned to face her, his eyes hard. “What is milk, where would I find it, and why does Father need it?”

  The lines around her eyes deepened. She wrung her hands. “Drakor, please. We are doing all that we can to find a cure for the illness on Elliac and for your father.”

  “He should stop taking the drugs. That might work better than Earth food. Haven’t our bodies moved beyond processing nutrients through our mouths? Won’t eating and drinking make him worse?”

  She blinked several times and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “I believe he may be dying. He asks for the milk. It’s a jug of white liquid in the cold appliance with the door. Will you get it for him?”

  Drakor nodded, his throat closing. He proceeded downstairs to the kitchen. Why did his father want to go backward in technology instead of forward? Humans were so far behind in commerce, education, science, health. Elliacians died from only a handful of causes: prolonged exposure to the sun, old age, suicide from the embarrassing bone deformities, and the death of a Mharai. Though the latter stemmed from an ancient custom and a false belief that mates could not survive alone, most Elliacians continued with the practice.

  Drakor opened the door on the tall appliance and found the white jug of liquid. He filled a glass with the creamy sustenance and then his eyes caught the flash of a beam in the backyard.

  He went closer to the window and watched again. There. A small circle of light flickered through the trees.

  Drakor brought the drink up to his parents’ room and then, without a word, raced outside to follow the intruder.

  The warm night air enveloped him as he stole into the woods. His eyes could see better in the dark than a human’s and the three-quarter moon provided ample glow to lead his way. He crept up behind the person until he was nearly at the creek.

  It was definitely Erin. He could see the outline of her curved legs and the swing of her chopped hair. She held something small in her hand, turned it over a few times, and then dropped it into her bag. She turned to look behind her and he took a few steps closer.

  “Erin.”

  She jumped at the sound of his voice. “Oh, my God! Drakor, is that you?”

  “Yes.” He moved closer still. His blood pulsed. Awareness soared. “Did you lose something?”

  “Um…yes, a few days ago. I didn’t see it out front and so I thought an animal might have brought it in the woods.”

  He didn’t believe her. At the moment, it didn’t matter.

  Erin patted her bag. “I guess I should be going. I was trying not to bother anyone.”

  Drakor stood just a step away from her. Her scent crashed through him, bringing his arousal to full attention. “We never discussed the dancing club. You said you needed to talk with me for the article.”

  She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ears. “Oh, um, sure. I can come over in the morning or something.”

  Tonight. He needed to be with her tonight. Helplessness at his father’s illness, the lack of information on Alaziri, the aching knowledge of his birth anniversary only a few days away…Great Sun, he needed her warmth right now.

  Drakor cupped Erin’s jaw with his hands. “Perhaps we can go back to your home. Now.”

  Erin blinked up at him and licked her lips. “Um-I…”

  He rubbed his thumb over chin, paying no heed to the burn on his skin. “Erin, do you need me or not?”

  A shadow moved across her face. She stared at him without words, her gaze almost a question. But then she took a deep breath. “Yes. I need you. Let’s go.”

  Chapter Ten

  “Drakor, wait!”

  They both turned to see Ankra running toward the car. She had a small bag in her hand.

  He stopped but did not turn, his body tense.

  His sister pulled him away and Erin leaned against her car door. She didn’t know what Ankra was after but it was obvious what Drakor wanted from her tonight.

  His hand on her face, his intense eyes staring at her under the moonlight. Her traitorous body clamored for him. Having him over again was a huge mistake. And yet, like she thought before, it was just one night. Her three years of celibacy would be over. It’s not like she was going to give up her story, her career, her future over one night in bed with Drakor.

  Erin reached into her bag. Her fingers moved aside the papers and pens and closed around the small object she found near the creek. She’d probably would have never seen it if her flashlight hadn’t reflected off its casing.

  Small and rectangular, its surface felt slightly bumpy and somewhat plastic-like. There could be a light bulb inside, but what would this be used for?

  Drakor came up before her and she quickly dropped the item as if she’d been caught putting on her mom’s lipstick.

  “Ankra wishes to see your brother tonight.” An edge sliced through the words.

  She looked at them both, surprised. “Does he know she’s coming over?”

  Ankra shook her head. She appeared ready to weep.

  “I’m sure he won’t mind.” Erin moved out of the way and opened the door for her.

  They rode to Greg’s house in silence, though Erin couldn’t shake the feeling that Ankra was anxious and upset and Drakor was annoyed. But she didn’t dare ask either of them any questions.

  The street was quiet and the houses dark
when Erin pulled before Greg’s door. Good thing she had an extra key to his house since she doubted their knocking would wake him.

  The three of them slipped inside the foyer and Erin knocked on one of the walls. “Greg!”

  No answer.

  She took a few steps up the staircase and knocked again. “Greg, wake up. I have a surprise for you.”

  Still nothing.

  “We’ll be down in a minute,” she said to them and went up to the top of the steps.

  Erin banged on his bedroom door. “Greg. It’s Erin, wake up.”

  She pressed her ear to the door and waited. Damn, he could sleep through the implosion of his own house. She didn’t want to go in his room. What if he slept naked? Ugh. But since he wasn’t answering her, she didn’t have a choice.

  She opened the door and snuck inside the dark room. His loud breathing told her he still slept and she saw him stretched out on the bed, luckily under covers.

  “Greg!” she whispered, not wanting to startle him.

  He shifted on the bed but didn’t wake. Erin went next to the bed and kicked the mattress. “Damn it, Gregory Price, wake up!”

  “Huh?” He blinked at her, reached for something under his pillow and sat up. “Get out, whoever you are!”

  Erin’s heart lurched into her throat and she backed up to the wall. “Is-is that a gun?”

  He lowered his arm. “Erin, is that you?”

  “Yes. Why-why do you have a gun?”

  “Oh shit.” He shoved it back under the pillow. “I was hoping you’d never see that.” He raised his knees and leaned his elbows on them. “What are you doing here, Erin?”

  She swallowed, her heart still slamming in her ears. “First tell me why you have that damn gun.”

  Greg brushed hair out of his eyes and sighed. “A few days ago there was a break-in at the office.”

  “What?”

  “Not too much was taken. It just looked like some files were gone through and one or two desks had their locks picked open.”

  Erin let out the breath she was holding. “Why didn’t you tell me before? We even had dinner together and you didn’t mention it.”

  “I didn’t want you to get all worried about it.”