Dash

by Kelsey Nicole Price

  I rolled my eyes. “Are you serious right now? No, I’m not ashamed of you, any of you. It’s just that if fewer people know you’re here, that is a good thing. My friends are super sweet and I know they would love you, but it’s too big a risk to them and the three of you.”

  Dash crossed his arms over his chest. “If they are your best friends I want to meet them. They are important to you, so they will be important to me.”

  “If he stays. I stay,” Hester said as she moved to stand beside Dash.

  Reaper let out a sigh. “Well, someone needs to protect these two idiots. They think, because they met one nice human, maybe you all aren’t bad.”

  I tossed my hands up in the air as the pounding on the door got louder. “I give up.” Caia and Aria would not wait much longer. Pretty soon, they would be trying to bust in my door. “Stay put until I talk to them. Got it?”

  All three cyborgs nodded in unison.

  I walked to the door yelling, “Alright, alright I’m coming. Will you please stop trying to break my door in?”

  I threw the door open, but just enough for me to stick my head out.

  Caia and Aria looked at each other then back at me.

  Aria put her hands on her hips. “That’s how you’re going to answer the door to your two best friends—the two best friends you have been ignoring for weeks? Seriously? What has gotten into you, Iris?”

  I sighed. “I never meant to ignore you—either of you. I’ve had some major things come up and I haven’t been around much because I’ve been dealing with them. I didn’t want to drag the two of you into my mess. I know it’s not a good excuse and I’m sorry, okay?”

  Caia offered the first smile. “Why didn’t you say anything? You know we would help you with anything you needed.”

  I returned the smile. “I know. You two are the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for, but it isn’t only me involved in what’s happening. I had someone relying on my ability to keep quiet, well now I’ve got three, but they have banded together and are demanding to meet both of you. First, you must promise you won’t tell a single soul about what you are about to see. I am counting on you two, as my best friends, to keep your mouths shut. Understand? It’s a matter of life and death.”

  Aria offered her own sigh. “What have you gotten yourself into this time, Iris?”

  “Come inside and see for yourself. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. First, you both need to give me your word this doesn’t go beyond the three of us.”

  Aria crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine, you have my word.”

  Caia reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You have mine, too. Neither of us will tell a soul. You can trust us.”

  Opening the door all the way, I ushered my friends inside.

  Dash wasted no time. He stepped forward and held out a large, blue hand. “My name is Dash. It is an honor to meet Iris’s friends.”

  Aria stumbled backward, her mouth gaping as she wagged her finger toward Dash. “That’s a fucking cyborg!”

  “So are those two. The gray one is Reaper and the purple one is Hester.” I pointed to them as Aria’s head whipped around to see Hester and Reaper standing behind Dash.

  “How...how do you have three cyborgs in your living room?” Aria managed to get out, her voice raised in pitch as she took another step backward.

  Caia simply stepped up. She grabbed Dash’s outstretched hand, taking it with a smile. “My name is Caia and the one freaking out is Aria. It’s an honor to meet you, too.”

  Dash shook Caia’s hand beaming at her.

  Aria hissed. “Drop it Caia! You don’t know where that hand has been! Besides, just shaking its hand can get you arrested and killed for treason!”

  Caia rolled her eyes. “Stop it, Aria, you’re being dramatic. Can’t you see how awesome this is? Look at them! They are freaking incredible!”

  Aria shot Dash a glare. “Those things are dangerous!”

  “Yes, I am,” Reaper growled low as he walked around Dash to stand in Aria’s path. “and...he is not an ‘it’. We are not things. He has a name. We all do. It would benefit you to use them.”

  “Aria please!” pleading, I stepped between her and Reaper. “They are people! They think and feel like you and I do. Why are you being like this? I love you, you know I do, but Reaper and Hester are my friends and Dash, well Dash is more than my friend.” Taking Dash’s other hand, I interlaced our fingers together. I was claiming my cyborg.

  Aria’s lip curled. “You’re with it?”

  That’s it. My patience disappeared. “STOP CALLING HIM AN IT. HIS NAME IS DASH!” I screamed as my free hand curled into a fist. “You need to leave now before I do something I’ll regret.”

  Reaper’s fingers shot out, wrapping around Aria’s upper arm. “Iris no longer wants you here. It’s time to go.” He dragged her body to his and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder. A big palm casually smacked her ass.

  Aria yelped. “What the fuck was that for?”

  “You are acting like a child. You require punishment. Be grateful I don’t take you across my knee, unpleasant human.”

  Aria sucked in a breath. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  Flipping Aria back down from his shoulder, Reaper dropped her feet to the ground right in front of the door. His fingers snaked up and over her arms; his grip remained firm. Dipping his head, Aria’s eyes widened when the corners of his mouth twitched. “Try me.”

  Aria’s eyes flared even wider. She seemed to have regained her sanity. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean it. Everyone teaches us that even talking to a cyborg is a death sentence. I panicked okay? It was stupid and unfair. I’m not some cyborg-hater I swear. I might also have a tiny fear of things like ET’s and took it out on you. Look at you!” She flung a finger at Reaper. “You’re gray. I mean you’re definitely bigger than three feet tall but that skin color is really freaking me out.” She reached her arm out and held it at a level near three-feet high.

  I blew out a breath. “Let her go, Reaper.”

  Reaper leaned close to Aria’s ear. “One wrong move, and you’ll be over my knee.”

  Aria ran, not walked, to me before throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so sorry Iris. I freaked the fuck out. I made a mess of this. Please forgive me.”

  Aria extended her hand towards Dash. “I totally get it if you don’t want to take it. I lost my mind there for a minute. I’m truly sorry. You didn’t deserve that, none of you did.” She turned, her eyes meeting Hester and Reaper’s before looking at Dash again.

  Dash stared at her hand, then took it within his, giving it a quick shake before letting go.

  “Dash, it is very nice to meet you. Please ignore all the crazy shit that popped out of my mouth before.” Aria gave Dash a sheepish smile.

  Caia stepped beside Aria and tossed an arm over her shoulder. “You went full bitch Aria. Full. Bitch.”

  Aria’s eyes shimmered. “I get it. Not my best moment. Do you forgive me, Iris?”

  I swept her into another hug. “You’re lucky I know you so well. I know that heart of yours is big.”

  Aria shook her head. “Only the girl who cried at the moon would fall for a blue man.” She gave Dash the once over. “He is a very pretty shade.”

  I turned to Dash, flashing him a big grin. “You’re in.”

  Dash’s brows furrowed. “In where? And you cried over the moon? Why? I don’t understand.”

  I stood on my toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I mean you’re now part of our group. The moon? That story is going to take a while.” I felt my cheeks grow hot. I really didn’t want to explain to my cyborg that I once cried over the fact that the moon didn’t make its own light. I couldn’t help that I realized the sun was a greedy bitch.

  “You are turning that pretty shade of pink I love so much, Iris. Do you require my service again?” Dash winked.

  “He means sex, doesn’t he? Yep, he means sex,” Aria sighed.

  Caia smir
ked. “Do you think it comes out blue?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  *Dash*

  Iris and her friends sat around me and the other cyborgs. The blonde one had eased in our presence, seeming to accept us after her initial unpleasant attitude. I still didn’t trust her but I trusted Iris so I let the matter go.

  Reaper didn’t seem to agree. Every move she made he followed with precision, his eyes tracking every gesture and breath.

  I think Aria had gained a cyborg admirer. She didn’t even realize she held his attention like a moth drawn to a flame. I feared Reaper’s doom, but I would not be the one to tell him.

  The dark haired one, Caia, was smiling sweetly at Hester. Hester’s purple coloring flushing a shade darker with the girl’s attention. Hester may have boasted she had seen enough of blue dick to last a lifetime, but I suspected she had never wanted any one of them. It was the way Hester leaned a little closer Caia, a twinge of real happiness flickering in her violet eyes.

  Caia smiled wider, her body leaning in mimicking Hester’s. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful shade of purple.” Caia’s eyes went wide. “Holy hell! You sparkle too? I love glitter. Oh shit, I said that out-loud, didn’t I? Well, it’s true. Glitter is life.”

  Hester laughed. “My skin has an added iridescent layer but it’s more like fine mica powder than real glitter. So, I guess my skin would not be life as you put it.”

  “Mica, glitter—it’s all life. Trust me, I’m an expert, and your skin is perfect,” the words came out in a rush, ending abruptly when Caia turned away, her cheeks flushing not quite as pink as Iris’s did on occasion.

  For a brief second, I studied the color. Nope, the color did nothing to me. I only liked that color on Iris.

  “What are you going to do now, Iris?” Aria’s question turned the room serious. “You can’t keep Dash here forever. It’s not safe. For any of you.” Aria glanced at Reaper and Hester.

  “Are you questioning my ability to protect my fellow cyborgs and your friend?” Reaper’s voice boomed, his tone going flat as he glared at Aria.

  Aria crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. Her fear of Reaper gone for the moment. “I wasn’t asking you, Mr. Reaper, I was asking my friend. That question in no way implied your lack of competence. You can’t beat the entire Global Allegiance. There are only three of you.”

  In an instant Reaper was towering over the small blonde. “We are bigger, stronger, faster and smarter than any human. I dare The Global Allegiance to come for us. They would fail.” The big gray cyborg’s body leaned in closer almost daring Aria to continue.

  Tilting her head to peer at him, a finger shot forward poking Reaper right in the chest. “You’re an idiot. A big, fast, smart, strong idiot that may be, but an idiot all the same.” Aria gave him another poke. “You would put up an incredible fight, I’ll grant you that, but in the end, you would lose. They would terminate all three of you then toss you in the discarded parts bin without a second thought. Your arrogance will only get you killed faster. Be smarter than the enemy. That, and pray for more cyborgs to suddenly spring to life ‘cause three won’t be enough.”

  Tossing his head back, Reaper let out a laugh. “Good thing there are more than three then.” Crowding his body even closer to Aria, he turned his head and studied her as one eyebrow rose. “You’re pretty brave for a human. Have you forgotten my promise to take you over my knee?”

  Aria glared, her pale blue eyes rolling at the impressive gray cyborg. “Go ahead spank my ass all you want, it won’t change the fact I’m right. Why the hell do I care if you end up in a scrap pile somewhere?” Twisting her head around Reaper’s frame, she pointed a finger at me. “But the blue one over there is a different story. My girl Iris got herself a cyborg and I know that look in her eyes. Dash is here to stay. So, that leaves me with only one option. Trying to make sure you don’t get the people I love killed with your ‘I’m cyborg hear me roar’ bullshit. So, Mr. Reaper, take the chest beating down a notch and come up with a plan. One that works this time.”

  I couldn’t help it I was starting to like the tiny blonde one. I gave Iris a smile, “I think I like her.”

  Caia piped up. “Hey! What about me? Aria was the one who was a complete bitch when she first met you, but I dug you and your friends right away.” Caia turned, winking at Hester. Hester blushed, her purple cheeks darkening slightly.

  “Do not worry small female I like you too,” I tried my best to reassure the dark-haired one.

  Caia’s face lit up with my words. A rebellious thought echoed in my processors. These humans are my friends. Though I understood how forbidden and foreign having human friends was, I found myself rather liking the idea.

  *Iris*

  Reaper updated Aria and Caia about his grand plan to return to the secret Cyborg Liberation Front headquarters and take me and Dash with him which finally calmed Aria down. Then Reaper informed both they couldn’t come along. That started a brand-new argument, Aria once again going toe to toe with the gray cyborg.

  Reaper finally pulled out a device, shoving it into Aria’s hands telling her that it allowed them to communicate with me if they had to. I was sure he only did it to shut her up. My friend was pushing Reaper to the end of his rope. I didn’t think that was such a terrible thing. Reaper needed a challenge in his life to make him not so grumpy—maybe.

  Aria and Caia finally left, vowing to stay quiet and offering to help if we needed it. In the end, my friends meeting the cyborgs had gone okay. Hester and Dash seemed happy. Reaper was pacing, muttering that he could take down The Global Allegiance one-handed and how irritating Aria was to his cyborg senses.

  Sinking down on the couch, I quietly reached over and pulled Dash’s hand into mine. “So, when do we leave?” I swallowed trying to ignore the ever-growing pit in my stomach.

  Reaper’s whole ‘the cyborgs won’t like you’ comment hadn’t left my thoughts.

  Was I heading into the lion’s den? A den where pissed-off lions were; lions stronger than the average lion. Their favorite thing on the menu being humans?

  Reaper and Hester seemed to not mind me. Well, after the incident where they dragged me out of a truck and threatened to kill me, mind you. I couldn’t fault them. Reaper brought Dash back to me and for that, I could kiss the big, gray lug. Hester was rather quiet but she seemed to really dig my friend Caia so that worked for me.

  Meeting other cyborgs? I didn’t know if I was ready.

  Dash squeezed my fingers. I didn’t want to add to his stress. He was meeting a bunch of new cyborgs for the first time, too.

  Reaper halted his pacing. “I will instruct the pick up to take place at dawn. Hester and I will return to headquarters and prepare the cyborgs for your arrival.” Reaper tried a reassuring smile. It failed miserably. That cyborg needed to work on his ‘don’t worry it’ll be okay’ skills.

  I nudged Dash playfully. “What’d you say, Blueberry? Time for bed?”

  Dash tugged me to my feet. “I thought you would never ask.”

  “Keep your blue hands to yourself, mister. We have a big day tomorrow. We are just going to sleep.”

  “We will see,” Dash challenged.

  Reaper and Hester groaned in unison. “Thank the stars we are leaving, Reaper. I don’t think I could survive another night of listening to them have relations.”

  “They were awfully loud. They made my cyborgs ears ring.” Reaper tugged on his right ear.

  I ushered Reaper and Hester to the door. “Okay, time for you to go, now. Thanks for not liking me. Talk to you soon.”

  Dash’s laughter followed them out the door.

  *Iris*

  An hour later, my body rung dry from pleasure, I laid next to Dash. His body curled around mine, making me feel safe and well-loved.

  His arms held me tightly as he nuzzled his nose along my neck. “Sleep now, Iris, and dream for me.”

  Those words jolted through my brain. I recalled our dream-sharing the previous night. I
t could have been a fluke. A one-time freaky thing that might not ever happen again.

  As my eyes drifted closed I wondered what would happen if it wasn’t?

  Chapter Nineteen

  *Iris*

  I found myself in total darkness. Reaching around blindly, my fingers found smooth wood two inches above my face. My other hand found the same smooth wood on either side of me. I could only think of one place that would feel this way—a box. Someone had me trapped in a box. A person-sized box. Panic seized my chest as my breathing grew fast and shallow. Some part of my mind tried reminding me that the faster I breathed the more oxygen I would consume, but it fell on deaf ears. I was in a fucking box! A coffin. The world danced in my panic-filled brain sending more rapid breaths from my lips. My heartbeat increased and pounded in the small space as blood rushed past my ears.

  I curled my hands into fists and used all my strength to strike the top in quick, short blows.

  “Help! Somebody help me! I’m trapped in here! PLEASE HELP ME!” My screams bounced off the cool wood as I tried pounding even harder. Someone had to be out there. Someone had to have heard me. Please let them hear me!

  Finally, the top opened; my frantic pleas finally answered. Light flooded into the darkness. I blinked at the bright light, cool air brushing over me to dry the tears collected on my cheeks leaving a sticky, salty stain.

  A tall blonde stared down at me. Her features blurry in the light that framed her figure.

  I inhaled sharply, grateful for the fresh oxygen filling my lungs. “Thank you! I thought I was going to die in there!”

  The blonde offered no response so I tried again, “Thanks again, can you tell me where I am and what happened?”

  Still, the blonde said nothing. My eyes had finally adjusted to the light and I could make out her face. She was beautiful. Golden-blonde hair framed her face in soft curls that fell to caress her shoulders. Her eyes a pale sea-glass blue, making her ruby red lips stand out sharply on her face.

  Her perfectly shaped eyebrows raised slightly, the girl sneered in disgust, “He’s fucking blue. Ugh, I hate that color! It’s revolting! How am I supposed to fuck it when it’s blue?”