by Lisa Lace
“What about getting a job?�
“We can’t possibly let you go.�
I held up my hand, and they stopped talking over each other. “There is no one else who can do this. We just decided that. These people are going to go extinct if we don’t help them. What can be more important than preventing the annihilation of an entire race?�
“Jayne, it’s too dangerous.� My mother was getting frustrated. “It’s fine for other people. It’s not fine for you. You’re still my baby.�
“I’m twenty-seven. Weren’t you pregnant with Maria when you were my age, saving Dad from becoming nothing but a sperm donor? How is this any different from you?�
Mom and Dad looked at each other. “Think about this,� Dad said. “You’d be little more than a brood mare for these people.�
“I think it’s different.� I was highly insulted for myself and Arnon’s people. “Marriage isn’t the same on their planet. It’s forever, and there’s no divorce. They revere women. Did your investigators have anything to say about that, Mom? It sounded to me like they were telling the truth.�
Mom and Dad were tag-teaming me. “You’ve got to be reasonable,� my mother said, trying again. “The other women will be coming from situations where they don’t have any other choice. I’ve worked to give you options. You have your whole life ahead of you. You said yourself that you want to date and choose the man you’re going to love and marry. Why would you want to throw everything away like this?�
I thought about Arnon and his burning brown eyes. I remembered him saying that I was an angel and that I would be his. The memory gave me goosebumps all over again. Maybe I wasn’t as reasonable and self-sacrificing as I thought.
In the back of my mind, I thought Arnon would choose me if I volunteered. I wondered if he really would. Would a single kiss be enough to convince an alien to marry me?
I couldn’t tell Mom and Dad that. They thought I was foolish enough as it was.
“This is you saving the birds again, isn’t it? You have to overcome your instinct to rescue everything.� My mother shook her head. I appreciated that they were concerned about me, but I couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re ridiculous.� My voice said one thing, but my head thought something else. She was uncannily accurate with the bird reference. I preferred to think of them as angels, myself. “Saving an entire race is the complete opposite of wasting my life.�
“People, we have a plan.� My mother was pacing back and forth at the front of the room. All the executives who ran TerraMates were gathered for a meeting to discuss the Auxem project. “There are three steps. First, we will screen the women with the new mental fortitude test we’ve developed. Second, we will test them for the gene. Third, we will interview everyone and make sure they understand how their life is going to change.�
Heads nodded all over the board room.
“We will choose fifty suitable women to start. Jayne will lead them. She can supervise everyone and act as a liaison between Auxem and Earth.�
A few curious glances turned my way, but no one said anything. I was certain they were glad it was me going instead of them.
“Because of the permanent nature of the Auxem marriage bond, there will be a series of parties held where the women and men can meet and self-select a partner. It is important the pairings not be arbitrary or arranged by anyone else.�
A hand raised at the back of the room. “Why is that?� It was Aretha, the European division’s director.
Mom explained that the Auxem bonded for life. “Once twenty couples have self-selected, an official from Auxem will bond and marry them according to their customs. We want to make sure each marriage will be legal and binding on both planets.�
“Sounds all right so far.�
“The women will board starships with their husbands and return to Auxem. The couple will be given a few months to conceive naturally. If they have any problems, we will provide fertility assistance. After conception, the women will give birth on Auxem and begin their lives as citizens of another planet.�
My mom turned to look at me. I stood up, feeling nervous to be addressing so many people. I had to remember that I had trained for this position and I would be good at my job. I was going to take care of these women.
“That’s where I come in. The BioScans will be storing information about the brides, but we will need to send the data to Earth periodically. Along with the formal statistics, I will be gathering information about our women’s emotional and mental states. The plan is for me to report back, describing the women’s treatment and health care, as well the dynamics I see between each woman and her husband.�
“Jayne will provide essential information, helping the President to make an informed decision. Let me stress that this is a pilot program. We still need to figure out if we are going to allow more women to emigrate to Auxem.�
Aretha spoke again. “Are you are willing to take this position, Jayne? You said they. Shouldn’t you have said we? Are you going to be part of the initial program too?�
“Yes, of course. I’m willing. I volunteered.�
“Why would you do that?�
“How often does a girl get a chance to save a planet from extinction?� I shrugged and smiled at the female faces around me. Most were laughing at my joke, but a few showed concern beneath their smiles.
For the first time, I felt a twinge of fear in my heart. What was I getting myself into?
Chapter Four
JAYNE
The darkened room was set up with loud music and all the alcohol one could drink. Tables and booths were strategically placed to provide areas where people could have intimate conversations. The tables were protected from noise, letting couples talk without having to yell at each other.
There were supposed to be a hundred young, sexy Auxem men here, along with fifty pre-screened Earth women. Everyone was behaving the same way they did at a bar or a nightclub. People were talking, dancing, and getting to know each other. But there was an edge to all the interactions.
These were not people looking for a one-night stand. They were looking for lifelong partners. There was more at stake here than in a typical evening encounter.
I sighed and tucked myself back into the small, dark, booth I had found for myself. Bars weren’t exactly my thing.
In spite of my love for people, I was an introvert. If I had my choice, I would rather be at home curled up on the couch with a book than hanging out here. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. Even though the table provided noise protection, I was getting a headache.
With a start, I opened my eyes as I felt someone slide into the booth beside me. It was Arnon. I was so surprised that I couldn’t say anything for a moment. I had hoped he would be here tonight, but I hadn’t believed he would come.
In fact, maybe he wasn’t available. Maybe he was keeping an eye on things as the crown prince. If that were the case, it would crush me. In my fantasies, he was here, and he chose me.
I swallowed hard as seconds passed and my body began to warm up from the heat of his stare. He was wearing a suit that was fashionable on Earth, but he didn’t look comfortable in it. His jaw was square and his lips looked utterly kissable. He had short, dark brown hair that matched his mysterious eyes. I remembered that his body was exquisite. He hadn’t worn a shirt when he had sat before me on my bed. I couldn’t see any of it now, but I sensed it beneath his clothes.
“So,� I said, struggling to make small talk. “Why are you here?�
“The same reason as you, I suspect. Iâ
€™m trying for one of the Earth women.â€� He leaned back against the booth and looked gorgeous.
“Why would you do that?�
“Why wouldn’t I? It looks good for us from a public relations perspective, doesn’t it? The crown prince should be part of the initial trial. It will give people confidence.� He paused. “That’s what my father said when he suggested it, at least. He never wanted me to be part of the trials before. I think something changed his mind.�
I watched him carefully as he spoke. “Is that really why you’re doing it? Because your daddy told you so?� I never took my eyes off his face.
“Maybe not.� He casually ran his eyes up and down my body. “Why are you here?�
“I’m going to be the TerraMates representative in charge of this operation. I’m doing a favor for my mom.�
He stared at me curiously and shook his head. “That’s not why you’re here.�
I wondered if he could see through me. Did he know I had been thinking about him?
He grinned. “Perhaps you’re here for the same reason I am.�
My heart caught in my throat and a tingling sensation spread through my entire body. Was Arnon saying what I thought he was saying?
“Why are you sitting here in the corner, hiding?�
“I’m not.� I was hiding, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of being right.
“Were you waiting for someone in particular?�
I didn’t answer him, looking away and choosing to gaze at the sea of bodies on the dance floor. He leaned over and whispered into my ear, making me shiver in spite of myself.
“Were you hoping I would make you mine?�
I could feel my chest lift and fall with my rapid breathing. “Why did you come into my bedroom?� I asked, turning my head and looking in his eyes.
Just like that, I saw his face close off.
“I don’t know what you mean.� His eyes looked like steel. “I’m here to get through the first round of choosing. I select you, if you’ll have me. If you make the correct decision, I propose you arrange a date tomorrow to show me more of your world. If you turn me down, I’ll have to find someone else to bump and grind.�
I was shocked at his rude comment and irritated that he was closing me out again. But I felt drawn to him, in spite of his attitude. I prided myself on my ability to read people and being able to tell good apples from bad. With Arnon, everything felt like shifting sand. I didn’t know if I could trust my feelings about him. Was he a good guy, or was I being fooled by his looks and my attraction to him?
I didn’t know why he was pretending he had never come to my room. What was so terrible about his wings that he needed to keep them a secret? I didn’t like how he kept closing down on me, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to be with him. If I couldn’t choose him, I wouldn’t want any of the other aliens in the room. I heard myself agreeing to move into round two with him.
“Come to my house. We’ll figure it out from there.�
ARNON
After we had arranged the details of our date for the next day, I was at a loss for words. “Would you like to dance?� I asked.
“Of course.� I could tell she was trying to speak in an offhand manner, but there was a flush to her cheeks that belied her apparent disinterest. “We can make a stop and let them know that we’re moving on together.�
“I guess that’s a good idea.� I was surprised to feel my heart rate kicking up a notch at the notion. We were in an entirely artificial situation, but it felt like everything was moving quickly. Saying the words ‘round two’ made things feel official between us.
It bothered me that I had revealed my wings to a human when my father had explicitly told us to keep them to ourselves. They weren’t supposed to know about them until they bore the first generation of babies. If they knew the pain and trauma associated with flight, they would never agree to interbreed with us.
My first impressions of the humans were that they were a primitive descendant of the Great Race. They had certain noble characteristics and honorable sensibilities. An intelligent savage, one might say. I doubted they would ever agree to have half-human babies that went through pain and agony in adolescence. Would the result of flight be worth the price of suffering? It hadn’t been enough for any other race up until this point.
Protocol ordered us to keep our dual nature hidden at all times. Now I had broken the rules, by revealing myself to Jayne without erasing her memories. I had been stupid enough to think we would never meet again, hoping time and rational thought would make her forget me or think I was a dream.
She was beautiful, but I didn’t know her. I had no idea if I could trust her or not. Until she earned my confidence, I would have to play a game and pretend we never met. As soon as I saw her, I started losing, though. Everything I said to her was stupid and dangerous. She was making me lose my mind.
I thought of myself as calm and in control, and in almost every other situation I was. I didn’t let people get me angry. I measured my words and spoke deliberately. I made the correct decisions and was responsible.
As soon as I kissed Jayne, something changed inside me. I stopped thinking clearly and wanted her to remember me. Instead of playing it cool when we met at the dinner, I interacted with her.
Now I had volunteered to participate in the trial. My personal reasons were different than the reasons I gave in public. I held on to a flickering hope that Jayne would take part in the program with me. If we were fated to be together, our paths would be intertwined.
Instead of wandering around and talking with a bunch of different girls, I had come straight to her. I hadn’t made small talk or bothered to charm her. I had referred obliquely to our first meeting and demanded that she move on to round two with me.
These thoughts passed through my mind in an instant.
“Are we going to dance?� I repeated, holding out my hand. She looked at it, then at my face, and returned her gaze to my hand.
Finally, she smiled and grabbed it confidently. I pulled her to her feet and moved us toward the dance floor. A slow song had started playing. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms. She put her hands around my neck, and I held her waist. The pleasure of the single touch was indescribable.
“I don’t know what exactly you’re hiding or why you’re doing it.� Her words came out carefully and slowly. “But you can trust me, Arnon.�
It was the first time she had addressed me directly. Hearing my name on her lips felt electric.
JAYNE
Arnon’s hands rested on my hips. My eyes fluttered shut. It was a simple, innocent movement, but it was arousing when he did it. I loved the feeling of his hot palms against my waist. I wanted him to put his fingers on my back so he could pull me to him.
I remembered what his flat abs and hard chest looked like as he sat beside me on the bed. Something occurred to me now, though I didn’t think of it earlier. He didn’t have a shirt on at the time because he was flying. I stared at him, thinking about his wings and staring at his body.
He looked reluctant to say anything, but eventually asked me, “What are you thinking about?� I wondered if he truly wanted to know.
Should I say what was on my mind? I knew I shouldn’t ask, but I wanted to know everything about him, not just the polished veneer he showed the rest of the world. “I was thinking about how hot a guy with wings would look.� I held his gaze and saw his face grow wary. “It’s a shame I don’t know any.�
“I know we haven’t known one another very long, but if things go the way I hope, w
e’ll have many years ahead of us to learn about each other. I might have secrets I need to keep from you, but when I speak to you, it will always be the truth.�
Damn. “You should know this about me, Arnon.� I paused before continuing, trying to make sure I had his complete attention. “I can be trusted with your secrets.�
I gazed at him as he thought about my words, then rose onto my tiptoes, kissed him on the cheek, and walked away.
ARNON
I watched Jayne’s sweet ass sway back and forth as she left the room. I wanted to fuck her so badly that I ached. But there was a desire in me that wanted more than her body alone. I longed for someone who would fill the emptiness I had been living with for many years. I wanted the high that came from her presence. I craved it. I needed her. I had to have her.
If she didn’t want me too, I would have to win her heart. But how could I trust her with a secret that could cost us our treaty with Earth? Would anyone believe her story that the aliens had wings? I hoped not, especially since she had been in bed and half-asleep during her encounter.
Our planet was in a remote corner of the galaxy and, until recently, we kept to ourselves. We were far away from home now. Any stories about descendants of the Great Race with wings would probably sound like fairy tales.
We had started experiments on other planets, but we had not revealed any information about our wings. The fathers knew that they shouldn’t mention them to their offspring until the time was right. We called the time when our wings first emerged the excludunt. When the excludunt was imminent, the fathers would have to reveal everything and help their children deal with the pain.
I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Do you like what you see?�
“Mind your own business, Ayrie.� I didn’t bother looking away from Jayne’s retreating form.
“She’s just a human, you know. Are you going to bond with her?�
“Maybe.� I turned to look at him when Jayne disappeared. He handed me a beer. I took it, taking a long pull immediately. “What are you doing here? You’re not looking for a wife yourself, are you?�
