Starcrossed: Perigee - A paranormal romance trilogy

by Tracey Lee Campbell

  Perusing the menu, I remembered Jomi's request to keep an eye on Olaf's diet. None of the items on offer seemed very healthy choices. I figured it probably didn't matter anyway, at least this once. After his life or death battle with crazed alien creatures, death by an artery-clogging burger would be a comparatively pleasant way to go.

  Aric arrived and we ordered from the simpering waitress. He appeared oblivious to her admiring glances. I pressed my lips together and concentrated on the menu; if this was going to happen every time we went out I was just going to have to get used to it.

  While we were waiting for our order I took the time to visit the restroom. Splashing water over my face and raking my fingers through my hair, I studied my reflection. I felt exhausted and the mirror confirmed it. I really needed a shower and a good, uninterrupted night's sleep. We had a way to go before we got to the cabin, and I considered whether we should just stop off for the night at a motel, but the urge to get to our home and start our new life was stronger than the need for sleep.

  Olaf was tucking into a massive burger when I got back to the booth. He'd already finished his fries. I wondered where he put it all.

  Aric scooted over so I could sit. "Feeling better?"

  "Much," I said, and dug into my grilled cheese sandwich.

  "Olaf has decided to leave us here and get back to Jomi."

  "Oh!" I presumed he would be coming all the way to the cab, but then, that had been the plan when he'd been driving us; there was really no need for him to go any further.

  "Jomi will be worried. There's a phone outside. I'll give her a call. Let her know my plans."

  I was a little sad he was leaving us, but I understood. He had a life to get back to.

  "I think I'll find a lift to Evanton and hire a car from there."

  "You be careful then," I warned. I'd overheard some diners talking about a couple of gruesome murders in Evanton the night before. The bodies had been ripped apart. I believed it was no coincidence the murders had happened on the same night gargoytes had been in the area.

  Amazingly, Olaf finished his meal before we'd even gotten through half of ours.

  "I'm going to go call Jomi now." His eyes sparkled with anticipation. He missed her, and I thought it was sweet. I wondered if Aric would feel the same way about me after twenty one years together. Olaf headed out the door to the payphone.

  "It is safe for him to phone, right? I mean, if someone tipped off the Innaki last night, then they might know about Jomi's place..."

  Aric frowned and swallowed the last bite of his sandwich. "If he's quick enough he won't be traced."

  "Who do you think tipped them off?" It was the first time I'd had a chance to ask him without Olaf around. There were a limited number who knew of our plans, and they were all either Aric's friends or family members. I couldn't imagine how he must feel knowing one of them may have betrayed us.

  He took a sip of his cola, his knuckles whitening as his grip stiffened around his glass.

  "I don't know yet. It's something I'm going to have to look into." He frowned at the table, his thoughts his own. Eventually, his fingers relaxed, and he placed the glass back on the table with a gentle thud and looked at me.

  "But you don't have to worry about it." His smile was forced.

  "Don't treat me like a child, Aric," I reminded him. "We're a team now. Well, a partnership. Your problems are my problems, and... vice versa."

  To say my problems were his problems was an understatement. He had well and truly taken me under his wing and it was a huge and dangerous burden. I would feel much happier about relying on someone if it was a mutual arrangement.

  He held up his hands and grinned, unwilling to be drawn into an argument. "I'm not treating you like a child! I'm just..." He shrugged, unable to think of a placating answer.

  "Babying me." I finished for him.

  "No, really, I just don't want you to be worried. Leave it to me. Just... relax."

  He moved closer, his lips brushed against my hair. "Don't worry about a thing..."

  Almost too late, I recognized the lilting tone of a whisper. Shaking the fog of warmth from my head, I sat up straight and pierced him with an accusing glare.

  "You were whispering!"

  He had the good grace to look rather guilty, but then he shrugged and met my gaze.

  "I told you, I don't want you to worry."

  I brushed off his reply. "Aric, this will never work if I know you will do that to get your own way whenever you want."

  His head jerked up quickly, and his face was filled with guilt again. This time, his remorse was heartfelt. He hadn't quite realized the implications.

  "You're right, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking right. I was just trying to protect you." He shrugged, but looked straight into my eyes. "I'm hardwired to keep you from worrying."

  "This is worrying me! Promise you won't do it again."

  His head tilted slightly, and his half smile was kind of bashful. He was adorable.

  "I'm sorry," he said. "I promise you I will never do the whispering thing on you again."

  I gave a curt nod, and tried not to look too smug.

  Unless it is absolutely necessary, he amended, his words in my head.

  "Aric!" I wailed.

  "But there may be times when I have to do it. Look at the implant operation. You needed it then." I folded my arms across my chest and refused to look at him.

  He sighed. "Two things you need to remember. I won't lie to you, and I won't make any promises I can't keep."

  I slumped back against the bench. I guess I couldn't argue with that. There was no use forcing him to keep a promise he felt he couldn't. We'd have to compromise.

  "Okay then. Promise me you won't ever do it without my permission."

  He thought for a second then gave a little shrug. "Okay. That I can promise."

  "Good," I answered, feeling pleased with myself. I thought I handled the situation pretty well. I unfolded my arms and busied myself with tidying my place at the table. I didn't dare meet his eye - he'd know I was feeling victorious.

  He leaned closer, his arm snaking around my back.

  "So," he said, his lips poised once again near my ear. "Are you still angry at me?" His lips grazed the skin below my ear, and I shivered expectantly, goose bumps emerging on my arms. I was smiling like a Cheshire cat, and I was sure I'd be blushing too, but I wasn't about to protest this time.

  He traced a line to my jaw with his lips, his touch light and tantalizing. I leaned into him, turning my face in an unspoken sign of approval.

  "I take it that's a 'no' then?"

  I was confused for a second. "'No'?" I didn't think my body language was saying 'no'.

  "That's a 'no - you're not angry'." He explained, managing to speak and kiss my neck at the same time.

  I grinned, feeling rather dazed. "No, I'm not angry at you."

  He paused and lifted his head, his smile only inches away. "This is all natural, by the way. No whispering involved."

  "Really? Well, your technique is superb. I'm impressed," I informed him. He grinned and moved on to kissing my lips. I was nearly undone - euphoric and light headed; I forgot we were surrounded by people.

  "Yuck."

  One of the kids from the booth in front of ours brought me to my senses. I looked up to see a little boy kneeling on his seat, his arms hanging over to dangle where Olaf had been sitting. He screwed up his face and stuck out his tongue.

  Aric laughed and sat up again.

  "Sorry," he said with a grin, as much to me as to the little boy. I blushed deeper, coughed uncomfortably and set about straightening my ruffled appearance. I was in trouble if Aric could reduce me to a trembling spaced-out mess even without the whispering. I wondered if he was feeling as dazed as I was. I glanced up to see him staring at the front door, his expression stony.

  "God, I've done it again. Lucy, get up, quick."

  "What is it? Not the Innaki again." I felt the blood drain from my face, but sh
uffled out of my seat. Aric quickly stood up and positioned himself in front of me.

  "No, not the Innaki. It's Olaf. He was too long on the phone."

  As he spoke, the door burst open, and I was horrified to see Olaf being dragged into the diner, a gun held to his head by a Tweedle brother. Two more Tweedles came in behind him, positioned themselves on either side of the diner. They were armed with shotguns. The Tweedle twins had become triplets and there was no sign of the damage our wyk balls had inflicted in the elevator.

  I caught my breath as Smith strolled in casually after them, stopping in the doorway to survey the scene before catching sight of us at the back of the diner. He took a couple of steps into the room, holding up a badge to the terrified, surprised patrons.

  "FBI. Nobody move." The murmuring continued, minus the screams. The diners cast anxious glances at each other as they tried to grasp what was going on.

  "Silence!" Smith's voice brooked no argument. The voices ceased immediately. He turned to face us.

  "Don't bother with your circus tricks," he said. "As you are well aware, these boys are immune to them. Especially the one with your friend there." He motioned towards Olaf, then his eyes narrowed on Aric. "And I've been well trained."

  Olaf was struggling with the Tweedle who had an arm wrapped tight around his neck. Even with his massive size, Olaf was no match for the freaky strength of the hybrid machine. His struggles proved useless, and the Tweedle just shoved the gun harder into his head.

  "Don't worry about me," Olaf wheezed. "Just get her out of here!"

  Smith took a couple of casual steps forward, his hands retrieving a cigarette from a packet.

  "Your friend has a death wish," he said as he lit the cigarette. "Too bad he isn't thinking straight. So many people in here. We wouldn't want guns going off. People could get killed."

  There was a collective gasp amongst the diners, and they looked anxiously from Smith to Aric.

  I was trembling from head to toe, but I wasn't about to let them hurt anyone.

  We can take them, Aric - if we're quick. If you could just stun Smith then...

  No. There are too many people in here. I can't risk it.

  I swallowed and tried to stop my knees from knocking. He was right, I would have to go quietly with Smith.

  "I am one of them," he announced, his voice loud and firm. He motioned to me. "She's nothing special. Just another victim. They wanted to get to me through her. It is me you need."

  "No!" I shrieked. He caught my wrist, and gave it what I presumed was meant to be a reassuring squeeze.

  "I can be very useful to you. Let her go and I will go willingly to help you."

  Smith took a few more steps towards us, no doubt feeling more assured he had the upper hand. The diners looked on, their expressions curious, fearful and confused. He took a long drag of his cigarette, and blew the smoke upwards from the side of his mouth. I peered out at him from behind Aric's shoulder

  "Ah, Lucy." He shook his head. "Didn't I warn you they can't be trusted?" His tone was that of a wiser, older relative disappointed with a naive youngster. "If he's one of them, he's deceitful to the core. Why are you with him?" He studied Aric thoughtfully, then his face broke into a triumphant smile. "Ah, I see why. They're very clever, you're very well designed." He was speaking now to Aric, the comment intended to make him feel less than human.

  I bristled, my temper bubbling until the red mist began to cloud my senses. I stepped out from behind Aric, ready to bombard Smith with fiery wyk. As I raised my hand, Aric's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist again, wresting it to my side.

  "No, Lucy. People will get hurt."

  Don't listen to him, he said in my mind.

  He walked smoothly toward Smith until he was barely feet away. "You don't need her, let her go. I will go with you and help you whatever way I can. You don't need her..."

  I heard the lilting cadence of a whisper, and I was torn. He was trying to convince Smith to take him and leave me.

  Smith considered him for a moment, then tossed his cigarette butt down on the floor, grinding it with the toe of his shoe.

  "Alright. We'll take you instead."

  "No!" I yelled.

  Lucy, don't. I'll find a way to get back to you. Just go, get away from here as soon as you can.

  Tears sprang to my eyes. I was able to toss a room full of aliens around like rag dolls, but I wasn't able to save the man who had given everything up for me.

  I took a step towards him but he shook his head.

  Don't. Promise me you won't do anything stupid. Promise you'll get away from here. His eyes pleaded with me.

  I didn't want to, but I nodded slowly. Aric turned back to Smith.

  "I'll go with you."

  Smith nodded to one of his henchmen. "Take him."

  Shouldering his rifle, the cyborg grabbed Aric roughly, twisting him around, one arm holding Aric's arms behind his back, the other grabbing a fistful of his hair. He dragged him backwards.

  "Don't hurt him!" I screamed, running forward.

  Smith motioned to the other Tweedle. "Take her too."

  I was quickly pulled into a headlock, my hands twisted behind my back. Aric yelled and began to struggle in earnest.

  "Get away from her!"

  I heard Olaf cursing. I had no idea what the diners were thinking.

  The Tweedle tightened his grip on Aric, but he managed to spin around and face Smith.

  "You said you'd leave her," he gasped, as the man-machine hauled his head back, almost breaking his neck.

  "And I also told you your circus tricks won't work on me." Smith smirked coldly.

  "Take them away," he ordered. They began to haul all three of us, kicking and screaming, toward the door. My legs were literally kicking through the air when a bright orange flash of light lit the room. I found myself dropped on my behind, landing painfully on my tailbone, the wind knocked out of me. Aric and Olaf were, like me, sprawled on the floor. There was no sign of our captors - Smith, and all three Tweedles had disappeared into thin air.

  Aric dragged himself up off the floor and staggered to me. He was just helping me up when he stopped, still, his hand clenching my arm in a vice-like grip.

  I turned slowly to see what he was staring at. My blood went cold at the sight of a lone Innaki standing in the doorway.

  I raised my hand, ready to pound it with wyk, but Aric's hand shot out to grasp my forearm, and he gave a little shake of his head.

  The Innaki looked at us, saying nothing. I heard the astonished diners' gasps and shrieks behind me, but they hardly registered. The creature's massive eyes blinked twice, then it turned and took a few steps out the door. A flash of light lit the doorway, and it was gone.

  I gaped at Aric, totally floored. We edged closer to the door, steeling ourselves, expecting more. Many of the diners raced to the windows. Across the road, a sleek silver Innaki craft hovered silently - an absurd, incongruous sight, parked amongst the RVs as though waiting for the occupants to return with some snacks for a road trip. It hovered for only a few moments before it rose higher into the air, exposing multicolored lights which danced around its base. When it was above the tree line, it took off at an impossible speed, straight up into the air. I watched it rise higher and higher until it stopped dead, a tiny speck in the sky. Then, with an incredible explosion of light, it took off even faster than before, disappearing into the stratosphere. We were left gaping at the empty blue sky.

  "What the hell was that?" A waitress shuffled forward, squeezing in beside me to inspect the sky.

  "I think you have some explaining to do." The crowd pressed closer, their voices a cacophony of confusion and amazement as they discussed the astonishing scene they'd just witnessed.

  I looked at Aric, wondering how we were going to explain what had just happened.

  The voices ceased instantly, and I turned to see yet another incredible sight. Every person in the diner, aside from Aric, Olaf and myself, was standing, frozen like a
statue. One lady had been aiming a camera phone at us. Her hand hung in mid-air, clasping the phone, her face a picture of concentration. Some people's mouths were open, frozen in mid-sentence, whilst others had been suspended while blinking, frowning or gaping. I spotted the little boy peeking out over his seat near our booth; probably the first time ever he had been so still.

  "Did you do that?" I asked Aric, waving my arm at the petrified crowd.

  "Yeah, we need a minute to sort this mess out." His anxious gaze roamed over my body. "Were you hurt?"

  I checked my limbs. I was a bit bruised, but nothing serious. "Not really."

  "Okay. We've got to make sure no one's taken photos."

  He pulled the camera phone from the woman's grasp, deleted the pictures she had taken, and pushed the phone back into her hand.

  Olaf and I helped him search the diners. It was the strangest feeling to walk amongst the inanimate forms. I expected them to move any second but they didn't so much as twitch or blink.

  I found two more people with camera phones, but, as usual, the phones played up and I couldn't even get the delete screen. I had to hand them over to Aric and Olaf to take care of them. It gave me time to think about what had just transpired.

  "Why didn't that Innaki attack us?" I asked.

  Aric frowned. "I don't know."

  Olaf pushed a phone back into the cook's hand and scratched his head. "What happened to the heavies, and the military guy? They just... disappeared!"

  I could answer that - to some extent. "They have a way of... zapping them up to their craft. I don't know what they'll do with them." Or why they took them, and not us. Maybe it was because Aric could block us from the weird orange beam. I pictured Smith and the Tweedles in the humid, pristine white room, Smith protesting haughtily, the Tweedles confused and totally out of their depth. I wondered if they'd be kept up there, or returned to Earth to continue their ruthless agenda. I cast an anxious glance up at the sky. If they did return them back to where they were taken, I didn't want to be here when it happened.