by Zara Zenia
Karun looked at me intently. “You care for her.”
“I’m afraid it’s more than that,” I finally acknowledged.
Pavar looked surprised. “You too? By god, you all choose the worst possible time to fall in love! I knew I was superior to you all in sense and good looks, and now I have confirmation.”
“Well, the fact that you alone haven’t found yourself a woman would seem to disprove the ‘good looks’ aspect of your assertion,” Karun countered.
“Enough bickering,” Zaruv said as Pavar opened his mouth. “Ragal, she needs to know. If you care for her, love her, whatever there is between you, she needs to know.”
“I know… it’s just… I don’t want her to think this has all been some elaborate scheme to use her.”
“If you continue to keep this from her, it is just that. If you don’t trust her and manipulate her with lies, are you any better than Albert?” Zaruv asked.
“The difference is I love her,” I shot back, feeling the shock of finally saying it aloud.
“If you love her, then give her the opportunity to love you in return. You, not the identity you fabricated.”
He was right. I could not be offended by the comparison when I had behaved little better than Albert. I had set out with every intention of seducing her, winning her favor, and gaining her assistance. Everything that had blossomed after didn’t negate the gravity of my deceit. If anything, the depth of the emotions involved made it worse.
Zaruv placed a hand on my shoulder. “She will forgive you, I am sure of it. Human women are quite remarkable in their resilience and empathy,” he said, smiling.
Karun added, “She can’t forgive what she doesn’t know. You need to tell her the truth, and you need to tell it to her before we finish collecting the pieces of the ship.”
“I know and I will,” I said, raking my hands through my hair as I contemplated the hard, uncomfortable conversation.
Pavar spoke, “Well, while you’re figuring out how to beg forgiveness from your woman, we need to finish locating the ship, especially if Albert sets out to impede us.”
Karun looked out at the glowing silvery aura above the swamp. “We should scout tonight. There is light enough, to be sure. At least one of us should go, and they should go in dragon form. The others should make sure Albert doesn’t cause any trouble in camp.”
“An excellent idea,” Zaruv said. “Karun, you should scout. Shifted, your form will blend in best with the swamp. Pavar and I will monitor the camp, and Ragal, you should use this opportunity to speak to Tasha.”
As he spoke those last words, I heard a sound from the underbrush. I turned instantly, seeking the source of the sound.
“Albert?” Zaruv asked quietly.
“I’m not sure…” I said, reaching out with my senses. The garlic odor of the phosphorus-rich swamp dampened any scents, and the glowing, vibrant foliage was difficult to see through.
I waited, tensed, ready for an attack, but nothing came.
“Perhaps your guilty conscience is getting the best of you?” Zaruv finally said.
“I’ll leave you all to settle this. There is no more time to waste. I’m going to scout,” said Karun as he shifted and flew silently through the night toward the swamp.
And then I heard the sound again, this time more pronounced. Concerned that it was Albert, I shifted and rose to the air for a better vantage point. But I found nothing.
Chapter 12
Tasha
Waiting in the tent for Ragal, I stared at the blank white of the dome’s ceiling and contemplated whether Albert would resign. I knew my father would be accepting of it and I had little concern that my board would be thrown into any chaos over the matter.
Most had expected him to resign immediately when he wasn’t named as my father’s successor. Though there was likely speculation, largely fueled by Albert’s scheming, over whether the two of us would be a couple, it would shock very few when Albert announced his resignation. He was an ambitious man and some would see the move as astute in light of the losses LCC was set to take over the hydro-harvesting program.
Despite the upset of the evening, I began to look toward the future with optimism. I would very likely be rid of the scourge of Albert’s attentions and underhandedness. Beyond that, we had our hands on an incredible discovery that could revolutionize our industry, lead to a cure for my father, and that I could share with the man I loved.
The realization had struck me when Ragal left to find his brothers. It had been there all along, but I hadn’t been willing to accept it. My logical, rational mind was not willing to accept the idea that I could be in love with someone I had known for such a short time, but there it was. There was no denying what I felt.
When I was with Ragal, I felt like the person I’d always wanted to be. He made me feel safe, secure, admired, and, in that knowledge, I felt free to be myself.
I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t as smart as him, I didn’t have to stroke his ego, or act like I wasn’t confident and capable, and I didn’t have to work to keep him interested. Somehow, he seemed to be as enthralled as I was. The idea that a man could accept, even appreciate me, just as I was, was so foreign.
Even more than all that, though, when I was with him, I felt alive. The world held more possibility, more inspiration with him in it.
I struggled with patience while waiting for him. Finally allowing myself to really account for my feelings and embrace the emotions that had been growing, I needed to tell him. Objectivity be damned. I was in this now and I wanted to explore it with him.
He had been gone a while when I heard someone creeping past. I sat up, alarmed, fearing Albert might do something rash.
I quickly looked around for a weapon but found nothing. I jumped into a defensive stance, ready to rely on the combat skills I had gained from my days in the militia.
“Tasha?” Tadisha’s soft voice sounded at the tent door and my tension eased.
“Yes, I’m here, come in,” I said, dropping my fists.
She hurried in, visibly cold and rubbing her arms for warmth. She looked back over her shoulder, her eyes darting, frightened.
“Is everything okay, Tadisha? Did Albert hurt you?” I asked, feeling my alarm rise again.
“Albert?” She looked almost amused. “No, did something happen with him?”
I sighed. “Well, I might as well tell you because you’ll probably have to deal with the fallout. He encountered Ragal and me”—I paused, looking for the words—“together… and he exploded. As you know, I have been unhappy with his behavior and his actions tonight crossed the line. I’ve informed him that he can either reform his behavior or he can seek employment elsewhere.”
She looked at me with concern in her eyes. “That may have been a mistake.”
“I know, I am worried he is going to try and retaliate, but I can’t continue like this with an employee who fluctuates between trying to scam me into a marriage of convenience for his own benefit and openly disrespects and embarrasses me. I’m done,” I said confidently, feeling more and more positive about my decision.
“Actually, that’s not what I meant, ma’am,” she said, studying me as she paced strangely. She seemed to be moving… differently, but it was probably just my nerves.
Her eyes sparkled as she asked, “How well do you really know Ragal?”
“What? This has nothing to do with him. It has to do with Albert’s immature behavior,” I asserted.
She looked down. “Well, I don’t want to upset you, but I think that, perhaps, Mr. Archer’s behavior is not so ridiculous when you consider all the facts.”
“What facts?”
“Ragal is not who he appears to be. He has deceived you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, feeling my heart rate jump, afraid of what she might say.
“This may upset or frighten you. Are you sure you’re prepared to hear the truth? Perhaps you should sit,” she suggested, touching my arm.
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br /> “Just tell me,” I snapped.
“Ragal and his brothers are not from Vaxivia,” she began.
I cut her off, “I know that already. They’re from Narsis. I hardly see why that’s a problem.”
“No, they’re not from Narsis, either… nor are they human.” Her words felt like ice water washing over me.
“I don’t understand. What are you saying?”
“They are the aliens who crashed here a month ago. We are looking for their ship. They sought you out because they needed your help rebuilding their ship. Didn’t it seem odd how easily they pinpointed the location of the ship’s wreckage, how they knew what to look for?”
I was stunned. It couldn’t possibly be true. “No, I saw the program Ragal created for tracking the wreckage. He didn’t even have the right location.”
“Yes, but how did they even know about the crash to begin with?” she asked, and I realized I had no response.
“I know this is hard to hear. I didn’t want to tell you. Mr. Archer and I suspected they were dangerous, but we didn’t want to alarm you until we had proof. There can be no doubt now. I’ve learned their intent here on Vaxivia.”
“What is that?” I heard myself asking, my voice hollow.
“Once they rebuild their ship, they will rejoin an alien fleet that is preparing, even now, to attack Vaxivia and take control. Ragal and his brothers were scouts.”
“But what about Jennifer and Andie?”
“They’ve been fooled, as have you. It is possible these invaders may look to take human mates, to further cement their control and claims after their takeover.”
I felt sick at her words, everything in me revolted at the idea. There was no way Ragal was the person she was talking about.
“None of this makes any sense. Ragal is human… Not to go into a great amount of detail, but I have firsthand knowledge that he is most definitely a red-blooded male,” I said, feeling relieved.
I was pretty familiar with his anatomy and there was nothing alien about it. The memory warmed me, dispelling some of the fear Tadisha had inspired.
“Well, I am not sure how familiar you are with the known alien races, but there are some… vile creatures. They trade in treachery, creatures of your darkest dreams, walking nightmares. Ragal is of a race of aliens who possess the ability to shapeshift, to appear human. Their true form, however, is far less palatable. Ragal is not a man, but a monster,” she said, fear coloring her voice as her face contorted in disgust.
“It’s not possible.” It could not be true. I refused to accept it. Albert had clearly poisoned her mind. I knew he was deceitful, but I never thought he could stoop to such fantastical, wild stories.
Monsters? Ha! As if the only way I could refuse him was to have been taken in, the pawn of some otherworldly creature. Some men had big egos, but this bordered on insanity.
“It is more than possible, it is the truth. They are from a planet called Dragselia, and this is not the first time they have tried to take over a human planet. It is imperative that we do everything we can to prevent their return to their fleet, Tasha.”
“If I believed you, and I don’t, how would you even know all this?”
She took a deep breath. “When I worked for your father, he was inadvertently drawn into a business dealing with a disguised Dragselian. When he tried to extricate himself from the deal, he suddenly fell ill and the Dragselian contact disappeared. He swore me to secrecy, afraid of the hit that the company might take if it became known he had been dealing with such a despicable race of aliens, that he had even had one in his office.”
“This is ridiculous. I just… I don’t believe you, I’m sorry. You’re telling me that my boyfriend is some kind of hideous, shapeshifting monster out to destroy the planet and take me as a sex slave? Oh, and maybe he or someone like him poisoned my dad? This is either a joke or Albert has warped your sense of reality.”
She looked at me, pitying. “I didn’t want to believe at first, either. Not until I saw it with my own eyes… perhaps that will convince you as well. If you think you can handle it, come with me.”
I shook my head, feeling sorry for her, but I followed, for her benefit. She clearly needed to be relieved of Albert’s company. I had no idea he was so twisted that he would brainwash someone totally innocent like Tadisha, but the choice was clear here. There was no way I could let him stay with the company, not after this.
We started to leave the tent, but I remembered how easily she became cold and grabbed a thermocape for her, then followed behind her.
She led me a decent distance out into the tangled, glowing brush. I was impressed by how swiftly and silently she moved and worked to keep up.
The girl was fit and I found myself gasping trying to keep pace. She looked back at me with a hard expression.
“Shh! They’ll kill us if they find us,” she hissed, startling me.
Poor thing, she was so clearly living in a delusion, but I did my best to appease her.
Finally, she stopped and crouched low to the ground in an almost animal-like pose and seemed to sniff the air.
Silently, she motioned me forward, and I crouched beside her, wondering what crazy little display Albert was preparing to put on for us.
And then I heard a voice… Karun’s voice. This was awkward. I hoped we weren’t about to spy on him and Andie having some private time.
Tadisha crawled forward and gestured for me to peer through a glowing red bush.
I did, my face coming up to the velvety leaves that immediately made my face itch.
Straining, I saw Ragal and all his brothers gathered around, animatedly discussing something. I stretched farther and my face cracked against a branch.
I watched as Ragal, looking impossibly gorgeous, spun around quickly and then, weirdly, he closed his eyes and smelled the air.
I was silent and still, terrified he was going to catch me spying on him and his brothers, probably discussing Albert, and think I was crazy.
And then the blood drained out of my face. Karun seemed to vibrate and glimmer until he was no longer there. In his place, there was a massive silver serpent… no, not a serpent, a dragon. A dragon… no, this was a dream. This had to be a dream.
I pinched myself and cracked another branch. To my horror, I watched as Ragal began to glimmer too. Suddenly, the man I was falling in love with was a gigantic, obsidian dragon. His scales were smooth and reflective and when he climbed into the air, the stars were mirrored as he dissolved into the night sky.
I wanted to scream, to run, to wake up from this nightmare. What was happening? I froze in terror and stayed there for what felt like a silent, torturous eternity.
Finally, when everyone had gone, I breathed… but it came out as some kind of guttural, horrified sound.
“You see, Tasha, they’re monsters,” Tadisha hissed, a strangely smug smile on her face.
I looked into her sparkling green eyes, felt the full horror of the moment, and fled back to my tent.
Chapter 13
Ragal
An uncomfortable feeling settled in as I returned to my tent and found Tasha was gone. Pacing, I knew I needed to come clean with her. Zaruv was right, every moment that I hid the truth of my identity made the lie more damaging.
Finally facing the reality of the emotions between us, I knew I didn’t want to base the foundation of our future on deception. I didn’t know where this was going, given the threats and enemies we faced, but I felt hope and that was enough.
I had fought fearsome enemies, had stood in the presence of pure evil, and yet, preparing to come clean with her, admitting to her that I had taken advantage of the attraction and heat between us, was the most terrifying experience of my life.
I kept a vigilant eye as I crossed the camp, watching for Albert, cautious of any brooding retaliation. Pavar was keeping guard by the pods and Zaruv sat by the thermogenerator, but I knew I heard something out there in the underbrush beyond our camp and I had not located the
source, leaving me uneasy.
The first sun had started to streak orange across the sky by the time I finally summoned the courage to go to her. Reaching her dome tent, I sensed her presence within. Before I could enter, Tasha herself materialized, flinging aside the panel of the tent and rushing out.
Her face was red and swollen, the signs of her crying plain and startling. She stopped short of running into me, clearly not expecting to see me. She looked surprised, but her expression quickly shifted to fright.
“Get away from me!” she sputtered.
“Tasha, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” I started to reach out to her, but she backed away from me.
“Don’t touch me! Just stay away from me… all of you!” she said, looking wildly around as Zaruv came around the corner, summoned by the noise.
“Ragal, what’s going on?” Zaruv called, but I had no words, the grip of fear upon my very soul.
Tadisha came out of the tent and embraced Tasha, who was crying softly. Tadisha looked over her shoulder with eerie calm and control, laughter in her eyes, the corner of her mouth tilted in a skewed smile.
“We’re leaving. And you freaks better stay the hell away from us,” Albert’s voice sounded from inside the tent as well. He emerged carrying a case and started to shoulder past me.
“You! What the hell did you do?” I said, pushing him backward with more force than I meant.
He fell to the ground, but instead of getting angry, he just looked smug as he stood and dusted off his ridiculous suit.
I wanted to rip into him, certain that he was at the center of this, when Zaruv came up behind me and pulled me back.
“Batr, don’t. You’ll only make it worse.”
“That’s right, you freaks better back the fuck away from us!” Albert said, raising his voice.
I looked to Tasha, desperate for an explanation. The last time I had seen her, the situation had been completely reversed. I had no idea what could have happened to cause the fear and hurt in her eyes as she looked at me.
