“It’s almost impossible to hide our activities when every human has a camera built into their phone.” Bandar shrugged with forced indifference. “It’s almost inevitable that we’ll be discovered. That’s all I meant.” It was obvious she didn’t believe him and another lame excuse would only reinforce her suspicions. So he didn’t waste his time or insult her intelligence by trying to smooth over the blunder.
“You still need to take me with you.” She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. He was rapidly becoming familiar with that stubborn expression.
“And why is that?” He glanced at the loveseat, wondering if he should sit back down. What he really wanted to do was take off as many of their clothes as she’d allow and get into bed. He knew she wasn’t ready for sex, but he desperately wanted to hold her, touch her, see how far she’d let things progress.
“Even if you managed to find the cabin, which is doubtful, Dad had a thing for biometric security. Unless you have his retina scan on file, you’ll need me to get into his safe.”
He sighed, a bit of his desire receding. Circumventing biometric security was time-consuming. A fast, stealthy operation made more sense. Finding the information was just the beginning. Then Garin’s research team would need to complete the work. “You’re certain your scans will trigger the locks? I thought you and your father were estranged.”
“Our relationship was rocky, but he needed to set up a beneficiary and the only alternative was my mother. I think he knew he was in trouble. He made sure I knew where everything was and he sent me updated passwords and encryption keys every time he changed something.”
Bandar milled that over for a moment. Nazerel could scan her mind for the location of the cabin then teleport her to the spot. Then the Crusader could use Nazerel’s signal to stream Bandar to their location. It would be much easier than tromping around in the woods for hours, hoping to stumble across the secluded cabin. “We’d have to be fast and focused. In and out. No distractions.”
A triumphant smile flashed across her face before she managed to reel it in. “I can do that.” She sat back down, perching on the edge of her chair.
He wasn’t nearly as confident as she was, but there didn’t seem to be a better option. “It’s been less than a year since your father died. Are you sure you’re all right with this?” The last thing he needed was an emotional female compromising the mission.
“I miss him, but as you said, we weren’t close.”
He wasn’t sure he believed her, yet he had no way to prove or disprove her claim. He needed to think things over, make sure he wasn’t missing a potential danger. “We both need to get some sleep.” He motioned toward the bed at the other end of the room. “Morgan is expecting us for breakfast and I want to leave immediately after the meal.”
“Who is Morgan and don’t forget that you promised to show me your eyes.”
The concealment film was annoying anyway. He’d be happy to keep his promise. “I haven’t forgotten and Morgan is Nazerel’s human mate. She’s the highest authority at the Bunker. I believe her title is director.”
“How long have they been together? How did they meet?”
He smiled though weariness crept through his system. Rodytes didn’t require as much sleep as humans and soldiers were conditioned to survive on even less. Still, he’d already been up for thirty hours when he streamed into Ashley’s loft. “Both are good questions to ask at breakfast. We really should get some sleep.”
She pushed back to her feet and approached him cautiously. “I’d like to see your knife first. How is it able to change shape?”
He’d already revealed more than he’d intended to tell her. What difference would one more detail make? He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the folded blade. “It’s called a flexblade, for obvious reasons. It takes rigorous training and years of practice to master its use, so many choose less demanding weapons. Because of its challenges, flexblades have also become a sort of status symbol, like a black belt in karate.”
Her gaze narrowed, forming adorable little crinkles above her nose. “Your understanding of Earth seems patchy at best. Why do you know about black belts and karate?”
“I’m a soldier.” He shrugged. “I’ve studied the fighting techniques of countless worlds, including yours.” When she merely nodded in response, he went on. “This is the flexblade’s most compact form. The alloy contains millions of nanites that are able to expand and contract, forming a variety of shapes and sizes.” He unfolded the knife then slid his thumb along the upper edge of the handle, triggering the first transformation. The pocket knife swelled and reshaped, becoming an ornate dagger. He squeezed the grip three times in quick succession and the dagger transformed into a long, lethal sword.
Her gaze grew wider with each new form. “That’s seriously cool. But why bother with blades when guns are so much more effective?”
Her curiosity was endearing, yet it could also be dangerous. She would be infinitely safer if she were a little more reserved. “We frequently fight in space. Blasting holes in the hull of our ship is counterproductive to winning a battle, but this isn’t just a sword. It can also launch energy pulses and incapacitate with sonic bursts.”
She looked at the sword with renewed interest, tilting her head this way and that. The golden hilt was decoratively sculpted and an intricate pattern had been etched into both sides of the long silvery blade. Each Rodyte who earned the right to carry a flexblade took time to personalize their weapon. The nanites could produce anything the warrior imagined, but the process was time-consuming and tedious. It had taken Bandar several years to perfect this pattern. He was proud of the result.
“If this thing is also a gun, why didn’t you shoot your shadow?” There was no accusation in her tone, just mild curiosity.
“He flashed out before I had the chance, besides I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to the situation. We’re not ready to step into the spotlight.” Questions lingered in her gaze, but she only nodded. Purple smudges shadowed her eyes and she looked unusually pale. “Are you feeling woozy again? You didn’t eat much of that candy.”
She waved away his concern as he reversed the transformations and put the knife back in his pocket. “Show me your eyes and then I’ll go lie down. I must admit I’m fading fast.”
He’d need to reinsert the coverings in the morning, so he found a glass in the kitchen area and filled it half full of water. Then he dragged the curved pieces of film off the surface of his eyes and blinked repeatedly, thrilled to be free of the irritant.
After depositing the coverings in the glass of water, he turned to face her again. “My mother was from the San Adrin region of Bilarri, which is why my phitons are gold rather than blue. You can usually spot a full-blooded—they like to call themselves organic—Rodyte because their phitons are blue and they also have blue streaks in their hair. As soon as Bilarrian blood is allowed into the mix…” What little color remained in her face drained away as she stared unblinkingly at his eyes. “Ashley?”
Her lips began to tremble and then her entire body started shaking. Tears filled her eyes and a low, mournful sound escaped her throat. He rushed across the room and grasped her elbows as her knees buckled. Unsure what else to do, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed, sitting on the side with her cradled against his chest.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He rocked her, somewhat relieved when she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into the side of his neck.
“It’s real,” she whispered the words against his throat, her tears dampening his skin. “It’s all real.”
For a long time he just rocked her, stroking her hair and whispering nonspecific encouragements. He wasn’t sure how to help her beyond just letting her cry. Why had seeing his eyes set her off? The revelation hadn’t been unexpected, so this couldn’t be shock.
“Talk to me, angel. Why are you so upset?”
She eased away so she could see his face, one
of her hands drifting from his back to his chest. “They made me think I was crazy, that I’d made it all up.” She took a deep breath and then another, her gaze locked with his. Then she lightly touched his face, her thumb sweeping back and forth just below his eye. “You have no idea what it’s been like. Every time I’ve seen one of you something stressful was happening. Even tonight. I stumbled upon an intruder, so I was hopped-up on adrenaline. I’d started to believe it was all a trick of my imagination, some sort of coping mechanism. I’ve been at this so long, part of me expected you to turn around and say, ‘See. There is no such thing as aliens.’”
“I can’t do that.” He smiled, resisting the urge to turn his head and kiss her palm. “I happen to be an alien and you are not crazy.”
She blew out a shaky sigh and dried her cheeks with the back of her hand. “This entire day has been surreal. I felt like I was sleepwalking or lost in a daydream. Then I looked into your eyes, your real eyes, and everything just sort of crashed in on me.”
“That’s understandable. You’ve gone through a lot today. I’m sorry it overwhelmed you.”
She lingered on his lap either unaware of their intimate position or needing the comfort enough to contradict her earlier objections. She dragged her gaze away from his face and lowered her hand. “Dad never defended me.” Even whispered, the words were brittle and harsh. “He knew it was all true and yet he let my mother drag me from one therapist to another. Mom thought she was moving heaven and earth to find a cure for her ‘crazy’ daughter, but Dad knew there was nothing wrong with me.” A harsh sob tore through her and then she whispered, “She had me institutionalized for eight months when I was seventeen and Dad did nothing.” Her chin quivered and a fresh rush of tears escaped her eyes. “I was too ashamed to admit that to any of her friends. I’m not sure why I told you.”
He was starting to think he knew why she felt comfortable with him, but she was certainly not ready to hear it. He shrugged instead, minimizing the significance. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger. Go on. I’m a good listener.”
“Mom pulled me out of school and hired private tutors. The shrinks told her stress could trigger another ‘episode’, so she treated me like a damaged child who might flip out at any moment.” A harsh sob shook her shoulders. “I wasn’t damaged. I’d just seen something I wasn’t supposed to see.”
He tightened his embrace, guiding her head back to his shoulder. “It’s over now. You know the truth and that’s all that matters.” He didn’t rush her. She obviously needed the release, so he just rocked her and stroked her hair.
When she finally lifted her head and looked back into his eyes, she appeared calmer, more composed. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. None of this was your fault and all of it was traumatic.” He brushed her hair back from her face, his fingers reluctant to leave the softness of her skin. “You’re also exhausted.”
She nodded and crawled off his lap, sitting on the bed beside him. “Will you behave if I let you share the bed with me?”
“This is my cabin. You better hope I’m willing to share my bed with you.” He smiled, trying to lighten her mood.
“Oh, it’s going to be like that, is it?” She pulled off her shoes and then her socks. “Will you please let me share the bed? I’d rather not sleep on the floor and we’re both too tall for the loveseat.”
“You have an open invitation to share my bed.” He punctuated the statement with another playful smile, but heat spiraled through his body.
They pulled down the bedding together and he deactivated the lights before stripping off his jeans. Much to his surprise, she shed her pants as well then climbed into bed beside him. He lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling, trying to ignore her scent. She lay on her side, facing away from him. Her breathing seemed shallow and erratic, so he rolled up onto his side. It took him a few minutes to realize she was crying again. She stubbornly fought each sob in an effort to remain silent.
He slipped his arm under her neck and pulled her back into the curve of his body. She tensed for a second, then released a shuddering sob and rolled toward him. Her face pressed against his chest and their legs entwined. One of her arms wrapped around him, her hand clutching his back. He didn’t bother with words, had no idea what to say. He just held her securely until she cried herself to sleep.
* * * * *
A telepathic ping echoed through Bandar’s brain, drawing him back to reality. Judging from the intensity of the sensation, it wasn’t Nazerel’s first attempt to awaken him. Go ahead. I’m more or less awake. He carefully lifted Ashley’s arm from across his waist and disentangled their legs, determined not to think about how nice it felt to wake up with her pressed against him. She was his assignment. He should have eased away as soon as she fell asleep.
I let you sleep as long as I could. Dr. Irron is desperate to speak with you.
Did he tell you why?
Nope. Just said he needs you back on the Crusader as soon as possible.
Bandar looked at Ashley and hesitated. He didn’t want her to wake up alone in a strange place.
She won’t even know you left if you hurry, Nazerel pointed out, apparently guessing the reason for the pause.
Monitor the room. If she gets restless, let her know I’ll be back as soon as I can.
Nazerel chuckled. Careful, Bandar. As I found out the hard way, human females are addictive. Go see Irron. I’ll watch over your reluctant guest.
Bandar took a lightning-fast shower and donned a fresh uniform, then jogged to the departure deck and contacted the ship. He was streamed to the infirmary a few seconds later.
“What’s so urgent?” he asked as Dr. Irron turned to face him. “Disappearing without explanation isn’t helping me earn her trust.”
“I was reviewing the summery reports from the unit that regenerated her stab wounds and found some damn strange readings. I was curious about the anomalies, so I ran some other tests.”
“What sort of anomalies?”
“Genetic. Someone made significant changes to her DNA.”
“For what purpose?” Bandar crossed his arms over his chest, dreading the conversation awaiting him when he returned to Ashley. Had Daniel Kane been ruthless enough to experiment on his own daughter? Was Ashley aware of the changes or had she been deceived in some way?
“I’m not certain yet. If I knew the specifics of Kane’s protocols, it would be much easier to figure out exactly what was done to Ashley.”
“How do you even know Kane was involved?”
Irron rolled his eyes. “These aren’t simple changes. There had to have been multiple procedures over a period of years. Who else would she have trusted enough to subject herself to something like that?”
“So what do you want from me? We haven’t found the backups yet.”
“The commander said you’d likely return her to her loft once the backups were found.” Irron squared his shoulders and looked into Bandar’s eyes. “I think that would be a mistake. I know you’re trying to minimize her exposure, but she could be as valuable to our research as her father’s notes.”
“You want me to bring her here, so you can experiment on her? That’s never going to happen.”
“Nazerel and the humans found Sevrin’s lab during the final raid. It’s well-equipped and self-contained. Most of the damage has been repaired and the humans have agreed to let us use it. A team of Garin’s scientists are on their way. They should arrive within the week.”
“And if we don’t find the backups?” Bandar’s shoulders were starting to twitch, so he unfolded his arms and relaxed the tense muscles. His hands remained clenched.
Irron’s words were calm and concise, as if he chose each one in an effort to remain non-confrontational. “Without her father’s notes, it’s even more important that we have access to Ashley. She’s living, breathing documentation of his progress.”
“Again, that’s only true if her father was the one who sc
rewed with her DNA. We have no proof of that.”
“Even if Kane wasn’t the one who engineered the changes, we need to understand what was accomplished and why she tolerated the treatment so well.”
“I’ll think about it.” Bandar turned to go, but Irron grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Bring her to the Farm, that’s what the humans call the complex. Nazerel knows where it is.”
Without actually agreeing, Bandar twisted his arm free of Irron’s light grasp and left the infirmary.
* * * * *
Ashley woke up alone, in a strange bed, surrounded by Bandar’s scent. She had no idea when he’d left or where he’d gone. She sat up and looked around, momentarily confused by the setting. The lights were dim, but she could make out the basic layout of the apartment. The Bunker. He’d brought her to this secret complex late last night and they’d been greeted by his fierce-looking cousin, Nazerel. Then Bandar told her about the plight of the battle born and he’d showed her his gold-ringed eyes. Phitons, the rings in a Rodytes eyes were called phitons. That was when she started blubbering like a twelve-year-old who was terrified of what she’d sworn she wanted. For sixteen years, she’d searched for proof that aliens were real. Finally, she stood face-to-face with one of the elusive beings and she fell apart. How humiliating.
Well, it wasn’t going to happen again. She’d been exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Now she was fully awake and ready to face the day. She threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Apparently sensing her movements, the lights gradually brightened. Hopefully the bathroom would be as user friendly. She grabbed her overnight bag off the floor where Bandar had dropped it the night before and approached one of two doors in the room. She knew the other one led to the corridor, so it stood to reason that this one was the bathroom.
Her logic was sound and she wasted no time in making herself more presentable. If she hadn’t missed breakfast already, she wanted to appear a little more composed when Bandar returned. After using the facilities, she took a quick shower and put on clean clothes. Her outfit was still casual, jeans and a short-sleeved sweater, but at least she was wearing a bra this time.
Crusader Page 6
