by Cara Bristol
“Yes! Kevanne Girardi sent us.” Mr. Sexy looked relieved.
“You work for her?” More brilliance. She was on a roll today!
“We’re friends. She asked us to deliver her lavender products,” he said.
The sunburned guy seemed fascinated by the display of healing crystals. Besides being pretty, crystals could have beneficial, almost-magical effects on the psyche and body. However, to heal a sunburn like his would require more than crystals. His skin wasn’t blistered, but she’d never seen a person that red.
“The aloe section is over there.” She directed him to a shelf. “I carry lotions and gels. There are testers, so you can try the products,” she suggested, glad she’d been able to get the merchandise out.
She’d been a whirlwind since Sunday when she’d moved in. All the boxes—the ones for the store anyway—had been unpacked, the items organized in sections: crystals, aromatherapies including incense and diffusers, candles, potpourri, teas, organic herbal supplements, and self-help and spiritual books. She had left space for the lavender.
“Thank you both for the delivery,” she said. “I’m, uh, Mandy Ellison. I’m the owner of Inner Journey.”
Sexy smiled, and her heart flip-flopped. “I’m Shadow, and this is my brother Inferno,” he said.
Brother? They looked nothing alike. She also wondered about the name. Maybe he didn’t get sunburned. Had he been nicknamed Inferno because he was born with that ruddy complexion? That was mean!
“Pleasure to meet you.” Inferno glanced at her while sniffing an aloe lotion.
“I brewed a pot of herbal tea. Would you care for some?” she offered.
Before they could answer, Shadow’s cell began to play. He glanced at the screen, and his eyes widened a fraction. “Excuse me—I have to take this call.” He looked at Inferno. “It’s Mysk. Why don’t you have some tea while I talk to him?” He exited the store. Outside, he paced as he held the phone to his ear.
“So, tea?” She looked at Inferno in time to see his face screw up in pain, and his rosy aura turn gray. A sign of sadness? Worry? Kevanne had said she had a friend who needed help. Was it him? Sympathy washed over her.
Inferno twisted his mouth into a semblance of a smile. “Uh, sure.”
“It’s my special blend of antioxidant herbs to fight inflammation, boost the immune system, and calm the mind.” She moved to the tea station where a porcelain pot sat on a warmer. “You’re not on any medications that might be contraindicated with herbal supplements, are you?”
“We don’t take or need drugs. If we get ill, the med pod fixes us,” he said.
Med pod? She had no idea what that might be. She poured his tea, guessing he’d favor an earthenware mug over a dainty china cup.
Tea should be enjoyed in ceramic, porcelain, or china, not paper or plastic, so she kept real cups and mugs for customers, and washed the dirties at the end of the day. Not open for business yet, she’d put a kettle on, thinking she and Kevanne might chat for a bit.
“Here you go.” She held out the mug. “I’ll let you fix it the way you like. There’s honey and agave sweetener.”
As he came forward to accept the mug, his foot caught on a box. Instinctively she thrust the mug away to avoid spilling hot liquid as Inferno grabbed her shoulder to steady himself.
At the contact, a kaleidoscope of images and emotions whirled through her. His embarrassment over tripping, deep sadness, and snippets of visuals spilling from his memories, the likes of which she’d never seen. Couldn’t have imagined.
Pieces clicked into place. Med pod. The unusual names. Them being brothers and not looking remotely similar. His super-ruddy skin. The connection to Kevanne, who was married to Chameleon.
“You’re not sunburned, you’re ’Topian!” She clapped her hand over her mouth. How rude. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that.”
“It’s not rude. I am ’Topian, a Luciferan.”
“And your brother?” She shifted her gaze to the sexy man outside. He’d looked human.
“He’s ’Topian, too, but a Vaporian. We are not from the same familial unit, but the six of us who arrived together are united in the spirit of brotherhood.”
She handed him the mug. Her eyes widened at the amount of honey and agave syrup he stirred into it, but when he took a sip, his face lit up with pleasure. “Mmm,” he said. “Earth foods and beverages are wonderful.”
“Glad you like it.” She loved tea, but she’d never enjoyed it quite that much. Maybe I ought to add more honey, she thought wryly.
Inferno took another gulp and then scratched his head, under the ball cap. “You have interesting products. What do they do?”
“They promote physical and spiritual healing. Inner Journey helps people reduce stress, relax, and connect with their inner wisdom.”
He gestured to the crystals. “Rocks can do that?”
“Those are crystals. Each kind has a different healing property.”
He picked up a dark-green stone with red speckles. “What is this one?”
“That’s called bloodstone. It helps to cleanse the blood of impurities and reduce irritability, aggressiveness, and impatience.”
“This one?” He pointed to a shiny black rock.
“Obsidian provides a shield against physical and emotional negativity. It aids in digestion and detoxification. It also alleviates menstrual cramps.”
“Guess I don’t need that one.”
One by one, he asked about the properties of the different stones.
“Rose quartz represents universal love,” she said, when he picked up the pink crystal, its pastel color almost an exact match to his aura. Inferno was a romantic, she realized. She glanced out the window. Shadow had no detectable aura. She’d never met anyone without an aura—but then again, he was an alien.
“Could this rock help a person find a mate?” Inferno asked.
“Inasmuch as it opens up the heart to love, restores trust and harmony, it can help.” She paused. “It also provides comfort and calm during times of grief.”
He stroked the stone. “So, how does it work? Do you rub it on yourself?”
She shook her head. “These sit on a desk or table and exude a subtle influence over the environment. For maximum effect, the crystal should be worn on the body, and for that there is crystal jewelry. Pendants are in the display case. Would you like to see some?”
“Yes.”
She unlocked the case from the rear and then pulled out a quarter-size rose quartz attached to an anchor-style chain and set it on a black velvet mat. “This style chain is popular among men,” she said. “All the chains are 925 sterling. Silver amplifies the properties of the stone—and it’s a more affordable option than gold.”
Inferno held the chain up and glanced again at Shadow, who slipped his phone into his pocket. “I’ll take it.” He peered into the case. “Do you have two more like it?”
“The same chain or different? Are they all for you?”
“One for Shadow, one for me, and one for Tigre. We all need mates.”
“I don’t want to mislead you,” she said. “I believe in the healing powers of crystals, but I can’t guarantee results. It’s kind of like eating right. It promotes health and well-being, but it’s not a magic pill.”
“I understand.” He peered into the case and picked out two other chains, one curb style, one cable.
She rang up his purchase, which he paid for with a credit card. “Thank you! You’re my first sale in my new store,” she said as a grim-faced Shadow reentered.
“Herian! What’s wrong?” Inferno asked.
“Mysk ran a preflight check and detected an anomaly in the stabilizer core. The ship would never make it through jump space.”
“Can’t they create a new one in the replicator?”
“Yes, and that’s what he’s going to do, but he estimates it will take two weeks to take apart the stabilizer, isolate the affected subpart, replicate it, reassemble it, and instal
l it. And if it’s not that subpart, but the positron bath, that will result in a further delay.” He spread his hands and sighed. “I guess I’m staying for a while longer.”
“You’re trying to leave Earth?” she guessed.
“You told her about us?” Shadow frowned.
“When you started talking about jump space, replicators, and positron baths, it was kind of a clue you weren’t from around here,” she said. “I’d already guessed you two were ’Topians.”
“Guessed?” His brows drew together. “Are you…Kevanne’s friend, the psychic who finds missing persons?”
She winced at the description. “Uh, that’s not quite how I presented myself, but yeah.”
His lips flattened, and he shook his head at Inferno. “Kevanne tricked us. She didn’t need us to deliver the lavender, she sent me here to meet Mandy.”
“Well, it can’t hurt, right? You have two weeks now. Maybe Mandy can help find your genmate, and you won’t have to leave.”
She wasn’t a matchmaker. Nor could she work to deadlines. The last time she’d gotten the information way too late…
And until meeting Kevanne, she hadn’t had any visions for months.
Inferno dangled the three chains. “Which one do you like the best?” he asked.
Shadow pointed to the anchor chain Mandy had selected.
“Here. It’s yours. I bought it for you. One for you, one for Tigre, and one for me. The stones will help us find our genmates.”
“A rock?” Shadow twisted his mouth and rubbed the underside of his jaw.
“Healing rose quartz,” she said.
“I’ll keep this one.” Inferno picked up the chain with the curb links.
“I’ll put the other one in a sack.” She slipped the chain into a velvet drawstring bag and put it and two more velvet bags into a paper sack. When she finished, Shadow was wearing his quartz, but Inferno was still fiddling with his.
“Would you like some help putting that on?” she asked.
“Please.”
He stooped so she could reach around his neck and fasten the chain. “There.” She tapped his shoulder to signal she’d finished, and an image of the cute little wooden Church of Argent popped into her head as clear and sharp as if she stood in the parking lot staring at it. Somebody, a woman, she was also sure, waited impatiently inside. G…E…N? The letters floated across her field of vision. Before she could capture the rest, the letters and the church vanished.
“Uh? Is something wrong?” Inferno said.
“A woman is waiting for you at the church,” she said. “She’s getting impatient.”
“At the church?” He shook his head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“I could be wrong, but I believe you’re supposed to go to the church right away.” She massaged away the slight headache she always got when a vision was exceptionally sharp.
Inferno fingered the rose quartz, staring at it, then lifted his gaze to Mandy’s face.
“I also got a partial name…Gen,” she added. “G-E-N.”
“Genmate?” Inferno’s aura turned bubble-gum pink but then grayed when he glanced at Shadow.
“Could be,” she said. “That’s for you to figure out. I didn’t see the rest.”
“Go,” Shadow said, pulling at the collar of his shirt. “Go to the church.”
“I’m so sorry,” Inferno said. “I wish it was you. If I could trade—”
“It happens when it happens,” Shadow said. “You don’t even know that your genmate is at the church. But you have to check it out.”
Inferno dashed to the door and then stopped dead. “Where’s the church?”
She pointed. “Go down Main to Second Avenue, turn left. You’ll see it on the right.” She’d passed by the little wooden church the other day when she’d driven around. It had taken less than five minutes to see the whole town.
“Thanks.” He flung the door open and shot out like he’d been catapulted.
Chapter Four
Inferno blazed up Main Street. Let it be. Let it be. He couldn’t believe he would finally meet his genmate—but oh, he felt terrible. Shadow had been so encouraging, but this had to be a blow. Why couldn’t it be his genmate waiting at the church? As much as Inferno yearned to meet his life partner, he could wait his turn. Shadow needed this more than any of them.
But guilt couldn’t dampen the excitement.
As soon as he jogged onto Second Avenue, he spotted the Church of Argent, and he ran faster. A tall steeple pointed at a cloudy gray sky, but otherwise, the wooden structure was all one level. Windows of colorful glass chips lined the building’s sides. A lone automobile sat in the parking lot.
Inferno bounded up six wide steps two at a time to the arched double doors. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR HAT, THANK YOU, read a sign, and he snatched off his Saints ball cap.
A narrow vestibule spanned the width of the church. A couple of lecterns flanked the open doors leading into the nave. He’d never been in a house of worship before; his home planet had none, and he’d had no reason to visit one since arriving on Earth. The building smelled old and musty, yet the odor of seasoned wood, yellowed paper, and candle wax was oddly calming, and he found himself slowing his steps. The windows, colorful on the exterior, were vibrant inside, and cast beams of light onto the cracked but polished floor.
He scanned the rows of benches, but they were all unoccupied. Veering up the left aisle, he headed for a door he spied at the far end. Maybe she was in a different room?
“Hello? Anybody here?” he called. “Hello?”
“Coming! Be right there!” a melodious female voice yelled.
She was here! His tail, hidden by his clothing, twitched, and his entire body vibrated with anticipation. He’d heard his genmate’s voice for the very first time! Had there ever been a sweeter sound?
He wouldn’t know for certain the woman was his genmate until they met, but Mandy had said she was here, and he didn’t doubt she had powerful psychic ability. Veritals could read minds and implant or erase memories. How naïve and ignorant would it be to assume they were the only species in the galaxy with mental powers?
He felt hot all over, and he had to get himself under control before he accidentally started a fire. Distraction—he needed a distraction. He turned and focused on the colorful windows seeming to tell a story. Unfamiliar with human religion, the meaning escaped him. Still, the colors were pretty.
“I’m Geneva. Can I help you?” The dulcet voice lit a flame in his soul.
Horns and tail twitching with anticipation, Inferno spun around to meet his female.
A cuddly, curvaceous woman with a halo of blonde curls stood there. Herian, she was more beautiful than he could have imagined. “I’m Inferno. My genmate, I’ve come for you,” he said.
Her warm smile twisted into horror. She screamed.
* * * *
Envy lodged like a hard lump in Shadow’s throat. After Mysk’s disheartening news, Inferno’s good fortune hit hard. He was truly happy for his ’Topian brother but also…jealous. Why couldn’t it have been him?
“Your friend, er, brother sure got excited.” Mandy nibbled her lower lip, calling attention to her beautiful mouth. As soon as he’d entered the store, he’d been struck by her prettiness. Waves of toffee-colored hair curled around a heart-shaped feminine face. Thick lashes framed clear, sparkling blue-violet eyes.
“Yes. If you’re right, this will mean the world to him.” Even on ’Topia, a populous planet with a large common DNA pool, finding a perfect match proved difficult, and many never did. Like he’d told Inferno, meeting a genmate happened when it happened—if it occurred. Life offered no guarantees, only hope. But with his biological chronometer winding down, he was running out of the latter.
“Could I offer you some tea while you wait for him?” she asked.
He sneezed into his hand and then replied, “That would be nice. Thank you.” In a strange way, he was glad Inferno had left so he could talk to Mandy alone.
>
She moved to a cart. Her expression turned wry as she lifted a little round pot. “Empty. I’ll have to heat more water. It will take only a few minutes.” She plugged in an electric kettle. Dozens of see-through jars of dried leaves filled a shelf above a cart. “Is there a certain kind of tea you prefer?” she asked.
“You choose. I’m not familiar with the beverage,” he replied, and coughed into his elbow.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine.” Aside from his sublimation episodes, that was. Just in case, when he got home, he’d jump in the med pod. It couldn’t fix his sublimation episodes, but if he had picked up an Earth bug, it would neutralize it.
“Could be allergies. Spring is tree-pollen season. So…in that case…” She pulled down four canisters and scooped leaves into a metal sieve-like ball. “Let’s see…a little lemon balm, some ground licorice root, and a pinch of turmeric to counteract inflammation and histamine, and a generous measure of green tea—good for all that ails you.” She snapped the contraption closed and set it in the flowered pot then filled it with hot water from the kettle. The way she moved fascinated him, graceful and precise. Fluid but with an economy of motion. She neither wasted nor rushed her efforts.
He enjoyed watching her, appreciated her arresting features, how her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the faint fan of lines enhancing the wisdom in her face.
From his short time on Earth, he’d learned humans auditioned potential mates by dating. ’Topians didn’t choose their mates—their genetics did. But if he could have picked his own, he would have chosen someone like Mandy.
“The tea needs a few minutes to steep,” she explained.
He realized he’d been staring. Averting his gaze, he inspected the stone pendant Inferno had purchased for him. Of all his brothers, Inferno was the most optimistic, perhaps a tad naïve. It was hard to believe a rock could attract a mate. On the other hand, lead poisoned the body, crocidolite or blue asbestos caused mesothelial cancer, and, once magnetized, many rocks and metals could draw or repel other magnetized materials. So, maybe this rose stone did have some kind of power.
