by Rena Marks
* * * * *
“What in the world is going on?” Sunny murmured.
Xeno Sapiens milled everywhere, spilling down the steps of the main hub, reaching to the trees of the first clearing, all pretending to act casual, but a hum of energy pulsed through the crowd.
Beast shrugged and pulled her to him possessively. It shot a thrill of excitement through her that he wanted to show everyone their new status.
“Curiosity?” he rumbled. “They all probably want a glimpse of the new humans.”
“That makes sense. Especially since, for the most part, we’ve hidden when humans enter the compound.”
When they reached the inside of the room, chairs were aligned classroom style in the center of the room, with about a dozen human women sitting somewhat nervously, trying not to stare at all the strange faces meandering about, casually sneaking visuals of them. Robyn stood in front of the room.
“Ahh, there’s Sunny,” Robyn said to the crowd of humans. She waved her and Beast up to the front. “Sunny is one of our security members. She patrols the gate out front. With her is Beast, who—”
“—may also start patrolling with me. We need to talk to Jason, of course,” Sunny said, squeezing Beast’s hand. “To get him trained.”
“That’s perfect,” Robyn said. “Everyone, Sunny and Beast. Earlier you met Tempest and Shawn, and Lily and Jason. Sunny and Beast make up the last of the Xeno Sapiens who man the border patrol though Steele and Renegade do work the front gate frequently.”
The seated humans were younger than Sunny thought they’d be. Most looked like they were in their twenties and early thirties. Only one stood out from the rest, her coloring unique because of her red hair, which was uncommon among the humans. She sat in the front seat, her back ramrod straight as if she paid the utmost attention. She wore a pale blue pantsuit with a white blouse, the colors making her hair seem more vibrant.
“As I mentioned before, we have a lot of Xeno Sapiens who have less human traits. Their living quarters are more suited to their own preferences. For instance, we have a set of twins named Brax and Jett. They prefer darkened quarters, so their windows are blacked out and they use candlelight even though they have electricity. They choose not to run vidcoms or computers, and use no technology save running water and plumbing. Some people call it relaxing. Others call it eerie. But I’d need to know if any of you might have a problem with entering their den as they call it. We will stock the kitchen with a stovetop or crockpot, whatever you wish from headquarters. We prefer not to use replicators, as the point of your job would be to prepare home-cooked meals.”
The unique redhead raised her arm. “I wouldn’t mind volunteering for that. I find it curious to see what others find comfortable without technology.”
“Okay,” Robyn peered closer at her nametag. “Heather. We’ll mark you down for that section.” She looked over at Amanda, who stood near a whiteboard with a marker.
Amanda wrote Heather’s name on the board. “You’ll have their area on Tuesdays. We’re going to give everyone just one house daily to clean for now until you get used to the system. Then we’ll move to two each.”
“What do they eat?” Heather asked.
Amanda smiled. “Anything. No allergies, no dietary restrictions. They do have a stove and refrigerator, but no food. You’ll probably need to take a box of supplies in once a week to make their meal, and the rest of the time they’ll continue to eat in the mess hall. Thank you, Heather, for volunteering.”
Another woman raised her hand. “Why don’t they use electricity for lights?”
Robyn nodded. “Good question. Let’s get all of our curiosity about the differences among us appeased. It has nothing to do with their traits or appearance. Jett and Brax love to build magnificent, intricate works of art using wood. They’re around electricity all day long. In their downtime, they prefer to relax without it. Seeing isn’t really a problem for them, because they have eyes that are suited for dimmer areas.” She paused, looking around. “Sometimes there’s no other reason for something. Jett and Brax may look different, but just because they have forked tongues that taste the air doesn’t mean they slither. Sunny here,” Robyn said, taking her hand and pulling her forward, “may look like she’s made of gold, but guess what? Underneath this beautiful skin, she’s flesh and blood just like you and me. Beast here is my best friend. You may think his size is intimidating or his strength is bumbling, like a bull in a china shop.” She smiled suddenly. “And you would be right.”
“Hey,” Beast said, snapping her butt with a table towel he’d grabbed off a nearby seat.
The genuine laughter of the seated women put them all at ease. Sunny smiled, knowing this just humanized them a bit in front of the women. Near the front doors, she noticed Jett poking his head into the room before retreating quickly.
Knowing the Beast and Robyn routine would leave everyone in stitches for a while, Sunny slunk toward the front doors. Just as she got there, she noticed Jett retreating to the edge of the trees. She hurriedly walked that way, zigzagging her way through the small clusters of people.
“Hey, you two! Where are you off to?”
Jett froze, and just a few feet ahead of him, Brax did the same. She smothered a grin. The brothers were more alike than they were aware.
Jett turned toward her slowly, blinking his vertical eyelids.
The twins had greenish skin, mottled with yellow in the shape of small scales. The scales grew larger on their skulls, darkening into a beautiful shade of emerald that fit into the shape of hair on top and the back of their bald heads. Their eyes were shaped like human eyes, but hardly noticeable because the pupils were so unusual. Set in a shade of warm mustard, the black iris was set vertically in the center. They had two sets of eyelids; the first was a filmy translucent one that shut from the outer edge in. The other set was more human-like, closing from top to bottom. Their noses were not as pronounced as humans, being thinner and flatter. Their lips were thin but shaped as the humans’ were. Spines lined their back, growing up to the base of their neck. She knew that with fear or anger, the spines hardened like weapons and could shoot out behind them.
Her heart broke for them. She thought they were beautiful, as beautiful as the stunning works of art they turned out. But would a woman ever look past their differences? Would the redhead who volunteered for them run when she saw them?
Even more slowly, Brax turned. His tongue slipped out, tasting the air as if it calmed him.
“We were looking for Lily,” he said.
“I believe she’s indoors today, keeping Kaden under wraps while the humans are being interviewed. Jason is out and about on security detail, so that leaves Lily babysitting.”
“But she said she’d help us,” Brax said, looking at Jett.
“We can go visit her in the cabin,” Jett said to his brother. “Kaden likes to play with us.”
Brax still seemed agitated. “But how can she help us if she is not out there, seeing the humans? You know Lily fits in the best with these humans.”
“Robyn didn’t want her available for questions about her sudden loss of ten years of her youth,” Sunny said. “Not until the best humans are accepted during this final selection process.”
Brax looked down at the ground. Jett looked upward at a bird flitting through the branches.
“What’s going on?”
“We just wished to know what they were like,” Brax said.
“Well, I know which one just volunteered to be your aide,” Sunny said.
“You do? What is her name?” Jett asked, all pretense at boredom gone.
“Her name is Heather. She’s a redhead, with long fluffy hair the color of golden fire. Her skin isn’t white like some humans. Instead, it’s a tawny shade and dotted with colorful specks that are darker. Her eyes are a beautiful blue shade—for humans, that is. It is more muted than ours. She is quiet and reserved but seems strong of will and character.”
“She sounds lovel
y,” Brax breathed.
“Oh, she is. Would you like for me to talk to her and see why she’s decided to come to Xenia to work?”
“Oh, yes.” They nodded in unison. “Find out all you can about her. What she likes. What she doesn’t. If she has family here on Earth-Ground. If she’d ever be willing to move into our city.”
“Okay, okay.” Sunny held her palms up, halting their demands. “I’ll see if she wants to come out and talk to me. But first, what will you give me?”
“What do you mean?” Jett asked, narrowing his eyes.
“It is the human way. They show appreciation for each other by sharing the wealth, so we can learn from that.” She smiled broadly, knowing one of their beautiful benches would be awesome on the cabin porch instead of the plain one she had.
“I know what she might like,” Brax said to his brother, a grin tugging his lips. “A dusting cloth.” From his pocket, he pulled out her tiny red thong.
“Where did you find that?” Sunny’s voice sounded strangled. She wasn’t sure if he realized they were her panties or not. She wouldn’t assume so since the scrap of lace didn’t look like it would cover a woman’s privates.
“Down below the loveseat there,” Brax said, stretching them from finger to finger to show her the shape. It was definitely her thong.
Jett’s tongue forked through the air. “What is that scent? It smells so…”
“Desirous?” Brax asked with a smile.
“Beastly,” Jett finished.
“Give me those,” she snarled, snatching them from his hand. “You’re such children!”
“Hurry, Sunny,” Jett said, pushing her toward the buildings. “We gave you your payment. Get going before someone else talks to her and she switches schedules.”
She giggled as he pushed and dragged her back onto the flatter ground. She was still smiling when she returned to the main hub. Beast raised a brow, enquiring as to her whereabouts.
“Later,” she mouthed and blew him a kiss. It soothed him, and his face relaxed.
“If there are no more questions, let’s break for lunch,” Robyn said. “As I said earlier, you will be able to enjoy meals at Xenia, so it’s best to introduce you to the mess hall. This way, everyone.”
Beast approached, taking her hand, but Sunny held him back. She waited until the redhead exited the row of seats and then approached her. “Hi, Heather. I’m friends with Jett and Brax, the two you’ll sponsor. I thought if you sat with us for lunch, we can answer any questions you might have.”
Heather was beautiful in a rather plain way. Perhaps because she was one of the rare few that Robyn had spoken of—a throwback to the genetic gene pool. She had both the recessive red hair trait and the mass of freckles, but her coloring wasn’t the paleness one would expect from the old pictures of redheads. No, her skin almost looked like a tawny tan compared to her hair. It made for a lovely combination. Secretly, Sunny was thrilled. If Heather had grown up “different” in the human world, she would have some empathy for Brax and Jett.
“I’d love to meet them while I’m here,” Heather said.
Robyn stepped toward them. “Sometimes the Xeno Sapiens can be shy,” Robyn said smoothly. “We’ll have to see what happens. This way, everyone.”
Sunny slipped her arm around Beast’s waist, noting his surprise and then his proud look as his arm came over her shoulders. Together they led Heather to the mess hall, which was quieter than usual. The Xeno Sapiens present spoke in lower tones, hushed as if they were trying to be polite.
It actually seemed as if the humans were the subject of gossip. Everyone stood around awkwardly.
“We have two lines of buffet,” Sunny said. “Normally, humans tend to go for the line on the left. The right buffet has…um…special dietary needs.” She smiled easily and watched Heather’s eyes widen.
Confused, Sunny looked up to see where she was watching. Next to her, Beast was copying her smile, but all it did was exacerbate the view of his sharp teeth and fangs.
His smile faltered.
Robyn approached, poking him in the ripples of muscles that lined his belly. “You did not!” she accused.
“What?” Sunny asked.
Heather looked just as confused.
“He’s been after Amanda for weeks to bleach his teeth. I can’t believe she gave in. I seem to remember her saying she was a professional, medical doctor and not a frou-frou, cosmetic one.”
“She did,” Beast said proudly, flashing another grin that looked remarkably like a grimace.
A short giggle escaped from Heather before she clasped her hand to her mouth to tamp it down. She looked mortified that they noticed.
Beast sighed. “Do not worry. We do a lot of crazy things for love.”
Sunny’s stomach flopped with the way he looked at her. Then he leaned down and kissed her lightly.
“Don’t mind them,” Robyn said. “They’re sickeningly sweet sometimes.”
“I can’t believe you bleached your teeth,” Sunny said to him. “I love you just the way you are.”
“I just wanted to add a little extra bling that you’d notice.” He shrugged his big shoulders. “Best friends aren’t supposed to tell secrets.” He glared at Robyn.
“Sorry, sugar.” She winked at him and then turned to load up her plate. Heather followed, and then Sunny grabbed her plate. They followed Robyn and Heather to a table.
“How long is the lunch break?” Sunny asked Robyn as they took their seats.
“I scheduled an hour. That will give everyone time to visit with the Xeno Sapiens here and get to know faces.”
“I thought we’d take Heather through the woods and show her the twins’ den.”
Heather smiled, nodding eagerly.
“Sure. Maybe she’ll get lucky, and they’ll be lurking around to meet her. Just bring her back in time for the next session so she doesn’t miss out on anything. At the end of the week, she’ll make her final decision. I think it’ll be a good one.” Robyn smiled warmly, but Sunny didn’t miss the way Heather broke contact first, her eyes dropping to her half-eaten food.
“What made you decide to apply?” Beast asked her.
Heather grinned. “That’s the first question on the application. The answer? My grandmother. She has sacrificed everything for me, her whole life. Taking care of a baby who didn’t fit in.” She fingered a lock of her red hair ruefully. “She already had a rough life just by being born to Earth-Ground. My mother passed when I was a toddler. My father was long gone. Gramma Elsa took me in and taught me that our biggest asset isn’t looks but brains. She worked her entire life and saved money to send me to Alpha One for schooling. Now it’s complete, and I want to take care of her.”
“You’re not applying for a job on Alpha One?” Robyn’s eyes were sharp.
“No, my…Gramma needs me. She’s getting up there in years, and she had a hard life. I came back to be with her. One day, I’ll go back to Alpha One, but while she’s here, I’d prefer to be with her.”
“So you won’t take us up on our offer of the possibility of one day living protected on Xenia?” Robyn asked softly.
“No.” Heather’s eyes darted back and forth from her plate to them. “Is that a requirement? I thought it was voluntary. I need to be with her. Every night.”
Robyn smiled easily. “It is.”
Sunny wondered if her grandmother was dying. That could be why Heather was nervous about speaking of her. It could also mean that someday when her gramma was gone, she might very well choose to stay. Especially if she knew Jett and Brax by then.
Or, perhaps one sole relative in the family would be allowed to move to Xenia with her. That was what Sunny had banked on with Mike and his two small children. But if Heather’s gramma was older, who knew how she felt about the Xeno Sapiens? Especially the twins, who never did anything separately and were unusual enough in appearance to strike fear in humans.
Chapter Eight
Just down the small path in the woods wa
s the rest area made by the twins. As always, the natural beauty of the secluded area took Sunny’s breath away. She knew Heather was just as affected by the splendor of the rich, sculpted wood centered in the raw beauty of wooded space by the way she stopped in her tracks.
“My God. Wow. What is this?”
“This would be a creation from Jett and Brax. They love carving wood into these magnificent works of art. There are rest areas throughout the wooded sections of Xenia,” Beast said.
Heather moved forward as if she couldn’t help herself. “I’ve never seen such delicate intricacy!” She bent down on one knee, studying the trim edging of the table. “They have the design balanced perfectly. Exactly the right amount of whimsy to draw the eye to the sturdy, masculine design of the wood. Tempering the heaviness with lightness.”
Off beyond them, Sunny thought she heard a rustling in the bushes and knew the brothers spied. “You know a lot about art.”
“That’s what I went to school for. I’m an art evaluator in the field of marketing. Do you know how famous these two could be?”
Beast shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t think it matters to them.”
“Everyone would clamor for a design from the exclusive Xeno Sapien twins,” Heather said, a twinkle in her eye. “Especially if they’re reclusive. It adds to the artiste attraction.” She made a motion of closing her fingers to kiss them and then springing them open.
Sunny grinned. Heather was very likable once she lost the nervousness. It was strange. She didn’t expect her to be wary of meeting Xeno Sapiens since she had been open-minded enough to apply for a position with Xenia. Yet there was an inborn wariness. It was such a contradiction.
“They don’t look as human as I do,” Beast growled. “I wouldn’t want people to stare at them and make remarks.”
Heather didn’t blink—not at the remark of Beast looking human, nor at the idea of the twins not looking human.
“Trust me, avoiding their image will market them as mysterious and eccentric. It will increase the value of their work.” She shrugged. “People are odd. Marketing is all about how to manipulate the mind.”
