by Lisa Lace
He made the logical decision of cutting ties with her before she could drag him down. He hadn't thought about her since then, but as Ardela had mentioned, nearly two years had passed. Thiago wanted to keep things civil with Ardela for the sake of Eden. He should make an effort to give her the benefit of the doubt. Two years were long enough for people to change. Maybe Ardela truly had a change of heart, and she was prepared to leave the past behind her.
Ardela lifted her nose in the air, sniffing defensively. "I don't think I like the accusatory tone in your voice. Am I detecting a hint of jealousy?"
"There's no tone, Ardela. I don't know what you mean."
"If you must know, our break-up turned out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me. For one thing, I'm getting a hundred percent of my bounty rewards." She signed. "I tried to be classy and raise myself above petty bickering, but you know what I think?"
"I most certainly do not. Do I look like a mind reader to you?"
"I think it bothers you to see me succeed."
"Don't be ridiculous, Ardela. You're welcome to think what you like, but I'm genuinely happy to see you back on your feet again."
"Oh, Thi-ger," Ardela drawled. She slunk up to him, walking her fingers along the curves of his ear. Thiago's shoulders stiffened as he felt the contours of her breasts gently pressed against his back. He leaned away from her as she continued. "You know, I could always tell when you're lying."
"What's going on you guys?"
Eden strolled through the doorway of the cockpit as she wrung out her muted copper hair with a towel. Feeling refreshed after a much-needed shower, she had dumped her shredded clothes, and currently wore a crisp tangerine jumpsuit. Thiago's eyes darted to the indoor mirror Eden had installed a few days ago, settling on her reflection. He observed a drop in Eden's jumpsuit zipper, revealing a dimple of her cleavage. He smiled to himself as his eyes moved back to the windshield.
"I'm sorry," said Eden. Her voice was slightly shaky. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Oh, no," said Ardela, her full, pearly-white grin returning. She sauntered away from Thiago's side. "We were merely reminiscing, weren't we, Thiago?"
"Whatever you say."
"Sounds like fun," said Eden. She gave up her attempt to keep the towel knotted in place around her head and sighed. "I wish you had something to dry my hair around here. Are you hungry? I was on my way to put something in the oven to eat."
"Not me, thanks. But what's that I hear? Thiago, have you been forcing Eden to live with your grotesque man-products? You poor thing," said Ardela, holding a hand to her chest sympathetically. She strode over to a chrome trunk she had brought on board.
Ardela popped it open. A soft whirring sound emitted from the container as three tiers rose to the top. Eden's eyes lit up. Ardela had packed it with an incredible selection of neatly presented beauty products. Sparkling compact powders and eyeshadow palettes swirled in beautiful containers.
"That looks fantastic," breathed Eden. Her mouth watered at what looked like an entire cosmic Sephora aisle sitting inside the trunk.
"Doesn't it?" said Ardela proudly. She studied Eden's shoes and began shaking her head in pity. "Oh honey, don't tell me, let me guess. Thiago did the shoe shopping for you, didn't he? The only time a woman would ever choose buckles that size and in those awful color would be at gunpoint. Let me see if I can find something in here for you."
"It's okay. These shoes aren't runway-worthy, but they are pretty comfortable. I'm not sure we're the same size."
"Please. You're not on Earth any longer. My feet are sensitive to anything other than the most fashionable designer smart shoes available in the galaxy. All my shoes and clothes adjust to the wearer's proportions."
Before Eden could politely decline again, Ardela stooped down and began rifling through the bottom level of the trunk. Eden gasped as Ardela pulled out and displayed a series of trendsetting shoes that would put all the Kardashian sisters to shame. The bold designs and vibrant splashes of color were like nothing Eden had ever seen back on Earth. They ranged from boots to platforms to double and triple-wedged heels with all sorts of complicated knots, unnecessary zippers, and shoe beds that made you stand at unexpected angles. Eden's eyes remained fixed on a pair of gladiator-like heels with crisscrossing beige straps running up to the knees. Its heels were thick, transparent wedges filled with neon-colored tadpoles swimming in pink-tinted water.
Ardela watched Eden devour the shoes with her eyes. She smiled, scooping up the gladiator heels and handing them over to Eden. "Go ahead. Try them on."
"I don't know if I should."
"Don't be shy," Ardela urged encouragingly. Her eyes brightened with an idea that cropped up in her mind. She turned over to the driver's seat, calling out to Thiago. "Why don't we make a quick pit stop at the Odi Pauperum Lounge? We'll all get some dinner and get to know each other some more. It will be my treat!"
"That sounds fancy," said Eden, who was only half-listening as she admired her shoes. She had slipped into the gladiator heels, which perfectly molded to the shape of her feet.
"It's beautiful! I'm sure Thiago doesn't bring you out much. It's a pity."
"You're talking about one of the most expensive parts of Runic Territory," said Thiago solemnly, keeping his eyes focused outside. "Security there is airtight. How would you expect Eden to get around?"
"Have you forgotten that I have the best prosthetics and make-up products in the galaxy?" said Ardela confidently, her mind clearly set on the idea. "Come on Thiago, it will be just like we used to do an operation when we went undercover."
"That was different. We were working. The lounge could be dangerous for Eden."
"It will be just like the old days. Don't be that way, Thiago," Ardela pleaded. She looked at Eden meaningfully for support.
"Don't we have to eat?" said Eden, smiling. She was becoming increasingly stir-crazy and was dying to get out of Thiago's spaceship. "I know the rules. I won't draw any attention to myself. You'll be there the whole time!"
"I, on the other hand, have a plan for Eden's new look," said Ardela, rubbing her hands. She winked at Eden. "I've got a whole wardrobe of clothes back on my ship. So many, in fact, I still haven't gotten around to wearing them all. You are in excellent hands."
Thiago frowned as he thought about the situation. He could hear a quiver of eager anticipation in Eden's voice, and he couldn't bring himself to be the one to extinguish her dreams. He looked back to see Eden and Ardela hunched towards each other, talking and giggling behind him inaudibly.
To his surprise, Ardela seemed to be genuinely attempting not only civility but generosity towards Eden. Eden wasn't just any woman – she was a human woman. Two years ago, he would have laughed himself silly if someone had suggested Ardela was capable of conversing with an alien. Today, here he was, witnessing it with his eyes.
"I suppose we can stop by at that lounge. Two hours at most, then we have to leave."
His chest warmed at the sound of Eden's gleeful squeals. Ardela whisked her away and out of the cockpit, activating the drone features of the trunk with a remote control. The trunk ascended from the floor, slowly following them.
Thiago pursed his lips thoughtfully as he set course for the restaurant. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to let his guard down a little around Ardela. She was his former partner, after all. Perhaps she had changed for the better.
Chapter Fifteen
"Are we ready to leave yet?"
Thiago slid down the couch, groaning miserably. He had been alone for too long and forgotten how long it took one woman to get ready to go out, let alone two. He managed to stop the impatient tapping of his boot against the floor and rose from his seat, shuffling into the kitchen. Smoothing the length of white-blonde hair he had neatly slicked back for the occasion, he examined his reflection on the reflective surface of the overhanging cupboard.
He had never been the type to loiter in front of mirrors. Now that he found himself looking at his face, he cou
ldn't deny the real change in his appearance since Eden's arrival. Perhaps the 'cuddling' thing Eden insisted on after love-making had affected him more than he cared to admit. The saggy bags under his eyes were less prominent than before.
The acute bouts of pain that plagued his limbs from overzealous physical exertion on his missions still bothered him daily. Instead of being left to toss and turn on his spacious old bed in complete solitude, which typically woke him up multiple times in a single night, he found himself sleeping better than ever. Something about Eden's presence assured him a night of satisfying sleep, not unlike that of a hibernating Hercules with a store of food in his belly big enough to render him immovable through winter.
Thiago flattened the creases on the overlapping dark denim lapels of his coat. The leather sleeves of his rarely used formal wear breathed lightly with each of his movements.
He examined a square steel band around his wrist. He had bolted the center himself with a single piece of burnt screw found in the remains of his father's workshop. He pressed down on the button, making ghostly green digits project onto his arm.
"Come on, Ardela, Eden. You said we were going to leave in five minutes. That was half an hour ago."
Thiago spun around at the noise of the bathroom door opening. Ardela paraded into the room. Half of her pushed-up breasts poured out of a tiny strapless dress miraculously clinging to her body. She twirled around, showing off dizzying intricate patterns on her gaudy golden dress and a peek of her butt.
"Do you like it?"
He blinked, averting his eyes from her open invitation. Thiago managed to focus his attention on her hair instead, which Ardela had intricately coiled around her head like a nest of pink snakes.
"You look lovely," said Thiago tonelessly. He stretched out his neck, his eyes gliding right past Ardela's shoulder. "Now where's Eden?" Thiago gulped, feeling his words trail off at the abrupt knotting in his chest.
Eden wrapped a hand around the side of the doorway. Her intent was to guide herself out of the bathroom, but the result was making her concealed body more alluring for Thiago. She wore one of Ardela's silver couture dresses, with large clusters of looped wiring and pinpoints of small lights for a collar. Biting down on her lip, Eden did a tentative twirl as Ardela peppered her with poise and make-up retention tips from the side.
Thiago had only ever seen Eden's hair in its all-natural, frizzy state. Although he possessed an unspoken love for her curls, her glamorous appearance stunned him speechless. She had completely straightened her fiery curls and gathered back her hair in a long ponytail wrapped with silver spirals. The hair pushed away from her face revealed pointed, elfin ear prosthetics. Geometric triangles of the Jadene alien race lined her cheeks. His eyes skimmed her long, graceful legs, her lanky frame appearing taller with the gladiator heels.
"Didn't I tell you I was a miracle worker? I could turn a Blazian's ear into a silk purse," said Ardela cheerfully, arranging the billowy skirt wiring under the corset of Eden's dress. She glanced up at Eden with an apologetic smile, quickly adding, "Not that I'm making any comparisons, of course."
"I'm going to be the first one to say it. I feel and look ridiculous," said Eden, turning to head back into the bathroom. "I should change into something else."
"Don't! You look great!" said Thiago. He hemmed, looking away as he scratched at a nonexistent itch on the back of his sweaty neck. "What I meant to say was, you look presentable."
"Really?" said Eden, cracking a smile.
"Look at the time. Thiago's right," said Ardela suddenly, a cheery smile plastered on her face. She ushered Eden toward the front door. "We should get going before they cancel our reservations."
"This lounge is out of this world," said Eden with delight as she shoveled a forkful of fruit salad into her mouth. She washed down the salad with a glass of flower-scented water. Her grip tightened around the stem of her gold-stained wineglass as she quickly added, "I suppose it's out of my world."
In spite of Ardela's best attempts to give the trio a makeover, the group still managed to stand out from the Runic patrons of the restaurant. The shortest of the three, Eden, still towered over the average Runic's four-foot height. They were tucked away in one of the isolated corner booths in the back. Eden had to keep herself from rudely ogling the Runics. They reminded her of smooth-skinned goblins dressed in their Sunday best. They had webbed hands and feet; their rough skin was the color and texture of tar.
"I'm pleased to see you are enjoying yourself," said Ardela, raising her glass for a toast. She swirled around a rich plum liquid in her glass while she unfolded her bottom lip. "It's a shame you can't have any of the Bambina wine. The taste is simply sublime. Sadly, almost all alcohol on HT-007 is toxic to humans."
"Keep your voice down," said Thiago sternly, an eyebrow shooting up disdainfully. "You should know better than to broadcast your secrets all over a bar."
"Will you relax?" said Ardela, shaking her head. She raked her hand playfully across the length of Thiago's arm. "You were always wound too tightly."
"I spotted one of Malatov's direct subordinates in one of the private rooms. You don't want to risk having your lounge membership revoked, do you?"
"We're in a private booth of our own," Ardela responded in defense. The hoop around her nostril bobbed as she spoke. "Why do you always have to second-guess me?"
Eden remained blissfully unaware of the bickering between her companions. "Have you tasted this, Ardela?" Eden asked innocently. She deliberately sliced off a chunk of the torc tenderloin on her plate, causing a river of juices and blood to trickle out from the meat. "This cut is delicious. Thank you so much for taking us to dinner."
"It wasn't a problem at all," said Ardela. She softened immediately as soon as Eden started stroking her ego. "Thiago, I understand your next target is a Runic native. I suppose that nasty bastard Salabar is next on your agenda?"
"As a matter of fact, he is," said Thiago, nodding his head as he crunched down on a piece of bread. "I can't wait to get my hands on that filthy scum."
"That sounds dangerous," said Eden, shifting uneasily in her seat. "What's his story?"
"He's another traitor who willingly fed secrets of his species to Malatov and the Noxx army," said Thiago, gesturing with his half-eaten bread still in hand. "He's wanted for running one of the largest networks of trafficking and prostitution on the planet. Don't let his diminutive stature fool you. People think he committed crimes in over one hundred fifty different territories."
"I'm impressed you've managed to track him down," said Ardela, her intelligent eyes narrowing. "Do you remember when we took down his partner, Drako? The one with the undercover brothel scheme? Drako tried to jump out the window when we revealed ourselves to him."
"He ended up falling into a vat of discarded lard and grease the kitchen left sitting out in the back," said Thiago, chuckling.
"You know, we did make a solid team at some point. We caught Drako together. What do you think about teaming up for old time's sake and taking down Salabar?"
"That doesn't sound like a great idea, to be honest."
"There you go again, being your negative nebula self," said Ardela. She turned to Eden. "Why don't we ask her what she thinks?"
"Huh? Sure. I mean, yes, whatever you said sounds like a good idea." Eden smiled vaguely. She hadn't heard a word of the conversation, actively tuning it out to enjoy the meal. As Ardela continued to work on changing Thiago's mind, Eden's eyes drifted to the opening of the private room across from their booth.
The paper sliding door stood slightly ajar, revealing the brightly-lit interior of the room. Below a ceiling decorated with floating paper lanterns set against a romantic projection of a starry night, Eden watched a disturbing scene.
The elderly Noxx official Thiago saw earlier now occupied the end of a long, empty table draped with an antique white tablecloth and lace place settings. Next to him was a young human woman clad in a spellbinding floor-length gown. Her corset bodice was a g
orgeous, regal blue and inlaid with honey-gold designs and trimmings. Although her jewelry was flashy and the makeup on her face looked perfect, there was not a breath of life in her glassy hazel eyes. Eden saw the reason for her docility around the woman's neck. She wore an ominous shock collar encrusted with diamonds and colorful stones, the beauty of the gemstones masking the danger of the necklace.
Eden watched hesitantly as the Noxx held up a spoonful of thick, foul-looking soup to the woman's mouth. She turned away from him, leaning back in her chair as her face grimaced in revulsion. The Noxx sneered, revealing a set of bleeding gums. The mottled feathers that crowned his head spread forward as he calmly sat back in his chair with his spoon still raised in the air. He reached for a small remote on the table to his side and pressed down on the button as a sickening smile spread across his lips.
A sudden flurry of sparks lit up on the woman's collar, sending her convulsing and lurching forward in pain.
"Oh no!" yelled Eden. Her cheeks flushed red from the sudden attention Thiago and Ardela diverted towards her. Eden flashed them a guilty smile. "Sorry. I thought I saw a rat run across the floor. False alarm."
Eden peeked back into the room. The woman's shoulders were slumped forward in defeat, obediently lapping the contents of the spoon held in front of her. Eden's heart pounded against her chest. She cut herself another slice of her steak, crossing her legs to conceal the moist spot growing between her legs.
"Can I help you with something?" asked Thiago, shrugging off his formal wear with the speed and angst of a teenager who had been forced to dress up for a fancy dinner party.
Eden was hunched over in his open closet, rummaging through unfolded heaps of clothing on his floor like a forgetful squirrel searching for a buried acorn.
"Where did you put the shock collar you found with me?" asked Eden, resting her chin on her shoulder. "You didn't throw it away, did you?"
