by Ava Ryant
Chapter 5
Alexa stood in a clean room in the medical center. Quarantine had been called when her Chief Medical Officer, Gerome, noticed that her wrists now bore shining metallic marks of blue and silver as she gasped on the ground in front of the Laren. Justine had taken command and ushered the Laren out of the colony and back on their ship with extreme menace, threatening to slaughter them all if even one individual stepped off their ship. The colony was on lockdown.
Alexa stared down at her wrists feeling rather odd as she looked at them, turning her wrists this way and that in the light. They were a pretty mix of swirling metallic blues and silver, almost like plated jeweled bracelets. Except it was her flesh and not easily removable. She rubbed them but felt nothing wrong. The texture of her skin felt the same at least and they didn’t hurt at all. Gerome had rushed them to the Med Center and was busy taking bio scans of everyone. Alexa was separated from the others since she was the only one showing any obvious signs of...something. Gerome stepped into the clean room again, he was wearing a bio suit and came over to her, taking more samples of blood and scrapings of her wrists.
“Tell me what happened when you touched that Laren.” He demanded and Alexa told him everything she felt and saw. His face showing concern the more she spoke. He nodded when she finished and left again.
She thought back to those...visions. What were they? It had been...eerily...real. Like experiencing a memory in reverse. And now she wore the marks of a Laren? What the hell was going on? And why was she feeling so...anxious? Unsettled? Her skin felt itchy, her stomach a bit nauseous and her temper was short. In other words, she felt like crap and it wasn’t getting any better.
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Ryhs paced back and forth in agitation. He looked at his wrists again in shock. Instead of his normal brilliant azure Metallics he wore the marks of swirling silver and blue. Impossible. There is no way that human could be his Spark. He heard the hushed voices of his father and Simin in the corner. They were whispering fervently to each other and gesturing to him.
“What is going on?” Ryhs demanded and not for the first time. He had been trying to get answers ever since he had clasped hands with that human female and experienced the burn followed by the Mating Sight. Only to receive excited looks while they whispered to each other, completely ignoring him.
“Tell me!” Ryhs yelled, completely losing it. His control was stretched thin. Everything in him urged him to run out of this room, off the ship and back into the colony looking for his Spark. He needed her. What was wrong with him? She couldn’t be his Spark, she wasn’t even Laren.
“This is the best thing I could have hoped for.” His father said excitedly, coming over to him and taking his hands, examining his wrists which now bore the shining Metallics of a Mating. Mating marks always had the two colors of entwined Metallics at the wrist to show everyone that they were Mated. His father’s wrists were a subtle mix of blue cobalt and indigo purple, almost imperceptible from each other. His La’Ra having blue cobalt Metallics to his father’s darker indigo. Only Ryhs’s female didn’t have Metallics. She was human. Except he was pretty certain he saw the same azure and silver marks appear on her skin as she kneeled on the ground and their Healer started screaming something about a contagion just before they were ushered back on the ship under extreme threat.
“Congratulations son! You’ve found your Spark!” His father said happily and Ryhs felt like throttling him.
“La’Ro...she can’t be my Spark. She’s not Laren.” He said through gritted teeth.
His father gave him a cheerful look. He was obviously thrilled at what happened and Ryhs thought maybe he was getting dementia in his old age. This was a disaster. Mating was a one time deal for their kind. Males and females journeyed across their three planets to participate in the mating fete’s all in hopes of finding their mates. Their Sparks. He had gone to three every annum for the last ten annum’s in hopes of finding his mate. Every time to leave disappointed. His La’Ra, upset over and over, not to gain a new daughter.
“How do you feel?” Simin asked coming up beside him.
“Angry. Confused. Frustrated. Take your pick.” He bit out irritably.
“Hmm. I wonder if it’s because your Spark’s a human. How are your mating instincts? Do you feel the urge to find your Spark? How is the separation affecting you?” She asked eagerly and Ryhs glared at her. His instincts were screaming at him, getting worse every second he was away from his Spark. He took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension in his muscles just as a loud alarm sounded.
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Alexa didn’t know what was wrong with her but the more she stood in the clean room, the more she felt out of control. She was jittery as hell, couldn’t stand still for but a moment. The urge to get out pounding in her with greater and greater force as she paced back and forth. It had been hours. She had to leave. She had to go...somewhere. Her nerves screaming at her in desperation and before Alexa knew what she was doing she blasted the sealed door open and raced out.
A loud alarm blared but Alexa ignored it. She had to go. She ran out of the medical center, seeing the astonished looks on her Lieutenants and the medical staff’s faces. Alexa ignored them. Running faster and faster through the colony, the others were at her back, calling for her and she hoped - prayed - they wouldn’t try to stop her. At this point she didn’t know what she’d do and she really didn’t want to find out. Her body was moving for her, Alexa had no idea where she was going but still she ran.
Soon it became obvious where she was headed. The Laren ship. Alexa’s hand lashed out in front of her and her Tk ripped open the bay doors that blocked the ship from the rest of the colony. The doors were crushed and torn apart like tissue paper and she tossed them aside as she raced through the opening, guards yelling, alarm blaring in the background.
Alexa saw the Laren ship sitting it the docking bay. It was a sleek design of aerodynamics, all smooth lines made of a shiny opal material. It’s large hatch door was seal closed. No matter, she ripped that open too. My god, she was out of control. Alexa couldn’t seem to stop herself. She raced inside to see the shocked faces of some Laren in her way and heard another loud alarm blaring. They were not the ones she was after. She pushed by them, lifting them up and out of her path easily. Alexa navigated the ship blindly, having no idea where she was going. Instinct was guiding her and she was just along for the ride. It wasn’t long before she was at a closed door, she swiped at the door panel and it slid open. She saw Ryhs looking up at her, his face shocked, as she stood in the doorway and sighed in relief. Thank god, then she blacked out.
Chapter 6
Anabel raced after her sister in shock. The raw need and desperation coming off her was painful to feel. Justine gave her a wide-eyed look and Anabel grimaced. Something was going on and Anabel was exerting a great deal of psychic energy keeping everyone calm. All the empaths were. She had been getting alerts all morning. Everything was going to hell. Ryker had, had, to be put in lockdown already. His crazy beast form terrifying everyone. Well, not her, but even she couldn’t calm him. He was too irate and upset right now to listen.
Justine slowed as they saw the damage Alexa had caused to the bay doors and then the Laren ship. They exchanged another worried glance. This was so not good.
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Ryhs shot up and caught his Spark as soon as he saw her falling. Relief flooding him. Thank the Fates. She’s here. She’s here. He held her close, moving her towards one of the chaises.
“Simin!” He called urgently as panic flooded him. His Spark needed the Healer. Something was wrong.
Simin came over and kneeled next to him. He was clutching his Spark’s hand unable to let go. Simin placed her hands on his Spark’s head and Ryhs saw her Metallics shimmer brightly as she used her ability.
“She’s fine. The Mating Call was especially strong for her. It is a surprise she managed to last as long as she did. The relief
overwhelmed her senses, causing her unconsciousness. She’ll awake momentarily.” Simin said softly just as the door slid open again revealing two human females. One was standing stiffly and emitting aggressive hostility causing Ryhs to stand and block his Spark from her view. The other looked at them with worry, her eyes huge as she watched him stand in front of his Spark.
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Alexa woke to the sounds of raised voices. Her head was foggy. Where was she? She opened her eyes taking in her surroundings. The room was filled with iridescent color, the walls seemed to change shades and Alexa was lying on her back on a super soft lounge chair. She didn’t recognize any of it. Alexa looked around and saw a man standing by her feet, his back to her. Who was he? Her mind flashed a confusing myriad of images that she didn’t understand. The med center? The docking bay? The Laren ship? But it was all a jumble and causing her head to ache even harder. She groaned softly, her hand coming up to her head.
“What’s going on?” Alexa asked confusedly, moving to sit up.
The man turned and she realized it was a Laren. Ryhs. He kneeled next to her taking her hand in his, her eyes widened in surprise. Alexa looked down at their hands clasped together and couldn’t find the will to pull away. Didn’t want to pull away. What the hell?
“Are you well, My Spark?” He asked in a concerned voice. Okaaaay. She really had no idea what the hell was happening. Alexa looked away from him, choosing to ignore the sense of relief and warmth his touch brought her. Or the fact she didn’t want him to let go of her hand. She saw Anabel giving her a wide-eyed stare. Justine was glaring angrily at the Ambassador and another Laren. She thought it might be their Healer, but her mind was still blurry.
“What’s going on?” She demanded, looking at Anabel and Justine. Justine gave her a wary look before looking at Anabel.
“You tell her.” She bit out angrily. Alexa was starting to get aggravated now. Something was obviously going on and she needed to know.
“Do you remember meeting the Laren delegation?” Anabel asked hesitantly.
“Of course...I...I…” But her mind was still stuffy and dazed. Something had happened at the meeting. She looked at Anabel in confusion, her head throbbing.
“You...touched Ryhs and…” Anabel said, giving her a lead in, her hand waving out at her.
The memories flooded her in an instant, playing over her mind in fast-forward. Holy Shit. She had torn apart the medical center and the docking bay and - fuck - the Laren ship too. Alexa looked over at the Laren who was still holding her hand and anger spiked inside her. What the hell had he done to her?
“What the hell did you do to me?” She yelled in outrage, glaring at him. His beautiful face scowled at her. Going from concerned to irritated in a flash.
“Nothing. At least nothing intentional.” He bit out.
“I think I should explain.” Ambassador Lyric jumped in as they all watched the byplay between Ryhs and Alexa. Things were not going well.
“What do you know about the Mating Spark?” He asked her, drawing away her glare from Ryhs.
Alexa knew very little. When they had been granted the Coalitions database - six months ago - after sending their own intel to them, they had been given a wealth of knowledge in return; on all the Coalition planets, as well as what they knew about the Kraith. It was one of the requirements for entry into the Coalition. Each planet submitted basic knowledge on their species, their planet, it’s wildlife and plant life and their culture. How specific you wanted to be was decided by each planet. Earth had carefully selected the knowledge it had wanted to share and submitted it six months ago. What they had gotten back was a massive amount of data. She had studied for this visit but the Laren had provided a wealth of information on their culture; not wanting to cause insult, she had studied up on the proper way to greet them and behavioural etiquette. Alexa hadn’t studied their Mating practices. It hadn’t even occurred to her. She thought she remembered something about fated mates but couldn’t be sure.
“Very little.” She admitted reluctantly. Alexa hated not being prepared.
“Ill prepared, I see.” Ryhs scoffed at her with a shake of his head and Alexa saw red. Her usually calm temper flaring at his tone.
“Excuse me if I didn’t study up on your mating practices in the six months I had to learn about all the Coalition planets and run a Colony.” Alexa said angrily. She had studied her ass off, staying up late for weeks to make sure she didn’t cause a faux-pas by accidentally making a rude hand gesture or mispronouncing their names. She had had to force the others in the Council to study as well. Especially Ryker, who didn’t give a rat’s ass if he offended anybody. In fact he went out of his way to cause offense!
“That’s perfectly alright. I know this must be overwhelming.” Ambassador Lyric jumped in calmly, giving his son a warning glance.
“The Mating Spark is, or was, unique to our kind. Our philosophers believe it to be a portent of fated mates but our scientists conclude that it is a sign of perfect biological and psychic compatibility.” He said giving her a penetrating look. She stared back, still not understanding what this had to do with anything.
“Once two...individuals, that are ideal for Mating, touch for the first time they initiate the Mating Spark.” He continued and Alexa started to get a foreboding feeling.
“They experience a burn at their touch and psychic visions called the Mating Sight. It is a glimpse of their future together. Once the Spark has been initiated each will experience an intense desire for the other’s constant company - called the Mating Call - until the….err...physical joining occurs...completing the bond.” He finished and Alexa jumped up.
“No. Fucking. Way.” She roared at him. This could not be happening.
Chapter 7
Alexa paced back and forth, her mind reeling. She ignored the looks she was garnering from the others. This could not be happening. Why on earth was this happening? Panic and anger were swirling inside her like a tornado and she wanted to lash out. Anabel came over to her and took her hand. Alexa felt her mind clear as a wave of calm flooded her. She sighed in relief. Thank god for her sister’s ability. She took several deep breaths and looked around some more.
They were in a large suite, the walls were that strange iridescent material that shed rainbow shards of light throughout the opulent stateroom. Strange built-in appliances were on one wall and the furniture appeared to be strapped down. Another side had a large viewing screen that looked out onto the docking bay. The Ambassador, the Healer, Ryhs and the others were all standing around looking at her.
“Can this be fixed?” She asked in a stony voice.
Ryhs scoffed, scowling at her in umbrage. She ignored him. This was all his fault. Ambassador Lyric looked shocked and dismayed at her question. Not a good sign.
“The Laren consider this a gift of our kind, we cannot propagate until we find our Spark. As far as I know there is no...cure.”
“Perhaps our medics can find one.” Justine spoke out angrily, glowering at him.
“This is not a disease!” Ryhs said furiously. It was an insult to their people to even suggest such a thing. Even the thought of his Spark trying to find...a cure...made his insides clench in horror. It didn’t matter that she was human. She was his Spark.
“I disagree!” Justine shouted at him.
“Enough.” Alexa gritted out, stopping the shouting match that would undoubtable occur.
“Why don’t you try and explain this...Mating Call a bit more?” Anabel burst out suddenly, halting what Alexa was going to say. It hadn’t been nice. The Ambassador jumped in immediately going into detail on the phenomenon they called the Mating Call. Alexa listened in silent horror.
Apparently separation between the newly mated was...difficult. Could drive one to madness even. Alexa would attempt to follow her mate, forcefully if necessary and so would Ryhs. Staying within each other’s radius was the only way to keep them sane until they had...secured the bond. The only way thr
ough physical join, i.e. sex. Even then they would find it hard to be separated for long periods but apparently once they joined their psyches bonded or whatever. The Ambassador had tried to explain it but...it was weird. And she had reached her threshold of weird for the time being. Besides, they didn’t even know what would happen between a Human/Laren mating. It was all conjecture - their Healer was full of theories and questions and Alexa tuned her out as she went on and on. All anyone knew was that the Mating Call, or the constant need to be in each others presence, was especially strong for her and Ryhs. So not good.
