“This is great. Gotta love a man who can cook.”
He gave her a startled look. “Love?”
“It’s a phrase to tell you how good the food is. Don’t worry. I’m not swearing undying devotion.” She snickered. “Yet. Keep feeding me, and we’ll talk.” She kept her tone teasing, so he’d know he wasn’t in danger of being hauled to the altar.
Jape got the joke and chuckled, erasing the morose expression he’d worn. “I’m glad you enjoy what I cook. ‘Love’ is a strong term, however.”
“It is. Earthlings tend to overuse it when it comes to things we appreciate.”
“I’ll consider myself warned for when you offer your adoration to other strange objects.” He picked up a morsel in his tongs and stared at it. “I love you, meat. So much that I’m going to eat you.” Which he did.
Velia laughed. Encouraged, she broached the subject she burned to discuss. “Jape, I’ve got an idea to run by you. I want you to give me something I can take to my superiors on Earth.”
“What do you mean?” Suspicion clouded his face.
“That hive chamber where you said all the humans and Risnarish had been frozen? You said there was another where some victims are still stored. I’d like to see that.”
“The containers were not proof enough? What else would such storage units hold but humanoids such as us?”
“It was compelling, that’s for sure,” Velia agreed, hoping to vanquish the stubborn air he wore. “But actual bodies? Better still. If I can confirm that detail, write a report on my observations—maybe video footage, if you can make me a copy and provide the means to show it—I would have tangible evidence to approach General Thomas with.”
“Do you think he would listen to you?”
Velia told herself Jape wasn’t sneering. “Why wouldn’t he? He needs to hear the truth of the Monsuda, especially how there is a long history of attacks and their endgame of colonizing Earth. But he’ll require undeniable confirmation of it, which I could provide.”
There was no misunderstanding Jape’s scornful snicker. “But as you keep saying, you are only an engineer. You are not a warrior, versed in such matters. You know nothing of battle campaigns or foreign conspiracies. How can he take you seriously?”
Velia stared at him with disbelief.
I’d swear this jerk is belittling me simply because I’m not a soldier. Or because I’m a woman?
Temper brought sharp words to her tongue. She choked them off. The situation was bigger than mere hurt feelings or even misogyny. She couldn’t indulge in being offended, not if she was to convince Jape to help her.
“Fine. You should talk to him, then.”
He waved a negligent hand. “No point. All that needs to be done is destroy your world’s links to ours, as well as the Monsuda’s access to Earth. We find the portals, we eradicate them. Since we will overcome the Monsuda, all problems are solved without involving your friends, whose honor has not been verified.”
You ignorant, shortsighted, ham-fisted...
Velia was about to tell him that and a whole lot more when a buzzing sounded in the house, cutting her off before she could speak.
* * *
When the door buzzer went off, Jape wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. The widening of Velia’s blazing eyes, the reddening of her face, told him he’d angered her.
Why she’d be angry about the bald truth of the situation, he couldn’t imagine. Maybe it was similar to proclaiming love for food. Earthlings were not the most rational creatures he’d ever encountered.
Then again, upsetting her might set back his progress in getting her to acknowledge Earth’s wrongs in collaborating with the Monsuda. Belatedly, Jape realized he should have conceded to her visiting the Yitrow hive. Seeing her kind encased in those stasis pods would have had her apologizing up and down for having doubted him in the first place.
Don’t forget, if she’s angry with you, she won’t demonstrate this supposedly amazing way that Earthlings have sex. You won’t get to experience that lush body.
As if that mattered. It didn’t, not really. Not even with that fire in her eyes that made such notions more enticing. Intense. Exciting.
The moment was over, unfortunately, with someone at the door demanding Jape’s attention. He sighed and left Velia to answer the summons.
He was confused to discover it was Arga calling, with his guardian Retav. The elder man beamed at Jape over Arga’s shoulder, his eyes crinkling. His mane, once the same forest shades of tan, brown, and green that matched his skin, was mostly white. According to Arga, Retav had aged significantly after being taken prisoner by the Monsuda.
Both greeted him with their palms pressed to their chests. Weakened as he’d become, Retav’s voice was still a deep boom of joy. “From our spirits to yours. Good morning, Jape. I’m pleased to see you in the best of health. I trust we have not disturbed you?”
As Jape touched his hand to his hearts and mumbled a greeting, Arga bent the tip of his pointed ear. “We wanted to check in on you and your guest.”
It was an oblique reference to his previous stormy interactions with Velia. I hope he didn’t turn it into a big deal in front of Retav. Jape did not appreciate losing face before elders, and his encounter with Ehar still rankled. “It was a good night, thank you. We were just finishing breakfast. Please, come in.”
Considering Arga’s friendship with another Earthling, Jape realized he shouldn’t have been surprised about the early call. However, Retav’s presence confused him. He said nothing about it, ushering the pair into the visiting room.
Velia stood and smiled at the visitors. Jape’s hearts stuttered, as if startled anew by how pretty she was when happy. She damned near stopped him in his tracks every time she beamed at someone.
Why does she have to look that way? Why can’t she be ugly, as a hostile should be? Like the Monsuda?
It wasn’t fair. The second his defenses went down, she messed with his head.
He’d missed Arga making introductions. Jape fought free of Velia’s spell as she held out a hand for a second, before pulling it back with a charming laugh. “I’m sorry, I forgot your people don’t shake hands as a greeting.” She put her palm to her chest, drawing Jape’s gaze to her bosom before he remembered himself. “It’s a privilege to meet you, sir. Arga said you survived time in the Monsudan labs.”
“Many times, I wished not to. My nightmares often return me to that place.” Despite his assertion, Retav’s voice was only grave, not choked with emotion. It reminded Jape that the elder had been a spiritual teacher before his abduction, one of the few males called to the profession.
“I can’t imagine the horror.” Perhaps Velia didn’t question that the Risnarish had been experimented on, as she did her own kind. She hid any doubts she might have had.
At least she had the sense to respect an elder. Jape gave her credit where it was due.
Arga grinned at Velia as if he offered a special treat. “Perhaps you’d be interested in a personal account from my guardian. Retav is willing to share those experiences in hopes it will help Earthlings understand the threat.”
“I want to hear all about it. But if the story is too painful—I hate for you to go through anything that makes you suffer all over again.”
“You are thoughtful.” Retav’s eyes twinkled as he told Arga, “She reminds me of the other one. Jeannie. She has that friendly aspect.”
“I think so too.”
Retav reached a trembling hand toward her. Velia took it readily, as if they were already fast friends.
He said, “You need not worry about the trauma I feel. Talking about it has been of help to get over what I suffered.”
“Then I welcome the opportunity to have proof my people will listen to.” She beamed as she shot Jape a meaningful glance.
Jape’s momentary befu
ddlement over her pretty face eased in a wash of irritation. Only his respect for Retav restrained him from reminding her there was no point in gathering evidence, not when the Risnarish plan to destroy the portals rendered the matter moot.
Instead, he addressed the elder. “You are spending Arga’s shift with us at the enforcement dome?”
“I could. I’m also open to staying here in your dome with Velia, or she can come to the dome Arga and I share, if you prefer.”
“Retav could use the companionship,” Arga said. “I figured you didn’t wish to drag Velia on patrol with us or lock her in containment.”
“By the All-Spirit, I should hope you’d do no such thing as confine her in a cell. It’s not as if she’s a man who flies his dartwing into a dome after chewing his entire broadleaf crop.” Warmth kept it from sounding as if Retav had chastised Jape, but a warning lurked behind his benevolence. He turned to Velia. “Arga is trying to preserve my dignity. He worries about leaving me alone since my captivity. He’s making a polite request that you play caretaker to me while he works.”
“You raised him, is that correct?” Velia asked. At his nod, she said, “You did a fine job.”
“I’m glad you think so, but I have to say, he matured greatly during my absence.”
Arga ducked his head, but he gripped his mentor’s shoulder. “I did nothing of the sort. It was finding Retav alive and having him restored to me that brought a sense of peace. I’ve learned to appreciate what matters.”
Velia gave Jape a sidelong look. “You’ve not mentioned your parents.”
He met her gaze. “That’s because I have little in common with them.”
“On Velia’s world, the biologicals raise the children, even if they are not suited to do so.” Retav squeezed her hand. “I learned much of your ways from Jeannie, the Earthling who lives in Hahz Village.”
“You have a different system?”
“Jape was raised by a male guardian who was tested and validated to be a proper parent.”
“Oh. He hasn’t mentioned him either.”
An almost forgotten pain swept through Jape. His tone was abrupt. “Sofeth passed from illness before I reached adulthood.”
She winced. “I’m sorry. I lost my mother at a young age myself.”
She knew of his kind of loss? The old hurt blunted as Jape recognized empathy rather than empty pity.
“I knew Retav and Velia would have a lot to discuss,” Arga said. “They’ll be good company for each other, eh Jape? If you’re ready, we can go on to work.”
Jape had planned to keep Velia close all day, but maybe Arga was right. He had village enforcement to worry with and drills to put his warriors through. He had to maintain Cas’s safety from Monsuda and Earthling forces alike.
It’s not as if she has anywhere to run. She’s no fighter. She probably couldn’t survive two seconds away from civilization.
He shouldn’t have been reluctant to leave her, given all those reasons. Yet he hesitated for a few seconds before acknowledging Arga’s scheme to divert both Retav and Velia. The elder’s presence would distract her from trying anything stupid. And if not, he could set an alert on his doors to go off if she tried to leave.
It wasn’t as if he wanted her underfoot. That was the last thing he needed.
Jape shrugged as if the whole affair meant little to him. “Let’s go, Arga.”
Chapter Ten
Velia curled on the couch, drinking the minty herbal drink Retav had brewed. It wasn’t coffee, but she enjoyed it more than the pink stuff Jape had served with breakfast.
His excellent ability with beverages wasn’t the only reason Velia appreciated him. He readily answered her questions. Retav was the easiest person she’d ever spoken to.
Across from her in the chair Jape usually occupied, Retav relaxed with his drink too. They’d been discussing his allegations about what the Monsuda had planned for Earth.
“That means the Monsuda have been visiting us for a long time. Adding Risnarish DNA to Earthlings, trying to manipulate our genetics. Making some of us docile for enslavement purposes. What about those who are violent?”
“To weaken your ability to work together. A race divided won’t be able to resist the Monsuda when they colonize. That’s my understanding anyway.”
“Merging our species’s genes is possibly why our people have so many physical similarities,” Velia guessed.
“Perhaps it’s why we also tend to be well matched in other ways. I’ve noted how compatible Kren Zvanhahz and Jeannie are.”
How compatible? Velia thought of Jape’s offer to explore sexuality with her, and she shifted uncomfortably. After their disagreement that morning, she wondered if his interest in that department had waned.
“Velia?”
She jerked to the present. Her face heated as she realized how good it was that Retav couldn’t read her mind. “Sorry. I was considering what you said.” What had he said? Oh yeah, how their races were comparable. “The Risnarish are similar, all right. You guys are as confusing to me as my own kind.”
Retav’s eyes sparkled with interest. “How do you mean?”
“Oh, it’s just silly things.” Irritating things. Like Jape. He drove her crazy, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
“Such as?”
She silently chanted, Don’t talk about Jape, don’t talk about Jape, don’t talk about Jape. “Such as Jape, for instance. We can’t figure out whether we should get along or bite each other’s heads off.”
“I hope that’s one of your interesting Earthling metaphors. Biting off heads is not a literal activity you indulge in?” Retav’s eyes widened comically, and his ears perked straight up, the points sharp. He grinned at her laugh and settled into a more casual pose. “Jape has a forceful temperament.”
“You can say that again. One moment we’re on common ground, the next we’re at odds. I can’t figure him out. Is he friend or foe?”
“Maybe he becomes your opponent when he realizes he’s agreeing with you.”
“Because he’s inherently a jerk?”
“Because he doesn’t want to like you as much as he does.”
Velia started. “He doesn’t like me at all.” Unless we’re playing his Claim of Power game. Or contemplating sex.
Retav regarded her with an easy attitude. “When suspicion arose that some powerful Earthlings might be working with the Monsuda, a few Risnarish took a grim view of the possibility. Unfortunately, they arrived at the equation of one unethical Earthling equals all unethical Earthlings.”
“One bad apple spoils the whole bunch. I’ve seen that mindset before.”
“Jape may fall into that camp. Which I find fascinating, given he counts the Earthling he’s met as an ally.”
“Anneliese. A soldier, the same as Jape. I should talk to her, get her views on the climate around here.” And see if she’s being treated okay.
“Ask Jape about contacting her. Or Jeannie. Hearing from fellow Earthlings might help you feel better about things until he sends you home.”
“I wonder if he’d let me talk to them. He doesn’t trust my motives.”
“The loss of some of his men and the involvement of Earthlings has apparently soured Jape on the entire species of Earthlings, with the exception of Anneliese. He might not mind you talking to her.”
“It’s not only issues with Earthlings,” Velia said, wishing she could convince Retav to ignore the head enforcer’s apparent jurisdiction over her activities. “I get the idea Jape has issues with seeing women as equals. Maybe it’s because many of us aren’t fighters. He can be dismissive in that regard.” It stung how he’d treated her with condescension.
“He wouldn’t be the first, particularly among males who have little to do with our women outside of breeding and sexual maintenance.”
He’d shock
ed Velia again, and she had to laugh. “Sexual maintenance? Sorry, it reminds me of jokes about dipsticks and checking the oil. In other words, you make it sound mechanical.”
So did Jape. What is up with these people and their weird sexual customs?
“I fear for many, male and female, that’s what it is.” Retav’s gaze went distant as he contemplated. “Our women are different beings from the men. Their goal is to leave all material and physical concerns behind. To become one with the All-Spirit. That relegates sexual intimacy to a base instinct. A pleasurable instinct, but often a distraction from what they consider meaningful on a deeper level.”
“Why can’t sex itself be meaningful?”
Retav’s silver eyes glinted. “Indeed. I agree with that. To some extent, so do quite a few of the women. They attempt to bridge the gap through rituals that bring both parties greater sensual pleasure.”
“But the ritual itself has become more about function than feeling, hasn’t it?”
Retav’s grin broadened. “Velia, you are wise.”
She laughed. “I can’t attest to that. I just have an idea of how Jape sees it.”
“Oh?”
Velia winced. She’d admitted to Retav that she and Jape had discussed sex. “Okay, so the subject came up. He still doesn’t necessarily like me as a person.”
“On the contrary. I sense that you appeal to him on several levels. Since he’d already made up his mind about you, as far as your transgression of being an Earthling...or thought he had anyway...now he’s confused. He’s fighting his better instincts to maintain his chosen viewpoint.”
Velia arched a brow at Retav’s amusement. “Laugh all you want. The fact remains, we’re at odds on the important subjects, the ones that don’t include sex. I’m not sure we can move past them to achieve anything constructive.”
“You stand a better chance of talking to him than any of our own women. Unlike them, you live in this world, much as Risnarish men do, rather than in the next. Jape, who is invested in tangible results, might listen to you.”
Worlds Collide Page 9
