by Kiersten Fay
“You’re outta here,” she said. It wasn’t a question.
He stopped to look at her. Her face was composed, but he thought there was a bit of a mocking smirk behind her eyes. “I haven’t done a perimeter check in a while,” he offered by way of explanation. Plus, he wasn’t kidding when he said the sex was intense. Nearly too intense. There was still a faint burn running through him and he needed to run it off.
“Player,” she mumbled.
There was that word again. He’d forgotten to look it up. “We’ll be leaving Earth soon, so make sure you pack anything you want to take and say goodbye to Zoey.”
Her face fell, and he regretted his comment immediately.
Escaping into the hallway, he shut the door before heading downstairs. He really did need to do a perimeter check, but first he stopped in the small room where Kyra kept a functioning computer connected to the Internet. These humans made it so easy to learn everything there is to know about them.
Switching it on, he waited for it to boot, then typed the word “player” into the Google database. A list of options came up. Most of them were sports or video game related.
Was she saying he liked to play games?
Well, he had just lost the noise game. He frowned, realizing now that he had told her there would be a next time and realizing that she wasn’t out of his system as he expected.
He clicked a promising link and read the definition that came up.
Player:
1. A male who is skilled at manipulating others, and seducing women by pretending to care about them, when in reality he is only interested in sex.
2. guy who:
a. doesn't understand the meaning of relationship.
b. is very good at making girls think he is into them. (also very proficient at breaking said girl’s hearts).
c. often "dates" several girls at once.
d. is an asshole!
Example: don't hate the player, hate the game.
He sat back in the chair.
Only interested in sex sounded about right, but he wasn’t sure about the other stuff. Shamelessly, he conceded that the last one wasn’t too far off the mark either.
Well, whatever she thought of him, it didn’t matter. Didn’t matter at all. Resigned, he shut off the computer, and then headed out for a run.
Chapter 15
Kyra stepped into the kitchen fully dressed and still a little damp from her shower. She headed straight for the coffee pot.
Liquid fuel? Yes, please.
The sun was just rising over the mountains, flooding the room with a warm, soft light. Cale sat at the table, speaking low into his communicator, she assumed to Sebastian. He didn’t acknowledge her.
Zoey planted herself on the couch in the living room, feeding her sudden addiction to the news. Kyra hoped everything worked out for her and forcefully closed the dam on a sudden wave of guilt.
There is nothing more I can do.
Lifting the cup, she took the first hot sip of the day, melting as the flavor tickled her taste buds and dialed a wake-up call straight to her brain.
Cale finished his conversation with a brisk, “I’ll signal you when we’ve left,” and finally glanced her way. An iced vanilla latte would have been warmer than his gaze. “We leave tonight,” he muttered.
“So soon?” she asked softly. Her eyes shifted to Zoey in the other room.
“Aidan has picked up signatures of Kayadon ships around Earth, which isn’t surprising, but he’s mapped out a window of pickup that will provide little risk for everyone. We’ll need to get to my shuttle, here on Earth, and use the last of its fuel to get us in orbit and as close to Marada as possible. They can’t risk a landing.”
“Oh.” She took another sip of coffee, more for something to do rather than a need for the caffeine. “How is this plan less risky?”
“The Kayadon ships seem to be orbiting Earth, concealing their crafts behind the moon. Obviously, they don’t want their presence known to the people of this planet. Tonight the moon will be opposite us. With any luck, we’ll avoid detection altogether.”
“Ships you say? As in more than one?”
“Two, according to Aidan.”
“And who is Aidan?”
“Our pilot. He’s a dragonshifter.”
“Ah.” She didn’t recognize the name. He must not be connected with the royal family of Legura. There were many dragon clans, but she wasn’t as familiar with all of them. “I’ll get a map so you can show me exactly where you think your shuttle is.”
“No need,” he declared. “I printed directions already.” He lifted up a sheet of paper that had been lying in front of him on the table.
She quirked a brow and snatched the page. “You used my computer? How are you already so keen on human technology?”
“My kind are notoriously fast learners,” he explained. She caught a hint of pride in his tone. It had taken her years to adapt herself to this world, and he’s done it in less than a few months. Why did that irritate her?
Gulping back more coffee, she glanced at the map. “This is only a few hours from here.” Her heart constricted in her chest. She took a seat at the table as a wave of dizziness crashed around her. Was she afraid? A calming breath filled her lungs. Cale didn’t notice her sudden stress.
“Be ready to leave late afternoon.”
She only nodded in reply, staring absently at the steam rising from her cup. He left the table and headed up the stairs. A few moments later, she heard the faint sound of the shower running.
Beyond the window, a flurry of birds chirped happily, in direct contradiction of her mood. Needing fresh air, she headed outside. The chill was severe. Her breath billowed in a white mist, quickly dissipating as she walked without a purpose.
She stopped at the edge of the lake, staring out at the dark water. The surface was deceiving: calm, tranquil, untroubled by its own stillness. Underneath, she imagined it churned like the treacherous waters of the Amazon. She sat, not caring if she dirtied her clothes, and let the illusion of serenity wash over her—forcing it into a cast and welding it to the floor of her mind.
Time slipped by, and she heard a soft approach. She didn’t need to look to know it was Zo who crouched beside her.
“We’re leaving today,” Kyra blurted.
“When?” Zoey asked.
“A few hours after lunch, I guess.”
Zoey’s reply reeked of sadness. “It’s lunch time now.”
What? How long had she been sitting out here? The conversation faltered as a flock of geese squawked overhead, drawing her eyes to the position of the sun.
“Are you taking the car?” Zoey inquired.
“We’ll have to, yes.” She realized then that Zoey would be left without transportation. “It would be a good idea for you to come with us so you can drive the car back. Better yet, you should head straight to Canada from there. I don’t like the thought of you here alone.” A tear seared her cheek, and her lip trembled. “Promise me you’ll—”
“Stop worrying,” Zoey interrupted. “I’ll be fine. I know it sounds impossible, but I have lived most of my life without a big sister to look after me.”
Kyra smiled. She had to believe Zoey would be okay. Yet the shadow of the coming separation loomed. After a few more moments of silence, they headed back inside.
Kyra’s lunch consisted of little more than a few bites of salad. Her stomach wouldn’t permit anything more.
With her constant checking, the clock seemed to tick by like a snail on Xanax, yet somehow, and to her dismay, it became time to start packing up the car. Kyra didn’t have much to take: some clothes, toiletries. It felt more like she was getting ready for a stay at the Plaza.
Zoey had a few large bags of her own, stuffed in the trunk. She’d decided to take Kyra’s advice and get out of Dodge.
Cale had even less to pack.
Making his way toward them, he slipped on the cowboy hat she’d purchased for him. She ground her teeth a
t how sexy he looked in it.
He hadn’t said much to her since this morning. Maybe he was giving her time with Zoey, which she did appreciate. Or maybe he was distancing himself now that his mission to keep her safe was almost over. Either way, she felt neglected. Which was stupid, she mentally scolded herself.
It wasn’t as though they were an actual couple. In fact, he’d made it perfectly clear that was exactly what he didn’t want. Neither did she, of course. Not at all.
Not. At. All.
Well, maybe a little.
But she was perfectly aware that her attraction to him was based on a mild case of hero worship. He’d come to save her, was helping her master her gift, reuniting her with her family, and was nothing less than a god in bed. Who wouldn’t want to stake a claim in that?
When Zoey offered to drive, nobody protested. Kyra’s emotions threatened to break her to pieces. She took the passenger seat, and Cale stretched out in the back. How could he look so damn casual?
After Zoey pulled onto the road, a heavy silence fell over them that seemed to take on weight as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Kyra cracked the window and stared aimlessly at the scenery whizzing by, noting that this could very well be the last look she’d get of the place she’d called home for so long. Part of her fought to deny it.
Why did she feel so lost? Her thoughts shifted back to Cale. She’d been immersed in a cocoon of chaos since she’d met him, and something told her it was only going to get worse.
She did then what she had done her entire life. She mentally pulled up her big girl panties and hardened her resolve. Outwardly, she sat up a little straighter. This was just another in a never-ending line of transitions.
They stopped once for a bathroom break and snacks, then resumed their trek. By the time they reached their destination, the sun was out of sight, yet night had not quite taken over. Cale had assumed they’d need to hike to get to his ship, but Kyra’s smart phone map app revealed a narrow, concealed road that brought them within forty feet of it.
“You’re lucky no one saw this, Cale,” she exclaimed as the small shuttle came into view. The silver casing stood out easily in the dark.
He only frowned.
They hopped out of the car. Kyra breathed in the fresh mountain air, presumably for the last time.
She slipped the strap of her bag over her shoulder, noting that it felt heavier now than it did when she’d stowed it. She yanked on the zipper and fished out a bottle of Jack Daniels and Johnnie Walker Blue Label. She imagined the empty spots in her liquor cabinet.
Cale gave her a lopsided grin. “Souvenirs.”
Zipping the bag, she muttered, “I should have grabbed my seventeen eighty-seven Chateau Lafite.”
Nearby crickets went quiet at their approach. On closer inspection she could see the shuttle was sleek with smooth angles, much like a modern sports car, only larger and, she assumed, with a hell of a lot more power under the hood.
Cale must have hit a button because the shuttle stirred. A hatch came down, morphing into a set of stairs. She turned to Zoey, who stared in awe. Kyra hugged her, holding back an overload of emotion. She’d lose it if she didn’t get this over with quickly.
“Be good, stay safe.”
“You too,” Zoey choked out.
Cale stood to the side, waiting patiently.
Finally, Kyra let go and headed inside before she had a chance to change her mind and make a run for it.
The interior felt a bit cramped with a total of twelve seats, situated in pairs around a thin aisle that led to a wide window. She plopped her bag down and wrapped her arms around her torso.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Cale hollered.
Alarmed, she poked her head back outside and her jaw dropped.
Zoey had thoroughly wrapped herself around Cale like a backwards backpack and was holding on for dear life. Cale spotted Kyra in the doorway and stretched his arms straight out to the side, horrified.
“Take me with you!” Zoey bellowed.
Kyra emerged from the shuttle. “Zoey,” she sighed, stepping toward the two. “It’s too dangerous. You can’t come.”
“Please don’t leave me here alone!”
Kyra’s heart squeezed. “You’re going to be fine, Zo.”
“No, I won’t!”
She grabbed Zoey by the waist and pulled, but Zoey didn’t budge. She pulled harder. “Zo, let go.”
“No!”
“Let go of Cale.”
“No!”
“Zoey!” Her tone turned harsh, and she looked to Cale for help.
He shook his head, his eyes glinting with concealed humor. “I’m not in the habit of trying to get females off of me.”
Kyra let out a frustrated growl and prepared to peel Zoey free when a familiar clicking echoed from the dark. Her hair stood on end.
Cale went ridged, and their eyes locked.
“Everyone in the shuttle, now!” Cale ordered.
Zoey jumped down and raced for the craft. Kyra ushered her in before following. Cale brushed passed them to take the helm and sealed them in.
“Both of you, sit down and don’t touch anything.” He didn’t wait to see if they obeyed. The engines rumbled to life, and the craft slammed off the ground under his guidance. He felt better in the air, but only a fraction. If that had truly been the Kayadon, it was possible they had ships nearby as well. His readings showed nothing, but the sooner they were on Marada, the sooner he could relax.
He opened a transmission to the ship. “We’ve jumped, and we’re coming up fast. Do you have our signal?”
Moments later, Aidan replied, “Aw, I was hoping to hold on to my second status a little longer.”
Sebastian had appointed Aidan second in command?
“Is Sebastian there?”
“No, I’ve just hailed him. We weren’t expecting you for another hour. I’ve just locked on your signal. Wow, you’re burning hard.”
“Aidan, how are we looking? Are we clear?”
“Looks like it. Is something wrong?”
“There may have been some Kayadon on the ground near us just before we took off.” Cale glanced at the shuttle’s fuel level as they reached the upper atmosphere. “Our fuel won’t last much longer. How close are you?”
“Not far, I’m headed right for you. Five minutes if you keep up your speed.” There was a pause. “I’m reading three entities on board, Cale. Do we have another stray?”
Another stray?
“There’s a human with us. She’s not a threat, and she won’t be staying.”
Zoey didn’t protest, but that was only because she was not familiar with the language he and Aidan spoke. Kyra wasn’t bothering to translate. Actually, they were both being uncharacteristically silent. He looked back and saw them both stricken with fright.
“The worst is over,” he assured, but neither made a remark. “Kyra, you understood the language I was speaking a moment ago?”
“Yes,” she replied, full of anxiety. “You said we’re low on fuel.”
“Why did you learn it?” he asked to distract her.
“Royalty needs to be able to communicate with all sorts of beings. Plus, I spent some time with the dragons.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“They were traveling space long before many of the other races. Most of the common languages evolved from them.”
That was something Cale hadn’t known, but more importantly her voice was evening out. The light out the window changed as they broke through the atmosphere. A unified gasp breezed from two sets of lungs behind him.
“Kyra,” Zoey muttered, her tone a little wild. “We’re in space.”
“Yup.”
“We’re in honest-to-god, no-shitting, mother-freaking space!”
“Mm-hmm.”
Zoey let out a small hysterical giggle and then immediately started sucking in air. “Do we have enough air? I can’t breathe. Did you say we’re low on fuel? How are we goin
g to get back? I need some air.” She jumped out of her chair.
Kyra leapt up and forced Zoey back into her seat. “Everything’s fine. We have plenty of air, right, Cale?”
“Uh.”
“Cale!”
“We should have enough for this trip. Just calm her down.”
She turned back to Zoey. “See, plenty of air. And we’ll figure out how to get you back to Earth. Okay?”
“Ah, shit,” Cale blurted.
“What do you mean, Ah, shit!” both girls squeaked.
Ignoring them, he re-opened transmission. “Aidan?”
“I see it,” Aidan answered. An unidentified ship now followed them. “How’s your fuel?”
“Nonexistent,” Cale replied, thankful anew that Zoey couldn’t understand. However, Kyra’s breath caught.
“What?” Zoey whispered. “What is it?”
To Aidan, he said, “We’re maintaining good speed but the planet’s gravity still has us.”
“We’ll get to you before they do, but we may take fire.”
“Where did they come from?”
“Looks like they emerged from a large body of water just after you took off. That’s why our scans missed them.”
Cale deduced that whoever had been in the woods must have contacted the ship that now tracked them.
“I see you now,” Cale said. Marada’s outline emerged from the darkness.
“I’m going to have to scoop you up at speed. Do you have enough fuel to set her down?”
“Just get us on that ship, Aidan.”
“I take that as a no.”
Cale turned back to Kyra and Zoey. “Strap yourselves in. This isn’t going to be soft.”
Though stark, they swiftly obeyed and then clasped hands. Marada moved to their front, matching their speed while the docking bay hatch slowly opened.
Aidan’s voice boomed. “I’m going to ease her back.” As he spoke, the shuttle inched closer to the opening. “Oh, well now that’s something.”
“What?”
“The Kayadon are hailing us. They think we’re one of them.”
