The Anuan Legacy: Book 1 of The Anuan Legacy Series

by Traci Ison Schafer

I tried to figure out where he was pointing, but wasn’t quite sure. “That clump of bare trees or those evergreens?”

  He stepped behind me, resting his chin on the top of my head, and pointed over my shoulder so my line of vision could follow his arm. “You see that little cluster of stars right up there?”

  Stay focused on the conversation, I reminded myself before answering. “Yes, I see them.”

  “Okay, look to the right. That star all by itself, just to the right of the cluster. That’s our star, our sun.”

  It twinkled yellow, almost winking at me.

  Gaige moved his finger in a circle out in front of me. “And in orbit around that star is our planet.”

  I imagined his planet, circling its life-force sun, full of others like him. “What do they call your planet?”

  He let his arm drop, allowing it to drape over my shoulder. “Anu.”

  “Uh-nu. I like that name.”

  A howl in the distance suddenly cut through the air.

  “WHAT was that?” I grabbed Gaige’s draped arm and pulled it around me.

  “Don’t worry. They won’t bother us.”

  Another howl followed, echoing off the hillsides. I turned toward Gaige and locked my arms around his waist. “How do you know that? I think we should go back inside.”

  But neither of us moved. Or spoke another word. We just stood, embracing each other. A warmth surged through me. Though I didn’t know much more than his name, beyond logic or explanation, I knew I wanted him.

  CHAPTER 32 -

  GAIGE

  At first I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. I only wanted to act. Then I did. Losing myself in her, I caressed her back, her neck, and ran my fingers through her hair. She gripped the back of my flight suit, her breath coming fast and heavy. Visions flashed. Me and her—

  “No!” I pulled back.

  Having been leaning her weight against me, she stumbled forward. I grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her.

  She blinked, confused. “No?”

  “I overstepped.”

  “No. You didn’t do anything wrong.” She reached her hand up and touched my check. “It was . . . that was nice.”

  I wrapped my hand around hers and pulled it away from my face, reluctant to let go. But I did. “It can’t happen.”

  “It?” She asked, softly.

  My mind was going, had gone, places it shouldn’t and I was making her all too aware of that. I needed to protect her, not confuse her. “Anything. Nothing. It just can’t happen.”

  “Are you married or something?”

  “No. I’m not married or something.”

  She tilted her head like she was studying me, or thinking, or both. “Can’t happen or shouldn’t happen?”

  “Can’t. Shouldn’t. It doesn’t matter.”

  She held my face in her hands, and then ran them down my neck, then my chest.

  It was all I could do not to pull her back against me. “What are you doing?”

  “It does matter. There’s a difference between can’t and shouldn’t.” Her hands stopped on my stomach. “And if you’re single, is it that you’re . . .”

  “That I’m what?”

  “Different.” She pulled her hands away and looked me in the face. “Are you different?” It was hard to tell in the darkness but I could have sworn a blush covered her cheeks. “You know, not compatible. Physically.”

  “Oh! We’re compatible, all right.” I had to laugh, but only for a brief moment. Then, the seriousness of the situation fell back on me. “But you’re attracted to me in ways you don’t even understand. I’m not going to take advantage of that.”

  She bowed her head and looked up at me with sheepish eyes. “If I’m willing, it wouldn’t be taking advantage.”

  “Yes, it would.” I didn’t know what else to say. “We just can’t.” I shook my head, trying to convince myself more than her. I couldn’t let things get out of control. “It’s time to get back inside. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

  I took her by the hand and practically dragged her back into the room. Even holding her hand was difficult now, so I released it as soon as we got inside. She was hurt; I knew that. I’d had no choice, though. I wasn’t sure how to make things better, but I had to try.

  “Look, Victoria.” I guided her by the shoulders into one of the chairs, and knelt down in front of her. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I mean, I could. So easily. You’re . . . you’re . . .” I threw my head back, frustrated that logical words escaped me.

  “I’m what?” She crossed her arms.

  I caressed her cheek. I couldn’t help it. “You’re beautiful, and you’re smart, and you’re stubborn—but I like that—and you’re important to me. Too important for this.” I waved my arm around the crappy little motel room. “And you’re . . . you’re not ready. There’s so much more you should know before making a decision like that. In my world, that act means a lot more than it does here.”

  She swallowed nervously. “How much more?”

  “It’s a life commitment for us.”

  “Life?” Her face paled.

  “Yes, life. When we connect with someone and are driven to bond, it’s in all ways—physically, emotionally, mentally. That act involves so much more for us. It’s like merging two beings into one on every level with every sense we have. Senses you aren’t even aware of. And that is for life. Our bonds are never broken.”

  “Never?” She leaned forward in her chair, eyes wide. “But people change over time. How do you know you wouldn’t someday grow apart?”

  “Remember, we’re very intuitive. We listen to something deep within ourselves and when we feel a connection so deep that we’re driven to bond, any changes over time are superficial in comparison, and easily managed.”

  “So it's never just physical?”

  “No, it’s a package deal for us.”

  “You’re saying that connection drives the desire to bond. But, it seemed like . . . and if that’s the case . . .?”

  Her words came out jumbled, but I knew what she meant, and she was right. The desire was there, for both of us. But how could I explain the situation without getting into more than she was ready to hear?

  “Never mind,” she said, saving me from whatever kind of explanation I’d have had to fumble through. “I’m not normally like that. Normally. I don’t know why . . . like . . . what got into me.” She blinked and let out a sigh. “I should go to bed now.” She pushed past me, took her coat and shoes off, and got into her bed. “I’m sorry if I did anything to offend you.”

  “You didn’t. And, I’m the one who’s sorry. But I’ll tell you one thing. If I was a Kian man—Earth man—you wouldn’t be sleeping alone tonight.” I smiled at her, finally feeling the tension ease. I probably shouldn’t have said what I did. Had I confirmed to her that she was right? The desire was there. But my confession had made the heaviness lift from the room. We needed that.

  “Well, you’re not, so put the dimples away, Alien.” She grinned back at me and I knew the incident was over. For now.

  CHAPTER 33 -

  GAIGE

  Victoria tossed and turned in her bed, while I sat in a chair waiting to hear some word of progress from Conner. I could easily detect that Victoria’s subconscious searched for more than she’d ever known was possible to reach. Being in my presence had awakened that in her. I hoped she’d adjust quickly to her new awareness, since I didn’t seem to be able to completely block my energies from her. But, like using muscles she’d never used before, eventually she wouldn’t even notice. Until then, it would be an exhausting, and maybe even emotional, time for her.

  Victoria turned toward me and opened her eyes. “Gaige?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me more about your planet.” Sleep hadn’t completely released its hold on her voice and the words came out slow and husky.

  I sat down on the edge of her bed and started telling her everything I could think of. Her eyelids hung
heavy, but she fought sleep, and sleep fought her back. I droned on about the commerce, or lack thereof, the landscape, and the architecture.

  She laid her hand on my arm to get my attention. “Are there murders?” she asked. “My parents were murdered. During a robbery attempt.” Her eyelids still sagged, partially obscuring her green eyes. But now the heaviness looked more like sadness than fatigue. A deep line creased between her brows, adding to the effect.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you. So, are there? Murders?”

  “No, no murders. It’s not in our nature. We’ve evolved into more sensitive, empathetic beings than the ones here on Earth, with abilities beyond the five senses Kians hold to. Kians could be that way too, if they’d work at it.”

  She raised her head. “We could?”

  “Yes, you could.” You already are, I thought, but didn’t dare say it out loud.

  She smiled and laid her head back down on the pillow. “I’ll work at it then. What about robberies?”

  “No robberies either. Even if our nature would allow it, there’s no need. Technology provides us with anything we could ever need or want.”

  With her hand still on my arm, Victoria’s eyelids slowly closed and she drifted off easily. I lay down next to her, watching her sleep, so beautiful, so innocent. I felt her connection to me getting stronger. I was drawn to her as much as she was drawn to me, but I couldn’t act on it. Getting physical wouldn’t be fair to her. She couldn’t really understand what she was feeling. Things were too complicated.

  I touched a finger to her cheek. She stirred and I froze. Her lips spread into a gentle smile and she rolled against me, still sleeping. What was she dreaming? Was it of us?

  “Conner to Gaige.”

  “I’m here.”

  “We have the shuttles in place near the new location and I have a car. I’ll be there in about an hour to pick you up.”

  “Good. Thank you. We’ll be ready. And Conner, Victoria is much more sensitive than we anticipated. Your presence will affect her. So be aware.”

  “Got it. See you soon.”

  I traced a lock of Victoria’s hair. I’d let her sleep as long as I could. She’d need every advantage if we had to take drastic measures. “Sleep tight.” I kissed her on the forehead and eased off the bed, which responded with a loud creak.

  She gasped. “Wait. You haven’t finished. Anu. I want to hear more. It sounds wonderful.”

  “Yes, it is wonderful.” I sat back down on the bed.

  “And everybody gets along?” A smile hovered at the edges of her mouth and her eyes looked off in the distance like she could see it all for herself already.

  “We don’t always agree, but we work it out. We’re all very close.”

  “So, you’re close to your family, then?” She let out a sigh and twisted her finger in the top edge of the bed sheet. “I miss my family.”

  “I’m sorry.” It will all be okay, I thought, sending that positive message silently to her.

  “It’s okay. That’s part of life, right? You grow up, go off to school, run away with an alien.” She chuckled and closed her eyes as if the effort of laughing had taken all the energy she had.

  “Part of life, yes, I suppose it is. Maybe not always the alien part.”

  “Maybe not,” she agreed, opening her eyes back up. “Your family. You’re close to them?” she asked again.

  I didn’t want to talk about my family when she missed hers so much. She wasn’t going to let it go, though, so I hesitantly told her what she wanted to know. “My family is extremely close. Because our senses are so much more astute, families and close friends on Anu become virtually telepathic with each other. That’s especially true of what you might call soul mates.”

  “The bonding thing?” she whispered.

  “Yes, the bonding thing.”

  With the constant seeking her subconscious was doing, she had to be exhausted. I was amazed she’d been able to fight sleep this long. She took my hand and held it up, comparing it again to her own.

  “You quack like a duck, Alien.”

  Though I searched the memories of my language lessons, the meaning of this particular idiom managed to elude me. “A duck?”

  “You look human, supposedly function—physically—like a human. But are you? Are you really a human?” Her eyes closed and her hand dropped to the bed.

  “Yes, I’m human. Just like you,” I whispered.

  She pulled her lids open again. “But how?”

  “Earth has an atmosphere very similar to our own, so we had an outpost here. That was millennia ago. When our ships became advanced enough to no longer need outposts, the people here wanted to break from us and remain on Earth permanently. They gave up our technologies and any help we could offer. That’s how they wanted it. Our culture has a deep regard for individual choices as long as they don’t cause harm to others, so we respected their decision. Anu became such a distant memory as the generations passed, that the name began to be known as God of the Sky rather than the planet they used to call home. Their descendants don’t know where they came from anymore, or that the planet or the Anuans even exist.” I became lost in my thoughts, assuming Victoria had drifted off by now. “They made a lot of mistakes. Without our technologies, living on Earth was not easy—droughts and floods, hard times. They became selfish. And violent. We tried to step back in and help. Even thousands of years later we continued to try, resisting what our intuitions told us. We regretted it. I’m so sorry, Victoria.”

  I reached a hand toward her to touch her sleeping cheek, but she was wide awake and hanging on every word.

  “You’re sorry for what?”

  “For your loss.” I pulled the covers up to her chin and, though she was awake this time, kissed her again on the forehead. “Sleep now.”

  CHAPTER 34 -

  BRIAN

  Having been sounds asleep, my nerves jumped when someone pounded on my office door. A sharp pain struck the back of my neck when I tried to straighten it, so I let my head continue to rest against the chair. It wasn’t a bad office chair, but it sucked as a bed. “Yes?” I called to whoever was on the other side of my door.

  “The general wants you in the test lab in five minutes.”

  Of course he does. “I’ll be there.” I lolled my neck from side to side before trying to raise my head again. The kinks worked out enough to straighten my neck and stand with only minor discomfort. I looked at my watch. It was after midnight now. Almost twenty-four hours in that place. “Too bad salaried people don’t earn overtime.” I laughed, definitely punchy from lack of sleep. “Not funny, Brian.” If I didn’t get myself under control, who would? This was not a situation to enter into slaphappy.

  After stretching out and stuffing the snacks from my desk drawer into my coat pockets, I headed to the test lab. Inside sat four black SUVs. A mix of a dozen or so military and civilians stood in groups discussing whatever there was to be discussed. The civilians, dressed in dark suits, looked like they’d just left the presidential motorcade unguarded. For trying to keep the situation quiet, the government sure had enough people there.

  I caught one of the civilians in between groups and couldn’t resist poking at him. “Hey, why the suits? Shouldn’t you guys be doing camo or something?”

  For an answer, I received a blank look and a blunt, “We’re not special ops. We don’t do camo.”

  I wanted to tell him that even in his dreams he wouldn’t be able to handle a special ops assignment. I bit my lip instead and swallowed the words.

  With a sneer on his face, the suit moved away from me and joined one of the groups.

  Fun bunch. I was cranky, no doubt, but figured I’d better knock it off, because the general could trump my cranky by a mile.

  “Brian!”

  I didn’t have to turn around to know who screamed my name. “Yes sir, General Ash.” I turned to see him blasting toward me.

  “We’re ready to move out.” He flailed his arms
toward the SUVs as he moved past me. “Come on everybody! Load up!” He looked back over his shoulder. “Brian. You’re with me. Front of the line.”

  I trudged to the first SUV, hating my life at that moment.

  CHAPTER 35 -

  VICTORIA

  My gloved hands slapped against the concrete floor, searching for something in the darkness. I couldn’t recall what I was searching for. Only that I had to find it before . . . Before what? Before something happened—something bad.

  I crawled faster, scanning every inch of the floor with my hands. The sound of my breathing—quick, in and out—bounced around the emptiness before finally fading away, but not before being replaced by a dozen more of my own echoing breaths. I couldn’t find whatever lay hidden in the room. But I had to keep trying.

  Finally locating the target of my search, I picked up the lifeless body off the floor. Out of nowhere, a grunt broke through the empty black void. Until then, I had seen nothing. But, at that moment, I saw the eyes: bright yellow with vertical slits for pupils. Like snake eyes. They pierced me with a look so fierce I could almost feel them burning through my own. I squeezed my eyelids shut.

  With a whish, the stale air stirred around my neck. I didn’t feel the pain. Not at first. A warmth saturated the collar of my shirt. I raised my hand to my neck, inhaling, gasping, drowning, while blood ran through my fingers. Then the pain came. A sharp sting deep in my throat. And then nothing. No pain. No sight. No sound. Nothing at all . . .

  “Victoria! Are you okay? Wake up. Wake up!”

  I opened my eyes. Gaige stood over me, shaking me by the shoulders to wake me. I knew then it had all been a dream, and that they were back. The monsters were back. The same monsters that haunted my dreams around the time of my parents’ deaths.

  “Are you okay?” Gaige asked again. “You sounded like you were choking.”

  The monsters’ reoccurrence disturbed me. But as scary as they seemed, I knew they lived only in my dreams. Wide awake now, something still frightened me. I sat up, bed covers already kicked aside during my sleep, and pulled my knees against my body, wrapping my arms around my legs to hold them close. “I’m scared.”