At Night's End

by Katherine Matzen

  “They really are aliens from outer space?”

  Her outraged and astonished tone caught him by surprise and he dissolved into laughter, holding on to her to keep from collapsing.

  “What?” She shoved at him to get some space between them, but an unfamiliar smile made her face hurt. It had been so long since she had felt this carefree, and not even the knowledge of aliens in town could dull her joy.

  “You have no trouble believing I’m from another planet.” He struggled to get the words out between bouts of laughter. “But you’re surprised the tall, bald guys with big heads and a food fetish are not from Canada?”

  “I never thought they were from Canada,” she denied. “I just… well, I knew they weren’t local, but… I didn’t want Kyle to be right.”

  Lateef sobered quickly. “What does that guy know about it?” He was serious, but underneath she could feel his undying love for her. She realized the emotion had been there for a long time, but she hadn’t allowed herself to notice before now.

  “I’m not sure he knows anything. He was here when Taltos came back a couple of days ago and…”

  “The PI met the Hatti?” He interrupted her, all amusement fled from his face.

  She nodded, surprised at his reaction. “I tried to get him to leave before they arrived, but he wouldn’t go.”

  “You knew they were coming?” A puzzled yet pleased look on his face. “How long before they got here?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know—long enough to get lunch ready.”

  “You fed them again?”

  So many conflicting emotions swirled through her she couldn’t tell if he was amazed or angry. “It’s what I do, Lateef. Food kept them off balance before.”

  He stared at her and she blushed.

  “Okay.” She plopped back down in her seat and picked up her mug to hold like a shield as she avoided his eyes. “They enjoyed breakfast so much I couldn’t resist the idea of getting such a great reaction again.”

  He snorted and she glared at him. “It’s your fault,” she countered.

  “How do you figure?”

  “You made me care again. If I hadn’t met you, I’d still be wrapped up in my own little world instead of caring about what some random aliens thought about my cooking.”

  “Then I have done a very good thing.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper and she felt his intense desire wrap around her body like a wildfire.

  She met his heated gaze. The rush of emotions flooding through her was so intense she didn’t know how to handle them. And some of them didn’t feel like hers. She held one hand up to ward off the unfamiliar feelings and Lateef turned away. Her hand went to her chest as she felt muted and empty. Was this what her life had become?

  Lateef refilled their mugs and then settled across the table from her. His hands shook, but his expression was blank. The next move would be up to her.

  Dani stared into her coffee, trying to decide if she was willing to risk feeling again, no matter how wonderful it was. Life was too dangerous to care about people. I don’t think I can stand losing everyone again. It’s so much easier to be alone.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lateef heard her internal anguish, despite his mental shields. The concern was so strong he had to reassure her. She was coming out of her self-imposed isolation and he couldn’t let her slide back into despair. “You will never be alone again, Danielle, I promise you.” He reached across the table to take one of her trembling hands in his.

  “You can’t keep that promise. No one can.” Dani pulled away, taking several deep breaths as her face became a mask. “I didn’t mean that to come out like an accusation. I know things happen beyond our control.”

  He held tighter as she tried to pull her hand away. Can’t let her back off now, or I might not ever get her to admit she needs people around. That she needs me as much as I need her. “Dani, I promise you’ll never be alone again. I have a large family and they won’t abandon you either.”

  Dani snorted disagreement. “Hasn’t been my experience. Families are the source of my problems, not the solution.” She snapped her lips shut and pulled her hand free as she looked away from him.

  Sweat beaded on Lateef’s brow as the possibility of rejection grew. Dani wouldn’t look at him. He longed to reach out for her mind with his. There was no room for misunderstanding with direct mental contact, but the next move had to be hers. He couldn’t force her to love him. His heart hammered in his chest as the silence stretched.

  She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “You were going to tell me who you are.”

  His pulse stuttered before settling back into a normal rhythm. He could sense no rejection in her posture. Hope began to flutter in his gut as he answered. “There’s so much to talk about I’m not sure where to start.”

  “How about from the beginning?”

  “But what is the beginning?” he countered. He looked over her shoulder to stare out the window, trying to get his chaotic thoughts in some kind of order. Despite the sudden lightness in her aura, he knew she was fragile.

  “Tell me why you were in this area.” Dani took another sip of coffee. “Then we can go from there.”

  She held the cup in both hands, but he could see the contents sloshing as her hands shook. He decided on a course of action and met her gaze. “I guess you’ll have to find everything out eventually.”

  “Only if you want to stick around.”

  He grunted as the threat hit him like a physical blow. She couldn’t deny him now, could she?

  A frown furrowed her brow. “How are you doing that?” she asked.

  “What?” Cautious optimism returned and he wiped off drops of sweat on his face.

  “Making me feel your emotions?”

  “What do you mean?” He stared at her intently, all thought of his own concerns gone. She had psychic potential and her aura had changed dramatically in the time he’d known her, but was that enough to allow her to fully live in his world? He’d happily stay with her on Earth, but options would be wonderful.

  “Right now, I could feel a brief surge of panic and denial that wasn’t mine. I could read the emotions on your face. I can’t do things like that.”

  Relief flooded his system and he couldn’t stop the huge grin hijacking his face. She had abilities that would help her fit in with his family. Not that they wouldn’t love her for his sake, but she wouldn’t feel like she was so different at family gatherings.

  “And now you’re pleased as punch about something. Spill.” Her expression lit up her beautiful face.

  “You’ll love my family,” he said. “They’ll be crazy about you.”

  “Why do you think I want to meet your family?” A frown creased her forehead.

  “Because you like me.” His grin deepened. She wasn’t ready to admit it yet, but she was his. He could afford to be patient.

  “I don’t know you, and knowing your name isn’t enough,” she said over his effort to introduce himself again. “I need more.”

  “But you already know more than you realize,” he said. “You can feel my emotions—you know when I’m telling you the truth and you can tell where I am. And.” He grinned broadly at her. “You miss me when I’m not here.”

  “You’re impossible.” Dani hopped to her feet to pace across the dining room. “For all I know you’re a fugitive from justice and those sweet bald men are the police.”

  His mirth vanished and he suddenly sat straighter. That was worse than a bucket of ice water. Step carefully. “Do you believe that?”

  She met his gaze. “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t seriously believe you could be a criminal. But you’re asking me to accept an awful lot of things on faith.”

  “I’m Master Healer Lateef D’Oro.” His pulse raced. All of his attention focused on her face as he fought for his futur
e. He couldn’t lose her. “I’m the youngest of seven kids. I’m a healer, but I also travel on business for my planet. My mother’s currently the leader of Beryl, but all that means is I get in more trouble because we’re all supposed to be perfect.” He paused to give her time to digest this information.

  She remained motionless, letting him continue.

  “My people have been at war with the Falgarans for longer than I’ve been alive. We have allies, since the Falgarans tend to be pretty nasty to everyone they run across and I occasionally work to gain new allies. Sometimes things don’t work out as well as I’d like.” He broke eye contact and stood to pace himself. The next few moments could make or break him.

  “I was invited to an event with the Hatti when things went sideways. While I was making a strategic retreat, I felt you and had to stop.”

  Her look dripped skepticism. “You felt me from outer space in a space ship traveling fast enough to travel interplanetary distances? I’m a sci-fi fan. I’m familiar with best guesses about planetary physics and how faster-than-light travel isn’t possible.”

  “We were already in this solar system. The Hatti are returning to Earth for a visit. They used to live in the Middle East a millennium or so ago,” he said. “And I’m not an engineer, but travel between systems works fine. Doesn’t even take years, but teleportation is much faster. That’s how we usually travel.”

  “You can teleport? Why were you in a ship then?”

  “The Hatti have developed a shield that blocks psychic abilities. While I was getting into a life pod, I was shot with a bolt poisoned with a drug that did the same thing, so I couldn’t teleport or call for help until the drug wore off. You were the first connection I made.”

  Her expression clearly revealed her doubt. “So how did you ‘feel’ me? Especially when you were blocked and nowhere near this planet?”

  He leaned on the table, staring into her warm eyes. “This is so not going where I expected. I’m trying to tell you who I am and why I’m here and you keep derailing me.”

  “How is any of this my fault?” Her cheeks flamed red. “I was running my business and all of a sudden I have some PI banging on my door like a stalker, a bunch of strange men bringing me extravagant gifts and you. It’s a bit much to take in and all of your explanations create more confusion instead of answering any questions.”

  “What kind of gifts?” Dread stiffened his back. Could this situation get any worse? He thought she was done with the Hatti, but he had learned enough to know the strange, food-obsessed race was not free with praise. He had never heard of them giving out gifts.

  “See?” She threw up her hands. “Always more questions instead of answers.”

  “What gifts?” He slipped into healer mode, determined to learn every fact he needed to fix the situation, no matter how reluctant the patient was to tell him everything.

  She looked away and rolled her shoulders. “I’m not sure. Things got weird after lunch, so I stuck the boxes in the closet.”

  “Weird how?” He pushed, though he sensed her reluctance to talk about the situation.

  “Kyle got pushy. He demanded answers I didn’t have and then he said he…” She snapped her mouth closed and started to clear the table.

  “What did he say?” Lateef was afraid he knew the answer and fought the urge to hunt the bastard down.

  “It doesn’t matter.” She carried the dishes to the sink.

  He followed, stopping just close enough their auras almost touched. Forcing all of his violent emotions down, he pushed calm at her. She needed his help to deal with the situation, not to have him storming around like a rabid bull. I’ll deal with Kyle later. The promise made being rational easier.

  “You had to have your friend come help you. You still jump whenever there’s a sound outside. It does matter, Dani. Tell me why he has you so upset.”

  “He got obnoxious and wouldn’t leave. I’ve handled the situation.” Red color crept up her neck and her back was rigid as she loaded the dishwasher.

  Lateef struggled for patience. This was not a fight he could drop. Whatever had happened was like a boil needing to be lanced. How would Rissa handle this? She’d make a stupid comment and push until Dani threw things at her. Better think of a different strategy. “Dani.” He paused, his mind blank.

  When the silence had hung for too long, she turned to face him, her complexion faded to her normal color as the angry tension in her posture subsided. “Yes?”

  Silent, he took her hand and led her to the couch, tugging to overcome her mild resistance.

  She perched on the edge of the cushion and he settled beside her, still keeping hold of her hand as he tried to figure out what he needed to say. Life was such a roller coaster. Had only five minutes passed since he was so happy?

  “I can’t let go, and not because I don’t think you can take care of yourself.”

  She stirred, but settled again as he squeezed her hand.

  “Dani, your pain is part of what pulled me here to start with. You never complain or let it slow you down, but I’m a healer. I can’t help but notice. I’ve worked on the worst of your injuries since you brought me home.” Sudden shame flashed through him.

  “What?” She pulled free and held her hands, palms up with a frown. “Why are you so embarrassed now? I swear you’re driving me crazy, Lateef. One minute you seem so aloof and condescending and then you practically melt into a puddle of need and then you act like a guilty child.” She hopped to her feet and whirled to look down at him. “Answers, buddy boy. Straight and clear and no mystic healing crap. I’ll let the alien stuff ride, because I have to, but tell me everything else about you now.”

  “Tell me about Kyle first. What did he do to spook you so badly?”

  She threw her hands in the air and worried her lower lip between her teeth. “He tried to tell me he was in love. I told him to leave and he pretended he was so deeply in love with me he couldn’t. He doesn’t know me well enough to have those kinds of feelings.”

  He moved to stand in front of her, close enough their bodies touched. “Why did that scare you?” He searched her aura, catching spikes of some foreign influence he didn’t recognize, but couldn’t imagine was important. Not at this exact moment, anyway.

  She vibrated with tension for a few seconds and then abruptly sagged, her head resting on his chest. “I don’t know. Wasn’t so much what as how he said it. His eyes went all weird.”

  Lateef’s arms instinctively went around her. “I won’t let him hurt you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me.”

  “It’s not your job to take care of me. I appreciate what you’ve done so far, but you don’t owe me anything.”

  Her words were strong, but she remained in his embrace.

  “I still owe you for your help. You’re in danger because of me. I tried to pay some of the debt by healing what I could of your old wounds, but I did that wrong, too.” His arms tightened and shame heated his face. “I should have asked your permission before working on you, but seeing you hurt so much was more than I could handle. I limited my work to the worst of your injuries.”

  “I thought I felt better. Figured it was time and exercise like the therapists said.” She stepped back and met his gaze. “Thank you.”

  He let out a relieved sigh. “I didn’t realize I was so worried. I know you want answers, but honestly I don’t even know what your questions are.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not sure I do, either. You keep saying the most outrageous things and I just nod and accept them. The Hatti are from Earth? There’s some group of people trying to kill everyone else in the universe? We’re not alone? You can teleport and have other psychic abilities? I feel like I’ve been in a dream, ignoring a bunch of weird stuff.”

  “Sit down and I’ll try to explain.” He pulled her back to the couch, continuing once they were settled beside e
ach other. “The Hatti aren’t really from Earth, but this clan spent some time here in the distant past. The clans live in city-ships, always looking for different foods. Occasionally they settle on a planet for a few years. No one’s had contact with any clan for generations until a friend of mine ran across them. Even though they’re primarily interested in food, they are vicious warriors and we’d rather have them as allies than enemies in our fight against the Falgarans.”

  She nodded at his pause, brow furrowed with concentration.

  “The Falgarans are… I don’t know how to describe them. Intelligent locusts with a nasty desire to play with their food maybe? They sneak onto a new planet and eventually take everything useful, leaving little beyond bedrock and salt water. If there’s a sentient race on the planet they turn everyone against each other and once the civilization has broken down, they use or sell the people as slaves to their equally nasty allies. Their technology is better than ours, but they have never shown any psychic abilities. That’s our advantage, and why the Hatti shield and the drug are so worrying.”

  “So why did you piss them off?”

  His mouth fell open at her blunt question and then he laughed. “That is the real question, isn’t it?” He settled back into the couch, subtly reassured by her sass. She would accept the truth. “I was tricked into entering a kitchen during feast prep.”

  “Wait a minute. All you did was walk into a kitchen and now the Hatti want to kill you? Are you sure that’s all you did?”

  Lateef rubbed the back of his neck and stared into the distance. “They’re obsessed with food. Recipes are family treasures and a clan’s reputation can be broken by one sub-par dish.”

  “Wow.” Dani shook her head in disbelief. “That’s a bit extreme. So, you think someone set you up?”

  He nodded.

  “Could these Falgarans be behind it?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t think so. To the best of our knowledge, they haven’t spread to this area of space. But who knows?”