Page 45 of Border Control

Still, fire will burn out if left untended, and it can also burn out of control. What fuels Law-rah? What restores her, aids her, calms her? All questions her Base should know the answer to.

“I have never met anyone so willing to throw themselves against their government, and yet, I can envision no one better qualified.”

A smile crosses her face, lifting my hearts with it, but then she says, “I'm sorry, the way you say things makes me laugh a lot of the time. I'm not laughing at you, please don't think that.”

This is a first for me. Arik is the quick-witted joker of our trio, not me. “I don't think that, and it wouldn't matter if you were. If I can help in some way to lighten your mood, then I'm fulfilled.”

She sighs, keys jangling together as she makes a fist. “I shouldn't be burdening you with this, you've got enough on your plate… I mean, enough to do with your responsibilities.”

“I… yes, but…” You need me too,I long to say, but I can't promise that forever. Her aura spikes are still there, just on the edges of my perception, but they’re softening on the outside. Inside, though, I can't see, which worries me. “I can listen now, and assist you however I may in your purpose.”

“Purpose?” Her hands flex on the circular steering wheel. “I don’t know what my purpose is. I don’t think any human knows, but I’ve always felt drawn to the legal profession. It’s important to me in a way I can’t fully articulate, how our system has to work for people, making their lives better. I want to help the underdogs fight big corporations who crush them underfoot.”

The spikes are back, bigger than before. This touches on the heart of what drives her.

“It’s a fine goal. I will help you as much as I can,” I promise. My hearts sink as fast as the shuttle that sent me crashing into life here on Earth. Some things have changed, yes, but others cannot. “I mean, I wish I could, but I cannot be a true Base for you. I have my purpose.”

Her free hand slides to rest on mine. “It's okay, Dom. It suits me just fine, and when I'm in a better mood, we'll play, alright?”

Her genuine smile spreads across her face, and seeing it again makes my scales ripple, even though I selfishly want her all for myself.

A rap on the back window startles us.

“Hey, lovebirds,” a low male voice croons. “Throw out your wallets, or your beemer is going to need a new tail light or two.”

TWELVE

LAURA

Oh,fuck. Of all the times to get preyed on by petty criminals.

“Hey, asshole,” I yell back. “I've got a dashcam pointed right at you.” It's a lie, but he doesn't know that.

A sharp rap rings out on my trunk, and I can't help the shriek escaping me. He hit my baby: my beautiful, gorgeous, unmarked BMW!

“Fucking throw that out too, you dumb bitch,” he snarls.

“I strongly dislike their tone.” Dom’s scales click while he makes a fist with one hand.

“Me too. Petty criminals. We'll drive away, or try to, except they're in the way of me reversing.”

“Can you not simply run into them?”

“No, they can charge me for reckless driving. And it'll damage my car,” I add as an afterthought.

His huge hand settles on mine. “You are afraid?”

“No,” I say automatically, but then I realize it's a lie. “Well, a little. They're criminals, anything can happen.”

“Excuse me.” Dom unbuckles himself and opens the passenger door, sliding out and shutting it before I've said another word. “Please lock this,” he calls to me. All I can seeis his torso, his scales rippling dark black and silver in the streetlights.

“Don't hurt him!” I yell, locking the door with shaking fingers.

“That depends on how fast you toss your cards out, love,” the would-be thief says.

“I'm not talking to you!” I grip the steering wheel so hard one of my nails goes pinging off. Shit. What do I do now?

Laughter echoes around the car and my stomach turns. How many of them are there?