Page 9 of Eclipse Bound (Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides #7)
Chapter Six
Eclipse fought to remain neutral as he watched Solar and Lunar retreat to their respective rooms. After they caused a commotion at the retreat's dining area, he had managed to convince both of them to come to the suite before their energy signatures drew even more unwanted attention.
Thankfully, the staff dining area had been empty at the time, and only Rowan and the woman Lunar had been following saw them.
During Solar's interruption in Rowan's office, he had observed subtle changes in his companion.
Solar's golden essence pulsed with unfamiliar patterns that suggested some kind of emotional engagement, though Eclipse could only speculate.
He mentioned a fire dancing female in passing, which seemed like it would interest the light-dweller.
More surprising was Lunar's shadow form, which had been intensified when they found him confronting the female he'd been skulking after.
For Lunar to show interest in any being was unprecedented.
Now they were safely contained again, at least temporarily.
Solar's room was bright and sunny. Lunar's embraced the dark.
The suite Rowan had secured was remarkably suitable, with distinct zones that accommodated their biological needs while maintaining proximity.
A diplomatic solution worthy of the Peacemaker Council.
If only the council could see them now. Three aliens hidden in a luxury suite on Earth, each already forming connections with human females despite their protests otherwise.
"The mission parameters did not anticipate this," Eclipse muttered to himself, moving to the central living area. The space was balanced between light and shadow, much like his home in the Twilight Belt. A rare comfort since arriving on this planet.
He removed the increasingly uncomfortable skin-suit, allowing his natural form to emerge.
His skin had a subtle purple-blue luminescence, neither as bright as Solar's golden glow nor as light-absorbing as Lunar's shadow form.
Evolution had adapted those in the Twilight Belt to exist between extremes, to mediate, to find balance.
To be forever caught in the middle.
It was exhausting. More and more, he just wanted to tell both sides to throw themselves into a dark swamp for all eternity.
The energy stone he kept in his pocket projected Zorveya's image into the air before him. A wave of unexpected homesickness came over him. Rotating the projection, he focused on the narrow habitable strip between day and night where he'd spent his life walking political tightropes.
"Display mission parameters," he instructed. The stone responded, replacing the planet image with scrolling text.
"Mission Objective: Demonstrate peaceful coexistence and cooperative potential between representatives of Solarus and Lunaris zones through successful integration on Earth.
"Duration: Minimum one Earth month.
"Success Metrics: 1. Formation of meaningful connections with compatible humans. 2. Absence of conflict resulting in property damage or exposure. 3. Unified return to Zorveya.
"Failure Conditions: 1. Mission abandonment by any participant. 2. Exposure of alien origins to Earth authorities. 3. Irreparable conflict between representatives."
Eclipse deactivated the projection with a sigh.
Less than forty-eight Earth hours into their mission, and they'd already caused property damage at two separate locations and revealed their true nature to humans.
If the council received a full report, they would likely extend their exile indefinitely.
He wondered what the odds were of Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides actually monitoring them. It’s not like they were running a superior operation. After the crash landing and hasty directions, they’d all but abandoned them.
Perhaps that had been the intention all along. Remove three influential voices from the political equation before hostilities escalated.
A soft knock on the suite's door interrupted his thoughts. Eclipse quickly reapplied his skin-suit before answering, finding Rowan on the threshold. Her presence stirred an unexpected response, a resonance in his energy field that hadn't diminished since their last meeting.
"I brought supplies," she said, holding up several bags. "Food, clothing that might fit better, and some local guidebooks."
"Thank you." Eclipse stepped aside to let her enter. "Your assistance is appreciated."
Rowan moved into the common area, setting her bags on a table. "Is everyone settling in?"
"They have claimed their territories," Eclipse answered. "Solar has the eastern room, and Lunar the western. The arrangement should minimize conflict."
"That's good. I made sure to erase the security videos.
There's no evidence of you moving around the retreat.
" She began unpacking items, organizing them with efficient movements.
"I brought some blackout curtains for the western room and full-spectrum lights for the eastern. I thought they might help."
Eclipse studied her, noting the care with which she'd selected items specifically suited to their needs. "You're being extraordinarily accommodating to three aliens who crashed into your life."
Rowan paused, a small smile forming. "Would you believe this isn't the strangest thing that's happened since I started working here?"
"What could possibly be stranger than extraterrestrial visitors?"
"Last month, a guru convinced twelve people to bury themselves up to their necks in the desert overnight to commune with the earth. We had to rescue them from flash floods." She shrugged. "Duskrock attracts a certain type."
"Including us," Eclipse observed.
"Including you." Her eyes met his, and that resonance intensified. "Though I suspect you didn't choose this destination."
"No. Our travel arrangements were made by Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides."
"Right." Rowan resumed unpacking. "The interstellar dating agency. Still processing that thing exists."
Eclipse moved beside her, helping to arrange the items. "Our Peacemaker Council engaged their services as a last-ditch diplomatic effort.
The concept is that if representatives from opposing factions can peacefully integrate on a neutral planet and form connections with natives, perhaps cooperation is possible back home. "
"And the service abandoned you here? After crashing your ship?"
"Their representatives are less than competent," Eclipse admitted. "But they claim to be securing the ship and retrieving our supplies."
Rowan looked skeptical.
"I believe we must adapt to our circumstances regardless of their reliability."
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued unpacking. Eclipse found himself surprisingly content in her presence, her biorhythms harmonizing with his own in ways that defied logical explanation.
“So,” she gave him a once-over, “what do three single aliens do on a night like this?”
"Solar's going to a place called Crash Zone to see a fire dancer, and Lunar is meeting that woman, Poppy, from the dining room later to explore some caves."
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "For a group supposedly focused on diplomatic missions and finding shelter, you all moved pretty fast on the dating front."
"They would deny any romantic intentions," Eclipse said. "Solar claims he's researching Earth combat techniques, and Lunar is investigating Poppy's unusual perceptive abilities."
"Uh-huh." Rowan's expression suggested amused disbelief. "And what's your excuse?"
The directness of her question caught Eclipse off guard. "I don't have a romantic agenda. My role is to mediate and report on the success of this diplomatic experiment."
"Right. That's why your hands were all over me in my office earlier today." Her cheeks flushed slightly at the memory. "What was that about, anyway? One minute we were talking, and the next you were… vibrating ."
Eclipse felt an unfamiliar sensation. Humans might call it embarrassment? "I apologize for my impulsive behavior. Physical contact with compatible biorhythms can trigger unexpected energy transfers. I should have maintained better control."
"I'm not complaining," Rowan said, her voice softening. "Just trying to understand. On Earth, we generally don't get to second base within minutes of confirming someone's an alien."
"Second base?"
"Never mind." She waved dismissively. "The point is, I felt something when you touched me. Like energy flowing through my entire body. That's not normal for human contact."
Eclipse considered his response carefully. "My people can share energy through physical connection. It's an intimacy usually reserved for established bonds."
"So you basically alien-kissed me without buying me dinner first."
Despite her teasing tone, Eclipse sensed genuine curiosity beneath her words. "The resonance between us is unusual in its intensity. I've never experienced such immediate compatibility."
Rowan's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Is that why you trusted me so quickly? Because of this biorhythm thing?"
"Partly," Eclipse admitted. "But also because of your actions. You've helped us without seeking advantage, provided accommodations suited to our needs, and kept our presence concealed from authorities. These are not the behaviors of someone with harmful intent."
"I could just be setting you up for government capture," she pointed out.
"Are you?"
"No." Her immediate response carried conviction. "But you can't just trust everyone you meet here, Eclipse. I'd speculate that Earth isn't like your diplomatic zones. People lie. They manipulate. They exploit differences."
"That is not unlike our zones," he said quietly. "Shadows and light, forever suspicious of each other's motives."
Rowan seemed to consider this. "Maybe that's why I'm helping you. I know what it's like to be caught between opposing sides, trying to maintain balance."