Page 44

Jennette

I’m embarrassed over falling asleep on my face, stark naked—bare-assed in more ways than one.

I rouse somewhere before dawn. Seeker is nearby, not touching or encroaching on my space.

I guess his people don’t go for middle-of-the-night cuddles.

Not that I would’ve known, even if he held me for hours.

It’s like I released a year of tension at once.

I’ve had enjoyable orgasms before, but that one was glorious.

The motel is like a cocoon, shadowed by the closed blackout blinds. I wonder if I’ll be a butterfly when I leave this place; I did feel gorgeous beyond measure while he was touching me last night. Sill buzzing with the memory, I get up quietly and take a shower.

He’s up when I return, using that appliance I noticed before. “What’s that?” I ask.

I wasn’t bold enough before. But now that we’re…what? Lovers? I don’t even know what words to use for what we’re doing, what we are to one another.

“Molecular cleansing device. It’s invaluable for travel.”

“That’s incredible. Would it work for me? And how does it stay powered?”

“It works for anyone. Solar power. I leave it by the window when I go out.”

“Genius. And variables like the color of the sun don’t impact the power source?”

“I tinkered with it a little bit when I realized I’d be here for a while,” he admits. “Improved the efficiency somewhat.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?” I tease.

His hesitation makes me regret the light little question because I know what he would say if he replied.

The answer is leave . I get ready in awkward silence, choosing my next costume with a heavy heart.

Normally, I enjoy every step in the process of turning into someone else, but right now I feel like an insensitive clod who reminded Seeker that he’s trapped here.

“I find your transformations fascinating,” he says then.

Oh good. Maybe he’s not upset with me.

“Yeah? Which has been your favorite?”

“This one.”

“Really?” I glance at my Amethyst outfit, my favorite Steven Universe character. Today I’ve simply gone with the clothes and the wig. Painting myself lilac will take too long.

“You look interesting.”

I laugh. “Thank you. Ready?” I grab a bag filled with essentials like water and snacks.

“Yes.”

I drive us to the fairgrounds, where the crowd is already amping up. Colorful banners flap in the breeze, and it’s not as hot as it was yesterday. The rain shower seems to have cooled things down, a fact I appreciate as I hop out of the car.

“Jen! Over here!” Poppy is the enthusiastic waver in our group, signaling me like she’s trying to land a plane.

I spot Tad, Ravik, and Jaz nearby. Jaz is dressed as herself again. But I’m not supposed to know that she’s really purple. Or that Ravik’s ice planet barbarian thing is a cover. I remind myself of it so I don’t get Seeker in trouble. I wonder if Tad and Poppy have noticed anything weird.

Just as I think that, Poppy bounds up and bounces on her toes, clearly stoked for another day of fun. She glances at Seeker, then Jaz and Ravik. “Damn. You’re all so devoted to those costumes. Are they the only ones you packed?”

“Yes,” Ravik replies.

I take initiative and change the subject. “Let’s not split up like we did yesterday. I need face time!”

“Sounds good,” Seeker agrees.

“Did you two catch the daybreak cosplay parade?” Tad asks.

I shake my head. “We missed it.”

Before Poppy or Tad can tease us, Jaz steps in. “Let’s just wander and see where the day takes us.”

“Lead the way,” Ravik says.

Jaz takes them at their word, weaving through a maze of booths.

There’s a cotton candy machine today. That’s new.

And I don’t recall if I smelled churros before either.

That reminds me that I didn’t have breakfast. I don’t know how Seeker does it, consuming only one protein beverage a day.

His body must be upgraded in terms of efficiency.

Seeker’s hand finds mine, warm, steady, and familiar in its strangeness.

My cheeks heat as I remember how he touched me last night and how much I enjoyed it.

As I study him surreptitiously, his otherworldly eyes drink in the vibrant chaos.

It’s odd that he hasn’t attracted more attention because I can’t look away.

He’s magnificent without trying—the shade of his skin, the intricate lavender patterns swirling across it catching the light.

And his eyes. Starbursts and stardust, like the cosmos at the beginning of time.

His eyes are like otherworldly kaleidoscopes, shimmering with fantastical beauty that seems more magical than interstellar.

I feel as if he houses all the marvels of the universe.

Seeker catches me gazing at him; hopefully, he can’t discern the full extent of my giddy wonder.

“Did you see something you want to examine closer?” he asks, turning to assess the souvenirs on display behind him.

I realize it then. He has no clue how compelling and irresistible I find every facet of his being. That’s probably a good thing.

“Just getting a sense of the big picture,” I say.

“There is a scientist speaking later today. He has some interesting ideas about quantum entanglement. Would you be interested in going to the panel with me?”

Would I? Oh yes. But then, it would take a lot for me to reject any offer Seeker made. I’d probably hesitate over leaving the planet, but otherwise…

“Sounds interesting! I’m down.” I could fill a thimble with what I know about physics, but I’m always willing to learn.

“It’s not for a few hours yet. We can wander around until then.”

The others move off a bit, Tad charting a course toward some rare comics. I get cut off by a surge of pedestrians, and now I can’t see them anymore. This is when it sucks being vertically challenged. Poppy wanted us to stay together, but I’m sure we can catch up. I just need to—

“Your costume is sick, dude! What are you supposed to be?”

Seeker opts not to reply as he glances at me. Good call. I don’t want to tell the story about Tad’s game to everyone who stops us.

I turn to see a dude inching closer to Seeker.

The man in question is wearing tan cargo shorts, a loose tropical print shirt, and he’s wearing a heavy-duty camera on a strap around his neck.

Only serious photographers bother with those these days; most people just snap memories with their phone.

I’d estimate the guy is in his early sixties, with weathered skin and a more-salt-than-pepper goatee.

He also has long, scraggly gray hair caught back in a failing ponytail.

“Man, the detail on this thing is insane! You look like you stepped off a movie set.” The fan circles Seeker, acting like he’s about to start taking pictures.

“No photos without consent,” I remind him.

“What’s this made out of? It looks so real. Come on, you gotta tell me where you got this made!” The fan’s insistence grows, his admiration tipping into intrusion.

The guy reaches out toward Seeker’s arm, and I get between them, ready to remind him that boundaries exist. He manages a graze of contact as Seeker steps back.

I sense Seeker’s tension, his deepening unease.

Dammit, I should never have suggested this.

If not for me, he’d be dressed as an average con-goer and nobody would be paying attention.

“Cut it out. People aren’t props.” My words are a shield, raised to protect him, and I hope they’re enough.

Seeker gives me a grateful glance, his eyes—a blend of colors no human could claim—flickering with a silent thank-you.

But the fan seems undeterred, his fascination morphing into something more fervent, more obsessive.

“Seriously, this is next level! You gotta be from a top-tier special effects studio.” He sidles closer again, and Seeker shifts backward.

“You’re advertising how good they are, right?

Why won’t you tell me? You should be giving out business cards. ”

“Thanks for your interest, but we’re leaving. He’s not promoting anything.”

“Wait,” the dude insists, following as we edge away. “Just let me take one pic?”

“Nope. We’re in a hurry,” I snap.

Seeker manages to be polite even while he’s being harassed. “Enjoy the convention,” he adds with firm finality.

“Right on.” The guy remains locked on Seeker, hungry and unblinking. He even follows us for a few steps, until I cut through a big group and he gets wedged in a tangle of props.

Despite the heat of the day, icy fingers sent a shiver down my spine. This isn’t right. Seeker may be able to hide his true nature here, but that doesn’t make him invulnerable. Especially not to obsession masked as admiration. We need to put some distance between us and this guy, fast.

I’m not waiting to find out what happens if this jerk uncovers the truth.