Page 26

Zorn

It’s hard to believe it’s only been an hour since the security team arrived.

One of the women had been a medic in the military; with her experience and the household medtube we used, Annora’s shoulder is patched.

They’ve given her painkillers, but for the oddest reason, my shoulder still hurts.

It’s almost like that time in military training when Zoriss fell from two stories during a ropes exercise and I felt his injuries for days.

There was a well-stocked kitchen and larder in the house, so with four cups of hot tea and three bowls of what Annora called stew, I’m feeling warm and strong again.

I still need to bask, but I should be fine for another day or two.

The tea and stew also did wonders for restoring Annora’s color and energy.

The eight terrorists, that’s what we’ve decided to call them, are securely tied, and being watched by one team member and an army of sexbots. Annora found it amusing to make them keep their erections because it offended the women she refers to as female canines—fitting.

“We’ve got some hard decisions to make,” Drennan says as she encourages everyone to grab a seat in the No Shame security truck.

I have no decisions to make. I have my female on my lap, a working hover, and a mission to find my brother. Nothing else matters.

“These women should be reported to the authorities. We should notify the Department of Extraterrestrial Protection Services so these women can be punished to the full extent of the law. I’m sure your hunch is right, Zorn.

From what you told me, I have no doubt they planned on killing you and Annora. ”

“But . . . mom will get in trouble if Protective Services discovers the shady way she bought him,” Annora protests.

“All this,” Annora’s mom says as she motions around her, “is my fault. All of it.” She moves closer to me and spears me with a compassionate look.

“First, let me apologize. I’m deeply sorry for my actions.

I’ve asked myself a thousand times why I became obsessed with buying you, caging you, and trapping Annora.

I have a lot of excuses, but no good reasons.

Well, they felt like good reasons at the time, but in hindsight, it was horribly wrong.

“I just wanted Annora to have what I was denied—a male to love and protect her. I’ve been so impulsive lately, I didn’t give any thought to how it would affect you or my own daughter.

“I won’t be bold enough to ever ask your forgiveness, but I’ll apologize again. I think you’ve all paid the price for my actions long enough. Let’s bring these women to justice. That means we quit protecting me.”

She looks so contrite I find it within myself to forgive her. Annora’s muscles are tight as she leans heavily against me. This is breaking her heart.

“I’d be willing to tell the authorities I escaped from the males who abducted me,” I say.

“I can testify to the fact that I made my way to your guest cottage and broke in. When Annora discovered me, I talked her into helping me find my brother and begged her not to tell the authorities I was here, fearing they would lock me up and not let me search for Zoriss. Annora’s mom doesn’t need to be mentioned. ”

“You’d do that?” Annora’s mother whispers. The shocked look on her face immediately changes to relief as tears stream down her cheeks. Annora looks up at me through luminous green eyes and gently presses her hand over my heart. To earn that adoring look from her? Yes, I’d do that all day long.

“Great,” Drennan says. “I’ll comm the authorities and let them know. With that story it should be a done deal as soon as they interview y—”

“No! I’ll testify in writing, but I can’t stay here. I must find my clutchmate. He needs me. I know something’s wrong. I don’t have time to waste.”

“Let me write my statement then you can say I stole the van. That leaves Annora’s mom—”

“Call me Grace,” she insists as she dries her eyes and gives me a warm look. Is it really possible she’s remorseful for her actions?

“That leaves Grace an innocent female and relieves everyone here of any responsibility.”

Drennan nods, her lips in a thin line. “Okay. Sounds like the best option.”

Drennan hands me a datapad. “You don’t have to write it; I’ve set it to record.

After you’re done, I’ll need Annora to testify that she went with you of her own volition without any coercion.

That way it’s your voices. There can be no contesting the testimony, especially with me as witness to the recording. ”

When we’re both finished, I stand and bow to each of them. “I’ve met some unpleasant Earthers—many of them. It’s been a pleasure to meet all of you. It balances the scales. And Grace, I forgive you. What you did allowed me to meet your amazing daughter.”

“And you, Annora. It’s been a privilege to get to know you.

Let me apologize one more time for the hurtful things I said.

You know why I had to say them. There was no other way to keep you safe.

Thank you for coming with me on this journey.

You were right, I never would have gotten very far without you. ”

I’ve heard the term heartbreak many times, but never knew it was an actual physical reaction. Right now, my heart is shattering inside my chest. My voice cracks as I say, “I’ll contact you once I find Zor—”

“What the fuck, Zorn? Are you planning on going the rest of the way without me?”

Her eyes are filled with anger and pain, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

“I just . . . assumed you’d want to stay with your mom. You’re injured. All because of me. Now that I know how to drive and have untraceable credits . . .” I let my statement trail off because with every word I say her face gets angrier.

She grabs my hand and stands. Her little wince of pain with just that small movement tells me volumes about how much she hurts.

“Outside,” she orders as she pulls me out of the security truck.

“You don’t want me with you?” she asks in a harsh whisper when we’re a few steps away.

“I . . .” I wanted to keep her safe and didn’t want to presume she’d choose to be with me, but by the angry gleam in her eyes, I’m not sure I should say that.

“What we shared on the trip here, that meant nothing to you?” Her voice is ragged and filled with pain.

“No, I . . .” I’ve faced enemy armies, fought in hand-to-hand combat after being captured by a lone Vren on Atomé, and almost bled out on Pythian. I don’t believe I’ve ever felt the fearful paralysis I feel right now.

“Say it, Zorn. This time I want the truth.” She takes a step closer until the tips of her breasts almost touch my chest. As she looks up at me, the anger bleeds out of her and leaves the most beautiful, vulnerable female I’ve ever seen.

“Tell me why you don’t want to be with me.

” Her plump, pink lips quiver with emotion.

I lean so my face is even with hers. For a moment I allow our breathing to sync so I breathe in on every one of her outbreaths just so I can inhale her essence.

“I want to be with you, Annora. More than anything . . . anything.” After cupping her cheeks, I close my eyes and simply allow myself to bask in the electric zing that flies through my body when we touch. “I didn’t want to put you in harm’s way.”

“Okay. We’re going to get into the hover-van and find your brother.

Together.” After that forceful statement, her lids shutter closed, and she melts into my embrace.

All the anger and sadness fade away and she leans so close her lips almost touch mine.

She waits, though, for me to breach the final distance.

She wants that physical commitment from me.

“You kids should get going!” Grace says as she sticks her head out of the truck’s metal sliding door.

I guess she figured our leaving together in the No Shame hover was a foregone conclusion.

“You can move into the guest cottage the minute you get back. Don’t you think it would be a cozy place to start your life together?

Better than your condo in the heart of the city?

Don’t worry, I’ll have the cage removed and the locks fixed. ”

“Mom!” Annora scolds.

“Just planning ahead, dear. I brought Zorn’s basking rock. I’ll have the girls put it in the van. And how many bots do you want to take with you? In case you get into trouble and need an army when you rescue Zoriss?”

I have to give her credit. This woman thinks ahead. I like that.

“Four would be good, Grace,” I tell her.

A few minutes later, the cargo area of the van is filled with the rock and four fully functioning sexbots who have been deactivated, their engorged penises finally flaccid.We have the two stunners and three lasers since Hugh is still with us.

“Where to?” Annora asks from the driver’s seat.

“Southeast,” I say.

“He’s moved? You’ve been in communication?”

“I’ve felt him a few times. He’s right where he’s been since I picked up his signal.”

“Then he would be to the west, right?”

“I don’t trust Drennan or your mom. We’re headed southeast until we’re out of sight, then we double back.”

“Yeah,” she laughs, “you didn’t need to know my mom long to pick up on her controlling vibe.”

“You’re in no condition to drive,” I tell her, concern in my voice.

“And you, my friend, desperately need to bask. Get your ass back there and warm up. As soon as I program the coordinates I’ll just sit in the nav chair and not move. And now that we’re alone together, I’m feeling better already.”

When I start pulling off the layers of clothes she piled onto me earlier, I catch her staring at me, blatant appreciation on her face as her gaze flicks up and down my body.

“You like what you see?” my voice has never sounded this raspy.

She nods.