Page 23

Maklr

The next morning, Nell stood in the kitchen cooking a massive meal over the largest burner on the stove.

“Good morning,” Charlie called. “You’re up early.”

“I am,” Nell agreed. She hummed a melody as she chopped vegetables for breakfast. Nell smashed the eggshell into small pieces and placed them into the basket used for compost. The omelette cooked, sizzling over the heat.

Charlotte poured herself a mug of tea. “Smells delicious.”

“See, I can cook,” Nell said, pulling two plates out of the cabinet.

“No, thank you. I already ate,” Charlotte said.

“Oh, um,” Nell hesitated. “It wasn’t for you.”

“Good morning.” Maklr walked downstairs, his shirt from the previous night, wrinkle free.

Charlotte’s mouth dropped open. “I see,” she said.

Maklr sat at the table. “It’s not what you think, Charlie,” he started to say.

Charlotte wiggled her eyebrows. “If you say so.”

Nell cleared her throat. “Actually, it is exactly what you think.” Nell put her hand up in a stop motion. “Before you ask, no, I’m not giving details. Not now, not in therapy.”

Charlotte glanced at Maklr’s wrists.

“No bonding marks. She’s not ready. She may never be.”

“I didn’t believe I would be well enough for certain things. I need a bit more time. Maklr is patient with me.”

“And if Nell decides she’s never ready, that’s her choice. I will love her forever, with or without the marks.”

“Love?” Charlotte said.

“Love,” confirmed Nell. She placed the omelette in front of Maklr. The three sat at the farmhouse style table in an uncomfortable silence while Nell and Maklr ate.

“Listen,” Charlotte began. “I never would have pushed you two to stay together if I thought…”

“No. I’m grateful. It’s exactly what I didn’t know I needed,” Nell said. “The mix up at the resort was an unintentional overbooking, but I believe it was a happy accident.”

Maklr reached to hold Nell’s hand. “I prefer to think of it as fate intervening on our behalf.”

“Fate works too,” Nell nodded.

After breakfast, when more humans had descended the stairs to begin their day, shock at Maklr’s early presence in the center filled the room.

Maklr let Nell take the lead on how she handled discussing their relationship. “It’s nobody’s business but ours,” Nell said. “Either we tell them, or the rumor mill will start up and it’ll spiral out of control.”

Eventually, Nell took Maklr’s hand in front of all the residents. “Yes. Quit the rumors. Maklr and I are together.”

“Together, together?” someone in the back corner asked.

“Yes.” Nell confirmed. “Now, who wants to walk with us to the center to see the playground in action? We’re supposed to have five families try it out today.”

Half a dozen human residents, Charlotte, Maklr and Nell, headed to the center. Maklr and Nell brought up the rear of the rag-tag group.

Nell remained jumpy, leaning into Maklr for comfort. “I can’t explain it. It’s a weird sensation.”

“Remember the moment my comm dinged this morning, and woke us up?”

Nell had been laying sprawled over his chest, her leg between his.

“How could I forget?”

“Well, two things. Phil knows about us. He saw your head on my chest, and he wants to help. You two are comfortable with each other, right?”

Nell nodded. “Yes.”

“I brought him into the loop with the weird shadows.” Maklr took her hand. “We’re meeting him in a few minutes at the center to discuss your protection.”

“I’m fine.”

“Please?” Maklr begged. “It’s not like you’ve got a bodyguard. It’s only for a few days to figure out whatever this is.”

“All right. If you insist, I’ll talk to him.”

“I do. He’s the best tactician I know.”

“There he is,” she said, keeping her voice low. Humans and Klagans mingled in the center. Younglings’ laughter filled the room. “Look at the kids enjoying themselves,” Nell said.

“Hey Nell. Maklr. We’ll keep this like a friendly chat, not business. Tell me what you’re feeling.”

Nell recounted the sense of being watched and about shadows moving where there weren’t any before.

Phil drummed his fingers against the side table. “This sounds familiar, like something I’ve come across before.” He shook his head. “I can’t place it.”

“Neither can I,” said Maklr. “I feel like I’m missing a key clue.”

“I’ll have a think. I’m sure I’ll eventually place it.” He abruptly changed the topic. “Are you two going to the festival tonight? Charlie’s going, and naturally, I am.”

“Wow, what a switch.” Nell smirked. “Who’s your date?”

Phil scanned the room. “I’ll have to find somebody single.” He winked. “Unless I could pull you away from Mak.”

“Not a chance in Hell,” she said.

“Didn’t think so, but it was worth a shot.” He threw his hands up in the air.

“Your charm doesn’t work on me,” Nell said.

“Too bad,” Phil laughed.

“All the better for me,” Maklr said.

“We should meet up later. I’ve got to scout for single females.”

“Deal.” Maklr shook Phil’s hand.

“Comm me ?before you get there and you’ll find out who my date is.” Phil waved, disappearing into the crowd.

“I guess we’re going to the festival,” Nell said. “I’ve never been to one.”

“I went a few times when I was younger, but I bet it’s changed since then.”

“Will we be safe?”

“Of course. How’s about we put that out of our heads for now, and talk about it later? Can you show me how this thing you called a jungle gym, which looks neither like a jungle nor a gym, works?”

Nell grabbed his hand. “Come on.” She began to climb up the wooden and metal apparatus, placing her feet on the angled bars, stopping when she got to the top.

“Sometimes you can drop into the center if you’re playing a game of tag, which is running around and trying to catch someone.

Or it’s a nice hangout to see how far up you can get without getting dizzy. ”

Maklr joined her at the top. “This is fun. I can see how it would be good exercise for someone with injuries to play with their children. You’re a brilliant woman.”

“I know, but I like it when you tell me anyway,” she teased. She turned her face toward Maklr. “Should we let them all know?”

“I think they do anyway, but why not?” He cupped her chin in his hand, kissing her soundly in front of the crowd. Cheers erupted below.

“I don’t think they wanted a show,” Nell said.

At the front of the crowd, cheering the loudest, stood Phil and Charlotte. Charlotte beamed like a proud parent.

“Now they all know.”

Maklr climbed down first. He waited as Nell descended the obstacle, his hand ready to catch her should she fall.

“You two put on quite a show,” Charlotte said.

“Well, it was going to come out, anyway.”

“I’m so proud of you.” Charlotte hugged her friend. “You’ve come so far.”

“It’s all because of you and Maklr.”

“Mostly me,” Maklr teased.

“You two wouldn’t be together if I didn’t force you both to go on vacation.” Charlotte tilted her head.

“Technically, it’s the resort’s fault for overbooking,” Nell said, a wide smile on her face.

“Semantics,” Charlotte said with a laugh.

They walked around assisting families, instructing them how to use the new obstacles before a majority of the group headed to the festival in downtown Dorbound.

Maklr walked to a stand and got a piece of luklak .

“Yum! The chocolate covered bacon stuff,” Nell said. “I love this. It’s not a combination I’d ever have thought of, a flavor sensation, but it’s delicious.”

“If you say so.” Maklr’s watch beeped.

“You set an alarm.”

“I did. Let’s find Phil and whoever his date is.”

“If he got one.”

“It’s Phil. Do you think he’s without a female?”

“Hey Nell!” Jessie called.

“Jessie, right?” The other woman nodded. “I didn’t realize you were coming to Eoris. We could have taken the same shuttle back.”

“I live over here.”

“But not at the center.”

“No. I live in the palace. I work as a maid there.”

“What’s it like?” Nell asked.

“It’s nice. There’s about a dozen of us,” she said. “Are you here with anyone?”

“Maklr. What about you?”

“Philtan.”

“Is it getting serious?” Nell asked.

“No. He’s a fun time but I don’t think he really wants to settle down. And to be fair, I don’t.”

Nell shrugged. “I don’t think so, but you never know with him.”

“Where are the guys?” Jessie asked.

“There they are.” Nell pointed. “Can’t miss Phil.”

“Definitely not.”

“He’s a good landmark.”

Nell shuddered.

“Cold?” Jessie asked.

“Nah. I thought I saw something. I think it’s time for me to get my eyes checked. Let’s go to the guys.”

The four wandered to a vendor’s stall looking at homemade breads and handicrafts. Street lights flared to life as the sun set behind the horizon. “I’m going to show off my strength,” Phil bragged. “Want to see?” he asked Jessie.

“Of course,” she laughed and placed her hand on his arm.

Nell sidled up to Maklr. “They’re cute together, don’t you think?”

Maklr shrugged. “If you like that sort.”

“Only a special woman can tame Phil, if it’s possible to tame him.”

“With the right female, I think so.” Nell froze in place. “What do you see? Do you see something?”

“In the corner behind the tent,” Nell whispered.

Phil pulled her closer. “We’ll be with you soon, Mak.” he called. Mak made a hand gesture toward Phil. “He loves me, really.”

“Uh huh,” Nell said. “What now?” she hissed.

“Walk slowly toward the tent. Pretend like nothing’s wrong. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He lowered his forehead to hers. A blur raced from behind the tent. “Fuck,” Maklr bellowed, pushing Nell out of the way.

A split second later, Maklr pulled a blaster from the waistband of his pants, hidden under his vest, and shot through the blur. It crumpled in a heap at his feet.

“I got him Phil,” Maklr called. “It’s the same bastard.”

Nell walked over to Maklr, tears streaming down her face. “What did you do?”