Page 6 of Scars & Starlight (Of Blood and Conquest #1)

TARA

I take my eyes off the gorgeous alien with some difficulty.

I can’t believe he just caught me eyeing his space junk, and I don’t mean the stuff floating around Earth.

But the way he let me know the stunning female is his cousin and not his wife makes me think that…

he might like me too? Though if the rest of the Avaren females look anything like Lirael, I don’t see how that’s possible.

I’m just an average tawny-eyed and tawny-haired, pale-skinned, short Slovenian.

I mean, I used to be pale-skinned. Living in California for almost a decade brought out the gold in my complexion.

No matter how much time I spend under the Ventura sun, though, my skin will never be as luminous as that of the handsome extraterrestrial in front of me.

Those cool glowing lines aside. It’s like they’re blessed by the moons I saw circling Avaris.

Shaking off my thoughts, I look at the little robot who has been studiously translating Kairen and Lirael’s words.

“And what’s your name, little guy?” I ask.

The robot’s optical sensors focus on my face with a whirr, the glowing lines on its armor – so similar to the fainter ones the aliens sport – flow hypnotically, like decorative RGB lights .

I frown. That won’t do. I sound it out myself. “How about I call you Kiko?” I ask, thinking of that last part.

The robot’s head spins with what looks like excitement, and I laugh honestly for the first time today. Though I wonder if it’s even still my birthday or if I slept that day away.

“And,” I add. “I don’t know if you do pronouns on Avaris, but you look like a boy to me.”

When the little robot cuddles up against me, I actually giggle, drawing a smile from the observing extraterrestrials.

“If I can understand you, does that mean Kiko won’t be with us anymore?” I ask sadly, feeling attached to the tiny bucket of bolts already.

Kairen takes in the way Kiko burrowed under my armpit at my side, and my arm around him, then gently smiles. “Consider it – him – a gift from us to you. An apology for an unfortunate introduction,” he adds with a wince, and Kiko translates.

I gasp and take in my robot chick. I can’t accept such a valuable gift from strangers, can I? Kiko’s lenses blink at me innocently.

Fuck it. Mine.

With a shuddering sigh, I look back at the Avaren and voice the question that worries me the most. “Will these nano robots take over my mind and turn me into a zombie like the Ghorvek are making?”

Kairen’s purple eyes widen in alarm. “Of course not!” he says quickly.

“They have no wants or desires of their own and only do what they’re programmed for – most typically healing and learning.

” When Kiko finishes translating the first part, he continues: “I know we haven’t given you much reason to trust us.

When we arrived and saw how your leaders are treating the less fortunate, we regrettably formed opinions that made initiating a rapport second to exterminating the vermin. ”

I shake my head with both understanding and a healthy dose of bitterness.

“There are plenty of bad seeds on this planet, but they should never be used to judge the whole.” I take another deep breath and continue before he can make more excuses for shooting back when fired upon. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

He looks surprised for a moment, but quickly reverts to his previous mien of quiet confidence.

Damn, would love to feel the way he carries himself: like he’s in charge of himself and everything around him.

My life has been a rollercoaster for four years now, and even before that, have I ever really known what I wanted?

When Kairen extends his hand, palm up, I’m hit by nerves again.

Is this a mistake? But according to them, I already have these nanites in me, and I don’t feel any different.

With slightly trembling fingers, I place my hand on his.

His skin is cool against my overheated one and, in contrast to mine, dry.

I hope he doesn’t feel like he just got touched by a sea cucumber.

As his fingers gently clasp my hand, blood rushes to my cheeks, and I’m struck by lightheadedness.

I don’t have time to ponder the sudden onset of butterflies, though, as his galaxy eyes flash silver and my arm starts tingling. I gasp.

“Don’t worry, it’s normal to feel a tickle,” he soothes, Kiko still translating.

“You won’t feel much more than that,” Lirael adds, observing me with a scientific interest. I feel like I’m the bug here, and not whatever’s moving up my shoulders and neck, over my chin, and…

I start hyperventilating, and Kairen’s other hand covers our clasped ones.

As soon as my eyes meet his, a sense of calm envelops me, like I’m taking in a deep breath of the Mediterranean coast air during a hot summer evening.

I bite my lip and resist the urge to moan.

They should bottle whatever mojo he’s giving off.

Or maybe I’m just a lonely, horny hussy.

“How are you feeling?” Kairen asks, shaking me out of my daydreaming about the beach, and him, and him on the beach.

“Fine,” I murmur, having forgotten all about the tingles.

Wait a minute…

“Hey! I understood that!” I jump in my seat and pull back my hand by instinct, instantly regretting the loss of contact. “But how? I’m still speaking English, right?”

Kairen pulls his hand back a lot slower than I did. Maybe he wishes we were still touching too? Regardless, there’s a gentle, indulgent smile on his face.

“These nanites are bound to your language comprehension centers, and I specifically programmed them to aid you in the understanding of Avaren.” He tilts his head at Kiko, a lock of dark hair falling over his forehead.

I fight the urge to reach for it, to see if it feels as soft as it looks, softer than human hair.

“And binary, in case you want to have mysterious conversations with the… with Kiko.”

I beam at the alien and my new robot friend. “This is awesome,” I gush. “Quick, Kiko, say something in binary.”

“Something.”

My ears hear chirps and beeps, but my brain hears a word.

I throw my head back and laugh, feeling almost elated.

Despite the stress of the last day and, you know, the four years before that, right now, cool things are happening, and I’m going to be grateful for that.

I enjoy the feeling for a moment, patting Kiko’s round little head, then face the aliens again.

“So, now that I can understand Avaren, what’s next?”

The side of Kairen’s mouth twitches while Lirael narrows her eyes. Kiko makes a purring series of beeps.

“Since we can understand each other now, why don’t we attempt to open communication channels with your planet’s leadership?” Kairen suggests.

I bug out my eyes, then scratch the top of my head at the itching pins and needles sensation that suffuses my body.

“You want me to talk to politicians?” I ask, my voice coming out squeaky. “I’m an engineer. I’m only good at talking with hydro power plants. And maybe cats,” I add with a shake of my head. Petting all the apocalypse’s strays is a tough job, but someone has to do it .

“You’ve done an excellent job so far,” the commander says, humor in his voice.

“Don’t worry,” Lirael interjects. “We’ve done this many times.”

I chew on my bottom lip, then blush when I see Kairen’s starry eyes hone in on the action.

“Why don’t we–” he begins, but pauses when the door opens.

Another ridiculously handsome Avaren male stands there.

His icy-blue nebula eyes find me first. When our eyes meet, the tips of his ears flush, and the blue lines sparsely decorating the left side of his face and neck pulse erratically.

He blinks a couple of times before facing Kairen.

“Commander,” he says, tilting his head in deference.

“What is it, Zane?” If Kairen’s angry at the interruption, he doesn’t show it. I get the feeling he reached the rank he is by being level-headed.

“First Officer Caden requests your presence on the bridge.” His stunning eyes move to the female alien. “As well as the Chief Medic’s,” he adds.

I look between the three Avaren, trying to see if I can sense what’s going on from their expressions. But whether it’s the military training or the alienness of their species, I can’t tell if it’s something good… or bad.

Kairen taps the tabletop before getting up. He gives me a neutral smile. “Excuse us, Tara,” he says, rounding the table to move to the entrance. “Kiko will answer any questions you may have about Avaris.”

“You bet I have questions,” I say, then flush when three pairs of otherworldly eyes land on me. The commander gives me a quick grin.

“Zane will be just outside, guarding the room.”

His thoughtfulness warms me up. Knowing no assailants will catch me by surprise again certainly makes me feel more at ease. With a nod from Lirael and one last glance from Kairen, the trio leaves. When the door shuts behind them, I face my new robot companion.

“Well, Kiko, looks like it’s just us now.”