Alien in charge, p.14
Alien in Charge, page 14
part #1 of Warriors of Gehar Series
“A bad dream about Reganne? Another one?”
“What’s the matter with me, Melis?” I blurt out. “Everyone else seems fine. Nobody is reacting this way. Just me.”
Her expression softens. “Stop being so hard on yourself. We’ve been through so much. Petosa Exploration put a bounty on our heads. They colluded with Space Fleet Internal Affairs to murder us. They blew up the Prestige. It’s only natural that you’re going to have nightmares.”
“You aren’t,” I reply glumly.
“Not nightmares, no. But I jump at loud noises, and I never want to be alone. Thom sleeps with a knife under his pillow. Tahar, who is the most peace-loving person I know, is training in hand-to-hand combat.”
“I didn’t know any of that.” Hearing that my crew is also struggling makes me feel less alone. “Thank you, Melis. That really helps.”
“Any time.” She pats my shoulder. “Oh, by the way, Hakan Abiri is looking for you. He said it’s time.”
My mouth goes dry.
There’s an ancient human proverb, one from the now-destroyed planet of Earth. There is no such thing as a free lunch. That saying has survived in the lexicon because generation after generation of humans have found it to be true. Even in Gehar, where their culture dictates hospitality toward guests, there’s always a catch.
Three months ago, when I applied for refugee status, the Geharrim Chief of Staff had interviewed me. He asked me only one question. “What would you do to keep your team safe?”
Desperate people don’t have the luxury of choice. Desperate people take what’s on offer and deal with the consequences later.
“Anything,” I’d replied.
Now Abiri’s here to collect.
Melis wrinkles her nose. “He’s such a strange man, that one. So mysterious. It’s time for what? Do you know what he’s talking about?”
“Not a clue,” I lie. “I guess I should go find out.”
I shower and dress in my Space Fleet uniform. Hakan Abiri is waiting for me when I emerge from my tent. “Let's walk,” he says.
The Geharrim are an alien race, one of three in the galaxy. Physiologically, they are similar to humans. They have two hands and two legs, and they walk upright. They breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. There are two main differences. One: their skin is blue, and their eyes alternate in color between grey and gold. Two: they’re larger than most humans. Hakan Abiri is almost a foot taller than me, and he’s not considered especially tall by Geharrim standards.
He leads the way, stepping between colorful tents, and I follow. It's mid-morning. I must have slept in—it’s later than I realized. The sun blazes in the sky and it's a scorcher of a day. There aren’t too many people about. There was a big wedding banquet last night, and the guests were up late, drinking, dancing, and partying. It looks like most people are still in bed.
For a few moments, neither of us say anything. I fight the urge to break the quiet. My nerves are on edge.
“When we met,” Abiri says finally. “I asked you a question.”
I could pretend I have no idea what he's talking about, but what's the point? “You asked me what I would do to keep my team safe. I said I’d do anything.”
We knew we couldn’t hide on Reganne forever. Petosa’s mercenaries would find us there. We needed better protection, and the Geharrim had offered it. Specifically, Hakan Abiri had offered his help. It was Abiri that approved our refugee applications into the Gehar Empire. It is because of him that we have apartments. Sarit and Thom have already found jobs here. Hera has an interview next week with the University of Louen.
The Geharrim Chief of Staff makes a good ally.
And he would make a terrible enemy.
Abiri’s gaze flickers to me. “Did you mean it?”
I think about Commander Duran, who is a father figure to me. Arten, who reminds me of a beloved, slightly annoying younger brother. Melis and Sarit and Hera, who are the sisters of my heart. While we were hiding in Reganne, Thom and Fernando barely slept, insisting they stay awake to keep watch. Then there’s Tahar, Sergio, and Ross, who have always been kind.
I look young, and everyone treats me like a child, but my crew never did. From the day I joined the Prestige, they treated me like I was capable. They treated me like family.
I would do anything for them.
“Yes. I did.” I have no idea what Hakan Abiri wants. “What do you need?”
He doesn't respond right away. “A man has been wounded,” he says after a long pause. “I want you to tend to him.”
What does that even mean? “Tend to him. Is that a euphemism for sex?”
Abiri casts his eyes skyward. “By the Mother,” he says fervently. “Can humans only think of sex? No. Adon lives like a recluse. He talks to no one. He goes nowhere. I had thought—no, I had hoped—that he would attend this wedding. I know for a fact that he is fond of Keomi. But he has stayed away. He’s shut himself off from the world.”
Adon. The name sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it. “I don’t understand.”
“Almost a year ago, Adon was in an accident. His spaceship exploded. He was able to get to an escape shuttle, but the explosion damaged it as well. He broke almost every bone in his body. He was placed in a healing tank, which is the only reason he’s still alive. However, his right knee was badly damaged. For him to fully recover, he needs to rehab his leg.”
Ah, okay. This is starting to make a little bit more sense. I am a xenogeneticist, but everyone on the Prestige does double duty. That was just how Space Fleet works. Thom was a soldier, but he doubled up as an engineer. Fernando was a soldier and also a skilled pilot. Melis is both a geologist and a mechanical wizard. Apart from being a geneticist, I was the Prestige’s on-board rehab specialist.
“You want me to supervise his recovery?” I try to think of the best way to phrase this. “Look, no offense, but I only did minor injuries. If any of the crew had been seriously injured, they would have been sent to a nanogen facility, not rehab.”
“Adon has refused the nanogen shot,” Hakan responds. “Rehab is the only option, but he’s balking at even that. I have sent five physiotherapists—he has fired them all. I have no idea if he's doing his exercises or not. I have no idea if he's getting better. If I send inquiries, he ignores them. So I'm sending you. Supervise his rehab and report back to me.”
I suck in a breath. Oh, crap. I remember where I’ve heard the name. Hakan Abiri wants me to fix Adon D’arana, Third Shield of Gehar.
The Beast.
Everyone in Mihwar gossips about him. Adon is badly scarred. He is bad-tempered and surly. His partner died in the same mission that injured him, and it changed the Third Shield. He hasn’t been seen in public for almost a year. He stays secluded in the D’arana compound and participates in none of his duties.
Two months ago, a tabloid vid channel had done an exposé on him. They had interviewed one of his former physiotherapists. “It was the most horrible experience of my life,” she’d said. “The Third Shield was verbally abusive. He yelled at me. When I stood up to him, he threw me out.” She’d shuddered theatrically. “The people around him are terrified of him. They’re too afraid to speak up. It’s a disgrace.” Her voice had risen. “I have no idea why someone hasn’t challenged him or why the Empress doesn’t intervene. Adon D’arana doesn’t deserve to be a Shield of Gehar.”
I’d watched the interview; it was impossible to avoid. I didn’t like the physiotherapist—she was clearly enjoying her moment of fame—but I hadn’t envied her either. Adon D’arana sounded awful.
And now Hakan Abiri wants me to fix him.
“You sent five physiotherapists and he fired them all?” I gaze at Abiri helplessly. “I don't understand why you expect me to succeed when everyone else has failed.”
“Isn't it obvious?” he asks impatiently. He gestures to me. “Look at you. You look helpless. Young and innocent. You're like a fluffy rabbit. If Adon yells at you, your pretty little eyes will probably fill with tears. He's a sucker for a crying woman. He'll feel too guilty to kick you out.”
Ugh. I hate this. Just once, I would like people to judge me for my work and nothing else. And now my eyes are filling with tears because I cry when I'm angry. Great. I’m proving Hakan Abiri’s point for him.
The Chief of Staff is unmoved by my tears. No surprise there—I don’t think Hakan Abiri has a heart. Strangely, his lack of reaction makes me feel better. “That’s your assignment,” he says. “I want you to tend to Adon. Eat meals with him. Talk to him. Laugh with him. I want you to bring him back.”
Abiri doesn’t need to voice the threat out loud. I'm not a fool. I know I don't really have a choice in this matter. If I decline to help his friend, he will make life very difficult for me. We were granted temporary residence in the Gehar Empire, but that can be revoked. Our permanent resident applications will be coming up soon. If he wanted to, Abiri could see that they were declined. Then we’ll be deported back to Earth Federation, where there are still bounties on our heads.
“How long am I expected to attend to him?”
“Until he's better.”
“That is not a goal that can be measured. Define ‘better.’”
Abiri looks surprised. I don’t think he expected me to push back. “Until he resumes his duties as the Third Shield.”
My heart sinks. No matter what Hakan Abiri thinks, this isn’t a problem I’m going to be able to solve. Out of habit, I reach for my mother’s pendant, only to realize it’s not there. I pawned it on Reganne so we could find shelter.
“What if I fail?”
“You will tend to him,” Abiri repeats implacably. “No matter how long it takes. That is my price. The price you agreed to.”
“Why do you care what happens to Adon D’arana?”
I’m reasonably sure Hakan Abiri is going to tell me to mind my own business. Surprisingly, he doesn’t. The curtain parts, just for a split-second, and I see raw honesty in Abiri’s golden eyes. “Because,” he says, his voice clipped. “I am responsible for the accident that scarred him.”
And then his expression shutters. “So,” he says crisply. “Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Can you leave in a couple of hours?”
“That soon?” I blink at him, not sure if I’ve correctly.
“Is that a problem?” He studies me with his cool gray eyes, the threat of deportation hanging in the air.
No, no problem at all. All I have to do is trek back to Mihwar and show up at the home of a man who doesn’t appear to want me there. “I don’t have any clothes,” I reply. “Just what I brought to the wedding.”
He waves that away. “Clothing will be arranged.”
Clothing will be arranged. It must be nice to have that kind of power. To wave an arm and have the universe rearrange itself for you.
“Any other objections? No? Good. You’ll head to the D’arana clan house in a couple of hours. Dimek and Mina won’t be in residence; they spend most of their time in Louen. I’ve arranged for Jehan and Keomi to be away too. You’ll be alone with Adon.”
Wonderful. I can’t wait.
Click to keep reading Alien Beast, Adon and Bella’s story!
About Lili Zander
Lili Zander is the sci-fi romance loving alter-ego of Tara Crescent. She lives in Toronto. She enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy, and thinks a great romance makes every book better.
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Books by Lili Zander
Warriors of Gehar
Alien to the Rescue - click here to get it for free!
Alien in Charge
Alien Beast
The Vampires’ Blood Mate (A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance)
The vampires of Shayde want more than just my blood…And everyone knows that whatever vampires want, vampires get.
Night of the Shayde
Blood of the Shayde
Soul of the Shayde
DRAGONS IN EXILE (Dragon shifters in space, science-fiction romance)
Crashed spaceship. Prison planet. Snarling, lethal predators. Two big, hulking, bronzed aliens who turn into dragons. The best part? The dragons insist I’m their mate.
DRAEKON DESIRE - Binge-read the entire DRAGONS IN EXILE series in one heavily discounted, 1000+ page boxed set!
Or read the individual books…
Draekon Mate
Draekon Fire
Draekon Heart
Draekon Abduction
Draekon Destiny
Daughter of Draekons
Draekon Fever
Draekon Rogue
Draekon Holiday
REBEL FORCE (Dragon shifters in space, science-fiction romance)
Captured in space. Imprisoned. Sold to the highest bidder. But my biggest problem is the bossy, aggravating, impossible, alien who’s supposed to rescue me.
The bossy alien I kissed.
Draekon Warrior
Draekon Conquerer
Draekon Pirate
Draekon Warlord
Draekon Guardian
Blood Prophecy (A Dragon Shifter Reverse Harem Romance)
Stealing from one dragon is lunacy. Stealing from five of them? I must have a death wish.
Dragon’s Thief
Dragon’s Curse
Dragon’s Hope
Dragon’s Ruin
Dragon’s Treasure
or
Dragon’s Fire (the omnibus edition, containing all the Blood Prophecy episodes) and a bonus story, Dragon’s Ghost.
Lili Zander, Alien in Charge
