10. Varak
CHAPTER 10
VARAK
T he city lights sparkle below us as I guide Aileen to the rooftop table. Her breath catches at the sight of Chicago spread out beneath a velvet sky.
"This is beautiful." She runs her fingers along the crystal stemware.
I pour the wine, a vintage I selected after noticing her preferences at our first dinner. "You deserve beautiful things."
"So tell me about yourself. The real you." Her green eyes catch the candlelight.
My image inducer flickers. No point hiding anymore. "My people are called the Vakutans."
"Like the ridged head I saw in the limo?"
"Yes. We're warriors, protectors. My real form is..." I gesture to my current appearance. "Somewhat less conventional by Earth standards."
"Red scales, golden eyes?" She takes a sip of wine. "I caught glimpses."
"And you're not... disturbed?"
"Please. I've seen weirder things in Chicago." She spears a bite of salmon. "What's your planet like?"
"Three suns. Purple skies. The gravity is stronger, which is why we're built the way we are."
"Is that why you're always so... commanding?" Her lips curl into a knowing smile.
The wine burns sweet on my tongue. "Vakutans are direct by nature. We take what we want."
"And what do you want, Varak?"
My chest tightens at the way she says my real name. "Originally? The restaurant's corner lot. Now?"
"Now?"
"Now I find myself wanting things I shouldn't." The admission comes easily, more easily than it should.
"Like what?"
"Like you." The words hang between us, honest and raw.
Her hand finds mine across the table. The touch of her skin sends electricity through my holographic disguise.
"Good thing I want you too. Scales and all."
"There's more you need to know." I release her hand and lean back. The weight of centuries presses down on my shoulders. "Before this goes further."
"More alien secrets?" Her fingers trace the rim of her wineglass.
"We're not just visitors from another world. We're from your future."
"What?" The wine sloshes as she sets down her glass.
"In 1990, a temporal accident brought several of us back here. When we discovered our enemies, the Grolgath, had also traveled back in time with plans to alter Earth's history, we formed an organization. Veritas."
"Like the Latin word for truth?"
"We protect the timeline. Keep history on its proper course." The lights of passing aircraft reflect off her face. "That's why I needed the corner lot. We detected Grolgath activity in the area."
"So you're telling me you're not just an alien..." She props her chin on her hand. "You're a time-traveling alien? What's next, are you a cyborg too?"
The laugh rumbles deep in my chest. "I assure you, everything about me is one hundred percent natural. As you'll soon discover."
"Promises, promises." Aileen's smile lights up her face before fading into uncertainty. "Are you sure that a super hero alien from the future wants to be with a plain old Earth girl who works slinging pizza?"
I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. Her skin feels like silk against my holographic disguise. The warmth of her spreads up my arm, making my scales tingle beneath the projection.
"It seems that I must now punish you three times."
"What?" A giddy laugh escapes her lips. "For what? What did I do now?"
"You lied." I stroke my thumb across her knuckles. "You said you were plain, and you are anything but. Aileen Marella is the most magnificent being in all the galaxy and that is the absolute truth."
The sincerity in my words surprises me. Each syllable flows naturally, pulled straight from my heart rather than calculated by my tactical mind. My thumb traces circles on her soft skin, memorizing every detail.
"The Grolgath are dangerous shapeshifters." I tighten my hand into a fist. "If they discover what you mean to me..."
"Our enemies, the Grolgath, might try to use you to get to me." I squeeze her hand. "You must be certain that you understand this, Aileen."
She meets my gaze, one perfect eyebrow arching upward. The candlelight dances in her green eyes, highlighting the defiant tilt of her chin.
"Are you kidding me? This is Chi Town! I could get shot by a mugger, or run over by a taxi, or slip on soap in the bathtub and bust my head open." She leans forward, her free hand reaching up to touch my face. "I'm all in, Charles... I mean, Varak. Stop trying to talk me out of liking you."
The warmth of her palm against my holographic cheek sends sparks through my image inducer. Such fierce bravery in such a small package. My warrior's heart swells with pride and desire.
"You said the Grolgath guys have something on our property?" Aileen's fingers tighten around her wineglass. "Something bad? Are my parents in danger?"
My jaw clenches. The last thing I want is to frighten her, but she deserves the truth.
"Not immediately. The device remains dormant unless activated. As long as no one goes searching for it..."
"But what is it? What does it do?"
"We don't know its exact form or function. Only that its energy signature matches known Grolgath extinction-level weapons."
Her face pales.
"Extinction level?"
"Veritas has monitored your family's restaurant for months. We have agents watching day and night."
"But these Grolgath can look like anybody, right?" She glances over her shoulder at the other diners. "They could be anyone?"
I reach across the table and take both her hands in mine. The holographic projection crackles at the contact, but I don't care. "Yes. Their shapeshifting abilities make detection challenging."
"So how do you know who to trust?"
"We have methods. Technology that can detect their energy signatures." I stroke my thumbs across her knuckles. "But know this - any Grolgath who wants to harm you or your family will have to go through me first."
"And you're pretty tough, huh?" A small smile plays at her lips.
"I am a Vakutan warrior. We do not fail those under our protection."
"Veritas has protected Earth's timeline for decades." I lean back, watching the city lights dance in her eyes. "We'll continue to do so. Your people have an incredible destiny waiting among the stars. The Vakutans will make sure humanity lives to see that future."
"So you're like my guardian angel?" Her lips curve into a teasing smile.
The laugh that comes out of me sounds deep and rich.
"No. Not at all like an angel."
I stand, my fingers working at the knot of my silk tie. The fabric whispers as it slides free.
"Why not?" Her breath catches as I move behind her chair.
My hands rest on her shoulders, feeling her warmth through the thin dress.
"Because," I lean down, my lips brushing her ear, "an angel would never do any of the dirty, dirty things I am going to do to you tonight."
The tie slips over her eyes, blocking out the city lights. Her pulse jumps beneath my fingers as I secure the knot.