Companion

CHAPTER 7

Alexa

“You are one of them!” Tray shouted when we appeared in front of him and the two men he’d brought with him. “And that’s the alien leader!”

Naraq immediately stepped in front of me, I’d never been more grateful.

“You may address me as Naraq, Ruler Supreme of Sanctum.”

“I want to talk to Alexa.”

“No. My companion is not your concern.”

“Alexa, do something about this alien,” Tray growled.

Even though I knew Naraq wouldn’t like it, I crept forward and to his side while sliding my hand into his. He glanced down at me, holding me under his spell with just a gaze. “It’s the only way to de-escalate the situation,” I said for his ears only.

I thought he might have ordered me back to the ship, but then he nodded.

“What do you want, Tray?” I asked, turning to face him and his group.

“Turquoise. We demand it all, as well as the land. You’ve made your choice.”

“Just because my companion is Sanctarian doesn’t mean I have to give you anything.”

He aimed his rifle at Naraq. “I heard they pay for turquoise.”

“They do, but the turquoise on my land is mine to give to my companion,” I said, squeezing Naraq’s hand.

“You come to our planet, take our people and our minerals, and we get nothing!” Tray snarled.

“It was never yours to sell,” I reminded him. “Now leave before you do something stupid.”

“I’m not leaving until I get what I want!”

I glanced at Naraq. “Is Lara recording this?”

He nodded.

“Have her broadcast it and begin extraction.”

“You can’t do this, Alexa!” Tray growled, tightening his hold on the gun.

At the same time, a blue beam of light filtered from the ship in a straight line, directly where the mine was located.

“Stop, or I’ll shoot,” Tray yelled.

Naraq lifted one hand, palm out. “Then shoot.”

I don’t know which man fired first because I was more shocked at the blue light emanating from Naraq’s palm and the light running through his veins, making his body appear luminescent. Bullets hit it and fell to the ground in melted blobs, and the ground beneath us glowed turquoise blue.

Tray’s frightened eyes met mine through whatever Naraq used to protect us, and I smirked in return. “I think you’d better leave.”

His boots shifted in the dirt as if he prepared to lunge, but Naraq pulled his hand back two inches and pushed forward, sending the force-field, or whatever it was, toward Tray and his men. They flew backward with the impact, landing on their backs close to their vehicles.

“Leave now,” his voice echoed over the land.

The three men scurried to their vehicles as Naraq pulled me under his arm, and I laughed when Tray and his men raced from my grandfather’s land.

“What was that?” I chuckled.

“That was Sanctarian.”

I glanced at the ground while sliding my bare toes through the desert sand. “You’re channeling energy from the mine. I felt it when I was inside it. You could’ve killed them, couldn’t you?”

“I could’ve.”

“Why didn’t you?”

His head tilted when I lifted my face. “For you, Alexa.”

“When I was in the turquoise mine, something similar happened to me. I didn’t have a shield or force-field, but my veins illuminated with light under my skin.”

“Because you’re half. With time, and by sharing my life-force, you’ll have the ability to do the same. The turquoise magnifies our gifts.”

“Will you walk through my home with me one last time before we leave here permanently?”

“I’d be honored.”

NARAQ

“You know, I was six years old the day my grandparents brought me here. I’d been with a babysitter when the accident happened.

My parents were on their way home when another car drove them off the road.

The other driver fell asleep at the wheel.

It was late and storming, but I didn’t cry until I came here. ”

“I’m sorry, Alexa.”

“If it weren’t for pictures, I wouldn’t even know what they looked like. This is the only home I’ve ever known,” she said, glancing at the ceiling.

“One thing I’ve learned in all the species I’ve encountered is that life is fragile, and that those left behind mourn indefinitely.”

She faced me with watery eyes. “I mourned the life I could’ve had, but I’m grateful for the life they gave me. Is that wrong, Naraq?”

“You were a child, Alexa, and children need acceptance and love. From what I’ve seen, you were loved.”

“This house holds all those memories.”

“No, the heart holds the memories. I felt it through your life-force.”

“Are your parents on Sanctum?”

“Yes, but their lifecycles are close to ending. Out of all the galaxies, not one species escapes death.”

“Yet you came for me.”

“I came hoping I would find my companion and save my species.”

“Are you disappointed, Naraq?”

I moved closer to her, tipped her chin with one finger, and lowered my face until our breaths blended. “Why would my companion think such a thing?”

“I’m an orphaned, half-human, half-Sanctarian with nothing to offer the Ruler Supreme except some turquoise.”

“This is unacceptable, Alexa.”

“Unacceptable?”

“Lara, transport Alexa and me to the ship’s Star Deck.”

“What’s a Star Deck?” Alexa questioned when our forms shimmered.

I smiled at my companion. “A surprise.”

“I like surprises.”

“I like your kisses better, Alexa.”

“You do?”

“I do,” I said, right before our lips touched and her stunning eyes closed.

I’d paid attention when Alexa kissed me before, but this time, the kiss was mine to control. Her lips were soft, and her breath sweet as our tongues twisted, and the unfulfilled bond flourished into a volcano rumbling to be released.

She melted into me, her soft breasts caressing my chest, and slim arms sliding around my waist.

With a groan, I bent over her, totally dominating the moment until she moaned in my embrace and struggled to be nearer.

“We need to stop,” I whispered into her mouth when I was close to losing self-control and allowing the desire between us to rule.

Alexa licked her lips. “You seem to be an attentive student.”

“Look around you, Alexa.”

ALEXA

Reluctantly, my gaze pivoted from Naraq to the white and blue stars circling above and around us. “It’s beautiful.”

“Do you see that planet orbiting the brightest star?” Naraq said, pointing at it.

“Is that Sanctum?”

“Yes. We orbit a white star, whereas Earth’s star is yellow. Blue stars are the hottest.”

“So, your planet has a warmer climate?”

“Much warmer. We use domes to control the temperature and protect us from radiation. Most of our planet is comparable to your jungles on Earth.”

“Unbelievable. What about vitamin D?”

“We receive it supplementally through our food and water.”

“What are your cities like?”

“On Sanctum, we are one city, and the energy harnessed from our star and the planet’s core powers everything.”

I moved toward the wall when images of homes with white domes and lots of glass and gardens full of vibrant blooms I’d never seen before floated across the wall.

Endless waves of blue-green grass filled every space along with magnificent trees, and all possessed the same color of foliage.

Lines of turquoise crisscrossed across the planet, eventually disappearing beneath bodies of water. “Turquoise?” I whispered.

“Our planet’s core is molten turquoise. It feeds and infuses with everything.”

“Are there more planets in this system?”

“A few.”

“It’s surreal.”

“Soon, you’ll look on it with your own eyes.”

“I’m nervous and excited at the same time.”

Naraq moved behind me and slipped one arm around my waist. “You’ll adapt.”

“I know nothing about your life. Where do you sleep? What do you eat? What do you do for fun?”

“We eat what we grow. That’s everyone’s purpose. We sleep on a structure similar to human beds. I grow flowers along with food for consumption and work with harnessing power from the oceans.”

“The oceans?”

“It’s a vastly untapped resource for additional power and cooling.”

“So, vegetarians?”

“Yes.”

“And the pods? They don’t work for your species?”

“No, because what is wrong with us has nothing to do with a foreign virus or bacteria.”

“But I’ve seen a few pods here.”

“Your sun’s radiation affects us differently since there’s no dome to provide a shield. You’ve adapted because you’re half-human and lived on Earth from birth.”

“Where’s my piano? Where are the other humans?”

“Come with me,” Naraq said, leading me from the Star Deck and into a corridor. Several couples, humans with Sanctarian, walked in the circular passageway, and doors lined the walls.

“Ruler Supreme,” the Sanctarians all greeted Naraq.

I smiled at the humans, and several returned the gesture. “Are they happy?”

“The choice was voluntary, and I’ve heard no complaints.”

The Sanctarian women were stunning creatures, and I couldn’t help but feel insecure in my dusty clothing and bare feet. Naraq guided me inside some sort of elevator before speaking, “My quarters.”

Lights blinked on a panel, but I didn’t feel any motion. Not only did I feel insecure, but no familiarity.

“You will learn it the more you use it, Alexa.”

“How did you know?”

“Everything about your body posture.”

My lips twitched as the door slid open again, and he led me inside a large room with windows running the entire length. The view of the sky drew me to the glass. “Are we still on Earth?”

“Yes, for now. We haven’t met our quota, so I’m allowing more time. As soon as I give the command, we will ascend to the dark side of your moon.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“I had your piano placed in the adjoining room.”

“It’s here. Where?”

Naraq touched a panel on the wall, and a door slid open, revealing my old piano and my possessions from my home.

“You’ve no idea how much this means to me,” I almost cried, running into the room.

“So, I did something you like?”

“Yes!” I said, turning to hug him before sliding onto my piano bench.

“A shower pod and clean clothes are in the next room, and I had Lara update the food dispenser with dishes you’d find on Earth. All you have to do is place your hand on the panels, or you can ask Lara.”

“She’ll answer me?”

“Yes. You’re my companion.”

“Are you going somewhere?”

“I need to oversee the extraction of your mine and see if any damage was done from our recent encounter, but if you need me, I’ll stay.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, brushing my fingers over worn wood and keys. The piano belonged to my grandmother, and I wished she were here to guide me. I was worried about Tray’s spin on what happened.

“I will return.”

I smiled as Naraq left, but my mind was already formulating a plan to help my protective companion. “Lara.”

“Yes, Alexa.”

“It’s so weird talking to you, but I was wondering if you could update me on what happened on the surface. Has Tray said anything negative?”

“Unfortunately, yes. He claims Naraq assaulted him after he abducted you. He also claims the land belonged to him since you were to be married.”

My hands smacked the keys, making an awful sound. “He what? Did you broadcast the video of the incident?”

“Yes.”

“And they believe him?”

“I’m afraid some believe his version.”

“Can I do a live broadcast, Lara?”

“That is not wise, Alexa.”

“Maybe not, but I can put an end to Tray’s lies.”

“I would suggest you speak with your companion first.”

“He already said no.”

“Naraq is attempting to maintain peaceful negotiations and your safety.”

“There will be no peace if humans sympathize with Tray’s altered version of the truth.”

“The Ruler Supreme knew the risks.”

“Who’s ruling if Naraq is here?”

“His younger brother rules Sanctum in Naraq’s absence.”

“And the people of Sanctum? Will they not suffer if Naraq doesn’t return?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Then I speak for both. Are there Sanctarian women who’d be willing to help me prepare?”

“Prepare?”

“I want to look like I belong here, but also human.”

“I understand. Yes, they will arrive momentarily. Shall I inform Naraq?”

I considered Lara’s question and Naraq’s response when I’d asked to do this before. “No.”

“As you wish, Alexa.”

“Thank you, Lara.”