Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Naomi
Atall Margol Xylan male wearing green gloves approaches me at the buffet table. He’s dressed in a costume that causes him to look like the most menacing demon I’ve ever met in real life.
I let out a squeak and take a step back.
“Yes, my costume might be intimidating, but we’re not that scary,” he chuckles.
“Have you met the Hyrrokin species yet? Those beings are actual fire-breathing demons who live on the planet Tarvos. The great houses of Chronos are truly brutal, but here on Timbur we are mainly Margol Xylan who harvest and tend to the Illibrium crystals. Nothing to be worried about.”
I nod, not really believing.
“Do you want to guess who I am? And then I will try to guess who you are,” he questions.
I exhale and try to join in the game. The only names I’ve learned so far are basically Saxon’s brothers, so I try one out. “Um...are you Bayzon?”
He throws back his head and laughs. “No, but that was a good guess. My turn, are you a human?”
“Yes,” I grin, “I am human,” I admit I feel strangely comfortable around this male, as if we’re already friends. “But that’s only half the battle. You know my species but not my name.”
“Correct, but at least we met and...” Then his tablet flashes and he reads the message.
The male glances over his shoulder and then back at me.
“I’ve got to go. It was nice talking to you, female.
I’m sure we’ll get to know each other better in the future.
Welcome to the family.” And then he gives me a wink and he’s gone.
Welcome to the family?
What the heck was that about?
I glance around again, searching for a sighting of the mysterious male in black.
The one I said I would not approach. I told myself not to do this anymore.
He’s not for me. The last thing I need is a boyfriend who thinks of himself first in all instances, treats me with disrespect and gaslights me into thinking this is normal behavior.
But I continue to try to monitor his location.
What is wrong with me?
The tempo of the music changes to a different type—dark music with heavy drumbeats.
My foot taps on the floor to the addictive beat.
More candelabras are lit and hang from the ceiling.
The atmosphere is still spooky, but now it’s been elevated to shadowy elegance.
The black, gleaming dance floor clears in the center of the room and my chest warms because I love dancing.
My fingers snap to the beat, eager to get moving. This party is finally turning fun.
I grab a plate, trying to find snacks at the buffet appropriate for human tastes so I have plenty of energy for the dancing.
Costumed Xylan females talk loudly next to me in line, regaling angsty stories of mating compatibility tests gone wrong.
None of them are in masks anymore. I lean in because gossip is always interesting, no matter the species or planet.
Also, I think I hear the names of some Xylan I recognize.
“Did you see that they’re all here?” one of them grouses. “All four of the unmated fever brothers are here and they will not dance with any of us in this group. I’ve seen them dance with some other Xylan females but not with us? Why?”
I take a step closer because these females are talking about Saxon’s brothers.
“Those fever brothers are so full of themselves.”
“I can’t believe what Bayzon said to us earlier. The nerve.”
“I’ve asked Bayzon, twice a year, for the last ten years to perform the mating compatibility ceremony with me and he always says no,” a female cries out. “It’s not fair.”
They’re all quiet for a beat and then someone offers, “You know none of those fever brothers clasp hands. They never ever perform the mating ritual and then they always end up with human brides. Only human brides. It’s weird.”
“I think it’s sick. Why would they want to only mate with humans?”
“Yes, it’s gross,” another agrees.
“And Bayzon of Thirty-Six is the worst. Look at him right now, not even bothering to dress properly for the Dark Moon Costume Ball. He’s only dressed in formal attire and a simple mask.
Who is he kidding? We all know it’s him because he’s the only one who doesn’t bother to wear a costume. Like he’s too good for the rest of us.”
“Why is Bayzon their crew leader? Why? He’s no leader.”
“I bet they’re all waiting to meet humans and take them as mates, that’s why they won’t test mating compatibility with a female of their own species.”
“They’re human-lovers,” one of them hisses. “All of them.”
And then one female glances over at me and her eyes widen because she knows I heard everything.
I give a rueful smile in return, not even trying to hide my eavesdropping.
She bites her lip and elbows the others.
“What?” one of them growls.
And then they all look over at me. They all just sniff the air, lift their chins and guide their group away from me, leaving the buffet line. No excuses or apologies, just disappearing into the crowd.
I chuckle and shake my head. Well, I don’t know whether or not to believe them, but they sure made Saxon’s brother, Bayzon, sound pretty terrible. Huh. And they said he wasn’t wearing a costume…
“Don’t let them bother you,” a warm voice says from behind me.
I turn to find a human woman smiling at me.
She’s dressed as some kind of space pirate, complete with a fake blaster on her hip and an eye patch pushed up on her forehead.
No mask, proving she’s already out of the game.
This young woman has dark, curly hair that brushes her shoulders and her nails are painted a deep purple that matches her eyeshadow perfectly.
“I’m Roxy,” she says, extending her hand. “Cannibal’s wife. You must be Leah’s friend. She just sent us a text, letting us know you’re here and to check in on you.”
“I’m Naomi.” I shake her hand, relief flooding through me at finding another human. “You heard all that?”
“Hard not to.” She rolls her eyes. “Those particular females have been salty about the fever brothers for years. Don’t take it personally.”
Another woman appears at Roxy’s side; this one dressed as some kind of Xylan noblewoman in flowing silver robes. Also human, with long dark hair and a sweet, delicate face. “Is this her? Leah’s friend?”
“This is Naomi,” Roxy confirms. “Naomi, this is Lila. She’s mated to Claws.”
“The tall one,” Lila adds with a shy smile. “Well, they’re all tall. But he’s the tallest.” She looks me up and down. “I love the dress, by the way. Very classic. Very, ‘I’m too cool for a costume.’”
I laugh. “I didn’t have time to put one together.”
“Sure, sure.” Roxy winks. “That’s what Bayzon says every year too.”
My cheeks heat at the mention of his name. Saxon’s brother is the mysterious brother I was eyeing and decided was too mean for consideration.
Roxy notices and exchanges a look with Lila. “So you’ve already spotted him,” she says, not quite a question.
“Hard not to,” I admit, echoing her earlier words. “He’s the only other person here not in costume.”
“Leah wants you to meet him tonight.”
“She does?”
“Yes,” Lila responds. “She thinks he might be a good match for you.”
I blink with surprise.
“Mmhmm.” Roxy grins. “And he’s been watching you all night. The brothers have been placing bets.”
My mouth drops open. “Bets on what?”
“On whether he’ll actually talk to you or just stand in the corner brooding until midnight.”
I snort. “My money’s on brooding. I’m not so sure I want to meet him anyways.”
Both women laugh, and something loosens in my chest. This is nice. Easy. Like being back at university with Leah, joking around in our dorm room.
“Don’t believe everything those females said about him,” Lila says, her voice soft but sincere. “Bayzon’s... prickly. But he’s a wonderful male. He takes care of his family. When I first arrived here, I was so scared of everything. He was one of the first brothers to make me feel safe.”
“All the brothers do,” Roxy adds. “It’s kind of their whole thing. Annoying levels of protectiveness.” She says it like a complaint, but her smile is fond.
Before I can respond, both women’s tablets chime. They check them and exchange another look.
“Duty calls,” Roxy says. “Kid stuff. But we’ll find you later, okay? And welcome to Timbur. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of you.”
Then I turn and see the male in black again. The one I’m supposed to be avoiding. He and I are the only ones in this entire ball not dressed in costume.
Bayzon.
He’s walking towards me and why does my breath quicken? There’s literally a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. Again. His black jacket is perfectly fitted as are his slacks, to show off his powerful, muscular body while remaining just a little bit loose.
He’s sex on a stick.
This is who that group of Xylan females were referring to, this male they think is snooty and arrogant.
The male in black, with no costume, is Bayzon—the male Leah wanted me to meet, who she thinks is right for me?
He looks like he could give a shit about being here.
I have a good excuse for not being in costume, but what is his excuse?
I’ve watched him cause one female to cry and listened to a whole group of females complain about his actions. But then Roxy and Lila painted a completely different picture. Prickly but good. Takes care of his family. Made Lila feel safe.
Who is the real Bayzon?
The cynical part of me, the part that learned the hard way with Derek, wants to believe the worst. Wants to turn away and protect myself from another charming man who turns out to be cruel underneath.
But Roxy and Lila are married to his brothers. They live with this family. They would know, wouldn’t they?
I frown at him, still uncertain, but I don’t turn away. Not yet.
Maybe I need more information before I make up my mind. Maybe I owe it to myself—and to Leah, who clearly thinks we’d be a good match—to find out for myself which version of this male is the real one.