Solara 8
I can’t believe Onidus is here. I’m so glad he caught me, but I see his shy side coming out already, like he’s unsure if he wants to take me or let me go.
He isn’t the kind of person who would sign up for this race, which makes me think someone pushed him into it. I know he could’ve changed a lot, but I never saw him as someone who thought of themselves…ever. It doesn’t fit his personality or values.
Maybe he’s just lonely? My father often was, working far away for the military while he started his own company back home on Earth. He was always working. Onidus clearly is too.
I lean against the bar and guide Onidus’ hand around my waist. He lets out a breath like he’s surprised.
“What?”
He looks back at the Leosantian that eyed me in passing as he and his claimed woman slip onto the dance floor. Neon colors blaze throughout the dark space as thunderous electronic music plays over the speakers.
“Oh.” I shrug. “I had hoped for his kind if I didn’t get an Isonian.
But the way the Ginarigon took him out, I’m just not sure I trust him to stick around when things get difficult with my family.
I’m certain they’re going to try to dig their glitzy gemstone-lined fingers into my life.
I need to find someone who will take me far from here, somewhere they’ll never go.
Not sure his world is far enough. It’s right up their alley. And I can’t deal with them anymore.”
I order a Torizian beer and lean just a little closer to Onidus, longing to feel the warmth of him against me again.
He motions two fingers to the bartender and gets the same as me. “Didn’t think you’d be a beer drinker.”
“I only front that I’m a karat.”
He chuckles. “You’re pretty without all that other stuff. And no amount of gold or diamonds can fix ugly on the inside. And that’s the side of you I always loved most.”
He quiets for a moment. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to say that word. I mean, I did. But I don’t want to pressure you.” He swears, shakes his head, tucks the mouth of his beer bottle under his gold mask, and takes a long drink of his beer.
Onidus still cares, but it’s like he doesn’t want to let me in. I remember, back when we were kids on Delsfein, how he talked about the masks Smoldren wear. Onidus’ is beautiful with swirls of leaves, a familial pattern.
But I miss his face. And seeing both of his blazing gold eyes burning into me no matter how cold or hungry or scared we were.
“So where have you been?” I ask to change the subject.
“All over.” His attention is on a Luna Mindoran across the room, speaking with a different Isonian. “Excuse me for a moment. We have some tension with them. Casion is new to my rank.”
“Sure.”
“Stay here.” Onidus gives me a serious look.
“Got it.” I turn to watch him stalk across the room to where Casion and the Luna get into an argument.
Onidus calmly guides them apart. He turns to the Luna.
“You made your choice. You didn’t believe Nebs were real, that they were a threat apart from the Aegeris pack, which you tried to reject into extinction.
The federation may still accept you because you’re an isolated species without starships.
But you get no pity from us because of your genocidal actions toward another species that tried to protect you. And Casion…”
“Hello, Lilania.”
Beautiful? I turn to find the Leosantian who chased me resting his elbows on the bar.
His white wings are bound with Abr bands at his back.
The way the facets of his pearl-white skin glisten under the neon lights of the bar tells me he’s an elite class, not one of the workers in an assembly plant or a shipyard.
“Hello, Ansoka.” Handsome. He is, but I’m mostly being polite.
His irises have the diamond halos Tasia wanted.
But the way he looks down with a bashful smile tells me what I need to know about his personality.
He’s augmented because he needs the confidence boost. Some, like my sister, think it’s important to show power to intimidate others, make them jealous, and make them bend to her will. This male is compensating.
Probably grew up in a demanding household. I definitely don’t want that. I never liked the pompous formalities of their culture anyway. I got enough of it from my family.
“Ereliel.” He extends a hand.
I take it. “Solara.”
“Ah, I thought I knew you from somewhere.” He takes the glowing white drink the bartender sets on the counter. “See you around?”
I nod and do my best to smile.
He gives me a lustful once-over as he sips his drink and walks away. When he’s off with his woman at another booth, I notice a Ksion watching me from the dance floor. I force yet another smile, then return to my beer, take a long drink, and wonder if they want me or they want what I am.
Or my reputation.
Or my money.
When I check on Onidus, I find him sitting at the bar several chairs away from me. He lifts his mask just enough to clear the bottle, puts the bottle to his lips, and tilts his head back, then repositions his mask.
“What’s with the face shield?” a pink-banded woman asks in passing.
His eyes swing to her as her friend leans close. “Probably scarred and ugly. Bet that’s why he’s sitting alone.”
Onidus looks down at his drink and hangs his head.
I’m sick of the entitlement of rich bitches that have no idea what he’s endured. I get up and step in their way. They stop.
I look them over, assessing their augments and the level of vanity over function. “At least he’s not ugly on the inside.”
“You don’t know that,” the first woman remarks.
“Actually, I do. Pain creates a form of strength inside a person that neither of you will ever be able to grasp.” I shoulder bump the second woman as I pass them. But when I step around them, Onidus isn’t at the bar anymore.
I scan the room and check into the hallway. What the hell? Damn it! He ghosted me!
“Hey, I know you.”
I turn around to find a Xarthrin with dark green translucent skin studying me from where he leans against the wall like he’s too cool to mingle.
“I get that a lot.”
His jade eyes shine with mischief. “Do you do reduction surgeries? Human females are so…small.”
Ugh. I flash him a smile that I hope is convincing. “I would never want to make you less of a male. Human females can adapt, even if you’re gigantic.” Though I’m certain he’s not that big.
“I’d like to take it for a test drive before I pick one of you to take home. Abr has condoms that are just big enough.”
A nervous laugh escapes me. “I’m not here to fuck.”
“Then what are you here for?” he asks, popping off the wall.
Everything changed the moment I saw Onidus again.
“You don’t know. You’re just desperate for a change,” he remarks. “I’m definitely a change.”
I slide back a step. “Not tonight. Thanks.”
Wheeling around, I hurry out of the Mingle Celebration and find a quiet corner to tuck myself. I pull up my wristband’s screen and search for an anomalous dot on the map. Most racers are close to the Mingle Hall. A few are in their rooms. Only a handful are in the separate males’ and women’s areas.
I head toward the fastest moving dot. I can’t stand the thought of Onidus in more pain than he has to be. I’ve got to find him and make sure he’s okay.