Chapter 9
Alanna
Today was the day.
Everyone was dressed up. The energy in the air was tense, but excited. In the main communications room, they all gathered and waited. Twenty-four hours ago, she sent a short text message to her uncle, warning him of the incoming call. Nothing else. They just wanted to give them time to prepare.
Outside the main view window of the comm room, sitting in the background like the coolest greenscreen of all time, was the Earth, behind its moon.
Alanna stood proud in the center of the plain, simple, raised circle that would be the focus of the camera.
The others were gathered around her, out of sight, but within reach of the short stairs so, when she called on them, they could easily step into view and be heard when they spoke.
Survii was leaning over Navine’s shoulder, giving her some brief, last-minute instructions. He had a serious expression on his face as he pointed to things on her display. Alanna couldn’t hear what they said, but it looked completely professional and totally innocent.
So, why did it sit so wrong in her belly?
She had been feeling off since their date.
Their textbook perfect date. That also sat wrong in her belly.
Objectively, the date was fine. The thought and care put into the food alone was so sweet. She had been offered a courting meal from one of the many species he had met and learned about. She loved the very idea of it. And the view? Stunning! Perfect.
So why did it feel so… dull?
She kissed him, and she enjoyed that. That was wonderful. But feeling that spark of heat had just enforced how little connection she had to him in the date.
They were mates… right?
She believed him when he said it, so why was it like this?
Survii stood up straight and said something to Navine before turning to Yursini to give her more instructions as well. He treated her the same way as Navine – who was now typing quickly on her console – but the wrong feeling in Alanna’s belly eased now that he was talking to someone else.
Why was it like this? Mates weren’t supposed to be like this, right?
Survii lifted his eyes from Yursini’s display to meet Alanna’s gaze. Heat burned in his gaze as he smirked. Tempting her. Her belly twisted eagerly.
But that was it. Her heart wasn’t responding yet.
He focused back on his task, but his grin remained.
He was dressed like a domini today. Probably since he was representing them directly. He wore robes, like the ones Romival did. But where Romival looked like an elegant, studied wizard, Survii looked like a male concubine, ready for his mistress to return to his bed.
He was the only domini Alanna knew to wear mismatching colors.
Domini tended to prefer solid colors, or a gentle ombre.
Their skin changed like hair color on a human – turning gray as they aged.
Once they grayed, their camouflage was hindered.
It was a process that was hastened by wearing a lot of colors and patterns, especially in a small amount of time.
Survii had an inner robe in a solid, dark, rouge.
Over that, he had a lighter green robe that had a blocky, golden pattern along the hems. Both of them were loose and open at the chest, revealing his sculpted body in a practically sinful way.
A patterned belt, matching his hems, held his hip pouch and a long silver and crystal piece of jewelry that moved with each step he took.
His hair was pinned back only on one side, but it spilled over the other shoulder in a way that was slightly androgynous and completely mouthwatering.
She wanted dearly for his attention to focus on her. For him to lounge back on a fancy bed with silk pillows, to let that robe fall open, and for him to tempt her forward.
The fantasy was incredible. So much better than the reality of the date they had.
Alanna shook her head and forced herself to look away and back towards the large combot camera that was set against the wall, ready to record her. She should be focused on that. On the impending, history making video call she was about to make, and not on her mate.
Her mate? Right?
“Connection pending in… three minutes,” Romival announced from his console, hesitating only a second as he adjusted his thinking into Earth time.
Alanna let out a steadying breath as she focused back on her purpose. On what she was here to do. Her love life woes could wait until later.
“Connection in two minutes.”
Alanna stood tall as the lights around the room flicked off so that she was the only one who stood in a beam of illumination, the backdrop of the Earth and moon as her stage. It made her feel incredibly alone. She wished that Survii were here. That Survii could bring her comfort.
She just wanted her mate.
“Connection in one minute.”
Everyone fell silent as Alanna adjusted her dress.
She had chosen purple today, because that was the color of the forests of the domini homeworld.
As much as she represented humanity now, she also represented the domini.
Nestled within her hair was a frosted silver crown that speared out around her afro like the beams of a shining moon.
More silver, frosted jewelry and rough-cut quartz crystals were draped all over her body in long gleaming chains.
Romival didn’t announce the successful connection.
Instead, the large holoscreen she faced suddenly lit up.
It rippled like water crossing from one corner to the other.
It turned fuzzy, straight white noise, then settled into a dark screen.
A loading circle popped up in the center.
Their alien technology adapted to human technology.
The phone rang and Alanna held her head high.
The answer was almost immediate. The screen changed from black into what she could only describe as a golden auditorium filled with old, dignified individuals. All of them were staring at her like she was on stage.
And right in front of her, standing tall with a determined set to his jaw, was her uncle.
President John Townsend was a regal, tall, thin man with a strong jaw and, usually, a charming smile.
A smile that was notably absent today. Alanna couldn’t help but notice that his close shaved hair was far grayer than the last time she saw him.
He was wearing a formal, dark suit with a red tie and a pin with the flag on his lapel.
There was another man beside him that she didn’t recognize.
Though his body was softer than her uncle’s, he carried himself with the same regal bearing.
His hair was pure white, and his pale skin was heavily wrinkled, but he also wore a nice suit with what appeared to be the flag for the United Nations on his lapel.
Ah. She was staring into the general assembly room of the United Nations. That’s who all those people were looking back at her. World leaders and powerful rulers. All of them tense, their expressions carefully schooled into neutrality.
All except her uncle.
He took a deep breath at the sight of her.
“Alanna?” His call was cautious. She supposed that she must look very different as well.
The last time he had seen her, her hair had been straightened and she had been wearing sweatpants.
Now, she stood before him in full regalia, a crown on her head, a stripe of sparkling silver, like stars, spread across both eyes in the domini style.
She giggled. “Hey, uncle. Need the password?”
He chuckled once, partially in disbelief and partially in relief. “You look well. Are you well?”
“I’m wonderful, uncle. It’s really good to see you.” A bright, honest smile stretched across her face as she stared at him. The room full of world leaders might not even exist. “I’m so happy that I finally get to see you again.”
“Me too, baby girl,” he laughed, before clearing his throat and standing just a bit straighter. She could see the mantle of leadership draping itself across his shoulders as he reminded himself of where he was and what he was doing.
It was a sight she loved. That filled her with pride. That was her uncle – an impressive man and a stalwart leader and someone people could look up to. And yet, never too political and professional to first make sure that those he loved were safe.
Turning from the screen, he addressed the general assembly. As he spoke, behind her, she could hear Peony softly whispering a translation for the sake of the domini.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we all know why we are gathered here.
We see their shine in the sky even now, during the day.
A star that sparkles and guides us towards the heavens.
Just as my niece promised us. Our otherworldly visitors have done exactly as they said they would, and we will greet them with peace and open arms.
“I have known Alanna all her life. I helped raise her. I love her as a daughter and trust her completely. That is why I did not panic when she told me what would happen. If my Alanna trusted them, then I know there is something to be trusted in them. You see her now, unharmed and healthy and strong. She will translate for our otherworldly visitors. It is my honor, and my genuine joy, to introduce the world to her. My niece, ambassador for the alien presence over our heads, Alanna Townsend.”
Alanna lowered her head in recognition, in greeting. Though she hadn’t expected a formal introduction, she should have known. Politicians loved to speak. It was their entire job. And naturally, she couldn’t just be expected to talk to the world without them knowing her somewhat.
All the training from being raised and living with her family came back in an instant and she addressed those gathered with a strong, stable voice.