Page 29 of Alien's Eternal Mate

She had a point. Thinking quickly, I remembered my scheduled audition with the Sages.

“Tomorrow, I will take the trials to join the ranks of the Sages. You agree that Gro would have no hope of achieving this?”

“What?” she sputtered. “You truly are mad.”

“If I pass the trials, will you at least admit that there is a possibility I am not mad? That I speak the truth?”

“I…suppose that has some logic in it.”

“Good. Then promise me you will not kill yourself until then. I can’t watch you every minute, nor do I have the time nor the inclination to try.”

She shook her head.

“Whether you’ve forgotten me, or we’ve only just met, I am a stranger to you. Why would you care if I choose to join the Wind on its endless journey?”

I opened my mouth, closed it. Why did I care? She was merely a stranger, and an alien at that. And yet…

“I don’t want your last moments to be spent in misery.”

I stood up and strode away from her.

“Wait until after the trials. That is all I ask.”

With that, I left her there on the cliff. I was aware she might step off at any moment, but I knew that it had to be her decision. As I’d spent so much of my recent time as a prisoner of the Alliance, I well understood her need for self-determination.

I understood that much. I did not understand why I cared what happened to her.

“You know why. You care because you’ve always cared.”

I gritted my teeth and refused to look at the young man in the IHC military garb walking beside me.

“Go away, figment! I’ve not the time nor the wherewithal to deal with you today.”

“So you don’t care?

I stopped and glared at the phantom of my psychosis.

“No, I don’t care at all.”

“Then why do the screams haunt you still?”

An animalistic grunt tore from my mouth. I flung myself at him, but caught only empty air. I looked about, embarrassed, hoping no one saw me. If they did, I would have to blame it on Gro’s recent injuries.

Fortunately, no one had witnessed my tirade. If I had ever wondered if my hallucinations had an organic or psychological root, I needed to wonder no longer. I was using Gro’s brain with my memories and personality ingrained into it. My issues were clearly not organic in nature.

I would challenge anyone to live my life and not wind up just a little bit crazy. At least I am a useful madman. I will return to my body and then I will redouble my efforts to stop the alien threat.

I returned to the home I shared with Arael and nibbled on leftovers. Gro’s caloric intake needs were much higher than my human body. I then went to the living space and brooded while pretending to prepare for the Sage trials I would face in the morning.

After some time, perhaps several hours, Arael returned. She did not speak to me, nor did I speak to her.

Yet, she prepared our evening meal and served it to me. We ate in silence, and she did not seem to even be able to meet my gaze.

She did not speak all evening long, in fact. Only when she paused at the foot of the steps before retiring for the evening did she look at me.

“I am uncertain if you have lost your memories, your mind, or both. But I can easily believe that you are not the same man as my lifemate. I do not think hate can grow in the soil of your soul.”

With that she went upstairs. Instead of feeling reassured, her words filled me with turmoil.

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