Page 37 of Alien's Eternal Mate

“I’m a bit busy at the moment, Ignio,” I snapped.

“No, it’s all right. I was just leaving.”

Arael went to the door and sidled past Ignio. She paused and gave me a look I could not interpret before vanishing.

Tonight will be even more awkward than usual. And after she brought me such thoughtful gifts…I don’t know whether to thank Ignio or throttle him.

I followed Ignio out of the tower, blinking in the sunlight. I noted the island was near the Snaggletooth Peaks, a rugged mountain range we came near once a week or so. The snow capped mountains formed a magnificent backdrop for the scene before me.

Three Sages clustered around a hover sled. Atop the sled rested an artifact which resembled a flywheel four feet in diameter. A clear crystal gemstone formed the centerpiece of the device. A panel with some dark lights lurked beneath the wheel array.

“What is it?”

“Nobody knows. It’s only partly operational.”

My curiosity got the better of me. I fiddled with the control panel, then realized it would be useless until I figured out how to activate the inactive buttons. That would require opening it up.

I scratched my chin as I examined the flywheel further. I could not detect any seams or fastenings. How it had been manufactured, I could not guess.

We brought the flywheel inside the tower. Ignio and I spent many hours trying to discern its secrets. We found ourselves flustered at every turn.

When the sun had long since set, and the trinity of moons glowed high in the sky, we finally admitted a temporary defeat.

“Cheer up, Gro.” Ignio slapped me on the shoulder. “We are far from the first team of Sages to attempt to crack this particular enigma.”

“But we will be the last. We will find the purpose of this device, Ignio. I swear it.”

“I do not doubt you, my friend. Now you should go home. Your lifemate must be missing you.”

I grunted and gathered my things before leaving the tower. It didn’t hit me until I stood bathed in the moonlight, considering what he had said.

He called me friend. I wonder if he is sincere? I have not had a friend since childhood. Not really.

And I doubt that Arael is missing me, not after this afternoon.

I felt mounting dread as I drew nearer to my home. Yet, when I opened the door, I found Arael moments away from plating our dinner.

“Welcome home,” she said simply, as she always did. I sagged into my seat with relief.

She’s going to pretend like it didn’t happen. Thank goodness.

We ate in relative silence. She inquired about the flywheel, and I told her that we hadn’t really found anything as of yet.

Arael rose from her seat and gathered the empty plates. She returned a moment later, and then dug around in my pack. I stiffened up, wondering why she did so. She never touched any of my things without asking first.

Arael withdrew the flute and handed it to me, then stepped to the middle of the floor.

“You show remarkable aptitude for the photonic flute. Yet, I think your imagination is insufficient. You obviously need a much closer study of your subject.”

She reached up behind her neck. A moment later her halter dress fell from her body, pooling around her feet.

My pulse quickened as she stood before me in all of her glory. I put the flute to my lips and blew, creating a miniature Arael once more.

Her nipples were a lighter hue than the rest of her body, looking more pink than purple. Other than that, my imagination had not been far off the mark. Masari anatomy was similar to all other so-called descendents of the Precursors.

I used to scoff at the notion, but now I found myself wondering how much veracity the Precursor theory really held.

Then Arael put her arms up over her head and placed her feet widely apart, and I forgot all about Precursors. I set the flute down and stood up, going to her. She shivered like a captive mouse at my approach, but met my gaze with unwavering desire.

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