Page 38 of Alien Haven

“You?” Groteg’s tone was bland, indicating neither acceptance nor disbelief. His gaze was steady. Perhaps curious. “How did you feel when you searched for her attacker, Detodev? More importantly, what would you do if you discovered a possible intruder on the property?”

Detodev remembered the hot, sick feeling when Charity had burst from the barn, her eyes wild from fear. How his vision had turned red-tinged when he’d torn into the building, searching for the animal who’d stamped such terror on her features.

He thought of another woman gaping in horror. Of a man, dripping blood. And another, groaning in a heap. Bile rose in his throat.

Detodev swallowed it and steeled his nerves. “I can help. I can watch for trouble. And if…if nothing else, I can raise the alarm should I come across anyone suspicious.”

Groteg watched him for several beats, his expression evaluating. At last, he nodded. “I agree someone needs to be patrolling the grounds. I’d planned to do so myself, but I appreciate the assistance since I have to be at work tomorrow. You can take first watch and report to the fields in the afternoon rather than morning.”

Detodev snapped a nod. Relief and dread mixed uneasily in his gut. He had no choice but to ensure Starry Eyes was kept safe…but he couldn’t keep from hoping he wouldn’t have to face those who’d harm her.

* * * *

Charity spent an hour tossing and turning after she’d bid everyone goodnight. At last, she admitted sleep wasn’t coming. She sat up on the edge of her bed and considered the view beyond the window before her.

The stars she loved were shining bright. Another body gleamed in the distance, larger but dimmer than the rest. She identified it as Rel Station, a Kalquorian fleet training facility floating a few hours’ shuttle journey from Haven.

She loved the expanse of black, the sense of vast space. For some, it might be lonely. For Charity, it served as a reminder that as big as her problems sometimes felt, they were truly insignificant in the scheme of life. Whatever happened to her, the universe went on unperturbed. Its unending existence was a balm to fears.

She stood and went to the window. Movement caught her eye. A shadow passed between the lovely pecan trees in the front yard. She squinted at the darkness, wishing for a Kalquorian’s heightened sight.

She didn’t need it. As the shadow emerged from beneath the wide branches, she identified the silhouette as belonging to Detodev. Funny how she already knew his figure: the breadth of his shoulders, the shape of his head, the swing of his arms. Even his manner of smooth striding was recognizable. When had she noticed so many details about him to the point of being able to recall them easily?

She watched him, an imposing shade stalking confidently. She realized she was smiling. The comforting warmth his mere presence offered was startling. It brought back the memory of clutching him in the aftermath of the attack, of his strength against her. Of his protective snarl. Removed from the terror of the moment, the remembered expression raised the hairs on her body in a far from unpleasant manner.

Silly crush. Silly lust. Still…why not?

Clad in her thin nightgown, she slipped from her bedroom, not bothering to pull on clothes or a robe. She glided down the stairs and considered the direction Detodev had been walking.

She let herself out through the kitchen door and crossed the porch. Down the cold steps to the lawn, the grass soft beneath her feet, she turned to intercept him, shivering slightly in the night air. She angled to leave the shadow of the overhang, so he could see her approach.

“Jennifer. Charity.” The rough voice floated from near the chicken coop.

“I couldn’t sleep.” She spoke quietly as she headed in his direction.

He hurried to meet her halfway between the coop and the house. He stopped a few feet short. “What are you doing out here in your…aren’t you cold?”

“A little. I’m used to running outside and freezing when I notice something interesting is happening in the sky.” She closed the distance.

“Is anything wrong in the house?” He seemed to realize belatedly her sudden appearance might herald trouble.

“As I said, I can’t sleep. I saw you patrolling and thought you might appreciate the company.”

“Dressed like that?”

“You don’t appreciate the view?” She pirouetted to give him the full effect of her flimsy white chemise. It covered everything, but the suggestion of what was beneath the fabric was blatant. Her curvy figure guaranteed it.

He remained silent. Motionless. His thoughts, as usual, were impossible to guess.

“Okay, so maybe I’m trying to distract you from my purpose of luring you out of your impervious Nobek shell.” She had no urge to tease. She felt very, very serious. “I told you my secret. Charity Nath, her truth laid bare, and I’m not referring to my nightgown. Or my hair, eyes, or the surgical alterations to my face in the empire’s efforts to hide my identity.”

“I looked you up in news archives. It is a change.” He paused. “You’re beautiful either way.”

“Thanks for trying to buck me up.”

“It’s true. You don’t believe me?”

She considered. “I don’t mind if you’re just being kind. I hate not being me.”

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