Page 20 of Alien Haven

His bland assessment caught Charity by surprise. Detodev wasn’t familiar with Ilid, but he’d quickly caught on to his discomfort. Ilid was similarly taken aback.

“You Nobeks never miss a clue. I suppose I’m somewhat claustrophobic. A lot of people, and the lighting makes it feel smaller than it is. Lots of shadows…” he scanned the room nervously, much as he had since he and Charity had arrived.

“Why didn’t you say so?” Charity laid a hand on his arm and noticed how tension thrummed through it. “We can leave.”

“I hate to ruin your night. I can handle it.” He waved the arm she wasn’t touching, as if to brush off her concern.

“The bar has a huge open deck in the rear,” Mitag offered grandly. “We can go there. Come on; I’ll buy the next round in honor of new friends, and we’ll enjoy this beautiful night under the stars.”

Charity noted Ilid appeared ashamed of his phobia. She hung onto him to show she wasn’t bothered by it, tugging him toward the door Mitag had indicated led to the deck. He went along.

Mitag nudged Detodev, who looked as if he might remain where he stood for eternity. “I said I’m buying. You haven’t turned down a free drink in the past, you big freeloader, even if it does mean being sociable.” He winked at Charity. “I’m trying to wear this cranky ronka down by being his sugar daddy.”

She laughed. “Are you rich?”

“No, but I’m better off than he is. I don’t mind letting him know it in hopes of buying his friendship. I have a terrible weakness for anyone who plays hard to get.”

Detodev scowled but said nothing.

Mitag scored their drinks, and the foursome went outdoors to the well-lit deck. The recorded music playing indoors was piped to the exterior. A few couples were taking advantage of it by dancing in the spacious surroundings. Only a quarter of the rustic wood tables and bench seats were occupied. Ilid visibly relaxed as he glanced around.

“The deck is rarely crowded. Is this all right, Ilid?” Mitag led them to a table no one else sat next to.

“Yeah. This is okay.” He grimaced as he glanced at the Imdiko and Detodev. “Some Dramok, huh?”

“My cousin who helped me move here from Kalquor hates snakes. He’s a Dramok, and he actuallyscreamedwhen he saw a poor little rat snake in a bush. He was halfway up a tree before I realized what had set him off. You have no reason to feel bad.” Mitag chuckled.

Detodev snorted at the story. Charity gazed at him in pretended shock. “Did you just laugh? Do you possibly possess a sense of humor under those inscrutable but handsome features?”

“No.” A ghost of a smile remained, however. Charity thought it might be because she’d called him handsome, which he most definitely was.

“He laughs. Usually at me when I do something asinine,” Mitag sighed.

“If that were the case, I’d never stop laughing.” Detodev swallowed a gulp of bohut, his eyes glinting at the Imdiko.

Charity and a more relaxed Ilid snickered, particularly at Mitag’s pretended outraged attempt to take back the drink he’d bought the Nobek. Detodev easily fended him off, then regarded Ilid.

“There are far worse quirks than an intense dislike of enclosed spaces. I doubt it makes you less than the natural leader your designation claims you are.”

“Same,” Mitag sang out. “So how are things on Kalquor? I heard the virus is being brought under control. They let you on Haven, so it can’t be too bad.”

“A lot of areas are still quarantined, but overall, it hasn’t been as devastating as what the Earthers are dealing with.”

“I was lucky to be nowhere near the Dark Death outbreak sites,” Charity said. “Haven’s fortunate to have escaped it so far.”

“The Darks supposedly unleashed both viruses,” Detodev said. She noted his voice was deep, almost ponderous, as if it carried weight. They weren’t touching, but she swore it trembled her bones. “The Imperial Clan and Royal Council have been adamant the empire will defeat the Darks, but I get a sense it isn’t going as well as they’d have everyone believe.”

“Have you been tested for sensitivity? Can you see them?” Ilid asked.

“All Kalquorians on Haven were tested. My brain doesn’t have the necessary configuration, apparently.”

“Mine either, and I’m no meditator,” Mitag said carelessly. “Thank goodness for the Earther women who can hear those things.” He grinned charmingly at Charity.

“Haven’s head of security has stationed Kalquorians who can detect Darks by sight where they’re needed most,” Detodev asserted. “Nobek Groteg told me if anyone ridden by those entities tries to sneak past the security cordon, or in the unlikely event they actually make it on the planet, he’ll know.”

“Maybe he sees them,” Charity guessed.

“Could be. I feel pretty secure having him in charge.” Detodev glanced at their glasses. “I guess Ilid’s the man to keep up with when it comes to drinking. Contrary to what the rich event planner Mitag says, I can afford the next round. Drink up.”

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