Page 60 of The Alien in the Archive

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As strange as everything else has been lately, I think a girls’ night is warranted.

Thorne has been on my mind all day, and as much as I want to go back to him tonight, I know we both need a break. A moment to think. To breathe. Or maybe just for me to convince myself this isn’t completely insane. I’ve never felt this way before, and if I’m being honest, it scares me.

So I called Riley, but he was busy…and then I thought, why not call Thalara? We’re friends, right?

And now I’m headed to a bar to meet up with her and Lyn.

The bar is nestled in a busy corner of Mythara Village’s town square, its entrance marked by a sign etched with curling, glowing Merati characters. Inside, the space is dim and cozy, filled with the low hum of conversation and the occasional splash of water. This is definitely a Merati dive—no pun intended—with shifted Merati lounging at poolside bars and holding tumblers in their tentacles, while others sit in booths. A trio of Merati musicians play alien instrumentsin one corner, the melodies reminding me of jazz back home.

It’s nice…calm. And with a start, it dawns on me that I’m hearing psychic chatter, but I’m not overwhelmed by it. I hear a couple people whose attraction to each other is clear; someone else is annoyed with the music.

I’ve just arrived when I catch sight of Thalara and Lyn, tucked into a tiny little booth. Thalara is grinning widely, blue-black hair in an intricate updo, golden eyes sparkling. She’s wearing a coral-colored wrap dress that hugs her curves, very much like someone who plans on flirting tonight. Lyn, on the other hand, is wearing a purple concert tee and jeans, curly hair wild in a halo around her head.

Ironically, I think Lyn is the only one looking to get some action tonight. Thalara is too crazy about my brother to want anyone else.

“Page!” Thalara squeals, her smile almosttoobig. “You made it!”

She scoots over and lets me sit down, and I realize the booth is shaped like a seashell as I slide in with them.

“As you can tell, Thalara has already had a couple drinks,” Lyn snorts, shaking her head.

“Riley called me a lightweight.” Thalara picks up her glass and takes a sip, sighing in delight after she’s swallowed. “I don’t know what that means, but I agree.”

“You agree with everything Riley says,” Lyn chides. “And besides, I’m not judging. You need to sow your wild oats before the inevitable arranged marriage, right?”

Thalara rolls her eyes but doesn’t deny it. Instead, she takes another sip of her drink and sighs, this time more wistful than delighted. “It’s not inevitable,” she says. “And besides, I like the oats part better than the sowing.”

“Noted,anotherfigure of speech you don’t understand,” Lyn chuckles. She looks over at me. “We’re tryingveryhardto get her in the know on human figures of speech, but it’s been a bit of an uphill climb.”

“Hey, I think I’m doing a really good job,” Thalara says. “Given that I grew up where all we sow is seaweed and to get up a hill you can just…swim?”

“Fair,” I laugh. “So…what are we drinking?”

“This,” Lyn points to her glass—a deep green liquid that glows faintly around the edges, “is an Emerald Abyss. Don’t ask what’s in it, because I have no idea. But it’s strong.”

Thalara pushes her drink toward me. It’s bright pink, with tiny floating orbs that shimmer like pearls. “And this one is called the Coral Bloom,” she says. “It’s sweeter.”

I take a cautious sip of Thalara’s drink, the fruity sweetness lingering on my tongue. “Wow,” I laugh. “That isverydangerous.”

Thalara beams, clearly pleased. “I thought you’d like it.”

I flag down a waiter and order a Coral Bloom of my own, leaning back against the cushioned booth as the music swells.

This is good…I’m glad I’m here.

Even if I would prefer to be getting railed in a dusty library right now.

By the time the second round of drinks arrive, we’ve settled into comfortable conversation—mostly Thalara and Lyn going back and forth about some festival coming up in a few months. I try to focus on what they’re talking about, to live in the moment, but…

My mind keeps wandering back to Thorne.

To kissing him, holding him, connecting.

I reach out to him without meaning to, getting a glimpse of a book. He immediately pushes back, as if it’s something salacious, and I retreat with a small laugh. I try again and get a glimpse of something that is indeed salacious, and I laugh even louder.

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