Page 28 of Fallen from the Stars

“I can’t tell you what to do in this situation. I don’t even have a body. Silly for you to look to me for sexual advice.”

“Kane, seriously. Please.”

“I know, I know. Really, though, Ican’ttell you what to do. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t. The immunoboosters the IDC injected you with will kill off anysquigglydiseases he might have, and you were signed up for a ten-year stint. IDC protocol means your implant is going to prevent you from getting pregnant for three more years — one month after the end of your service. As for getting out of here…you don’t have the parts to repair the comm array in the pod. There are no satellites. The chances of getting any sort of message out there are so low they might as well be non-existent.”

Theo closed her eyes and tilted her head back. She’d known this, but she hadn’t wanted to admit defeat so soon. She’d only been here for two days; that didn’t seem long enough to just give up.

What did she really have to back to, though? Solitude in the bowels of another ship, long stretches of silence broken only by the clank of tools and the steady hum of machinery, and bland, pasty food?

She dropped onto her backside with a sigh. “So…I guess this is it.”

“Apart from the occasional carnivorous plant, this planet doesn’t seem all that bad,” Kane said gently. “And Vasil says there are other humans. That means you’re not going to be alone.”

“Worked my ass off for years andthisis what I get.” Theo opened her eyes and looked around her. If there were no functioning satellites in orbit, and the humans had colonized this planet hundreds of years ago, this escape pod was very likely the most advanced piece of technology in the world. Just how far behind were the inhabitants of Halora?

What the hell was Theo supposed to do? She knew next to nothing about surviving in the wilds.

“Theo?” Vasil called from outside the pod.

She groaned.

“You can’t hide forever,” Kane said in her mind.

“I’m nothiding,” she said, shifting onto her knees. “I was just…taking a moment for myself.”

That wasn’t really a lie; she’d changed out of her under suit into the sleeveless shirt and pants she’d cut from her uniform.

“My mistake.” If Kane oozed any more sarcasm, Theo would drown in it.

“Ass.”

“Theo?” Vasil repeated.

“One sec!” she called.

“And you are a beautiful, intelligent, independent woman. Go to your octo-man.”

“Oh my God, you’re impossible!” she whisper-growled.

Theo grabbed one of the water containers and pushed herself onto her feet. Turning, she leaned against the edge of the opening and looked down at Vasil, who had twisted away from the fire to face her. Their gazes met. His eyes were beautiful, even from this distance — like liquid silver, so bright and clear that part of her mind insisted they couldn’t be real. After a few moments, his attention dipped to take in her torso, and a flare of desire sparked in the depths of his eyes.

Her heartbeat quickened, and heat flooded her; she’d experienced the same sensations at the stream earlier.

Though she’d known Vasil had been on the bank, watching her as she emerged from the water, she hadn’t bothered to cover herself. She’d done nothing to hide. Theo hadlethim look his fill, and she liked the aroused fires that had gleamed in his eyes. She couldn’t remember another time when she’d felt so empowered, so sensual, so…wanted. It had sparked a longing inside her that had yet to diminish.

Kane’s voice drifted to her through the neural link. “Those are interesting vital readings for someone who’s not interested…”

She blasted a quick retort to him —Shut. Up.

Clenching her teeth, Theo tucked the water container beneath her arm, turned, and carefully climbed out of the pod. She dropped the short distance to the ground, her bare feet sinking in the soft sand. The sea-kissed breeze swept over her, woven with the aroma of cooking meat.

She swept her hair out of her face with her free hand and approached Vasil. She’d just pretend their earlier conversation hadn’t happened.

Yep. Easy. Totally didn’t happen.

“Whatcha cooking?” she asked nonchalantly.

Vasil glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled, displaying sharp teeth. He reached forward and picked up a stick, upon which was impaled a sizzling fillet. “Fish. Are you hungry?”

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