Page 8 of Malliko
“What do you disagree with?”
Again, a sound came through her nose, this time more of a sigh. “Okay, some things are difficult to explain, and you’ll have to experience it for yourself. Women here are…” She turned her head and looked at me. “Eidrons attract humans of both genders. We’re physically appealing to humans because our eyes are slightly bigger, and our bodies are stronger in general. I’ve experienced it myself and seen it with other researchers. Human women can get very persistent when they want something. Especially if they’re a little drunk. You can say no, but all I’m saying is that showing them a picture of your fiancée might work on those who won’t leave you alone. Why are you smiling like that? You don’t believe me, do you?”
“I do, but I’m a trained soldier and if I don’t want someone touching me, then I won’t let them touch me. It’s impossible for me to imagine that I wouldn’t be able to control the situation with human females.”
The car slowed down as Tania stared at me. “Under no circumstances can you hurt a human in any way. It would be a complete shitshow for the agency if you do.”
“Relax. I have no intention of hurting anyone. I’m trained in more than physical combat. Most conflicts are resolved with mental manipulation.”
“Oh…” She gave me a wary glance. “Are you one of those mind tricksters?”
“Depends what you mean by that.”
“I’ve seen Eidrons hypnotize people to do things against their will.”
“In my case, I used mind-clouding to make armed assailants put down their weapons.”
“It’s like you spellbind them.”
I shrugged. “Yes. But only to ensure that no one gets hurt.”
“Right.” She was quiet for a while but sped up again. “Just promise that you won’t use any of your magic on me.”
With a smile, I teased, “Are you going to threaten me with a weapon?”
“I might, if you hypnotize me to strip for you or some shit.”
Grinning, I assured her, “That’s not in my plans.”
“Good, because I don’t sleep with Eidron men anymore. I’ve learned my lesson.”
Curiosity made me ask, “And what lesson is that?”
“You’re all heartbreakers. It’s that simple.”
“Heartbreakers?” I wanted to understand what she meant by that, but then I remembered what I had read about humans having an enormous intensity and range of emotions. “Ahh… I get it. You were upset when they had to return to the ship.”
Her lips turned into thin lines. “It doesn’t matter, Malliko. All you need to understand is that I’m not interested in an affair with you.”
I hadn’t even considered having an affair with anyone, so it was easy to give her my promise. “There won’t be an affair between us.”
“That’s right.”
After that talk we fell into silence for a long time until I looked up and asked, “How far is it? I feel like we’ve been in this car longer than I was in the shuttle with Cacala.”
“Who?”
“The shuttle pilot.”
“Hmm. We’ll be there in twenty minutes. Just be happy that we’re not in rush hour or we could have been in this car for hours because of congestion on the roads.”
I didn’t say anything, but she still said my thoughts out loud. “You’re right. Flying is smarter.”
Impatient I drummed my hands on my thigh and looked around and settled my gaze on Tania’s hair. “Is that a normal way to have your hair on Earth?”
“I guess.”
“Hmm.”
