Page 33 of Master
“The Trogvyk crash site?”
Clara stumbled, whether, from my words or the rocks afoot, I couldn't tell. Instinctively, I shot a hand to the middle of her back to steady her. She stalled, blinking at me, but didn't pull away from my touch.
"Wait a minute. You know about Area 51?”
"Yes," I admitted sheepishly. "I'm sad to say that the crash was the Bardaga's fault. We were pursuing the Trogvyk to prevent an abduction, and the fight got out of hand. In those days, before Earth gained satellite technology, we could pursue slavers closer to the planet and stop abductions before they occurred.”
“Maverick must not have been flying, huh?” Clara smirked at me and resumed walking.
"Now, who's trying to be charming?" I chided, falling into step beside her.
We walked in peaceful silence, taking in the scenery. When our feet moved from rocky terrain to thick, soft grass, Clara cleared her throat awkwardly.
“So, I told you about Curtis. What about you?"
“What about me?”
Clara rolled her eyes like she thought I was obtuse on purpose. “Do you have a mate or children back on the ship… or maybe on your home planet?”
“No. When a Vaktaire warrior accepts duty as an Earth guardian, we do so knowing we give up the opportunity to find a mate among our people.”
Something flickered across Clara's face, which my heart wanted to believe looked like relief. I'm not exactly sure what Clara being relieved about my not having a mate or younglings meant... but I liked it. A lot.
A faint bang signaled the farmhouse door's opening, and a plump woman with hair a shade lighter than Clara's exited the house. A few seconds later, a man followed, tall, broad-shouldered, and lanky, his sandy blonde hair combed back slick with a slight pomp at the top. He said something to the woman and slipped an arm about her shoulders, turning them toward where the red gable-roofed structure stood. Clara and I were far enough away to escape notice. Clara, however, froze in her tracks, mouth falling open as her gaze followed the couple.
"What's the matter?" I asked, realizing her awestruck came from more than just spying another human.
“Maybe I did hit my head in the crash. It can't be him,” she murmured.
“Who?” I took one last look at the man before he vanished from my line of sight.
"That guy," Clara chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. "He looks just like Elvis—a famous singer back on Earth."
“I have heard of him. He was in your Earth videos.” I couldn’t recall anything particular, just the familiarity of the name.
"It can't be him," Clara mused, lips twisting. "Elvis died when I was in high school.”
Fuck!
I schooled my features into nonchalance, but not quick enough.
“What?” Clara demanded.
“The Vaktaire aren’t the only ones who have intercepted your television and radio waves," I admitted, watching comprehension flicker on her face. “Almost every planet in the Alliance knows something of your world." My stomach twisted, revealing the next part. "Some often covet what they see as treasures.”
Clara’s frown went deep, but it did little to dissuade the beauty of her face. "What are you saying?”
I glanced toward the farmstead, but the male and female hadn't reappeared. "Sometimes, those famous on your Earth, like this Elvis, get abducted as a treasure for wealthy buyers. When that happens, your government often stages a death to explain the disappearance. I understand it happened with Dixa also, although I don't know the name she went by while on Earth."
Clara’s hands landed on her hips, anger becoming the sole emotion on her face.
“Are you telling me my government knows that people are being abducted and covers it up?”
“In some instances, yes.”
“What a bunch of fucking turds!" She stomped her tiny feet, pacing in a small circle. "I can promise you one thing. Humans would react a whole hell of a lot better finding out aliens exist than we would to finding out our governments cover up the abductions.”
“I agree with you,” I said softly, catching her wrist to stall her movement.
