Page 59 of Kissed By the Alien
“I agree, Hunzu. But I’m… unsettled. I do not like how we parted this morning. Or how I let my personal feelings for her cloud my judgment. I should have verified the intel.”
“Even if you had questioned it, we didn’t have time to verify.”
I grunt. I do not want him making excuses for me and my failure to question information from an untrustworthy source such as Moses. I put everyone in danger today.
“I’m off center. Something is bothering me and I need balance, the type I have when Lexi is with me.”
“The embassy is secure. We can leave to find your female.”
“We?”
“You should have backup if you’re not focused.”
I don’t need another warrior to watch my back, but it’s not my back he’s concerned about. I’ve shut him out of a lot, as I have my sholani. That needs to change, but I’m not sure how to include them and protect them at the same time.
“You should stay to interrogate the prisoners.”
He growls at me in frustration. I know this male. He’s as torn as I am. Duty to his people and me. He cannot be in two places at once. I want to remain here too, but my insides twist with the need to find Lexi and to… I’m not sure how to finish that thought.
My long-time friend who in many ways has been a brother to me, even more than Narzan, flexes his left arm, where he wears his comm. “I’ll be in constant contact with my team.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Choices, Lutan. Some will be bad, some good.”
“Mine have not been good lately.”
“Terak avin foniba soq corin venda.”As long as we don’t remain trapped by indecision, there is hope for all.
It’s an old saying on Zyan, one that forgives us for the bad choices we are about to make, if those choices are made with the best of intentions.
I appreciate Hunzu’s attempt to comfort me, but nothing will change what has happened, not what is about to...
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
LUTAN
Ipush the boards away from the hole of Lexi’s hideout. “You do not need to stay, Hunzu.”
“Are you afraid I’ll compromise your female’s safehouse or push you to accept her as your sholani?”
“She’s not my sholani.”
“That’s not like you to lie to yourself. Or to me.”
I sigh. “She is my sholani in name only. I will not claim her.”
“You may not be able to resist.”
“My need to claim her will pass in time.”
“Another lie.”
“Stay or leave, Hunzu. The choice is yours.” Without waiting to see what he decides, I dive into the small space and enjoy the bruising blow to my bad shoulder when I don’t navigate as well as I should and strike a huge block of cement. The tunnel is all of three feet deep.
I slide the crate inside the huge space aside. Sun pours through, illuminating the dismal condition of the place my female retreats to for safety.
My female. I must correct my thinking. She cannot be mine.
