Page 10 of Shadowed By the Alien
With the guide’s help, I learned every square inch, including the boundaries of my new and limited world. Then my father took away my cane, to ensure I wouldn’t violate ouragreementand go beyond the approved area. Next, he wrapped up that tiny gift with a ribbon I haven’t been able to break by telling me horror stories of what lies beyond the zone.
At first I thought he was exaggerating, but I’ve smelled the smoke from the fires, heard the fear in people’s voices as they talk about the Brotherhood’s increased control and violence. Now I’m scared to venture into the unknown alone.
Thanks, Dad.
I have the freedom to come and go to our house at will. To choose my friends and boyfriends. To spend my time how I wish. No parent wants to control a twenty-nine-year-old, and I recognize they’re trying to protect me, but because of their love, my world is quite tiny.
But it’s expanding now that I’ve met Renikk. And I plan to get to know him really well.
Music blares from a boombox. The ground vibrates and my feet start tapping to the beat.
“Let’s dance,” I say, grabbing Ren’s hand and heading to the dance area. I wonder how Noah managed to snag batteries for the boombox. Since the occupation, they’re hard to find.
No matter. I’m not missing this chance to dance!
“Raven, I cannot dance with you.”
“Sure you can. Just move your body to the beat.”
“It’s not proper. Dancing is intimate. Like touching.”
“Only if you dance like this.” I loop my hands around his neck and sway as if there’s slow music playing. I’d rather dance slowly with my shadow than dance to fast music if it means holding the man who’s been watching over me for months.
Some people might think Ren following me all this time is creepy, but he’s never touched me, never threatened me. And Ihave a good feeling about him. Really good, like he and I are meant to be. But that’s foolish. I just met him.
“Raven, this is not?—”
“Proper. I heard you.” I stop long enough to place his hands on my hips. “That’s better. And if you want to debate if this is proper, you’re going to have to do it while dancing because my body’s telling me to move.”
With his scent enveloping me and his breath striking my forehead, I want to do more than dance.
His hands grip my waist and yank me against him so suddenly the air leaves my lungs. “You are tempting me in a way you don’t understand, female.”
My heart races the way he says that. “Why do I already feel like I know you?” I whisper.
Slowly, Renikk sways with me. “What if I told you we are fated for one another?”
“I’d say I don’t fall for pick up lines.” And yet it doesn’t feel like a pickup line.
“It’s not a line.”
I stop dancing. “What are you saying?”
“My people know when they’ve met their mate.”
Reality hits hard sometime, like now. Sure, I could tell myself he’s exaggerating or that it’s just some superstition, but he sounds soconvinced.
“I need a drink.” I count the steps until I reach the food table and pour myself a drink.
Refreshing water slides down my throat. I know very little about Renikk and I don’t believe in fated mates, but I know the truth when I hear it. My shadow believes we’re meant to be.
I believe it, too.
Or am I infatuated with him? His scent, the way he watches over me, takes care of me, the way the smooth timbre of his voice resonates inside me when he speaks. He’s been following me formonths, guarding me, and I’ve known he was there. A shapeless figure in my mind before tonight, but I’d come to know him on some level.
My shadow. My protector. I sensed he would never harm me, but this is much more than having a guardian angel.
Ren brushes the hair away from my neck before planting a very chaste and yet highly erotic kiss behind my ear. My lower half quivers and a delicious shiver travels through me.
