Page 24 of My Alien Angel
“Mountains?” I cringe, knowing that description means nothing. “I saw mountains when I jumped.”
“From a spaceship. Jesus. I can’t believe you did that. But there are thousands of mountains around the country. Since the ship hasn’t been discovered yet, they probably landed in an unpopulated area, but even that doesn’t narrow it down much.”
I hum in agreement, having already considered all of this. “There is radiation,” I say, silently thanking a documentary onatomic power for giving me the right word. “Type of radiation. I could track but not have tools.”
“Tools for tracking radiation? You mean like those crackling handheld scanner thingies they use in the movies?”
“Radiation detectors.” I shake my head. I’ve already researched those. “Too short range. I need satellite.”
Fin snorts. “Yeah, buddy, sorry but I left mine in the pocket of my other pants. Accessing a satellite is—”
“Impossible. I know. I do not see other options.”
“What do you even plan on doing after you find the ship? You said there were at least a dozen armed bad guys on board, probably more. You have no weapons. I mean, I could get a gun, but it would take at least two weeks even if I could pass the test right now, and it would still only be one tiny gun. You can’t single-handedly defeat them wielding a handgun and, what, a kitchen knife? That’s not a plan, Omni, that’s suicide.”
I know that as well but, like with the satellites, I don’t see any other option. “First need to find Garresh. Then make plan.”
“You can’t call the human cops because they’d arrest you for being an alien, and you can’t call space cops because they’d arrest you for that one time when you disobeyed orders.”
“Also for be on Earth. I am not allowed to be on Earth.”
Fin rolls her eyes. “Right. Even though you came here with good intentions, they’d punish you, anyway. Some civilization you’ve built out there. Okay.” She sits up and I miss her already, but it’s probably best if we’re not touching during such a serious discussion. Her curves are too distracting, making me want to forget all about Garresh and the UGC and just lose myself in Fin’s body again. “So, you need a satellite. Any kind of satellite?”
“Uh. No? Radiation scan satellite.”
“Hmm. Okay, we might be able to solve this, but we will have to share your secret with my friends. Imani, specifically, but I don’t want to keep it from Caleb, either.”
As much as I’m unhappy with spreading the word about me being an alien, if it gets me closer to finding Garresh, I’ll take it. “Why Imani?”
“She researches deep space. Something to do with electromagnetic radiation. They have satellites. Perhaps she could, like, I don’t know. Reprogram one to search for what you need?”
My mouth drops open. “That… Yes! That can work. Will Imani help?”
“If it’s possible, she’ll do it.”
“Youwantmetodo what?!” Imani glares at Fin while casting the occasional suspicious glance over at me. “I’d need like ten signatures just to change the angle of a satellite by one degree! I can’t just reposition the whole thing to search Earth for…what? Some sort ofmysteriousradiation? What is going on, Infinity?” Her glare alone has me shrinking in my seat. “What did this nutjob do to you?”
Caleb, a rather eccentric male wearing a V-necked shirt that’s partially showing off his bare chest, and pants so tight they must be cutting off circulation, rolls his eyes. “Isn’t it obvious, Imani? He’s an alien trying to find a way to get home.”
“Caleb…” the irate woman snaps. Taking off her glasses, Imani rubs the bridge of her nose as if it’s causing her pain. She’s taller than Fin, almost as tall as me and even with her willowy figure, she’s formidable. Her dark brown skin gleams in the light as she turns her glare at the male. “For the hundredth time this week, there is no such thing as aliens. All I see is a dangerous and clearly crazy man who has been brainwashing our friend.”
Fin shakes her head. “Imani, love, I’m really glad you are looking out for me, but I’m not brainwashed, Omni is not crazy and… He actuallyisan alien.”
“I knew it!”
“Shut up, Caleb,” Imani snarls before turning to face me again, and fuck if she isn’t the scariest being I’ve ever faced. “Did you get Fin hooked on drugs or something? I’m calling the cops.”
As she rummages through her purse for her phone, Fin gently places her hand on Imani’s arm to stop her. “I’m not on drugs and I’m not crazy. Just look. Please?” At a nod from Fin, I stand and turn away from them, taking off my shirt just like I did for Fin. Letting my wings flare out, I fold them back and wait. “See?” Fin says and I hear footsteps draw closer. “They’re real. He is an alien, Imani. A real bonafide alien, born on another planet.”
“T-that’s…that’s impossible.”
“Ooh. Can I touch?” Caleb pipes up. “Pretty pleeease?”
I sense Fin’s hesitation, absurdly happy she’s reluctant to let other people touch me. In this case, though, it’s necessary. Imani is a scientist who won’t believe us without hard evidence. I know that because my crewmate D’Aakh is the same. Not as good looking, though. “Yes,” I tell them both. “You can touch.”
“Alright,” Fin grumbles. “Just be careful with the left wing. It’s still healing.”
Reaching for her hand, I simply hold it, although I want nothing more than to bring her into me and kiss that frown from her face. However, her friends will be in enough shock upon finally confirming I’m an alien, they don’t need the added surprise of our intimate relationship thrown in their faces.
