Page 58 of Secretly Abducted
"Finn and Tev'ra?" My gut twists at Tev'ra's name.
"Yeah, figured we could use some friendly faces after this morning's family drama." He studies my expression. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just..." I dive under, using the excuse of checking a lower cluster to avoid his questions.
Tev'ra was my trainee in the program, before. Before the accident. Before my spectacular failure that left a human youth in agony. He was young, eager, constantly asking questions about human culture that I pretended to have answers to.
When I surface, Alex is waiting, concern flowing through our bond.
"What aren't you telling me?" he asks directly.
"I knew Tev'ra. Before." I focus on the zhik'ra, cutting away dead growth with perhaps more force than necessary. "I was his mentor in the program."
"Before you left," he says, stating the obvious.
"Before I failed," I correct him "Because I took a human child and nearly killed him with withdrawal." The words taste bitter even now. "I had no business being in a program meant to help humans when I couldn't even execute a simple assessment properly."
"Vel'aan—"
"We should finish this section before dark." I dive again, but he follows, grabbing my arm underwater and pulling me back up.
"Stop running from this conversation." His eyes are intense, concerned. "You didn't fail. You saved my life."
"I caused you pain."
"You didn't know. How could you? Withdrawal isn't exactly covered in interspecies protocols." He cups my face with both hands. "You saved me from a life that was killing me slowly. The withdrawal was going to happen eventually, better with medical help than on the streets."
Through the bond, I feel his sincerity, his complete lack of blame. It doesn't ease the decade of guilt, but it helps.
We work for another two hours, making good progress despite the distractions. Every time we surface near each other, there's a charge between us, an awareness that makes even innocent touches feel loaded with promise.
As the sun starts to sink, we make our way back to shore. Other farmers call out greetings, some curious, some knowing. News of our bond has clearly spread.
"Everyone's staring," I mutter as we reach the platform.
"Let them. I'm the human who tamed the reclusive Vel'aan." He winks. "Or was it the other way around?"
"You're impossible."
"You love it."
The worst part is, I do.
We clean ourselves separately, despite Alex's suggestive looks—and change into dry clothes. The walk to Tev'ra's dwelling feels longer than it should, my anxiety building with each step.
"It'll be fine," Alex says, taking my hand. "It's just dinner with friends."
Friends. I haven't had those in a decade either.
When Tev'ra opens the door, his face lights up with genuine pleasure.
"Vel'aan." He doesn't bow, doesn't stand on ceremony, just smiles. "It's good to see you. Really see you, not just glimpse you at the markets or catch a moment of you visiting Alex here."
"Tev'ra." I manage a nod. "Thank you for the invitation."
"Happy to have you here, old friend." He steps aside to let us in. "Finn! They're here!"
The other human appears from what must be the kitchen, carrying a tray of something that smells sweet and yeasty. "Hey! Finally got you out of those fields long enough for dinner."
