Page 19 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

My feet hit the corner in utter disbelief.She stood me up!The boys are gonna get a kick out of this.

“Hey, watch it!” I’m nearly clipped by one of Glimner’s many taxis. Thankfully my Kaleidian reflexes kick into gear, shooting me back at lightning speed.

“You watch it!” I holler back. I’m agitated all over. Not because of the taxi, but because of Myra. Every scale on my torso flutters. Something is not right.

Deal with it, bro. She stood you up. I’m running the words over and over in my mind for confirmation, but they keep coming back up again. I’m shaking my head on the streets like a crankhead, I know. But something’s not right.

My comm vibrates. “What?” I bite off in answer. It comes out shorter than I intended, but Skalt won’t care if I have other things on my mind.

“Got deets on the next job. Come back to Nova, so we can divvy up.” He hangs up instantly.

I could head back inside the casino like Skalt wants, but at the moment Glimner’s smoggy streets greet me like an awkward hug. Tonight, I need it. There’s something sickly in the air.

I mean, I can handle a chick giving me the slip. Has it happened before? No, but that’s still not it.

Something tells me my fated mate is in something. I just need to find out what it is.

I round the corner back to Nova, my mind recalling the last time I saw her. I should head upstairs to the boys and divvy up tonight’s responsibilities. I should be thinking about how quickly I can spend a full night's pay. But I can’t help myself.

I feel a stirring within me, more than my attraction to her. More even than our connection as fated mates. I think I just like her. I know she didn’t mean to send me running after her, but I can't resist a game of chase.

Digging deeper now, I wonder. Where was the last place she was seen? Of course, I’m already there, staring at her table. Another woman is there, doling cards to the drunken smokey veterans that litter this place day and night. She might know Myra.

As she deals me in, I slide a chip in her direction, indicating a tip. Or a service.

“I’m looking for something. For someone.” I want to come off as non-threatening. I mean to, but the woman still flushes red like I've hit a nerve. Is she ignoring me?

Another chip should do it. “She’s smallish, a brunette.” Is she sweating?

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m just…” She pauses, obviously freaked out.“I’m here to deal the cards.” Instantly, I back off. It's all part of the chase, Zair. Don’t push too hard. Pull back. Find another way.

I finish my round politely, not asking or even looking at the dealer. She knowssomething. But getting her to reveal it may take some work. I sit there, playing for as long as I can stand. Finally, when I get up to leave, I tip her again. This time, she speaks.

“She’s off-duty, sir.” It's either all she knows or all she will say.

That puts a pit in my stomach. If she was willing to give me that much info, then it must not be normal for her to miss a shift. Is she in danger? I think about my fated mate in peril, needing me to save her, and I’m nowhere around.

I’d fight for Myra. She’s worth it. I just need to know where she is and what, or who, I’m fighting. Good thing there’s another set of eyes and ears working this casino. One whose lips Icanloosen.

I make my way through the casino to a security area I’m familiar with. Zorch is there like always, cutting up behind a set of monitors with a bag of chips. He’s got me out of a bind a time or two before. An extra chip in his hand and he sings like an angel.

“Zorch!”

“Zair!” Kaleidian warriors usually greet each other distinctively, like soldiers. But we have our thing. Zorch’s massive frame lifts me well off the ground in a disarming hug. “My brother from another mother!”

That’s how this works with Zorch. Come in as a buddy, walk out in the know.

“So what brings you my way?”

I slip three chips in my hand, sliding them easily into his. He’s got them pocket side in a flash. Transaction accepted.

“Looking for someone. A girl. Human.”

“Aw, man. You know humans barely register to me, man. Have you ever noticed how they all look the same?”

“No, I know, you’ve said.” I slip him an extra two. Zorch can try harder if he’s properly motivated. “But I want you to think real hard, man. Human woman. Kind of short. Brown hair. Have you seen her around today?”

“Nah, man, they’ve had us all running around after some missing shit. Been looking on cameras all day for the thief. But I don’t know about no human chick, brunette or whatever.” Come to think of it, the security area is a little more noisy than usual. Uniformed stiffs are roaming the area with extra gear in tow and bot-dogs, too. Whatever went missing must have been important. I doubt that they’d go to trouble like this over a missing human.

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