Page 7 of Stealing Samantha

Jaess felt his own expression grow stern. “I’ll speak with Lithi. Send me the information on the region where Sam resides andIwill tell you how long.”

T’xith just raised and lowered his crown feathers and grunted. “Fine, cousin, but don’t complain later if the wait is longer than you wish. You can remain here aboard theBite of the Fa’asath, and I’ll take you back home—make your excuses to Lithi.” He exhaled heavily. “I know the joy of having a true mate, but you barely know Lady Sam. As rare a gift as it is, it’s possible that more than one woman may call your venom. Ask yourself if you can truly imagine a life outside of the forest before you decide. You have two days until we land.” T’xith’s fingers closed warmly around his shoulder. “I wish you the Lady’s wisdom, Jaess. You’ll need it.”

* * *

Jaess held back another groan—barely.His arms ached and his legs burned, but his back hurt worst of all.“It’s simple. We dance for the humans, explore their world, learn their ways. You must say yes, my adventurer. Come, Jaess of Vastiss, and join us.”

Jaess scowled at the remembered words—Lithi’s invitation that night at the dance hall in Verkissat, where she’d enticed him with false promises. He’d already been on Earth for close to a moon cycle, and they were finally approaching the region where Sam lived, but his time there so far had been anything but easy.

“Oh, Jaess of the sacred lake—get up!”

He let his head fall back to rest against the top ridges of his wings as he glanced up at Lithi, but he stayed with his legs sprawled out in front of him on the stage. She was on one of the few wide platforms meant to accommodate multiple dancers at the same time, and she was tapping a large viewscreen with her now crimson and gold painted nails.

“It’s been four hours,” he said instead.

“I need you to mark the duet with me again. You’re just not getting it, and it’s supposed to be the climax of the show. Get up here or I’ll take away your leave permissions.”

Jaess’ sore muscles clenched as the threat rolled through him, and he did groan that time, but he forced himself to move. “I’m coming,” he said quickly, even as his battered body resisted.

Lithi hadn’t mentioned the hours of practice and rehearsals she expected from her dancers in addition to the actual performances they put on for the humans. As active as he’d been as a clan hunter, the movements of the dances used different muscles and stressed his wings in new ways. He was still attempting to adjust.

“You need to work harder, Jaess. The others are starting to talk,” said Lithi, her voice echoing from above.

He climbed the first platform, not in the mood to strain himself by using his wings again. There’d be plenty of that to come, he was sure.

“I am working hard,” he said as he started to run the length of the first platform. He’d use the momentum to make the jump to the next easier.

“Don’t make me regret plucking you from the dance hall,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “Vasith has already complained that it’s unfair for you to have so many solo parts when your technique is so poor, and as much as the crowd loves you, I’m afraid he might be right. We have two more moon cycles left here on Earth—I can’t have this kind of discord among my dancers.”

He landed on Lithi’s platform with a graceless thump.

“At least you remember that it was you who picked me,” he said before he could stop himself.

Lithi raised a precisely shaped eyebrow—another human fashion like the new style of nail embellishment—before she smiled lightly. “True, but that doesn’t mean I’m not serious about your leave permissions.”

Jaess didn’t shiver, but he felt a chill nonetheless. “Don’t. I’ll do better. Not now, Lithi, please.” He’d already given away too much, he could tell, but he was almost there, almost to the performances in Seattle, the closest population center to where Sam lived. T’xith and Kayla had arranged everything—he just had to show up, and unfortunately, his ability to do so was entirely within Lithi’s perfectly manicured hands. “Punish me later if you need to, if it will keep the troupe in line, but don’t take away my leave now.”

“I’ve never heard you desperate before, Jaess. I think I like it.” Lithi flashed him her cut glass smile before she put him out of his misery. “Fine. I’ll punish you later—if I see fit, although I’d prefer you just take me up on my previous offer of extra training.” She gave him an appreciative appraisal before she hissed slowly, letting her tongue dart between her lips just a little. “Those wings. Vasith will never charm the people the way you do. Don’t prove him right.”

“Whatever you wish, Lithi,” he said with a quick inclination of his head.

“Then let’s run it one more time—the dance of the Lady and her consort.”

Jaess just bowed his head again. Only days now. Only days until he’d see whether all he’d remembered of Sam was proven true.

5

Sam knewshe’d practiced too long the night before. She’d gone on far past the point of usefulness, until her fingers had become clumsy and her high notes had been coming out squeaky and sharp. She wiggled her fingers in their gloves, hoping she hadn’t messed everything up.

Today was the day. She’d accepted the offer of the job at the cherry packing plant, and she’d be starting next Monday unless her luck turned. Today she was auditioning for every musical act looking for a flutist in the greater Seattle-Vancouver Corridor, and at least one who wasn’t. It was no surprise to her that her particular instrument wasn’t in high demand, but Sam was hoping to convince someone that she was exactly what they needed. Four auditions—four chances to change her life, to keep going before she was forced to resign her dreams to the dustbin.

Sam had her flute case wedged between her thigh and the side of the train. Her first stop would be coming up soon. She was only passable at Classical pieces, and she wouldn’t be making it in a real symphony or orchestra, but she felt like she was proficient enough for the quartet she’d be playing for first. If she got the job, it’d be weddings and parties, fancy dinners and that sort of thing, not exactly what she’d hoped for when she’d imagined rapt audiences awaiting her music, but at this point, she’d take it. At least she’d get to play—and to leave Cherry Ridge.

The train turned and began to rise as the tracks soared upwards. The bridge they were on crossed above one of the old interstates, and she could see the sun reflecting off some of the newer buildings by the sound, the water calm and dark at the feet of the city. To the west, the tallest structures circled the burned out shell of the old downtown like a jagged crown, and they only looked more forbidding in the morning light.

Sam smoothed her gloved fingers over her black slacks, unable to feel the texture of the fabric. She was wearing her responsible, dependable outfit now. Conservative, forgettable, so that no one could complain she was too noticeable. She was auditioning to be part of the scenery, after all. She might as well look like it.

She’d be playing different roles all day long, and she had the additional clothing packed away in her briefcase to prove it. Her music folder, her alternate outfit, and some makeup. All she had to do was make it through the day, and she’d receive her reward no matter what happened. Kayla and T’xith were landing in Seattle today and staying long enough to visit. They’d be sharing dinner together that evening. It didn’t feel real, but not much did lately.

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