Nova PART 1 of 2

NOVA p a r t o n eo f 2

De ni s eK i e f f e r

NOVAp a r t1 De n i s eKi e f f e r

©Co p y r i g h t2 0 1 7De n i s eKi e f f e r Al l r i g h t sr e s e r v e d .

Wi t h o u tl i mi t i n gt h er i g h t su n d e rc o p y r i g h tr e s e r v e da b o v e , n o p a r to ft h i sp u b l i c a t i o nma yb er e p r o d u c e d , s t o r e di no ri n t r o d u c e di n t oar e t r i e v a l s y s t e m, o rt r a n s mi t t e d , i na n yf o r m, o rb ya n yme a n s( e l e c t r o n i c , me c h a n i c a l , p h o t o c o p y i n g , r e c o r d i n g , o ro t h e r wi s e )wi t h o u tt h ep r i o rwr i t t e np e r mi s s i o no fb o t ht h e c o p y r i g h to wn e ra n dt h ea b o v ep u b l i s h e ro ft h i sb o o k .

Th i sb o o ki sl i c e n s e df o ry o u rp e r s o n a l e n j o y me n to n l y .

Th i sb o o kma yn o tb er e s o l d o rg i v e na wa yt oo t h e rp e o p l e .

I fy o uwo u l dl i k et os h a r et h i sb o o kwi t ha n o t h e rp e r s o n , p l e a s ep u r c h a s ea na d d i t i o n a l c o p yf o re a c hp e r s o ny o us h a r ei twi t h .

Th a n ky o uf o r r e s p e c t i n gt h ea u t h o r ' swo r k .

Th i sb o o ki sc o n s i d e r e da n dp u b l i s h e da sf i c t i o n .

An ys i mi l a r i t i e st or e a l o ri ma g i n e d c h a r a c t e r s , p e o p l eo rp l a c e sa r ec o mp l e t e l yc o i n c i d e n t a l ; i ts h o u l db en o t e dt h eb o o ki s r e l a t i v e l ya d u l ti nn a t u r e .

2

NOVA p a r t o n eo f 2

De ni s eK i e f f e r

Chapter1 Fi v ey e a r se a r l i e r . . . .

Col orappeared backi nHazt hn' seyesagai n,f eel i ng t hedrows i nes soft hedrugsovercomehi m.Hef el tas ens e ofes cape t hrough t hi s .He dropped t he i nj ect i on needl e down on t he count er,as t he col ors s oon appeared t o s pi ral . " Thi si sal lI ' m good f or, "Hazt hn mumbl ed," Al lt hat ' s good. " Hef el lbackagai ns tt hebed,l et t i ng t hepai nf i zzout and t hes ens at i on f i zzi n.Tohi m,t he addi ct i on brought hi mt oas hel t erofs af et y,apl acewherehedi dn' thavet o s harehi sbodywi t hanyoneel s e.J us ts t ayandbef ree.

A knock on t he door rhyt hmed i n hi st rance and a di s t ant echo f ol l owed.I n hi s worl d,t he knock di dn' t mat t er.Not hi ng mat t ered anymore.Hi svi s i on s t art ed t o bl acken,hi ses capeal mos tcompl et e.Wi t hi nwhatwasl ef t ofhi svi s i on,he s aw a doors wi ng open,and a woman cl ot hed i nas t ark dres semerged.She s t art ed t os hout , cal lt henedri l ' sname,butnot hi ngmat t eredanymore.The pai nwasgoi ngt ol eavehi m.Onceandf oral l .

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Nova

Th r e en o v a sl a t e r Hazt hns t aredupatt hecei l i ngoft hemedi calcent er, as he real i zed hi s es capi ng had f ai l ed. He began recal l i ng t heevent sl as tni ght ,and f ul l y comprehendi ng t hat a f emal e cl i ent had brought hi m back t o t he horrori f i cl i f e he had t o bare once more.He s i l ent l y curs i ng t he woman who had no s ympat hy f orwhathe had t o endure wi t houtt he drugs .Overdos i ng on Sul t ri n woul d have been s os i mpl e.He had al r eady s t art ed t o eas eaway t hepai n,f reei ng hi ms el ff rom t hemi s ery f or t he f i rs tt i me i nt en years .I twasbad enough t hatt he cl i enthad s aved hi sl i f e,butHazt hn woul d now havet o addt hehos pi t als t ayt ohi sl ongl i s tofdebt s .

The door t o hi s room opened,and he s ens es hi s s i s t erJ oaan,ass heemergest hrough.Ofcours e,s hehad come.She had herarmsf ol ded and s t anced i n di s t res s andworry.Shet houghthecoul dbes aved.Butt herewas nohopef orhi m.Hewas eempt y,Hazt hn had l ef ta l ong t i meago,andhi shearts obroken,t oomanypi ecesl i ef or hert ogl uebackt oget her. “ Haz, ”J oaan,ol derby5years ,s ai dangri l y,"Wake up. " He t urned hi s head t oward her, as hi s mes s y, knot t ed bl ue hai rf el lacros shi seyes .He t ri ed t o det er cus t omersbykeepi ngt hehai rs oi l edandbut chered, but i tdi dn' tmat t er.Hi scus t omerswant ed al lofHazt hn t hey coul dget . “ What ,J oaan? ”Hi svoi cewasweak,hi st hroatdry.

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He’ dbeeni nt hemedi calcent erf ort hreenovasnow,and heknew i twas n’ tt hef i rs tt i mes hehadcome.

J oaan was l ovel y, a ki ndheart ed s pi ri t . As a medi calof f i cer,s hehad an des i ret o mend t he l os tand brokens oul ss hecameacros s .Hazt hn-wasanexcept i on.

Nomat t erhow hards het ri ed,i twoul df al lapartwi t hi na mat t erofmoment s .Ass heknew i t ,t heHazs hegrew up wi t hasas weetki d,di s appeared.Mi s s i ngent i rel y.

Shet uckedas t randofcrys t albl ondehai rbehi ndherear. “ Iwant ed t ot el lyout hatIt hi nkyou’ re. . . .abs ol ut el yout ofyourmi nd. . .andi ncons i derat e,t oo. ” Hermout hcurl ed,l i l aceyesl umi nousands t ormy. “ What ? ” J oaan had neverapproached hi m i ns uch a way.

Letal onel ookass uch. “ You heard me! "s he cri ed," How dare you t ry t o t akeyourl i f e!Doyouknow how i mport antyouaret ome?

You’ remyonl ybrot her,Haz.Il oveyou.Ineedyou!Don' t gorunni ngt ot hes edrugsagai n!

"Tearsdas hedf uri ous l y, asangers wel l edupi nherros ycheeks .

Hi smout hopenedi ns urpri s e.“ I . . .

I . . . ”hes t ammered, butt heapol ogywoul dnotgof ar.

She s t opped hi m by handi ng hi m as l i ck,cl ear memorycard,wi t has mal lgl owi ngchi pi ni t scent er.The card onl y denot ed one t hi ng.And he wasaf rai d oft he t rueans wer.

She t urned away and hel d her gazed pos i t i on t owardst hewi ndow,“ Ipai df oryou t odot heconf eazol , Haz. ” Hi s mout h and t hroatdri ed and began t ot i ngl e.

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Nova The conf eazolwasa t es t ,more l i ke an exami nat i on,t o t racet hewhereabout sofacompat i bl epart ner,t hemost compat i bl ef orhi m.Nowomanwoul deverwants omeone l i kehi m,s omeonet ai nt edands oi l edwi t hs i nshecoul dn' t eras e.Andf oranyone,t herewasnot hi ngt oprof i tbutt he us eofhi sbody.Ot hert hant hat ,not hi ng t owasbargai n f or.

J oaan s aton t heedgeoft hebed.Shes of t ened her approach,andpi t i ed.Shewi pedt het earsf rom hereyes , t hen rubbi ng t hehand t hats hehel d on herwal kshome f rom f ri end' shous e. ,s hebegan t o whi s per,“ Iknow you hat eyours el f , "s hepaus ed and s wal owed t hehurtback, " It r i ed t ol oveyou enough f orbot h ofus ,butt hepi eces won' ts t ay.Haz,I ' vecomet oknow t hatyouhavet ol earn t ol oveyours el f ,t of orgi veyours el ff ort hel i f eyou were f orced i nt o.I t ' st i me f ort he bet t erchapt eri n yourl i f e.

Whenyougetoutofhere,dot het es t .I f ,andIbel i eveyou do,you have a bri de outt here,t hen whatyou di d was outofyour mi nd.And i ns ane t hatyou' dl eave her f or s omeoneel s et hat ' smadef orher.Shewasmadef oryou, don' tl eaveherbehi nd. ” “ I ’ m notwort hhavi ng, ”hes ai di navoi cet hi ckwi t h s udden t ears ," Iam not hi ng t o any woman who t hi nks t hatIdes erveher.They' vebeenl i edt o. " " Donots ayt hat ,Haz. .You’ res oki nd, t hes weet es t per s onI ’ veevercameacros s . Rememberwhenwewere young,you al ways s t ood up f or me,l i ke a gent l eman s houl d?Bet hatguyagai n.St andupf orher,andyours el f .

Any woman i nt he ent i re uni vers e,ast he man t hatyou wer eandyouare,woul dbel uckyt ohaveyou. ” Sheros eup f rom t hebed and rubbed a f i nalpi t y f orhi m.J oaanf i nal ed,“ Ipai df oryours t ayhere.They’ re keepi ngyouheref oranot hert wonovas ,t henyouwi l lbe s entt o my home f oranot hernova.You can t es tf ort he 5

conf eazolont hatnova.Pl eas e,Haz,t hi nkaboutt hi s . ” Shamed,henodded wi t ha' OK' and wat ched her l eave.Turni ng t hepl as t i cl i kecard,hewondered i ft here real l y wasa woman outt here,A woman he coul dl ove wi t houtt hes hameandburdent hatcamewi t hhi sl ove.I f t herereal l ywasawomanwai t i ngf orhi mt ores cueher.

There were mal es t hat came back f rom t he conf eazol ,wi t houtf i ndi ng a f emal e.Mos tt i mes ,A mal e woul d be bondabl e t o a f emal e s omewhere i n t he uni vers e.

The t hought s cared hi m, but nevert hel es s , he cons i deredi t .

Maybe,t hough,i fhe di df i nd hi ms el fl i nked t oa f emal e,he coul d gether t ol ove hi m f i rs twi t houtt he det ai l sofhi sworkl i f e.I fhehad t ol dherabouthi sl ong l i f es pentdegradi ng hi ms el ff or hi s own peopl e,s he' d rej ecthi m,and hecoul dn' tt hi nkoft hepai nt hatwoul d f ol l ow t herej ect i on.Maybei fs hel oved hi m enough,s he coul doverl ookal lt hathe’ ddone.

Fort hef i rs tt i mei nyears ,hopes parkedi ns i dehi m.

Hecl ut ched t hevoucheri n hi shand and madea vow t o t hecos most hati f gi venamat e,hewoul ddoeveryt hi ng i n hi spowert os ett hi ngsri ght .And i n ret urn,makeher proudofhi m.

Th r e eDa y sLa t e r “ Hazt hn Ori yan? ”A young mal ecal l ed outasHazt hn s atnextt oJ oaani nt heConf eazolagency’ swai t i ngroom.

He was s t i l lf eel i ng woozy f rom t he drugs us ed i nt he exam,buthewasanxi oust oknow i fhedi dhaves omeone outt here.

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Nova

Hewavedhi shand,t heyoungmanus heri nghi mt o t heres ul t sroom.Onewal loft heroom wasa f l atpanel , s ervi ng ast heaut omat ed t el l er-machi nef orhi sawai t ed res ul t s .The s creen f l as hed t oa l oadi ng s creen,t hen a coded premes s ageappeared.Then a i deal i s i t ci mageof t he Mes aneeya,t he s avi oroft he As t ori ni ans ,appeared and s poke “Thank you f orpart aki ng i nt he Conf eazol Exam.Hazt hnOri yan,yourconcl us i veres ul t shavenot ed t hatyouhaveacompat i bl eamongs tt hes t ars ! " Hazt hnbreat hedi nexci t emnent ,t heeuphori abl as t i ngi n hi svei ns . "Congrat ul at i ons !Yourbri de i son a pl anet cal l edEart h.Accordi ngt oourdat a,onl yt woot hermal es have ext ract abl ef emal eson t hi spl anet .Thet ot alcount f oranext r act i ont ol aunchf ori st went ys evenf emal es . ” Henodded,t hehol ogram s eei ngt hevi s ualres pons e t he mal e gave.Taki ng t he card t hatJ oaan had been gi vennovasago,now cont ai neddat aofhi ss oul mat eand whatheneeded t oknow abouther."Thes mal lmemory chi pi ns i de your voucher card hast he i nf ormat i on you need and i magesofyourbri decurrent l y. " Hazt hn had reel edi nt hei ns t ruct i onst hehol ogram gave. " And agai n,Congrat ul at i ons !The f emal e you' ve beengi venwi l levol veyourcurrentf orm andrank. " Eart h.Thepl anetofgods . “ How l ong? ” heques t i oned.

TheI maged woman res ponded,“ Thet i mef oryour ext r act i on t ri p dat e vari es .I tcoul d be s everall unarcycl esori tcoul d beyears .There’ snowayt oes t ai mat e.

Everyt hi ng you need t o know aboutt he abduct i on t ri p andcos t si nvol vedi sont hes mal lmemorychi pl ocat edi n your voucher card. When t he t went yf ourt h bri de i s l ocat ed on t he pl anet :Eart h,a mes s age wi l lbe s entt o yout hrought hecont acti nf ormat i onyou' veprovi ded.Fi f t y 7

per cent of t he expens e wi l l be due at t he t i me of gat heri ng al lt went yf ourmal es .The remai nderofyour expens ei ss pl i ti nt ot ot wopaymentdat es : a weekaf t er ext r act i onpl ansareeval uat ed and t wonovasbef oret he t ri p’ ss chedul ed depart ure.I fyou f ai lt o pay t he dued charges ,yourbri dewi l lnotbeext ract edandyouwi l lbe ps uhedt oanot herpaymentduedat ef ort henextt ri p. ” Henodded,unders t andi ngt hef ul l nes soft hemat t er.

Wi t houtknowi ng how l ong i twoul d bebef oret hes hi p' s ready,hewasgoi ng t ohavet oworkhar dert hanbef ore t o earn t hemoney.Notonl yt o redeem hi sf reedom,but al s ot opayf ort heroundt ri p. " Anyot herques t i ons ? "t hehol ogram conduct ed. " Nof urt herques t i ons . " " Hazt hn Ori yan,Congrat ul at i ons and Good Luck.

Peacebewi t hyou. " Hazt hn t hanked t he Mes aneeya and ret urned t o J oaan.She s t ood up,i mpl ori ng about hi s res ul t s .He det ai l ed hi sres ul t s ,and wi t h a happy f ace,s hehugged heryoungers i bl i ng. " Pl eas e,do t hi sf orherand me.And you,mos tof al l . "s hepl eaded.

Theywal kedoutt oJ oaan’ sf eri yama,ands hedrove hi m backt ot heWarat el .Thef eri yamal i ngeredabovet he groundass hepul l edi nf rontoft hees t abl i s hment .J oaan gotout ,of f eri ng hi m herarm t ohel p hi m maket hewal k backt ohi sroom.

He cri nged agai n ashe wal ked t hrough t he f ront door,pas tt het wos ent i nel st hatal wayss t ayed s t at i oned t here.Down t he l ong,eei re hal l ways l ed t ot he s mal l room hes hared wi t h anot hernedri l .Thes centofs ol i ed bodi esmi ngl edwi t hs exambus hedhi snos e.Thes mel lhe breat hed i nmadet heurget of i nd a needl eofs ul t i nand 8

Nova f orgethi st roubl es .Butashes atdown on t heh bed, he remembered t he voucher card.He pul l ed t he card out and t apped on t he cent er s quare.A proj ect ed i mage di s pl ayed i n an al lreal i s t i c vi s i on,a beaut i f ulwoman recordedf rom hi sconf eazol .Herbeaut ys t ruckhs iheart , s haki nghi ms el foutofhi sdes t ruct i vedes i res .Shewashi s , and he needed t os nap outofi ts o he coul d bri ng her home.

Homet ohi m.

Hewat ched al lt hedat a embedded i nt hechi p,l earni ng and expl ori ng everydet ai lofherl i f e.Shewasbeaut i f ul , herepeat ed.Andhecoul dn' twai tt ohaveherhomewi t h hi m. t he cot part nerrus hed t o hi m,huggi ng hi m t i ght l , t earss hi ni ngi nhi sgl as s yeyes .

Hazt hns ai d whathehadn’ ts ai d duri ng hi st i mei n t he medi calcent er,when part nerhad keptvi gi lathi s s i de.Hegri pped t hes houl dersofhi scot mat e,who had ai ded i nt he res cue ofhi sdeat h,“ Thank you f ors avi ng my l i f e. ”The man nodded s i l ent l y,and Hazt hn t urned back t oJ oaan and hugged her.Al lt hei rl i ves ,he had envi ed her l i f e.Al t hough he f ound her beaut i f ul ,by As t ori ani an s t andardss he wast oo t al l ,hercheekbones t oo hi gh.Her l i ps were t oo f ul l ,and mos tofal l ,was t es t edandconf i rmedasi nf ert i l e.Thei rparent sknew t hat s he woul d notmarr y wel l ,s ot hey had s upport ed her des i ret ogoi nt ot hemedi calf i el dasabackuppl an.But Hazt hn never had t he choi ce i n hi ss chool i ng,or hi s parent ' s bl es s i ng. When he wi s hed t ol ear, he was chas t i s edandpuni s hed.Hi syoungl i f ehadbeens penti n cl as s es l earni ng aboutpol i t es oci et y– “ your bet t ers ” ,t o at t r act cus t omers .He di dn’ t hat e her f or what t hei r parent s had done t o hi m,t hough. He never had.He cons i derded hi ms el fl ucky t o have a s i s t er des pi t e 9

al t ernat el i ves ,ashi sguardi anangelandcomf ort er. “ I l ove you, J oaan. Thank you f or t hi s . .f or everyt hi ng. ” “ Il oveyou,t oo,Hazt hn. ”Shebrus hedat hi cks t rand ofhai rf rom hi sf orehead.“ Iwi s hyourl i f ewasdi f f erent .I wi s h Icoul d have s t opped t hem f rom s el l i ng you,and us i ngyourbeaut yasapaycheck. ” “ I twast he pat hl ai d outf orme. ”He hel d up t he voucher.“ Thi si sanew chapt er.Ihaveanew pat hf orme now.Thankst oyou. ” Shes mi l eds of t l y,ki s s edhi scheekandl ef t .

Af t er meet i ng wi t ht he owner,he f ound outhow much money he owed on redempt i on f rom t he Warat el , Fi f t y ghi zras added i tt ot he amount needed f or t he abduct i on t ri p.Hi sheartpi t t ered att he l arge amount , butheknew hecoul ddoi twi t hi nenought i me.Hedi dn’ t wantt o as kJ oaan f ori t ,af t erendowi ng hi m a debthe coul dneverrepayanyways .I twasi mpor t antt ohi mt hat he s aved hi ms el ff i rs tand s ethi sl i f e ri ghtbef ore he broughthi sbri dehome. .

Thatni ght ,asHazt hn l ay wi t h one oft he f emal es who had pai df or hi st i me,he pi ct ured hi ss oulmat e i ns t ead,i magi ni ng i twasherl i ghts ki nt hathecares s ed, her moans ofpl eas ure t hatt ouched hi s ears ,and her handsonhi sbody.Eachwomanhet ouchedbroughthi m cl os ert of reedom,cl os ert o her.Hewasas hamed ofhi s l i f e,hi ss l aver y.Hedi dn’ tknow how s hewoul d reactt o al lt hathewoul dneedt odot os ethi ms el ff reeandbri ng herhere.Buts he washi sperf ectmat ch,and he coul d onl yhopet hats hewoul dl ovehi m enought ooverl ookhi s f aul t s .Notonl yoverl ookt hem ,butf orgi vehi ss i nst ot he wor l ds .Thats hewoul dn’ tl oat hehi mf ors el l i nghi sbody.

Byl aw,unt i lhef reed hi ms el ff rom hi scont ract ,hecoul d 1 0

Nova donot hi ngel s et oearnmoneyexcepthaves ex. “ No, ”he t ol d hi ms el fashe s t ret ched outhi ss ore bodyont hecoti nt hes mal lroom hes haredwi t hpart ner s everalhours l at er.“ No,Iwi l lkeep my pas tf rom her unt i ls hel ovesmes omuch s hecan overl ookal lIhad t o dot obri ngherhome.I ’ l ll ovehermoret hananyonehas ever l oved her.I ’ l lgi ve her everyt hi ng s he coul d ever wantorneed.Imays el lmybodyt opayherwayhere, butwhen s he’ s wi t h me and I ’ m f ree. . .

Ican make her proud ofme.Proud t hats he l ovesa man,notas hamed s hel ovesanedri l . ” Fort hef i rs tt i mes i ncehi sf reedom had beent aken f rom hi m, he f el t not onl y hope at t he f ut ure, but happi nes s .Accordi ngt ot heconf eazolcompany,hername wasAvri lRos e.

Hi sAvri lRos e.

Hi shopef ort hef ut ur e.

Hi sbri de.

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Chapter2 “ Ih a v ead e l i v e r yf o rAv r i l Wa t s o n , ”ayoungmansai das

hewal ked i nt ot heHot s poti nt ernetcaf e.Avri ll ooked up f rom t he recept i on des k,where s he was f i l l i ng i nf or Gwenonherl unchhour. " Mynamei sRos e. " The young man j us tgave hera bl ank l ook,asi f conf us ed. “ Yes ,t hat ’ sme. ” He j umped back i nt o gearand progres s ed t o her.

She s i gned t he s mal lcl i pboard and t ook a heavy vas e f i l l ed wi t h whi t e ros es .The del i very man di s appeared, and As hl ei gh putt he cut crys t alvas e on t he recept i on des kandl ookedf oracard. “ Pl eas et el lme t hos ef l owers are real l yf or me, ” Gwenet hs ai dass hecamebacki nt ot herecept i onarea. “ Sorry,t hey’ ref orme, ”Avri ls ai dwi t hahal fcocked s mi l eass hepul l edas mal lenvel opef rom t hepl as t i cpi ck andopenedi t . “ You have a boyf ri end I don’ t know about ? ” Gwenet hs t owed herbag i nt he bot t om drawerand s at downi nherchai r.

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Nova “ Nott hatIknow of .Maybe i t ’ sAl onzo want i ng t o getback t oget her. ”She l aughed wi t has not t y chuckl e.

Al onzowasAvri l ' sexboyf ri end.

They had s pl i tt wo mont hs earl i er when s he had f oundhi m wi t ht wogi rl satabaral loverhi m.Lat ers he l earned f rom hi sbes tf ri end t hathes l eptwi t ht hem.She wasbrokent remendous l yands hunnedhi mf rom t henon.

Thos ei nt ernat i onalboysare up t o no good ,s he s ays .

I nt ernat i onalboys+ rel at i ons hi ps=" hewant sa vi s a ,I ' l l gethi m onecuzhe' l lnevercheatonme.

"Avri lrol l edher eyesandret urnedt ot hef l owers .

There was no card i ns i de t he envel ope.I ns t ead, s he pul l ed out a del i cat e whi t egol d chai n wi t h an i ri des centdi amond gem t he s i ze ofhert humb hangi ng f rom i t . “ Oh. . . .wow.

"Avri ls ai d under her breat h as s he l i f t ed t he neckl ace up s ot he overhead l i ght sgl i nt ed of f t hes t one.s heal wayswant edI ri des centdi amonds. . .orat l eas ts eeonei n pers on.pl us,s he’ d al waysbeen part i al t oi ri des cence.Herf i rs tt houghthad been t hati twasa gi f tf rom Al onzo,buts hecoul dn’ trememberevert el l i ng hi m whatherf adwas .Woul dheevenhavet hemoneyt o buyt hi s?

The neckl ace was pul l ed f rom her f i ngers .“ Hol y crap,t hi st hi ng i sgorgeous !What ’ st hecard s ay? ”Gwen gus hed.

Pos s es s i venes sf l i t t ed t hrough Avri lbri ef l y as s he gent l y ret ri eved t he neckl ace f rom her f ri end.“ There was n’ ta card,s o Idon’ tknow who i t ’ sf rom.Maybe Al onzo. ” “ Youdon’ ts ounds os ure, ”Gwenpoi nt edout . “ The boy never bought me anyt hi ng.He has n’ t cal l edmei naf ew weeks .Thel as tt i mehedi d,Is hothi m downpret t ygood.How comehewant st obuymej ewel ry 1 3

now ?Lordonl yknows. . .”Shedi dn’ tf i ni s hhers ent ence.

Shedeci dedt ocal lhi m whens hegothomeandf i ndouti f hehads enthert hef l owersandneckl ace.

Shepi ckedupt heenvel opet oputt heneckl aceback i ns i de,butt hen t houghtbet t erofi t .I twass o beaut i f ul and perf ect ,and s hewant ed t oweari tnomat t erwhoi t camef rom.Gwen putt heneckl aceon Avri l ,and s hel ef t t hebri ght l ycol ored recept i on area t ol ooki nt hemi rror i nt hes t af fbat hroom.Thepri s mi cs t onecompl i ment edher i vory s ki n,and s he l i f t ed herbrowni e red hai rup and pi l edi tonherheads os hecoul dadmi rei t .

Li ndaLyt t l e,t heowneroft hecaf e,cameoutofone oft hes t al l sandwas heds hehands . “ Oh,t hat ’ sl ovel y,Avri l .Wheredi dyougeti t ? ” “ I twasa gi f tf rom a. . .s ecr etadmi rer, ”s he s ai d, enj oyi ng t he i dea ofa s ecretadmi rer more t han her cheat i ngext ryi ngt ogetbacki nhergoodgracesagai n. “ Ooh,mys t eri ous !Anyi dea whoi ti s ? ”Li nda t os s ed t hepapert owel si nt hebi n and hel d open t hebat hroom door. “ Nope.Buthe’ sgotgreatt as t e. ”Shes mi l ed ather bos sandwal kedt hrought hedoor.

Shel ef tt hef l owersatt hef rontdes kandwentback t ot he l ounge area where s he worked ast ech s upport.

Event houghs hedi dn’ twantt o,s het ookof ft heneckl ace andpl acedi ti nherpurs ei nt hecabi net .Shedi dn’ twant t o ri s ki tget t i ng br oken by a s paghet t ipi l e ofwi res behi nd a comput er.Shehad j us tgotoutofhers econd yearofcol l egef ort hes ummerand deci ded t oi nt ern at t hi sl i t t l e hol ei nt he wal l .She s t udi ed f orengi neeri ng , comput ert ech,andps ychol ogy.andaf t ercompl et i ngher s econd yearunt i lt hef al l,s hegota f ul l t i mej ob att he Hot s pot .Duri ng hers ummersi n hi gh s chool ,s he pri ed 1 4

Nova open comput ersand at t ended " Mi ndbendi ng Mys t eri es " cl ub.For a coupl e ofyears s he was rel i gi ous i n her at t endance,butwhen s he s t art ed col l ege,i tf i zzl ed and t herewasnomoret i mef ori t .buti t ' swhatf edherdes i re t odes t i ny.

There were t wel ve hi ghs chool ers t os s i ng paper bal l satt heMi chaelJ ordanpos t er,t aunt i ngi t ' spurpos e. " Sl am dunk,J ordan! ! " Avri lpeeked f rom under t he des k where s he was f i xi ngs omej ock' scomput erbecaus ehecl i ckedhi smous e t oof as t ."

Guys ,keepi tdown!

"Herhandsweref ul l .I twas s t r es s f ulatt i mes ,butAvri lhad al ways been abl et o handl e s t r es s and di f f i cul ts i t uat i ons wi t h eas e. Her mot hers ai ds hehadbeen“ borncal m”andneverf reaked outnomat t erwhat .

Whens hewast en,s hewasi nt hef ronts eatofher grandf at her’ st owncar,andt heyweredr i vi nghomef rom t hegrocerywhenhehad a s t rokeand l os tcont roloft he car. Wi t hout a t hought ,s he grabbed t he wheel and pus hed hi s f oot of f t he gas pedal , s t eeri ng t he decel erat i ngcarovert ot hes i deoft hes t reetwherei tran up on a curb and knocked over a mai l box. The homeownersrus hedoutandcal l edt heemergencys quad, and her grandf at her recovered. She remembered s omeonet el l i ng hermot hert hats hewoul dn’ thavebeen abl et o reacts of as tand bes o cal m asAvri lhad been, butAvri lhadn’ tunders t oodhow f reaki ngoutwoul dhave hel pedanyt hi ng. “ Oh,no. ”Avri lgroaned,s urveyi ng t he moni t eras t he ki dsmai nt ai ned t hei rj es t .She t os s ed t he mous e on t hedes ki nf rontoft hej ock."

Di dyous eri ous l ycutwi res ? " He gave a cocky gri n," Sure di d,babe.

"Hi sot her j ockf ri endss t art edchuckl i ng.

Avri lj us tgl ared."

OK ,notonl yyou wi l lbepayi ng 1 5

f ort het i meont hecomput er,cut t i ng t hewi rest i meand me t ryi ng t of i xi tbutal s of ora new mous e. . .babe . " Avri ls huthi s comput er down and wal ked back t o her of f i ce.Al ready t hi s week s he' d been get t i ng compl ai nt s about her mood . . .i t ' s been j us t a bad week ,s he proces s es .Thej ockheadst ot hebos s ' sand rant son her new i nt ern.Ass oonashef i ni s hed,Li nda apol ogi zesand excus est heboys .t heboyspas s ed herwi t h a devi l sgri n andl aughsdownt hebl ock.

Li ndawal kst oherdes kandhandsherapaperf or her s econd wri t eup.Avri lhi des her f ace behi nd her handsands i ghs . " One more t i me and you' re of f hook f or t hi s i nt erns hi p. " Avri ls l i d herhandsf rom herf ace and bl urt ed i n hones t y."I ' m gonnaf i ndadi f f erentj ob. " Li ndarai s edaneyebrow,"Real l y?wel lnevermi nd onemore!Go. . .you' r ef i red. " Avri l ' s eyes wi dened.She needed t hi si nt erns hi p.

Ands hebl ew i t .

She s l owl y gotup f rom t he des k and handed her her name t ag.s he grabbed her purs e,neckl ace,and f l owersandheadedoutt hedoor.

Wal ki ng down t hebl ock i nf rus t rat i on,s hes t art ed t o argue wi t h hers el f .s he pace f rom one edge oft he s i dewal kt ot heot herandt henwal kal i t t l emore. " Why di d Is ay t hat ? Why di d he getaway wi t h t hat ?

"Sheki ckedanempt ycokecanacros st heroad. " Whatwashe even doi ng t here?WHY WERE THEY DI SSI NG ON MI CHAELJ ORDAN! ? " Shepaced t oanot hers i dewal kedgeand l ooked up att heref l ect i vegl as sands pot t edhers el f .s hej us ts t ared athers el fandproces s ed.

1 6

Nova " Ineedabreak. " She whi s pered s i l ent l y and cl os es her eye,and openedt hem backup.Shecaughtt heat t ent i onofal ocal " Mi ndBendi ng Mys t eri es " cl ub. They had a meet i ng t oni ghtat7 : 00andmembersofanyareawerei nvi t ed.

Shegras ped f orherwal l eti n herbl ackhol epurs e andret ri evedhercl ubcardt ol ookat .

Shegl ancedbackatt hepos t er. " Breakt i me. " She caughthers el ft hi nki ng aboutt he neckl ace now , s hel ookedi nherpurs eaf ew t i mesj us tt oas s urehers el f i twas s t i l lt here.She real l y want ed t o know who t he j ewel r y and f l owers had come f rom, and s he f ound hers el ft het opi cofi dl egos s i pf ort hemeet i ngt oni ght .s he wal ked back home and l ai d her purs e down on t he count er ather apart ment.s he s t ood f or a s econd i n t houghtofwhatt o do next.s os hepondered aboutt he apart mentandt hebi l ls hehadt opayf ornextweekf ori t , andal lt heot herbi l l s .s hewasexas perat edbyt odayand now s hef oundt het i met oact ual l yt hi nk. .s hel ai dont he bedandonet houghtaf t ert heot hers heproces s ed. .and event ual l ys hef el las l eep.

6 : 3 0 Avri lwoke up ,s l obberrunni ng down herf ace i nt o t hes heet s .hereyesbarel y budged t o open ,s eei ng t he t i me. .s hes nappedoutofbedandgas ped. ."

Crap! " Avri lchanged outofheruni f orm and s l i d on s ome j eans and mys t ery Machi ne s hi rt.s he gl anced i nt he mi rr or,checki nghers el f,f i xi ngherhai r.s heneededt o 1 7

add s omet hi ng and i mmedi at el y s he pi cked up t he neckl aceandcl as pedi ton.Shegrabbedas andwi chf rom t he f ri dge and at ei ton t he way.She had al waysbeen earl yt ot hes emeet i ngsand now s he' shurryi ng t o even getdown t he t wo bl ockst o gett here .Thi swasAvri l ' s opport uni t yt ot al kt o ot her members who l oved t he mys t eri es of t he worl d, s even wonders and creepy creat ures .Growi ngup,s oci al i zi nghadbeenani mport ant pas t i me f or her.Her mot her hadn’ tl i ked her wat chi ng t el evi s i on very much,s os he’ d happi l y buri ed hers el fi n convers at i ons or books f rom t he l i brar y.Thatl ove of mys t eryhads t ayedwi t hheri nt oadul t hood.

The mys t ery cl ub was hel d at t he empt ys t ore bui l di ng ofoneoft hef oundi ng members ,who owned a books t ore wi t h herhus band.The mont hl yf ee oft went y dol l ars f or cl ub members hi p provi ded t he book f or t he mont h and a f ew dol l arst oward t hes nacksand dri nks .

Avri lopened t hedoort ot heempt y bui l di ng t of i nd one f ol dupt abl eofs nacksanddri nksandanempt yci rcl eof chai rs . “ Avri l ? "ayoungwomancri edass het ot edat rayof Kabobst ot he t abl e.I twasKel l y,who had been a l ong l os tf ri endt oAvri ls i ncemi ddl es choolandwasadevot ed part neri nt hemys t erycl ub.Avri lbeamed and rus hed t o her.

Af t eraqui ckhug,Avri lputherj acketonahooki nt he hal lal ongwi t hherpurs eandpul l edoutherphone. " Gi vemeyournumber. . .PALEASE! ! " Kel l ys mi l edandent eredhernumberi n," Longt i me, nos ee! " " Iknow. " Kel l y grabbed herhand and l ed hert ot he chai rs ands atherdown."

Soo. . . .how' sl i f e? " 1 8

Nova " Burni ng i nf l ames .Thei nt erns hi p Iwass uppos ed t ohol df ort hes ummergotmef i red. " Kel l ydrooped," Thats ucks . " " Yup. .buthow ' boutyou?How' sl i f e? " " Wonder f ul. . .beenf ol l owi ngmydr eam.Igett ogo t ot hemi nd bl owi ng mys t eri esconf erencet omorrow.I ' m pret t yexci t ed. " Thatwast hebi gges teventf orcl ub . . .and mos tof t het i mei t ' scl os et oherei nt hi ss mal lt own. " You s houl d come wi t h me . . .bef ore you have t o l ookf oradi f f erentj ob. " Avri lgl i s t ened," Yeah,Iwi l l. " Morepeopl egat hered i nt heci rcl eand i twast i me t os t art .Shewasgreet edwarml ybyt heot hermembersi n t hegroup,who ranged f rom asyoung asKel l y’ scous i n, whowass i xt een,t oasol dasApri l ' sAuntBel l e,whowas f i f t yone.They were al lvery di f f erent ,butt hei rl ove of mys t erybroughtt hem t oget her.

Fi l l i ng a s mal lpl at e wi t haf ew pi eces ofcubed chees e and s ome crackers ,Avri ls atdown agai n one of t he hard pl as t i c chai rs and putt he pl at ei n her l ap.

Taki ng a gl as sofgreen mons t erpunch f rom Kel l y,s he t ookas i pandwai t edf ors omeonet os t artt hi ngsof f .

The f i rs t hour of t he get t oget her,t he members di s cus s ed mi nor announcement s at l engt h, and t hen as ki ng ques t i onsofeach ot hermys t eri esand expl ori ng t hes eri ousnat ureofpart i cul ars t ori es .Onewasabouta woman who t ook care ofchi l dren f or a l i vi ng, and t he t houghtofs omeonehurt i ng a chi l df oranyreas on.That madeAvri l ' sbl oodboi l .Avri lputhernowempt ypl at eon t hef l oorand s atback,t aki ng anot hers i p ofherpunch. “ Thi ss t ory was s o s ad. To t hi nk t hat t hos e parent s prof i t ed of fs el l i ng t hei r chi l dren l i ke t hat ,i t ’ sj us ts o s i ckeni ng. ” 1 9

Kel l y nodded,“ Makes me wonder what t hi s worl d i s comi ng t o.Parent ss el l i ng t hei rs onsand daught ersf or drugmoney,cari ngonl yaboutt hems el ves . ” Avri ls huddered,and Kel l yf el tt hats amerevul s i on f i l lher.Her chi l dhood hadn’ tbeen per f ect ,buti twas l eapsandboundsoverwhatt hechi l dreni nt hes t oryhad s uf f ered.She want ed t of i nd t hos e parent s and wri ng t hei rnecks .Put t i ng t hems el vesabovet hei rki dsl i ket hat ; put t i ng t hei rown hopesand dreamsovert hewel f areof t hei rownf l es handbl ood. “ Canwenotmoveont os omet hi ng morel i ght eni ng next? ”Col l een,a mot heroft wo,s ai d,put t i ng herpl at e down and s et t l i ng back i n one of t he col d. chai rs s urroundi ngt heempt yci rcl e. “ I ' l ls t art”Kel l yqui pped.

Kel l ys t ood up and broughta box ofbooksout .“ I knew you’ d wantt o go l i ght ert hi smont h,butbef ore I s how youanew proj ect ,Iwant edt ot el lyout hatBoband Irecei ved donat ed money s etup by t he ci t y hal l .We f urt her f i nal i zed our res earch f rom t he mos twe coul d gat her.Iwantt ogi ves omet hi ngnew t ot heci rcl et oni ght " Kel l ypos i t i oned hers el f ," Toni ght ,we’ l lbef i ni s hi ng t het opi cofout ers t el l arangel s " Avri l rai s ed an eyebrow i n i nt eres t . Kel l y s ummari zed," From l as tt i me,wel earned t hatangel sl i ve i nadi mens i ont hatushumanscan' tcomprehendj us tyet andt hatt heyreal l ydoexi s t . " " Don' tgoi nt odet ai l ."Bobs ai d. " Iwon' t ,butt obel i evet hatwecan' ts eet heangel s on t hi sworl di sprepos t erous .They are j us tl i ke usbut t heyhavet hes eamazi ng powers . .s omet i mesdes t ruct i ve. s omet i mes al l uri ng.Butwhat ' s al ls ai d and done t he angel sareamongus .andi nmyr es earcht heyt ravelt he 2 0

Nova s t ai rwayoft ravelt ot hei rworl dandours. . .whatIl i ket o cal l' J acob' sl adder'i n addi t i on,I ' veal s oconcl uded t hey have a t horough unders t andi ng ofushumansand can evenreproducewi t hus. .t hroughwi t nes saccount s .s oi n anapocal ypt i ccas esI ' vedes i gnedt hreedevi cest hatcan t ravelt hrought he' J acob' sl adders pect rum'andl ookl i ke regul arobj ectandgounderradarasi ts o."s hebrought t ot heat t ent i ona f i dgets pi nner,a poi nt erl as er,and a f i dget di ce .i n t rans l at i on , t he f i dget s pi nner woul d connects i gnalt o eart hf rom t he J acobsl addert o make communi cat i on , t hepoi nt erl as era t rans port er,and t he di ceasadi s gui s edprogram card.

Avri lbl urt ed," t heywork? " Kel l y res ponded qui ckl y," yes " and t he ot her members around her ans wered t he s ame.Kel l ys mi l ed andpl acet heobj ect sbacki nt hebox.

Shepas s ed outa t hi ckpaperbackt i t l ed “ Gui det ot he Angel sandJ acobsLadder. " " I t ’ ss uppos edt obes t ri ct l yi nf ormat i onal. . .ands ome humorous .

"Kel l ywi nkedandt hemembersl aughed.Avri l gazed att he book and f ound t hatt he premi s es ounded real l ycool .

They putt he booksas i de and s pentt he nexthour chat t i ngaboutwhatwasgoi ngoni nt hei rl i ves .Al t hough t he members kepti nt ouch vi a emai land phone cal l s duri ng t he mont h,get t i ng t oget heri n pers on wass weet and f un.Avri ls hared hernewsaboutt he neckl ace and f l owers ,andwhenas ked,s heext ract edi tf rom herpurs e f oreveryonet os ee.Metwi t hj eal ousgri nsandt hreat st o s t eali tawayf rom her,s het uckedi ti ns i dehernew book as s he wal ked outt he door,s ayi ng goodni ghtt o her f el l ow membersunt i lt he nextmont h.Onl ya f ew s t eps l at er,Kel l ycaughtAvri lt ot el lheronel as tt hi ng. " Hey,do you mi nd keepi ng t hi sf ort he ni ght ?Doug 2 1

s t i l ll i kest ochew onpl as t i c. " " Thatdogi ss t i l lal i ve? " Kel l yl aughed, " Yeahhes t i l li s . " SoAvri lnodded t ot akehers t uf fback" Hey,I ' l ls ee youi nt hemorni ng.Igot t acl eanup. " " Al ri ght ,s eeyai nt hemorni ng. " Whens hewal kedt hrought hef rontdoorofhert wobedroom apar t ment ,s heki cked of fhers ens i bl es neakers andwi ggl edhert oesi nt het hi ckwhi t ecarpet i ng,gl adt o behome.mys t erycl ub ni ghtwasal waysa l at eone,but s hel oved i t .Shepul l ed t heneckl acef rom t hebookand l ai di tont het opofhercherrywooddres s er.

She i mmedi at el y want ed t o puti ton,t of eelt he s l i ghtwei ghtofi tagai ns thers ki n,buts hei gnored t he des i reand l ef ti tal one.Shel oved t heneckl ace,buts he di dn’ twantt o ri s kf orget t i ng abouti tand acci dent al l y f al l i ngas l eepwi t hi ton.

Shechangedi nt oapai rofl i l acl oungepant sanda brus hedcot t ons hort s l eeveds hi rt ,wal kedi nt ot heki t chen and reached f orhercel l .Even t hough Al onzo' snumber had l ong s i nce been eras ed f rom her cont actl i s t ,s he t humbed t hrough t herecentcal l sunt i ls hef ound where he’ dcal l edherl as tanddi al edhi snumber. " " Yeah? ”heans wered. " Hi ,Al onzo,i t ’ sAvri l. ” Therewasapaus e,andt henhes ai dbri ght l y,“ Avri l ?

How areyou? ” " I t ' sRos e.And I ' m Fi ne.Iwant ed t oas kyou i fyou s entmes omet hi ngatworkt oday. ” “ Excus eme? ”heas ked. “ Ias ked i fyou s entme s omet hi ng atwork t oday, Al onzo. " Al onzo s ounded s us pi ci ous .“ No,Idi dn’ t .Mus tbe 2 2

Nova s omeot herguy. ” “ Igues ss o. ”She f el ts t upi df or cal l i ng hi m.She hadn’ treal l yt houghthe wass weetenough t os end her f l owersand an expens i ve neckl ace,had s he?He hadn’ t beent hatat t ent i vewhent hey’ dbeent oget her. “ Sorryt obot heryou. ” “ No,wai t ,Avri l,i snoprobl em.Look,younotbus y, maybeIcancomeandwecanchat .Imi s syou. ” She f el ta bubbl e ofanger wel li ns i de her.“ You di dn’ t mi s s me when you were havi ng s ex wi t h t wo hoochi esbehi nd my back.ForgetIcal l ed. ”Shehung up anddroppedherphoneont hecount erwi t hacl at t er.He cal l edbacki mmedi at el y,buts hes entt hecal lt ovoi cemai l andt hent urnedt hephoneof f .

She f el tl i ke a f i rs t cl as si di otf or cal l i ng.Now he woul d cal lher cons t ant l y and beg her f or j us ta f ew mi nut est ot al k,whi chs hewoul dn’ tgi ve.She’ dmetAl onzo ata s pri ng breakt ri pi nApri l.Al onzoand Avri lbonded qui ckl y ascl os ef ri ends ,asbot h had a l oti n common.

They’ d hopped i nt o a rel at i ons hi p i mmedi at el y – s omet hi ng t hatAvri lhad neverdonebef ore–and i thad moved f as tand f i zzl ed equal l yasf as t .Hewascharmi ng and a s hamel es sf l i rt .I thadn’ tr eal l y been much ofa s urpri s e when s he had t al ked t o Al onzo abouta f ami l y reuni onandt henf oundhi m andgi rlal onet oget heraf ew weeks l at er.She’ d ended what l i t t l e remai ned of t he rel at i ons hi pi nJ uneandhe’ dbeencal l i ngherof fandon f ort hel as tt wo mont hs ,as ki ng hert o gi vehi m anot her chance.

She poured a bowlofcerealf or hers el fand s at down atherl apt op t o checkheremai l .Hermot herhad s enthers everalmes s agesovert hel as tf ew weeks ,as ki ng Avri lt ocal lher,buts hehadn’ t .She’ ds ents t andard“ I ’ m 2 3

bus y”emai l s ,buts he knew t hatevent ual l ys he woul d havet os peakt ohermom.I thadbeenbadenoughwhen Al onzobet rayedher.Butt henhermot herhads i dedwi t h Al onzo and s ugges t ed t hatAvri ls houl df orgi ve hi m and t ake hi m back.She s ai dt hateveryone made mi s t akes , and i t was n’ t very ki nd of Avri lt o hol d hi s one i ndi s cret i on agai ns thi m.Avri land hermot herhad not al wayss een eye t o eye on t hi ngs ,and Avri l ' si ns i s t ence t hats he coul dn’ tj us t“ getover”Al onzo' s cheat i ng had beenat horni nt hei rrel at i ons hi pevers i nce.

She knew t hathermot her’ sconcern came f rom a l ovi ng pl ace,even t hough i thadn’ tf el tl i ke i tatf i rs t .

When Avri l ' sf at herhad di ed i nat rai n wreck,when s he wast wel ve,he had l ef thermot herwi t h a mount ai n of bi l l sandnotenoughi ns urance.Shehadt oret urnt owork af t erbei ng a s t ayat home mom f oral lofAvri l ' sl i f e.I t had been hard f orhermot her,and s he’ d worri ed ever s i nce,i ns i s t i ng t hatAvri lf i nd a man who coul d provi de f orher.Hermot herwant edt oknow t hatAvri lwast aken careof ,and Al onzo ,who camef rom money and had a s t eady j ob, r epres ent ed t he f ul f i l l ment of t hat goal .

Unf ort unat el y,Avri ldi dn’ tt rus thi m,and i fs he coul dn’ t t rus thi m,s hecoul dn’ tl ovehi m.

Shegl anced att hecl ockon t heTV and s aw t hati t wast oo l at et o cal lhermot her.I ’ l lcal lhert omorrow, af t erwork,shedeci ded wi t h a yawn,cl os i ng herl apt op andheadi ngt obed.

Ass hepas s ed by t heneckl ace,s het ouched i t ,t he pret t ys t onewi nki ngatherasi fl i tf rom wi t hi n.I twasan ovalcabochon,i nt hemos tbeaut i f ulcol ors he’ devers een.

Shes l i ppedi nt obedandt urnedof ft hes mal ll amponher s i det abl eass hes et t l ed undert hecovers .Thel i ghtf rom t he s t reet l amp out s i de herwi ndow cas tan ambergl ow 2 4

Nova over t he bedroom.Avri lcoul dn’ tt ake her eyes of ft he neckl aceunt i lexhaus t i on t ugged att hem.Shedri f t ed of f t os l eep,t hegorgeousneckl acet hel as tt hi ngonhermi nd.

2 5

Chapter3 Ke l l ywa swa i t i n ge x p e c t a n t l ywhenAvri lwal kedi nt ot he

ki t chen f rom awakeni ng,and t he f i dgetdi ce began t o s peak. “ So?who' st heneckl acef rom? ” “ I twas n’ tAl onzo.

"As hl ei gh paus ed att hecount er.

She’ dhadal ongdebat ewi t hKel l yaboutAl onzoandt he neckl ace,buti nt heends heknew i twas n' thi m. “ Wel l ,t hat ’ s pr obabl y a good t hi ng,ri ght ? ” ,Kel l y admi t t ed. “ Yeah,buthe l ef tme a hal f dozen mes s ages l as t ni ghtand s entme a coupl e oft ext st hi s morni ng.He want st o know who my s ecretadmi reri s ,and whathe hast o do t o compet ewi t h hi m s o hecan getmeback. ” Avri lrol l edherdul l grayeyes .

Kel l y voi ced hers ympat hy,“ I fhe had cared t hi s much t he f i rs tt i me,he woul dn’ thave s l eptwi t ht wo hoochi es . ” True.

Her body demanded s ugar and caf f ei ne,s o Avri l s ai d goodbye t o Kel l y and headed t o t he cabi net , grabbi ng a l emonf i l l ed donutand a cup ofcof f ee i na l i dded mug bef ore headi ng t o herroom.Herand Kel l y wer e goi ng on a t ri pt o a convent i on t o meetwi t ht he membersands eet hei requi pment ,andt hedaywoul dbe i ncredi bl ybus yf rom s t artt of i ni s h.

Al lAvri lhad been t hi nki ng ofwast heneckl ace.Even 2 6

Nova t houghs hef el ts i l l y,s hewant edt oweari t .Ands hereal l y, real l ywi s hed s heknew whoi tcamef rom.Hopef ul l yher mys t erymanwoul drevealhi ms el fs oon.

Shedropped herpurs eon t hecount erand wenti nt o t hebedroom,pi cki ng up t heneckl aceand s l i ppi ng i ton.

When t he cool ,s l i ghtwei ghtoft he s t one res t ed agai ns t hers ki n,s hes mi l ed.

Turni ng back t ot he ki t chen,s he dug hercel loutof herpurs e.Shedi dn’ twantanot herdayt ogetawayf rom herwi t houts et t i ngt hi ngsri ghtwi t hhermom.Shepaus ed t o getready.Ful l y cl ot hed,s he grabbed her backpack wi t hs nacks ,hoodi e,Kel l y' ss t uf f ,and mi s f i t s .J us tass he wasaboutt o cal lhermom,t here wasa knock on her door.

She l ooked t hrough t he peephol e and s aw t he s ame youngmanwhohadbroughtt hef l owersandneckl acet o hert hedaybef ore,hol di ng a l ong bl ackboxwi t h a red ri bbononi t . “ Yes ? ”s he s ai d,l oudl y enough t o carry her voi ce t hrought hedoor. “ Ihaveanot herdel i veryf orAvri lWat s on. ” Hert humb ran a s mal lci rcl earound t he‘ cal l ’but t on ofherphoneass heopenedt hef rontdoors l owl y. “ Avri lWat s on? ”t he del i very man s ai d wi t hat i ght s mi l e. “ Sure.Irememberyouf rom yes t erday. ”Sheopened t hedoorf urt herandreachedf ort hebox,buthel i f t edt he l i dandacl oudofdarkbl uegasburs ti nherf ace,maki ng her head s pi n.“ Whwhat ’ s happeni ng? ”s he mumbl ed t hrough t hi ck l i ps .Herkneeswentweak and hervi s i on 2 7

t unnel ed asarmsgrabbed herand keptherf rom f al l i ng t ot he ground when her l egs wentoutcompl et el y.Her f i ngersl os tt hei rhol dont hephoneandi tcl at t eredt ot he t i l edf l oor.

She heard s everaldi f f erentmas cul i ne voi ces ,but t hey s poke i nal anguage s he di dn’ tunders t and.She opened her mout ht os peak,t o cal loutf or hel p,but not hi ngcamef rom herl i ps ,ands hedri f t edawayi nt ot he darknes s . ****** “ Ps s t !Ps s t ! ”A voi ce hi s s ed i n Avri l ' searass omeone s hookhers houl der.Avri lgroaned and t ri ed t o rol lover and go back t os l eep.I twast hen t hats hereal i zed s he was n’ ti n hercomf or t abl epi l l owt op bed,buton a hard, met alf l oor.

Her eyes popped open and s he s atup s t rai ght , maki ngherheads pi nvi ol ent l y. “ Ow,crap, ”s hebreat hed,pres s i ng herf i ngerst oher t empl esass het ri ednott ovomi t . “ Caref ul ,i ts eemst ot akea whi l ef ort hedrugst o wearof f , ”t hes amef emal evoi ces ai d.

Avri lbl i nkedhereyesaf ew t i mesandf oundhers el f s t ari ngi nt ot hef aceofawomanwhol ookedt obeabout herown age,weari ng a s i mpl ewhi t es hi f t .Avri ll ooked downathers el fands aw s hewasweari ngt hes amet hi ng.

Shet ouchedt hemat eri al ;i tf el ts of t ,l i kebrus hedcot t on. “ Whoareyou? ”s heas ked. “ My name i sMaddy.We’ re on s ome ki nd ofal i en s hi p. ”Maddyges t uredaroundher ,andAvri ls aw al otof 2 8

Nova women.Some were huddl ed f earf ul l yt oget her i ns mal l groups .Somewerel yi ngont hef l oorl i keher,waki ngup s l owl y. “ Di dyous ay‘ al i ens hi p’ ? ”Avri las kedi ncredul ous l y. “ It hi nks o.What ’ st hel as tt hi ngyouremember? ” Avri lt ol dheraboutt hef l owerdel i veryguyopeni ng aboxandt hepuf fofbl ues moke,andt henpas s i ngout . “ I had a s i mi l ar experi ence, ” Maddy s ai d.Avri l not i ced t hateach woman i nt heroom had on a neckl ace t hatwass i mi l art ohers .Thependant swerearai nbow of col ors ,t hough,and whet hert hatwass i gni f i cantornot , s he di dn’ t know.The room l ooked l i ke i t was made ent i rel y of s moot h, ni ckel col ored met al ,s ave f or t he cei l i ngoff ros t edgl as s ,whi chl eti ns of twhi t el i ght .There appearedt obenodoors ,wi ndows ,orf urni t ure.

Al i ens .Her mi nd raced.“ Whatwoul d al i ens want wi t h us ? ”She f el tpani c ri s ei n her,and s he f oughti t down.I twoul dn’ tdoanygoodt ol os ei t . “ Idon’ tknow. ”Maddyf i ddl ed wi t ht heneckl ace.“ I t hi nk t hey put s ome ki nd of t racker i n t he neckl ace.

Ot herwi s e,how woul dt heyknow wherewel i ved? ” “ Surel yt hi si sa t ri ck, ”Avri ls ai d.“ Thedel i veryguy l ooked ent i rel yhuman t ome.And bes i des ,t herei s n’ tl i f e anywherebutEart h;everyoneknowst hat . ”Even ass he s poke t he words ,her mi nd remi nded her t hatno one coul d real l y know everyt hi ng.Whati ft here were al i ens onot herpl anet s ?Whywoul dt heyabductwomen?

One oft he women,redf aced f rom cryi ng,t wi s t ed herl ong bl ondehai raround herf i ngers .“ They’ regoi ng t oexperi mentonusormakeuss exs l aves ,Ij us tknow i t ! ” Hervoi cet ookonahys t eri caledgeandt heot herwomen 2 9

nearhert r i edt ocal m herdown,buti twascl eart hatal l oft hem wereequal l yworri ed.

Avri l ' s mout h wentdry.Sex s l ave or experi ment .

Thos eweren’ tverygoodopt i ons .

Maddy s hus hed t he women.Avri lcl os ed her eyes and s hookherhead.Pl easebea dream,shechant ed i n her head. She was di s appoi nt ed, but not al lt hat s urpri s ed,when s he opened hereyesand f ound hers el f s t i l li nt heroom wi t ht heot hercapt uredwomen.

There wasa crackl et hats ounded l i ke a s peaker, andal argeopeni ngreveal edaf l ats creenaboutt hes i ze ofa l arge TV i n one wal l .The s creen f l i ckered f or a momentbef oret hef aceofa woman appeared.Shewas s i t t i ngonas mal ls t ooli nf rontofagl as swal lt hatl ooked outi nt os pace.She appeared t o be human,wi t hl ong brown hai r and eyes .“ Wel come,women ofEart h.My namei sShreva,andIam amedi calof f i ceronboardt he f rei ght er s hi p H’ l i o.You are bei ng t aken t ot he pl anet As t ori a,s everalgal axi esawayf rom yourf ormerhome. ” There was a paus e,and s everalof t he women gas ped i n di s bel i ef .Avri lknew t he phras et hey were f ocus i ng on becaus ei twasrat t l i ng around i n herbrai n: ‘ f ormerhome’ .

Thes creen s pl i t ,and a pi ct ureofa ci t yappeared.

Sl eek,eggs haped carshovered of ft he ground,movi ng t hrough s t reet sl i ned wi t h nondes cri ptdome bui l di ngs .

Thes kywaspurpl e,dot t edwi t hs i l verycl ouds .

Shreva s mi l ed bri ght l y.“ Thi si s Kyvern Ci t y,t he capi t alofourworl d.Thes hi pwi l ll andhere,andyouwi l l al lbet aken t oyournew homes . ”Thei mages hi mmered, and a s l i des how began.Shet i cked of ft hedes cri pt i onsof t he i mages as t hey were s crol l i ng by:t he greent i nt ed ocean,t hef armi ngareasout s i det heci t y,aci t yparkwi t h 3 0

Nova t ropi cal l i ke pl ant s ,t he ni ghts ky wi t ht wi n moons ,and s mi l i ng f ami l i esofone man and one woman,a chi l di n t hei rarms . “ Fi rs tl etmeas s ureyout hatyouwi l lnotbeharmed.

Whenyouweret aken,youwereputi nt oal i ghts l eepand t rans port ed i nt o ours hi pf arabove yourpl anet .Whi l e you were uncons ci ous ,f emal e medi cs s uch as mys el f exami ned you f or any mal adi es t hat our advanced medi calknowl edge coul d heal ,and t hen bat hed and dres s edyou. ” Avri lf el tal i t t l es i ckt ohers t omach,gl anci ngdown atherbodyand wonderi ng j us thow manyhad s eenher nakedandvul nerabl e. “ I naf ew moment s ,guardswi l lbecomi ng i nt ot he room.Do notf i ghtt hem ort ry t o es cape.They wi l lnot harm you,butt heywi l lres t rai nyoui ft heyhavet o.They wi l li dent i f yyoubyt heneckl acesyouwear.Pl eas edonot t ry t o remove t hem.The neckl aces were l ocked duri ng yourexam andcannotbebrokenort akenof f .Youwi l lbe t aken,onebyone,anddel i vereds af el yi nt ot hehandsof t he mal e t hat chos e you as hi s bri de. Once i n hi s s af ekeepi ng,al lyour ques t i ons wi l lbe ans wered.Res t as s ured,Eart hf emal es ,you wi l lnotbe harmed i n any way, "Shes mi l edagai n. " Wel comet oAs t ori a. "

3 1

Chapter4 Th es c r e e nwe n tb l a n k ,as the coveri ng s l i d back over i t .

There were a f ew s hocked moment s of s i l ence and t hen. . . chaos .Some oft he women f ai nt ed,many oft hem cri ed,andaf ew –l i keMaddy–t ri edt or al l yeveryonet o f i ght . “ We’ res t rongert oget her! ”s hes ai dl oudl y.

Avri ls t ood up s l owl yf rom t he f l oorand grabbed Kat e’ sarm.“ You can’ ti nci t et hem t of i ght ,Maddy.You don’ tknow whatwi l lhappent ousi fyouf i ght . ” “ Di d you hear her? She cal l ed Eart h our ‘ f ormer home’ !That ’ sbul l .Iwantt ogohome,now! ”Maddyrai s ed hervoi ceandwrenchedhers el ff rom Avri l ' sgri p.

Avri lputasmuch aut hori t yi nt o hervoi ce ass he coul d.“ The woman i nt he vi deo s ai d we woul dn’ tbe harmed and t hat we s houl dn’ tf i ght back or t ry t o es cape. ”Shei mpl oredt hewoment ocal m down,knowi ng t hataf ew pani ckedpeopl ecoul dcaus eal loft hem harm.

The oppos i ng woman s t omped herf oot .“ The onl y choi cewehaveherei st ogol i kel ambst ot hes l aught er orf i ght .I ’ m notal amb! ” Herbravewordswerecutof fasadoors l i dopeni n onewal l ,andt womenwi t hbri ghtbl uehai rcamei ns i de.

Maddy and t wo ot her women t hrew t hems el ves att he men,and a f ew ot herst ri ed t oes cape,butmoreguards appeared,bl ocki ng t he exi t .Some oft he guards had bri ghtbl uehai rands omehaddarkbrownhai r,butt hey al ll ookedhuman.

3 2

Nova Avri l backed away f rom t he f ray s l owl y, not want i ng t o getcaughtup i nt he mel ee.She t ook a f ew breat hs and t ri ed t o as s es st he s i t uat i on l ogi cal l y and cal ml y.Whi l et he ot herwomen around herwere ei t her t rembl i ngi nt errororf i ght i ngagai ns tt hel argemen,s he t ri ed her bes tt o keep a coolhead.I fs he’ d l earned anyt hi ngf rom herj ob,i twast hataddi ngyourownpani c t oabads i t uat i onwas n’ tgoi ngt odoanyoneanygood.

Herbackpres s ed agai ns tt hes moot h wal loppos i t e where t he men ent ered. Some of t hem s t ood i n t he ent rancet obl ockt hewomen f rom es capi ng.Thewomen whoweref i ght i ngdi dn’ ts eem t obehavi nganyef f ecton t hemenast heyki ckedandhi t .

Avri lwant ed t obel i evet hatShreva wast el l i ng t he t rut h,at l eas t about t hem not bei ng hurt .The men, al t hough l argert han t hewomen,wereres t rai ni ng t hem caref ul l ys ot heyweren’ ti nj ured.

The t wo i ns i de t he room s poke t o each ot her,but Avri lcoul dn’ thear whatt hey s ai d.They moved t oa group ofwomen,apparent l yus i ng a met ali ns t rumentt o gui det hem.Theyrai s ed i tand waved i tovert hegroup.

Thewomen began whi mperi ng,cl ut chi ng each ot herf or s upport ,and when t hei ns t rumentbeeped overt hehead of a t hi n, bl ondehai red woman, s he went nut s . She s creamedands hovedt heot herwomenaheadofher,“ No, no!Don’ tt ake me!Iwantt o go home.Pl eas e!Hel p me, pl eas e! ” Avri lcri nged,uns urewhatt odo.Maddywrenched f reeoft heguardwhowashol di ngherbackandj umped up,beat i ngont hebackofoneoft hemen.“ Whoareyou?

Whyareyouhol di nguscapt i ve?Wewantans wers ,damn you! ” Anot herguard pul l ed Maddy away wi t hf armore t endernes st han Avri lwoul d have expect ed.When t he 3 3

t erri f i edbl ondewomanwascl earoft heroom,herwri s t s i ngl owi nghandcuf f s ,t heguardsr el eas edMaddyandt he ot herwomen who had t ri ed t o es cape and l ef t ,s eal i ng t hem al li ns i de.

Maddy f el tal lovert he wal lwher et he doorwas , butt herewasnot hi ng exceptt hes moot hs urf ace.Sl i di ng down t ot he f l oor,s he putherhead i n herhandsand s obbed.

Avri lt hought about t he guards . They cert ai nl y l ookedhuman.Hands omef aces ,t heri ghtnumberofarms and l egs ,ast al land mus cul arasonemi ghtexpectf rom men who were cl earl y wel l t rai ned i n how t o handl e abduct ed,hys t eri calwomen.They l ooked normalexcept f ort he hai r.Butanyone wi t h a bot t l e ofbl ue hai rdye coul d dos omet hi ng s i mi l ar,al t hough s he’ d nevers een a dye j ob qui t el i ke i t .I twas n’ tj us tbl ue,buts hadesof navy,t urquoi s e,and powderbl uenes t l ed t oget heri nt he s t r ands .

Maddy gat hered hers el faf t er a f ew mi nut es and s t oodup,das hi ngt het earsf rom hercheeks .Shebegant o s earch al ong t hewal lagai n,l ooki ng f ora way t o open t he door.Avri lwas n’ ts ure how much t i me had pas s ed, butt hedooropenedagai n.Maddywaswai t i ngandt ri ed t o rus h outbutwass t opped eas i l y bef ore s he goteven onef ootoutt hedoor.

Thi ss econd t i me, onl y one woman s t ood wi t h Maddyandt ri edt ogetout ,asanot herwomanwast aken away i n gl owi ng bl uecuf f s .Thet hi rd t i me,onl y Maddy rai l edagai ns tt hei rcapt i vi t y.

One by one,t hei r numbers s l owl y dwi ndl ed unt i li t wasj us tAvri land Maddy.Avri lmoved over t o Maddy ands atnextt oheragai ns tt henextwal l .

3 4

Nova “ Iwi s hI ’ d havel i s t ened t ot hei ns t i nct st hatt ol d me t hataccept i ngagi f twhenIdi dn’ tknow whoi twasf rom wasa bad i dea.I fonl yI ’ dl i s t ened t o my i nnervoi ce! ” Maddys i ghed. “ You’ rebei ng awf ul l ycal m,Avri l .Areyou i ns hock ors omet hi ng? ” Avri ls hookherhead.“ No.I ’ veal waysbeenabl et o keep a coolhead i n a bad s i t uat i on.Igues spani cki ng i s n’ treal l yi nmynat ure.Imean,don’ tgetmewrong;I ’ m f reaked outon a number ofl evel s .Butl os i ng i t ? ”She s hrugged and ranherhandsacros st hes moot hf abri cof t hes hi f t .“ Ij us tdon’ ts eehow i tcanhel p. ” “ We s houl dj us tgo wi t ht hem wi t houtf i ght i ng? ” Maddy accus ed.“ They t ook us f rom our homes ,and t hey’ recal l i ngus‘ bri des ’ ! ” Avri lf el ta pang ofregretf ora moment ,butknew t hats he’ d been ri ght .Foral lt hei rf i ght i ng,t he women hadn’ tbeenabl et os t opt heot hersf rom bei ngt aken. “ Shrevas ai dt hatwewoul dbes af e. ” “ You t rus t her? She coul d be one of t hem. Or brai nwas hed.Wehavenoguarant eeofours af et y.They coul d promi s eust hemoon and neverdel i ver.Iwantt o gohome,damni t ! ” “ Iwantt ogohome,t oo,Maddy.Butyourf i ght i ng di dn’ tdoanyt hi ngbutkeepeveryonei nas t at eofpani c.

You di dn’ ts t op t hewomen f rom bei ng t aken.You di dn’ t i nj ureanyoft hemen t hatcamet ot aket hem away.For al lyouknow,youmadet hi ngswors ef ort hem.Wors ef or al lofus . ” Maddy bl anched s l i ght l y,her l i ght l yt anned s ki n pal i ng,and t hen hereyesbl azed and s he gnas hed her t eet h.“ Iwon’ tgoqui et l y,Avri l .Youwantt os t andi dl yby whi l e t hes e al i ens cut us apart f or s ome s ci ence experi mentors t rap usdown and us eusf ors ex s l aves , 3 5

t hen go ahead.Iwon’ tgi ve up f i ght i ng unt i lt he l as t breat hhasl ef tmybody. ” Avri l , chi l l ed t o t he core by Kat e’ s words , had openedhermout ht os peakwhent hedooropenedagai n.

Avri lhuggedhert i ght l yandwhi s pered, “ Fi ght ,Avri l .Fi ghtf oral lyou’ rewort h. ” Thei ns t rumentwaved overt het opsoft hei rheads , andoneoft heguardsreachedf orMaddywheni tbeeped overher.Maddyki ckedoutwi t hbot hherl egsandrol l ed t ot hes i de,s hi mmyi ngawayf rom t hei rgras psandraci ng f ort hedoor,t ryi ngoncemoret ogetbet weent heguards .

They s t opped hereas i l y and s eemed unaf f ect ed by her poundi ng f i s t s and s creams f or hel p.Li ke t he capt i ves bef ore t hem,bl ue gl owi ng handcuf f s were pl aced on Maddy' swri s t s ,and t hen t hedoorcl os ed and Avri lwas l ef tt owonderaboutnotonl yMaddy' sf at e,butherown.

Shepaced,debat i nghercours eofact i on.I ts eemed t hatf i ght i ngbackhadn’ treal l yhel pedanyoft hewomen, and maybe i tmade t hi ngs wors ef or t hem.She di dn’ t real l yknow.

Whati ff i ght i ngbackwast hewors tt hi ngs hecoul d do?Shewasf ri ght enedandmi s s edherhome.Sherubbed t he gem on her neckl ace i n t hought .She deci ded t o cont i nuet obecal m and l earn al ls hecoul d.Maybe,j us t maybe,s hecoul df i gureouta wayt ogetbackt oEart h.

She di dn’ thave t he mos texci t i ng l i f e,butno one had as ked heri fs he wasready t o gi ve i tup t o go t os ome al i enpl anet .Bri de.

Shreva s ai dt hey were chos en as bri des by men f rom t hei rpl anet .Al t hough a partofherknew t hatt he t erm bri de coul d real l y be i nt erpret ed i n a myri ad of 3 6

Nova ways ,t hey di ds eem t o begoi ng outoft hei rway t o be ki nd.I ft hey t houghtof t he women as chat t el ,t o be t raded,us ed and abus ed,t hey woul dn’ thave t reat ed t hem s owel l ,woul dt hey?

Shi veri ng, Avri l cl eared her mi nd and t urned t oward t hewal lwheret hedoorwoul d appearwhens he heardt henowf ami l i arwhoos h.Thet woguardswhohad come i n each t i me t o ret ri eve t he women l ooked ather wari l y.She hadn’ texact l yf ormul at ed a pl an,buther i ns t i nctwast odowhat evert heys ai dandt obeasni ceas pos s i bl e.The t wo guards ,bot h oft hem wi t h bl ue hai r, t owered over her f i vef oot t hree f rame. They were weari ng bl ack j umps ui t s and mi l i t arys t yl e boot s .“ I t ’ s t i met ogo, ”oneoft hem s ai d,and s hewondered whyhe wasact ual l yt al ki ng t o heri ns t ead ofj us tgrabbi ng her as he had t he ot hers . Maybe becaus e s he was n’ t s creami ng,f i ght i ng,orcoweri ngi nf ri ght ?

Wi t h a qui ck movementhe at t ached t he gl owi ng cuf f st o herwri s t s ,and s he l i f t ed herhandst ol ook at t hem.Theyl ookedl i kebeamsofl i ght ,butt heyf el theavy andcool . “ Thi s way,pl eas e. ”He ges t ured t oward t he open door,ands hedroppedherhandsandbegant owal k.She caughtt hecuri ousand s urpri s ed l ooksf rom t heguards at t he door but i gnored t hem. They were probabl y wonderi ngwhys hewasbei ngs oqui et .Hes t ayedonher ri ghtandt heot herguardcameonherl ef t ;t heot hert wo guardswal ked behi nd t hem.They moved down a l ong, narrow,ni ckel col oredhal l way. “ Whydi dn’ tyoumanhandl eme? ”Sheas ked. “ Whatdoesi tmean t o‘ manhandl e’ ? ”t he one who putt hecuf f sonheras ked. “ You know,drag me outoft he room,l i ke you di d 3 7

t heot hers ? ” “ Theyf oughtus ;youdi dnot . ” “ Wel l ,i tmi ghthave been hel pf uli fyou had t ol d t hem whatyou were t aki ng t hem f or,where t hey were goi ng, ”s hepoi nt edout . “ Theydi dn’ tas k. ” She gl anced up athi m.He wasvery s eri ous .She hummedi nt hought .“ Sowhereareyout aki ngme? ” “ To yours acros ant ’ schambers .He wi l lans weral l ofyourques t i onsands haret het rut hofyournew l i f e. ” “ Sacrowhat ?”

3 8

Nova

Chapter5 " Sa c r o wh a t ? "

He gl anced down ather,and a s mi l e curved hi s mout hj us ts l i ght l y. “ Theonewhowant edust ot akeyou. ” “ Ah,s oi twas n’ tj us tmy random bad l uck t o be abduct ed? ”Shef el ta l i t t l eedgeofhys t eri a and t ri ed t o t ampi tdown.Cal m down,Avri lRos e.Shereachedupt o t ucka s t rand ofhai rbehi nd herearand wasremi nded t hats hewasapri s onerwhent hecuf f sf l as hedi nf rontof hereyes . “ No,you werechos en f ora reas on,Avri lWat s on .

Al lwi l lbereveal eds oont oyou. ” Shel ett hati nf ormat i on proces sf ora f ew mi nut es ast heywal ked,t urni ng t hi swayand t hatdown vari ous met al l i ccol oredhal l ways . “ Whydoyou s peakEngl i s h? ”s heas ked af t ers ome t i mehadpas s ed. “ We don’ t .When you were bei ng exami ned by t he medi calt eam,you were gi ven a t rans l at ori mpl antt hat al l owsyou t os peak i n ourl anguage and heari n your own. ” “ SoI ’ ms peaki ngi nyourl anguage? ” “ Yes . ”Henodded.“ Thereares omewordst hatwon’ t 3 9

t rans l at e,whi ch i swhyIdi dn’ tunders t and ‘ manhandl e’ , but f or t he mos t part , you are s peaki ng f l awl es s As t ori ni ant hel anguageofourhomeworl d. ” Theyent ereds omet hi ngl i keagl as sel evat or,andi t moved s wi f t l yupward unt i lhers t omachf el tl i kei tmi ght bes omewheredownbyherf eet . “ Ourpeopl edon’ tknow much abouts pacet ravel , ” s hes ai d. “ The As t ori ni an peopl e are very advanced.You’ l l l earnal lyouneedt oknow f rom yours acros ant . ” Advanced peopl e,buts t i l labduct i ng women l i ke s omebarbari anrace.

Thedoorss l i dopen,andt heywal keddownanot her f ew hal l waysbef ore s t oppi ng.The onl yt hi ng aboutt he s moot hwal loft hehal l wayt hatl ookedoutofpl acewasa pad abouts houl derhei ghtt hatwasbl ack wi t h a green gri d oni t .Theguard whohad s pokent oherpres s ed hi s pal m t ot he doorand s ai d,“ I t ’ sCapt ai n Nyke,Hazt hn I haveyourbri de. ” Bri de?Therewast hatwordagai n.

She had a mi nd t oj us trun l i ke mad down t he hal l way,s creami ngi nt error,butt hent hedoors l i dopen, and s t andi ng i nt heopen doorway wasoneoft hemos t beaut i f ulmen s he’ d ever s een i n her l i f e.Her mout h dropped open and al lt hought soff l eei ng i nt errorwere s weptaway.

Themani nt hedoorwayhel douthi swri s t ,adorned wi t h a bracel etwi t ht he s ame i ri des cents t one hung i n bet ween i nt ri cat el y carved gol den l i nks .The guard who had i dent i f i ed hi ms el f as Capt ai n Nyke us ed a s mal l i ns t rumentt hes i zeofapenandt ouchedt hebracel et .The man l ooked athers hyl y,runni ng hi sf reehand t hrough hi st hi ckbl uehai r.Then Capt ai n Nyket ouched t hegem 4 0

Nova on herneckl ace wi t h hi spen.Two beepss ounded f rom t he pen,and Capt ai n Nyke s l i di ti nt o a pocketofhi s uni f orm.“ Al li si norderhere.Goodl uck,andcongrat s.”

Capt ai n Nyke unl ocked t he cuf f sf rom around her wri s t sandpocket edt hem i ns i dehi suni f orm.

Thebeaut i f ulman s t epped backi nt ot heroom and ges t uredi ns i de.“ Won’ tyoucomei n,pl eas e,Avri l? ” Shel ookedupatCapt ai nNyke,whomout hed' have f un' ,wi nked,and s mi l ed.She s t epped i n,as t he door whi s ked s hutbehi nd her.s hes t ared i n conf us i on att he mani nf rontofher.

Hi seyesroved overherqui ckl y,happi nes sl i ght i ng hi sf eat ures and maki ng hi m even more i mpos s i bl y beaut i f ult hanbef ore.Hi si cebl ueeyesf oundhersagai n, and he s mi l ed.“ I ’ m Hazt hn Ori yan .I ’ m s o happy t o f i nal l ymeetyou,Avri l . ” Her mout h went dry and f ear l i cked at her. “ What …whatareyougoi ngt odot ome? ” He f rowned,hi sl us h mout h drawi ng down.“ Do? ” Unders t andi ng dawned on hi sf eat ures ,and he act ual l y l ooked s i ck.“ Not hi ng!Ij us twantt o gett o know you.I won’ thurtyou,Ipromi s e.You’ reperf ect l ys af eherei nmy room ont hes hi p. ” “ Noof f ens e,butIdon’ twantt ogett oknow you;I wantt ogohome. ”Sheground hert eet ht oget her,yel l i ng athers el ft os t op t al ki ng.So much f orbei ng agreeabl e andf i ndi ngawayt oes cape.

Hes hookhi shead,hi spret t ybl uehai rmovi ngwi t h t hemot i on.“ We’ real readyoutofyours ol ars ys t em.There i sabs ol ut el ynowayf oryout oret urnt oEart h. ” Shes t ared atHazt hn .Hes eemed ent i rel ys i ncere.

Notonl y aboutherbei ng s af e wi t h hi m,butabouther now bei ngf arawayf rom Eart h.Shewas n’ ts urewhys he bel i evedhi m,buts hedi d.

4 1

“ Ineed t os i tdown, ”s hes ai d weakl y,f eel i ng l i kes he mi ghtpas s out .He s t art ed wi t h al arm and pul l ed her s wi f t l yt oa l ong couch.Shes ankdown i nt ot hecus hi ons and puther head i n her hands .He di s appeared,and af t erheret urnedaf ew moment sl at er,hehadas t eami ng cupi nhi shand. “ Thi si s hot t ea made f rom t he beri pl ant .I t ’ s s oot hi ng. ” He s atacros sf rom her on a s mal lot t oman,t he s ames hadeofbei geast hecouchs hewass i t t i ngon.She t ooka t ent at i ves i p oft hebrew and f ound i tt as t ed l i ke s weet enedchamomi l e.Hi shai r,l i kes everaloft heguards i ncl udi ng Capt ai nNyke,wasmul t i pl es hadesofbl ue,cut s hortand mes s ed carel es s l y.Hi seyeswere i ce col d bl u butl umi nous ,remi ndi ng her ofa f ul lwi nt er moon .A s t r ai ghtnos eandhi ghcheekbonesgavehi m aregall ook, andt heperf ectl i neofhi sj aw andt hel us hnes sofhi sf ul l , pl ump l i psmadeherbodyt i ght en wi t hl us t ,even asher brai nremi ndedhers hewant edt ogohome.

Hef i dget ed,s eemi ngunwi l l i ngt obearherwat chf ul gaze,whi ch s hef ound odd.Hewasbeaut i f ul .Surel y he wasus edt opeopl el ooki ngathi m. “ Sot el lmewhyt heheckI ’ m here, ”s hes ai df i nal l y, put t i ngt hecupdownonas mal lendt abl ewi t hat opt hat l ookedl i kemot herof pearl .Hedar t edhi sbl ueeyesupt o hersand ran hi shandst hrough hi shai r,t hen dropped hi seyesdownandbegant os peak.

On t hei rhomeworl d ofAs t ori a ,t hei rmat ed coupl es had s t opped gi vi ng bi rt ht o baby gi rl ss everaldecades earl i er.Thos et hatwere born were f ound t o be s t eri l e whent heywereol d enought omarryand s t arta f ami l y.

4 2

Nova Somet i mes ,veryi nf r equent l y,a f emal ewoul d beabl et o bear chi l dren,butnever f emal e chi l dren,onl y mal es .

Thei rs ci ent i f i ccommuni t yworkedhardt of i ndt hereas on f or t hi ss udden mut at i on t hat t hreat ened t o be t he event ualendoft hei rki nd,butf oundnounderl yi ngcaus e f ori torway t o revers ei t .I nt he meant i me,onl y boys wer e born, and t hos e boys needed wi ves . Femal es capabl e ofproduci ng chi l dren were becomi ng i ns hort s uppl y and f i ght s broke outcons t ant l y over t hos ef ew.

Thei r government s ent out s hi ps t of i nd pl anet st hat cont ai ned bi ol ogi cal l y compat i bl ef emal es .They f ound s everalpl anet si ndi f f erents ol ars ys t ems ,andt heybegan t obri ngt hos ewomenhomeasbri des .

Al otoft hi ngs wentt hrough Avri l ' s mi nd as he s pokeaboutt hel os sont hei rpl anet .Shedi df eels orryf or t hem,buts he had herown l i f e back on Eart h and s he want ed t ogetbackt oi t .Al t hough s hewoul d admi tt hat s hewasat t ract edt ohi m,andcuri ousaboutl i f eonot her pl anet s ,s he washuman and s he want ed t o be back on Eart h,peri od. " I ' ms os orry.Idon' tknow i fIcanhel p" “ What do you mean? ” Hi s brow f urrowed i n conf us i on. “ I ' m a woman f rom eart h. . .and youra man not f rom eart h.And bes i desi tdoes n' tmean I ' m gonna want t odot hi s .Ibel ongoneart h. " Shewas n’ ts ure,butf orj us tamoment ,i tl ookedas i fhe washeart broken.Butt he emot i on pas s ed overhi s f aces of as ts hewas n’ ts ures he’ dact ual l ys eeni t . “ Ofcours e you are, know t hat .Butf or now,we can' tgoback”Hi svoi cewass of tand s oot hi ng,and s he had a s udden urge t o crawli nt o hi sarmsand l ethi m hol dher.

St eel i ng hers el fagai ns tt hos e dangeroust hought s , 4 3

s hegrowl ed,“ I ’ m notgoi ng t ohaves exwi t hyou,s oyou mi ghtaswel lhavet hem s endmeback. ” “ It ol d you,t here’ sno way t hatyou can ret urn t o Eart h.I ’ ms orryt hatyou’ reups et .Iwoul dnevert akeyou agai ns t your wi l l , Avri l ; I want you t o come t o me wi l l i ngl y. ” She s nort ed and her eyes pas s ed hi m.“ Thatwi l l neverhappen. ” Whi l e s he mi ght have expect ed anger at her f l i ppantremarks ,t hes adnes st hateas edoverhi sf eat ures madegui l tpri ckather.

Hes t ood up s l owl y and s moot hed hi shandsdown t hef rontofhi sbl ackembroi deredt uni cl i kes hi rtHewas weari ng mat chi ng pant sand whi t es hoes .“ Letmes how you t he res t of t he chamber,and t hen I ’ l l make us s omet hi ngt oeat . ” Shes t aredathi sof f eredhand. “ J us ts ol ongaswe’ recl ear. ” “ Weare, ”hes ai d evenl y.Shet ookhi shand and he pul l ed herup f rom t hecouch.Fora bri efmoment ,t hei r bodi es t ouched,and s he was very aware oft he l ean, mus cul ar body underneat ht he cl ot hi ng,t he heatt hat radi at edf rom hi m.Hes mel l edi ncredi bl e,l i kedarks pi ces .

Comi ng back t o hers el fs uddenl y,s hel etgo ofhi s hand and f ol l owed hi m t hrough t he f rontroom.“ Thi si s t he cooki ng area. ”I twas j us tof ft he f rontroom and cont ai nedaref ri gerat or,apant ry,acookt opt hatl ooked f art oodi f f i cul tf orhert ooperat e,and a met al l i cs i nk.A dooropened t ot heri ghtoft heki t chen,and hes ai d,“ Al l t he doors ,exceptf ort he one l eadi ng i nt ot he hal l way, wi l lopen f or you atany t i me;t hey’ re programmed t o recogni zeyou.I fyouwantt hel i ght sonorof f ,yous i mpl y s ayt hecommand. ” 4 4

Nova She nodded and f ol l owed hi m t hrough t he open door.I ns i dewasabedroom.Ahugebeds ati nt hecorner, coveredwi t hdarkgr eenbl anket sandapi l eofpi l l owsi n vari ouss hadesofgreen.Pret t ys as heshung f rom hooks i nt hecei l i ngandcreat edagauzy,dreamyef f ectaround t hebed.

Heopened t hedoorsofa darkcabi net .“ Hereare cl ot hesf oryou.Ourwomendres si nt uni csand s l acksor dres s es .Thereares hoes ,t oo. ” She was a l i t t l es t unned att he array ofcol orf ul cl ot hi ngi ns i de.Shet ouchedt hehem ofonedres s .“ Thes e aref orme? ” “ Ofcours e.Idi dn’ tknow whatcol or syoul i ked,s oI gotyoual i t t l eofeveryt hi ng.Whenwegethome,youcan havet hi ngsmadei nanycol oryoul i ke. ” “ Eart hi smyhome, ”s heremi ndedhi m.

Hes ai dnot hi ngands hutt hedoor.Att hef arendof t heroom,a dooropened f ort hem,reveal i ng a bat hroom t hatl ooked l i kei twasnes t l ed i nt hemi ddl eofa garden.

Thewal l swerepai nt ed wi t h beaut i f ult r eesand f l owers , wi t h bi rdsand but t erf l i est hatal mos tappeared t omove amongs tt he l eaves .The f l oorwast he col orofs ummer gras s ,and f el ts of tunderf oot ,l i kef oam.I nt hecent erof t heroom wasa l argepoolt hathes ai d wasf orbat hi ng.

Wi t ht hes i mpl ecommand“ f i l l ” ,t hepools t art edt of i l lup, t he s t eami ng wat er churni ng as i t ros e qui ckl y.“ The t emperat ur ei sregul at edhere, ”hes ai d,pres s i ngas mal l bl uepaneli nt hewal lneart het ubandadj us t i ngal ever upanddown. “ Tes ti t ,andt el lmei fi t ’ shotenough. ” She reached down and l ett he wat erbubbl e over herf i ngers .I tf el tper f ect . “ I t ’ sgood. ”Abat hs oundedheavenl yri ghtt hen.She neededs omet i met oabs orbwhats he’ dl earned.

4 5

He moved t oa t al lcabi netand pul l ed outa f l uf f y t owel .“ Thi si sa rakidryi ng t owel ;i t ’ smadet o dry you i ns t ant l y. ”Hes etouta t ray ofj ars ,whi ch heexpl ai ned wer es hampoosand s oaps ,and hepoi nt ed outt het oi l et , whi ch l ooked l i ke a regul ar Eart h t oi l et wi t h an aut of l us hi ngmechani s m. “ Whenyou’ redone,you canchangei nt os omet hi ng f rom t hecabi net . ” Shel i ked t hei dea ofget t i ng outoft hes hi f t .I tj us t remi nded hert hatal i enshad been l ooki ng atherwhi l e s hewasnakedanduncons ci ous .Hemus thavecaughtt he embarras s mentt hatcros s ed her f ace and pi nked her cheeksbecaus ehes ai d,“ Not hi ngbadhappensduri ngt he exam;you weres t ri pped ofyourcl ot hi ng and puton an exam t abl ebymedi calpers onnel .Yourbodywass canned, and t hen you were t aken i nt o a bat hi ng chamber and dres s ed.I twasal ldonebyf emal emedi calpers onnel . ” “ Oh,t hat ’ sarel i ef , ”s hes ai d,butt hewomenwhi l e s hewaswi t hmi ghtnotl i ket hatweregoi ngt ot akeaway t hehumi l i at i onofi t .

He opened and cl os ed hi s mout h s everal t i mes bef orehef i nal l ys ai d,“ I ’ m goi ngt omakeuss omet hi ngt o eat .Takeasl ongasyoul i ke,Avri l. ” Hel ef t .Ass heheard t hebedroom doors ni cks hut , s hewhi s pered," I t ' sRos e"and s hef el lt o herkneesand wept . *** Sheus ed t hedryi ng t owelaf t erherl ong bat h,and i t real l ys oaked up t he wat er f as t .Even her hai r was per f ect l ydryaf t eronl ya coupl eofmi nut eswrapped up 4 6

Nova i nt het owel .Us i ngabrus hl ef tonas mal lcount eri nf ront ofan ovalmi rror,s he brus hed herhai runt i li ts hone, f al l i ng i n wavespas thers houl ders .Hers l at egrayeyes wer eri nged wi t h darkci rcl esand red f rom cryi ng,and her f ace was bl ot chy.Nott hats he cared.I twoul d be bet t er i f he hat ed her or f ound her repul s i ve, but s omet hi ng t ol d hert hathewoul dn’ t ,nomat t erwhats he l ooked l i ke.Hazt hn l ooked atherl i kes hewasa mi s s i ng partofhi ms el f .Shedrudgedatt henot i onandopenedt he cabi net .She opened one oft he narrow drawers i ns i de and f ound s i l ky undergarment s . She s el ect ed a pal e peachs et .Thebrawasl i ght l yl i nedandverycomf ort abl e, aswere t he pant i es ,whi ch rode l ow on herhi ps .Af t er l ooki ngt hrought hecl ot hes ,s hes el ect edanavybl uet ank and mat chi ng s l ackst hatwere made outofa s of tbut s hi ny mat eri al .She s l i pped on a pai rofs of tbal l et s t yl e s l i pperst hatmat ched t heout f i t ,and l ooked athers el fi n t hemi rror.Thet opandpant shi ghl i ght edt hel us hcurves ofherpet i t ebody.

Thet ophadal ow,s quareneckl i neandwi des t raps , and i tcutj us tunderherbel l y but t on,s oa l i t t l e bi tof f l es hs howed bef oret hewai s tofherpant s .Thebedroom dooropened ass heneared i t ,and hers t omach growl ed as s oon as s he s mel l ed t he f ood s i t t i ng on t he t abl e.

Hazt hn wass t andi ng byoneoft wochai rs ,and s het ook t heonehepul l edoutf orherands atdown.Hepi ckedup herpl at eand t al ked aboutt hedi s hesasheputs omeof everyt hi ngonherpl at e.

Shedranka s weetf rui tj ui ceasheent ai l ed and at e everyt hi ng,f eel i ng l i ke s he hadn’ teat en i n days ,whi ch prompt edhert oques t i onj us thow l ongs hehadbeenout oft hi ngs . “ Ourdaysare s i mi l art o yours ,butwe cal lt hem novas.The drugskeptyou uncons ci ousf orhal fofone 4 7

nova. ” Shecoul dt el lt hathewant ed t ot al kmore,buts he want ed t ot hi nk,s ot he s i l ence hung heavi l y bet ween t hem.

When t hey weref i ni s hed eat i ng,hes enthert os i t on t hecouch wi t h a ref i l l ed gl as soff rui tj ui cewhi l ehe cl eaned up.Ashemoved qui et l y and ef f i ci ent l yt hrough t he s mal lki t chen area,s he mus ed on t he s i t uat i on.He had s ai dt hats hecoul dn’ tgo back t o Eart h.Buti ft hey had come t o Eart h,t hen t hey cert ai nl y coul dt ake her back.Perhapsi fs hewasrudeormean t o hi m,t hen he mi ghtnotl i keher,andhewoul dbewi l l i ngt oarrangef or her t o be s entback.Then her brai n’ s equi val entofa warni ngbel lwentof f .Whati fher ej ect edherbecaus eof herbehavi or,and s hewass entof ft os omeki nd ofs l ave campors omet hi ng?

When he s atdown on t he ot t oman i nf rontofher agai n,s hehad t hes t ranges tf eel i ng t hathewass et t i ng hi ms el fbel ow her,asi fhedi dn’ tt hi nkhedes ervedt os i t on t he couch wi t h her.Somet hi ng aboutt hatt hought , aboutt hewayhehel dhi ms el fs hyl yawayf rom her,made herheartache.Butj us ta l i t t l e.Shewant ed t ogohome.

She di dn’ twantt o care aboutt hi sman who had s t ol en herf rom herhome. “ Can Is ee t he women who were i nt he cel lwi t h me? ” “ No.There i s n’ tany cont actal l owed bet ween t he bri desunt i lal unarcycl ehaspas s edonourhomeworl d. ” Shef rowned.“ What ’ sal unarcycl e? ” “ You woul d cal li ta mont h.Therearet went yei ght novasi nal unarcycl e. ” Theyprobabl ydi dn’ twantt hewomenal lgat heri ng 4 8

Nova t oget herand ri s i ng up agai ns tt hei rcapt ors .Al t hough i t waski ndofhardt os ees hyHazt hnasacapt or.“ Sohow l ongdoesi tt aket ogett oyourhomeworl d? ” “ Threel unarcycl es . ” Threemont hsoft ravel ,and t hen t heydi dn’ tal l ow cont actf oranot hermont h af t ert hat .Theymus twantt o make cert ai nt he women were happy wi t ht hei r men bef oret heyal l owed t hem cont actwi t ht hei rown peopl e.

Wel l ,s o much f orcons pi ri ng wi t h Maddy orany oft he ot herwomen.

Hel i cked hi sl i psnervous l y,“ Ican puton a vi d,i f you’ dl i ket owat chs omet hi ng. ” “ Vi d? ” Heges t ured t oa s creen hangi ng agai ns tt hewal l , and s hereal i zed t hatbyvi d hemeanta movi eors how. “ I ’ m ki ndoft i red. ” “ Oh,I ’ m s orry.Iwas n’ tt hi nki ng.Letme t urn t he bed down f or you. ”She was goi ng t o prot es tt hats he coul dt urndownt hebedhers el f ,buthewass t andi ngup andhol di ngouthi shandt oherwi t hs uchanearnes tl ook on hi sf acet hats hedi dn’ thavet heheartt os ayno.She l ethi ml eadheri nt ot heroom,wherehef i rs topenedt he cabi net ,pul l edouts omecl ot hesandhandedt hem t oher, s ayi ng s he coul d change i nt he bat hroom,and t hen he bus i edhi ms el fpul l i ngof ft hemoundedpi l l ows .

She changed outoft he t op and pant sand f ound t hathe’ d gi ven her a s etofcomf yl ooki ng paj amas ,a s hort s l eeved t op and a pai rofs hort si nl i ghtpi nk.She s t epped outoft hebat hroom and f ound hi m s t andi ng i n t hedoorwayweari ng onl ya pai rofl oungepant swi t ha draws t ri ng wai s t .Hi supperbody wasbare,and i nt he l ow l i ght of t he room,s he s aw how wel l def i ned hi s mus cl esreal l ywere.Al t houghnotl arge,hewasperf ect l y s cul pt ed,as i fs omeone had s atdown and mol ded t he 4 9

per f ectman.

She knew he caught her l ooki ng at hi m, and embarras s mentmadeherl as h out .“ You can’ ts l eep wi t h me.I ’ drat herbeont hecouch. ” Thats ames adl ooks kat edt hroughhi seyes ,andhe t ook i n a s l ow breat h and s ai d wi t h a s of t voi ce, “ Goodni ght ,Ros e” Avri l ' s eyes wi dened as , t he door s l i ds hut .She t urnedandwal kedouti nt ot heot herroom,ands hes t ood next t o t he bed i n dumbf ounded s i l ence f or s everal mi nut es .Ros e?andhads hes eens carsonhi sback?

Shes ai d“ l i ght sof f ”af t ers hewass et t l edundert he covers ,andt heroom becamepi t chbl acki nani ns t ant .As s he s t ared i nt ot he darknes s ,s he t houghtaboutEart h.

Hermot her.Herf ri ends .I fs he’ d known t hatt hos el as t f ew mi nut es were goi ng t o be her l as ton Eart h,s he woul dhavedonet hi ngsdi f f erent l y.Cal l edhermot hert he ni ghtbef ore,even t hough s hewoul d haveal readybeen i nbed,s os hecoul d apol ogi zef ornotcal l i ng and l ether know how much s he l oved her.Thanked Kel l yf orbei ng s uch a s upport i ve f ri end. Hugged her Mys t ery cl ub f ri endsal i t t l et i ght er ,al i t t l el onger.Regrethungheavi l y around herand t earss t ung hereyes ,buts he di dn’ tl et t hem f al l .Shedi dn’ tknow whatwoul dhappent oher,but s hecoul dn’ tgi veupont hehopet hats hewoul dret urnt o Eart hats omepoi nt .

Hermi ndrepl ayedoverandoverhow s he’ dbeens o cl os et opus hi ngt he‘ cal l ’but t ononhercel landt al ki ngt o hermot her.Sheprayed s hewoul d geta chancet omake t hatcal l .

Exhaus t i on s et t l ed overher,pus hi ng awayt hes ad t hought s ,ands hes l i ppeddowni nt os l eepqui ckl y.

5 0

Nova

Chapter6 Sh ewo k eu pto whatsounded l i ke s omeone cryi ng

outf or hel p.For a moments he t houghts he was back home i n herbed,butwhen s he reached f orheral arm cl ockt ot urn i ts os hecoul ds eet het i me,s hef el lof ft he bedreachi ngf orwhatwas n’ tt here.

Curs i ng,s hes ai d,“ Li ght son! ”Theroom i l l umi nat ed bri ght l y,and s he groaned att he i nt ens i t y.Doi ng what Hazt hn had s ai d,s he grumbl ed,“ Li ght sdi m! ”Hereyes adj us t ed t o whatamount ed t o candl el i ght ,bat hi ng t he room i ns of tamber.Rubbi ng f i rs thereyesand t hen her kneesf rom wheres he’ dl andedont hef l oor,s hes t oodup and wentt ot he door.I topened,and s he di dn’ thear anyt hi ng,buts hecoul ds eef rom a s mal lf l i ckeri ng bl ue s t one on t he s i de t abl e by t he couch t hatHazt hn was s l eepi ng t here.Hel ooked as l eep s t i l l ,s os hewasmovi ng t ogobacki nt ot hebedroom whenhebegant hras hi ngon t hecouchandcri edouti nt error,“ No!Don’ tt akeherf rom me! ” Sherus hedt ohi m,i gnori ngt hepai ni nherkneesas s hedroppedbyt hecouchandgrabbedhi sf l ai l i nghands . “ Hazt hn. .Hazt hn! ”s hes ai dl oudl y.Hi seyespopped open and hi swi l d gaze t ook a f ew s econdst of ocuson her;t hen he grabbed her t o hi m i naf i erce hug.“ I 5 1

t houghtt heyweret aki ngyou,Ros e. ” Somet hi ng warmed t hrough her,and al t hough s he knew i twasf ool i s ht os i tt hereandl ethi m hol dherwhen s hewast ryi ngt of i gureoutawayt ogetbackhome,s he di dn’ tt ry t o break hi shol d.She putherhandsaround hi m gi ngerl yands ai di nal ow voi ce,“ Youwerehavi nga ni ght mare,i t ’ sokaynow. ” Hef rozeand rel eas ed herabrupt l y.Si t t i ng up and s coot i ng awayf rom her,heunt angl edmhi sl egsf rom t he bl anketand s ai d wi t hat rembl i ng voi ce,“ Tht hank you f orcomi ngouthere.I ’ ms orryt hatIgrabbedyou. ” Shewasgoi ngt ot el lhi mt hati twasokay,t hats he unders t oodni ght maresbecaus es he’ dhadhers hareasa chi l d,buthedi dn’ tgi veherachance. " i t ' sOK. . .i thappens. " He as ked i fhe coul d us et he bat hr oom bef ore s he wentback t o bed and s he nodded mut el y and wat ched hi ms t umbl ei nt ot hebedroom.Thi st i me,s hecl earl ys aw t hes carsonhi sbackandhadf el tt hem underherf i ngers .

What everhadhappenedt ohi mi nt hepas t ,he’ dnotbeen t reat ed wel l .The f l i ckeri ng i ri des cents t one caughther eye and s he reached a t ent at i ve hand outf ori t .There was no warmt h comi ng f rom i t ,s os he l ether f i nger grazei tl i ght l y.I tl ooked l i kea pri s m crys t alwi t ha l i t t l e f l amei ns i de. “ You’ l lbeokay? ”s heas kedwhenheret urnedt ot he couch.Henodded,embarras s ed,ands ai dgoodni ght .She wal ked back t o t he bedroom and cl i mbed i nt o bed, wonderi ng whyi tbot hered hers omuch t hathe’ d had a ni ght mare. He dreamed about her bei ng t aken? She s hi veredatt het hought .

Sl eep t ooka l ong t i met o come,and when s hedi d 5 2

Nova dozeof ff i nal l y,s hedreamedaboutHazt hn. *** Thenextmorni ng,Hazt hnputabowli nf rontofher t hatl ookedl i kebl oodredoat meal .Shes t areddownati t .

Abubbl eros eandpoppedands hegas pedands coot ed backi nherchai r.Hazt hnchuckl edandputamet als poon i nt hebowl ,s t i rri ngi tup. “ That ’ snor mal .I t ’ sf erment ed,mas hedj i l oroot ,mi xed wi t ht hegrai nsoft hehoi rpl ant .I t ’ sat radi t i onal mor ni ngmeal . ” Whenhes t i rredi t ,t hecol ordeepened.Hers t omach t ookt hatmomentt or umbl e,ands hepi ckedupas poonf ul and t ook a del i cat es ni f f .I ts mel l ed mi l d and s l i ght l y bready. “ Whati snormalf oryourpeopl e? ” “ Cof f eeand donut s , ”s heans wered.When hedi dn’ t s ayanyt hi ng,s hel ookedupandf oundhi m wai t i ngf oran expl anat i on.“ Cof f eei sa dark,s l i ght l y bi t t ercaf f ei nat ed dri nkt hatmos tpeopl edri nki nt hemorni ngt ohel pt hem wakeup.Anddonut saref ri edl umpsofdoughcoveredi n s weetgl aze,s omet i mesf i l l edwi t hj el l i esori ci ngs . ” Hes mi l ed and hummed i n hi st hroat .“ Iwi l lt ry t o f i nd t hi ngst hatmi ghtbemoret oyourl i ki ng,butdot ry t hedi s h,i tt as t esbet t ert hani tl ooks . ” “ I twoul d havet o, ”s hemut t ered underherbreat h.

She t ook a s mal lbi t e of ft he end oft he s poon,chewed and s wal l owed.I tt as t ed very mi l d,al mos tl i ke pl ai n cream ofwheat ,butwi t h a real l yl umpy t ext ure l i ke bread puddi ng.Butt hecol orwasj us ts oof f put t i ng.She concent rat ed ont het abl ei nf rontofherand at ewi t hout l ooki ng i nt ot he bowl ,f i ndi ng t hatonce s he gotus ed t o t het as t es hecoul d pi ckup s omedi f f erentf l avors .I twas grai nyandl i ght l ys weet .

5 3

Avri lremembered hi m cal l i ng her Ros e yes t erday and broughti tup," You cal l ed me Ros e yes t erday.How di dyouknow t hat? " He l ooked down and gri nned s of t l y," You s ai di t yes t erdayi nt hebat hroom.Ij us ts ohappened t oheari t bef oreImadedi nner .Awhol el otofpeopl ecal lyouAvri l, butyouwantt obecal l edRos e.I ' m goi ngt ores pectyour wi s hes . " Avri l ' s eyes wi dened.For t he f i rs tt i me s i nce her f at her' sdeat hs hewascal l ed Ros eagai n.Thatwasher mi ddl enamegi vent oherbyherf at her.Ros e.

Hergl anceret urned t ot hebowland s hes cooped upmoreoft hemi xt ure. " And you ?are you cal l ed Hazt hn al lt he t i me ?i t canbearealt onguebi t eri fyous ayi tt oof as t . " Hechuckl ed."Haz.Youcancal lmeHaz. " Haz.The ni ckname onl ys ai d by hi ss i s t er J oaan.

Fi nal l ys omet hi ng pers onalbet ween her and me ,he t hought .He caughthi ms el fgri nni ng a l i t t l e more and di vert edi tt ot hecei l i ng.Avri ll ookeddownatherbowl . " Nobodycal l edyouRos e,di dt hey? " " No.Notevenmyex."

Hecockedaneyebrow," Ex? " " Yeaht hos epeopl eyouneverwantt os eeagai n."

Haz l ooked away f rom t he s ubj ect ,butwant ed t o know whyhemadehert hatway. " How come? " " He cheat ed on me wi t ht wo ot herwomen.att he s amet i me.he' spret t ymuchawhore. " " Whore?What ' st hat? " " Um.a whore,s omeonewhogi vest hei rbodyaway f reel y. i n hi s cas e f or t he enj oyment of s ex . . . and probabl ymoney. " 5 4

Nova Shecoul dofs wornhi m hurtbyherwordsbutwhen s hegotact ualeyecont acthedi dn' ts eem t obes o. " That ' sawf ul .Iwoul dneverdot hatt oyou.andt obe hones ti ft hatwashi swayoft hi nki ng,he' snotaman.i f woul d ofknown s ooner.Iwoul d ofki cked hi sas s .

"He l ooked up backFrom hi srantand apol ogi zed."

Sorry,I di dn' tmeant o. . . " " Preach,Haz.s omeoneneedst o. " Het wi t ched a gri n and run hi sf i ngerst hrough hi s hai r. " You s houl d groom t hatbet t ernextt i meyou geta cut ; .i t dl ookbet t er. " Hel ookeddownagai nanddi dn' tans wer.

Af t ert hati twaspret t ymuchs i l ence. Whenf i ni s hedwi t h breakf as t ,Hazs howedherhow t oworkt hevi d,andt hey wat chedamovi eabouthi spl anet .Oncemore,i ns t eadof s i t t i ng nextt o heron t he couch,he s aton t he ot t oman.

Thevi d wasl i kea document ary,al t hough i twasut t erl y s el f s ervi ng,whi ch wasprobabl yt hepoi nt .Li ket heone s he’ ds eeni nt heroom wi t ht heot herwomen,i twasmade f rom t he s t andpoi ntofexpl ai ni ng t he As t ori a worl dt o newcomers .I ts howed onl yt he bes tpart s oft he l and, ci t i ngt hei rmi l i t ary’ sabi l i t yt okeept hei rs horesands ki es s af e,t hei rs ci ent i f i cand engi neer i ng bri l l i ance ats pace t ravel ,andt hei ncredi bl ebeaut yoft hel and. “ We’ l ll i vet here. ”Heges t ured t oa l argemap t hat popped up on t hes creen.“ Wherei ts aysAus t rand.I t ’ sa s mal lt ownout s i deoft hecapi t alofKedri nCi t y. ” Shef ol dedherarms.“ Myhomei sbackonEart h.I havea apart menti nal i t t l equi ett ownt hatI ’ dl i ket oget backt o. ” He i gnored her comment and s ai d,“ There i sa mus eum wi t hi n wal ki ng di s t anceand a real l yni cepark.

5 5

There’ s nota l otofpropert y,butenough f or a s mal l garden,i fyoul i ket odot hat ? ” Shes i ghed.Hewass o ent hus i as t i cand s weeti twas hard t o be di s mi s s i ve,es peci al l y when he l ooked l i ke a woundedpuppy.“ Ineverhadanypl acet ogrow anyt hi ng.

ButImi ghtl i ke i t ,i fIhad t he t i me. ”Hi si ce bl ue eyes gl i t t ered happi l y when he l ooked ather,and he went back t o expl ai ni ng t he wonders oft he s t reett hathe cal l edhomewhi l es hegrous edi nt ernal l yatbei ngunabl e t okeephi m atarm’ sl engt h.Shewonderedhow t heot her womenweref ari ng.

Whent hevi d wasover,hes ai d,“ Whatdi d youl i ke t odoonyourpl anet ? ” “ Iworkedasacomput ert ech. ” “ Whati sa‘ t ech’ ? ” “ Techni ci an.If i x comput ers.butreal l yt hat ' snot myrealj ob.I ' ms t i l latcol l ege. " " Wheredoyouworkasa' t ech' ? " " Us ed t o.t he hot s potcaf e.i t ' san i nt ernetcaf e.I f i xedt hecomput ersl i t t l eki dsbreaknearl yeveryday.i t ' s l i keadaycaret here. " " ' daycare' ? " " Where parent sdrop of fki dst o be t aken care of when t hey' re atwork duri ng t he day.Us ual l y,i ft he parent swork,t hey wi l lt aket hem t o daycareand ot her adul t swi l lwat ch t hem,al ong wi t h ot herchi l dren t hei r age,andt hey’ l ll earnandpl ay.Us ual l y. " Henodded,ands hes ai d,“ Doyouhavedaycareon yourpl anet ? ”Al t hough s hes t i l lwant ed t o go home,s he coul dn’ thel p butwonder. . . i fs he was s t uck on As t ori a, whatwoul ds hedo?

Shaki nghi shead,hes ai d,“ No.Oneparenti shome 5 6

Nova wi t ht hechi l drenatal lt i mes ,unt i lt heyareol denought o got os chool . ” She f ound hers el ff rowni ng. She’ d want ed t o get marri ed and havebabi esand s t ay homewi t ht hem,t he way hermot herhad wi t h her.Buts he’ d pl anned t o do t hatonEart h.Shewasal i t t l ebi trel i evedt oknow t hati t wass omet hi ng t hatt het wopl anet shad i ncommon,t hat oneoft heparent swasa caregi verwhi l et heot herone wor ked. “ Whatdoyoudo,Haz? ”s heas ked,awarehehadn’ t real l yt ol dhermuchabouthi ms el f .

He’ dt al ked atl engt h aboutt he pl anet ,buthad reveal edl i t t l epers onal l y.Hef rozef oramoment ,ands he wonderedi fs he’ ds ai ds omet hi ngt oups ethi m.Whens he wasgoi ng t o as k hi m i fs omet hi ng waswrong,he s ai d s uddenl y,“ Is avedmoneybef oret hi st ri ps ot hatwecoul d s pend t i met oget heroncewewerebackonpl anet .When t het i mecomes ,I ’ l lf i nd work. ”Hes pokeani mat edl y,but s hef el tl i kei twasaf al s ehappi nes s .Bef ores hecoul das k hi mt oel aborat e,hes ai d,“ Tel lmewhatyoudi dwhenyou wer enotatt hedaycarewi t hot her s ’chi l dren. ” He s eemed genui nel yi nt eres t ed i n her,and s he f ound hers el fwarmi ng t o hi m.She t ol d hi m abouther mont hl y mi nd bl owi ng mys t ery cl ub,and t hebooks he’ d j us ts t art edf ort hegroup;hert wi cemont hl yt ri pst of i el d wi t hs omeoft hewomens hewentt ocol l egewi t h;andher obs es s i onwi t haTVs eri esaboutvampi res . “ Vampi resare notreal ,t hough?Iread s omet hi ng aboutt hem whenIwass t udyi ngyourpeopl e. ” “ No,notreal , ”s he l aughed.I tf el tgood t ol augh.

Andt os hare. “ Theys ound l i ket hel i garu,a myt hol ogi calraceof f l es heat ers . They have s harp t eet h and hi de i n t he 5 7

s hadows .Parent sus et hem t of ri ght ent hei rchi l dreni nt o bei ngobedi ent . ” She wri nkl ed her nos e. “ That s ounds l i ke t he bogeymanf rom mypl anet .Thevampi resIl i kel ookedand act ed human,butdrank bl ood i ns t ead ofeat i ng f ood.

They’ rea myt h,t hough,t oo.When Iwass even,an ol der nei ghborboyt ol d met hatt hebogeyman l i ked t ohi dei n cl os et sand underbeds .Thatni ght ,Iwass ot erri f i ed of my open cl os et door and t he darknes si ns i de t hat I s creamed mys el fhoars eand s cared mymom and dad t o pi eces .Is l eptwi t hal i ghtonaf t ert hat .Foral ongt i me. ” Haz’ seyesnarrowed,and a part i cul arl yf erall ook cros s ed hi sf ace.“ Iwoul ds t ri ng up t hatyoung boy f or t erri f yi ngyou,i fIcoul d. ” Agai n?Herf acef l us hed and s hedr opped hereyes .

She’ dneverhadamanwantt oavengeherhonorbef ore.

Peeki ngupathi mt hrought hevei lofherl as hes ,s hewas s uret hathewoul dgoaf t erTommyPerki nsi fhecoul d.

Thateveni ng,he cooked di nner f or her and s he wat ched.I n t he s mal lki t chen area was a cooker,a ref ri gerat ort hathecal l eda‘ ref ri gerat edcabi net ’andan oval -s haped s i nk.The s t ove and s i nk,l i ke t he bat ht ub and l i ght s ,worked by voi ce cont rol .The ref ri gerat ed cabi netwass quareandcont ai neds hel vess t ockedneat l y wi t hcont ai ner soff oodanddri nk.Hel ai doutt wos af f ronyel l ow pi ecesoff l atbread and arranged s t ri psofpi nk meathehadf ri edont hecookeronones i deoft hebread.

He had as ked hert os l i ce a pal e green veget abl et hat wass haped l i kea carrot ,and headded t hos et hi ns l i ces t ot hemeat .Dabbi ngawhi t ecream ont op,herol l edt he f l at bread up l i kea wrap s andwi ch and pl aced t hem on pl at es .A s coop ofcr i s pynoodl eswi t hl i ghtbrown gravy 5 8

Nova s att ot hes i deoft hes andwi ch. “ Oh,t hi si sreal l ygood,Haz.”s heexcl ai med af t er t aki ng a bi t e oft he s andwi ch.The meatwascri s p and s al t y,t he veget abl e wascrunchy and mi l dl ys weet ,and t hecream wast angy. “ Thankyou. ”Hebl us hed.“ I t ’ smyf avori t e.Es otwi t h gui uandf reks . ” Shehadt ol augh.“ Ihavenoi deawhatanyoft hat s t uf fi s ,buti tt as t esgood. ” He l ef tt he room f ora s econd i nt oa l ocked cl os et .She heard hi m di ggi ng and s oon he reveal ed a book.her book. " Wheredi dyougett hat? "s hepoi nt ed. " From t hi sbag Nykegavemea l i t t l eaf t eryou f el l as l eep.hes ai d Icoul d keep i t;not hi ng l ooked al armi ng i nt here."

Thatmeantnot hi ng:acoupl es nackf oods ,cl ot hes, . . . andKel l y' ss t uf f.

I twascommuni cat i ont oEar t h. . .hopef ul l y.

5 9

Chapter7 Af t e rd i n n e r ,t heywat chedavi dt hatwasapopul ar

eveni ng s how and a l otl i ke a ni ght t i me s oap opera.I t wasabouta weal t hy f ami l y and t he f i ct i onalt own t hat t hey l i ved i n.Des pi t e her bes ti nt ent i ons ,Avri lf ound hers el fenj oyi ng notonl y Haz' scompany,butt he t hi ngs abouthi spl anetandhi sl i f et hathewass howi ngher.The ni ght mare came back f orhi m agai nt hats econd ni ght , and s hef el teven wors ef orhi m t hen s hehad t heni ght bef ore.Al readys hewass t art i ngt ocareaboutt hi sal i en. . . f art oomuch,buts hej us tdi dn’ tknow how t os t ophers el f .

I twasonl ygoi ngt obet het wooft hem t oget herf ort hree mont hs .How was s he s uppos ed t os t op f rom f eel i ng anyt hi ng f orhi m af t ers omuch t i me?I twasa bat t l es he was al ready l os i ng,and s he was bot hf rus t rat ed and di s appoi nt edwi t hhers el f .

Shecompl ai nedaboutbei ngboredont het hi rdday, af t er a breakf as tofs ugardus t ed pancakes wi t hf res h f rui t .I twas as cl os e as he had been abl et o come t o donut s .One oft he f rui t s ,whi ch he cal l ed a roni i ,was s weetl i keri pepeaches ,ands hegreedi l yat eeverypi ece he had.The l arge,s t rawberrys haped f rui twas s weet ands eedl es s ,andi t smauves ki nwasedi bl e. “ You coul d vi s i tmy s i s t er J oaan.She’ s a medi cal of f i ceronboar d. ” “ You have a s i s t er?It houghtyourpeopl es t opped 6 0

Nova havi ngbabygi rl s ? ” “ Thereares omebornf rom t i met ot i me.J oaanwas one oft he l as tonesbef ore ourpeopl e real i zed t hatt he f emal esweres t eri l e. ” “ I ss hemarri ed? ” Hes hookhi sheadashecl earedt het abl e.“ Themen won’ tchoos ea f emal ef rom ourpeopl ebecaus et heyare unabl et ohavechi l dren. ” “ That ’ scruel ,t ot hewomen. ” Hes hrugged,buthi seyess ai dheagreed.“ Wi t hout babi es ,ourpeopl e wi l ldi e of f .We have done whatwe neededt odos ot hatourpeopl ewi l ls urvi ve. ” “ Seemsl i ket heycoul dhavecomeupwi t hs omet hi ng bes i deski dnappi ng. ” “ Theydi dt ry.J oaan,andmanyofourt ops ci ent i s t s , are worki ng on t he probl em. ”Af t era qui etmoment ,he s ai d,“ I ’ l lcal lJ oaanand as khert ocomegetyou.Ihave s ome t hi ngsI ’ dl i ke t o getdone,s os he can es cortyou backandf ort h. ” “ That ' sf i ne,Haz. ” Wi t hi nanhour,Haz’ ss i s t erJ oaanwaswal ki ngwi t h Avri lont hewayt oherchambers .Shewast al landcurvy, wi t h needl es t rai ghtdark brown hai rand eyes ,and a pret t y,wel comi ngs mi l e.Shes eemeds ohappyt omeether brot her’ sbri det hatAvri lf oundherat t i t udei nf ect i ous .

Her room was s of tand f emi ni ne,and aboutt he s ame s i ze asHaz' s .The f l oori ng wass andy brown and t hewal l swerepal egreen.Avri ls atonas mal lcouchand ki ckedof fhers l i pper s .

J oaanbr oughtheragl as soff l ar,whi chwasami l d l i quor t hat t as t ed l i ke whi t e wi ne. She s et a t ray cont ai ni ng s mal lcrackers ,chees es l i ces ,and f res hf rui t onas mal lt abl ei nf rontoft hecouch.Shes atnextt oAvri l 6 1

,l i s t eni ngt ohers hareaboutherl i f ebackonEart h.Avri l f ound i twaseas yt ot al kt o her,and s he l i s t ened wi t h rapt at t ent i on and as ked ques t i ons and j oked.J oaan t al kedaboutherworkasamedi calof f i cerandherhope t hat s omeday s he woul d be abl e t o revers e t he barrennes soft hei rf emal es . “ What happens t o your women, when t hey’ re barren? ” She s mi l ed s adl y.“ We’ re us ef ul ,butnotaswi ves .

Once i tbecame wi des pread knowl edge t hatt he f emal es wer e barren and t hatcros s breedi ng wi t hs peci esf rom ot herpl anet sand s ys t emsmi ghtproducet hehopeoft he f ut ure,manyt hatweremarri edweret os s edas i de.Iwas engaged t o marry a man named Tal ek,and he s ai d he woul dn’ tmarr ymeunl es sIhadaf ert i l i t yt es tdone.Even t hough I had hope t hathe di dn’ tmean i t ,when t he res ul t s came back t hatIwas s t eri l e,he wal ked away wi t houtanot hergl ance.He wasone oft he f i rs tonest o t ake a bri de f rom anot her pl anet .He has a coupl e of chi l drennow,butal lboys . ”Shes mi l eds l i ght l y. “ Igues sIcan t ake s ome s mal lmeas ure ofj oyf ul revengei nt hat . ” “ Hazs ai dt hats omef emal esofyourpl anetcans t i l l have chi l dren,whi l e ot hers are ent i rel y barren. ” Avri l t ri edt owrapherheadaroundt hes i t uat i on. “ I ’ m one oft he unf ort unat ef emal eswho are t rul y s t eri l e.Iwon’ thavechi l dren ofei t hers ex.Thes ci ent i f i c communi t yi s al mos tcert ai nt hats omet hi ng happened uni vers al l yt ous ;ei t heranunknownchanget oourgenes orenvi ronmentwi t ht heend res ul tofei t hert rues t eri l i t y oronl y mal e chi l dren bei ng born.I ’ m al mos tt hi rt yf i ve years ,and t here are l es st han f i ve hundred f emal es youngert hanme,onapl anetwheret hemal esout number 6 2

Nova t hef emal esei ghtt oone.Themen,t heywantt ohel pt he race s urvi ve, not make more compet i t i on f or f ut ure generat i onsbyonl yhavi ngmal es . ” “ ButIt houghtt hatmen’ ss perm det ermi nedt hes ex oft hebaby? ” “ I ts houl d.Butwhatwe di s covered t hrough many yearsoft es t i ng wast hats omet hi ng happened bet ween f ert i l i zat i onoft heeggandi mpl ant at i oni nt heut erust hat changed t he baby f rom f emal e t o mal e. We t ri ed i ns emi nat i ng t hem art i f i ci al l y,but no mat t er how we mani pul at ed t hem,t hef et us esal waysbecamemal e.The onl yt i mewecoul dgetf emal ebabi eswast hrought heus e ofal i eneggsandut erus es .I t ’ sunf ort unat e,Iknow,andI do f eelbadl yf or you and t he ot her women.Butour peopl earedes perat e. ” Avri lprot es t ed,“ Butt hebabi est hatwi l lbeborn,t hey won’ tbeei t herrace,butami x. ” “ I tdoes n’ tmat t er;ourpeopl ecancont i nueon. ” “ How l onghaveyourpeopl ebeenabduct i ngwomen f rom ot herpl anet s ? ” Sher ol l ed hereyesi nt hought .“ Ibecamean adul t ats i xt een years and t hey s t art ed t es t i ng t he f emal es s hort l y af t ert hat ,and t hen i tt ook many yearsf ort he probest o ret urn wi t ht he ri ghtpl anet sf ort he s hi pst o t akewomenf r om.Tenyears ,perhaps . ” “ Andyouhaven’ tf oundacureort hereas onf ort he s t eri l i t y? ” “ No. ” “ And how many babi eshave been born s i nce t he abduct i onss t art ed?How manygi rl st oboys ? ” She s mi l ed.“ The f i rs tmi xed baby gi rlwas born aboutf i veyearsago.Now t hereareovera dozen gi rl s and about t hi rt y boys res ul t i ng f rom t he abduct i ons .

6 3

Therehavebeen numerouspi l gri magest o ot herpl anet s and s ys t ems ,butt het ravelt i mei sl ong and t hewomen, ofcours e,needt i met oadj us t . ” Ofcours e. “ Youdon’ tknow i ft hegi rl sbornnow wi l lbes t eri l e ornot ,t hough, ”s hepoi nt edout . “ Thatgi rl sarebornregul arl yi ss i gnenough.When t het i mecomest hatt heyareadul t s ,t hey’ l lbet es t ed.Al l t es t i ng s of arpoi nt st ot he mi xed f emal esbei ng abl et o breeds ucces s f ul l y. ” Shef el therangerri s e.“ And i nt hemeant i me,your peopl eareabduct i ngi nnocentwomenl i keme. ” J oaanputdownhergl as sandt ookAvri l ' sf rom her. “ Iknow you’ reangry,and Icanempat hi zewi t hyou,but t hi nkofi tt hi sway.I fyourpeopl eweregoi ng t odi eout event ual l y,woul dn’ tyou do anyt hi ng i nt he uni vers et o changet hecours eoft hatf ut urei fyoucoul d? ” Avri lwant ed t os ay t hats he t houghts he woul d rat her go gr acef ul l y i nt o nonexi s t ence t hen abduct womenandf orcet hem t obreed,buts hedi dn’ t .Becaus ei f s heknew anyt hi ngabouthumannat ure,t henHazandhi s peopl e had behaved no di f f erent l yt han humanswoul d have.

J oaan s hi f t ed t he s ubj ects l i ght l y,“ Ihope you can t ake s ome comf orti n knowi ng t hatHaz wi l lt ake very goodcareofyou.Hecaresaboutyou. ” Shemut t ered,“ Asabroodmare. ” Shes mi l ed s adl y.“ I ’ ms orry,Ros e.Ican’ ti magi ne how youaref eel i ngri ghtnow,butIwi l lt el lyout hatmy brot heri soneoft hes weet es t ,mos tgent l emen I ’ veever known.You need t i me t o adj us tt ot hi ss i t uat i on,buti n t i meIknow you’ l lcomet ol ovehi m. ” " Youcal l edmeRos e. "s hes ai dpeacef ul l y.

6 4

Nova " Hazs ai dt hatwasyourrealname.Ros e.Hes ai di t wasaverypret t yname." “ I real l y j us t want t o go home t o Eart h. ”s he admi t t ed. “ Iknow i ts eemsi mpos s i bl e,butourabi l i t yt ot ravel t hrough s pacei smi l l enni a ahead ofyourpl anet ’ s .We’ re s of ar away f rom Eart ht hatwe’ re al ready i n anot her s ol ar s ys t em.Our s hi ps us es omet hi ng cal l ed yanni ng, t hatf ol ds s pace f or us ,and al l ows us t ot ravelgreat di s t ancesi nas hort eramountoft i me.Thes es hi psare s uppl i edwi t honl yenoughf uelands uppl i est ot akeust o t hedes t i nat i onpl anetandt henhomeagai n. ” Avri lf el tt earspres sbehi nd hereyel i dsagai n.She hadn’ tcri ed s i ncet hatf i rs tni ght ,buts hewant ed t ocry now.Shej us tdi dn’ tbel i evei t .Shedi dn’ twantt obel i evei t .

Butl ooki ngatJ oaant hroughbl urryeyes ,s heknew t hati twast rue.She real l y coul dn’ tgo home.I thel ped s omet oknow t hatJ oaant houghtagreatdealofHaz,and s of ar,he’ dbeennot hi ngbutki ndt o Avri l ,event houghs he’ dbeendi f f i cul t ,buti twas n’ t enough t ot ake away t he ache ofnotbei ng abl et o go home.Shewoul dnevers eehermot heragai norapol ogi ze f ornotcal l i ngherwhens he’ dhadt hechance.Shewoul d nevers eeherf ri endsagai n,orherbos s . “ Idon’ tknow t hatI ’ l levers t opwant i ngt ogohome, J oaan.Ihopeyoucanunders t and t hat . ”Shes ni f f l ed and wi pedathereyeswi t has mal lnapki n. “ Ido.Butf orwhati t ’ swort h,It hi nk t hati nt i me you’ l lchangeyourmi nd. ” Si l ence f el lbet ween t hem,buti twas n’ ts t rai ned.

Nei t heroft hem hadanymoret os ayaboutt hes i t uat i on.

Avri ls pentt he day wi t h her,wat chi ng vi ds and t al ki ng aboutt he s i mi l ari t i es and di f f erences bet ween t hei rpeopl e.I twasas t ranget wi s toff at et hats omet hi ng 6 5

had happened t ot hei rf emal es t o preventt hem f rom havi nggi rlbabi es .Andi twasherbadl uckt hats hewas pi ckedt ohel pf urt hert hei rrace.

When s he wal ked wi t h As hl ei gh back t o Haz’ s chamber,t heyf oundhi m paci ngi ns i de,Hi sf aces pl i ti nt o a broad s mi l eofrel i efwhen t heywal ked i n.Hehugged J oaan and as ked her t o s t ay f or di nner, whi ch s he accept ed.Overdi nnert hey t al ked aboutt he di f f erences i n pl antand ani mall i f e bet ween t he t wo pl anet s .Thei r peopl e were s ci ent i f i cal l y mi nded,butt hey were al s o agri cul t ural .Al t hough manyt hi ngsweres i mi l arenough, Avri lknew t hatt hei r pl anetwas goi ng t ot ake s ome get t i ngus edt o.

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Chapter8 Wh e nJo a a nl e f ta f t e rd i n n e r ,Haz j oi ned her on t he

couch wi t h a bowlofroni i ,and t heywat ched s omevi ds aboutt hearthi s t oryofhi speopl e.

When t he ni ght mare came t hat ni ght ,and s he l ooked i nt o Haz’ ss l eepbl urred eyes and wat ched t he t error s l i de i nt o rel i ef ,s he f el tanot her l i t t l e bi tofher heartl os tt o hi m.I tangered her,becaus ei tf el tl i ke a bet rayalofherownki nd,buts hes eemedt obeunabl et o s t opi t .

Hewass weetandki nd,andevent houghs hehat ed t hats he’ d been t aken f rom Eart h,s he coul dn’ thel pt he warm f eel i ngst hats urf acedwhenevers hewaswi t hhi m.

Thef our t hday,Hazt ookheronal ongel evat orri de up t ot he t op deck oft he s hi pt ot he obs ervat i on deck, t el l i nghert heycal l edt hem t rans port sandnotel evat ors . “ Ires erved t hi st i me f orus ,Ros e.There won’ tbe anyone el s e up here f or t he nexthour.Iknow you’ re boredi nt hechamber,buti t ’ spartoft heagreementt hat we s i gn when we t ake a bri de,t hatyou have t o be s eques t ered unt i lwe arri ve on pl anetand t hen anot her l unar cycl e af t er.Becaus eJ oaan i s a medi calof f i cer, you’ real l owedt ovi s i twi t hher,butot her wi s e,youaren’ t s uppos edt ohavecont actwi t hanyonebutme. ”

“ Di ds omet hi nghappent hatmadet hatarul e? ” 6 7

“ It hi nkyou can gues st hats omewomen gat hered t oget herandt ri edt of i ndawayt oes cape.Unf ort unat el y, t hey were i nj ured, and one of t hem di ed when s he s t epped i nt o an ai rl ock,s eal ed hers el fi n,and bl ew t he l ock.Shedi ed outi ns pace.Iknow s hedi dn’ twantt obe partofourworl d,butIdon’ tt hi nks hewant edt odi el i ke t hat . ” “ Whathappensi fawomanref us es ? ”Thedoort ot he t rans portopened,andt heys t eppedouti nt oal argeoval s hapedroom. “ I f ,af t ert hel unarcycl eon t hepl aneti soverand t he woman i ss t i l li ns i s t entt hats he cannotremai n as bri de t o herhus band,t hen s he i st aken t ot he Warat el unt i lamores ui t abl emat ecanbef ound. ” Shet urned t ol ookathi m i ns urpr i s e.“ Whati st he Warat el? ” “ I t ’ sabrot hel ,As hl ei gh.Doyouknow whatt hati s ? ” “ Yyes , ”s hes t ammered.

Hi sf acehardened,and hel ooked t rul yangry.“ Do you unders t and t hata woman t hatref us est omarryt he mal e who chos e herl os esal lri ght st o hers el fand her bodyunt i ls hei schos en byanot hermal e?And s hemay neverbe.Therearewomeni nt heWarat elwhohavebeen t heref oryears . ” Shes wal l owedhard.“ Whathappensi fherhus band di es ? ” " When t hemat i ng ceremony i scompl et e,t hebri de becomesa ci t i zenofourhomepl aneti mmedi at el y.I fher hus band s houl d di e,asl ong ass hewasnott hecaus eof hi sdeat h,s he ret ai nsherf reedom and ci t i zens hi p and can choos e anot her hus band i fs he wi s hes ,or s he can remai ns i ngl ef ort heres tofherdays . ” “ Freedom? How i s what you are doi ng t o me 6 8

Nova f reedom? ” “ You’ re no l es sf ree t han i n a marri age on your pl anet .I ’ ve done my res earch,Ros e.Human men and women bel ong t oeach ot heri n marri age,t here’ smut ual l oveandres pect ,s hari ngofhous ehol dandf ami l ydut i es .

I t ’ snodi f f erenton mypl anet .Theonl ydi f f erencei st hat you di dn’ tas kt obet aken,and Iunders t and youranger att hes i t uat i on,butIonl ywantyout obehappy.As kme anyt hi ng,even t ot akeyou back t o Eart h,and I ’ l lgo t o t heendsoft heuni vers et os eei thappen. ” Ofcours e he woul ds ay,“ butIcan' tt ake you t o eart heveni fIwant edt o.

"Smartal i en.

She s hook her head and moved away f rom hi m, unabl et os ay anyt hi ng t ot hats t at ement .She coul ds ee t he t r ut hi n hi seyes .He real l y di d car e abouther;he real l y di d want her t o be happy. She j us t di dn’ t unders t andt hat .I thadonl ybeenaf ew days .

Thel i ght swentouts uddenl y,and s hes pun i nt he darknes s as f ear s pread t hrough her.She f el t Haz' s s t r ong arms ci rcl e around her,and he s ai d,“ Screen cl ear. ”Thel i ghtf rom ami l l i ons t arsandpl anet sbecame vi s i bl e as t he wal l s and cei l i ng f aded t o cl ear gl as s .

Dumbf ounded,s he s t ared up at t he cei l i ng,t he i nky darknes sdot t edwi t hs t ars .Shegri ppedHaz’ sarms . “ Wherearewe? ” Hi svoi cet i ngl edi nherearashes ai di nal ow voi ce, “ Thi si st heGas arGal axy.Beaut i f ul ,i s n’ ti t ? ” Awed,s he coul d do not hi ng buts t and t here and s t are,mout hopen,att heawes omeexpans eofs pace.She moved f rom hi sarmsand hel ether,and s hewal ked t o t hegl as sandt ouchedi t ,f i ndi ngi ts l i ght l ycool ert hant he ai ri nt heroom.

Hemovednextt oherwhi l es hegazedoutatagal axy 6 9

s he had neverheard of .The i nky darknes s ,dot t ed wi t h s t ars ,wasmes meri zi ng.Shekeptreachi ng herhand out andbrus hedi tagai ns tt hecoolgl as s .

Al lt oos oon,hes ai dt het i mehad comef ort hem t o ret urn t ot hei rroom,and s he wass t i l ls os urpri s ed by what s he had s een t hat s he di dn’ t correct hi m by remi ndi nghi mi twashi sroom andnott hei rs .

Bef ore s he wenti nt ot he bedroom t hatni ght ,he s ai d,“ Youdon’ thavet okeepcomi ngouthere. ” “ Whatdoyoumean? ” “ Myni ght mares .Iappreci at et hatyoucomeoutf or me,buti t ’ snotneces s ary. ” “ I fyoudon’ twantmet o,Iwon’ t . ”Shef el ts t rangel y di s appoi nt ed. “ I t ’ s nott hat ;i t ’ s hard enough t o be here i nt hi s room wi t hyouwhi l eyoupus hmeaway,butwhenIwake up and f i nd you i nf rontofme,concern on yourf ace,i t j us tmakesi tt hatmuchharder. ” Thepai nedl ookonhi sf acemadeherwantt owal k overt o hi m and hol d hi m t i ght l y and t el lhi m s he was s orry,buts he di d whats he’ d been doi ng s i nce s he got t here,andwal kedaway.

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Nova

Chapter9 Th en e x ts e v e r a ld a y swerethesame.Theyatetogether,

wat ched vi ds , and t al ked, but t here was a t ens i on bet ween t hem,and s he di dn’ tknow how t of i xi t .She hadn’ tgoneoutt ohi m whenhehadhi sni ght mares ,and i tt ore at her t o remai ni n bed whi l e he was bei ng t ort uredi nhi sdreams .

She was s t i l lkeepi ng Haz atarm’ sl engt h,even t hough her f eel i ngs f or hi m were gr owi ng s t eadi l y.

Grudgi ngl y,s hehadaccept edt hats hewas n’ tgoi ngt obe t aken back t o Eart h and wass ad f orwhats hehad l ef t behi nd:her j ob,her f ri ends ,her f ami l y.Buts he was s urrounded by t hi ngs t hat probabl y woul d not have happened i n her l i f et i me back on Eart h.She was i na s paces hi pt ravel i ng t hrough s pace i n a way t hather peopl eneveri magi ned pos s i bl e,goi ng t oanot herpl anet t ol i ve.She was l i vi ng a dream t hather peopl el i kel y woul dn’ treal i zef orgenerat i ons .

She was s t uck on t he s hi p,i n hi s room,f or t wo mont hsand t hen anot hermont h on t he pl anet .He was gorgeous ,f unny,s weet ,at t ent i ve,andki nd.Ofcours es he wasgoi ngt ocaref orhi m,f al li nl ovewi t hhi m.Nomat t er t heamountofphys i cals paces heputbet ween t hem,s he coul dn’ thel p butappreci at e everyt hi ng abouthi m.He neverl as hedoutatherwhens herebuf f edhi m.Henever pus hed her. He’ d never done anyt hi ng i n t hei rt i me 7 1

t oget her excepthug her a f ew t i mes .She coul d have cert ai nl yendedupi naf arwors es i t uat i on.

And s he cert ai nl y di dn’ twantt o ref us e hi m and wi ndupasawhorei nabrot hel .Sheas kedt ovi s i tJ oaan agai n on t hes event h day.Eden madet hearrangement s , and J oaan camet opi ckherup.Ast heywal ked t hrough t hehal l sands t eppedi nt ot het rans port ,J oaan s ai d,“ I s t hereanyt hi ngs peci alyou’ dl i ket odo,Ros e? ” “ Coul dyout eachmehow t ous et hecooker? ” J oaan’ sbrowsros ei n pl eas ed s urpri s e.“ Sure.Was t heres omet hi ngyou’ des peci al l yl i ket omake,ordi dyou j us twantt ol earnhow t ous ei ti ngeneral ? ” “ Hazl i ked a s al t yt hi ng,es otIt hi nki twascal l ed, t hatwasrol l edup? ” “ Oh,es otwi t h gui u and f reks .That ’ shi sf avori t e.I us edt omakei tf orhi m al lt het i mewhenwewereyoung.

I ’ dbehappyt os how youhow t omaket hat . ” I ns i deJ oaan’ st i dyki t chen,s hes howedAvri lhow t o t urnont hecookerandus eacont rolpadi nt hecount ert o adj us tt heheatl evel .Avri ls l i cedupt hees ot ,whi chwasa pyrami ds haped meatl i ke a ham,wi t ht wo t hi ck bones t hrough t he cent er ofi t .The es otbeas t ,whi ch was a s t ocky creat ure wi t hs pi kes al ong i t sf urry back,was but chered and t he meatprepared us i ng a bri ne,whi ch gave i tt he s al t yf l avor,bef ore i twasroas t ed over an openf l ame.Whi l et hes t ri psf ri edonapanheat edont he cooker,J oaan s howed her how t o make t he f l at bread, whi cht heycal l edvarj ak.Twos coopsofyel l ow f l our,one s poonf ulofa t hi ckoi l ,and enough hotwat ert omakea dough.Whi l eJ oaan wat ched,Avri lkneaded t he dough and t hen cuti ti nt ot hreepi eces ,rol l i ng t hem i nt ol arge di s cs .Anot herpan washeat ed on t he cooker,and each 7 2

Nova f l at breadwast oas t edunt i li twascookedandt henl ef tt o coolonapl at t er. “ Whydoyou comeon t hes et ri ps ,J oaan? ”As hl ei gh as ked,t ouchi ngt hes t ri psofes otwi t hal onghandl edf ork andmovi ngt hem aroundt hes hal l ow pan. “ Thi si smyf i rs tt ri p,act ual l y.Iwant ed t ocomet o s upportHazand t omeetyou.Iam qual i f i ed t obehere, andI ,wel l ,Iwant edt omakes uret hatyouweret reat ed wel lf rom t hebegi nni ng. ” Avri ls t opped f i ddl i ng wi t ht hemeatand l ooked at J oaan.“ What ? ” “ I ’ m t he one who handl ed your i nt ake,Ros e .I i mpl ant ed yourt rans l at or,and Iexami ned,bat hed and dres s ed you.Iknow t hatmi ghtembarras syou,butyou s houl dn’ tworr y aboutt hat .I twasi mport antt o met hat youweret reat edwi t ht heut mos tres pect .Ievenwat ched t he ent i re group ofwomen i nt he room,and Is poke per s onal l yt oCommanderNykeand mades ureyouwere t hel as tonet aken. ” “ Why? ” “ You handl ed yours el fs o wel l .You di dn’ tf i ghtor coweri nf ri ght .Yout ri edt oencouraget heot herst os t ay cal m.I ’ ves een t hevi dt heys how i nduct ees ,and i t ’ snot ver yi nf ormat i ve,buti ns t ead ofpani cki ng,youkeptyour head.It houghtt hatbei ng t hel as tonet akenwoul d hel p you have t i me t o come t ot erms wi t ht hi ngs .Ihope i t di dn’ tmake you pani ct oo much,al lt hatwai t i ng. ”She s mi l ed. “ No,Idon’ tknow i fIwoul d havebeen moreups et t obet akenearl i erorwhenIwas .Ij us twast ryi ngt obe cal m and notf i ght .I tdi dn’ ts eem t owor kf oranyoft he ot herwomen. ” “ The men are t rai ned t o handl et he women wi t hout 7 3

hurt i ngt hem.CommanderNykei sverycaref uloft hemen onhi st eam andchoos est hem wi s el y. ” Di d Avri ldet ecta bi tofaf f ect i on f ort hehands ome of f i cer?“ Hewaski nd,s ot hank you f ors peaki ng up f or me,even t hough Idi dn’ tknow you had donet hatatt he t i me. ” “ He woul d have t reat ed you wel lno mat t erwhat , butheas s ured met hathewoul d beext ra ki nd,and I ’ m gl adt hathewas . ” When t hes andwi cheswereputt oget her,Avri land J oaanat eont hecouchwi t ht hei rpl at esi nt hei rl apsand t al ked.When t he t i me came f ort hem t o ret urn back t o Haz' sroom,Avri lwrapped up hi ss andwi ch i n a napki n and carri ed i twi t h her.When s hehanded t hes andwi ch t oHazhi seyesl i tup,andhet hankedherbyki s s i ngher cheek.Thatni ght ,ass hewat ched hi m eatt hes andwi ch s hehadmade,s hef el thappyf ort hef i rs tt i mes i nces he’ d comeonboard. *** She’ dbeent heref orei ghtdays .Ti mes eemedt os t and s t i l ls omet i mes and t he boredom made her ant s y and annoyed.Thateveni ng,s hel ooked i nt heref ri gerat orf or s omeroni i ,butf oundnone.Shehadn’ tmeantt ocompl ai n outl oud,butHazt ookherwordst oheartand promi s ed t oret urns oonwi t ht hef rui tf rom t hemar ket .

Buthedi dn’ tret urn.Shewai t edf orhours ,wat chi ng vi dsand f l i ppi ng t hr ough a f ew artbookson t het abl e.

Shecoul dn’ tread t hem becaus et heywerewri t t en i nt he As t ori ni anl anguage,butt hepi ct ureswerebeaut i f ul .She t houghtoft hepi ct uresi nhernew book,t hebookofhers i nt he cl os et .s he gotup and wal ked t ot he cl os etand 7 4

Nova t ri edopeni ngt hedoor.Locked. " Dangi t ."

She l ooked around t os ee i ft here wasa key.She openeddrawersupi nt heki t chenands hef oundnot hi ng.

Buts herememberedt hecrys t alont het abl e.Maybet hat wast hekey,shet hought .

She rus hed t ot he t abl e and not i ced i ts t i l ll yi ng t here.s hepi cked i tup and ret urned t ot hel ocked door. s hehes i t at ed and f i dget ed .Shedi dn' tknow how t ous e t hi ss he t hought .i n random mot i on, s he t apped t he crys t alon t he knob.and s urpri s i ngl yi t opened.She danced a l i t t l eand s wung open t hedoor .Shef ound her backpacki mmedi at el yand ran t ohers acros aunt sroom.

Shef l ungopent hezi pperandf oundKel l y' ss t uf f . " Thankyou,J es us . " Sheki s s esherhand and t apped t heupward ai ri n t hanks .s het ookt hef i dgets pi nnerand begant os pi ni t. i tl i tup t oherres pons e, ass hewai t ed f ora s i gnal.s he al s ograbbedt hedi ceandl ai di tont hecof f eet abl enext t ot he bed.af t er a pai nf ulf i ve mi nut es ,s ound broke t hrough. " Avri l?you s t i l lhave my s t uf f?WHERE ARE YOU ? ? ? " "You' renotgoi ngt obel i evet hi sbut,I ' m onas hi p i ns pace.I ' vebeenabduct edbyal i ensandI ' m a. . .bri de. . t ooneoft hem . .pl eas ei st hereanyway. . . . " Kel l yhadal readys t art edt ochokeup.

"Space! ?al i ens! ?BRI DE ? !Avri l ,Ineed t o gett o you!"

"No,don' t .Youwon' tbeabl et o. . . . " Kel l yi nt errupt ed ," Thi si sf ors ci ence!No way I ' m gonna l eave you al one i ns pace!Pl us. . .you' re my bes t f ri end,we' renotgonnabe' l os tbuddi es 'agai n!"

7 5

" Kel l y,pl eas e! " The di ce s hutof fand t he s pi nnerbl i nked unt i li t ceas ed t o.Al lofa mat t erofmi nut es,an al arm wentof f t hrought hewhol es hi pandames s agewentof f,buts he coul dn' tunders t and.heremot i onss weptherheari ngover.

Heremot i onsran t hegamutf rom worri ed t oangry.Her earss t rai nedt oheart hes oundoff oot s t epsouti nt hehal l ort hewhoos hoft hedooropeni ng.

I mi s s hi m.She f rowned,notreal i zi ng j us thow much s he’ d comet orel yon hi spr es enceunt i lhe’ d been gones ol ongwi t houtl eavi ngwordf orher .Shemi s s edt he way he ran hi s hands t hrough hi s hai r when he was f rus t rat ed,and t he way he woul dl ook atherwhen he t houghts he was n’ tpayi ng at t ent i on.She had accept ed t hats he wasnevergoi ng t o go home,buts he’ d never al l owed hers el ft o real l y admi tt hather f eel i ngs were growi ng f orhi m every day.Hewass weet erand ki nder t han any man s he’ d ever known,t reat i ng her l i ke a pri nces snomat t erhow manyt i mess heas kedt obet aken home,how of t en s het ookhi ski ndnes sf orgrant ed.Had s heeverevens ai dt hankyout ohi m?Hads heevers hown hi m i n any way t hats he wasgrowi ng t ol ove hi m?She was n’ ts ures hehad,becaus es he’ dbeent ryi ngs ohardt o s hutup t hatpartofhers el fi nt he begi nni ng t hats he di dn’ tt hi nks he’ dl etgoandj us tl ethers el ff eelwhats he f el tf orhi m.

She f el las l eep on t he couch,whi ch s mel l ed oft he s oap heus ed;a s pi cy,s weets centt hatwasi mbedded i n t hel i ghtbl ankett hrown overt hebackoft hecouch,and i nt hepl us h pi l l ows .Herdreamss l i pped i nt oni ght mares s he coul dn’ tes cape f rom,i n whi ch s he was l ef tal one becaus eHazhad l ef theri nt heWarat el ,t obeus ed and abus edf ort heres tofherl i f e.

7 6

Nova

When s hef i nal l ybrokef reeoft heni ght maresi nt he mor ni ng,s hehads ohopedt of i ndHazi nt heroom s os he coul dt el lhi m how f ool i s hs hehad been.Shedi dn’ twant t obewi t hanyonebuthi m,and s heonl yhoped i twas n’ t t ool at et of i xt hedamages hehaddone.Theroomswere empt yandt herewasnoevi dencet hathehadevencome backatal l .Ons hakyl egs ,s hewal kedi nt ot hebat hroom and cl eaned up i nt heencl os ed s hower,wonderi ng what hadhappenedt ohi m andwhenhewoul dbeback.

Openi ng t he cl ot hi ng cabi net ,s he l ooked overher t hi ngs ,buti ns t eadofpi cki nganyoft hem s het urnedand wal ked i nt ot he s mal lcl os etwhere he kepthi scl ot hes .

Choos i ng oneofhi st uni cs ,s hes l i pped i toverherhead andcuddl edt hes of tf abri caroundhers el f .I thungt oher kneesand gaped att he ches t ,buts he di dn’ tcare.She woul ds how hi mt hats hewant edt obewi t hhi m,t hats he was ready t o open hers el ft o hi m.And i twas n’ tj us t becaus es he had no choi ce.Hi sabs ence had made her wakeup and openhers el ft ot heemot i onst hathad been s t r uggl i ngt obreakf reef ordaysnow.Shel ovedhi m.She want edhi m.

Hewass weet .Hewasf unny.And hewast hemos t beaut i f ulmans he’ deverl ai deyeson.Whatdi di tmat t er, anyway,whet hert heyweref rom di f f erentworl dsornot , i ft heyl ovedeachot her?

Hungergnawed atherass he l ooked around t he empt yf rontroom i nconf us i on.He’ dbeengonef ors ol ong.

Wherewashe?Shehad noi dea how t of i nd hi m orhow t o cal lhi m,ori ft hey even us ed t hi ngsl i kecel lphones .

He’ dt ol dhers hewas n’ tt ol eavet heroom wi t houthi m or J oaan,and t hef rontdoort ot heroom t hatl ed out i nt ot hehal l waywas n’ tcodedf orher,s oi twoul dn’ topen.

7 7

Asherangergrew wi t heachpas s i ngmi nut eatbei ng l ef tal one,i tt wi ned wi t h pani c,deep i ns i de her.She’ d neverpani ckedbef ore,butt hi swas n’ tanormals i t uat i on.

HadHaz abandonedher?Hadhedeci deds he’ dkepthi m atarm’ sl engt hf ors ol ong s hewas n’ twort ht het roubl e?

Whatwasgoi ngt ohappent oher?

Herheartt huddederrat i cal l y.Hadhereal l ys t ayed outal lni ghtbecaus eheneededs omet i meawayf rom her, becaus eofhercons t antrej ect i on?Butwhati fs omet hi ng had act ual l yhappened t ohi m?Hes ai dt heywoul dn’ tbe t echni cal l ymarri ed unt i la ceremonyhad happened,and s of art herehadn’ tbeenanyvowsexchangedoranys ort ofof f i ci alceremonydone.I thadj us tbeent het wooft hem f ort hel as tweek.

Thedooropened,andAvri l ' s’ sheartl eapti nt oher t hroat .s heremembered t ohi det hebackpackand Kel l y' s s t uf fagai n butt ooka qui ckgl ancebef orei twasJ oaan t hatwal kedi n. “ Goodmorni ng,Avri l .Icamet ohavebreakf as twi t h you.and t o make s ure you were OK .Ihope you’ re hungry. ” “ St arvi ng. ” She coul d have cri ed, s he was s o di s appoi nt edi twas n’ tHaz. J oaan puta paper s ack i n her hands ,and s he openedi tandf oundroni i .“ Whydi dyoubri ngmet hes e? ” s heas ked,l ooki ngupather.

J oaanbus i edhers el fatt hecookt op.“ Hazas kedme t obri ngt hem overandhavebreakf as twi t hyou. ” Avri lputt hebag down on t het abl e.Uneas ef l i t t ed t hrough her.“ He as ked you t o come and. . . t ake care of me? ” “ He di d, ”s he s ai d,wi t houtt urni ng t ol ook ather.

Therewasa s t i f f nes st ohert hatAvri lhadn’ ts een when 7 8

Nova t hey s pentt he day t oget her,and s he had t he di s t i nct f eel i ngt hats omet hi ngwaswrong. “ Doyouknow whereHazt hni s ? ”s heas ked.

J oaan l ooked ather over her s houl der and t hen t urnedherat t ent i onbackt ot hecooker.“ Ido. ” “ Where? ” She s i ghed l oudl y and t urned of ft he cooker.She t urnedarounds l owl yandl eanedagai ns tt hecount er,her armsf ol dedacros sherches t .Avri l ' sheartpoundedi nher ches tass hewai t edf orJ oaan’ sres pons e. “ He’ si n Pul s t i s ’ squart ers ,havi ng s exwi t h hi swi f e Anca. ”

7 9

Chapter1 0 Av r i l ’ sw h o l ewo r l ds h u td o wn .She di dn’ treal i ze s he

wascryi ngunt i ls hef el tat ears l i pdownhercheek.She’ d t houghtherhearthad been broken when s hef ound out t hatTat ehad been s l eepi ng wi t h hercous i n behi nd her back. She real i zed now t hat s he hadn’ t known t he def i ni t i onofabrokenheartunt i lt hi smoment .

Rubbi ngangri l yatherwat eryeyes ,s hes ai d,“ Good.

Fi ne.What ever. ”Compl et el y crus hed,s he t urned t o go backt ot hebedroom.J oaan’ shandcaughtherwri s t . “ Whyhaven’ tyouhads exwi t hHaz? ” Shes t i f f ened.“ How woul dyouknow whatwedi dor di dn’ tdo? ” “ Becaus ehi shai ri ss t i l lbl ue,Ros e. ” Whens hes t aredi nconf us i on,J oaanpul l edheri nt o t hebedroom,wenti nt ot hecl os et ,andpul l edopenoneof t hes mal lbui l t i ndrawersononewal l .Avri ldi dn' tl ooki n t hatdrawer becaus es he di dn’ twantt oi nvade Haz' s pri vacy.J oaanpul l ed outa t hi ckl eat herbound bookand puti tdownont hebed.

Ather urgi ng,Avri lopened t he book and s aw a penci ldrawi ng ofhers el f .I twass o perf ect l y drawn i t wasl i ke a phot ograph.He’ d caughtt he s ubt l e wave i n hert hi ckhai r,t het i nydi mpl ei nhercheek.Thenextpage reveal ed a charcoaldrawi ng ofhers t andi ng ata porch 8 0

Nova rai l i ng,an ar boroff l owerss urroundi ng her.The gown s heworewasbeaut i f ul ,and remi nded herofa weddi ng dres s .Shet urned t henextpageand f ound a wat ercol or pai nt i ng ofhernes t l ed i n Haz’ sarms ,buthi shai rwas dark brown and he l ooked s erene.Ass he cont i nued t o l ook,s he f ound page af t erpage ofdrawi ngs ,pai nt i ngs and s ket ches ofher s el f .Mos t l y al one,al ways weari ng beaut i f ul cl ot hi ng, and s omet i mes dr awn wi t h hi m, embracedl i kedl over s . “ Hazmade t hes e? ”Hervoi ce wasa bare whi s per.

Emot i onsri ot edaroundi nhermi nd. “ Of cours e he di d, Ros e. He’ s an art i s t . He’ s abs urdl yt al ent ed.The momenthe t ook t he conf eazolt o f i nd hi s mat e,he s t art ed t o prepare f or you.Bes i des drawi ng whatl ook l i ke nearmi rrori magesofyou, ”s he hel d one up nextt o hers hocked f ace and compared i t , “ heal s os pentt hel as tf i veyearsprepari ngf oryou.Al lof t he t hi ngs i n here – t he cl ot hes ,t he l i nens ,even t he f urni t ure–i twasal ldonewi t hyoui nmi nd. ”Shewentt o t hecl os etand pul l ed s everalmorevol umesofartofher f rom wi t hi n. “ I don’ t , ” Avri ll i cked s uddenl y dry l i ps and s at downont hebed,“ Idon’ tunders t and.I fhereal l ywant ed me t o be hi swi f e,why hashe been gone al lni ghtand why i s he havi ng s ex wi t hs omeone el s e’ s wi f e? ” She want edt obemadathi m,buts hef el tcompl et el yt ornand brokenats eei ngt hepi ct ures .

J oaan i nt errupt ed her t hought s by j oi ni ng her on t hebed.“ Okay,s o cl earl y Hazt hn l ef touta l argebi tof hi sl i f ebef oreyoucamehere.He’ sa nedri l. . .It hi nkt he t erm onyourworl di s‘ gi gol o’ ? ” She gaped ather i ns hock.“ A gi gol oi s a mal e pros t i t ut e. ” She nodded.“ Yeah,t hat ’ s aboutri ght .You know 8 1

how beaut i f ulhe i s .Even asa chi l d,everyone knew he wasgoi ng t obegor geous .Wewereborn i nt ooneoft he poores t ci t i es . Our parent si ndebt ed t hems el ves even f urt her t os end hi m t ot he bes tboardi ng s chools o he coul dl earn how t of i ti n among t he upper echel on of s oci et y.Whenhes howed ani nt eres ti nartasa chi l d,he waspuni s hedandt ol dt hati twasf ol l y.Artwoul dn’ thel p hi m gai nempl oymentt hatwoul d hel p ourparent st oget outoft hes l ums .Whenhet urneds i xt eenyears ,t heageof s exualmat uri t yf orourpeopl e,he wast aken f rom our parent s ’home t ot he hous e oft he governorofTrydern Ci t y.Hi swi f ehads eenhi m att hes choolandwant edhi m.

Eden s ai dt hati twasawf ul .Thegovernorwat ched hi m t hewhol et i meandmadecrudecomment s ,andt henhe. . .

Oh,Ros e,t he governorraped hi m whi l e he washavi ng s exwi t hhi swi f e. ” Avri l ’ shearts t oppeddead,andhereyesf i l l edwi t h t ears .I mmedi at el y her mi nd f l as hed t ot he book s he’ d read f or her cl ub aboutabus ed chi l dren.Haz was as muchavi ct i m ast hos echi l drenhadbeen,s ol df orprof i t , t os s edt ot hewol vesf ormoney.Hazhads uf f ereds omuch; al lhe’ das kedofherwast i me,ands hehadn’ tgi veni tt o hi m.

J oaan cont i nued hers t ory ofHaz’ sl i f e:t hatt hei r parent ss ol d hi m asa nedri l ,and he wast aken t ot he Warat elasa s exs l ave.Fort hel as tf i f t eenyears ,hehad been f orced t os ervi ceanyonewho cal l ed f orhi m.Af t er t he governorraped hi m,he f oughtnott o be t aken l i ke t hatagai n,and event ual l yt hemal est hatpref erred t hat s ortoft hi nggaveuponhi m.Buthewascal l edcons t ant l y t ot he beds of marri ed women whi l et hei r hus bands wat chedhi m.Thei rworl dwascas ualaboutmanyt hi ngs , i ncl udi ngt heus eofpros t i t ut esbycoupl es .I twashi sj ob.

8 2

Nova Hewasnotal l owedt odenyanyonenomat t erhow much hewasf i l l edwi t hdi s gus tatt heact .Hebecameaddi ct ed t o drugs ,t ryi ng t o dul lt he pai n and humi l i at i on he s uf f ered,and t hen he overdos ed,t ryi ng t o ki l lhi ms el f .

Af t erhet ri ed t ot akehi sown l i f e,J oaan pai df orhi mt o t ake t he conf eazoland hoped t hathe woul d be abl et o f i ndhi smat e.Thatwasf i veyearsago. “ Whati st hi sconf eazolyoukeept al ki ngabout ? ” “ Ros e,hereal l ydi dn’ tt el lyou anyt hi ng,di d he?I t hi nk he mus thave want ed you t ol ove hi m,bef ore he s hared s uch pai nf ult hi ngs .The conf eazoli ss omet hi ng t hatourmen do t of i nd t hei rperf ectmat e.I t ’ sa drugi nducedvi s i ont hatl eadst hem t owheret hei rbri dei s .

Machi neshooked up t ot he mal espi npoi ntt he l ocat i on andnameoft hebri def rom i nf ormat i oni nt hevi s i on.She wi l lbe perf ectf or hi m,compat i bl ei n every way.The mal e choos esa neckl ace t hatcont ai nsan i dent i f i cat i on numberandat racker.Themomenthi sbri deput sont he neckl ace,t heret ri evalcrew comesf orher. ”Becaus eAvri l had t aken of ft heneckl acet hatf i rs tni ght ,t hecrew had notcomef orherbecaus et heycoul dn’ tguarant eet hatt he neckl ace was wi t h her. Secrecy was of t he ut mos t i mport ance t ot hem,s ot hey t ook t he women atni ght , when t hey were al one i n t hei r homes , weari ng t he neckl ace. “ Why di d he wai ts ol ong t o come f or me? ”She wi pedatt het earsonhercheeks . “ He had t os ave up enough money t o buy outhi s cont ract f rom t he Warat el ,f or t he t ri p and your abduct i on,and t o wai tal s of or a f rei ght er t o come t o yourpl anet .Whent heconf eazol saredone,t hemal esare grouped t oget herby pl anet ,and when enough oft hem havedrawnmat esf rom t hes amepl anett heywi l lbeabl e t o begi nt hei rj ourney.The whol et i me he wai t ed f or 8 3

ot hers t of i nd Eart h mat es ,hi s whol e out l ook on l i f e changed.He s t i l lhat ed hi ss t at usasnedri l –i ti sone of t hel owes ts t at i onsi nours oci et y–buthehadyout ol ook f orwardt o. “ Iknow you wantt o go home,Ros e,and Ican unders t andt hat ,butyouarebl i ndi fyoudon’ tknow t hat mybrot herl ovesyou.Yout ol dmet hatf i rs tdaywes pent t oget hert hatyou di dn’ tbel i evei nl oveatf i rs ts i ght ,but he’ shad f i veyearsofrememberi ng t hevi s i on hehad of youandwai t i ngt obeabl et of i ndyou.Youweregoi ngt o behi ss al vat i on. ” “ Hi ss al vat i on? ” “ He f reed hi ms el ff or you,Ros e .Once a nedri l becomes mat ed,he wi l lnever be abl et o be a gi gol o agai n;i t ’ sagai ns tourl aws .He’ l lbeabl et odowhathe want swi t h hi sl i f ebackhome,and he’ l lneverbecal l ed i nt oanyoneel s e’ sbedagai n. ” St i l lreel i ng f rom everyt hi ng s he’ dj us tl earned,s he managedt oas khert heonet hi ngt hathads t uckout . “ Whatdi d you mean when you s ai d you knew we hadn’ thads exbecaus ehi shai rwass t i l lbl ue? ” “ Unmat ed mal es have bl ue hai r.When t hey mat e wi t ht hei rbri de f ort he f i rs tt i me,i tchangest hei rhai r col ort obrown.us ual l y.I t ’ sachemi cal ,connect i onki ndof t hi ng.Whenhewentoutl as tni ghtt ogett hef rui tf oryou, he cl earl y di dn’ tt hi nk t hatanyone woul d as k hi m t o s ervi cet hei rmat e,buthewaswrong.Pul s t i si sageneral i nt hemi l i t ary.I fHazhads ai dnot ohi m,hewoul dhave been beat en f or s ure and f orced anyway.I twoul dn’ t mat t ert oPul s t i st hatHaz pai df orhi sf r eedom and was nol ongera nedri l .Pul s t i s ’ smat ei sf rom a worl d where t hewomengoi nt oas exualf renzyonceamont handt he generalhasneverbeen abl et okeep up wi t h her.Sohe 8 4

Nova cl earl y keptHaz t here overni ght ,maki ng hi m go agai n andagai n. ” “ Oh. ” Her hand went t o her mout h and s he s wal l owed a s cream born ofgui l t .“ Can you t ake me t o hi m? ” “ You can’ tdo anyt hi ng f orhi m unt i lhe’ srel eas ed f rom Pul s t i s ’ s quart ers .I fyou wantt o mat e wi t h hi m when he recovers ,you can,butunt i lt hen he’ sa s ex s l ave. ” Shaki ng herhead,Avri ls t ood up and wentt ot he t al lcupboard wherehekeptt hecl ot heshe’ d pi cked f or her,neat l yf ol dedandhungonmet alhangers .Shechos e a cri ms onhal t ert op i na f abri ct hatf el tl i kes at i nand a mat chi ngpai rofs l acksandbal l ets t yl es l i ppers . “ Hel pmegett ohi m,J oaan,pl eas e, ”s hes ai dass he t urnedaround,dumpedt hecl ot hesont hebedandpul l ed of fhi st uni c. “ Idon’ tknow why you’ d wantt os ee t hat ,butI ’ l l t akeyout oPul s t i s ’ s . ” Avri lwas n’ ts ures hecoul dexpl ai ni tei t her.Shej us t f el tl i keheneededher,andi fs hes ati nt heroom unt i lhe wasr el eas edf rom hi sdut y,t hens hewoul dbef ai l i nghi m.

I twasherf aul tt hathehad been t aken,and s hehad t o t ry t of i xi t .She dres s ed qui ckl y,and J oaan hel ped her appl ys omel i ghtmakeupt ohi det hef actt hats he’ dbeen cryi ng and brus hed herhai runt i li ts hone.Taki ng her hand,s hes t eppedoutoft hei rroom andt urnedt ot hel ef t .

SheandJ oaanent eredat rans portandJ oaans poke t hei r des t i nat i on.As i ts wi f t l y moved t hem t hrough t he l evel soft hes hi p,J oaans ai d,“ Pul s t i si sabi gmanwi t ha bad at t i t ude.Hi smat e,Anca,i sf rom t heGhraki n worl d.

Shehaseyesl i kedi amonds ,andpoi nt edears .It hi nkt he onl yreas on s hewant ed t ocomeal ong on t hi sj ourneyi s becaus es hewant edt ous eHazbef orehebecamemat ed. ” 8 5

Avri lf el tnaus eous .As J oaan s poke aboutPul s t i s and Anca,s he real i zed how f ool i s hs he’ d been.I fs he’ d had an open mi nd wi t h Haz f rom t he begi nni ng,s he woul dhaves eenhi mf orwhathewas .Ands hereal l ydi d l i kebei ng wi t hhi m.And s hewaspowerf ul l yat t ract ed t o hi m.And more t han t hat ,s he knew t hats he l oved hi m.

She’ d t ri ed t o keep hers el f det ached, but he was i mpos s i bl enott ol ove.

The doort o Pul s t i s ’ squart ersopened af t erJ oaan pres s edapadandr eques t edent r ance.Pul s t i swashuge.

Tal land broad,hehad a s cardownones i deofhi sf ace t hatl ooked l i ke i ts t i l lhurteven t hough i twascl earl y heal ed and ol d.Sneeri ng att hem f rom under a dark brow,hi st hi nl i pscurl edups l i ght l y. “ Lovel yJ oaan,whoi st hi sbeaut y? ” “ Thi si s Hazt hn' s bri de,Pul s t i s .She want st os ee hi m. ” “ He’ snotdonewi t hmywi f e. ” “ Pl eas e. ”Avri ll ookedupathi m.“ Letmes eehi m. ” “ I fyou’ rereal l yhi sbri de,i fyoucares omuch,why haveyoubeenonboardf orei ghtnovasandhe’ ss t i l lgot bl uehai r?Thatmakeshi m anedri l;Idon’ tcarewhatt he Warat els ays . ” Avri ldi dn’ tknow how t o ans wer t hat .“ Ineeded t i me,andyout ookhi mf rom me.Letmes eehi m,pl eas e. ” Pul s t i ss eemed t o be cons i deri ng t hi ngs and t hen f i nal l y he s ai d,“ What ’ s one more pers on enj oyi ng t he s how anyway? ” Much t oherdi s may,t hes cenet hatwai t ed f orher i nt he l arge bedroom was much wors et han her mi nd coul dhavei nvent ed.Hazt hn,hai rmat t edt ohi sheadwi t h s weatand wi t hf res h whi p marksacros shi sback,was t hrus t i ng i nt ot he body ofa woman l yi ng on herback 8 6

Nova whi l es he pl ayed wi t h hers mal lbreas t sand l i cked her l i ps .Coupl esand groupsofmen s ataround t heroom on l ounges ,s ome wat chi ng i nt ent l y whi l e ot hers l aughed l i ght l yandwhi s pered.

Shehadn’ tmeantt omakeas ound,butas mal l ,s ad gas pl ef therl i ps .Haz’ sheads hotup,andhef roze,eyes l ockedt ohers .

Thewomanunderhi ms hri eked,“ Kas ,he’ sgones of t !

Dos omet hi ng! ”Thel ookofut t erhumi l i at i ononHaz’ sf ace madeAvri l ’ sheartbreakeven f urt her.Shebarel yheard Pul s t i ss ay,“ Gett hewhi p, ”butt hewordsregi s t eredwhen oneoft hemenwat chi ng s t ood up and grabbed a l et hal l ooki ngwhi pf rom ahookont hewal l .

Avri ls creamed, “ No! Wai t , wai t ! ” She raced t o Hazt hn,t oprot ecthi m.

Pul s t i sregarded hercool l y.“ You havenos t andi ng here,l i t t l eEar t hgi rl .You’ renothi smat eyetandunt i lhe f i ni s hesf ucki ngmybri de,he’ snotgoi nganywhere. ” The whi p unravel ed wi t has l i t heri ng s ound,and her brai ns pun.She abs ol ut el y coul dn’ twat ch hi m get beat en.Notwhens he’ dbeens of ool i s h. “ Wai t ,Icanhel phi m. ” “ Hel phi m? ”Pul s t i sas kedwi t hanarchedbrow. “ Yes ,Icanhel phi m gethardagai ns ohecanf i ni s h.

Obvi ous l y Ibroke hi s concent rat i on.You don’ tneed t o whi phi m. ” Shruggi ng,hes ai d,“ Sui tyours el f . ” Shegavea meani ngf ull ookatJ oaan,whonodded butl ooked worri ed.Shet urned and cl i mbed up t hebed nextt o Haz,i gnori ng t he naked woman s prawl ed out underhi m.Hes atup,hi sl i mp cocks l i di ng f rom heras s hemadeanangrynoi s e.Avri lcuppedhi ss weat yf ace wi t hherhands .

Whi s per i ng,s hes ai d,“ I ’ ms os orry,Haz,I ’ ms ucha 8 7

f ool . ” Hebl i nkedt earf i l l edeyes .Therewass uchpai nand l os st here.“ Ides ervet hi s .I t ’ swhatIam.Al lI ’ m goodf or. ” Shocked,s he gri pped hi sf ace har der.“ No,t hat ’ s nott rue! ” “ I fIcan’ tgetmy own s oulmat et ol ove me i na week’ st i me,t heni t ’ sj us tprooft hatt hi si sal lIcanof f er. ” “ Oh,Haz,Ido l ove you.Ido.Is wear.You’ re t oo good f orme;I ’ vebeen s oawf ult oyou.Pl eas e,f i ni s hs o wecan gobackt oourroom and makel oves oIcan be yoursf orever. ” “ Ros e? ”Hi svoi cequi vered asdi s bel i efwarred wi t h hopei nt hedept hsofhi si cebl ueeyes . “ I ’ m notgoi nganywhereunt i lyou’ redone. ”Shes l i d herhand down hi ss weat s oaked s t omach t ot hebas eof hi s cock,whi ch was t hi ck enough t hather f i nger and t humb di dn’ tmeetas s he ci rcl ed i twi t h her hand.He t i l t ed hi s head and dropped hi s mout ht o hers wi t ha moan,and s he opened her mout ht o hi st ongue and s avoredt hes weett as t eofhi m.Ass hes t r okedhi scock,i t grew qui ckl y,and hepul l ed awayf rom hermout hf ora moment and f l i pped Uma over ont o her knees and pl unged i nt oher.Ashet hrus thar d and f as ti nt oher,he s ai d wi t h hal t i ng whi s pers ,“ I coul dn’ tl ook at her anymore. ” Avri ls l i pped s l i ght l y behi nd hi m,curl i ng one arm around hi ss i de pos s es s i vel y and pres s i ng ki s s est o hi s s houl derand arm.Hecl earl yhi ta good s poti ns i deher becaus eUmas hri ekedi ncl i maxandhepul l edoutofher body,hi scocks t i l lhard. “ Ooh, ”Uma purred,rol l i ng t o her back and f aci ng t hem,“ t hatwaswonderf ul . ” 8 8

Nova Avri lmoved of ft he bed,gr abbed t he s l acks t hat J oaan washol di ng outand hel ped Hazdres s .When he s t ood up, hi s knees buckl ed s l i ght l y, and he l eaned heavi l yonher. “ Idi dn’ ts ay you were done,nedri l , ”Pul s t i ss ai d bl andl y.

J oaan s t omped overt o hi m and pus hed herf i nger i nt ohi sches t .“ They’ remat es ,Pul s t i s .Evenyoucan’ tdeny t hat .You’ veus edhi m asyourpers onals ext oyf orf art oo l ong,and now he’ sdonewi t ht hatl i f e.I fyout ryt okeep hi m herewhen hi sbri dei sas ki ng f orhi m,I ’ l lhaveyou broughtuponcharges . ” Hi sl i pscurl edi nt oas narl ,butJ oaan’ st hreatmus t havecarri eds omewei ght ,becaus ehes t eppedas i deand di dn’ tt ryt os t opt hem.

Hazwasqui etal lt hewaybackt ot hei rroom,and Avri ldi dn’ tknow whatt os ay t o hi m.When J oaan l ef t t hem att he doorwi t has mi l e and a ki s son t he cheek, Avri lt ookhi m s t rai ghtbackt ot hebat hr oom and cal l ed f ort hepoolt of i l l .Shehel pedhi m undres sandgets et t l ed i ns i de as t he heat ed wat er ros e qui ckl y.St ri ppi ng,s he j oi ned hi m,s et t l i ng on herkneesbet ween hi sl egs .She reached f ora t hi ck s ponge and gelwas h,l at heri ng t he s pongeand l i f t i ng hi shand gent l yf rom t hes wi rl i ng,hot wat er. “ Areyouokay?Theywhi ppedyou,di dn’ tt hey? ”She began t o was h away t he evi dence oft he s ex f rom hi s bodywi t hgent l emot i ons . “ Someones aw mei nt hemarketl as tni ghtand t ol d Pul s t i st hatmyhai rwass t i l lbl ue.Iwasonmywayback herewhen hemetmeand ref us ed t o al l ow met o come back.Icoul dn’ tdenyt hatnot hi nghadhappenedbet ween us .Hes ai dt hatmy bl uehai rmeantIwass t i l la nedri l andt hathedi dn’ tcarehow muchIhadpai dt ol eavet he 8 9

Warat el ,t hatI woul d al ways be one.I l ef tt he f rui t out s i det hedoorand when Igott ohi schambers ,hel et me cal lJ oaan and as k her t ot ake care of you t hi s mor ni ng.It houghtIcoul dt al kmywayoutofi t ,as kf or mor et i mewi t hyous oIdi dn’ thavet odot hatwi t hAnca, buthewoul dn’ tagreet oi t .WhenIref us ed,t heywhi pped me,and t hen t hey drugged me s o I woul d be more compl i ant .Theni ghti ski nd ofa bl uraf t ert hat .Idon’ t know whenhebroughti nt heaudi ence. ” Shes wi ped t hes pongeacros shi ss houl derand t he f rontofhi sches t .“ I ’ ms os orryf oral loft hi s .Iwasbei ng s t ubborn.Evenaf t erIknew i twas n’ tpos s i bl et ogohome, Is t i l lkeptmys el fawayf rom you.Butyoubei nggonel as t ni ghtmademet akeahardl ookatmys el f .Is houl dhave as ked you aboutyours el fmore and Is houl d have been mor eopenaboutmys el f .I fIhadn’ tbeent ryi ngs ohardt o keepyouatarm’ sl engt h,Iwoul dhaveas kedaboutyour hai r,aboutourf ut ure.Pul s t i st ook you f rom me,and I hat ehi mf ori t ,butI ’ mt heonewhos etyouupt obet aken.

Iwass el f i s handawf ul .Canyouf orgi veme? ” Hepul l ed t heedgeofa t oweloverand bl ot t ed t he t earst hatdot t edhercheeks .“ There’ snot hi ngt of orgi ve. ” Heputt het owelbackont heedgeoft hepoolandf i ddl ed wi t ht heembroi deredhem.“ How canyoul oveme,Ros e?

You hat ed t he t houghtofwhori ng your s el ft o me,you wer et erri f i ed ofbei ng s entt ot heWarat el .I ’ m a whore, t hel owes ti n ours oci et y.Ican’ tgi veyou t hes t at usyou des erve. ” Shehat edhi ss el f deprecat i on,buts heunders t oodi t . “ You’ renota whoreanymore,nota nedri l .Idon’ tcare abouts t at us ,Haz,al lIcareabouti syou.You’ remi ne,my hus band and my s oul mat e. I s t i l l don’ t ent i rel y unders t and how Iwas chos en,butIknow t hatwe f i t 9 0

Nova t oget her,andIdon’ twantt ogoanywherebutwi t hyou. ” Hi s brow arched.“ You don’ twantt o go back t o Eart h? ” She ret urned t o was hi ng hi ss ki n,pl ungi ng t he s pongeundert hewat erandmovi ngi tal ongonel eg. “ Idi d,buteveni fIcoul dgohomenow,Iwoul dn’ t .

Iwoul ds t aywi t hyou,Haz,becaus eIl oveyou. ” Shes t roked up t hei ns i deofhi st hi gh and wat ched hi seyescl os eandhi sbodyrel ax. “ When you’ re res t ed up and heal ed,Iwantust o makel ove.Notj us ts oyourhai rwi l lchangecol orandno onewi l leverf orceyoul i ket hatagai n,butbecaus eIl ove youandIwantt obeyourwi f e. ” Heopened hi seyesand s mi l ed f ora bri efmoment bef ore cl os i ng hi s eyes agai ni n exhaus t i on.When s he had f i rs thear d hewashavi ng s exwi t h anot herwoman, herwoundedhearthads creamedno,notagai n!ButHaz was n’ twi l l i ng.He wasa vi ct i m,pl ai n and s i mpl e.And whi l ei tki l l ed her t o know he’ d been wi t ht hatawf ul woman,s he knew i n her heartt hati thadn’ tbeen hi s choi ce.I thadt akendrugsandt hebi t eofawhi pt of orce hi mt ocompl y.Thatmeants omet hi ng.

She was hed hi s body t enderl y,di s mayed athow brui s ed and bat t ered he was .Af t ers he ri ns ed hi shai r cl ean,s he hel ped hi m f rom t he pool and dri ed hi m caref ul l y.She f ound a heal i ng oi nt menti n one oft he bat hroom cabi net sf or t he whi p marks on hi s back, not i ci ng s i xi dent i calmarks ,more di f f erentf rom t he l as hes . " Haz,whataret hes emarks? "s heques t i onsass he t racest hem." " Wi ng crat ers .I fmy s oul mat ei sEart h human,Ican s pr outmy wi ngs .Al lmal es have t hem,buti t ' s onl ya 9 1

handf ula who are pai red wi t ht he humans ofeart h.

They' re known as' god' s 't o us ,becaus et he l ove t hati s gi ven when mat ed f orgi vesmeofmys i nsand Ibecome whol eagai n.l i ket hos e' angel s 'i nt hatbookofyours .

Shedi dn' treactf eroci ous l y,s hedi dn' twantt oups et hi m.Shes ai d" OK"andt ri edt ohel phi mt owardt hebed.

He of f ered t os l eep on t he couch,whi ch s he s oundl y rej ect ed.Shes t raddl edhi st hi ghsandpal meds omeoft he oi nt ment ,rubbi ng i tunt i li twaswarmed i n her hands andappl yi ngi tgent l yt ot hewounds .

Hegroanedass heworkedherwaydownhi sback. “ Di dIpres st oohard? ” “ No, ”heras ped,“ yourt ouchi smos twel come. ” “ Idon’ tunders t andwhathappenedl as tni ght ,Haz, ” s he s ai d,s moot hi ng more of t he oi nt mentacros s one part i cul arl ydeep whi p mark.Theycri s s cros s ed overt he ol dmarks . “ Whatdon’ tyouunders t and? ”Heres t edhi sheadon hi shandsandcl os edhi seyes . “ Why woul dn’ tPul s t i sl i s t en when you s ai d no l as t ni ght ?You s etyours el ff ree.You s houl d bes een asf ree, nomat t erwhatyouus edt odo. ” He gri maced i nt houghtand t hen s ai d,“ You know t hatmyparent ss ol dme? ” “ J oaant ol dme, ”s heans wereds of t l y.

Haz’ s eyes s queezed t i ght l y s hut and hi s body t ens ed.Avri lkeptherhandsonhi sbackl i ght l y,hopi ngt o of f er hi m s ome comf ort .“ Thatf i rs tt i me,my f i rs tt i me, whent hegovernorr apedmewhenIwaswi t hhi swi f e,I t ol dmyparent sIwoul dn’ tdoanyt hi ngl i ket hatagai n.

They had pl ans t os el lme ni ght l yt ot he weal t hy el i t e,whogett hei rpl eas uresf rom dal l yi ng wi t h whores , 9 2

Nova s l ummi ng i t .Myref us alwasa roadbl ockf ormyparent s , s ot heys ol dmet ot heWarat elf oral arges um ofmoney.

Butt heownerdi dn’ tj us tgi vet hem moneyf ormef reel y, he gave me t he money he had gi ven t hem as a debt agai ns tmys el f .Iwasf orcedt oworkt opayof ft hedebtof myown s l averywhi l emyparent ss pentt hemoneyon a hous ei nani cerarea. ” Her heartcracked s os harpl yi tt ook her breat h away.Shes t ruggl edt orei ni nt het ears . “ How coul dt heydot hatt oyou? ” “ Idon’ tknow i ft hey t rul y unders t ood whatt hey’ d donei nt hebegi nni ng,butIknow t heyonl ys aw measa mealt i cket .J oaanf oughtt ohavemydebtret urnedt oour parent st of orcet hem t o ret urn t hemoney and f reeme, butt heowneroft heWarat elhadpowerf ulf ri ends ,andI wast ooval uabl et ohi mt ol etgo. “ Ihat ed i ts o much.Ihat ed mys el f .Ihat ed my parent s .Igothooked ondrugsasa wayt omakemys el f f orgetwhatIwas doi ng,s ot he money Iwas maki ng t oward myrel eas ewasbei ng eat en up bymyaddi ct i on.

I fIwant edt ol eavet hebrot helIhadt obuymyf reedom.

Sevent yt hous anddeenars .Imi ghthavebeenabl et obuy myf reedom yearsagoi fIhadn’ tgot t ent angl edupi nt he drugs ,butIdi dn’ tcare.J oaancamet os eemef requent l y, and waseven put t i ng money t oward my rel eas e,butI coul dn’ ts t and t obri ng herdownwi t hme.It ri ed t ot ake myown l i f e,butIwass aved byoneoft heot hers l aves .

That ’ swhenJ oaanpai df ormet ogoona conf eazol .She s ai di fIdi dn’ tf i nd mys oulmat e,t henIcoul d dowhatI want ed.Buti ft herewasawomanoutt heref orme,t henI wasbei ngdi s l oyalt oherbyt aki ngmyownl i f e.

WhenIs aw youi nmyvi s i on,everyt hi ng changed f or me.Igotf reeoft hedrugs ,and Ibegan t oworkharder 9 3

t han Iever had bef ore,t os ave enough money t of ree mys el f . “ The t hi ngsIdi df ort hat ,Ros e;Idon’ tl i ke t hatI debas ed mys el ff ors ol ong,butIhad t ogetf ree.I tt ook f i veyearsf ort hes hi pt obeready,butIworkedl i kemad t o make a home f or us .Pul s t i ss ees me as a nedri l becaus eI ’ vebeenonef orf i f t eenyears .I nhi seyes ,i nt he eyesofmany,Iwi l lal waysbea nedri l ,nomat t erwhat col ormyhai ri s . ”Hi seyesopened,ands hel eanedovers o s he coul dl ook i nt o hi s eyes .“ Is houl d have t ol d you everyt hi ng.I twas n’ tf ai rofmet ol eaveyou f l ounderi ng aboutmypas t ,myl i f e. ” “ Is houl d haveas ked.You’ ves uf f ered s omuch,but t hat ’ sdonenow.Noonewi l levert akeyou agai ns tyour wi l lagai n,Is wear. ” “ Il oveyou,Ros e, ”hewhi s peredt hi ckl y. “ Il oveyou,t oo,Haz. ”

9 4

Nova

Chapter1 1 Av r i lmo a n e da ss h ewo k eu p ,her ski n

t i ngl i ng i n awar enes sasf i ngersgrazedoverherbares t omachi na s l ow,l angui d pat t ern.Hazpres s ed openmout hed ki s s es agai ns ther s houl der,hi s hai rt i ckl i ng her neck as he drew hi ms el fcl os ert oherass hewoke.

Hi shands t rokeduphers t omacht oherbreas t sand hecuppedone,l i f t i nghi sheadandl ooki ngi nt ohereyes .

Thel i ghti nt heroom wasdi m,butbri ghtenoughf orher t os ee t he hunger i n hi s eyes t hatmade t hem gl ow, borderi ngonwhol l ybl ue. “ Youares obeaut i f ul . �Hi svoi cewashus kyands ent s hi versdownhers pi ne.

She s mi l ed, openi ng her mout h t o ret urn t he compl i ment ,when hepres s ed hi smout ht ohers ,s l i ppi ng hi st onguepas therpart edl i ps .Herhandsf oundhi shai r and pl ayed wi t h t he t hi ck,s hor ts t rands whi l et hei r t onguesgl i ded t oget her,t as t i ng and t ouchi ng.Herheart pounded i n her ches t and s he pul l ed hi m cl os er, wrappi ng her arms around hi m.She ran her t ongue al ong t heedgeofhi st eet h,l ovi ng t hes weett as t eofhi s mout h.

Hemoved down herbodybys l ow degrees ,ki s s i ng and t as t i ng,ni bbl i ng and l i cki ng,unt i lhi sl i ps s l i pped overt het i p ofherbreas tand s uckl ed deepl y.Herback arched of ft hebed,and herhandss pas med agai ns thi s back.Hi st onguel i ckedci rcl esaroundherni ppl eashe 9 5

cont i nued t os uck,hi shai rt i ckl i ng hers ki n and maki ng hernerveendi ngsgohaywi re.

Li cki ng acros st heval l eyofherbreas t s ,heni pped att heunt ended ni ppl e,s mi l i ng agai ns therf l es h ass he moaned,bef ores ucki ng and l i cki ng i tunt i li tached wi t h need.Hi st onguef l i ckedacros shers t omachashemoved down,hi sbreat h was hi ng overhers ki n ashe s l i d,an i nch at a t i me, t oward her t hrobbi ng core. Sl i ppi ng bet ween hers pread l egs ,heeas ed hert hi ghswi derand res t ed on one el bow,draggi ng hi sf i ngers t hrough t he darkcurl st hatcoveredhermound. “ You ares os of there, ”hemurmured,a s mal ls mi l e onhi sl us hmout h.“ Ourpeopl earebare.Il oveyourcurl s ; t heyares opr et t y. ” She’ d neverhad anyones ay s hewaspret t yt here.

Shebl us hedands mi l edathi m,s ucki ngi nabreat hwhen hepart ed herl owerl i pswi t h hi st humbsand peered at her.Hi s eyes methers ,and t he l ook on hi sf ace was pri maland f ul lofneed.“ Pi nk and wet , ”he f l i cked hi s t ongue acros s her heat ed f l es h,and her whol e body j erked,“ ands os weet . ” Li cki ng up t hewets l i t ,hedel ved hi st onguei ns i de her core,as s he gr i pped t he s heet s and t he pl eas ure began t ocoi ldeep i ns i deher.Hes pread herapartwi t h t hef i ngersofonehand ashi sot herhand s l i pped down, andhepus hedaf i ngeri ns i deher. “ Oh. . . oh, ”s he moaned,herhi psri s i ng t ot ake hi s f i ngerdeeper.

He pul s ed i ti nt o her, t wi s t i ng i ti ns i de as he mas s aged heri nnerwal l s .Hi st ongue t ouched hercl i t , movi ng t he s ens i t i ve bud,ci rcl i ng and s t roki ng as he added a s econd f i nger.She f el tt he wi dt h ofhi sf i ngers i ns i deher,and want ed more.I tf el tgood,s ogood,buti t 9 6

Nova was n’ tenough. “ Haz, ”s he pant ed,f eel i ng t he edge ofcl i max j us t wi t hi n reach.He s ucked her cl i ti nt o hi s mout h and curved hi sf i ngersup,movi ng t hem i nhard,f as tmot i ons asherbodywri t hedunderhi m.Herpul s eraced,andher s t omachcl enchedi nwaves . “ I ,oh,Haz,oh. . . . oh! ”Shecri edout ,herbodyj erki ng of ft hebedaspl eas uref i l l edher.

Her body cl enched around hi m as heatexpl oded wi t hi n her,and herhi psros eand f el lasherl i mbswent l i mp.Wi t hl i qui d grace,hes l i pped up herbody,and s he caughthi shi pswi t hherl egsasheres t edi nt hecradl eof herbody.Hi shard cock l ay t rapped bet ween t hem,hot andheavy.

Frami ng her f ace wi t h hi s hands ,he ki s s ed her t enderl y,s t eal i ng herbreat hand maki ng herf al li nl ove wi t hhi m al i t t l ebi tmore. “ You’ l lbemi ne,s weet heart ?Forever? ”Hi svoi cewas earnes t ,hi seyespl eadi ng. “ Yes , Haz, ”s he promi s ed, brus hi ng her f i ngers t hrought hes of t ,s hort erhai roverhi sears .

Shi f t i ng s l i ght l y,he l i f t ed hi ms el ff rom her,eas i ng hi scockt ot heent ranceofherbodyandpaus i ng,meet i ng hereyesoncemore.Wi t honehand,hegri ppedhert hi gh hi gheron hi sbody and wi t ht he ot her,he l i nked t hei r handst oget herandpus hedi ns i de.

They moaned t oget herashi shuge l engt h pres s ed i nt o her,s t ret chi ng herand f i l l i ng herl i ke s he’ d never i magi ned pos s i bl e.He hel d hergaze and s queezed her hand, eas i ng back bef ore t hrus t i ng hard, f i l l i ng her compl et el y. “ Oh. . .

Haz, ”s hegas ped,pl eas ureri ot i ngt hroughher body att heexqui s i t edancebet ween pl eas ureand pai n 9 7

ashi scockpres s eddeepl yi ns i deher. “ Sweet hear t , ”he groaned,s l i di ng outs l i ght l y bef ore pres s i ngi nagai n,“ youf eels ogood. ” Sens ual l y,s l owl y,he pul l ed f rom her body wi t h l angui ds t rokes ,f i l l i ng herperf ect l yeacht i mehes urged f orward and t hei rbodi esmet .Herhi psmethi s ,herl egs t wi ned around hi sl ean,mus cul arbody.Shegri pped hi s handt i ght l y,andus edherf reehandt os t roket heheat ed f l es h ofhi ss i de,f rom t hecurveofhi shi pt o hi ss t rong s houl ders .The mus cl es under her f i ngers t ens ed and rel axed as he t hrus ti nt o her, and s he gri pped hi s s houl derand l i f t ed herhead t o ki s shi m.Sweats l i cked t hei rbodi es ,and s hef el thi m t rembl i ng s l i ght l yasi fhe wer ehol di nghi ms el fback,butl os i nghi sgri p. “ Harder, ”s hemoaned,“ t akeme,Haz,I ’ m yours . ” Hi shand gri pped hert hi gh harderf ora moment , andhes t oppedmovi ng,buri eddeepl ywi t hi nher.Wi t ha growl i n t he back of hi s t hroat , he pul l ed al mos t compl et el yf reeofherbodyand t hen s l ammed f orward, poundi ngi nt oherwi t haf uri ouspace.Shes l i dherhand f rom hi ss houl dert o hi sches t ,herf i ngersbrus hi ng t he hard poi nt s ofhi s ni ppl es ,t weaki ng one bet ween her f i ngers .

Gl anci ngdownt hel engt hofherbody,s hewat ched hi scockmovei nandoutofherbody,gl i s t eni ngwi t hher arous al ,pumpi ngandt hrus t i ngi nt ohercore.Hes l i done arm underherhi psandl i f t edher,changi ngt heangl eof herbodyandt hedept hsofhi st hrus t s . “ Oh!Haz! ”s he cri ed,her f i ngers di ggi ng i nt o hi s s ki n asbol t sofpl eas ure s pi ked t hrough her body.Hi s bodyt hrus ti nt ohersashes wi vel ed hi shi psand f i nal l y f oundapl acet hatmades t arswi nkbehi ndhereyes .

9 8

Nova “ Come,baby,pl eas e, ”he groaned,hi scock hi t t i ng herdeepes t ,mos tpl eas urabl epl ace.

Shef el thi scock s pas m i ns i deherashes hout ed hi s rel eas e,and her body s pi ral ed i nt o pl eas ure,a pl ace where l i ght s expl oded behi nd her eyes and her body s ei zed i nt he mos tamazi ng,magni f i centway.Hi sname f el ll i ke a prayeroft hanksf rom herl i psashe s l i pped down nextt oher,t hei rl egss t i l lt angl ed,bodi espres s ed t oget her.Her s ki nf el thotand her heartpounded,as pl eas urabl eaf t ers hockss hi veredt hroughher.

She’ d never orgas med duri ng s ex bef ore.I thad been i nt ens e and amazi ng,and s he wasgl ad t hats he coul ds haret hatwi t hHazt hn. “ I ’ veneverdonet hatbef ore. ”Haz’ svoi cewasraw and t hroat y.She wr apped herarmsar ound hi m ashe res t ed agai ns ther,hi s head on her ches t .Her f i ngers wovet hroughhi sdamphai r,s t i l lbl ue. “ Idon’ tunders t andwhatyoumean. ” Ti ppi ng hi sf ace up, hi s eyes penet rat ed hers . “ Madel ove.Youweremyf i rs t .Fi rs tki s s ,f i rs tl ovemaki ng, f i rs tt i met hatIcameandIdi dn’ that emys el f . ” “ I ’ ms orr yf oral lt hatyous uf f eredt hrough,butI ’ m gl ad t hatwef ound each ot her. ”Shecaughtt hes hi neof t earsi n hi seyes ,and hes mi l ed bri ef l yand dropped hi s headbackagai ns ther.

The s i l ence s t ret ched around t hem,and s he f ound hers el fdri f t i ngof ft os l eep,comf ort edbyt hewarm pres s ofhi s body agai ns thers .He woke her agai ns everal hoursl at ert o make l ove,pul l i ng heragai ns thi m when t heycol l aps edi napant i ngheap.Shehadnoi deaoft he t i me,ast heys l eptandat eandmadel ove,i nawonderf ul , pl eas urabl ecycl e.

9 9

***

Chapter1 2 Byt h ec l o c ki nt h eb a t h r o o m,she knew

t hatt hey’ d been i n bed f oral mos ta f ul lday when s he not i ced hi s hai rhadbegunt ochange.Thechangewass ubt l eatf i rs t , s omedarknes st ot hel us t rousbl ue,andt hens l owl y,asi f pai ntwaspoured overhi m,t hes i l kybl uel ockschanged t o al mos ta s ame hue ashers .A mi x off i re and dark brunet t e.

He peered at hi ms el fi n t he mi rror af t er t hey s howeredt oget her.Shedi dn’ ts peak,buti ns t eadwat ched hi m qui et l yashel ooked athi ms el f .Shewondered what hes aw;i fhef el tl i keadi f f erentpers on. “ When Iwasa ki d, ”he t ugged on a s hortl ock of hai r,“ Il oved mybl uehai r.Ius ed t oweari treal l yl ong, pul l ed backatt hes i desand brai ded.We’ rebornwi t hi t , you know.Bef ore t he f emal esbecame s t eri l e,t he mal es woul dgoont hei rconf eazol sandbel edt ot hei rwoman s omewhereonAs t ori a.Therewoul dbeamat i ngperi od,a f ew weeks ,when t he mal eswoul ds weep t hei rf emal es awayt oas ecretpl acet owoot hem bef orecl ai mi ngt hem.

Femal esrarel yrej ect ed t hemal es ,aseagert obemat ed ands t artf ami l i esast heywere.Andt hent hi ngschanged.

Thef emal esbecames t eri l e,andt heref oreunwant ed.The conf eazol sf ai l ed t o work;no mat ches were made.The bl ue hai rbecame a curs e ofs ort s .Unabl et o mat e,t he mal est urnedoneachot her,f i ght i ngovert hef ew f emal es 1 0 0

Nova t hatcoul dbearchi l dren,i gnori ngt heconf eazol s . “ When I was s ol d i nt ot he Warat el ,my f i rs tf ew cus t omers t al ked abouthow l ovel y my hai r was ,how pret t yIwas .SoIcuti tof fwi t ha dul lbl adeIs t ol ef rom t hemealhal l .Theownerwass of uri oust hatI ’ ddamaged myhai rt hathehad mewhi pped.Het ol d met hatIwas propert yand nota pers on,and Iwasnott ocutmyhai r agai nunl es sIhadpermi s s i on.Thef i rs tt hi ngIdi dwhenI wasf reewascutmyhai r. ” Hegrew qui etagai n,ands hes t oodf rom wheres he hads atont heedgeoft hebat hi ngpoolandhuggedhi m. “ Il ovet hecol or.I tmeans -we' rel i ket wopeasi na pod-i nAs t ori ni an. " Sheki s s edhi sbi cep.“ Nomor es i t t i ngbel ow mel i ke youweredoi ng.Iwantyoubymys i de,i nal lways . ” Shemethi seyesi nt hemi rror.“ I t ’ shard f ormet o getoutofol dhabi t s ,butI ’ l lt ryf oryou. ” They s t ood i ns i l encewhi l ehebat t l ed hi sdemons , and t hen he s eemed t os hake hi st hought s away and t urned wi t h hi sarmsaround her ,wal ki ng outi nt ot he bedroom. “ Ihaveaques t i onaboutt heconf eazolt hi ng. ” She s t ood nextt o hi m att he ref ri gerat ed cabi net and l ooked i ns i det hel i ght ed i nt eri or.Wi res hel veshel d neat l yarranged f ood i t ems .Hepul l ed an ovalcont ai ner f rom ones hel fandaj ugoff rui tj ui ce. “ Whatdoyouwantt oknow? ” Thecont ai nerhel daf ourn,a t ypeofl arge,bl ackf eat hered f owlt hatt as t ed l i ket urkey.I twasbas t ed wi t h s weet f rui tl i ke apri cot and cooked f or hours . He s hreddedi tont os l i cesoft hi ck,t angybread. “ Wel l ,i f a woman rej ect s a mal e who di d t he conf eazolf orher,you s ai dt hatt he f emal e goest ot he 1 0 1

Warat el .Aren’ tt hey s t i l ls oulmat es ?How can anot her mal e cl ai m herand have hi shai rchange duri ng t hei r mat i ng? ” Theys atdownatt het abl e,heri nas i l kyaquarobe andHazi ns at i nl oungepant s .“ I ft hewomanrej ect shi m, even af t ert het hreel unarcycl es ,t hen s he’ st aken t ot he homeand t hei rt i esares evered.Hewon’ tbeabl et ogo onanot herconf eazol ,buthecanchoos eanot herunmat ed f emal eandt akeherashi sbri de.Themedi calcommuni t y hasa s erum t hatcan bei nj ect ed i nt ot hemal epri ort o t hei rmat i ngt hatwi l lal l ow hi mt obondwi t hherasi fs he washi st rues oulmat e. ” “ So bot ht he mal et hatl os therand t he mal et hat choos esherevent ual l ywi l lbot hhavet ot aket hes erum? ” “ Yes .I t ’ scompl i cat ed and expens i ve,and i t ’ swhy t here are t hree l unarcycl esf ort he mal est ot ry t o wi n t hei rf emal esover. ” “ I tmus tbehardf ort hemal es . ” He s hrugged and t ook a bi t e of hi ss andwi ch, was hi ng i tdownwi t ha dri nkofj ui ce.“ Af ew yearsago, t he government deci ded t hat t hei rs ol di ers woul d be happi erandmoreproduct i vei ft heyhadmat esi ns t eadof us i ng t he Warat el ,s o t hey f orced t hem t o go on conf eazol s .Many oft he f emal esf rom yourpl anetwere f rom t hos e wal ks . Not al l of t hos e men, t hough, s weet heart ,ar ei nt eres t ed i n bei ng mat ed.Someoft hem are s t ri ct l y mi l i t ar ymi nded, Li ke Nyke. And ot hers woul dn’ t neces s ari l y be l ovi ng or ki nd. I woul d be s urpri s ed i fevery f emal ef rom your group had mat ed wi t ht hei rmal es . ” “ Oh. ”She s uddenl yf el ts orry f or t he women t hat hadbeenabduct edwi t hher.Shel eanedoverandki s s ed hi scheek.

1 0 2

Nova “ Whatwast hatf or,s weet heart ? ”Hes mi l ed. “ Becaus eI ’ m real l yl ucky. ” Hepi cked up herhand and ki s s ed t het op.“ I ’ mt he l uckyone,s weet heart .Yous avedme.I ’ l ls pendt heres tof myl i f et hanki ngyouf ori t . ”

1 0 3

Chapter1 3 Th en e x t d a ys h ewa sg r a n t e dh e rs t u f f b a c k, whi chs he

hadret urnedt ot hecl os etbef oreJ oaancamei n.Haz pul l edoutacel lphoneofs ort sands crol l edt hrought he news . " Hm. " " What? " ,Avri las ked.

Hazt hnpondered," That ' swhatPul s t i smeant .Whi l e Iwast here atPul s t i s ' s ,Ivaguel y heard an al arm and Pul s t i scal l i ng Nykeabouta mat t eraboard t hes hi p.but mos tofi twasabl ur. " Avri l ' seyeswi dened.Kel l y. " Whathappened? " Haz cont i nued, " A human f rom eart h made i t aboard t hes hi p wi t houtan ext ract i on t eam,and i tl ooks l i ke s he' s bei ng quarant i ned at t he gi l bado.That ' sa i nt errogat i onarea. " Avri l ' s gaze wandered around t he room,and i t was n' tl ongbef oreHaznot i ced.

"Youknow s omet hi ng,s weet heart ? " Avri ldart ed her eyes back t o Haz.Even t hough des pai ri ng t henewswas ,herecs t as yhadn' twas hed out yetf rom hi m.ands hebl urt ed. " Yeah. " Hazdi dn' tphas e.i ns t eadhes hockedher."Iwon' t 1 0 4

Nova s ay a t hi ng butBy t he way you were l ooki ng around, s he' sa f ri end.f rom t hatmys t ery cl ub.and s he made i t heref rom whats hemadet hrought hatcl ub."

Avri ls hocked,s hebl urt edagai n, " How' dyaknow t hat? " " Sweet heart , Eart h humans have amazi ng capabi l i t i es when t hey mat e wi t h us mal es here on As t ori a.Youares ki l l edi nps ychol ogy,yes ?Yougavemea gi f tofreadi ngmi nds ."

Avri lgaped," Oh, wel lt hen.

"Shet ri ed t ogras p but coul dn' tat t ai n. " Idon' tunders t and. " Hazs mi rked," You' reagod,ri ght?Whenwemat ed, cert ai nt rai t sandgi f t swerepas s edont oeachot her.One oft hem i sagi ven,t hewi ngs .Ot hersbas edons ki l l s ,l i ke mi ndreadi ng.Andot hersl i kephys i cal ,maybet hat ' swhy Ihavemoreredt i nti ns t eadofdarkbrownbecaus et hat ' s whatyoul i kei nmenwhoarous eyou."

Shes patoutherrol l ii n choke.and admi t t ed " Um, yes . " " And you wi l lprobabl ygai ns i mi l argi f t s .Maybea wi s hofmi neort wo. " Avri lgras ped."

Doest hatmean I ' l lgrow a coupl e i nches?I ' ms hortyou,know." " Il oveyourhei ght ,Iwoul dneverchangei t . " Crap. " Whatdi dn' tyoul i keaboutme? " He pondered," Il ove mos t l y everyt hi ng aboutyou.

I t ' sj us tt hatyou have a habi tofs peaki ng your mi nd.

Somet i mest hat ' snotgood.Andcl earl yi t ' ss t i l lt here. " She deal ta s mug l ook and gri nned," Dealwi t hi t , baby. " He chuckl ed and gotup f rom hi ss eat ,l urki ng hi s pacet o hers eat ."

Oh,dealwi t hi t ? " ,hegavet hedevi l s 1 0 5

gri n.

Shebl us hedandgri nnedt ohi sres pons e." mhm. " Hepaus ed i nf rontofherand s t ared i nt ohereyes . t henpi ckedherupoverhi ss houl dersandcarri edhert o t hecouch. " Hm. . .l et ' ss eehow wecandealwi t ht hi s . " Shegi ggl ed l i kea mi ddl es choolgi rl .Hebentand ki s s edhers weetl i psl i keabudofhoneys uckl e.Shef i l l ed hi m wi t ht hi spoi s on t hatcares s ed hi m even more.Thei r cont actl as t ed f or moment s wi t h no end,i ts eemed.He s t r i pped ofhi s robe and hers and cont i nued hi s deal .

Bodi eswi t houtan i nch apartbui l tup a f eroci ousheat t hats wel l edupbet weengas ps . " Haz," Hel ookedup" Yes ,Love? " " If orgi veyou.Iwant ed t ot el lyou t hat . "s hes ai d wi t hs i ncer i t y.

I mmedi at el yagl ow wentt ohi seyes .hebentdown t oherandwhi s peredbef oreheni bbl eds opreci ous l y, " Thankyou,goddes s .Myl i f ei si nyourhands . " Hes pread herl egsand s t raddl ed herhi psagai ns t hi st ors o.Shegras ped t hecus hi onsoft hes of a and hel d herhead backi ns ubmi s s i on.I t ' swhen hedovei nt oher oas i si n t he des ert when s he prai s ed hi s name. He moaned t oherprai s esand backand f ort hs o.Hecycl ed hi spus hesperf ect l y,whi chs entherof fi nacos mi cdaze.

He f el ther power and hi s power bui l d wi t hi n and hi s head f el lback i n pas s i on and pl eas ure.He gri pped on and wors hi ped herashe wi s hed unt i la s harp burni ng pai ns i mmered t hrough hi ss cars .hi smoanst urned i nt o groans .Though i tdi dn' ts t op hi sdevot i on t ohi sgoddes s ofl ove.He pr es s ed on even harder,s endi ng a whi rla 1 0 6

Nova dreams f or her t o cons pi re ni ght s ahead.hi s cl i max began and wi t hi nas houtofrel eas e,newborn angel wi ngss prout edf rom hi sback " Don' tl ook.Idon' twantt os careyou. "hewarned.

Shet raced herhandsf rom hi sarmst ohi sback," I t ' sok, l etmes ee. " They were magent a,l i ke a f i ery pi nk wi t h gol d l acedbet weenandout .Hegracedhi snew wi ngsandher t hem ata s t ance,breat hed and gas ped f orai rt oreach hi sl ungs ,f rom t heef f orthebi rt hedf rom hi sbacks i de. " Haz,t hey' rebeaut i f ul. " He l owered hi s gaze i nt o hers , whi ch l ooked druggedandexas perat ed. " Youl i ket hem ? "hemoaned.

Shenoddedwi t hat eenygri n."

Very. " Hes hel t eredhi swi ngsoverherandki s s edherneck t ol i psagai n."

Honey,keepme." " Asl ongasyoukeepme. " hi seyesmethersandi tf el tasi fhepeeredi nt oher s oul .He hel d her hands ,whi ch were l ai d agai ns tt he couchcus hi onsnow. " Now,t hey have t hes et hi ngscal l ed ' weddi ngs 'on Eart h,don' tt hey?Whydon' twehaveone? " " You' dreal l ydot hat? "s hes ayss i t t i ngup. " ofcours e,anyt hi ngf oryou,s weet heart. " Hes aw a t ears wel lup i n hereyesand hegavea pi t ygri n."Anyt hi ng,real l y? " " Yes ,anyt hi ng. " Thes oundofanangelbeckoni ngathercal ls eemed powerf ul .Butt henagai n,s hebl urt ed. " How s o? " He l aughed," ' Angel s 'have a s t at us on As t ori a, They' re known asprot ect orsand have hi gh acces sand 1 0 7

capabi l i t i esamongs tt hepeopl e' s .Even i fIchoos enott o bei nt hegovernment ,Is t i l lhaveordersIcancommand. " " Li kepuni s hi ngt hatPul s t i s? " " Li ke get t i ng your f ri end a part ner,s os he won' t endupi nt heWarat el . " Uhoh.Kel l y. " Youcandot hat? " " Yes.Icani nt ervenenow . " She nodded," Coul d you,pl eas e?It ol d hernott o buts hedi di tanyways .s he' spret t ys t ubborn. " Hazhadas urpri s i ngt houghtent erhi m. " Letmegogetdres s ed. " He t hrew on a pai roft hi ck mat eri alpant sand a t i ghts of ts hi rt ,l i kecot t on.Heal s ot hrew on s omes hoes andgrabbedaf ew t hi ngs .Paus i ngbef oreheheadedout t he door,t he s t i l lnude Avri lpl eaded wi t h Hazt o come wi t hhi m. " Sweet heartt hel unarcycl ei s n' toverwi t h.Iwoul d l ovef oryout ocomebutIcan' tt akeyouwi t hme. " Shef rowned."

OK. " She began t ot urn butHaz caughther chi n and s t ared i nt o her."

Hey,I ' m notgonna abandon you,I ' m f reaki ngi nl ovewi t hyou.Yourmywi f e,andmat e.Iai n' t gi venupt hateas y. " Avri ls mi l ed"Youbet t er. " Hegri nned" Il oveyou,babe. " "Il oveyou! "s heexcl ai med.

He gave her a mout hy ki s s and depart ed t he chamber. * * * * * *

1 0 8

Nova

Chapter1 4 Ke l l ys a ti nap r e t t yt y p i c a ls t e r i l er o o m.Col df eel i ng,

much greyand bl uemet al .Shewondered how t hi srace

comparedt ohumans.. . . what ' st hi sraceagai n?

A decor at ed of f i cer ent ered t he room and l ean agai ns tt hewal li nf r ontofher. " Yourname. " " Um,"s he s poke nervous l y.She wasatoddsnot knowi ng whatt os ayand whatt heywoul d dot oher.So s headdres s edhers el fi nhi ghhopes ."

Mynamei sKel l y.I comef rom Eart h.Iam-" " Weknow youcomef rom Ear t h. "heremarked. " I al s o come i n peace, t oo- by t he way, "s he wandered.Wi t h no humorous res pons e,s he ret urned normal l y. " Ohs o,um . . . how' dyouknow Icamef rom Eart h? " Somerevers eps ychol ogywi l ldo. " I tdoes n' tmat t erhow Iknew i t .Al lt hatmat t ersi s whyyouarehere.Whatyouri nt ent i onsare. " Kel l ygots t ammered," Wel l,Uh-Ican' texpl ai ni t. . . . maybeIcan. . . " t he of f i cerrai s ed an eyebrow."

Go ahead. " ,ashe waveshi sf i ngeraround.

Kel l ys t rat egi zed," Fi rs t,you have t ot el lme -Uhhow doyouknow Engl i s h?Yeah!How come? " 1 0 9

" Sel f t aught .Yourt urn. " Kel l ywanderedhereyesaroundf rant i cal l y. " TheBermudat ri angl e. " t heof f i cerj us ts t ared."

What? " " Yeah,di d you know -i t ' sact ual l y a bl ack hol e? ! d' yah!whowoul doft houghtoft hat ? ! " " Maybes omeEart hAs i an gi r lwhoneeded t omake upanexcus ef ort het rut h. " Kel l ypoi nt edathi m, " Wecal lt hos el i esoneart h. . . " Hej us ts t ared. " Li es . " Si l ence s et t l ed among t hem.I ts eemed qui et f or s everalmi nut es .Thenhebus t edoutl aughi ng. " Iknew t hat .Wereyouf i ni s hi ng s omei nt ro,ri ght?

C' mon,f i ni s hi t . " Kel l yf el ti ns ul t ed,butnevert hel es si tdi dn' tbot her her.Hewasamus ed,whi chmakeshi m weak. " WherewasI ?Um . .yeah . . .mynamei sKel l yand I ' m2 2and. . .t hat ' si t ."

Hes hookhi shead" That ' si t ? " " Yeah. . " t heof f i cerbegant os peak,butt hedooropenedand amanpeekedoutf rom behi nd. " Nyke." " I ' m notdone,Z. "herat t l ed. " Now.I t ' sanorder. " Nykes hothi shead t os eehi sbes tf ri end mat ed,now l egal l yhavi ngaut hori t yoverhi m.

Nyke bumped of ft he wal land excus ed hi ms el f .

They went behi nd a bl i ndi ng gl as s l i ke much i nt errogat i onroomshave.

1 1 0

Nova " She' spl ayi ngyou." " No,youdi dn' ts ay?

"Nykes as s ed. " One:nott he purpos e you' re t hi nki ng of .Two : you' reenj oyi ng i t . " Nyke s eemed s t art l ed," How do you know whatI ' m t hi nki ng? " "Icanreadmi nds ,Nyke.Thankt hemat e. " Nyket urnedaway. " s he' s want i ng t o gett o know you wi t houtbei ng execut ed,real l yt ohi det het rut h" Nykel ooked up atKel l y," Sowhatareyou t hi nki ng now ? " Hazl ookedathi scompani on," I t ' st i me,X,t aket he conf eazol . " Nyke i mmedi at el ys hook hi shead i n deni al ," No.I don' thavet i me.Idon' tneedi t . " " Yes you do. .remember whatyou promi s ed me?

You' davengemef orwhathappenedt omeatt heWarat el . . .and af t er?Pul s t i s hasdone enough bad t o us. . .us al l . " Nykegl ancedatt hegi rlagai n. . . " t hi si syouronl ychance. " Nykes i mmered hi semot i on and s ubmi t t ed."

OK.I ' l l doi t. . .Idon' tknow how yout hi nkt hatgi rloutofal lt he gal axi eswoul dbemys oulmat e." " s he' st heonl ygi rlt hat ' smadeyoul aughl i ket hat . i nf actanybody t omakeyoul aughl i ket hat . " Nykenodded ," K.I ' l ldoi t .Buti fwedon' tmat ch. . . you' repayi ngt heoddsup. " " Deal. " * * * * 1 1 1

Nykef el twoozycomi ng outoft hecl i ni c.Hehel d hi s head wi t h a coolgell i ke pack agai ns thi st empl e.he s hookhi sheadi ndi s bel i efoft hes i t uat i on.henow hada debtt opay.ani mmens eone. .s i ncet hi swass hi p' scl i ni c.

Nykearri vedatt hegi l bodaandmetwi t hHazt hn.

Nykehandedt heres ul t sofhi ss oul -wal kt ohi snow chi ef ,and s atdown on i n an of f i cechai r.Hazl ooked at t henot esandeyedt heres ul t satt hebot t om . c o n c l u s i v er e s u l t : Ma t ePo s i t i v e

Ma t et y p e: He a r t ma t e Id e n t i f i c a t i o n: Ke l l yJoLi n g

" Wow ,t hat ' sa rare one.t hos e don' tpop up t hat much. " Nykes t ared of fi nt o di s t anceand groaned, " She' s t heonl yoneI ' m compat i bl ewi t h.Notonl yt hat ,i fIdon' t wanther,art i f i ci als erum won' tworkonme." " Hm . . .gof i gur e."

Nykegl ared."Funny. " " Whatdi ddoct orst el lyout odo? " Nyke cl os ed hi s eyes i n pai n, " Purs ue her i mmedi at el y.Veryhi ghi nof f s pri ngf ert i l i t y." " Thereyago.Enoughs ai d. " Nykel oweredt hepackf rom hi shead,asHazgotup and handed hi m hi spapersback."you bet t ergetback t oyourchambers. .you' vegota l unarcycl e t owi n her over. " " Pl uswork.Pl usareportonani nt ruder. " " I ' l lhel pasmuchasIcan.

"Hazpl eaded.

Nykeros ef rom t het abl eand t hrew t hei cepacki n t hewas t ebi n. " how' st he mat e? " ,Nykevol l eyed.

1 1 2

Nova Hazgri nned," Bl untasever. .buti t ' ss t i l lcut e. " Nykegri nnedal i t t l e." congrat s . " Hazf i rml ygri ppedoneofNyke' ss houl der," Yout oo. " * * * * Avri lf l i ppedt hrought hechannel sont hevi d,f i ndi ng not hi ngbet t ert owat ch. " Dang,where' sNet f l i x? " Haz wal ked i n t he chamber t o f i nd hi s mat e l oungi ng around t hecouch.hi smanl yt onehehad wi t h Nykel owereddoneands of t ened. " Hey,s weet s . " Shepeeredf rom t hecouch," You' rehomeal ready? " " Yes ,dear,f ort heni ght . " Haz l i ght l ys eat ed hi ms el fbes i de Avri land s i ghed. " i t ' s beenal ongday. " " Hi ghsandl ows ? " " Verymuchs o.

"Hazrepl i ed," ButI ' m backathome f ornow . . .youhungry? " " yes . " Haz paus ed " what ' si n your backpack?

"I nt hos e bags ,i si tf ood? " " Oh. . .If orgotaboutt hat. .yeahl etmegogeti t ."

She grabbed her bag and s huf f l ed t hrough her bel ongi ngs .Shepul l ed outa bag ofchees epuf f s ,candy barsandboxes ,acakerol l ,s parecl ot hesf rom herpl anet , a brus h,t oi l et ri es ,a wal l et ,herMP3pl ayer,and Kel l y' s s t uf f .From what s he dug out and pres ent ed i n f i ve mi nut es . " Iwantt ot ryt hechees epuf f s ."Hazas ked.

Sheopened t hechees ys nackbag and handed i tt ohi m.

Hepul l edoutapi eceandat ei t.hemadeaf unnyf acet o 1 1 3

t hecrunchi nes sandt henrel i evedi t . " I tt as t es l i ke waes i p. .t hat ' s curdl ed j ui ce f rom t he vacaba,aherdi ngani mal . " " Wehaveourvers i onoft hatonEart h.Wecal lt hem ' cows ' ;t heyproduce' mi l k' .andt hatcurdl eds t uf fi scal l ed ' chees e' . " " Cows ? Mi l k? Chees e? Huh, f unny words . " , he chuckl ed. " I t ' sgood. " Hes mi l ed" Ibel i eveyou, s weet heart . " Haz gotup and moved t ot he bat hroom,as he cal l edf orAvri lt of ol l ow.

" Why???"

" Cuz you can' tf i nd anyt hi ng t o wat ch.Mi ghtas wel l . "

Thatmi nd readi ng t hi ng,That ' s anot her t hi ng t ot he sandwi chpi l et ochew on. " OK" Hazcal l edf ort hepoolt of i l landconvers at i onf i l l ed t hebat hhous e. * * * *

1 1 4

Nova

Chapter1 5 Ke l l ya r r i v e dt oNy k e ' sc h a mb e r sd o o r ,wi t h no i dea

whatwasgoi ng t o happen next .She wasgi ven a pi nk gem cabochon neckl ace,much l i ke Avri l ' s .She al ways had a t as t ef orpi nk,s ot o be gi ven a pi ece ofj ewel ry t hat ' spi nk,real l ywooedher.

Al es s erdecorat ed of f i cerpl aced hi shand on t he knock s ens or and addres s ed hi m and Nyke' s bri des pres ence.Nykeopenedt hedoort os eeKel l ydres s edi na whi t e t uni cl i kedres sand i nf l at s .s hewass urpri s ed t o s eet heof f i cerwhoi nt errogat edherandanawf ulf eel i ng cameoverherasi fs omet hi ngwasaboutt ohappen.

Nyke,t hemanwhoi nt errogat edher,wasnow out ofhi suni f orm,weari ngwhats eemedt obel i kej eansand a Ts hi rt .Thats eems human,Kel l yt hought .Nyke had waved bl ue hai r,remi ndi ng her oft he oceans dept hs .

That ' snothuman.Hi sappearance baf f l ed her,and s he coul dn' thel pbutreact .

Nykenoddedt ot heof f i cer,whodepart edf rom t he t woi nqui ckr es pons e.Hi sheart mat ewasnow i nf rontof hi m and he was now putunder more pres s ure t han bef orei n hi sl i f e.Hecoul dn' teven f at hom t hes ubj ectof af f ect i onat e communi cat i on t owards a woman. He coul dn' t .Hel i ved and breat hed onmi l i t aryevers i ncehe 1 1 5

was t wel ve.There was never a t i me t os et t l e down t o mat e,even part akei nas oulwal k.Butnow t hathehas , t hi ngscoul dn' toft akenant urnf ort heevenwors t .

NykecaughtKel l yi na pecul i ars t aref rom hi sheavy wei ght ed daze.Shewaspret t y,herhai rcutl i kea ' l ong bob'and s ki n whi t easKarl en,As t ori ni an i vory.Herl i ps wer e s t i l l heavi l y gl os s ed des pi t e s omehow t ravel i ng t hrough s pace and i ns pace f ora f ew novas .She was s hort ,but. . .perf ect . " AreyouOK? " ,hi sgi rlas ked.

Heemer ged hi sat t ent i on f rom hi st rai n oft hought andcooed," Yes ,I ' mf i ne. " He was n' tqui t ef ami l i arwi t ht hi sf eel i ng,butt he f eel i ng s hemadehi m f eelwasf unny around hi scrot ch.

Hef el texpos ed,asi fs hes aw hi swhol ef rame. " Comei n,pl eas e."

Kel l ykeptaneyeont hes t rangerass hewal kedby hi m.Hel ooked l i kehewasaboutt oeatherup and s he was n' taboutt ol ett hathappenanyt i mes oon.Eveni fhe hadat raceofhumani nhi m,s hehadnopl ansofl et t i ng hi m cros sanyborders .

Kel l ys urveyed around t heroom ass hewai t ed f or t hes acros antt of i ni s h hi sf i x.Shenot ed everyt hi ng,t he bl ue hued wal l s and cedarl ooki ng f l oor,t he brus hed met alt abl e and uni que f abri cs of a.No pi ct ures .Buti t l ooksasi ft heroom was n' tevenus ed.

Kel l yf el tt hatburni ng gaze on her agai ns os he t ri edt orel i evei tbyaddres s i nghi m. " What ' syournameagai n?"

Heconvened," Mynamei sNyks uronKaol i n, butyoucancal lmeNyke.I t ' seas i ert os ay. " " andhow doyouact ual l yknow Engl i s hs of arf rom 1 1 6

Nova mys ol ars ys t em? " " I ' m a capt ai n oft he ext ract i on uni t .Ihave t o do res earchonal lpl anet ss owecans t rat egi cal l yext ractt he f emal es f r om t hei r worl d under i t ss ecuri t i es radar.

Humansofeart h areamong t hemos tuni quei ndi vi dual s ofmyexpert i s e. ", hef l at t ered " Capt ai n,huh?And Igues syouratt heof f i cemos t t het i me,' cuzIs eet hatt hi spl acei sbarl eyevenus ed. " Nyke t urned hi sf ace away i n embarras s ment , not i ng t he f acti ts eems l i ke t o her hi sl i f ei sf ake.No per s onal i t yi nhi shomewascrus hi ng,buthedi dn' thave t het i met ocreat e.

Kel l yt urnedt oNykewhogl ancedhi seyesupt oher.

Henow proppi nghi supperbodyupwi t hhi sarmsonhi s ki t chenscount er. " Not i met odecorat e. "heans wered.

She nodded.She needed t o know more abouthi m andeveryt hi ngel s et oo. " Um,i t ' l lhel pi fyous how mes omerooms .I ' dl i ket o us eabat hroom s omet i me."

Nykes t i rred hi spos i t i on up and gui ded hert ot he bat hroom,s howi nghert heameni t i eshehadf orher. " Ij us tl earnedt odayyou' dbes t ayi ngwi t hme,s oI don' thave much f emi ni ne product s .I ' m t ravel i ng t ot he markett omorrow f ort hatpurpos e. " Kel l y di dn' tmi nd.She wasa t omboy growi ng up, obs es s edwi t hvi deogamesandcomi cs .pl ayi ngi nt hedi rt , weari ngkhaki s .Soi twas n' tabnormalf orhert ous et hat s t uf f .

She wi t hdrew t he pot t ed s oap f rom t he s hower andwhi f f edt hes cent .I tremi ndedherofeucal ypt usand ci nnamon.very ni ce smel l i ng. . .VERY ni ce smel l i ng,she t hought ,VERY." I t ' l ldo."

Nyke s howed her t he s el f dryi ng t owel , whi ch 1 1 7

wowedher.het henus heredhert ot hecl os et . " Thi s wi l lbe your cl os et .Li ke Is ai d,t omorrow I ' l lget cl ot hesf oryou." " Whatam Igoi ng t owheret oni ght ?Idon' tt hi nki t ' l l f eelni cewear i ngadres st obed. " Nyke s t i f f ened,Is houl d have made t hatpurchase whenIwasonmywayhome.Hecursedunderhi sbreat h and ret urned t oKel l y.Hepi nched t heedgesofherdres s s l eevesand t hen s i des .Het raced herwai s tl i newi t h hi s hands , uni nt ent i onal l y maki ng Kel l y bl anched, t hen pi nked.Heret reat ed hi shandsf rom herand apol ogi zed.

He ent ered a room and t he s ound ofdrawers openi ng andcl os i ngrus hedt hrought heroom.

Kel l y vi ewed around t he room a l i t t l e bi tmore, not i ci ng oneact ualpi ct uredi s pl ayed on t het abl e.More l i keas hadow box,i thel dawornanderodedbadget hat s howedaunus ualcel t i cknots he' dnevers eenbef ore.She pl acedhers el fi nf rontoft hedi s pl ayandbecamecuri ous .

Shebegant oreachoutandt ouchi ti nperpl exi t y.

Nykerumbl ed t hrough t hedrawersofhi scapt ai n s ui t el ooki ng f orreas onabl e cl ot hesf orhi sheartmat e.

He' dpi ckupas hi rtort uni c,l ookati tandt hrow i tback i nt hedrawer .Hef i nal l ys el ect ed a a pai roft hi nl i ned s l acksand anol d Ts hi rtofhi s ,s t i l lpos s es s i ng hi shus ky s cent .Nykeret reat edt oKel l ywhowasaboutt ot ouchhi s brot hersmemori al .Hei nt errupt ed hert r ance,hopi ng t o pl eas eherwi t hwhathedi dhave. " That ' smyl os tbrot her' smemori al . " i twast hewordst hatwerebreat hed byNyke,t hat equal ed hi m t o hers el f .The s ubt l e pai nt hatwasi n hi s eyess t ruckacordwi t hher,t hats hes haredas amepai n ashi m:al os tbrot her.

1 1 8

Nova Kel l ys t ammered i n nervous nes swhi l eNykewai t ed f orhert obackawayf rom a pri zed pi eceofhi sl i f e.She j erked backherhandsand f i ddl ed wi t h herf i ngersi na pol i t eway.An eeri es i l encef el lbet ween t hem whi l et hey wai t ed f ora s ound f rom ei t hers i de.Nykereent ered t he t al ks moot hl yf rom t heabruptdi s t urbance. " I fyou want ,you can cal lf ora s howerand bat he and whi l es o Ican cook a meal .You probabl y haven' t eat enagoodmeali nnovas . " s he t i l t ed herhead i n conf us i on."

I ' ve been on t he s hi pf ort hatl ong? " He s hook hi s head. He had l ed t o her a mi s unders t andi ng once more. " Novas . They' re t he equi val entofwhatyou cal l' days ' ,buta l i t t l e di f f erent .

Youmus toft houghtofs omet hi ngel s e. " Kel l ynoddedi nagreement ," It houghtNovas ,l i kei n s upernova,bi g expl os i on,Kapow! Happenseveryot her bi l l i onyears . " " No.Novas .Days .Samet hi ngal mos t . " ,heret ort ed.

Kel l ys t ammered once more,as s he f el tas i ft he not i on ofnotknowi ng t he di f f erence ofnovasand days was el ement ary.ButNyke caughtt he emot i on i n her s t anceandbegant oexpl ai nt het i mes he' dbeent heref or. " You' ve been here f oraboutt hree novas .us ual l y f orany out s i de f emal e,t hey' re us ual l y aboard t he H' i l o f orf ourt eennovasbynow. " Kel l yt ooknot eoft het i mes he' dbeent here,pi nni ng each t i mes heneeded a neces s i t yl i kef ood orhydrat i on orj us tt o go t ot he bat hroom.Very l i t t l e di di thappen.

Thet houghtoft hes ees s ent i al sbei ng mi s s ed al lcameat oncei nagurgl eandurget odi s pens eofherbodi l yf l ui ds .

Shepardonedhers el fanddi s mi s s edt heconvers at i ont hat Nyket ri edt oeas e.

Nyket ooki nhers peedyexi tt ot hebat hroom when 1 1 9

he had t ri ed t o expl ai ns ome cl ari t yt o her.He s i ghed heavi l y and began t o conj ure i n hi s head whatwoul d appeas ef orameal .Pl usmakei ti nt i mebef ores hecomes outoft he s howerpod.He s crat ched hi shead f uri ous l y, f rus t rat ed.How doIpl eas eher?I t ' sbeenreal l yawkward s i nces hewal kedi n,how doIhi ti tof f ?

Kel l yf i gured outt hes howert echnol ogypret t yf as t , s i ncehedi ds ay' cal lf oras hower'Hemus tbenervousor s omet hi ng,Kel l ypondered.Shes t ri ppedofhert uni cdres s and poked i n her bi gt oe t ot es tt he t emperat ure.She f ound i ta l i t t l ecol d butdi dn' tbot herherenough t o go and as kNyket oadj us ti t .Kel l yt hen i mmers ed herbare body i nt ot he l ukewarm wat er and l etouta gros s ed s hi ver on cont act .She l ett he wat er hydrat e her s ki n, whi chhadf el ts t eri l edryl i kes hedus edhands ani t i zert o cl ean i ns t ead ofs oap.Her hai rf el tcoars e and woul d need t he was h. She reached f or t he s hampoo, hi s s hampoo.Shel at hered t hes oap i n herhai rand f ound i t real l ys oot hi ng,l i ke t he was h wasmedi cat ed t os oot he s omeone' ss t res s .Sheri ns ed,ands i ncehedi dn' tcondi t i on, s hecont i nuedt obodys oap.I thadt hes ames centast he s hampoo,and had t hes ames oot hi ng ef f ect ,t oo.Ri ns i ng agai n,s hecaughtup i nas t i r.Shewasaboutt oreent er anot herconvers at i on wi t ht heman as s i gned t oherasa ' bri de.

'Bri de.

Kel l ydri ed and dres s ed,wrappi ng a t owelaround herheadi nf reecarei fwhet heri tbot her edhi m ornot .I t probabl y woul dn' t .She pi cked up t he dres st hatwas gi ven f or her t o wear i ns t ead ofher green t s hi rtand di s t res s ed j eans .Igues st hey f ancy t hatki nd off as hi on f orwomen.

She ent ered t he room agai n,onl yt o be hi tby t he s mel lofAs i an cui s i ne.I ts mel l ed ofnos t al gi cmeal sher 1 2 0

Nova f at herus edt omakef orherandhermot heronThurs day ni ght s .She wass urpri s ed and yetcal med by t he s mel l .

She methi m i nt he ki t chen t os s i ng gol fbal ls i zed meat , wi t h veget abl es ofpurpl e and bl ue and yel l ow.Even t houghi tl ookeddi f f erent ,hehi thomewi t hheral ready.

She pl aced her cl ot hes on t he s i de t abl e and approached t hecount ert hatf aced Nykeand t hecooker.

He t urned t os ee heruns oi l ed,herhead wrapped i na t owel .He l ooked down att he pan ofmi xed i ngredi ent s and t os s ed t hem.Hedi dn' tmi nd t het owelon herhead, he' d s een ot her f el l ow cot mat es wrapped i n t owel s t hems el vess of reel y.Shewas n' tanydi f f erent .Hedi s hed outas ervi ngoft hemealonas t onel ooki ngpl at t erwhen he f i ni s hed s t i rri ng.As Kel l y obs erved t he di s h as s he i nhal ed i t st angy s cent . Orange chi cken, one of her f avori t es ,but si t s appearance was dark and heavi l y s eas oned. " It ri ed a vers i on oft hi sdi s h whi l eIvi s i t ed Eart h wi t ht heext ract i ont eam.I ' m pret t ys ureyouknow whati t i s ,butonAs t ori a,i t sl i kenes si sofThakkak,madeofwi l d f owl ,root sandmi l dveget at i on. " " You' vevi s i t edEart h?"s hes hot .

He hal t ed f rom begi nni ng t o eathi sf ood s l owl y.

Chewi ngands wal l owi nghard,heobeyedandans wered, " Whenweext ractf emal esf rom apl anet ,Iam t heheadof t heExt ract i on Uni t .Ius ual l yt ravelwi t ht het eam ast he head operat i veoft hevi s i t .Iwoul d of t engot ol owdown res t aurant sand s peak wi t h managementwe' ve s el ect ed ast hebes thos t sf orours horts t ay, "headded," Thehead ofmanagementwe pi ck us ual l y of f ers a pl ace t os t ay t emporari l ywi t h hi m orherknowi ng ourt ruei nt ent sof t he s t ay.Then once al lf emal esare gat hered i n a Bet a des t i nat i on,we departf rom t he hos t ,pay f orours t ay, andt rans portt ot hes hi pvi axbeam. " 1 2 1

Kel l y gawked," You mean l i ke a l i ghtbeam t hat comes f rom t he al i en craf t st hatl i f tpeopl e up t ot he s hi p? " Hechuckl ed i n a qui etmanner,al mos ts cof f i ng," Not exact l y how you' re depi ct i ng. I ' d rat her not expl ai n anymore of cl as s i f i ed i nf ormat i on t o you about our ext r act i onmat t ers . " Kel l y' s gawk t urned t o bl ank.She' d been t urned downyetagai nbyt hemans he' dbeenas s i gnedt o.Even i fs hewas n' t ,hewas ntcomprehens i vet ot hef actt hathe has t he opport uni t yt ot al k wi t h a bei ng f rom anot her pl anet-whomayneverbeabl et oret urnbackt oEart h.

Sheburnedwi t hangeri ns i de,buts et t l edi tj us tt obeabl e t oeatamealf ort heni ght .

Shevol l eyed oncemore," How doyou know how t o makeorangechi ckenexactf rom yourpl anet ' si ngredi ent s ?

I ' m curi ous . " Hechewedt hebi t ehehadi nhi smout hands poke, " I ' ve s t udi ed aboutnearl y every pl anetwe' ve di s covered i nt hel as tf i f t yyears .Ext ens i veSt udi esandevenMemory chi pi mpl ant st okeeprecordofwhatI ' vel earned. " " How di dyoumakei tt oEart hwi t houtbei ngnot i ced orevencaughtbyradar?" " You' re notpri vy t ot hati nf ormat i on.Si nce you' ve f ound a way t o getaboard ours hi ps ,wecannotreveal i nf ormat i on l i ke t hat t o you. Or even al l ow t he communi cat i ondevi cesyou' vebroughtaboard. " Shepal ed i ns i deherbutkeptherguard up," What devi ces ? " " t he di ce, t oy, and l as er meant t o have been camof l auged butwaspi cked up f rom ourt echnol ogy as communi cat i on t ool s .They' rewel ldes i gned,even f ort he 1 2 2

Nova age of Eart h' st echnol ogy.But compar ed t o ours ,i t ' s el ement ary. " She t hen l et t hat pal enes s s how. She' d been humi l i at ed i nf rontofwhatradars he' dt ri ed t oavoi di n t he f i rs tpl ace.Now s he real l y di dn' thave a way t o communi cat e,exceptf ort heman t hats ati nf rontofher bl andl y,eat i ng hi sf ood whi l es he coul dn' thel p butdry out .

She bubbl ed up i ns i de," What ' si tmean when I ' m you' rebri de?Theof f i cerwhous heredmehereaddres s ed measyour' bri de. ' " Hi s mout h went dry, s t al e dry. He choked but nevert hel es sharkened. " As t ori an f emal esbegan t obeunf ert i l eamong our peopl ea f ew decadesago.GeneralPul s t i sordered t he ext r act i on of f emal e bei ngs f rom ot her pl anet s t o reproduce,asorderedbyt heChancel l or.Evers i nce,Our Mi l i t ary have been pul l i ng s t ri ngst o getourpeopl et o s urvi ve.Aspartoft he order,f emal esext ract ed f rom a pl anetareas s i gnedt oamal eofAs t ori aasj udgedbyt he conf eazol . Whi l e on t he s hi p, I was pul l ed i nt o an i nduct i onf oraconf eazolandres ul t scamebackt hatyou wer ea compat i bl e.Thi swasdi s covered t hedayIbegan i nt errogat i ons ."

Pul l ed , he sai d,pul l ed i nt of i ndi ng t hi s out . Kel l y

gul ped."

So. . .are you happy wi t ht hi s ?

"Hernerveshad al ready f razzl ed and any ans wernow coul ds etof fany ki ndofres ul t .

He s poke t hought l es s l y, " Li ke I s ai d, i t was pres s ured,butI ' l ls eehow i tgoes . " " You' l ls eehow i tgoes ? "s hecri ed,"You' l ls ee?How coul d you? ! I ' ve been pat i ent and qui et and comprehens i vef ort hel as tf ourorf i vedayst hatI ' vebeen 1 2 3

on s ome s hi p I ' d never i n my dreams t hought coul d happen.I ' m t al ki ng t o an al i en,t hatl ookshuman ot her t han t he poi ntt hatyou have bl ue hai r ,who obvi ous l y does nthavet hedecencyt ogogethercl ot hest odres sher properl y.Even gethert he propers oapst o was h! !How coul d you ! ! !I ' m a bri de!I ' m your bri de. . . you s ay you have hi gh i nt eres ti nt he humans ofEart h-butyou won' tevenrel at et ot heEart hhumant hats i t si nf rontof you -t hat ' syourBRI DE. . ."Shehuf f ed a grudged moan andpus hedhers el ff rom t heeat i ngarea.Shewasbroken now and s hes preed t ot hebat hroom t obreakdown her s orrows .

1 2 4

Nova

Chapter1 6 Ny k es h o we dad e a d p a nf a c e .Wi t hi nt he hourand a

hal fs he' dbeenwi t hhi m,hehadcrus hedhi sheart mat e' s vi ew ofhi m s everel y.He gri maced and buri ed hi sf ace wi t hi nt hedept h ofhi shands .Hewasheart broken.He' d t hought ,s i nceheknew ofnoot herexs i s t enceofanot her mal ei n her l i f e, s he' d pi t y hi m f or t he l ack of hi s knowl edgeofaf f ect i on.Hereal l ydi dn' tknow how t odoi t .

Hones t l y.Hegri maced even more,ast hes el f des t ruct i on repeat ed i n hi smi nd.Had Ireal l y been t hatheart l ess?

What have i done? My f i rst i mpressi on wi l ll eave a scarred i mpri nton hernow and how wi l lIeverbeabl e t ocoveri t spai n?

Kel l y had al ready been s obbi ng f ora good t hi rt y mi nut es .Her f rus t rat i on and anger broughther t o her l owes t .A pl ace where s he di dn' tl i ke t o go.She had cl i mbedi nt heempt ypool t ub,whi chhadntdri edups i nce s he us ed i tearl i er.So now damped by t he s t reams of wat eron herback and t earson hers t eami ng f ace,s he s i ghed and t ri ed t ogracehers el f .Kel l ynevert houghtof havi ngamani nherl i f e,andyes ,i ts caredher.Shehad al otofexpect at i onsf rom menofhers el ect i onand s i nce s he waswi t h Nyke,s he appl i ed nat ural l y.Buts he had 1 2 5

done not hi ng now buts i nged t he onl y pos i t i ve bri dge bet ween onebei ng t oanot her.Then crumbl ed t hehopes of a s t arry eyed man t hatcoul d of hel ped her-and maybeevenl oved.

But how coul d s he? Was t here a barri er of communi cat i on t hat s he di dn' t s ee? The man was obvi ous l y embarras s ed and reddened when he t ouched her.Hedi dt hi nkofmaki ng hera mealt hatdi d remedy s ome homes i cknes s .Maybe he wast ryi ng,she i nvert ed, maybe he di dn' tknow how t o.She hel dt hatt os ubj ect , butwoul d remai ni nt heai rf ort heres toft heni ght .Her eyeshad s wol l en,red and s hut ,and noot herchoi cebut s urrendert ot hecal lofs l eep.

Nyke grew weary.He began t o burden hi ms el f , curs i ng hi sact i onsand gri maci ng t o and f ro.Hef i nal l y broke.He had hear d her cry i nt he di s t antroom s he cl os ed hers el fi n, and he coul dn' t hol d hi s s i l ence anymore.Heros ef rom hi spl ace,det ermi nedt omercyf or a pl ea.When hemett hedoor' sent rance,hel i s t ened f or her,hopi ng s he' d ans wert o hi sf oot s t eps 'approach.He wai t ed.

Noans wer.

Hebegan t oknockbutbecamehes i t antand pul l ed back bef ore hi s knuckl es breached.He cal l ed f or Kel l y s of t l y,al t eri nghi sapproacht oher.

Noans wer.

Hes i l encedhi ms el f .t aki ng abreat h,hepus hedt he doort opeek.

She had pl aced hers el fi nt he empt y pool t ub,her knees arched and arms wrapped t os upportt he bend.

Her head wast i l tback agai ns tt he col d wal l ,and s he breat hed wei ght l es s l y,l i ke t he s l eep hel ped heres cape f rom t hereal i t ys hewasnow bi rt hedi n.Nykewascal med, 1 2 6

Nova gl ad now t hats he coul d res tand f eelbet t ert of orgi ve hi mt omorrow.Heent eredt heroom s omberl y,andpl aced hi ms el fagai ns tt hewal lt hatdi vi dedherandhi m.

Nykeranhi sf i ngeruphi sf aceandt hroughhi shai r,t hen res t i ng hi shead on t he l edge nearKel l y' skneecap.He whi s peredt ot hes t arst hats he' df orgi vehi m,andt hathe wi nheroverbef oret hel unarcycl ewasup. ****** Kel l y' seyesf el taburs tofpai nwhens heopenedt hem f rom hers l eep.She di dn' tknow how l ong s he wasout , buti tdi dnts eem t ophas eher.Shehad keptNykei nt he backofhermi nd t hewhol et i mes hes l ept ,f eel i ng worn outf rom t hecons t antdreamsofherbas hi ng hi mf ort he i nnocences hecoul dhavef ors een.I fs hehadonl yknown why he act ed t he way he di d,i twoul d ofeas ed her wor ri esf ort heni ght .

She wasdowned,notheari ng anyt hi ng f rom Nyke t he whol e t i me s he l ocked hers el f up. She det erred, advi s i nghers el fofanot herreas onwhyhewoul dn' tcome andj us twraphi sarmsaroundherandreas onwi t hher.

She real l y di d ques t i on t he i nt el l ectofhi sknowl edge of Eart hl yhumans .Ordi d s ugges t ed hi si nt eres tasa way ofs ayi nghedi dwanther?Af t eral l ,hemi ghtofbeent he s martguys he' dbeeni nt roducedt oatt hequarant i nes .

She rubbed her s t i l ls wol l en eyes gent l y, t hen pus hed hers el ff rom t he bowlf rom where s he s at .The wat erhadal r eadydri edf rom herback,s os hearri vedt o t heconcl us i ont hats hes l eptf ort heres toft heni ght .Af t er al l ,s he real l y coul dn' tt el lt he di f f erence f rom day or ni ghts i nces hearri vedont heH' i l o.

Shewal kedi nt ot hemai nareawheret hecouchwas .

The pl ace had changed t o her not i ce.The ki t chen had 1 2 7

f oodont hecount err eadyf orhert oeat ,s t i l ls t eami ng.He had l ef ta pai rofnew undergarment sand herout f i ts he had arri ved i nt he day s he l ef teart h.She al s o not ed a book,whi chl ooked veryf ami l i art oher.Shes huf f l ed her wayt ot hebookwhi chl aybes i det hegarment s .

I twasherbook.Thebooks hewrot e.

I thadbeenreadt hrough,f i ndi ngpi ecesofpapert oact asbookmarksi npl aceshecoul dans werques t i onst o.s he f l i pped t hr ough s pedi l yt o bookmark t o bookmark.Her hopeswere l i f t ed agai n.Kel l y appreci at ed t he pi ece of dedi cat i on t o her,buts he had f ound anot her t rai lof pres ent sf orher.A not ewasl ef ton hi scool i ng ches ti n t he cooki ng area,neat l y wri t t en i n engl i s h and pl aced underapi nt hats t uckt ot hecol dmet al .

De a rKe l l y , Ima d ea ne a r l yt r i pt ot h ema r k e t t h i smo r n i n gt og r a by o u s o mes u p p l i e st h a t mi g h t h e l py o uu n t i l i g e t b a c kwi t hy o u rc l o t h e s .

Ic o u l d n ts l e e pl a s tn i g h ts oima d et h ed e c i s i o nt or e a dt h a tb o o k y o ub r o u g h t wi t hy o ui ny o u rp a c k .

Yo u ' v er e a l l yf i g u r e do u t t h i n g s b e f o r ey o u rwo r l d ' sl e a g u e , Ke l l y .

An dt h a t s a y ss o me t h i n gt ome .

If i n dy o ui n c r e d i b l ys ma r t ,a n db yn ome a n sd i dIme a nt oi n s u l t y o ul a s tn i g h t .I' v eb e e nu n d e ral o to fp r e s s u r el a t e l ya n dh a v i n g y o ui nmyl i f ema d emep r e s s u r e dl i k en e v e rb e f o r e . i r e a l l yd i d n ' t k n o wh o ws t a r t t h i n g so f f y e s t e r d a y . i h o p ey o uc a nc o met of o r g i v e me , s owec a ns t a r t t h i n g so v e r .

I' l l b eb a c kb yn o o nt oe a t wi t hy o u a n dt a l kmo r e , a f t e ra l l . . . s i n c ey o u ' r emyb r i d e .

Ny k e .

1 2 8

Nova

P. S. i l e f t y o uap r e s e n t i nt h ec a b i n e t b yt h ev i d( t . v )

Kel l y' seyesnearl y wi dened t ol engt hss he coul dnt havenat ural l yreached.Shegawked.Andbeathers el fup t erri bl y.She wasexuberat ed and grudged att he s ame t i me.She wasconf us ed and s t art ed on i n a rambl e of mi xed emot i ons .Then s hepeaced hers el fand proces s ed t hes i t uat i on. " Ok.Kel l y.Obvi ous l yt he man hasf eel i ngsf oryou andyout hroughhi m of ft hedeepend.You' l lbes orryf or t hat .

"She hel d her chi n and el bow j oi nt l y and paced madl y t o t he couch. She paus ed and t hen abrupt l y poi nt ed,not i ngoncemore," Themanj us ts i mpl yas kedf or f orgi venes s . . .i si treal l yt hathardt ounders t and? " She made her way now t ot he cabi nets he was al l owed t o open and f ound a t i mey pi ece ofnos t al gi c hi s t oryf orherdi s pos al .Shehadf oundawi rel es sarcade game,t he ones you pl ugged i nt ot he TV and us ed t he anal og s t i ck t o pl ay wi t h: PACMAN, GALAGA, POLE POSI TI ON.Shehadf oundyetanot herpi eceofpaperwi t h ahandwri t t enmes s age.

On eo f myf a v o r i t ep i e c e so f Ea r t h ' sh i s t o r y .

En j o y . ; ) " A man af t er my own heart !Oh yes ,f orgi venes si s eas yf orhi sadvant age. "s hecooed. *

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Chapter1 7 Ny k eh a db e e ni nt h ema r k e ta l r e a d yi nt h emi d d l eo ft h e n i g h t ,now back agai nt o make a heavy purchas ef ora wardrobe ofwomen' s cl ot hi ng.He had al ready pi cked hi ms omecl ot hess hemi ghtadore,buthadn' treal l yhad much opt i onsaboard a s hi pi ns pace.Hehad negl ect ed hi si nt ent i onsoff i nal i zi ng a reporton Kel l y' sI nt rus i on, reel i ng i nt hatheneeded anot herwayofget t i ng a s t ory t oPul s t i swi t houts t ri ppi nghi m ofhi sreward.

Nyke had cal l ed Hazt oj oi n hi m i nt oday' srun t o t he market ,atl eas tHaz now was mat ed and f or s ure woul dn' tbef orcedt oPul s t i s 'chambersagai n.Eveni fnot , He coul dn' t command s o wi t h t he one of t he s hi p' s capt ai nspres ent .

Haz' s hai r was now borderi ng brownred,al mos t pi nky red.He' d been graf t ed i nt ot he Seri pha' sroot s ,a prot ect orofdi vi ni t y and peopl e' sl i ves .Many As t ori ni an men f ant as i ze oft he evol vi ng i nt os uch a s emi dei t y.To act ual l y have i thappen,i s merel y a dream wi t hi nt he gras pofonl yf i ngert i ps .HazandNykewerel uckyt ohave t hegi rl sast hei rmat es .

1 3 0

Nova Hazhad ent ert ai ned Avri lt o keep hermi nd of fof Kel l y.He' dbeenhi di ngt het rut hf r om Nyket okeeppeace bet ween t he part i es . He hadn' t real l y gras ped hi s behavi oralchange t hatwas made af t er he mat ed.He budded a whol enew pers onal i t y,f ul lofconf i denceand domi nancewhenhes poke.ButwhenhewasaroundAvri l t he s of t nes sret urnsand t he wounded puppy Avri lf i rs t knew hi m bypos s es s edhi sbei ngandwooedt hegi rlhe' d s pendt heres tofhi sl i f ewi t h.

Butf or now Haz had t he bri s knes s ofconf i dence when he wasoutwi t h Nyke,uni nt ent i onal l ys peaki ng a vol umet oNykeoft rueevol vi ngandaboos tofs el f es t eem.

Nykeques t i oned," Youok? " Hazret urned, " Yeah,Fi ne.Why? " Nykeconf es s ed, " You' vebeenreal l ydi f f erentf ort he pas tcoupl eofdays .Hones t l ynotyours el f .Di dAvri lreal l y s t r okeyout hatgood? " Haz l aughed,t hen rat i oned," No.Ireal l thaven' t unders t oodt hechangeexact l ymys el fei t her.I tmus tbea t rai tAvri lwant ed i n me when we mat ed.She real l y does n' tgras pt hatconceptyet . " Nykeret ort ed, " Igots omeonewhocoul dt hough. " " Yeah,who? " " My gi r l ,Kel l y.She' s wri t t en a book,about us .

Publ i s hed and now s ol di n herworl d vas t l y.She' sbeen wri t i ng abouts t uf ft hatwe' ve been t ryi ng t os ol ve f or decades .And s he' sal readygota hi ntofi ti nt hatbook.

She' ss os mart .Butt het hi ngi s ,s he' sbas i ngt hemat eri al onherwor l d' ss t udi es .Shet al ksofdi vi ni t i esnotknownt o us ,norofbei ngst hatwe' vet horoughl yres earched. " Haz' scuri ous i t y peaked," You t hi nk s he' sreal l y on t os omet hi ng? " Nykes hrugged," Whoknows .Ibel i eves hei s ,bas ed onwhatIknow aboutherandhow s hepr es ent shers el f . " 1 3 1

" She' sal otl i keyou,X. "Haznot ed.

Nyke phas ed t os ombernow.He' d been t al ki ng s o s wel labouthi s heart mat et hathe' df or got t en t hats he mi ghtnotf eelt hes ameway.

Haz peered i nt o t he cogs of hi s ol d f ri end and reveal edt het hought shet hought . " What happened, Nyke? Di d i t not go wel l yes t erday? " Nyke gri maced agai n,butwi t houtas much open pai n," No,Imade her ups et .Idi dn' tknow how t o act around her and by doi ng s o Is howed a l ous y and heart l es sf i rs ti mpres s i on. " Haz di dnt s eem t o worry.He had heard pl ent y enough aboutKel l yf rom Avri lwhen s hedi d bri ng i tup.

Shedi dnts eem l i ket het ypet ohol dagrudgel ong. " It hi nks he' l lbef i ne.Don' tworryabouti tand j us t makei tupf orher.Not hi ngmuchel s eyoucando. " Nykepeered f r om hi sdownward l ookatHaz,who s t i l lbeamed ofconf i dence and bol dnes s .He t hen heard t he s ound of s ynchroni zed march. The onl y t i me an accompani ments ounded-waswi t hGeneralPul s t i s .

Hazt ookt hef emi ni negarment sf rom Nyket ot ri ck Pul s t i si nt ot hi nki ng t hecl ot heswereAvri l ' s .Theband of f our s ol di ers branched t o reveal t he boi s t rous mal e s moki ng a chunkci gart hes i zeofa l i t t l egi rl ' swri s t .Hi s s moki ngs t i ckdepart edf rom hi sl i psandpuf f edabal lof s moke i n Haz' sf ace.The i ns ul tdi dn' tphas e Haz i n hi s s t r addl ed s t ance.Nyke had remai ned t he s ame t o not hol dhi ms el fobj ectt ohi shat redagai ns tt hegeneral .The manhadgot t enawaywi t ht oomuchwrongdoi ngs ,t ot he poi nt he' d t ri cked t he good and t rue Chancel l or and robbed hi m ofhi saut hori t y.Whatnow wass uppos ed t o 1 3 2

Nova be a s ymbolof power had now become a pos t er of weaknes sand a vi ct i m ofi t sown backwards -bet rayed l aw.

The generalpuf f ed wordsf rom ai rand s t enched s moke, "Why,t henedri lhascomeoutoft hes hadows .The di f f erence now t hathe has wi ngs and a mi xed mut t s ' mane.St i l lanedri li nmyeyes . " HazHarkened t ot hewords ,s t i l lhi t t i ng hi m i nt he core of hi s mendi ng s pi ri t . But he bus t ered up and breat hed hi st hreatheavi l y," No more am I a nedri l , Pul s t i s ,Iam now aprot ect oroft hepeopl eandofwhati s di vi ne.You cannotand wi l lnotcommand me ofs uch act i ons t hat are hel d as di s honorabl ef rom a uphel d general . " Theoppos erarched hi sf urr ybrowsand purged a l augh f rom wi t hi nt hehol l owsofhi sbel l y," Whatwords f rom aman!Icommendyours peech!Dos omet hi ngabout i t !You s i tal onei n yourchamberswi t h yournow mat ed bri de. . .and whathave you done apartf rom t hatdut y, Sephorai ?Wherearet hes oul st hatneeds avedf rom t hat homeWarat elofyours ,hm?Theycryi n pai n and agony becaus et hei rs avi orhasyett ol eavehi sabodet os eet he l i ghtofday. " " Enough,General .He' sf reef rom hi sbonds ;t here' s no us ei nt ryi ng t ot ort ure hi m i nt ol et t i ng hi m be us ed agai n.

"Nykedef ended.

Pul s t i s 'at t ent i on now ai red att he l ower of f i cer, " Where' smy r eport ?Have you done anyt hi ng wi t ht hat i nt r uderyet ? " " She' sbei ngquari nt i nednow,s i r.AndIhaveyett o concl udet hereport ,s i r. " The general di dnt change f aci al emot i ons , but barked and s col ded Nykef ort hel azi nes she' ds urf aced, " Why,It houghtyou were t rai ned f ort hi ski nd ofwork, 1 3 3

Capt i an.Doyouneeds omeas s s i t ance? " Nykebegan t os peak,butHazi nt ercept ed," Yes ,he does .Andasamat t eroff act ,Youhaveacert ai nmi s s i on i nmi ndt hatt hebot hofuscoul dperf orm perf ect l y. " The generals pi ed on t he now mat ed mal e,drew hi mt oepi phany."

You read mi nds ,Nedri l ,You' vepi qued myi nt eres t . " He t hen began whathe pl anned f or hi s demi s e, " Therearecons pi rat orsamongusAs t ori ni ansont heH' i l o.

The cul pri t sI ' ve exami ned as s ubj ect s have notbeen of f i ci al but appears t o be of Eart h' s f emal es . " The di ct at i ng mars hal leyed t he f ormerunmat ed mal e when announci ng hi s i nt roduct i on. He t hen t urned t o hi s ext r act i oncapt ai n," Nyke,ast hecapt ai nofourext ract i on army,you wi l lbe i nf rontoft hi sas s i gnment . . .s t art i ng now,att hes us pect edl ocat i onoft heKi sksha."

Nyke af f i rmed s ourl y, Haz keepi ng a s t ern but s ubt l es t i l l .Thegenerall i ppedhi sci garagai n,s ucki ngi n t he f erment ed,dri ed s moke t hatburned t he s t i ck.He paraded hi ms el fpas s ed hi scompany,boul deri ng Hazi n t hes i de.Nykecoul dn' tdef endwhent hegeneralprovoked anybei ng ont hes hi p,l es thebepuni s hed f ordef endi ng " wi t houtcaus e. " When t he menace exi t ed f rom eyes i ght , Nyke checkedhi snow mi s s i onpart ner,whodi s mi s s edhi mf rom any angerNyke t houghthi sf ri end woul d have.J oaan, f rom a di s t ance checki ng out s uppl i es f or medi cal exami nat i ons ,caughtt heduoamongs tt hecrowdedri al t o.

She rus hed t o Haz' sai d,onl yt o heara s i mi l ars peech t hatwasgi vent oNyke. " I ' mf i ne,J oaan.There' snot hi ngt oworryabout . " " Don' tl ett hatman t reatyou l i ke t hat !You' re no l ongerunderhi saut hori t y,Hazt hn.t heevi lkas t i fshoul d 1 3 4

Nova bes ent enced.Haz,coul dn' tyouhavedones omet hi ng. " " Notexact l y.Hei saprot ect orofpeopl eanddi vi ni t y, notofl and and l aw.I fPul s t i swoul d' veat t acked me,he coul d do s omet hi ng,butoutofs omeoddwi l l power Z' s acqui red,He di dn' t budge f or hi ms el f , " Nyke paus ed, " whydi dn' tyoudoanyt hi ng? " Haz bri ef l ys t ared att he ground bel ow hi m and mumbl ed t ohi ms el f .Herai s ed hi shead up t ot hecei l i ng oft he s hi p and s at ed.He gazed outt hrough t he cl ear cei l i ng,whi ch di s pl ayed t he s t arsand cos mosi ns ai l i ng s peeds .Het houghtofa wayt os t as ht hes ecretofKel l y and Avri lf rom Nyke,Pul s t i s ,and anyoneel s et hatcoul d i nt erf ere wi t hl os i ng bot h oft hem.The Ki s hka was a l oungeandbarl ocat edcl os et ohi sf ormerhomeWarat el .

Theas s i gnmentgi vens t i rredangerandhat edeepwi t hi n Haz;s o many wrong t urnsand very f ew ri ghtones .He coul dl os e everyt hi ng he worked f or,everyt hi ng he was gi f t ed wi t h and t he peopl e he bef ri ended.Hi sSoul mat e wasats t ake,whi chboi l edawrat hi ns i dehi sheartl i kea pl as mi c f i re t hat devoured t he l ands l ong ago. He breat hed a burs t of pres s ured ai r,and hel d out t he cl ot hesf orJ oaant ot ake. " Taket hes et oNyke' schambers .Hi scodei s887 69t o ent er.Be prepared t o keep t hi st o yours el f but he' s hous i ng t hei nt ruderbecaus et hat ' shi smat e.Keep Kel l y occupi edunt i lwecomebackorunt i lf urt heri nf ormed. " J oaan nodded,abandoni ng t het as kbef orehand t o ai d t he hi gher aut hori t y. Haz wheel ed t o Nyke who wat ched t hemedi calof f i cerdartt hrought hecrowd.Haz now s pokecoded,i n hi snat i vel anguaget hatbot h Nyke andHazknew t oget heral one. " Let ' sgo.

"Nykeaccompani edt heSeri pha,weavi ng t hrought het hi ckmas s .

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Chapter1 8 Ke l l yh a db e e ne n j o y i n gt h en o t e sl e f t b yh e rs a c r o s a n t , and

hel pi ng hers el ft ot he s ys t em he t oo l ef tf or her eas e.

She' df eas t edont hes nacksNykel ef tf orherwhi l ehewas out .Kel l ywasf ul l ,ent ert ai ned,napped, -andhappy.

Shef i ddl ed t hrough t hebookt hats hehel di n her hands notl ong af t erhers econd nap.He' d been gone wel lpas t af t er her s ugges t ed noon s he' d t hought he woul dbebackby.I t ' dbeenpl ent yofhoursdoi ngnot hi ng product i vef ort heday,and t ohers hewasf i nal l yready t ot al kt ohi m oncemore.

Nyke was real l yt ryi ng t o appeas e her af t er l as t ni ght , and s he had come t o real i ze t hat af t er t he abundanceofgi f t sl ef tf orherdi s pens e.Butwherewas t hegi ver?She' dbeens oapol oget i ci nheartt hats hewas heavi l yreadyt of orgi ve,moveon,andevenbef ri endand l ove.Themanwashert ype,af t erobs ervi ngt henot eshe wrot eofs mi l eyf acesand s mart yremarks .Hi scomment s humoredherands heconnect edwi t hhi m.Butt henagai n, i fhewass oneedyt oapol ogi zef orhi sact i ons ,wherewas t heactofhi ms howi ngupnow?

Kel l y raced hert hought sf rom poi ntA t o poi ntB. 1 3 6

Nova Maybei t st hi s;maybei t st hat .Noi t snot .Yesi ti s.

A beepi ng noi s es ounded behi nd t he door t hat connect ed Nyke' schamberst ot he hal l soft he s hi p.She s atup f rom herpos eexci t ed and ready.s hef l i pped her hai rt oi mpres sand l ai dt hebookon t hes i det abl e.She t henheardt hedoorknobwi ggl e,t hencompl et el yopen-t o f i ndawomani nauni f orm t oent er .

Kel l ys anki nheartal i t t l ebutpers everedherf ai t h. " Whoareyou? "s heprobed.

Thewomans hutt hedoorbehi ndherandpres ent ed hers el f ," Mynamei sJ oaan.I ' m a medi calof f i ceraboard t hef l eet sandaf ri endofNyke' s .Don' tworry,Idon' tpl an t odi s ruptanyt hi ngbet weenyouandhi m. " Kel l ycaut i oned t hewoman.Shewaspret t y,and t o bel i eves hewas n' tgoi ngt owreckhavocbet weenherand Nyke,wass us pi ci ous . " Whyareyour eal l yhere? " J oaan reas oned," I ' m heret obri ng you t hecl ot hes Nyke bought f or you.He' d been ordered by General Pul s t i son an as s i gnmentwi t houtl et t i ng hi m come here f i rs t .Heas kedmet owat chyouunt i l lhecameback. " Kel l ys addened.Hedel ayedhi sret urnf orworkunt i l anunknownt i meandday.Nova.Unknownt i meandnova.

J oaanputt hecl ot hesont heent ryt abl epl acedbel ow her knee.The woman was s l i nder and t al l ,wi t h def i ned cheeks and crys t albl onde hai r.She' d be a beaut y on Eart h,ands hemus tbeabeaut yherei nKel l y' st hought s .

So Kel l y kepthi gh guardson J oaan ass he wasi n her pres ence.

J oaans ati nachai rt hatf acedKel l y,whol ookedas i fs he wason t he verge ofexpl oi t i ng herofeven bei ng t here.Shemus tofonl ybeen heref ora whi l eordoes n' t know much aboutNyke,s he concl uded.She deci ded t o as k her aboutwhats he knew aboutHer mat es of ar.

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" Haveyou l earned aboutNykemuch?You s eem l i keyou accus emef oral overors omet hi ng,andIt hi nkyouhave ami s t unders t adi ngofmeandNykebot h. " " Idon' thavea mi s unders t andi ng ofNyke,i t ' sj us t yout hat ' sf i s hy. ' " ' Fi s hy' ?pl eas eexpl ai nt hat .

"J oaanreques t ed. " You' re s peaki ng engl i s h, aren' t you? Don' t you know whatI ' ms ayi ng? " " I tdoes n' tregi s t eri nmyt rans l at orchi p,Kel l y.Nyke knows engl i s h by means of s t udyi ng i t ,not by chi p i mpl ant .The word ' f i s hy's ounds f ori egn and I don' t unders t andi t smeani ng. " Kel l yl owered her t one,bot hi n guard and voi ce, " ' Fi s hy'l i kes us pi ci ousor' s omet hi ng' snotri ght 'f eel i ng. " Shef l i ppedaqui cknod," Ah,Is ee.I t ' st hehones t yI s peak when Imean no harm f oryou and Nyke' sf ut ure rel at i ons hi p. " Kel l ygi t t ered,combi ngherhai rbehi ndherearand l ooki ng away nervous l y, " Fut ure rel at i ons hi p? We' re hi t t i ngt hi ngswel l ,Idon' tgetwhatyou' res ayi ng. " J oaan expl ai ned," You may have a good s peaki ng rel at i ons hi p,butImean t hebond ofSanct i f i ed l oveand devot i onf oreachot hert hatcomesaf t ermat i ng,Kel l y.You haven' t even l ai d a f i nger on hi m when i t comes t o nat uralchemi s t ry,haveyou? " Kel l y f rowned i n conf us i on. Puzzl ed s he probed agai n," Nat uralChemi s t ry?Wej us tmet .I fyou mean t he t hi ng abouthi m s ayi ng I ' m compat i bl ef or hi m,t hat ' s great .Wecanreproduceandmakebabi es .Butot hert han t hat ,I ' m notf ol l owi ngyou. " J oaan s mi rked pl ayf ul l y and chuckl ed qui ck under a s mal l breat h. Yet agai n s he' d have t o expl ai n t o anot hermat et hatShe' sheref orhi sl i f eent i rel yandt hat 1 3 8

Nova s he' sent i rel ymeantf orhi m andvi s evers a. " Kel l y,Idomean t hat ,butIreal l ymean t heBri de t hi ng.Hemus tofnotexpl ai ned t hebri det hi ng bei ng hi s s oul mat e and even f urt her hi sheart mat e,t he onl y one he' smeantf ori nhi sl i f eandet erni t y. " Kel l y' smout hdroppeds t ammeri ng."

What ? " " Kel l y,He' sunderal otofpres s ure,keepi ngyouhi d f rom t hegenerals oyoucans t ayheret obemat ed,t obe f ree.He' sonl yknownaboutt hi sf ora verys hortamount oft i meandal s ohast hes ameamountoft i meexperi ence on how t owi n overa f emal ehe' ss ol el ydes t i ned f orhi s l i f e.I t ' s notj us ts ome ' bri de't hi ng f or a reproduct i on i ndus t ry.I t ' snott hatatal l .Yes ,weneedt hereproduct i on, butt heAs t ori ni an Mal e' spri ori t i zed goali st ochampi on hi ms el faf emal ewhowi l ll oveandremai nt ol ovehi m at hi ss i denomat t erwherehe' sf rom orhow heors hel ooks andr es pect shi m ashi sot herhal fandhi mt hes ame.I fI wer eyou,Iwoul d ofal readys cooped hi m up and l oved on hi m.You' rel uckyt ohavea mal ewhoal readyhass o muchpowerandi scut t i ngcornersf oryourf reedom more t han hi si nt eres ti n mat i ng i n you.Hehas n' tadmi t t ed i t yet ,butIcant el lhe' sal readys t art edt of al li nl ovewi t h you.Everyt hi ng t hathe' st ol d my brot heraboutyou i s pos i t i veand proud,he' sproud t ohaveyou,even t hough he di dn' twantt o as s oci at ei n havi ng a s oul mat e.He' s happyagai n.Event houghyous hothi m downpret t yf as t l as t ni ght ,he s t i l lcares .And i n my opi ni on,he has al readywant ed yourl oves i ncet hedayhei nt errogat ed you,when you were j us tt he enemy and not hi ng more, bef oreheknew t hatyouwerehi sheart mat e. " Kel l ys i l enced hers el f as t hi sJ oaan preached a prai s e ofs al vat i on f orKel l y' sf urt herf ut ure.ButJ oaan al s os pokeofNyke' sf eel i ngsf orKel l y,i n whi ch s hehad noi dea t hatwaseverconveyed.Kel l yt eared up and hi d 1 3 9

herf aceaway f rom J oaan.Sheweeped agai n,noteven f i ni s hi ng t he l as tt went yf ourhourss i nce s he l as tcri ed.

J oaaneas edt oherandcomf ort edKel l y' srus hi ngpai ni n hermel t ed heart .J oaan rubbed t hes ores houl derskel l y produced f rom s l eepi ng i nt het ub,t hen pat t ed gent l yt o cal m her.

Kel l ypeeredf rom t hedi s t ances hekeptf rom J oaan whi l es hewat ered."

Whenwi l lhecomebackagai n?

"She cri ed.

J oaanpaus edandret urnedt os oot he."

Hewi l lcome back,bef ore you even know i t .He us ual l y wi l lgethi s wor kdoneveryeas i l yandqui ck. " Kel l ynoddedast hes al t yf l ui drandownhers t eamy cheeks agai n.Her Soot hes ayer wi ped t ears f rom t he unmat ed f emal e' s cheeks ,whi ch comf or t ed t he brokens oulgi rl .

J oaan and Kel l ys pared t hemi nut esby convers i ng overt het i meKel l ydi ds pendwi t hNyke.J oaanexpl ai ned t ohert hatNykehadneverreal l ybeenar oundwomenhi s l i f ecas ual l y and s oi twoul d benat uraland normalf or hi m nott oknow how t ol ove.Sheal s of ounded t hef act s Nyket ol dKel l yast rueandrepeat edhers af et ywi t hNyke.

Kel l y had come t ot rus tJ oaan,and t hrough her,t rus t Nyke.

Kel l y budged on t he couch i nt o a new s eat i ng pos i t i on, now more l ai d back t han al armed.She broughtup t he compat i bi l i t yofNyke' sraceand herraceandas kedhow t hatworked. " The regul at i ons of bri ngi ng a f ori egn f emal e aboardl i eswi t ht hebi ol ogi calrat i ot hef emal eandmal e havet oget her.Asl ong ast hef emal ehasa 60% rat i o of mat chi ng As t ori ni an DNA t ot he mal e,we cons i der a compat i bl e and s us t ai nabl e mat ef or t he mal e.We' ve 1 4 0

Nova concl uded outoft he 1 89pl anet swe' ve di s covered,56of t hem hol d 60% rat i of emal es .The conf eazol ,an i nduced drug vi s i on comput eri zed wi t h a memor y anal og,rul es outnonrat i of emal esal ready,s oweworryaboutf ert i l i t y ands urvi valrat esoff ert i l i zedeggsf ormedi nt hef emal es . " Kel l yj umped i n exci t ement ," You mean,t here' s1 89 pl anet sand56oft hem hol dpeopl eal mos tl i keme? " J oaan nodded,as Kel l ys pazzed and crazed t he t houghtvi s ual l y. " Youhappent obea 90%rat i of emal e,comi ng f rom eart h, whi ch i s ext remel y rare. For a mal e t o be connect ed t oa f emal e on Eart hi s huge.The mat i ng proces sevol vest hemal et oadei t i zedf orm ofei t her t wo ' angel i c' bei ngs : Cheri phs or Seri phai s . Seri phai s commandsprot ectt hedi vi ni t yandpeopl e,whi l et heot her commandsand prot ect st hel aw and t hel and.A benef i t f orNyke,I fhemat esand DNA s el ect shi m asa cheri ph, he t hen can exceed hi s rank i n our mi l i t ary and governmentt hreedegreesawayf r om ourChancel l or,our hi ghes taut hori t y." " Who' s t he general t hat bos s ed Nyke around?

What ' shi srank?"

J oaan s wal l owed hard and heavy,s heget sheat ed whens hes pokeofPul s t i s ."

Pul s t i s 'pl acei sonl ys uppos ed t o be above t he hi gh capt ai n,l i ke Nyke,butbel ow Tri Commander, el even degrees bel ow t he Chancel l or.

Somehow t he gener al has overt hrown t he Chancel l or devi ous l y and has di ct at ed hi s orders t hrough t he Chancel l or.Pul s t i si sanevi lman,ands omehavecomet o a t heory t hat he' s obt ai ned power t hrough hol di ng hos t aget heChancel l or' smat et hrough abus i vecapt i vi t y.

The generalt ook s ei ze ofhi s wi f es omehow t hrough a 1 4 1

f es t i valandhaskeptheroutofpubl i candpri vat e' seyes f ordecades .TheChancel l ori sagi ng,andhas n' tgot t ent o reproduce wi t h hi s mat e.Pul s t i s keeps t he f emal e as bl ackmai lbai tt ogetaut hori t yt hrought heChancel l oras pl eas es .Sot hegeneralcanbarkorderst ocommenceand ourl eaderi sf orced t o generat es uch act i on becaus e of hi shos t agewi f e. " " Andt heycan' tf i ndher?"s hepers i s t ed. " No,butt oget herbot hmybrot herandNyke,mat ed, t hey can overt hrow Pul s t i s ' power and gi ve back aut hori t yt ot hej us tl eaderi toncehad. " Kel l ybri ef ed t hi smes s ageofi nf ormat i on s ol emnl y.

Now t hepres s urehad been appl i ed t oher,beari ng now t heheavy deci s i on t o mat ewi t h herheart mat ef as t .But s he needed t o do t hi sf or t he ri ghtreas ons .s he di dn' t want ups et hi m i n anyway, or hi m ups et her. She pondered about t he s eri ous nes s of t he mat t er and breat hedanxi ous l y.

J oaan wat ched t hegi rl ' sreact i on,readyf orhert o prepare herf ort he t i me t hatNyke woul d be ready t o mat e.ButKel l y had caughther of fguard f rom al lt he i nt ernalnoi s es hewasproces s i ng. " Whoi syourbrot her? " J oaan i nf ormed her more, "Hi sname i sHaz.He' s j us t been mat ed wi t h hi s bri de. He coul dn' t be any happi er.Ri ght now he i s accompanyi ng Nyke on hi s mi s s i on.Comet ot hi nkofi t ,Haz' sbri dewasf rom Eart h, j us tl i keyou.And j us tl i keyou,s hewasveryhes i t antof t aki ng Hazi nt oherl i f e.I ' vet al ked t oherbef ore,It hi nk youandherwoul dgetal ongverywel l . " Kel l ywi nced,s heknew s hewasnow t al ki ng about Avri l . But s he needed t o come cl ean, wi t h J oaan t o unders t andherpres s uremore.

1 4 2

Nova " I shernameAvri l ? " J oaanbl i nked, " Yes ,di dNyket el lyouabouther? " Kel l yl owered hers hamed head," No.She' smybes t f ri end.When Iwason eart h,s hewass uppos ed t o meet met hatmorni ngt ogot oaconvent i on.Shenevers howed.

SoIs penta l ong t i met ryi ng t of i nd her,and Idi d.She cal l edmet hrought hedevi cesIbroughtonboard,pi nned herl ocat i on,andzi ppedt hroughherear t i f i ci al l yt hrough J acob' sLadders pect rum.Idi dn' tmean any j eaoprdy i n t hi s ,and Ibeg you t onott roubl eNykeaboutt hi s .A l ot haschanged i n my mi nds eti nt he pas tf ew days ,f rom s ci ent i f i cmeanst ol i f echangi ng-' i ' ms t uckheref orgood butI ' m okwi t hi t 'means . " J oaanpr oces s edal lt het rut hKel l yconveyedt oher.

Shecoul dn' tri s k bot h Avri land Kel l y,bei ng bot h mat es f ort het womal ef ri endsi nherl i f e.Shecoul dn' tri s kt hem deadort hemal esburdenedwi t ht hats orrow.

Kel l ycreat edf ri ghtandt ot alcrai zi nes s ,madnes sof t he f ear.She coul dnthandl eJ oaan' sr eact i on,s os he pardoned hers el fand l ocked t he bat hroom doorass he wai t edi nt heref orherdoomedi ns anef at e.

J oaan wat ched t he weary,f earf ulyoung woman f l ee t ot he bat hroom and wai t ed f or t he expect ed l ock cl i ckont hedoor.J oaancoul dn' tputt hei nf ormat i onas i de, s he s l i dt he phone s he carri ed i n her s i de pocketand mes s aged Nyke whats he had been t ol d.He needed t o know t het rut h,t het rut ht hatwoul dans werandeas et he pres s i ng ques t i on f ort hemat ehe' d acqui red wi t houtan ext r act i ont eam.

1 4 3

Chapter1 9 Ny k ea n dHa zh a da l r e a d yp l a c e ds e a t si nt hel ow redl i t

l ounge.I ts t enchedoff erment edbeverages ,heavys moke, and t hes t rong s centofhard s exf rom t hebackroomsof t he s et t l ement .Haz coul d recal lt he s mel l st hatf l owed t hrough t he es t abl i s hment .He once s mel l ed oft he odor t hatmadehi sl ungsf eelas uddencrus h.Hebreat hedout qui ck and s uck i n t hrough hi s mout h t o avoi d t he s ympt om agai n.

Nyke s poke i n t he s ame coded l anguage t hey s t art edearl i eratt hemarket pl ace.Theybot hweret aught ata young age,bef oreHazwass ol dt ot heWarat el ,by Nyke' s ol der brot her.He s erved t he mi l i t ary t hrough GeneralPul s t i sandwascommemorat edf orhi sval orand t al ent sby t he Chancel l orhi ms el f .Thi sups etPul s t i s ,on t he ot her hand,and drove t he awarded of f i cer t oa s ecl uded area where he was ambus hed by a hi red as s as i nand murdered,onPul s t i s 'cal l .Thatwast heonl y 1 4 4

Nova gi f tNyke' sbrot herpers onal l yl ef thi m bef orehedepart ed f ort hes ervi ce.Hel earned ofhi sbrot her' sas s as s i nat i on t hrough a pri vat ehi red det ect i ve,onl yt obepayed and not bri ng t he reveal ed t rut ht ol i ght f or t he s ake of rui ni ngt hej obhe' dj us tpi ckedup-hi sbrot hers .

Nykebegan t os peak now t o Haz,who l ooked l i ke hewasf i ght i nghi ms el ft os t ays eat ed. " What ' s wrong? The mus i c bot heri ng you or s omet hi ng? " Hazcoded t o Nyke," No.J us tbad memori es ,t hat ' s al l . " " Sot hepas ts t i l lhaunt syou.Fora whi l eIt hought t hatwasl ong gone,new Haz.Butyou' r ej us tt ryi ng t o phas ei tout .Brot her,l etmet el lyou,t hatwon' thappen f orawhi l e.You' vebeenpret t ywel lt amed,buti t scomi ng out ,s oonerorl at er. " Hazs huf f l edi nhi ss eatuncomf ort abl y," Fornow we need t o be t he i nt er es t ed mal es ,i n what ever' f emal e'i s caus i ngt hecons pi racy. " Nykef i ni s hed t het opi cwi t ha s i p ofhi smi l d dri nk, and nos i ed hi s eyes t hroughout t he l ounge. He was di s t urbed byhi sphonevi brat i ng i n hi sl ap,i n whi ch he f l i ppedi nhi sl apandreadi t scont ent s .I twasJ oaan.

Yo un e e dt ok n o wt h i sn o w,b u tKe l l yk n o wso fAv r i l ,a n ds h e ' s h e r eb e c a u s eo fh e r .Sh eh a dma d ec o n t a c twi t hh e rs o me h o wb y h e rd e v i c e sa n dt r a n s p o r t e dh e r et h r o u g ht e c h n o l o g yn o t d i s c o v e r e d b yu sy e t .

Sh es e e msu p s e t a b o u t i t .

Pl e a s eb ec a r e f u l .

Nyke s ecured t he convers at i on ofJ oaan and del et ed t hemes s agepermanat el yf rom hi sphone.Hedi dnthave t he act ualmes s age buthe s t i l lremembered word f or 1 4 5

wor dt het exthereadf rom hi swat cher.

HazcaughtNyke' st hought srunni ng rampi di n hi s mi nd about t he mes s age he got on hi s phone. Haz f al s i f i edhi si nt eres tofNyke' smat t ersi ns t eadofbri ngi ng upt hemat t erwhol e. " What ' sup?Youl ookedpal e. " Nykehad pal ed buts i ncebroughtt ohi sat t ent i on, heret reat edhi scol orbackandres pondedearnes t l y, " Kel l yknowsAvri l ,Shemadei therebecaus eofAvri l . " Hazf aked a s emi s hocked l ook and ques t i oned hi s t heorys moot hl y. " Ri ghtnow t hatdoes n' tmat t er, "Nykeret ort ed," t he poi nti s ,i fwedon' tf i nd an al t ernat i vemot i vef orKel l y' s appearance,yourmat e wi l lbe pul l ed i nt ot hi s .Idon' t wantt hat ,youdef i ni t el ydon' twantt hat ."

Haz f i xed hi s gaze on a di s t ant room,keepi ng hi ms el ff rom reveal i ng hi ms el fhi di ng t hatf actf rom hi s f ri end.He caught t he s cene of a f emal e act i ng and t hi nki ngs us pi ci ous l y.Shewai t edbyaroom,vei l edwi t ha bl ack dropcl ot ht hati l l umi nat ed t he back room where s he apparent l ys t ayed.She s eemed uns et t l ed,as i fa cus t omerwasl at et hats hewant ed t ol ay wi t h.Het hen l ookedaroundf oramal et hatwoul dwal ki nt hatgeneral vaci ni t y. " Nyke,coveryourf ace.

"Hazcaut i oned.

Nyke obeyed,t aki ng t he gl as s and proppi ng i t agai ns thi sprof i l et o bl end hi ms el fs eaml es s l y wi t ht he ot hermen i nt hebar.A ornament ed s ol di erent ered t he areaofbackroomsandmadehi swayt ot hewomanwho s i l ent l ys col ded hi m f orhi st ardy.He t r i ed t o grab her wai s t sbuts heyanked backand pus hed a t hreatup hi s neckf i ercel y.

He gl anced around,Haz l ooki ng away f rom hi s 1 4 6

Nova s earch,t hen t he s ol di ergui ded t he woman and hi ms el f behi nd t he curt ai nt hatcl os ed of ft he mai n room.Nyke had caughtont owhatHazhad s eenand whent heman l ef t ,hel oweredt hedri nkanddowneds omei nt el . " The man who ent ered wi t ht he woman,he' sa radar and communi cat i ons s peci al i s ti nt he ext ract i on crew.He' d been s t ayi ng outl at e,and myt hought swere ofhi m s pendi ng ni ght s here.Buthow t he t hatf emal e pus hedhi m aroundl i ket hat ,he' supt os omet hi ng. " Nykepul l ed outa s i gnaldet ect orand act i vat ed i t s s ens ors .Wi t hi ns econds ,t he met ers pi ked and anal yzed l ocat i onsofcommuni cat i ons i gnal sf rom t hebackroom.

Eart h.

Nyke not i oned Haz t ot he bar where t he Lounge keeper was di s cus s i ng mat t ers wi t h a wai t res s around t hebeveraget abs .Nykel eaned ont het abl ewi t hHazat hi ss i de.Of cours e,t he owner recogni zed t he f ormer nedri l ;hewasoneofhi sbes tproduct st obeus ed att he Kas i ks ha.

He cal l ed Hazt hn out ," Long Ti me,No See?You' ve comebackf orbus i nes s ? " Haz pus hed t he ques t i on as i de and al t ered t he s ubj ect ," Ref eredaf r i end,He' sbeenreall onel yl at el yand he' dl i ke t o know how t o real l yl ove on a woman l i ke I di d. " The owner chuckl ed," On t he hous e!Whi ch gi rl woul dyoul i ke,f i nes i r? " Nyke' s head f l ung t owards t he bl ack curt ai ned room where t heof f i cerwas ."

Ther e. " Hes hookhi shead," Theroom i st aken,s orry,s hei s af ei s t yonet hough,s oI ' vebeent ol d. " " Let ' smake t hi sa deal , "Nyke t empt ed,ashe s l i d s event yt hous and ghi zrasrol l ed i n ri bbon f rom hi ss hi rt pocket ," Wewontmakei ton t hehous e,you gi veust he 1 4 7

room. " The ownerf oughthi ms el f ,buthe endul ged i nt he s i ghtofawadofmoneyoft hatexpens e.hes wi peds l yl y and pl eas ed hi ms el ft ot he money.The keeperbegan t o announcet womorememberst oanoddl ys i l entroom.Haz s t opped t heownerand t ol dt hekeepert hatt heyneeded no i nt roduct i on and t abbed t he owner anot her t en denaars .Theownerwaved i ns at i s f act i on and depart ed f rom hi scl i ent s .

Nykepart edt hecl ot h,wi t hHaznotf arbehi nd.The coupl e were s i t t i ng apart f rom each ot her, wi t h t he woman dres s ed i n a s hort s t opped robe, unt i ed t o pres s uret heof f i cert ohurryhi sworkf orher.Theybot h l ooked up,t heof f i cernot i ci ng hi scapt ai nwi t nes s i ng hi m commi tacri me. " Capt ai n. " " Fedei t er.You' r eunderarres t . " " Notwi t houtme goi ng home! " , t he f emal es hout ed, ass hepul l edt hebal l i s t i ckni f ef rom t heof f i cer' sbel tand pl unged at Nyke.Haz s t epped i nf ront of t he hos t i l e woman and hel d herback by s queezi ng herwri s t s .He hadn' treal i zed t he pot ent i algai n ofs t rengt hs i nce he' d evol ved,buthenot i ced t hewoman wri t hi ng i n pai n.No one i nt he mai n room wasal armed,t hos es oundscame normal l yf rom t hebackroomsand i tpl eas ed t heowner great l yt ot hi nkhi scl i ent swereenj oyi ngt hei rt i me.

Theof f i cerwhowaswi t ht hewomanpul l edhi sgun f rom behi nd hi s back bel t l oop and ai med and readi ed hi ms el ft os hoott hewoman' sof f ender.Nykegrabbed t he man' sarm f i r ml yt o yank back,and when he s hott he pl as mi cbul l etcurvedands ki mmedt hes ki nofNyke' sl ef t s houl der deepl y.He verbal i zed t he s i nge ofpai n and s eet hed t hrough hi st eet h.Nevert hel es s ,he purs ued.He 1 4 8

Nova deckedt heof f i cer,onehanded,andwres t l edhi m ont he ground. Wi t h t he oppos i ng mal e i n advant age, he grabbedt hewoundedareaanddi ggedhi spal mt ocaus e an abruptpai n.Haz heard t he s huf f l e and yel l si nt he mai n room,and t he cal loft he Pat rol l i ng t eam bei ng as s mebl ed t ot he l ounge.Haz overpowered t he f emal e, event houghs hes hared t hes ameWarat elmi s eryhashe di d,and channel ed t hrough her brai ni n ps ycokeni s i s ways .Hef ound herof fs wi t ch and f l i pped i tt os end her t oauncons ci ences l eept oendt hef i ghtwi t hher.Het hen l aunched att het rai t orand pul l ed hi m of fNyke,pi nni ng hi mt ot heground.Heboundhi shandswi t hgl owi ngcuf f s andreprehendedhi mi nas amemannerl i ket hewoman' s .

Nykegas pedf orai randt hengri ppedt hewounded areat hemans carredhi m wi t h.Thebul l etwasf i l l edwi t h t oxi n,a t oxi nt hats preadswi t haf ew hoursal lovert he body.Haz ret ri eved t he communi cat i on devi ce f rom t he bedwheret hecoupl el ayandhel pedhi st eammat eup.

The pat rolhad ent ered t he f aci l i t y as Nyke and Hazmadet hei rwaywi t ht woconvi ct sand paraphi nal i a f rom t hebackroom.Hazhandedovert hecons pi rat orst o t hes quadanddet ai l edanyi nf ormat i onhazneededt hem t o have.Nykemadehi sway t ot heLoungekeeper,who wasguardi ngt heareaof ff rom cus t omer s .Nykereached wi t hhi sgoodarm i nt ot hekeeper' spocketandpul l edt he bundl eofmoneyhe' dgi vent ohi m aspayment . " Igoti nj ured,Iwantmymoneyback. "heexcus ed.

Theownerobeyedandcont i nuedhi sbl ockage.

Hazret r eat edbackt ohi shurtpart nerandus hered hi m back t ot he medi calof f i cerand t he heart mat et hat wai t edf orhi sret urn. " Let ' sgo.We' redonehere. "

1 4 9

Chapter20 Ke l l yh a dh e r s e l fl o c k e du pi nt hebat hroom

f orqui t e s omet i menow.She' d becomea t ot albas ket cas eand s he f reaked outqui et l y over whats he s ai dt oJ oaan.She s wel l ed up wi t hf ear and overbeari ng worry ofei t her bei ng t ot ed of ft o bea s ex s l aveorexperi ment ed on or j us tgetpl ai n execut ed.She i mmedi at el yt houghts t ereot ypi cal l yt hewors tnow.Ands hes cof f edatt hepeopl es he di d know do t hat .She had become t he very t hi ng s he s cof f ed at ,butnow t he s i t uat i on became t oo real ,even t oos urreal .She' dzappedi nt oas hi pi ns pace,f oundher exacts oul mat e,l earned ofot heri nhabi t ed pl anet s ,and now i satri s kofdyi ngorot hers caryequi val ent s .

Sheheard a muf f l eoff oot s t eps ,moret hana s etof t wo burs tt hrough t he door.Oh God,s he cal l ed her aut hori t i esandnow t hey' vecomef orme,Kel l ydi s t res s ed s i l ent l y.s hewai t edf ort hedoom s het houghtawai t edher s econds away.She l i s t ened t ot he muf f l e and heard Nyke' svoi ce and anot herf ami l i arvoi ce s he' d heard on t hes hi p.

1 5 0

Nova " Nyke. "s hequi veredf rom herheart .Shef umbl edt o gett hedoorunl ocked,t henburs thers el fi nt hepres ence ofwhoeverwasi nt heroom.

Nyke,s ati nt he chai rt hatJ oaan previ ous l y was pl aced i n moment s ago. He was wounded, vi s ual l y s pr eadi ng and get t i ng wors e.He had a guy wi t h hi m s he' dnevers eenbef oreandJ oaandi ggi ngt hroughwhat l ooked l i ke a s hoppi ng bag ofcani s t ers and oi nt ment s s he' d broughtwi t h her.Kel l yf roze.Shehadn' tmadean ent rancei nf rontofei t herNykeorJ oaani nawhi l e.Nyke dart ed hi seyesand l ocked t hem i n her s .He' dl os tt he s ens at i on ofpai nf ora bri efmomentbef ore he l anded back i nt o real i t y.Kel l y' sheartpai ned ass he ran up t o hi mi naf rant i c.J oaanpus hedt hemanawayf rom Kel l y' s pat h. " Whathappened?

"Kel l ypl eaded.

Nykemurmeredl owl y,"Igots hot ,butdon' tworry, I ' l lbef i ne.Don' twor ry, OK? " Shes hookherhead i n ref us al , " No, I -Ican hel p. . .

I canhel p! !Ihads omet hi ngi nmybag,i tcanhel p!Pl eas e! " J oaan wai t ed f or Nyke t o ans wer, paus i ng t he medi calat t ent i onf orKel l y. " I t ' si nt hecl os et .Hazgogett hebagwi t ht hel apel pi ns on i t .

"Nyke ordered t he man i nal anguage s he di dn' tunders t and.

Kel l y di dn' tknow how t o comf ortNyke t hatmuch.

She neverreal l y had t o at t end t o a boyf ri end who got s hot .Real l y.

Thes t rangerhanded t hebag t oKel l y,whoyanked f rom hi sgr i panddel vedi ni mmedi at el y.Theyheardt hecl anks and knocksofi t emshi t t i ng,t hen s hereveal ed a cani s t er of cl ear cream wi t h wri t i ng t he group coul dn' t read exceptf orNyke.

Kel l yas ked J oaan t omove,and Shemoved has t i l y.

1 5 1

Kel l yt wi s topent hej arands wi pedt hecr eam ont ot het i p of t hree f i ngers .She peel ed hi ss hi rt back,t ryi ng t o handl et hej arandcr eam att hes amet i me.Hehel pedher, t aki ng hi ss hi rtof ft oreveala hard s haped mus cl ebui l d underneat h. " Oh,man.Ok. "Shet al kedhers el fs omepeace.

Nyke t i t t ered,t hen gri pped t he i nj ured arm.Kel l y s wat t ed and f us s ed," Touchi ng i tl i ke t hatonl y makesi t wor s e. " Heyeyedher,j oki ngl ys t art l ed," Di dyous watme? " Kel l ynotcari ng aboutt hehand s hej es t ed," Idon' t s eeanyt hi ng wrong wi t ht hathand,you candealwi t hi t bei ngs wat t edf ornow. " J oaanandHazl aughed.Kel l yrubbedi nt hecream, warni ng hi m oft heext remecol dnes sand s l i ghtt ens i on.

Hes eet hed agai n bri ef l y,t hen ret urned cont ent ,asi fno i nj uryeverhappened.J oaans punas hockedl ookt oKel l y.

She' dnevers eenanadvancementi nmedi ci nel i ket hat .A pl as mi cbul l ett hatcarri edt oxi nswereext remel ydi f f i cul t t o remove, whi ch deal t wi t h s eri ous pai n anyways removi ng.Thes t i ckermoni t erss hes t uckaroundt hearea aroundhi sarm s howedanal mos tabs encepercent ageof t oxi ns .Sheexcl ai medhercuri os i t y," Whati st hat ? " Kel l y handed hert hej ar,even t hough s hecoul dnt read a s i ngl es ymbolon i t ," I t ' s al l purpos es al ve.My mot her i s a bi ochemi s t ,doct or,i nvent or,and s ci ent i s t .

She' smademi l l i onsofj arsl i ket hatworl dwi de. " J oaan s hotagai n," You mean,t hi si sdi s t ri but ed on Eart hworl dwi de? " " Yes . " J oaan now l ooked down ata mi racl ei n herhands .

Sheros ef rom hers potand t ugged on t heman t of ol l ow 1 5 2

Nova herexi t .Sheneededt het wot obeal one.Andherbrot her, Haz,no l onger needed Nyke f or now.Haz waved and exi t edwi t hhi ss i s t eri nt oarus hofevent s .

ThereKel l yand Nykes at ,Het opl es sand herri ght bel ow hi m.Shebackdown f rom herkneest oherbot t om i neas e. " Thankyou. " Kel l y' seyesros ef rom al os tgl azeandmethi sagai n.

He l ocked i nt o her eyes as s oon as s he arri ved i nt he hazelci rcl eofhi shands omef ace.Shes mi l ed s of t l y and f i ddl ed wi t ht he j ars he wasnow cl os i ng.She s t ut t ered hert hankst ohi mf ort hegi f t s ,i nhi sret ur nhes mi l ed. " Yeah,you' repret t ymuchl i keme.Soij us tact edas i fIwasyou and met oget her,' cuz,you know -we' ret he s ame. " Shemarvel edi nhi sprof oundwordsandgri nneda t eet hs mi l e."

Yeah,youreal l yhi thomewi t hmet oday.I ' m t hankf ulyou' vet ri ed t ogi vemea s l i cea nos t al gi a.

"She t ucked herhai rbehi nd herearand depart ed f rom hi s gl os s ys t are.Hebentdown cl os ert oher ,notf eel i ng any mor epai ni nt hes houl der. " PacmanorGal aga? " She l aughed, " What ? You s eri ous l y wanna pl ay a gameaf t erprobabl yexperi enci ng t en mi l l i on adrenal i ne rus hes ? " Hepl ayf ul l yl ookedup,asi fhewasponderi nghard andret urnedl i keahardcoredork," Yup,Iwoul dn' tmi nd anot heroneei t her. " Theyl aughed i n uni s on and s hehel ped hi m t ot he cont rol l er. They t ook t urns , chal l engi ng each ot her, l aughi ng,pl ayf ul l y argui ng f or no reas on,l i ked s he' d ret urned t o anot her l ong l os tf ri end. Or maybe t he bes t es tf ri ends heyetneededt obewi t h.

1 5 3

***** The bond t hat Nyke and Kel l y began t o creat e t hi ckened.Theyl aughed,j okedaround,pl ayf ul l yargued, and even more s i nce t he day of her arri val at hi s chambers .Nyke had been pl ayi ng around wi t h Kel l y when he had t ouched heragai n,and t o hi srel i ef ,s he di dn' tj erkback.I twast hes amet heot herwayaround, hert ouchwasverys oot hi ngt oNyke,s ot hebrus horgri p ors l ap ofherhandsmade hi m coo a l augh deep.She knew s hewasent eri ng zoness hehadn' ti nvaded bef ore, butt o hear hi st hroat yl augh,made her s wel lup and endors et heact i onscont i nuous l y.

The t ouches t hathappened every now and t hen pas s edi nt omores ent i ment alphas es :s he' dt ughi supper arm,he' d res thi s hand on her l ower back,t hey bot h woul dt ouch i n pl aces t hatwere harder t o bare t han bef ore.Thef eel i ngt hatt ri ggeredt heact i onandreact i on wer epl eas antandwant ed.Andt heybot hknew t hat .

Af t er t he s econd day of Nyke' s ret urn,He had f i gured outt hathi s upper body expos ed drew her t o crazed ner vest hatconnect ed hereyest o hermi nd and body.Heknew s hewasvi s ual l ypl eas ured bys eei ng t he mol d heworked f or.Waki ng f rom hers l eep,whi ch Nyke hadl etherust hecapt ai n' ss ui t et os l eepandhi m ont he couch, s he ent ered t he cooki ng area, draggi ng and bi rt hi ng a s ame drows yl ook mos tgi rl s pres ent ed j us t af t er s l eep.Her hai r was knot t ed up,and her cl ot hes wri nkl ed.She s t i l ls mel l ed s o pret t y;he coul ds mel lher f rom t he di s t ance t hats t art ed f rom t he cool i ng cabi net and t hecookerwherehewasprepari ng s omebreakf as t f ort wo.Sher ubbed hercrus t yeyesand wi ped t heguck 1 5 4

Nova away.Kel l y opened t hecabi nett o ret ri evea col d dri nk, s omet hi ng l i ke mi l k woul d appeas e her t as t ebudst hen.

Shel ooked bl ankl y,s oon s crat chi ng wi t h a puzzl ed l ook.

Nykepaus edhi scookerandmadehi swayt ot hecabi net , s hebegant os t epawayf orhi m,butt henf eel i nghi sbare body brus h up agai ns ther,s he f roze.He grabbed a purpl e l i qui d t hat was encas ed i n a ret rof ut uri s t i c pi t cherandhandedi tt oher. " Mi l kf ort oday? "hej es t ed.

Her eyes now opened t os ee t hathe was n' tbut mi l i met ersapart .Theapproachbecamepers onalandput an i mpres s i on oft hatwant i ng t o crawlal lover hi m.

Nevert hel es s ,s he t ook t he pi t cherf rom hi m and s mi l ed hert hankf ul nes s .Hecaughtherbl us hi ng,whi chheknew when s he di d,s he l i ked t he s howy pres ent at i ons he pl ayed. He pos ed a cocky ges t ure, gri nni ng t o hi s appeas ement and enj oyment t hat i t was al mos tt i me.

Al mos tacoupl emorenovas ,s he' dbeof f i ci al l yhi s .

And Kel l y began t o real i ze t hat ,t oo.The bount i f ul act s he conj ured up t os how her s howed her t hathe harkened t o herwor dsand mot i ons ,and even pers i s t ed hi m pl eas ureher.Shedrew hers el ft ot hi s ,and al li tdi d wasmakeherf al li nl ovewi t ha wi l l i ng heartand mi nd.

Butherpr act i ces hekepti nmi nd,wasf orhi mt ot el lher t hes amet hi ngf i rs tbef oredi vi ngi nt hereal m ofl ove' sno ret urn.

Heremai nedt opl es sf ort her es toft heday,pl ayi ng gamesand chat t i ng.The convers at i onsmai nt ai ned l i ght mos toft he t i me,buts ome ot hert i mes ,t hey' d come t o s omet hi ngs ol emni nt hei rl i vesandbri ngi tout .Theydi d i tupon t het i mef ordi nner.Nykehad madea vari antof s l oppyj oes ,whi chKel l yreques t edf ervent l yt oeatf ort he ni ght .Theys eat ed t hems el vesand began t o eat .af t era f ew bi t esoft hei rmeal ,Kel l ys poke.

1 5 5

" My brot her probabl y woul d' ve l oved t hi s . "s he not i oned.

Nyke s wal l owed and probed," Brot her? It hought youwereanonl ychi l d? " Kel l ygl anced down," Hewasmyt wi n.-Hedi ed i n t hewombbef oreheevergott os eet heworl d. " Nykehadnow s eenas etofeyesgoi nt opai nt hant he happi nes st hatwast here al lday.He l owered hi sf orkt ypeut ens i landheavi edi nt ohearherout .

Shecont i nued," I ' vef ound t hrough s omes t udi es ,t hat whena t wi ns i bl i ng di esi nt hewomb ,l eavi ng t heot her onebehi nd,t hel i vi ng s i bl i ng mos tl i kel y woul ds t ruggl e t ryi ng t of i nd i t s pl ace i nl i f e,i t si dent i t y.And I di d s t r uggl ewi t ht hat .And f ort hes i xl as tyearsIs penton Eart h It houghtIknew whatIwasdoi ng,whatIwas di s coveri ng.It houghtIwass et t l ed down f orwhatl i f e woul dbel i kef rom now on,but-i t ' schanged-i roni cal l y f ort hebet t er.

"Shenodded herhead s of t l yi n agreement wi t ht het rut hs hes poke.Nykeeyedhercompas s i onat el y, l i s t eni ngandt aki ngi nherdet ai l s . " You' re OK wi t h what ' shappeni ng now?Hones t l y, I ' ms urpri s edhow you' vehandl edyours i t uat i onf rom day one. " Kel l ys of t enedherf rownt oal evel edl i p," Yeah,you can bl ame my bes tf ri end f ort hathabi t ,She -uh-was nat ural l ycal mi nt hes et ypeofs i t uat i ons ,iki ndas t ri vet o bel i ket hat . " Nykereachedf orherhandt hatres t edont het abl e andi nt erl acedt hef i ngerswi t hhi s ," Iki ndas t ri vef oryou t obeyours el f .Thepers ont hats i t sbef oreme,i st hemos t i nt eres t i ng bei ng I ' veevermet .And t os ays hes t ri vest o bel i kes omeoneel s e-t hat ' scrazy.I ' vecomet obehappy 1 5 6

Nova wi t ht hebri det hatt hes t arshavegi venme.Outofal lt he peopl e-bei ngsofanyworl doutt here,t heygavemeyou.

Onl yyou.And Icoul dn' tbehappi erwi t ht hewomanI ' ve madeacompani onoutoff ort hel as tf i venovas .Ever. " Kel l yt earedupbuthewas n' tf i ni s hed," Kel l y,you' ve f oundyourpl acei nl i f e,t hepas tt hatyouhadonEart h,i t cancont i nuehere.Maybenott hes amepeopl eandpl aces ofEart h,butyou can cal lAs t ori a home.It hi nk your brot herwoul ds ay t he s ame t hi ng,i fhe cared f oryou how Icaref oryou,Kel l y. " Thatwasi t .Hewasi nl ovehercompl et el y,and he hadexpres s edbutt heverydi rectphras et oherj us tt hen.

She l as hed a t earf rom t he eyeshe made s t arry. She qui ckened t he drop t of al l ,t hen wi pi ng t o avoi d gi vi ng hi m pai n,t oo.Shecoul dn' tf i ghtt hef eel i nganymore.She wasi nl ovewi t hhi ms omuch,ands hewasreadyt ogi ve hers el fup t ohi m,f orhi m.Nykes ens ed t hehoturgef or an embrace.He j umped f rom t he chai r and wrapped hi ms el f on her, whi ch s he has t en her ret urned l ock around hi m.She t hanked hi m and buri ed her heat ed cheeksi nt ohi sneck.Sheranherf i ngerst hrought hebl ue hai rt hatwast hi ckand di dn' tneed much upkeepi ng but ofgeland a f ew f i ngered brus hes .He s pi ral ed i nt oa moan,butkepti tqui etands ol emnf oramomentl i ket hi s .

They f i ni s hed t hei r di nners and t al ked f or a f ew mi nut esl onger,unt i lbot hdeci di ng t owat chavi dont he s creen t hathung i nt hemai n room.They s el ect ed a vi d t hatremi nded Kel l yofs uperman,knowi ng Nyke,woul d know t os el ectavi dorhert as t e.

I thoured l at ei nt heni ght ,t hevi d al readycl os et o i t send.They werebundl ed up,wi t h Nykecas ual l yi na s pr awl ed s i tand Kel l y cl os et ot he open s i de.He had l ooked down at hi s pet i t e gi rl and eyed her compas s i onat el y.Hi sf reearm wrappedaroundherwai s t 1 5 7

t opul lheri nt owherenoai rpas s edt hrough.Hewant ed heronhi m and t hi shef i gured wascl os eenoughf orher comf ort .Kel l ybl us hed,butret urnedaf l i r t ymes s ageback.

She pres s ed her head agai ns thi ss cul pt ed ches tand res t ed a f i rm hand on hi si nnert hi gh,a dangerous ,but ver yexpl ai nabl emes s aget oNyke.

Nykegul peds i l ent l yhard,t hens mi l i ngs of t l yt oher t ouchy gras p.They wat ched t he r es toft he vi d,onl yt o not i ce t hatKel l y had al ready f al l en as l eep.Nyke pi t i ed her,knowi ng s he' d been t hrough a l otl at el y,j us tl i kehe had.He l oved her,and f al l i ng as l eep on hi m l i ke t hi s , wooedhi ss ens esanddi dn' tprot es thi sgut st el l i nghi mt o keep hert heref ort heni ght .Hes prawl ed outt heres tof hi sl argebody,s l i di ngKel l yeas l i ywi t hhi m ont ohi sches t .

Hemurmured a l owpi t chwhi s perbef oreheent ered i nt o ni ght ' ss l eep. " I ' mi nl oveyou,Kel l y.Keepme. "

1 5 8

Nova

Chapter21 Ke l l yh a da wo k e no n c emo r e .I tmust' vebeenmorni ng

agai n,sheconcl uded.Shehad a wonderf uldream about

herand Nyke.Al onet oget her.Shef l as hed a gri nt o her dream andwi ggl edaroundt owakehers el f . " Whatadream. "s het ol dhers el f .

Shewoket heman s hedi dn' trecogni zewasl ayi ng underneat hhi m."

Whatdream? "hebreat hed.

Shej umpedt ot hecl os enes sofhi svoi cet oherhead. " Wai t . . di d i t real l y? " ,s he proces s ed uni nt ent i onal l y al oud,checki nghers el f . " What dream? " he daggered hi s curi os i t y. She had al readyj umpedup,s t andi ngathi sf eet .Heros ehi sprowl up t oas t and,whi ch f el tl i ke t he t ower ofPi s a was di rect l yi nf rontofher.

Hers ens esbegan t os ubmi t ,and hermout h began runni ng wi t houtper mi s s i on," Ihad a dream aboutyou.

Andme.Youhadt ol dmeyoul ovedme.andwant edmet o keep you f ort heni ght .And t hen"Hereyesrol l ed up t o Nyke' s ,who' seyess i mmeredwi t hhungerandexci t ement , l i ket heeyesgl owedal mos t . " And? "hedemanded. " And. "Shes t ammered.

Hepi t i ed heroncemores i ni s t erl y," Is eeyou have 1 5 9

t roubl es peaki ngengl i s h.Letmehel p. " He gri pped her up wi t h a boul s t rous arm and whi s peredi nherears , " Weent eredanent agl ementofs ort s . " Hebegan t oki s sherneckaf t erwant i ng t odepart f rom her ears .She gas ped," Notreal l yt he choi ce of wor dsIwasgonnaus ebut -yeah. " " Yeah? "hes ni ckered.Shegaveup. " Mhm.Ok"s hepermi t t ed.

I twast i me.

He growl ed and s ucked i n t he s ki n t hat s he per f umedeveryt i mes hebat hed.Hel ovedt het as t eofher s ki n,and s heenj oyed t hel i psofhermat epres s i ng hard agai ns ther.Hebeganhi swaywi t ht heot herarm down, t raci ngt hes t at i cnervest hatl i nedherl egs .att hebas eof hert hi gh,herai s ed t hewi l l i ng l eg t ohi st ors o.Onel eg

up,onemoret ogo.

He pet t ed t he l eg up and down t o exci t e her.She gl i s t ened her eyes and begged hi s vi s ual at t ent i on.

Obeyi ng,he ros e hi seyest o meethers .He wasnow at her command,no l onger Pul s t i s ' sor t he good and j us t Chancel l or' s .Whatcont rol l edhi swi l lwashers .

Hepres s edheragai ns tt hewal lf ors upport ,s ot he arm t hathel d her up coul d ai df rame t he f ace ofa goddes s .Shepuckeredandt hecal lf oramout ht omout h was ordered.He dove a f l es hy ki s si nt o her f ace,and devoured.Herl i pshad been candi ed,al mos t ,remi ndi ng hi m ofhi sf avori t et r eathebegged hi sparent st obuyi n hi s chi l dhood.Hi ss ugar baby he s ucked now t as t ed s weet ,l i ke' cot t on candy's hecal l ed i t .Hewasreadyf or 1 6 0

Nova t hei nnerwal l sofhermout h now.Hef orced t hepart i ng andbegant oexpl oret heres tofherki s s .

Shewasf l ooredbyt hewayhel ovedonher.Hehad al lt hepowerhewant ed t ocont rolher,and s hel ethi m dot hework.Shes i mpl yl ethi m pl ayunt i lt heact i on f or hert os t ep up wass ummoned.He wasci rcl i ng t ongues wi t h hernow.s het hrew hi m of fedge,ass het raced hi s t eet hwi t hhers l i ckt ongue.Shet houghtofhi m asequal l y t as t y,demandi ngdel i ci oust ohers ens es .

Hi shai rss pi kedonhi m andi gnoredt het i met opi ck up t he remai ni ng l eg f ervent l y.He j erked t he l i mb and t ot ed herof ft ohi schamber,ashedi ed i ns i det os eet he res tofher.Hel ai d herhard agai ns tt hes of tand l arge bed,s heet sarrayedeverywhere. " You' re s o mes s y.Di dn' tyourmot hert each you t o makeyourbed? "het aunt ed.

Shes as s ed, "Ihadot hert hi ngsi nmi nd. " Wi t h no f urt her argument , he res umed hi s l ovemaki ng wi t h her.He s hi el ded herbody f rom s eei ng t he area, onl y t o s ee hi m. They ki s s ed hard and compas s i onat el t y,bui l di ngacres cendot oawai tt hemus i c ofbare bodi es 'rhyt hm.He s t ri pped f rom t he s hi rthe wor et heni ghtbef oreandracedbackt ohergl os s yneedy l i ps .She now cupped hi sneck,t hen ran t hem down hi s ches t . res t i ng t hem t here, s he pl ayed wi t h hi s hard ni ppl es ,whi ch he des i red t he arous als he creat ed i n doi ng s o. He buri ed hi s head i nt o her neck agai n, demandi ng t het op s heworet oberemoved.Sheobeyed, ashe hel ped wi t ht he as s i s t ance.He t ore t he bra he' d boughtherj us tdaysbef ore,f l i ngi ng i tas i de.Therebore t he i vory orbs he' d been achi ng t os ee.They were s o perf ect , he marvel ed. I t was hi st urn t o pl ay now, wi ggl i ngt hebubbl yf atonher,t henbendi ngt ot as t et hi s partofher.Shemoaned,l et t i ng hi m cradl ehi m cl os eas 1 6 1

he s ucked.he rel eas ed vi ol ent l y,s endi ng her yel pi ng l oudl y and pant i ng.Heat t ended t ot hel at t er,repeat i ng hi sact i onswi t ht hef ormer.Shedug herf i ngerst hrough hi s hai r as he babi ed.He l oved her f i ngers dri vi ng t hroughhi shai rmadl y.I twass os ens ualt ohi m,want i ng hi mt obeabus edevenmore.

The hand t hats t i l lres t ed on hi s ches tdepart ed, t raci ng now t he pack off l es ht hatconcret ed hi sl ower abdomen.She arri ved t ot he V t hatpat hed t ot he body parts hewant edt odes i ret hemos t .

I twast i me.

He yanked t he garment t hat prot ect ed s uch domi nanceof f , unders l ackswi t h.Hereveal edt ohert he mai n eventofhi s body,t he cock t hatbounced when rel eas ed and woul d bow every t i me s he woul d demand t heat t ent i ons o.

I twast i me.

She s t r i pped ofher bot t oms ,reveal i ng hi sf avori t e curveon her.Barehi ps,and a perf ect ed cheekson her, hef ant as i zed.Heret urnedhert het hanksf orhert i meby ki s s i ngherbreat hesi n.Shenow eyedNyke,whoret urned t ohergazebef oreheent eredheruni vers e. " Honey,Il oveyou. "heras ped.

Shegri ppedhi ss harpedgedj awl i neandcheeks ," I l ove you s o much! "s he enchant ed," t ake me,Nyke.You cankeepme. " I twast i me.

1 6 2

Nova Hehel dt henervousgazet hatbehel dbot hoft hem.He ent ered,asi fhe' d done t hi ss everalt i mesbef ore,when hones t l y,i twashi sf i rs t .

She yel ped hard and he moaned roughl y t o her s ens at i onal res pons e. He conf es s ed t o her bef ore he began t ot hrus t ," Dear,t hi si smy f i rs tt i me,s o pl eas e, f orgi vemei fIdontf l at t eryou."

She pal ed butpi t i ed hi m ," idon' tknow how t o j udge.I t ' smyf i rs t , t oo.

"Shepl eadedj us tf orhi scaus e.He gri nnedi nas i ni s t errel i ef ,"Good.l et ' smakeourf i rs t ,t he

best . "

Sheagreed,and hebegant ot hrus ti ns i deher.The t hi ck cock he had i ns i de her cl os equart ered f l es h, broughthi m t o ecs t as y and heral s ot ot he s ame bri nk.

Shes hout ed herprai s eashedovei nt oheruni vers e t he manyt i meshedi d.She' ssosl i ck,sopri med,sogood,he raced i nt hought .He had enough t houghtt o bend and pri meherl i pst hatbreat hed outhers hout s .Shepl eaded wi t h hi m,i n mout hy l ove.The f eel i ng f el tgraci ousand i nt ens e,buts hehad prepared hers el ff ora t i mel i ket hi s t ocompet ewi t ht hemal es hel ai dwi t h.Sheproces s edt he pai n hegaveherashes wi vel ed i n and out ,rol l i ng her eyess hutand qui et i ng hers el f .She hal t ed hervol umes and ret urned her eyes t o Nyke,who was worki ng i n rhyt hmi cpace. " Yo,Gamerboy. ", s hecal l ed.

He s hot hi s at t ent i on t o her,s t i l lpumpi ng.She begant ot aunt ,"Il evel edup,babyboy. " Hepuzzl ed,s l owed a coupl et hrus t st o cat ch what s he meant .The hand t hatcupped hi sj awl i ne removed, ges t uri ng t hats he moved on and wasready t os hi f tt o l evel2 .She rai s ed one f i nger, t hen t ot wo t os i gni f y her advance.

1 6 3

He grunt ed,and he pi cked up anot her gear t o pl eas e her .She moaned,butkepti tt o a mi ni mum.She repeat edt heproces ss hedi dj us tmoment sbef ore,andas t hel as t ,s hewasreadi edf orl evel3.

Nyke caughtt he f ami l i ar l ook agai n.She was n' t gonna t ake cont roloft hi sl ovemaki ng he' d creat ed.He woul dn' tal l ow i t .Gi rl ,you' reat oughone.Butnotenough t obri ngmedown,hecoachedhi ms el f .

Changi ngt act i cs ,heobeyedhal fherorders .Hedi d advance,buts hi f t ed up t hreemorel evel st han s hewas readyf or.Hebegan t oram herbodyt hemos thecoul d mani f es t .Sheret reat edherpri deandexcl ai meds ohard, t hewhol echamberl i tupherchant .Hevoi cedhi senergy i nchunkypant sandbreat hs ,moansandhus kys i ghs .He wat ched herreact i on,butcoul dn' tmus t ert he l augh he wi s hed he want ed her t o hear.Al lofhi s energy was f ocus edi nhi smi ddl eandonhermi ddl e.Hef el tahotand ari s i ng s ens at i on bui l d up i n hi scock t hathurthi m,i t needhi mt odri vet hel as tpummel si nhi sf i nals ay.Hehi t herhardi ns i de,maki ngherf eelt hathebas hedt hecage s he kept away and s et t i ng her f ree.J ai l broken,s he wri t hed and t unnel vi s i on s purred her, maki ng t he background s pi n and hi ss l i ck hotbody gl ow.Hereyes s pi ral ed and ears began t o phas ef rom heari ng t he grunt shemade.

I twast i me.

He f el thi sl engt h bui l d up power,and wi t hi nt he s econdshewasendi nghi ss ays o,heempt i edhi ms el fi nt o her.He breat hed a hoars e gas p,and breat hed heavi l y.

Shehad l os thers el fi nt hevery compet i t i on s hes t art ed, hercons ci ous nes si ns omeworl dwereNykehads enther 1 6 4

Nova t o.

He was s t art l ed at f i rs t , checki ng t o s ee i fs he breat hed and pul s ed.Shedi d,and when herel i eved t he wor ry,he col l aps ed on her.He f el t her warm ches t agai ns thi s ,and even t hough t heywerei nt hemi ddl eof s pace,hef el tri ghtathome.

He s queezed herl i ke hi sf avori t e chi l dhood t oy and nuzzl ed hi shead on t heneck hes ucked t o bri ng hert o t hi spoi nt .Hebegant of eelt hedrows i nes she' dbeent ol d woul d comeaf t ert herel eas eofhi si nners .Hes ni ckered l i keacl as s Adorkandmumbl edavi ct orychant . " GameOver.Iwi n. "

1 6 5

Chapter22 Ke l l yh a dwo k e nu p ,with a sudden surgeofpain that

pai ned ri ghtbehi nd hereyes .Shes qui nt ed pai nf ul l y,as t hedi ml i ghtevens urged t hepai nmore.Sherubbed t he s ore eyes and t ri ed t o rai s et he arm t hatwas t ucked undert heman' sarm s hej us trockedwi t h.Hecoveredher up wi t h hi sbody,l i ket hecomf ort ers hef avored backat herempt y apart menton Eart h.She l oved t he f eel i ng of hi swarm s ki nt ouchi nghers ,butt hewei ghtofhi srat her l argebodypai nedt hes orenes sf rom t heni ghtbef ore.She wi ggl ed outt hearm f rom underneat h,barel yhavi ng t he endurancet omoveanymus cl ei nt hel i mb. " Ow. "s hemout hed.

Nykegrumbl edi nhi ss l umberaboutt henoi s emade f rom Kel l y.Heneverdi d openhi seyesand i ncons ci ence mi nd,t al kt oher.Shegi ggl ed,maki nghernew manj i ggl e on her.Hel aughed i n hi ss l eep,and rumbl ed l ow," You l aughed.Il ovei twhenyoul augh. " She gi ggl ed even more.She f ound i ts o humorous t hathet al kedi nhi ss l eep.Sherant hef reehand' sf i ngers 1 6 6

Nova t hroughhi st hi ckhai r,t wi s t i ngs omes t randswi t hs of t nes s .

Shel ookedupatt hehai rhemadeunt amed,not i ci ngt he manewasnow darkened,al mos tbl ack,wi t hanew t i ntof bl ue. " Nyke. "s hecal l ed. " Hm? "hes l umbert al ked. " Yourhai r. . .I t sdi f f erent . "s headdres s ed. " Myhai r?"hemumbl ed.Henow wasent eri ng t he real m ofwake,f i ndi ng hi ms el fwei ghi ng down hi sgi rl .

Hi sf res hl ynew mat e.Hes pokeupagai n."

Mywhat? "he t ri edt orecal l . " Yourhai r,Nyke.I t ' sal mos tbl acknow. " Herubbed hi seyes ,l i f t i ng hi ms el fof fwi t ha grunt .

Hes t i l lpos s es s edt hebeaut i f ulf eat ureshes howedherat t he begi nni ng of her ni ght l y run t ol ove.He was n' t as hamed t owal ks t arknaked around t heroom s hewas pres enti n.Shej us twat ched.

Hemadehi swayt ot hebat hroom connect ed t ot he capt ai n' ss ui t easherubbedhi smes s yhai randmorni ngs huteyes .Hepeeredi nt ot hemi rrort hathungwi dei nt he s mal lroom.Bl ueBl ackhai r.

The vari et i es ofbl ues di s appeared and morphed i nt oadarkenedbl ue,nearl ymi dni ghtbl ack.Heobs erved t henew l ookhewasgi ven,pos i ngdi f f erentl ookswi t hhi s f ace.Thel i ghtgreenbl ueeyesand new col orhai rmade hi ml ookmorewi ckedt hans t rangebl ueens embl ehewas bornwi t h.Hi sgreenbl ueeyess t uckoutl i keas oret humb butdi ds obeaut i f ul l y.Kel l y,now coveredi nherpart ner' s s hi rt ,managed mus t erenough energy t o make i tt ot he room Nyke wasus i ng.She propped hers el fagai ns tt he doorf rame,wat chi ng hi m i n a di f f erent l yl i ght i ng,more bri ghtt han t he Lumi nat i ng gl ow t he bedroom gave.He pi vot edhi sheadt ohers i ght sandurgesheropi ni on.

1 6 7

" Whatdoyout hi nk? " Shearched bot h browsand madehers orewayt o hi snudebody.s herai s edonhert i pt oesandbrus hedher f i ngerst hrough t henew s etofhai r,f l i ppi ng and t urni ng s o.She t hen moved her f i ngers t ot he s etofeyes t hat accompani ed t henoi rhai r.Shes t ret ched t heeyel i dsand cornersout ,i n whi ch bei ng t hedorks el fhei s ,s t uckhi s t ongueoutt omakea s i l l yf ace.Shel etgooft hes t ret ch s hehel donNykeands wat t edhi m. " Agai n? ", hewhi ned. " Yes , "s he s ai d wi t h prompt ," are you hurt i ng t hat bad? " He gave hera f unny l ook," Hurt ?Notatal l .Why, areyouhurt ? " She l owered her t i pt oe and s mi rked."

Notatal l .

Yout hi nkyoumademehavet hatmuchf un? " Hes ni ckeredwi t hadevi l ' sgri n," Um,maybeIt hi nk s o.Af t eral l ,Youdi dpas sout . " Kel l yt raded anabs urd l ook.Shewass hocked,and puzzl ed.Shecoul dn' trememberdoi ngt hat .Sheknew t hat t hel ovehe' d gi ven herwasgreat ert han anyot hert i me s he' df el tgi ddyand s t udded.Shepaus ed t orecal li fs he act ual l ydi d pas sout ,vi s ual l ypoi nt i ng t oeach hi ghl i ght oft heni ghts hes pentwi t hhi m.Thi s. .t hat. .t hi s. .t ha-Oh. Theepi phanyt hatl i therf aces howed t oNyke.He l aughedatherl os sandf orhi svi ct ory. " Yeah. . .nopai natal l . " Kel l y gi ggl ed and he di dt he s ame.She pondered why he woul d as ks uch a t hi ng or exact l y whatdi d happent ohi shai r."

I st hehai rcol orchangepermanent?

Or i st hi s one oft hos e' As t ori ni anmal eorgas m't hi ngs t hathappensaf t eryoumakel ove? " He l aughed and correct ed t he ans wer," No.i t ' s 1 6 8

Nova per manent , "he t urned f ul l yt o her," I ' ve evol ved a l i f e f orm.I ' m whatyoucal la' cheri ph. ' " Kel l y recal l ed whatJ oaan i nf ormed heraboutt he ' angel i c'bei ngsAs t ori ni anmencoul dt rans f orm i nt o.And t hei nf ormat i onofGeneralPul s t i s . " J oaan t ol d me aboutt hatl i t t l e.And aboutGeneral Pul s t i s . " Nykeyawed,hedi dn' tknow how much J oaan t ol d hi m aboutwhatPul s t i shad done.He burdened hi ms el f t heques t i ont oher,"How much? " She s hrugged, " Not much. Hi m s ei zi ng t he Chancel l or' swi f e,and us i ng herasbai tt odi s houtwhat hewant s .Thef actt hatyou and herbrot herbot h,when mat ed,coul d overt hrow t he general ' sr ul e by l aw and gi vei tbackt ot heChancel l or.Sai dt hathe' d donemany badt hi ngs .Notmuchaf t ert hat . " Nykes hr i vel ed up,hewant ed t okeep hi sbrot her' s murderawayf rom her,butnow t hi ngsweres eri ous ,and hehad no choi ce.I twast i met ot el lher.Shepercei ved t hegri efs wel l i ngandpouroutf rom hi m," Nyke,whatdi d hedot oyou? " He wi nced and carri ed on," My brot her,he was enl i s t ed i n ourmi l i t ary,bef ore Icommenced f rom prep s chool .Hewasoneoft hebes t ,and hewaspromot ed t o capt ai n' srank i n no t i me.GeneralPul t s i st ol erat ed my brot her,butt heChancel l oradmi red hi m.I n ourl eader' s s upport ,he wasas s i gned t ot he 57 t h ext ract i on As t ori a haddone.Thatmi s s i on,t hei rs t aywascompromi s ed,and had t of as t en t he ext ract i on.They deal twi t ht he nat i ve pl anet ' s mi l i t ary,f i ght i ng t hem of fwi t h di s rupt i ng t he publ i c,and wi t hout hurt i ng any of t he f emal es t hey needed t o ext ract .He got al lhi s crew,f emal es ,and hi ms el fi ncl uded,aboardt heext ract i ons hi p,andcl eared 1 6 9

t hepl anet ' sat mos pherei n evas i on.Notonl yt hat ,al lt he f emal esext ract edhadmat edwi t ht hei rs acros ant sbef ore a weekst i me,maki ng t heext ract i on t hemos ts ucces s f ul , des pi t et he di f f i cul t y ret ri evi ng t hem.He was honored wi t ht heI nf i ni t y Val orMedal ,t heonet hathangsi nt he hal li nt hedi s pl aybox.GeneralPul t s i sgrew f uri ousand devi s ed an as s as s i nat i on a f ew days af t er hi s pres ent at i on of award. He of f ered dri nks f or hi m.

Accept i ng,he drove hi m,and when arr i ved atan al l ey way,my brot her was ambus hed by a t act i calas s aul t t eam hi redbyPul t s i sands hothi mi nt hes kul l ."

Kel l y gawked,and s hotherhead down.He di dn' t wantt os eehert hatway,s ohedef ended," I nas ens e,I l os tmyi dent i t ywhenIt ookhi spl ace,hopi ngt okeephi s l egacy al i ve.Li ke hi m,he di dn' tf i nd t he t i me t ot ake a conf eazol ,even f i nd a f emal ewi t houtt het es t .Butunl i ke hi m,he want ed and des i red t of i nd a woman t ol ove, marry,-havechi l dren. " Kel l yros eherhead,f i ndi ng Nyket ryi ng t ocompel hi smat e."

I ' m gl adImovedoutoft hewayt odot het es t .

I ' m gl adIgott oi nt errogat eyou.I ' m gl adyouf oundme.I had l os tmys el fand you' vecomeand f ound mypl acei n l i f e,broughtNykebackt ol i f e,youknow. " She s mi l ed f rom hi s comf ortand t eared up her vi s i on.Nykehadequal edhi ms el ft oher.Shel i f t edhi m up i n addi t i on," You hel ped me f i nd a much bet t ercal l i ng, event houghIhaven' tf ul l ygras pedi t . " Nykes werved hi supperbodyt ot hemi rror,t aki ng al as ts t are athi snew compl exi on.He had work t o do, bef orehecoul dt ackl edown Kel l yagai ni n anot herl ove heap. He s l i d pas t hi s bri de, brus hi ng hi s barenes s agai ns thers .St at i cros e hert i ny arm hai rsonce agai n andt hi sf eel i ngdeepenedf rom t hel as tencount erwi t hhi s 1 7 0

Nova t ouchys ki n.

Kel l yt ri ed t o grab hol d,buthemumbl ed a gent l e f us s . " Whereareyougoi ng?

"Shedemanded.

Nykehad al readys l i pped on a s of tcrew neckt s hi rt and canvasl i kepant s .Hewasgoi ng cas ualashedi dn' t have t he mus t er t o properl y dres s .The generalwoul d havet opas si tof ff ornow,s i ncet heman di dn' thavea s ays oi n hi sat t i re choi ce.He s wi ped hi ss hoesf rom a s t oolneara l oungechai ri nt hecorneroft hebedroom.

He began f i t t i ng t he s hoes on when he repl i ed," I ' m t urni ngi nt hereportofyouri nt rus i on.Whyandhow you gothere. " Kel l ybrokei nt oa ghos t l ys t are.Had hemadel ove wi t hhert oonl yt hrow heri nt oacel lhi ms el f ?Surel ynot ,

Hej ustconf essedaverypersonalf eatwe' daccompl i shed.

Surel ynot ,s hecomf ort s .

Hel ookedupf rom t hes t urdymat eri als hoeshenow hadf i t t ed," Don' tworry,I ' m notreport i ngt herealreas on ofhow and whyyou gothere.Fort unat el ySomeoneel s e was al s o communi cat i ng -t ryi ng -t o wi t h Eart h.We caughtt hem i nt i meast heywerecomput i ngs i gnal s .They gi veusa reas onabl es t oryofyouri nt rus i on t han t o get yout akenf rom me.Ands omeoneel s eyoucareabout . " Kel l ys t ut t ered.Hehad known aboutAvri land her communi cat i ng,butf orhow l ong? " J oaan t ol d me t he day you t ol d her.She onl y want ed met oknow t ogetanot hers t oryt ot akepl aceof t heact ualone.ShehasAvri lt owat ch over,t oo.Forher brot her. " Kel l y' sghos t l yt rance l ef tatt he phras e rel at ed t o " Avri l . . .f orherbrot her. " " Wai t .Avri l ' smat ei sJ oaan' sbrot her? " 1 7 1

Henodded," Yeah,Hazt hn.Z. " She t ook i nt he i nf ormat i on,at t empt i ng t o connect t hepi ecest oget hert of i tt het reeofpeopl eNykeandKel l y knew aboardt hes hi p.

Nykeros ef rom t hebed,f ul l ydres s ed,and headed t o t he door t o exi tt he Chambers .She barked f or hi m t o ret reatt oher,andwi l l i ngl yobeyed.He' drat hers t ayand l oveon Kel l y,and herret urn t hef avors .He' d rat hercal l an of f i cerwhodeal twi t hf i l est os end i tt ot heFat t ened man.Hecoul d,butt hereal i zat i onandact i ont ot akes ei ze oft he oppos er woul dn' tbe produced properl yi fhe' d donet hat .Heret urnedt oherbeckonedcal l ,onl yt ot rade as of tki s s .Hercandi ed l i pshad s weet ened up agai n,as hes avored t het as t e.Hepart ed t el l i ng herhi sl ovewas hersandt rot t i ngof fwi t haf i l ef ol der.

1 7 2

Nova

Chapter23 Ha za n dAv r i lWe r ee a t i n gas n a c kb yn o w,l at ei nt he

af t ernoon.Haz,l eani ng overt hes hort s t opped t abl e,at e on a Tri f zl ea,a s mal lcakel i kes nack,wi t h a cream t hat waski nd ofl i kes at i n chocol at e.Avri lenj oyed t hi ss nack much moret han t hes nackcakess hehad on eart h.She had comet o di s coveri ng moreand moret hi ngst o enj oy bet t erhereon t heH' i l ot han on eart h.Whoknowswhat s he woul dl i ke on As t ori a;s he coul dn' twai tt os ee,t o experi ence.

A knock beathard on t he door,and a mal e voi ce adres s edt hei dent i t y. " Haz,weneedt ogo. " " Nyke?I ' m s pendi ng t i me wi t h my bri de.s houl dn' t youbewi t hyours ? " " Ial readyhave.You' ds eei fyouopent hedoor. " Hazpaus ed t hebi t ehe' ds t art ed on and bol t ed t o t hedoor,s wi ngi ngi twi de.

Nyke had mat ed,hi shai ra dark dark bl ackbl ue, t he t ot aloppos i t e hue ofhi ms el f ,Haz.He real i zed t he s eri ous nes soft hes i t uat i onandagreedt of ol l ow.

Avri ls t i rr ed i n a rus h, ques t i oni ng hi ss udden and random l eave," Whymus tyougo? " Hazs pi nnedt oAvri lhurryi ng," I t ' saboutKel l y.And 1 7 3

you.Ineed t o gett hi sdone wi t h Nyke f i rs t ,t hen Iwi l l expl ai n.Ipromi s e.

"Hes oundedi nupmos ts ol emn.

Shef reedhi m andHazdepar t edwi t hNyke.

They made a bri s k wal k t o J oaan' s , who was i nf ormed ofNyke' s change and t he pl an res umed.She readi ed hers el fand madet hebri s kwal kt hey t rot t ed t o t heGeneral ' sof f i ce.

Thegenerals atbacki nt heopenchai r,s moki nghi s pri me choi ce s moke s t i ck.He had al ready pol l ut ed t he t i ny r oom f ul loft he s t enched gas ,buthe l oved and breat hed i tl i ke oxygen.He remarked a s arcas t i c gas p whenJ oaan,hadent eredt heroom wi t haf i l ei nherhand. " Medi calreport s ?Idon' ti ns pectt hos e,doI ? " He eyed t he t i t l e of t he report ,whi ch read out ' I nt ruderreport ' .

He arched bot h browsi mmens el y,ponderi ng why Nykewoul ds end J oaan t of et ch and s end hi sreportf or hi m.He read t he cont extoft he s i t uat i on,bas i cal l ya f ol l ow up ofwhathappened att hel ounge,t hebacks t ory oft hef emal eand of f i cer,and t heconcl us i onofwhyand how Kel l y appeared.Nots at i s f i ed wi t ht he report ,he dart edhi st ruei nt ent i ons ,"Where' st hegi rlnow? " " Thecons pi rat ori si nbarredquari nt i nes ,s i r. " " That ' s nott he gi rlI ' m s peaki ng of ,Of f i cer.The i nvader,J oaan,wher ei ss he? " " Why i st hatany ofyourconcern?s he came here uni nt ent i onal l yf rom t he s i gnal ss he pi cked up f rom t he cons pi rat ors .You s houl d be more worri ed about t he of f i cert hatdi s obeyedyoursordersoft hi ss hi p' sdut i es . " " Icoul d care l es saboutt hatdog, "He barked,"i wantt hegi rldead. " " Soyou' dwantt hegi rldeadf orwhat ? " The generalpi qued heri nt eres t ,whi ch he begged 1 7 4

Nova t opri deabouti tt os uchabeaut y," Lovel yJ oaan,Becaus e t hat ' s Nyks ur on' s heart mat e, we don' t want i nvaders comi ng f reel yf orourmal es .bes i des ,hedoes n' tdes erve t hegi rl .

"Heros ef rom t hel ows etchai rand gri pped t he medi calof f i cerbyt hechi nf eroci ous l y."

I ' drat hert hegi rl s uf f ert he s ame deat h hi sbrot herdi d, "He grabbed her now,f orci nghi swei ghtt opres sagai ns ther.Hes l ammed t he doort o hi de t he s ecrecy ofhi ss i n he wasgoi ng t o commi t ."

Lovel ygi rl ,l etmet ouchyou. . . " Thedoorbl as topen t orevealt het woEvol ved men awai t i ng t he wi cked creat ure' sarres t .They had caught hi m on J oaan,whi ch i nf uri at ed Haz.He l anced att he General ,yanki nghi m of fands l ammi nghi mt ot hef l oor. " Don' tyoudaret ouchherl i ket hat . "hes col ded.

Thegeneral ,i nl ookofdef eatands t art l e,wat chan es cortofs ol di ersas s mebl ei nt het i nyroom' sent rance. " GeneralPul t s i s ,you' re under our arres t ,f or t he hani ouscri mesyou' vecommi t ed aswi t nes s ed byf i f t yor mor e ci t i zensand by atl eas tone of f i ci al .

"The general was now bei ng cuf f ed i n bl ue gl owi ng bounds ,madl y argui ngwi t ht henew aut hori t i est hatt ookhi spl ace.They i gnoredt hes nort yt hreat sandat t endedt oJ oaan.

Shewas n' tdi s t urbedt hatmuchbutt hankedt het wo anywaysf ort hes upport . " Now what ? "s herel i t .

The men l ooked at t he des k,Nyke pus hi ng t he namepl at ei nt ot hewas t ebi n. " New arrangement s . " * * * * * * * * Thet ri ohad rans acked t hef ormergeneral ' sroom, l ooki ngf oranyt hi ngt hatwoul dhel pt hem i nt hei rmi s s i on.

Nykehadpl annedt hi ss t rat egys i ncet hedayKel l yheal ed 1 7 5

hi swound.

Ret urnt oEart h.

Hedug f uri ous l yt hrough t het ras hed f i l est hatl ay on t hegl ut t on' sdes k.Not hi ng ofNyke' sconcern t hough.

Haz had not i ced t he f as tpaced capt ai n,ashe hurri ed t hroughpapernotgi vi ng a i nchofcaref ort hef i l est hat l ayon t het abl e.Hemadehi swayt oNyke,s t oppi ng hi s maddened s earch. Gri ppi ng hi sf ri end' ss houl der, he s t i rred Nyke up.Nyke f l apped t he arm away f rom hi s gri pandcont i nuedhi st hought s . " Nyke,whatareyoupl anni ng? ",Hazs narl ed.

He,s t i l lf ocus ed on t he pi l esofmi s f i ti nf ormat i on l yi ng ont hef l oor,s narl ed back," Weneed t ogetbackt o Eart h.There' s " Hazhal t ed hi spart ner' ss peech," Whoa,whoa!We can' tret urnt oEart hnow.Wedon' thavet hef uelort i me t odos o. " " Kel l y di d.She made i there wi t hi nt he t i me s he pi ckedupas i gnalandt rans port edhers el fi nl es samount oft i mewecoul df uelt hi swhol es hi p. " J oaancaughtont owhatNykewast ryi ngt opl ead, " Yes ,and al s o her worl d has upgraded i mmens l ey on Medi calres earch and product st hat exceed what we know.I fwecoul dus et hes amedevi ceKel l yus edt ot ravel t oEart h,wecoul deas l i ycomebackwi t hnew di s covered medi ci nes ,t reat ment sf or t he i nf ert i l i t y of As t ori ni an womenhere. " Haz pi cked up agai n when s he s t opped, " Thi s s oundsal lf i neand grand,butt hepl ansyou bot h have cannotbedonet hrough ourpoweral one.Wemayhave overt hrown t he general ,butt he power bel ongs t ot he Chancel l ornow.And whos et os ayt hathewi l lgrantus 1 7 6

Nova anypermi s s i ont odos uchat as k? " Nykeand J oaan qui et ed t hei rt hought s ,t hi nki ng ofa reboundt os upportt hepropos al .Nykehadbeent hi nki ng s of ar ahead,and J oaan had been t hi nki ng t he s ame s peed,t oo.Butwhatcoul dbeus edasl everage?Leverage, J oaant hought . " Leverage. "s het hens poke. " Leveragef ort heChancel l or?Idon' tt hi nkhel i kes t hatgamemuch.

"Hazmot i oned. " No.Thel everage.I fwecoul d gethi swi f ebackt o hi m i nt i me,he may proceed wi t h ourprops al .Atvery hi ghprobabi l i t y,t oo. "s hes t rat egi zed.

Nykef umbl edwi t ht hef i l esbef orepl oppi ngt hel as t one he s ki mmed overdown," Bad news .We don' tknow wheres he' sat . " J oann pondered more.Anot herrebound t oconnect . " Whatdo weknow s of araboutanyt hi ng rel at ed t ot he Chancel l or' swi f eandPul t s i s ?

"Nykeopened. " We know t hats he' d be undert i ghtwat ch;Pul s t i s woul dntl etheroutofs i ght . " " Buthow i shedoi ngi twhi l eont heH' i l o?" " He woul dn' t , " Nyke rendered, " Li ke Z s ai d, he woul dn' tl ether outofs i ght .So i t ' s very l i kel ys he' s aboardt hes hi pri ghtnow. " " Pul s t i s won' t ans wer our ques t i ons i f we i nt errogat ed hi m.He' st heki nd ofman whowon' tbudge evenwhent hr eat enedwi t hdeat h. "hecont i nued.

They paus ed and broke t he barr i er once more, " Whowoul dknow?Whowoul dhavet hes ki l lt obi ndupa hi ghs t ake mi s s i ng woman f rom t he government ,and keepherqui et ? " Theyal lret urned t ot hel oud s i l encet hatf i l l ed t he s mal lof f i ce.Nykef l i t t ed t hroughtt hef i l esagai n.Oneof 1 7 7

ordercal l s ,not hi ngl argeorunheardof .Moreordercal l s l at eranddi s coveredpat rol lreport s .Agai n,not hi ngofhi s concern,buthecameupont hereportt hatwasgi venbya pat rol lof f i cer,aboutt he i ncedentatt he Ki s ks ha.The s us pect st hatwerearres t edwereanEart hf emal enamed Maddy and an As t ori ni an Mal e,an of f i cer aboard t he s hi p' screw-f orradarandcamof l auges peci al i s t . " There i sour ans wer.

"Nyke f l i cked t he paper he read t o hi ms el f ," Theof f i cerwearres t ed att heKi s ks ha, he' saradarandcamof l auges peci al i s t . " J oaan remarked," He' d be t he one t o hi de her s ecret l y.Whoel s ewoul ddot hej ob? " " Butwhywoul dhecommi ts uchher es y?He' sagood guyf rom wheniknew hi m.

"Hazbaf f l ed. " Woul dyouknow whent hewomanwasadmi t t edt o t heWarat el ?Shecoul dn' thavebeenadmi t t edj us tyet ,t he l unarcycl ei s n' tevenupyet . " Haz s crat ched, " Onl y i fi t was ordered by an aut hori t i veof f i ci al ,i tcoul dbedone."

Nykel ookedaroundont hereport .Themans t i l lhad t he unmat ed bl ue hai r,and he' dt ri ed t o pl eas e hers o whenheconf r ont edheratt heKi s ks ha. " He was t ryi ng t of ree her. " The s i bl i ngs dart ed t hei rat t ent i ont oNyke. " Thatgi rl ,Maddy,t hat ' s hi s bri de.The onl y way Pul s t i scoul dus el everagef orl everagei st ot akehi sbri de away f rom hi m s o he' d do t hej ob unt i lt hes hi pl anded back atAs t ori a.He' d been t ryi ng t o getherhome and hi mel ft o herhome,t o es cape t he t ri bul at i on t hey were bot hexperi enci ng.Theni ghtheat t ackedme,hewasonl y t ryi ngt oprot ecther. " " I tdoes n' ts eem l i kes hel oveshi mt hough,t heway s heact edt hatni ght .

"Hazbumped.

1 7 8

Nova " Maybeprovi ng t ohert hathecoul d getherhome woul d wi n herl ovet ohi m.

"J oaan s ugges t ed.Hazi n hi s mi ndagreedwi t hhi ss i s t er,butNykel ookeduncert ai n. " She' snotcaredabouthi mt hewhol et i me, "het hen pi vot edhi seyest oJ oaan," Notatal l . " " Thenhow dowegethert o?

"Hazbi d.

Nykemi ndedhi sf ocust ot heground,att hef i l eone l as tt i mebef oreconcl udi ng.Nykeros ef rom hi skneesand bookedt ot heexi toft heroom asHazdraggedbehi nd. " We need t o get i nf ormat i on f rom t he l everage s ent i nel ,Of f i cerFedei t er. "

1 7 9

Chapter24 Th eb a r r e dq u a r n t i n e swe r et h es h i p ' sh o l d i n gc e l l sfor

t hos ewhocommi t t ed cri meswhi l et ravel l i ng ont heH' i l o.

I twasat emporarys t ayf ort hos ewhowerehel di nt heA l evel ,accus ed ofa mi nor vi ol at i on ofs ort s and woul d mos tl i kel y be rel eas ed af t er an as s i gned f i ne and warni ng.LevelB hel dt hos e who commi t t ed a great er vi ol at i on,andmos tl i kel ywoul dbes entt ot hecourt s .The deeperl evel ,t hemor evi ol at i ont hey' dcommi t t edandt he s ent ence was great er. The Eart h f emal e Maddy and s peci al i s tFedei t erwereofLevel sDandG. OnLevelD hel dt hef emal e,ahal lofmuchwomen l i keheryel l i ng i nangerand ral l yi ng s cr eams .Nykeand Haz pas s ed t he women' scel l s ,each i nhabi t antbangi ng ont hedoor.Evenpas s i ng Maddy' s ,t hebangscont i nued, hersbei ngmoredes perat e.

They ent ered a f eri cat or,whathumanswoul d cal l el evat ors ,downt ot henextl evelandpas s i ngt hrought he nexthal l .Theywoul drepeatt hi sunt i lent eri ngt heG l evel , Whi choft hei nhabi t ant st here,hel daneeri es i l encet han t heres toft hel evel st hepart nerspas s edt hrough.

They eyed t he cel lnumbers ,wri t t en i n As t ori ni an, goi ng unt i lt hey mat ched t he numbers Fedei t er was 1 8 0

Nova encl os ed i n.Wi t hi nt heend' sreach oft hehal ls t ood t wo cel lguardswi t hs t at i cpowered s pearsasweapons .They recogni zedt het wonew deput i esandrel eas edt hel ockof t hedoorasordered.Theaut omat i cdoors l i dopen,wi t ha noi s y ri ng al armi ng t he pri s oner of vi s i t ors . There Fedei t er s ati n an al mos ti npat i ents t ance.He had hi s armspropped up on hi sknees ,burrowi ng hi sf ace t hat methi shands .Heros ehi shead and dropped t hem back whenhes aw hi sf ormercapt ai nandhi snew part ner,t he men who had bol t ed hi m down and kepthi m l ocked up now i nt hi shol e. " Fedei t er, "Nykecal l edout ," Weneedt ot al k. " Fedei t er readi ed hi s ears , wi t hout res pons e he f l aggedt hecapt ai nhi sat t ent i on.Nykecont i nued."

You' ve beenunderal otofpres s urel at el y,haven' tyou? " Fedei t ers cof f ed,andl etoutacarel es sl augh," Al ot ?

You' vecomet ot hatconcl us i onnow t hanatt heKi s ks ha? " " No.Wemeanot herbus i nes s .Whatyouweredoi ng t herewasf oryourprot ocol ,i mport antprot ocol .Prot ocol not ordered by t he general , who had act ual di rt y bus i nes sf oryout ot endt o. ",Nykes poke.

Thepri s oner' ss t ancewass t i f f ened,and appeared ofmoreat t ent i ont hanbef ore. " Whatyouwer edoi ngatt heKi s ks hai snoneofour wor ri es ri ghtnow and t o be none ofyours anymore.

We' ve come t o rel eas e you under one condi t i on. " The cel l mat ebreat hed a s cof f ed chuckl e.Nykepropos ed," We needt oknow wheret heChancel l or' swi f ei s . " Theof f i cerbus t edouti nas ourl augh," Youhones t l y t hi nkI ' dt el lyou wheres he' sat ?Even i fIdi d know her l ocat i on,Icoul dn' tt el lyou." " The generali s no l onger i n command.We are. " , Hazi nput t ed.

Fedei t erref rai nedf rom t hel aught erandgaped.

1 8 1

" Weknow t hatMaddyi syourbri de.Pul s t i st ookher awayf rom youandt hrew heri nt heWarat elt obri beyou i nt ohi di nghi shos t agef orhi m,unt i lt hes hi pret urnedt o As t ori a,"Nykeconf r ont edcl os ert oFedei t er," Fedei t er,he woul d' ve never gave her back t o you.She woul d' ve s t ayed t hei rf ort heres tofherl i f e.And you' d bewi t hout anymat ef ort heres tofyourl i f e. " Fedei t er harkened and pl eaded," Then you' d hel p met hen. " " Asl ong asyou' d hel p us .Ot hert han t hat ,you' re ani nnocentman. " Fedei t erl i tupandcommi t t edhi ss ecrett oai d," The gangol l ows ,Lef tal l eyacros sf rom t heKi s ks ha,t heempt y cooki ngkeepf ort heKi s hka' sol des t abl i s hment .Thecode i s88593.Bri ng a pai rofs t at i cproofWi re cut t ers ,s he' s behi ndal otofs t at i cwi res .That ' swheres he' sat . " Nyke and Haz cal l ed f or a t act i cals earch and res cue t eam neart he area and rel ayed t he l ocat i on t o t he s quad.They af f i rmed,and proceeded t ot he area, wi t hNykeandHazs t i l li nt hecel l .Fedei t ergazedamong t het wo,andi mpl ored,"Whyareyous t i l lhere? " Nyke wai t ed f or a res pons ef rom t he Squad,not ans weri ngt hepri s oner.Fedei t erbeggedwordl es s l y,wi t h hi seyesdart i ngbackandf ort ht oHazandNyke.Af t era f ew bri efmoment sl at er,a s t at i cnoi s ecamet hrough t he cal l boxt hathungonNyke' swai s t bel t . " We' ver et ri evedt hef emal e,capt ai n.She' ss af eand wewi l les cortt oa s ecured chamberarea f orhert os t ay unt i lt heH' i l ol ands . " Nyke af f i rmed t he l og and rel eas ed t he cal l box.

Fedei t er' seyeswi denedandt hes i l entbegbroke,"Wel l ? " Nyke uncuf f ed t he of f i cer f rom t he chai ns t hat bound hi m and vol l eyed hi m once more."

Bef ore we l et 1 8 2

Nova youret urnt oyourchambersf ort hel unarcycl e,weneed s omeofyourexpert i s e. " " Anyt hi ng! " Haz began," You' ve been t ryi ng t o get Maddy' s at t ent i on f or a whi l e,and i tdoes n' ts eem t o work.We needt oknow i fs he' st al kedt os omeonewhocant al kher i nt ogi vi ngyouachance. " Fedei t erpondered deepl y,t ryi ng t orecal lt hebri ef t al kshe had wi t h Maddy.He dar t ed hi sgaze f rom t he ground and bri ef ed t hem i n a des i red pl ea," There' st hi s gi rl ,s he' dt al kedaboutherbef ore.Thewomans hes poke ofwhos he' dt houghthad ei t heral readyes caped orhad ei t her' f al l eni nt ot hemes ss hewasputi n'asMaddywas .

She s poke ofhercal mnes sand how s he t ol d herabout f i ght i ngashardass hecoul dt ogetout .Shewasbaf f l ed abouthow cal ms hewas .Thenames l i psmebuti t ' sri ng i sf ami l i ar.Ab-abri " " Avri l .

"Hazreveal ed. " Yes . . .yes !Avri l !Maddys ai dt hatAvri ldi dhel pher cal m downandi fanyways hehads urvi vedt hi sf ar,s he' d obeywhatAvri lcoul d dot os urvi ve.She' di mpres s ed her t hen,icoul dt el l .Thi sAvri lcoul d do s o now.

"Fedei t er hungered even more,as he begged f or t he as s i s t ance, " Pl eas e!She' st heonl ywayt hatIknow of ! " Nykepi vot ed t oHaz,whohad a hard t i mef i ght i ng of ft he di l emma and rej ect i ng t os ee hi sbri de.Butt he gaze Fedei t eri mpl ored and Nyke' ss t ern command,put t hi surgeas i deand pus hed hi m outt hedoort oret ri eve hi sbri de.

Heknew i nhi smi nd t heevent st hatwoul d comet o pas st ol eadt ot hi s : Theyweregoi ngt oEart h.

1 8 3

* * * * * * * * * * *

Th i r t ymi n u t e sl a t e r .

Avri l was now bei ng es cor t ed down hal l ss he' s nevert rekkedbef ore.Shes t aredatt hemal eswhopas s ed byher,not i ci ng t hemat ed and t heunmat ed.Theywere s t i l lbeaut i f ul ,butnotasnot i ceabl eashermat e,hers oon t obehus band.

They had concl uded t hatt hey woul d be marri ed af t ers i xmont hsofpl anni ngonAs t ori a.Theyagreedt hat t he t i me t hey s pentaf t ert hey l anded on hernew home pl anet ,woul d be enough t o pl an a s mal lweddi ng.He di dn' thave a l arge group off ri ends ,j us tNyke,and a coupl ef ri ends f rom t he Warat el ,hi ss i s t er J oaan,and s ome ofher f ri ends .Kel l y ofcours e,when s he coul d reuni t ewi t h Avri l .Butnotmuch af t ert hat .A mi ni s t er,of cours e.Theyevencons i derednothol di ngarecept i on,due t ot he l ack ofpeopl e and t he rat her l arge expens e he expl ai ned woul d comet orentan area t opart y.Shes t i l l wascons i deri ng s omeki nd ofmeals he' ds harewi t h her cl os es tt hough.Wi t hcake.

Avri lhad now ent ered t hemi l i t aryquart ersoft he s hi p,now s eei ng t hemal esi ns omeki nd ofuni f orm.The uni f orms ranged, f rom t he navy bl ue s he s aw Nyke weari ng when s he es cort ed hi m t o Haz,f rom of fwhi t e, al mos tcream Ret rof ut uri s t i cf orms .Shebl urt ed,l i keher us uals el f . " Wow.Theuni f ormsares opr et t y! " Hazt ugged on hert os hus h,butwhen s hepeered i nt ohi seyes ,hecoul dn' thel pbutchuckl eal i t t l e.Sheand Hazent ered a bri ef i ng room,t hatf el ts t eri l eand col d.A ref l ect i vegl as ss aton t hebackwal l ,whi l eon t heot her 1 8 4

Nova s i de s pect at ors coul d wat ch t he i nt errogat i on l i ve.She washel d backby Nyke,dres s ed cas ual l yi ns t ead i nf ul l uni f orm.Hecl os edt hedoorf rom hergri pandgavehera s mal lchunk ofi nf ormat i on.He poi nt ed t ot he woman behi ndt heref l ect i vegl as s . " Doyouremembert hatwoman? " Shet ookagl anceatt hewomanandi nf ormed," Her namei sMaddy.Sheputup a f i ghtwhenwewerei nt he ext r act i onroom. " Nyke poi nt ed agai n,now t o her," You made an i mpacton heri nt hatroom.And you need t odoa great onenow.Youandheraret heonl yoneswhos t andi nt he deci s i onofgoi ngbackt oeart h. " " What ? ! "s hes quawked.

Hehus hed her,and i mpl ored."

You need t ot el lher t hatt hemans he' swi t h,cangetherbackt oeart hi fs he mat eswi t hhi m.Sof aral lt hef emal escompl i edwi t ht hei r mat esexcepther.I fwe can gethert o compl y,we wi l l have a s ucces s f ulext ract i on t ri p,pl us t he generalhas been overt hrown,and event s have cons pi red.Thi s wi l l l eadyoubackt oEart h,t os eei tf oranot hert i me. " She s t ared bl ankl y.For t hi s whol et i me s he had been t ol dt hatret urni ng t oEart h wasnevera pos s i bi l i t y agai n.She had t rai ned hers el ft ol ove t he pl anett hat awai t ed her. The whol e ent i re reas on s he prepared hers el ft oadj us tand gi vet heworl d bel ow wasbecaus e ofHaz.She l oved hi m s o much,t hats he gave up her homeon Eart h,l etherdi s appearanceremai n a mys t ery, and moveon wi t h hermat e.Shedi dn' ts t op t hel oves he had f orHazt hn,butt hes careofret urni ng t oEart haf t er al ls he' dgi venup,ros equeezyi nhers t omachandupt o hert hroat .Nevert hel es s ,s heagreedt opers uade. " OK.I ' l ldoi t . "s heacqui t t ed.

Nykeopened t hedoorf orherand l etherent ert he 1 8 5

room Maddys at .

The f el l ow f emal el ooked cl ean,butcoul dt el ls he hadn' tbat hedi ns everaldays .Shemus t ' vebat hedaweek ago,ors o.Herhai rl ookedt hi ckenf rom t hel as tt i mes he s aw her,whi ch l ooked t horoughl y cl ean and s l i ck f rom t hemedi calof f i cer' scare.Shewascal m,butgaveAvri la deat hl ygl are,s l ow andhat ef i l l ed.

Avri lapproachedt hechai rt hatf acedt het abl e.She ref us ed t os i t ,butbegan t o as k abouther concerns . " Maddy,ar eyouok? " Maddy rol l ed her eyes down t o t he t abl e and s cof f ed."

Doesi tl ookl i kei t ? " " No, "s headmi t t ed,"ButIcanhel p. " She now s atdown t o equalhers el fand promot e comf ort ," Maddy,t he man you were as s i gned t o-have youhads exwi t hhi m? " " Whyi st hats uchadyerques t i on?" ,s hes hot . " becaus eheneedsyou t odos o.I n a way,you s et hi mf ree.ands etyours el ff ree.

"Avri lgraced.

Maddynow l ookedi nt oAvri l ' seyeswi t hagl are, " How s o? " Avri lbegan t oconf es ss hamef ul l y," Idi d whatyou t ol d me atf i rs t ,If oughtmy s acros antof f .Iref us ed t o mat ewi t hhi m,evenref rai nedandmockedhi mf orbei ng s uchmat eofmi ne.Iri di cul edhi m andref rai nedf rom t he af f ect i onhewast ryi ngt ogi ve, "Avri ll ookedupatMaddy wi t h t ears ," Di d you know he' d bought me A whol e wardrobe,ahous ef orus !Aroom t os l eep,Heboughthi s wayt of reedom!Pai df ort het ri pandt heext ract i ont oget youhere.Heevens penthi st i memaki ng hi sl ovef orme, he' s an art i s t ,drew l i f el i ke pi ct ures of me!He never mi s t reat edme,never . " 1 8 6

Nova Maddyremarked," You' rel ucky.Iwasputi ns ome s ex s l ave marketcal l ed Warat el .Butt he cl i entIonl y s pentt i mewi t h wast heof f i cer,and t herewasnowayI wasgoi ngt ogi vemybodyt ohi m."

Avri l ' sf ace wri nkl ed up and deep t hought was proces s i ng i n her.A f unny f eel i ng s t i rred and a vi s ual j ourneymani f es t ed i n hermi nd,vi s ual st hats he' d never part ooki n.Sherel eas ed t hewri nkl ei nherbrai nand l et t hef l ow t akeoverandt hevi s ual ss peakf orher. " Hewasunderal otofpres s ure,Maddy.Hewant ed you t ol ove hi m,he' dt ri ed s et t i ng you f ree f rom t he Warat el .Het ri ed you t o gethi m t o mat ewi t h you . . .s o you coul d go home-t o real i ze t hathe coul dt ake you home. " Maddys t arednow atAvri l,whos eemedt obei na proces sofs ort s ."

Whatareyout ryi ngt ot el lme?

"Maddy demanded.

Avri ls poke f rom whats he s aw," He prepared f or you.Severalyears ,l i ke mi ne,he bus i ed hi swork s o he coul d purchas e a home,a name f orhi ms el f .He ranked hi ms el f very s t eadi l y and f as t ,s o f as t he' d ranked s peci al i s ti nl es st hanf i vemont hs .Hehad prepared f as t , whi l e under t he percept i on of Pul s t i s ,s t udyi ng radar anal ys i sand t act i cs .He' d prepared hi sj obs ot hatyou and hi m can l i ve on eart h.Hi shome he made -i t son Eart h. " Thet womenbehi ndt hegl as s ,now t urnedas udden s hock.ForNyke,t hei nf ormat i onwasnew,butbot hgood and bad.Good i nas ens et hatt here' sa wayt obl end i n wi t heart h' ss t andardswi t houts t andi ngout .Bad,Fedei t er had been cons pi ri ng an es cape f or years ,under hi s wat ch.Themanneededhi sbri det ocompl y,s ot hes t akes had i ncreas ed demand t ohangi ng bya t hi nt hread.For Haz,ot hert hought sappeared.Hes aw t hef i rs tgi f tofhi s 1 8 7

bri de,cl ai rvoyancy.Shecoul ds eei n and outoft hepas t andpres ent ,maybei nt ot hef ut urewhenmorepract i ced.

He wast hri l l ed,butwhatel s e coul ds he s ee now?The t i meshes pentwi t h ot herwomen,gi vi ng hi sbodyaway?

Thet i meswherehecoul dhaveki l l edhi ms el f ? Herus hed i nt oa worryand meddl ed wi t h handsand f umbl ed wi t h hi sf i ngers .

Maddyproducedas hockedf ace," Hedi d? " " Yes , "Avri lcompel l ed," Iknow t hi spl ace,t hewhol e i dea i ss cary,butgoi ng home-i tal ldependson you.I t dependsonyouei t hergi vi ngyourt i me,ands oonl ovet o Fedei t er- or you l i ve t he Warat el l i f e you' ve been i nt r oduced t o.And t here' snoguarant eet hathecoul d be t heonl yman you' ds pend yourt i mewi t h.Asa mat t erof f act ,hewon' t . " The di l emma s t i rred i n Maddy' s head and s he begant os t ut t er,t heni narus hs hes t art edhercry."

How coul dIdot hi s ?Ibarel yevenknow hi m. .II" " I t ' scal l edal eapoff ai t h, "Avri lpreached.Shenow ros ef rom t hechai racros sf rom Maddy' s ,goi ngaroundt o cons ol e Maddy' sf ear," I fi thel ps ,t he man you' re wi t h l ooksat t ract i ve,andi ns i dehei sagoodman.Hewentt o di s t ancest hatcoul dhavegothi m execut ed.Nevert hel es s , hedi di tf oryou. " Maddy l ooked wi t h convi ct i on i n her eyes .Avri l breat hed herconcl us i on wi t h a heavywei ght ed whi s per, " J ump,he' l lcat chyou. " Maddyf i nal l ynodded.Shehad gi ven up t hef i ght , bei ng convi ct ed i nt heheartby t heman s hekeptaway f rom hi m.Avri lgui ded hert ot heexi tand pl eaded wi t h Nyke," CanIt akehert ohi m,Nyke? " Nyke nodded," Ihave t o come al ong,butyes ,you can. " 1 8 8

Nova Nyke,wi t h Avri land Maddy paced t hei r way t o Fedei t er' s chambers .Maddy s hook,butAvri lcomf ort ed when s he qui vered.Nyke arri ved t ot he quart ers and not ed t hatt hi swashi s .Avri ls oot hed herunt i ls heeas ed and s i l ent ed.Nyke addres s ed t he s ame s peech he gave every t i me he us her ed a bri de.And t he dooropened t o Fedei t er,who had groomed hi ms el fhands omel yf or hi s bri de.Hewel comedher,ands heent ered.

Now,wast het i met owai t .

1 8 9

Chapter25 Al u n a rc y c l el a t e r .

Nykehadcl earedt hef ormerGeneral ' sof f i ceont he s hi p,onl yt obei nhabi t i ng i tf ora f ew moreweeks .The s hi p' sl andi ng was s oon t o arri ve,and a whol e new chapt erwoul dbeunf ol di ngonAs t ori a.He' dal readybeen t ol d ofacqui ri ng a new uni f orm,a general s uni f orm, arrayed i n coalbl ack and gol dt as s el s .He' d al ready aut hori zed Kel l y' sf ul lrel eas et ot al kt ot hepubl i c,s i nce herneeded herhel p creat i ng a devi cet ot rans portt hem t oEart h.

Kel l yhadbeenf ul ls peedaheads i nceherdi s mi s s al f rom i s ol at i on.She' dgai nf ul lacces st oNyke' sf i l esal ong wi t hJ oaan' sres earchnot es ,t ohel phermaket heperf ect devi ce.She' d al ready compos ed a l arge s cal e prot ot ype t ot es ts uch f eat .Shecoul d do mos t l y any t ypeoforder butwi t hNyke' sapprovalandt heChancel l or' sapproval .

Hazt hn prepared f ort he weddi ng asAvri ldi d,i n f ul lmot i onands eri ous nes s .Hehadal s opi ckedapos i t i on wi t h Nyke,asan act ualdeput yof f i cer.Heat t ended wi t h Nykeoncert ai nmi s s i ons ,notmuchofver yat s t aket as ks .

He had al s o at t ended t oJ oaan when s he needed t he as s i s t ance.

As f or Avri l ,s he had prepared f or her vi s i t at i on 1 9 0

Nova wi t hKel l y,whos hehadheardhadf oundamat eaboard t heH' i l oandnow beent i edt ohi m.Shedi dn' tknow i twas wi t h Nyke,who had communi cat i on wi t h herf requent l y.

Hekeptt hemat t ert o hi ms el fwhen t al ki ng t o Avri l ;s he di dn' tneed t oworryaboutt hei rmat t ers .Al ls heneeded t oworryaboutwasherandHazt hnal one.

Nevert hel es s ,s hegrew curi ous .Shehad devel oped powersnow.Hert echni cals ki l l supgraded i mmens el y,t o where s he coul d al t era whol e pr ogram wi t ht he t i p of herf i nger.Shecoul dcl ari f yt hevi s i onss hehad,andal s o t ravelt hroughcert ai nareasmi ndf ul l yt hroughherhead.

Haz not i ced her s ki l l s grew and real l y wondered i fhe real l ywant edhert ohavet hos egi f t s .

I tencouraged t he exci t ementofgoi ng home,t hen rel aps e when s he recal l ed Haz cert ai ni ng her ret urn neverpos s i bl e.Shepas s ed t het houghti mmedi at el y and cont i nuedhert hought saboutherweddi ng,andKel l y.

Hert i me away f rom s oci et y,t he l unarcycl e,was f i ni s hedanddemandedf rom Hazt os eeKel l yri ghtaway.

Hes i mpl yrepl i ed wi t han" I t ' l lhappen. "and f urt heri nt o anot herconvers at i on.

The t i me happened around t he f i naldaysaboard t hes hi p,unt i lt het i mes hes aw anew s kyandl and.Haz had made an arrangement at Nyke' st os ee Kel l y at di nnert i me.The hos t swere goi ng t o make a mealt hat woul d remi nd Avri lofhomeand reveala new mealf or Hazt oeat ,whi chhegreat l yaccept edt ot ry.

Avri ldres s ed,t aki ngof ft hes l i pl i kedres ss hewore cas ual l yt hatday,and put t i ng on s i mi l ar cl ot hes s he woul d' veworn on Eart h.Hehad gi ven hera t s hi rtand pai rofdeni ml i kej eans ,t ohappyheronherrel eas eday.

Hehadmadehi swayt hrought hebedquart ers ,wi t ht he s hi rthe pl anned t o wear i n hi s hand.He l eaned and ki s s ed hi sf ut ure wi f e on t he t empl e,and t hen began 1 9 1

s i mpl et al k. " Youl ookbeaut i f ul . " She t urned down her head wi t h a bas hf uls mi l e, " Youneverceas et os t op,doyou? " Hearchedabr ow," St op?whywoul dI ? " She s howed her s mi l e,now t eet hy," Imean,you never gi ve up compl i ment i ng me.You never s t op.Do you? " Hes hrugged," Mi ghtaswel lkeep on.Idon' thave anyt i mel os tdoi ngi t . " She l aughed,"Yeah,maybe you wi l lnow,s i nce I havef reerei gnofmeandwhereIgo. " Hegrabbedheraroundt hewai s tandpul l edheri n,"As l ong as you never run away f rom me, you can go whereverasyoupl eas e.J us tcomehomet ome. " " Whereyouare-i shome,dear. " He s mi l ed.Thats eti ti ns t one.The mi s t akeshe' d done,t hedi rt y workt o gethi m here,t heprobl emst hey had f i zzl ed,and al lt hatwasl ef ti st hel ovet hatbonded t hem t oget her,wi t ht heal lt het i mei nt heworl d.

They f i ni s hed get t i ng ready and t here began her f i rs tact ualj ourneyout s i det hechambers .Theyhadt aken t hel ongway,gui di nghert hrought heopenmarket pl ace.

The area was l i twi t h dyi ng yel l ow l ant erns hung on s t r i ng.Vendors wer es hut t i ng down f or t he ni ghtand as s embl i ng t herebel ongi ngsf ort hel andi ng oft heH' i l o.

Shewat chedcoupl eswal ki ngbackt ot hei rchamberst hat s atdecked i nl ayers .The area nearl y reveal ed every pl aceont hes hi p.Theyhadpus hedt hrought het hi ckened depart ure and made i tt ot he mi l i t ary men' schambers , whereNykehads t ayed. " Are we maki ng a s t op t o check on Maddy and Fedei t er? " 1 9 2

Nova

Hazl ooked down athi smat e,wi t h herbrunet t ehai r t i edup," No.Wearegoi ngt os eeKel l y.Li keyouwant ed. " Conf us ed,s he proceeded wi t h Hazt hn down t he hal l s oft he mi l i t ary chambers .Arri vi ng atNyke' s ,Haz knockedandadres s edt hei rarri val . " Nyke,l etusi n." " Nyke? ! " Avri ls hout ed.

She coul d heara s i mi l art oned muf f l e behi nd t he door,as umi ng i twasKel l y' s .Thedoorgracef ul l yopened t oreveal ,yes ,Nyke.Avri ls honehers hockedreact i on. " Nyke!Youdi dn' tt el lme? !

"Avri lbl urt ed.

Kel l ypeered f rom behi nd Nyke' sback;s hes wat t ed atNykewhen s hedi s covered t heman whohad as s i s t ed i n Nyke' smi s s i on att he Ki s ks ha,t he man who brought hi mt ohi schambers ,washerbes tf ri end' smat e.Shet oo excl ai med. " Youdi dn' tt el lmes hewaswi t hhi m! ! " Avri lreachedbehi ndNyke,whopul l edback,al mos t t ri ppi ngt os t eercl ear.Kel l yembracedher,asAvri lcl ung hard. " AreyouOK,Kel l y?

"Sheworri ed. " Yes ,"She excl ai med,pul l i ng back," Are you OK? You' bouthadaheartat t ack."

Avri lnoddedf uri ous l y,buthel dherhandsl i mpl yon Kel l y' s bentel bows .Haz pus hed her t hrough t he door i mpat i ent l y,as hi s bel l y began a s i l entgrowl .Kel l y' s compas s i onat egazet oAvri lt urnedt oaburdeneds hame at Hazt hn, puni s hi ng wi t h a s wat of t he hand. He ret reat edt heabus ehand," Ow!Whatwast hatf or? " Nyke t aunt ed bot h Kel l y and Haz s i mut ani ous l y, " Look atheraudi ci t y,s wat t i ng ata guy t hatbi g! !

"She s pun t o Nyke and rai s ed herhand t ot hreat en hi m,he wi ncedhi swhol es el f ,af rai doft hes wat .TheKel l ys wat .

1 9 3

" That ' swhatIt hought . "s hes as s ed.

Di nnerhadal readybeenpreparedandreadywhen t hegues t sarri ved.Pl acedatt het abl es ats paghet t i ,wi t h garl i cbread.Thei rvers i on oft hemealwasverys i mi l ar t oEart h' sbutnoodl eswheremadewi t hnat i veveget abl es and meatf rom a pi gl i kecreat uret han cow.Purpl emi l k ont hes i de.

They at e and chat t ed f reel y, expandi ng t hei r hori zonson how t hey' d been and updat i ng t hei rl i vest o eachot her.Avri lt ol doft het i mess hes pentwi t hHaz,how much s he enj oyed t hem.She t ol dt hem oft he weddi ng t heywerepl anni ng,and Kel l ydemanded, " Um,wheream Ii nt hi sweddi ng? " Avri ls mi rked, "Kel l y,"s hegrabbedherhand,t hemen l ooki ng odd atheract i on," woul d you t aket hehonorof bei ngmymai dofhonor? " Kel l ydancedhappi l yi nhers eat ," Ohyes !ofcours e Iwoul d! " Haz t urned t o Nyke, " Expl ai n ' mai d of honor' agai n? " Heexpl ai ned,wi t ht he' oh'r es pons eand cont i nued t he meal .I twasKel l y' st urn t ot al k,ass he s hared her t i mes wi t h Nyke,how he t reat ed her t he f i rs tday s he s penthere.He was embarras s ed,hi di ng hi sf ace t hat bl us hed t hrough.Herecei ved pat son t hebackf rom hi s pal ,and pi t yf rom t hef emal e."

I twasyourf i rs tt i me,i t happens . " ThenNykedogged abouthi st ri umphatt heni ght l y run t ot hebed wi t h Kel l y,how s hehad l os t .Hazchoked, s pi t t i ng outt he noodl es he began t o chew."

Dude,we don' tt al kaboutt hatatt het abl e.

"Hechas t i s ed.

1 9 4

Nova Avri lgi ggl ed, " Ha ha.He made you do t hat ?

"Avri l t henrecei vedt heKel l ys wat .

They depart ed t hatconvers at i on and Nyke opened wi t h whathi m and Kel l yt rekked t hrough on t heMi s s i on t o Eart h. Avr i l gl i s t ened, ready t o hear what t hey' d di s covered. Haz s hared a emot i onl es s f ace, more a concent rat ed f ace."

We s t i l lneed more t i me t hough,t o f i ndt heequi val ant sofherpart sf rom Ear t honAs t ori a. " " Yous t i l lneed t heChancel l or' spermi s s i ont odoal l t hi s .

"Hazpres s ed.

Kel l ys mi rked," We can gett hatdone as s oon as t omorrow.

"Shepul l ed a s mal lbox f rom t hecount ers he hi df rom t hepart y.Sheopened,di s pl ayi ng a s mal lci rcl e l i ke di s c.I tri mmed around l i ke a s peakerand l i tbl ue whenact i vat ed.Thi scangetahol dofs i gnalasf arast en mi l l i on mi l esf rom i t sl ocat i on.And i t ss ol epurpos ei st o communi cat ewi t ht heChancel l or. " Her pres ent at i on appl auded f rom Nyke and Avri l , butdi s cernedHaz. " Hasi tbeen cl eared f ort rans mi tunderneat h any radari nanygal axyweknow of ? " The part y now s t ared bl ankl y atHaz,and Kel l y s t ut t eredareas on," Wel lnott echni cal l y,wecan" " Not echni cal s .Nouncert ai nt i es .Weneed abs ol ut e.

Weneed' f ors ures ' " Avri lbl urt edhervoi ce," You' vebeens t uckupabout t hi sl at el y,Haz.What ' st heprobl em aboutgoi ng t oeart h f oravi s i t ? " Hazs wervedt oAvri l ' sat t ent i on,andhal fconcerned ans wered," Vi s i t ? " The argumentopened att he t abl e," Yes ,vi si t .Di d you t hi nk I ' d ret urn t o Eart h, never t hi nki ng about want i ng t ogobackt oAs t ori a?I ' veyett os eet hepl anet 1 9 5

ands t i l ldon' twantt ol eave.Thepl anetiwasoncarri ed al otofuncert ai n burdensand ' notf ors ure'f ut ures .My l i f e wasno where perf ectt here.And t he ext ract i on you pl acedf orme,Idi dregret .Buti tdoes n' tmeanIdonow.

Wewoul dn' tbeeven i nt heai raboutgoi ng t oEart hi fI hadn' tdeci ded t oconvi nceMaddyt omat ewi t h Fedei t er.

Thos eweret hecondi t i ons . " Haz peered down i n embarras s ment .There Igo agai n,t hi nki ng t hi s woul d be bet t er f or her and her havi ng t heoppos i t ereas ons ,hedowned.Nykerendered f orhi sf ri end."

She' snotgonna l eaveyou,Haz.She' st oo goodt odot hat .As kherbes tf ri end. " Kel l y added," Iunders t and t he uncert ai nt yf ort he devi ce,butt heuncert ai nt yofherl eavi ng you,Nodoubt , s he' snotgoi ng t o.Shel ovesyouand woul dn' teverwant t ol eaveorabandonyou.I fs heevert hi nksl i keme,whi ch s hedoes ,s he' dhaveaf i ti fyou' dr unof fwi t houther. " Hazrecal l ed t het i meshe' d drop a convers at i on t o hel p Nyke,t het i mehedropped hi st i mewi t hAvri lt oget f rui tand notcome back f or her.He unders t ood and conf i ded."

OK.It rus tyoual l , "Het urnedt oAvri l ," Ros e,I bel i eveyou. " She nodded,nothol di ng a t race ofangeri n her.

Shedi dn' tl i kebei ngmadatHaz.I tneverendedwel l .

Heas ked f ort hem t o wai tunt i lf acet of acewi t h t heChancel l orbef or eany moreact i on.Heas ked j us tt o rel ax t he f i naldaysaboard and once l anded,proceed.

They agreed.Oncef i ni s hed wi t h di nner,They s ai dt hei r goodbyes ,and ret urned t ot hebed t os l eep f ort heni ght .

ThreemoreNovas ,andt heywerehome.

1 9 6

Nova

Chapter26 Th r e ed a y sa f t e rt h ed i n n e r Avri lbraced hert obehus band,f eel i ng t hewhoos h f rom t hedoorasi tl owered i t ' sdrawbri dge.Kel l ywas n' t t oof araway,ands het oobracedhermanf i erce.

The doorreveal ed a l and oft al lf ut uri s t i ct owers , buti ns hadesofpurpl eandorangei ns t eadofcol dbl ues and greys .The dock t hey s ett he s hi p,l i ned wi t hs i l ver met al ,hadaf l oorofal mos tt hes amecol orgl as sf l ooras t hebui l di ngs .Thes kyabovewaspi nk,l i kef l ami ngopi nk, ort hes uns etwasj us tri ghton t hehori zon.I twasmuch di f f erentt han t hebl ackcos mi cs kyt hats atabovewhen t heyl ooked up t hrough t hegl as scei l i ng oft heH' i l o.She s aw acrowdofpeopl e,f emal e,mal e,evenchi l dren.They mos t l ywerecompi l edofcoupl es ,at hi rdofmen,andvery l i t t l echi l dren.

Haz graced ont o Avri l .She had al ready l os tKel l y andNykei nt hemi xoft hecrowd,s ot hes t al kceas ed.She s t r ode wi t h Hazt hn t o an awai t ed Feri yama, a t ear s hapedvehi cl et hathoveredabovet hegroundj us taf ew i nches .I twascover ed i ns hi ny chrome,wi t haj etl i ke gl as scovert hatencas edaent rance.Hehel pedhercl i mb i n and hehel ped hi ms el ft ot hedri ver' ss eat .Hes t art ed t he vehi cl e,and a l ow s t eady hum produced f rom i t s 1 9 7

engi ne.The mvobi l et rans portproceeded,s t i l lhummi ng as i tt ravel ed. She poi nt ed out al lt he t hi ngs t hat i nt eres t ed her,t he bui l di ngs ,and t rees ,and pondst hat s honeai cebl uegl i mmer.Het aughtheraboutt het hi ngs t hats he s pot t ed outt he wi ndow,and s he s ucked i nt he exci t ementandnew ai ri nhernos t ri l s .

They arri ved att he home he' d prepared f or her, ver ys t andard l ooki ng and outi nt heAs t ori ni ans uburbs .

I twasgarl and around t hebordersoft hehous e,pai nt ed robi negg bl ue.I troof ed a chromecover,and a chi mney s pout ed outoft hecorner.Hazrel eas ed t hecoveroft he f eri yama and hel ped Avri lout .She t hanked hi m,and s t oodi nf rontoft hehous e,gi vi ngherf i rs ti mpres s i on. " Lookss t andard. " ,s hebl urt ed.

Hewhi ned," Honey,t hatwast hebes tIcoul daf f ord f rom t heot herexpens esihadt odealwi t h. " Shet urned hi shead t ohi m,whonow s t ood bes i de her," Who s ai d Idi dn' tl i ke s t andard?Idon' twantan ext r emel yt as t ef ulhous e.Thi s -i t ' sperf ect . " He s mi l ed, s weepi ng her up and carryi ng her t hrough t hedoor.Hewas n' tworri ed aboutt hebaggage t hatwasl oadedi nt hecarri er.Thef ocuswasonhi ss oon t o be wi f e,hi sf orever s oul mat e.She ki s s ed hi s cheek, ent i ci ng and encouragi ng t hes pi cef uleventt ocons pi re.

He recei ved t he s i gnal ,and t oget hert hey dove i nt ot he f res hnew bedi nahotheapofl ove. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Th eNe x t No v a Haz had metNyke att he Chancel l or' s Hal l ,i nt he 1 9 8

Nova nat i ve ci t y ofKedri n.Nyke had handl ed a chromel i ke bri ef cas e,wi t h bl uegl owi ng ri mst hatbound i tt oget her.

Nykehad mes s aged J oaan t o meethi m accordi ngl y,s he repl i ed wi t h di gni t yand res pect .Hazt hn had breat hed a s i gh,andwai t edf orNyke' sres pons e. " The meet i ng i si nt en mi nut es .J oaan s houl d be arri vi ngwi t hi nami nut eors o, "Hebreat hedhi ss i gh," Are youready? " " Ihaven' tdonea t hi ng,X,Is houl d beas ki ng you t heques t i on. " Nyke gri pped hi s bondbrot her' s s houl der, and redeemedt heans wer, "I ' vedoneeveryt hi ngIcoul dt oput t hi st oget her,al ong wi t hJ oaan and Kel l y.Theyhavet he s ame hopes , t oo.Al lwe can do i si nf orm,propos e,and t henwai t . " Haz nodded, and J oaan had made her arri val wi t hi nt he t i me Nyke predi ct ed.They ent ered t he Hal l s , cal l i ng outt he appoi nt mentt ot he Recept i on Ki os kt o pl ace hi sat t endance.I trecei ved t hei rappoi nt mentand gui dedt hem t ot heHi ghOf f i ce,t heChancel l ors .t heki os k di nged t he door,addres s i ng t he t ri o' sappoi nt ment .The Chancel l orpermi t t edt hedoorsopeni ng,andt heywal ked i nt ohi spres ence.

The man was robed i n a l oungel i ke uni f orm, s t r ai ghtbaggy pant sand a s ui tl i kecoat .Thecol orshe adornedwereoft heAs t ori a' si nt ers t el l arhues ,Navyand t ealbl ue.Hewel comed t henew general ,medi calof f i cer, anddeput yof f i cer. " Wel come, "hepl eadedwi t hopenarms ," Yourvi s i t i sgl adl ywel comed.

"Thedoorcl os ed behi nd t hem s l owl y and wi t h cal mnes s .Nyke s al ut ed hi s hi ghes taut hori t y, whi ch t he Chancel l ors al ut ed back and apprai s ed," The ret urni ngofmybri dehasgl addenedmeandt heremoval ofGeneralPul s t i seven prouder.Yourendeavort os uch 1 9 9

l engt hsundert hef ormergeneral ' sdi ct at ors hi p,hasbeen deci ded f oryou and yourpart nert o be rewarded wi t h t heI nf i ni t yVal orMedal .You' vebeenawarded wi t hs uch af eatgreat l yandmorerewardi st ocome. " " It hank you f or your ki ndnes s and generous l y grace,Chancel l or,but we' ve come f or an i mperat i ve mat t er.

"Nykereveal ed.

TheChancel l oropenedhi searsvi s ual l y," Anyt hi ng. " Nyke l ooked t ot he ot hert wo part nersoft he t ri o and began hi si nt el ."

Upon t he Di s covery of Kel l y' s t rans portt oanAs t ori ni ans hi p,s heal s ohasi nf ormed us t hatt hedevi cecant r ans portt oanydes t i nat i onwi t hi nt he " J acob' s Ladder Spect rum' ,a s pect rum t hat s he s ays ' s pi ri t s 't rans portt hroughwi t hi ns econds .I fwef urt hered t he s t udy and reproduct i on ofs uch devi ce t hrough our s t andards ,aperf ect edproduct ,wecoul dt ravelt oEart h. " " And why do we need t o t ravel t here? "t he Chancel l ori nqui red.

J oaan pi cked up herpi ece," Themedi caladvances Eart h has made s i nce t he l as tFormul at i on anal ys i s on Eart hf i f t een years ago.To even have s uch a f l eet i ng advancementi nl i t t l et i meand t hedi s covery and evol ve ofmedi ci nesi sa s t ri ki ng numbert ol ook at .I t ' sa new di s coveryofexpl orat i on,t obri ngmedi ci newi t hi n50%bi ocompat i bi l t y,neari ngt oawhol es i ngl enes st oourki nd. " J oaant hent ookt hej arofoi nt mentKel l yhad gi ven hernearl yt wol unarcycl esbackwhens heai dedt oNyke, ands howedi tt oherl eader. " Thi s a new r evol ut i on ofheal i ng oi nt mentf rom eart h, "s het ookabl adef rom herbrot herandcutacros s herwri s tdeepl y.Shewi nced,butl ett hewound s wel lup t obl eed.Shet ookt herag t hatHazhanded herand s he f urt hered t hereas onsofherexpl anat i on,"Thecutij us t 2 0 0

Nova made,i snoordi narycut .Thebl adehad been dous ed i n t hevenom ofami ds hkr,oneoft hemos tdeadl i es tani mal s on ourpl anet .The venom oft hi screat ure can produce s ympt omsofs wel l i ng,ext reme bl ood l os s ,and i nf ect i on wi t hi n a mat t erofmi nut es .

"Sheas ked t heChancel l ort o open t he cani s t er,i n whi ch he qui ckened t o do s o,and as s i s t edhert ot hewound.Swi pi nghi sf i ngert hrought he cream,hedabbedt hewoundt hathadal readys t art edt o s wel li nanervousmanner. " Thatvenom . .i t ' sdeadl y,J oaan.You s houl ds eek medi calt reat ment . " " ButIhave, "s he remarked,l et t i ng go oft he rag t hat conceal ed t he damaged f l es h, " For ext ens i ve As t ori ni an medi calt r eat ment ,t heheal i ng proces swoul d t ake s everalweeks .Butwi t ht hi sal l purpos e oi nt ment " s he paus ed, and wi t hi n s econds , t he wound had compl et el yheal ed," heal i ng proces s esf i ni s heswi t hi nt he mi nut e. " The Chancel l orbl i nked,amazed att he mi racl e he j us ts aw.He l ett hem cont i nue,i mpl ori ng t he res tt hey hadt os ay. " The bri des on Eart h' s ext ract i on have been al l mat ed.Asgeneraland f ormerext ract i on capt ai n,ihave cul t uralknowl edge ofEart h.J oaan f or t he s ake oft he di s covery ofmedi ci nest of i nd a cure f orouri nf ert i l i t y here,woul d accompany us .Haz i s now a prot ect or of di vi ni t y and peopl es ,s o he' s repres ent at i ve of t hi s expedi t i on. " TheChancel l oreyed t hedeput y,whohadn' ts ai da wor dt hewhol et i me.Hazf el tpres s ured and oat hed," As J oaan' sbr ot herand Nyke' spart ner,havi ng a bri def rom eart h and mys el f ,t oo,onef rom eart h,Iwi l lobs ervet he act i onst heywi l ldo. " Thechancel l ornodded," Andofyourbri des ? " 2 0 1

" Kel l y has expert i s ei nt he s ci ences and s ome i n t echnol ogy,notasgreatasAvri l ' s .Avri lwi l lhel pcreat i ng document sand ot herneces s ary f i l esf orust o' bl end i n' wi t hEart h' ss oci et y."

The Chancel l or i mpl ored f r om Hazt hn," Are you s at i s f i edwi t hyourbr i depart i ci pat i ngi ns uchact i ons ? " Hazas s ured," She' dbehappyt odos o. " Nykebarged i nf orhi sf ri end," Sheneedst het i me t hough-t odevel opherpowers ,al ongwi t hKel l y,t oo.Af t er al l ,Hazand Avri lar epl anni ng a weddi ng ri ghtnow,a mor ei mport antcal l i ng i nt hei rl i ves t han Eart h ri ght now. " Hazret urned a s t ern f us st oNyke,buthi ss uperi or i nt r uded," Tobewedded?Doyouneedami ni s t er?Ihave t heaut hori t yt ocommencea marri age.Thedebti sowed anywayst oyouf orhel pi ngmef i ndmybri de. " Hazhuf f ed atNykeand ret urned t ot heChancel l or wi t h di gni t y," Iwoul d behonored i fyou commenced f or us ,Chancel l or. " Henodded happi l y,t hen voi ced hi sopi ni on on t he whol emat t er," Thepl an s oundswonderf ul ,butt here' sa number ofhol es t o pat ch.There' s uncert ai nt y wi t ht he act i ons and propos i t i ons you' ve as ked f or:The devi ces havi ng t o be made requi re many t es t s ,t o under go s i mul at i ont es thaveanexpens e,t oact ual l ycommi tareal l i f et es tcos t sexpens i vel y.Thi sal lhast o pas scode f or recei vi ng and t rans mi t t i ng underanyworl d' sradar,not j us tEart h' s ,butoft heworl dss urroundi ngi t .Thi sal lhas t obedonewi t houtreveal i ngours ecretamongt hepl anet ; goi ng, s t ayi ng, and l eavi ng, equal l y. The proces s of maki ng document s perf ect l y has been a t rade ofours s i nce we f i rs ts t art ed ext ract i ons 30 years ago,butt o bl endf orat i mel ongert hanaweek' ses t i mat ei sbeyond 2 0 2

Nova our knowl edge and woul dt ake s ome t i me bef ore ever mas t ered.Even i fwewerereadi l ycapabl eofdoi ng t hi s procedure,approvalmay t ake asl ong ast en years .Do youunders t andt heuncert ai nt y,andt hehi ghprobabi l i t y ofnotl aunchi ng,GeneralNyket erbi us ? " Swal l owi ng hard, he accept ed hi s words ," Yes , Chancel l or. " " Ioweyou i mmens el yf ort hedeed you' vedone.As Chancel l or,Iwi l ls eeofwhatwi l lcomeoft hi st ot hebes t ofmyabi l i t y.Butasf ornow,ameet i ngwoul dhavet obe pl acedwi t hmycounci laboutt hemat t er. " Theynodded,knowi ngi tmaybeal ongt i mebef ore even t hi nki ng aboutt he t ri p.Maybe i t ' d neverhappen, but Nyke and J oaan, Wi l l i ngl y Haz, had pl anned t o cont i nueres earch.

TheChancel l orwashandedt hebri ef cas e,acopyof everyt hi ngt hatt heycameacros sf ort hi smi s s i on."

Thank you, "He gave.The Chancel l or made hi sl as tcomment bef ore ret urni ng t o pres s i ng work," Peace be wi t h you, " hegoodbyed.

Thet ri os al ut ed and t hedoort hatopened t ot hem, s hutoncemoret oanunknownf ut ure.

No v a s , Lu n a rCy c l e sl a t e r . * * * * * * * * * * * Avri lpeered i nt o a opt i cal machi ne,l i ke t he ones eyedoct orsus ed t oexami neyoureyeswi t h.Therewere ei ghtf l as hes ,andt henagl ow di s s ol vedf rom t hef l as hes . " OK,you' regoodt ogo. " ,t hes t yl i s tconcl uded.

2 0 3

" TheSpi vi k,anl argeei ghtl eggedcreat ure,hast he abi l i t yt ol ooki nt opeopl e' ss oul sandweaveas t oryf rom whati ts ees .We' ve t rai ned ourSpi vi kst o des i gn what t heys eeaboutt hecoupl e' sbond.Ourf armsproducet he f i nes toutofal lt heSpi vi kweavei ndus t ry." ,Heprouded.

Avr i lawed t ot het houghtofa huges pi derl i kecreat ure maki ng hermat eri alf orherdres s .A dres st hatt ol d her andHaz' ss t ory.

J oaan reached f or a cards i ze wal l ets l i p," Iwi l l payf ort hi s . " Avri lbeckoned," No,J oaan.You' vedones omuch" " AndI ' m notdoneyetei t her.Youhus h.

"J oaanmot hered.

Kel l yhadal readybeenbrows i ngt hrought hes t yl es ofdres s esonahol ocal ldevi ce,l i keaproj ect ort hatcoul d emi tani mageri ghti nt hemi ddl eoft heai r.Thi shol ocal l proj ect ed ona s t and,s owhens t ood upon,you coul ds ee whatt he dres s woul dl ook l i ke.The bri dals t yl i s tnow gui dedt hebri det ot hepedi s t alt ovi ew t hedres s es .

Kel l yhadal readymades omes el ect i on,buts hewas pus hed away by t he mal es t yl i s t ."

It hi nk t hi ss el ect ed s t yl el ooksadmi rabl eonyou.

"Hes ugges t ed.

She wri nkl ed her nos et o di s t as t e,and s hook her headi ndi s agreement .

J oaan had s el ect ed anot her s t yl e dres sf or her, " Whataboutt hi s one?

"The dres s was more As t ori ni an s t andard, s eemi ng t o s ci f if or Avri l . She want ed a beaut i f ul ,yet s i mpl e dres s .El egant ,yes ,but not t oo ext r eme. She ret or t ed t he s ame di s agreement , and ret urnedt oanot hers el ect edf rom t hes t yl i s t .

Everyt i me,t hes t yl i s tands oont obes i s t errecei ved a wri nkl e and a head s hake.Then Kel l yi nf rus t rat i on, s nagged t he t abl et t hat cont rol l ed t he s t yl es . She remembered exact l ywheret of i nd t hes el ect ed dres ss he 2 0 4

Nova admi redf orAvri l ' swear. " Ah,"Shes i ghed," Whatdoyout hi nk? " Avri ls t ared.She' d nevers een a dres ss o beaut i f ul on her.Ofcours e,s he' ds een t hes t yl eofdres s .A s nort came f rom t he s t yl i s t ," The s t yl ei sofol d era,notvery popul ar. " " Il ovei t .

"Avri ls t ammered.Tearsbegant os wel lup ass hei magi ned hers el f garl anded i n a vei land t ot i ng herbouquet .She cl os ed herhandsbet ween t he bri dge hernos ei nexci t ement ," Il ovei t ! " " I t does l ook beaut i f ul .

"J oaan admi t t ed. Kel l y prouded,s he' df oundt heonef orherbes tf ri end.

* * * * * * * * * * Mo r en o v a s , Lu n a rCy c l e sa h e a d .

Avri lhad j us ts een hers oon t o be hus band wal k t hroughhert hres hol d.I thadbeennearl yel evenmont hs , a mont h away f rom t he weddi ng.He carri ed a huge garmentbag,andwasheavi l ywarnednott ol ooki ns i de.

AsSecuri t y,Nykehad accompani ed hi mt obabys i t .They wal ked i nt oget her,l aughi ng i n eagernes s .I twas t he ni ghtoft hebachel orpart y,andNykehadral l i edhi sand Hazt hn' sbuddi est oget herf orani ghtouti nt het own.

Hazf orcedupt hebag,act i ngasi fheunzi ppedt he f ront .She yanked and pet t ed t he cover as i ss he was pet t i ng a bel oved hous eani mal .Nykeyanked on hi m t o go,butHazwant edt obabyhi sgi r lbef or ehedepart ed. " I ' l lmi s syou. "hes oot hs ai d. " Sureyouwi l l .

"Sheprodded. " No,baby,Iwi l l .Ipromi s e. "hes ul ked.

2 0 5

" C' mon,Z!St op whi ni ng and l et ' s getwrecked! !

"Nyke f us s ed.

Avri ll aughedandt hens t art edherf us satHaz," Goon.

You' vegotyourf ri endswai t i ng. " Hes mi rked,and pl ant ed a " I ' l lret urn"ki s s ."

Il ove you. " " Il oveyou.

"Shes of t ened.Andoutt hedoort hemen ran.

Shechuckl ed,hopi ngt hatt heharml es sdemi s et hey pl anned f ort heni ghtf i l l ed t hem wi t hent ert ai nment .She l i f t ed t hebl ackbag and s hri eked s i l ent l y.Shedart ed t o t hebedroom,unzi ppi ngwhens hearri ved.Shes l i ppedon t hedres s ,zi ppi ngt hebackofhers hi ni ngdres st ot het op.

She grabbed a hai rt i ef rom t he dres s erand t hrew her hai rup. " Hmmm. . . maybe no hai r up. " She j es t ed. She rel eas ed t he t i e and t hrew i ton t he f l oor.Fl i ppi ng her hai rt os at i s f act i on,s henow envi s i onedherweddi ngday, adorned i n her j ewel s ,pai nt ed perf ect l y wi t h makeup, andhai rdonemarvel ous l y.Shes t aredi nt hedoormi rror f orwhats eemedet erni t y.

Wai t i ngf orherweddi ngdayt oarri ve.

2 0 6

Nova

Chapter27 Av r i ls t o o di nf r o n to fad o o rmi r r o r ,s t ari ngathernow

dres s edups el f .

I twasherweddi ngday.

She had commi t t ed her s ki n and hai rt o a deep t herapy,f ors moot h and s l eek res ul t sf ort hi sday.She had her hai rs t yl ed i na ' 40' s cl as s i c bombs hel l ;s he admi redt hi sl ookonher,t hewayi ts howedt heperf ect l y mol ded cheek bone and j awl i ne.Curved,butl ean.She hadbeenpai nt edwi t hacat ' seye,wi t hnat urals hadows t hatenhancedheral readyj awdroppi ngcompl exi on.Her cheekswerepowdered wi t hbl us haround t hecheekl i ne, and cont oured as i fs he' d been propped f or a vi nt age beaut ys hotl i ke Maryl i n Monroe.She t ai nt ed herl i psa decentdark burgundy,al mos tl ooki ng l i ke a t oxi nt hat woul dki l lt hemanbef oreevenpl ant i ngaki s s .Shel ooked downathergown,gl i s t eni ngremarkabl y.As l eevedboat neck,wher et hes l eevesran down ofl acet hreequart ers oft he arms .I twas an Al i ne dres s ,buti tf el tl i ke a wat erf al lofradi ancet hewayi tf el ldown herbody.The s pi vi k weave was perf ect ,t oo beaut i f ul t o des cri be.

Par t edbyas l i tatt hemi ddl et hi gh,s hereveal edaheel ed 2 0 7

ankl e boot ,s t udded wi t hi ri des centrhi nes t ones on t he pl at f orm and t op pi ece.The body oft he s hoe f el tl i ke l eat her,ass he t racest he s t i t chest hatmade a runni ng des i gn acros s . She ros ef rom t he s hoe, hal t i ng f rom J oaan' sf i nalt ouches .She f i ngered her f i ngerst hrough t he s t yl ed hai r ofal mos tgol den and brown hues .She mout hed her t hought s at t empt i ng t he f i xes .Kel l y had grabbed t he bouquet , whi ch was arranged of what l ooked l i ke a gi antbud ofperi wi nkl e Hydrangea,t hen l ayereddownf rom ami xofI ks zu,a mi ni at ures uccul ent pl ant ,and i vory ros es ,t hen t o bundl esofbaby breat h t hatcas caded t o onl yi nches away f rom t he f l oor.The f l owersgl i s t enedal mos tofadi amonds hi ne,maki ngAvri l marvelati t ' ss i mpl ebeaut y. " The I ks zu pl ant s keep t he f l owers f res h, and enhancest hef ragrance.

"Kel l yprompt s .

J oaan reached f or a box t hat had a s i l ver engravi ng on t het op.Removi ng i t sl i d,s heremoved t he cont ent sandAvri lgas ped.Acrys t alVei l ,wal t zs t yl e,was compos edofI ri des centNavet t est hatl ookedl i keacurt ai n ofchandel i erj ewel s . " I st hatreal ?

"Avri lbl urt ed. " Yes ,i twas a gi f tf rom t he Chancel l or' s bri de.A t oken oft hanks f or Haz and a weddi ng gi f tf or you. " J oaanans wered.

J oaan crowned her wi t ht he el egantj ewel s and di s pl ayedheronemoret i mei nf rontoft hemi rrorbef ore s endi ngherof ft oHaz.Themomentbecameunbel i evabl e.

Too r eal .I ' m s oon t o bemarri ed,t ot hemos twonderf ul man I ' veeverknown,s heproces s ed.Shepant ed i n and out .Kel l ycons ol ed, " Youcandot hi s ! " J oaan readi ed t he Chancel l or,t ol ethi m know t he bri de wascompl et e.A s of tvi ol a and cel l o ofAs t ori ni an 2 0 8

Nova root s , pl ayed a t une s he' d never heard bef ore. The s weet nes scharmedherears ,andt earsbegant os wel li n hereyes .

She hel dt hem back,nevert hel es s ,and made her wayf rom t hebackroom oft hi sSage' sHal l ,much l i kea cat hedralchurch.I twas dark us ual l y,butt he candl es and compos ed f l owers bri ght ened t he r oom where her groom awai t ed.

Theproces s i onbegan.

The wooden l at ch doors s queaked open t o reveal t he bri de and al lherbeaut ys hi ned i nt ot he room.Her j ewel ss parkl ed,ref l ect i ng i t ' smanypri s msi n a art work ofi r i des centl i ght s .

Haz,dres s ed i n an As t ori ni an Groom' ss ui t , j awdropped.Hecl enchedt hecat s eyes kybl ueas cott hatt i ed around hi s neck.The coathe wore was l i ke a Haori , col ored ofnearl y a raven bl ue.Wheret heV meton hi s l owerabdomenoft hehaorihanghi si nf i ni t ymedal ,asa pri dedpi eceus ual l ydi s pl ayedatevent ss uchast hi s .Hi s t rous erswere l i ke a men' svers i on ofan of eyl a,oft he s ame raven bl ue woolmat eri al .And t ot he t oest hathe wi ggl edi nexci t ement ,wereoft hel ooksofwi ngedoxf ord boot s , bl ack and i vory. He t ugged at t he mat chi ng i ri des cent cuf f s t hat l i e underneat h hi s haori coat , compl et el yhappyandi nt ens el ynervous .

Avri ls mi l ed, s heddi ng a t ear of i ncandes cent happi nes s .Hazt oos hared t hes ames mi l eand t hes ame gl i s t ened t ear.She was es cort ed by Kel l y,wi t hJ oaan handl i ng t het rai n ofhergown.Nykewaspos i t i oned by Haz,weari ng a s i mpl es ui tmuch l i ke ot hergrooms men s ui t s ,wi t ht hes i gnat urecat ' seyebowt i e.

She s weptt he exces smat eri alf rom t he f ew s t eps s het read t o Hazand t hemi ni s t er .And atl as treuni t ed, t hemi ni s t erbegant ocommence.

2 0 9

" Bri de, Groom, Fri ends of s uch t wo: Thi s nova markst he day oft he of f i ci albi ndi ng ,t he s et t i ng ofof f emal e and mal e,t he combi nat i on ofno more ofonl y body, but s oul and s pi ri t . The mat i ng ri t ual you' ve part akeni nmayhavebroughtyout oget herascoupl ebut t he commencementofvows you wi l lnow oat ht o wi l l bri ng you t oget heraswi f e and hus band:t he realbond t hatt i esyouasone. " TheChancel l oras ked t hegroom t ot aket hebri des handandwi t ht heot herhands wearofhi sheart ."

Repeat af t er me, l es tt he commi t ment you make bef ore you per i s hes ."

Haznodded,andt hemi ni s t erproceeded," Thebri de t hat ' ss etbef ore you i s a pri ze f rom t he Man ofLi ght above.Donott aket herewardf orgrant ed,f ors henow i s t heexacthal fofyou.Do you,Hazt hn Ori yan,t akeAvri l Ros e,t o prot ect ,gui de,and cheri s h,asyou woul d your ownl i f eyoul i ve? " " Ivow t ocommence.

"Heoat hed.

He commenced hi m of f i ci al l y,Haz cappi ng i twi t h t hes ealofhi sl i psont hehandhewoul dpl aceari ngon.

TheChancel l ort urnedt oAvri l ," Avri lRos e? " Shenoddedner vous l y," Yes ? " Haz chuckl ed, and t he Chancel l or cont i nued, " Repeataf t erme,l es tt he commi t mentyou make bef ore youperi s hes . " She' OK' ed,t hepart yl aughi ng. " Thegroom t hat ' ss etbef oreyoui sapri zef rom t he ManofLi ghtabove.Donott aket hereward f orgrant ed, f orhe now i st he exacthal fofyou.Do you,Avri lRos e Wat s on,t akeHazt hn,t ol ove,gui de,and prot ect ,asyou woul dyourownl i f eyoul i ve?

2 1 0

Nova " Ivow t ocommence, "s hehappi l ys obbed.

Hazpi t i edherwi t hhi sownt ears ,ass heki s s edt he hands he' dpl acehers i gneton. " Now t hatvows had been commenced,a s i gnetof t hei rvowswi l lbe pl aced and a prayert ot he Man of Li ghtwi l ldi gni f yHi ss ealamongt het wo."

Kel l y and Nyke reached f or t he ri ngs t hey' d put as i de f or t he marri ng f ri ends .Si mul t aneous l y,Haz and Avri lreadi edt hef i ngers .Hazhavi ngai r i des centcus hi on di amond t hat was bordered around wi t h l us t rous di amonds ,t hen part l y around t he band.Avri lhel d an al mos tgal vani zed met alri ng,s moot ht ot het ouch.Even t he dark embedded s crol l work t hat t ol d t he s ame weaveworkofherdres s ,a s t oryofs hat t ersand pi eci ngs ofharmonyandl ove,wass moot ht ot het ouch.

Aprayerwascas tt ot hecos mi cs ki es ,f i ni s hedwi t h anamenofs ort s .Thet wonow boundt hems el vesasone, s eal i ngt heri ngspl acement swi t hanexchangeofki s s es . " Thenovat odayhasbeennow rememberedamong t hel i ght yearsast henovaoft hebi ndi ngoft wopeopl es .

Thef i nalri t ualt hatremai nsi st hes ealofapproval ,t he gl os s oft he pot t ery craf t ed t ot he cl ay and wat er t he pot t er bonded f rom t he begi nni ng. Haz and Avri l , commencet hef i nalri t ualwi t ht hes ealofki s s es . " Youmayki s st hebri de,i nt rans l at i on.

Haz gras ped hi s bri de f ervent l y and pl unged t he l i psi nt ot het oxi nt hatt ai nt ed herl i ps .Sheret urned t he approval ,and i mmedi at el y,a res ol ve s eti nt hei rent i re bei ng.No more uncert ai nt y.No more worry.No goi ng back. " MayI ,asChancel l or,pres entt oyouanew f aceHazt hnandAvri lOri yan! " 2 1 1

****** Avri land Hazt hndeci ded t ohol d a di nnerouti nt he Kedri n park.The t i me was perf ect ,orches t rat ed wi t h per f ectweat her, s eas on,and t i me.Theywerepl aced ata met all acet abl e,s ur rounded by a s amet ypes eat i ng.I t remi nded Avri loft ea t i me i n Bri t i s h movi es ,t he cl as s i c ones i n s t at i ct echni col or. The area was cobbl es t one underneat ht he di ni ng area,and a s eparat e area,a pavi l i on,hel dt hef eas tt heycoul dhel pt hems el vest o.

They reques t ed a t radi t i onalweddi ng meal ,buti n ver ys mal lport i on.Tos s ed veget abl es as an appet i zer, t hen f ol l owi ng a mealofdomes t i c herdi ng meatcal l ed Ot t ox,much l i kebuf f al obuts i mi l art as t eofbeef .I twas s oaked i n Frol ai nt i en,anot her As t ori ni an cus t om,us i ng t he wi ne t he wedded coupl et oas t ed wi t ht of l avor t he meat .I trepres ent ed t he wat erand cl ay t hatt he pot t er woul d us et omol dt hecoupl e,s ot hes el ect i onmadeofa t ough buts avory meatand s weet t angy t oas t i ng l i quor f anci ed wel l .And ofcours ereques t ed and demanded by t he bri de,A cake wasmade.I twasbaked pure whi t e, wi t hancreamedi ci ngmadeofaras pber ryl i kef rui tand t urs hi f , what As t ori ni an' s drank as morni ng wakeup beverage.Tur s hi fwasal s os erved amongs tt hegues t sat t het abl e.

Laught er and happi nes s was s pread al ong t he t abl e,appreci at i ngt henovat hathonoredt henewl ywed.

Hazs atcl os et oAvri l ,bot hpl acedatt heendoft het abl e wi de enough atends f or t wo.The Chancel l or and hi s bri des atatt hef aci ngendasanhonoredgues t .

Avri ll ooked up att he s ky and marvel ed t he day t urni ng t o dus k,l ant ernsl i ght i ng aut omat i cal l yt ot i me' s s et ,andt hepr et t yhuess kyreveal i ngani ght l ys how.The 2 1 2

Nova wonderhadappearedi nt hes kyoft hei rarri vall as tyear, andmuchwass pokenofi t .Al lofi twasabl urt hough,s o t hewonderandmys t eryofs uchadi s pl ay.TheChancel l or caughtt he eyes ofAvri lwanderi ng al ong t he cos mi c cl oud. " That nebul a, i s a prophet i cs i gn our dear s age f oret ol d about .I ti st hes i gn oft hef ut ure,t het hous and yearsrei gn.The t hous and year' srei gn i sa new hope and s al vat i on f or t he peopl es ofAs t or i a.The hope of heal i ng and t he s al vat i on of t he l os t .The Mes auni i a, s avi oroft hepl anet ,wi l lbri ngt heheal i ngt oourf emal es andcarryt hes oul sf rom al os twor l dt oParadi s e. " Avri ll ooked f i xedl y atherl eaderand t hen t ot he nebul ahes pokeof . " I t ' sbeaut i f ul .

"Sheremarked. " The s i gn happens s even years pri or t o t he t hous and year srei gn.Soweeagerl yawai tf ort herei gn t opers pi re. " ,t hel eader' sbri decont i nued.

The cake wass erved,and s avored del i ci ous l yt he moi s tcakeands weeti ci ng.I nbet weencakebi t es ,t hebes t man propos ed a t oas tt onew begi nni ngs .Rai s ed gl as s es cl anked, and a s i p of honor was communed. They l aughed more and gl addened agai n. Kel l y began t o s pr ead her t hought s aboutt he chi l dren s he knew t hey wer egoi ngt ohave. " One.Two.Maybet hree. . . . "s het aunt ed. " AuntJ oj oandAunt i eKK. "J oaan encouraged. " PERFECT! !

"Kel l yexcl ai med.

Avri lbl us hed.One oft he very reas ons s he was brought t o As t ori a was t o hel p reproduce and keep As t ori ni anss urvi vi ng.Shedi dn' tknow i fi teveroccurred t oHazt hnyet ,butnow t heconceptwass eri ous .Thet i me wascl os et ohel poutwi t hs oci et y,butt hei deadi ds care 2 1 3

her.Tobecomeamom,f orHazt obecomeaf at her,af t er t hehi s t oryofparent shehad.Af t ert heparent alhi s t ory s hehad.Butnevert hel es s ,s hedi s mi s s ed t het houghtf or t heday.No,t henova.Di s mi s si tf ort henova.

Avri ldeci dedt ot auntt heyetmarri edcoupl e," What ' boutyou,KK?You pl an on get t i ng marri ed s oon?

"Kel l y s hi f t edi nhers eat ,wi t hNykes crat chi nghi shead," We' ve beens obus y,wehaven' tevent houghtofi t . " " Wel l ,getbus y.Ipl an on f i t t i ng i n a bri des mai ds dres sbef oreipl anonget t i ngabel l y.

"Avri ls as s ed.Nyke l aughed,asKel l ycons ent ed.

The ni ghtgrew darker and i twas t i me f or t he Honored t ol eavef ort here honeymoon s t ay.They were res erved a pri vat ei s l and of ft he coas toft hei r home count ry t o res i de f or t hree days . The i s l and had a reput at i on f or t he weal t hy as a hot s pot f or get away weekendsandweekt ri pvacat i onsf orcoupl es .Thegi f tof t herentwasgi ven asa gi f tf rom t henew mat ed coupl e Fedei t erandMaddy,whot hankedt hem i mmens el yf ort he t al kst heyhadt hatgott hem t oget her.Thef eri yamarol l ed up f ort hecoupl eand an us hers t epped out .Hehel d hi s hands ervant l y,awai t i ngf ort hei rdepar t uret ocl eanup.

TheChancel l ors entt hem of fwi t ha " gracebewi t hyou. " Andhappi l yt heydrovet ot hei rawai t eddes t i nat i on.

Thewomenoft hepart yhel pedt heus hercl eant he di rt i ed pl at t ersand t oas t i ng gl as s esf rom t he t abl e and ref res ht hearea f oranot herus e.Nykehad been eyei ng t he nebul a t hat pres ent ed a s howy mas t erpi ece.The Chancel l orl ethi sbr i deas s i s twi t ht hewomen,and ros e t oj oi nNykei nt hes t argaze.

He began hi st al k cas ual l y," I t ' si roni ct hat t he wonderyou s ee above,appeared t he very momentyou, 2 1 4

Nova Hazt hnand yourbri desarri ved.And t hei roni ct i mi ng of want i ng t o ret urn t o a worl d ofmedi caladvances t o bri ngheal i ngt ot hi sworl d.I roni c,any? " Nykecont i nued t ogaze,butans wered res pect f ul l y, " Yes ,Chancel l or,very. " Thechancel l orcont i nued," Novas ,asEart h peopl es know as ' days 'i s a cycl e.Somewhere,every ' day' ,A s upernovaexpi resandt hegracewehaveeach' day'are cal l ednovas .Becaus eoft hegraceandpeacet heManof Li ghtbes t owson ours urvi val ,he pronounced ' days 'as ' novas ',t he endi ng ofone pl anett os ave anot her,our dai l yand ni ght l ycours eofl i f e.Now t hatourworl di sat a bri nk ofexpi rat i on,and one cl os et ot hei rs ,one mus t s urvi veandt heot hermakenew. " Nykecont i nued t hegazes t i l l ,butr eques t ed," What doyoumeanoft hi s ,Chancel l or?

"Theman' sgazet urned t ot he general ' s" The permi s s i on t ot ravelt o eart ht o col l ectamedi calcuref orourpl anet ,hasbeenapproved.

Al lt hatawai t si st hat' bl endi ngmat eri al 't obemadeand approvedf or."

Nykes pun around t ohi ss uperi or,bei ng handed a memory card.Nyke t hanked t he mi ni s t erand bowed i n res pect .The Chancel l or began bei ng s ummoned by t he bri de,whourgedt ogohomef ort heni ght . " I ' m bei ngs ummoned.

"TheChancel l orpoked.Nyke gavea s mal lchuckl e,and nodded."

Peacebewi t h you. " He pardoned.The Chancel l or nodded back and part ed wi t hwaywi t hhi sbri de.

Nyke hel dt he memory chi p,t hanki ng t he Man of Li ghtf ort he accept ance.Kel l y had i nt ruded t he prai s e, " Youreadyt ogo? " Nykes i gnal ed," Abs ol ut el y. "

2 1 5

Chapter28 Th ef i r s tn i g h tHa za n dAv r i ls p e n twa sr e s t l e s s ,tossi ng

and t urni ng al l ni ght . The new worl d devot i on s he recei ved wasj oyf uland preci ous ,much more ent hus i ng t han t he f i rs tt i me t hey made l ove.The nextday t hey t rekked t het rai l soft hebus hyhi l l sand t rod t hebeaches t hat bordered peri met er oft he s anct uary.Feel i ng t he ext r emeofs orebody,Avri lreques t ed a warm bat h wi t h her hus band, whi ch he res ounded t o agree. They ret urnedt ot hel argehut l i keroom t heyencampedf ort he t hreedays ,Avri ls l i ngi nghers andal sof facros st heroom.

Hazki cked hi ss hoesof fand s t ri pped asheret reat ed t o t he bat hi ng pool ,he cal l ed f or i tt of i l lt o a pl eas ed amount . He beckoned f or Avri lt o hurry becaus e he want edheragai n,des pi t et hes orenes shes haredt oo. " Bri ngt hatherbals oap,t oo,Hon. " Avri lrol l edhereyes ,butf l as hedhers mi l e.Shewas goi ng t o have anot her s l eepl es sni ght ,buti twasmos t expect ed.Shegrabbedt heweddi nggi f tf rom J oaan,who concoct ed a s oap f or t he arous al needs . She had expl ai nedprevi ous l yt hatt hes el ect edf l owers ,herbsand per f umesmi xed i nal at heri ng bomb,woul d producet he mos toft hecycl esyou' d run f ort heni ght .Outofal lt he ni ght s ,asquot edbyt hes i s t er.

Haz pi vot ed,s eei ng hi s wi f ej umpi ng i nt he pool bef ore he coul d getouta word."

You t hatready? "he 2 1 6

Nova whi ned. " Yeeeees s .Veeerrrry. "s hemoaned.

He t ook t he bat hbomb f rom herand pl opped i nt o t hewat er.Herel eas ed gent l y and f umbl ed around wi t h Avri l ' sbodys ohecoul ds i tbehi ndher.Thebombf i zzl ed, wi t hs ounds and ef f ect s vi s ual l y ent ert ai ni ng,and t he s mel lof f ragrance and perf ume f i l l ed t he room.Haz s ni f f edi n,andgroanedal ow hum t orel eas et hes at i s f i ed aroma. She s hi ver ed even i n t he hot wat er t hat s urrounded t hei r bodi es .The f i zzl e di ed and bubbl es pl aguedt hepoolwat erdel i cat el y. " Who gave us t he Bubbl ebomb, agai n? " He pondered.Embarras s ed and di s t urbed,s he conf es s ed, " J oaan.Yours i s t er,who encouraged t o us et hi st o have bet t erni ght s . " Hef el therget t i nghot t ert hant hebat hwat erass he s poke.I texci t ed hi m,want i ng t o produce and ' ok' ,but under t horough s pecual t i on,he di df i nd i todd f or hi s s i s t ert oencouraget hi s .Af t eral l ,i twashi ss i s t er."

Yeah. . .

That ' s-ki ndas t range, "hepronounceds at i re.

Shegi ggl ed," Good,becaus ei ft hatwasnormalon As t ori a,i twoul dt ake s ome t i me t o adj us tt ot he ' Si s t erbrot her'rel at i ons hi p. " Headmi red," I ' m gl adwe' rehome.OnAs t ori a. " " Me,t oo.

"Shes of t ened.

Hazpl ayedi nt hewat erwi t hhi st oes ," Youknow,I woul dn' tmi ndvi s i t i ngEart h,andyou,t oo,vi s i t i ngEart h.

There was s ome ki nd off eel i ng t hats et t l ed af t er our weddi ng.Anew s ens eoft rus t ." " If el ti t ,t oo.

"She admi t t ed.The momentt urned s i l ent ,ands ol emn. " Eart hi snol ongermyhome,Haz.You' veprepared apl acef orme,here.OnAs t ori a.Andt here' snopl aceI ' d 2 1 7

rat herbebutwi t hyou.Eveni fi t ' sapproved t oret urnt o Eart h,Iwoul d wantyou t o come.Ot herwi s e,t he ret urn woul d have no purpos e,no exci t ement .Haz,t he onl y reas on I ' d wantt o go back,i st os how you t he worl dI oncel i vedi n,t oprovet oyout hatt heworl dwebel ongt o i shereonAs t ori a. " Hel oweredhi sheadt onuzzl eat hankyouandl ove youf orhi swi f e.Hepri dedi nhi swi f e,andt heconf i dence bl as t edt hrought heat mos phere. " Andt hi si swhyyou' remywi f e.

"Hazs t at ed. " Amen. " Theyt al ked cas ual l y,t hen i nt hearous alofmoment s l at er,hopped out of t he pool .Carryi ng puddl es t hat t rai l edt ot hebed,t heycycl edi nt herunoft heni ght s ,as J oaanpromi s ed. * * * * * * * * * The l as tt wo ni ght s were t he s ame as t he f i rs t , res t l es s and s ore.They were romant i c,s hari ng t hei r bodi esont hebeachandi nt heroom t heyhous edi n.They ceas ed t hei rt hanks gi vi ng atdus kt o res tand ready f or t hedepart uret henextmorni ng.

Thes unros eandt hecoupl ehadal readypackedand aboarded t he Feri yacht it ug t ot he mai nl and, and t hen t ravel ed back t ot hei r homes i n t he rent alf eri yama.

Arr i vi ng att he home s weethome,Avri ldragged hers el f s l ot hi l y.She wasexhaus t ed, t ot he poi nteyeswere s hut t i ght whi l et he t i me s he ent ered t he hous e.She woul d have di ed f ors ome s l eep,a ni ce cus hi on t o res ton at l eas t .

She begged herhus band t o res t ,whi ch he as s ure 2 1 8

Nova t hathe' dt akecareoft hel uggageandwas hcl ot hes .She nodded heavi l y,and pl umped i nt ot hebed wheres hei s now knownasMrs .Ori yan.

She caughtup i n a whi rlofdreams ,mos t l y about hermom,herf ri ends ,f ami l y,-anybodys hecoul dt hi nkof f rom Eart h.Worry began t o pl ague and her s t omach t urned.Buts he l eti tgo wi t h a mumbl e and f el lt ot he s l umber' scal l . " As i gnwi l ldo. " The dreams t unnel ed and s he was caught i na channel .Anot hervi s i on.

She had been gui ded t o a ni ghton a s t range of s and,wi t h coas t alrocksand wavesrus hi ng.I thad t he appearance of t he beach t hey s t ayed at , but t he remi ni s cenceofEart h.Shepeeredi nt ot hebeach' sl engt h and zoomed i nt os eea woman,wrapped i nas hawlof cot t on and pres s i ng herpri nt si nt heground f i rml y.She s t r ol l ed,wat chi ng t hes kyeachs t ep s het ook.Avri lcoul d f ai nt l yheart henoi s eofs i rensand t hebl urrybeamsof pol i cecarsandambul ance.

Sheknew i twaseart hnow.

Thewoman now caughtt hedi rect i on Avri lvi ewed t hrough,asi ss he s t ared di rect l yi nt o hereyes .Mi ddl e aged,s hewaspret t y,butherhai rl ookedl i kei thadbeen s everalt i mes .The col ornow wasbl ack,and t he pai red eyesunderneat ht henew agedwri nkl es ,wereal mos tl i l ac.

The woman s ounded wi t h her s oul ,wi t h no words or s i gnal ss howi ng.Shet ugged t hewrap s hecl ung t o,and per mi t t ed a mot herl yl ook.The woman s oot hs poke and l ul l edheraddres s eet oas l umber. " Res teas y,chi l d, "t he woman s oot hed,"The t i me wi l lcomewheni t sready. " Thevi s i onbl urredandof fi nacurrentofs l eeps he dri f t edunt i lawakeni ng' scal l .

2 1 9

Chapter29 Th eNe x t No v a .

Avri lawoke t ot he beami ng s un i n her eyes .The radi ances i ngedt hel i ds ,caus i ngt hem t owri nkl eupf as t .

She s t ret ched,rel i evi ng t he achest hats hook of fi nt he mi ddl e oft he ni ght .She gues s ed i twas around ni ne o' cl ock,a decentt i me t o ri s e.She caughtt he muf f l ed noi s eoft wopeopl et al ki ng,comi ngf rom t heki t chen.She groaned,wres t l i ng around wi t ht hecoversi na f us s .She managed t ogetoutofbed,t ohers urpri s es eei ng neat l y s t acked cl ot heson t hedres s erf orhert o putaway.She s mi l ed;s heknew s hehadmarri edagoodman.

She f umbl ed her way t ot he s t ack,removi ng t he pai rofs l acksf rom t het hi rd l ayer.Put t i ng t hem on,s he wor ked hers ens est hats mel l ed t hef res h brew oft urs hi f Haz had made i nt he ki t chen.She f ound t he dri nk as equal l yawakeni ngascof f ee,andwasqui ckt oadj us t .

She grabbed a pony t i ef rom t he bowlof hai r t ri nket ss he' d col l ect ed and t hrew her hai ri n a mes s y bun.Shereal l y di dn' tcarehow s hel ooked,butatl eas t pres ent abl eenought ol ooks omewhatdecent .

She f umbl ed her way now t ot he ki t chen,f i ndi ng Hazproppedagai ns tt hecount erandNykes i ppi ngonhi s cup ofbr ew Haz had gi ven hi m.He eyebal l ed Avri l ' s ent ranceandwel comedher.

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Nova

" Morni n'cupcake!How' dyous l eep? " " Cupcake? "s he mumbl ed," Ihad dreamsal lni ght , andasus ual ,idon' trememberanyoft hem. " Nyke chuckl ed,and Avri lf ound Haz gi vi ng her googl yeyes . " Whyyouhere,Nyke? " Nykepl aced hi smug down,and ans wered," Wel l ,I wast el l i ngHazabouts omei mport anti nf ormat i on,buti ' d i nf orm youi fZpermi t s . " Hazpermi t t edwi t hanod,andNykei nf ormed," The propos alhasbeenconf i rmed, " Avri lnow awakened 1 00%,and har kened t o Nyke' s wor ds ."

We' vebeenconf i rmedt or et urnt oEart h,al lt hat we need i s your t al ent st o creat e' bl endi ng mat eri al ' document s .Af t ert hat ,we' repreparedf orl i f t of f . " The worl d began t o s pi n, but t he words Avri l managed t os peak woul d def i ne t he f ut ure t hat l ai d bef oret hem. " We' regoi ngback? "

2 2 1

PartOneEpi logue ATi mei nt h eFu t u r e .

Waves r ol l ed upon t he s hor e,t umbl i ng s ea gl as s wi t hi t st ol l .hands reached t hrough t he wave' s bri nk, pi cki ng up a des i red s t one. Bei ng exami ned, i t was rounded i n ovalf orm,and t i nt ed wi t h greenbl uehue.I t was perf ectf or a pendant ,perf ectt o encaps ul at et he capt ure' swi l landpower.

The capt ure' si dent i t y,a mi ddl eaged woman wi t h wi s pybl ackdyedhai r,rol l edt hes t onewi t hi nt hepal m of her hands .She s mi l ed,and woul dt ake i tback t o her home t o make a beaut i f ulneckl ace.She pocket ed t he keeps akeand cont i nued hers t rol lont hebeachnearher home.

Shekeptt her out i neofherni ght l ywal kson Long Beach;s herat herenj oyed t hebreezeand darkcoolai r.

Theni ght smos t l ys t ayed cl ear,and s hel oved t hes ounds oft hewavesf ol d overi n repet i t i on.Thes t arswereher f avori t e,herown pri vat e col l ect i on t o read herf avori t e s t ori esf rom,t hankst oherFri end.

Herdaysofyout h were now pas s ed,and t he her age had t aken her phys i cal l y. She s t i l l remai ned a beaut i f ulwoman,i ns i deandout .

Al t hough herpas twast ai nt ed,and t heachesf rom hermi s t akess t i l lburdened her.She' d been rai s ed i n an i nt ermarri agecul t ,i t sgoalt oproducea great erki nd of 2 2 2

Nova peopl es .She' d been f os t ered i n magi c,and bred f or a cal l i ngt hatwasoncei ns t i l l edasgreat .She' dbeengi ven t he dut yt o beart he chi l d ofa t he cul t ' sl eadi ng s ai nt , Luci f er.

She hat ed hers el faf t er t he ni ghts he' ds acri f i ced herbodyf orhi m,butwhens hebi rt hedhers on,s heand al lt he mi ghtwi t hi n her,woul d oat ht o rai s et he chi l d.

Ands het ri ed,nevert hel es s .Thechi l dgrew i nhi smot her' s careunt i lhereached t wel ve,when hi sf at herappeared t ohi m,and s i ncet hen hi sdes i reand ai m wast opl eas e hi m andbri nghi ms el ft ohi sl ord' sl evel .

She s huddered att he memory and pas s ed t ot he nextf l eet i ng t hought .Shet urned hergazet ot hel i brary oft hes ky,hervol umest hegl i mmeri ng bal l sofl i ghtt hat hung i nt hedarknes s .Each s t arwasa di f f erents t oryt o her.Onehavi ng di f f erentpeopl e,di f f erentpurpos esand hardl yeverones t orycros s ed pat hs .Oratl eas t ,nobody knew ofs uch.

She peered att he s t ar t hathad gi ven her much t houghtl at el y,a l at eni ghtread on pol i t i cals t andpoi nt s and t he t ragedy t hatbehel dt hem.A s t ory had many waysofendi ng butoft hes evol umes ,mos tended s i mpl y.

Ones t arwoul d appeari n hers et sofbooks ,s omewoul d f ade away.Some woul d f al lf rom t he s ky,and s ome woul ds howeri n powerf uldi s pl ay.Somewoul d gl i mmer orpri s m orhue a di f f erents hade ors hri nk orenl arge, butal ls t arshaveanend.Li kemos ts t ori esdo.

Hergl azed wat ch wasdi s t ract ed by t hes oundsof s i rens and f l as hi ng LED' s .There he went ,s t ri vi ng f or t roubl e.She s hook herhead i n deni alt o hi srai s i ng," I t ri edt orai s ehi m,Fri end.Youknow It ri ed. " Thebri ghts t ars hes poket odi dn' tbudge,buts he knew Hel i s t ened.Sheknew whens hegaveherexi s t ence t ot he Man ofLi ght ,t he Man ofAl lLi ght s ,hers econd 2 2 3

chanceofl i f ewasres erved f orher.Sheret urned t ot he s t arsandvi ewedt hecont ent sonceagai n.

Shehadbarel ymi s s edi t ,butas t art hathadcaught herat t ent i onmanymont hsagos t art edt oactupagai n.I n t het i mepas t ,i twoul d of t en gl i mmerup and t hen down af t era f ew days .Theoccurancehappened nott hatl ong ago,s herecal l ed,maybeayearort woago.

Butt hes t oryf l aredup,gl i mmeri ngmoret hanwhat i ts houl dbedoi ng.Sheknew oft hi ss t orywel l ,andf ort he pas tt hree decades ,not hi ng di f f erent has ever came aboutf rom t he cel es t i albody.Butnow i tpres ent ed a f unnymanner.

Thes t ar' sbehavi orwas n' tnot i cedf rom bys t anders whos heknew coul ds eet hewonderwi t h naked eye.So t hes t arwasmi s behavi ng i na s pi ri t ualmanner,onl yt he s peci alcoul ds ee.She peered i nt oi t ,wi t ht he eye of di s t ance,and s aw manybri ghtl i ght sgat heri ng t odi s ect t he cent erpri s m l i ght s .She marvel ed,and wast hen on s t ars t ruck.

The s t ar s hota gl eami ng beam s t rai ghtt o Eart h wi t hi ns econds .She was as t oni s hed,becaus es he knew t hedi s t anceoft hi ss t arwasvery f ar,i n ot hergal axi es f ar away.The beam produced was notofa compl et e s pi ri t uals ens e butnotofpure t echnol ogy.Buti twas cros s ed,t he powers oft wo di f f erentworl ds combi ned.

The t houghtofs uch uni on had been f or bi dden,and t he moments cared her.Nevert hel es s ,s he f i ni s hed whats he coul doft hewi t nes s .

Thebeam t rans cendeds oul s ,ofdei t yandofhuman, andofangel i c,s eveni nt ot al .Thecent erpri s ml i ght shad now been pl ant ed amongs tt hehi gh mount ai n rangesof Col orado,nearDenver.

The whol e mat t er wentuns heat hed t ot he worl d 2 2 4

Nova t hat s at underneat h s uch power.Never had t he s t ar accompl i s hed a f eatamong i t svol umesast hi s .I twasa new revel at i on,anew begi nni ng.

Oneoft hepri s mss hecoul d recal l ,a s l eepyvi s i t or who t hought of home every now and t hen. She remembered how eas yt o nurt ure hert os l eep,l i ke s he had a daught erofherown.Butt he dei t ys oult hats at amongt hem enl i ght enedherf ut ur eandt hepromi s eofa rewardherFri endres ervedf orheri nPar adi s e.

Thebeam l i f t ed f rom t hepeaks ,and t heres et t l ed t hes oul soft he s even pri s ms ,t hes hat t erst hatcracked t hes ky.Ands oonbri ngt heres tt of al l .

Shemarvel ed,asbys t andersf l ed heri ns ani t y.She hadj us tbeenreveal edofupmos ts ecrecy,t hedaysahead ofher s urel yt o be her l as t .She knew t hatt he chi l d' s f at her,t hedevi lhi ms el f ,woul ds urel ycomes ei zeherl i f e bef orei twoul dl i f twi t ht heot hersbackwi t ht heArcchi l d.

She concl uded her t hought s of t he mat t er and reveal ed a gas p ofut t ers urpri s e.She excl ai med," Oh! " And t he r es t of t he words s poken woul d mark t he begi nni ng of t he end of t he worl d.And s he res pi red qui et l y,

" Th e yh a v er e t u r n e d . "

2 2 5

NOVA

. . . p a r t 2c o mi n gs o o n . . .

2 2 6