Alien Refuge (15 page)

Not that Maf thought any of that made Ospar a bad person. Maf actually found himself liking the man despite his readiness to despise him. Like himself, Ospar was devoted to a nearly religious degree to the wellbeing of Kalquor. It was almost funny how they both could worship their own people and yet end up on such opposite paths to save them.

Ospar’s past activities were shrouded in too much secrecy. Shortly after the first Earther Matara abductions, the very actions that Ospar was thought to have spearheaded, he’d left his post as Galactic Council ambassador. The Galactic Council had attempted to investigate the matter of the kidnappings, but with Ospar safely home on Kalquor, they’d been forced to deal exclusively with the Imperial Clan instead. Ospar’s part in the start of Earther-Kalquorian troubles had never come to light.

Ospar was not a man to take lightly at all. For all Maf knew, the shuttle he and Sitrel rode in was speech-monitored.

It would be best to wait until they reached their quarters, where Maf could activate a privacy bubble that would defeat any bugging devices that might be present. But he was impatient to speak to Sitrel, to get things moving as fast as possible in the demise of Haven.

Maf took his handheld out of its pouch on his belt. Sitrel did the same. The councilman’s fingers were stiff and crooked, but Maf had gotten past that handicap long ago. Tapping quickly, he messaged his assistant while speaking in a casual tone.

“A most instructive evening. Ospar seems to have this colony well in hand.”

Get a message to Borl. I want to know more about the woman and child who were targeted by the E.I.K. tonight.

Sitrel was just as nonchalant. “It’s a welcome change from most of our tour.”
I also believe there is more to it than how inconsequential they tried to make it sound.

“I know the governor has made no requests of me, but there must be something we can do to help him in his endeavors. Such efficiency must be rewarded.”
There is no doubt the Earther female means something to them. The entire clan went to view the protest made. That was not in Ospar’s and certainly not his Imdiko’s purview.

Sitrel nodded thoughtfully. “Something not ostentatious, however. The governor would be embarrassed.”
I will message Borl on his private channel immediately.

“See what you can find out that will benefit this colony. Ospar certainly won’t tell me. He is proud of Haven and deservedly so.”
Get as much background on the woman as possible. I want to know everything. She may be key to sparking more unrest here.

Sitrel looked up and smiled. “Consider it done.”

* * * *

Getting Thomas ready to go anywhere was a major undertaking. Iris always left herself plenty of time so she wouldn’t be late to whatever appointment they were due at.

But this morning after getting herself dressed, all she’d had to do was ask, “Do you want to go see Copin, Thomas?”

He immediately jumped up from his toys with a smile. “Yes.”

“Put your thermal pants on.”

Simply telling Thomas to get dressed usually overwhelmed the child. Iris had learned early on to break even the most mundane tasks into their smallest component parts. However, Thomas not only put a pair of thermal underwear, but also corduroy pants. Then he tugged on a red polo shirt, a bulky white sweater, thick socks, his snow boots, coat, and hat. All without being coached. Once dressed, he ran for the door, and Iris rushed to shrug on her own coat to keep up with him.

They showed up at the temple fifteen minutes early. Rivek and Copin were both waiting for them at the entrance anyway. Thomas lit up with delight to see the men.

“Tell them good morning,” Iris whispered just before he shoved the snow crawler’s door open and ran to the robed men.

He yelled. “Good morning! Copin runs! Thomas runs!”

Copin gave Iris a quick bow, laughing at the child’s enthusiasm. “I think running would be a good start, young Thomas. Hurry!”

They took off, disappearing into the temple before Iris had quite made it to the entrance. She shook her head at the chuckling Rivek.

“He’s taken to you all so quickly,” she told the Imdiko.

Rivek took her arm and drew her into the building. They walked in the peaceful wonderland of the pillar-forested temple. “Children can often sense the true hearts of strangers, or so I’ve been told. Having been around so few little ones, I hope to gain some real experience with your son. Are you staying?”

Iris ducked her head, feeling a little shy. “I don’t want to disturb your schedule. If there is somewhere I could sit and wait for Thomas in case I’m needed?”

“Actually, you are my schedule this morning. The only way you can disturb me is if you leave.”

Iris looked up at him in happy surprise. “Oh. Then I guess I’m all yours.” Her face flushed with heat as she realized how her statement sounded. She stammered, “To spend time with, that is. What were you planning on?”

He grinned. “You’ll see. Before I forget, would you care to join my clan for midday meal? We are having steaks and potatoes, I believe.”

Iris shook her head at the menu. “You really like Earther food? Besides apple pie?”

“We do. Considering that’s what’s grown and raised here, it only makes sense to buy from the collective.”

“Thomas is picky. If it doesn’t look, smell, or feel right on his tongue, he won’t eat it.” Iris knew he’d never touch steak or potatoes.

“What does he like? He had that grilled cheese sandwich yesterday.”

“He’ll also eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Burgers. Eggs. For a lot of his lunches I make baked breaded chicken strips. The only vegetable he’ll knowingly touch is raw carrots.”

“Knowingly?”

Iris offered a wicked smirk. “I puree some things and hide them in his food in small amounts. Boiled and pureed carrots and sweet potatoes have a mild flavor. If I mix them with a melted cheese sauce, Thomas doesn’t know the difference. Plus I learned to make a juice that tastes like it’s only fruit, but has vegetables.”

“You are quite inventive.”

“I have to be. He will actually starve himself before he’ll eat something he doesn’t want.”

Rivek nodded, his expression impressed. “I will com ahead to our kitchen and let them know what to make.”

Iris thought for a moment about politely protesting, but the delight at lunching with the whole clan kept her quiet. She was drawn to the men that kept coming to her rescue.

As Rivek spoke to the kitchen at the clan’s home, they passed the fire pit. It was lit again today, but not raging as it had been before. Nor was anyone feeding it stunning art, which was a relief for Iris. Important lessons or not, she hated to see masterpieces like Master Nis’ being destroyed.

Rivek made a turn that took them in the opposite direction of the fire pit. As he clicked off his com, they entered a large, open area where the white marble gave way to a cushion-based flooring surface. Like the empty side of his consultation room, long rods of various lengths and thicknesses lined the walls.

“We’ll come in here where we have extra room. Do you have any self-defense training?” the priest asked.

“No. Why? Can you teach me?” Iris was actually excited at the prospect. The E.I.K.’s demonstration had her worried, mostly about Thomas’ safety. Not that the group was known for actually attacking people, but she did want to know she could defend her son if the need arose.

A vision of Conrad’s handsome but cold face rose in her mind. Iris swallowed and pushed him away. He was gone forever. He couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

Rivek told her, “I am a fighting expert. I thought a few lessons for you might be appropriate. No one should be left unable to defend themselves.”

Iris cocked her head as she looked at the serene-seeming priest. “I would have thought an Imdiko – particularly a priest – would be a pacifist.”

He chuckled. “I do not go looking for trouble. That does not mean it will never come looking for me, especially considering who my Dramok is. There have been problems in the past.”

Iris nodded. She could imagine a man of Ospar’s importance might become a target for rebellious Earthers. And if they couldn’t get to him, they might zero in on his clanmates.

Rivek continued. “Besides, physical training puts one in a state of intense mental concentration. You discover what your body and mind are capable of, which translates into the spiritual aspect.” He looked her over and frowned. “Your clothing is somewhat bulky. I did not think to tell you to wear something loose and easy to move in.”

Iris looked down at herself. She looked twice her size in her sweater, snow pants, and coat. “I’m actually in layers. I think I’ll be okay if I take some of this off.”

She peeled off clothing and her boots until she was down to a long-sleeved tee shirt that hung halfway down her thighs and a pair of leggings. She found the room a little cool after divesting herself of so much, but reasoned if they were exercising, she’d warm up pretty fast.

Iris looked up at Rivek, swinging her arms back and forth to show him how she could now move nimbly. She was startled to see his eyes wide and mouth hanging slightly open as he looked at her. It suddenly occurred to Iris that removing layer after layer of clothing in front of him had probably looked rather salacious, even though she was still modestly covered. Her cheeks warmed.

Rivek blinked and smiled. The look was one of appreciation. “Much better.” His silky voice had gone a little hoarse.

Iris ducked her head but couldn’t help the grin that came over her face at the Imdiko’s obvious approval. She rarely did anything to make herself attractive. Even her wavy blond hair received little attention these days outside of running a brush through it and putting it in its usual ponytail. Makeup was a luxury of the past. Her clothes were often stained from dealing with Thomas. She was too busy chasing him and eking out a living for any of that girly stuff that had once seemed so important.

Iris sought for something to say that would move them past the awkward silence. She wiggled her toes in her thick socks. “My clunky old boots might be an issue.”

Rivek cleared his throat. “Leave them off. You won’t need them. Take off your socks too so you don’t slip.”

Iris did so, hopping on one foot then the other. Rivek hovered near, as if worried she’d fall. When she was barefooted, he treated her to a little stripping of his own, taking off his three layers of robes to display a body-hugging formsuit that left little to the imagination. It was Iris’ turn to gape as the muscular, blatantly masculine body came into view.

Rivek didn’t look her in the face. Instead he sat on the floor and indicated she should do the same. “Let’s start with some stretching exercises, and then I will show you the basic moves.”

They got to work. Iris was delighted to find she was rather flexible during the stretches, although she was no match for Rivek’s lithe grace. She thought a man of his muscular definition should have been a bit clumsy. Yet he assumed postures that defied her with her smaller frame.

Iris couldn’t help but be acutely aware every time the Imdiko’s hands touched her, helping her steady herself or get in the correct position. His touch was at once gentle but firm, pressing against her back to straighten her spine, aligning her shoulders, flexing her legs. Rivek never made inappropriate contact, and yet Iris felt her insides tremble at being handled by him. A few stray fantasies, ones that did involve intimate contact with bare skin, had her insides heating with definite desire.

It is official. I have a crush on this man. Ha, his whole clan. Forget crosses, the E.I.K. would set my house on fire if this got out.

Iris was amused at herself. At the first sign of true kindness from the men, she’d become infatuated. How very school-girlish of her. And dangerous. She’d been the same way with Conrad.

Rivek and his clan aren’t Conrad. Not by a mile.

The priest interrupted her thoughts. “I think we’re ready for your first lesson. Stand up and we’ll get started.”

She did so, facing the tall Imdiko. The pleasant expression suddenly dropped from his face. He snarled, showing her long, thin fangs. Iris took an uncertain step back.

“Rivek?” she said, her voice quavering.

He growled and crouched as if ready to spring.