Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1) (13 page)

Hope couldn't believe how cool the Anguis technology was or how similar and yet foreign his planet was.

Viper watched with amusement as she wandered through the waist high flora soaking it all in. He wore a grin on his face that Hope hadn't seen on his often serious visage. It made him look downright handsome. She couldn't help but smile back. It touched her that he thought to bring her here and share this.

Viper

Hope bent to smell the flowers and Viper laughed. As real as the sight and feel seemed, there was no smell to the flowers here.

"I forgot this wasn't real." Hope said in wonder as she twirled among the blossoms.

She looked radiant and carefree. Viper recalled what Hope said about the tiny birds from her planet. He walked over and tapped on the control panel.

A horde of darting twittering Toile, similar to her humming bird flooded the room. Their iridescent bodies flitted about as they swarmed around Hope. She looked positively gleeful as they landed on various parts of her, then took flight again.

Viper stood back taking in the sight, certain that he never seen anything more lovely.

"Would you like to see the ice canyon?"

"Yes." Hope said excitedly.

The scene shifted as they flew over the landscape to the Sorel Mountain range then plunged into the valley on the other side. The artificial environment cooled as they descended the sheer face of the rock. Finally they reached the bottom of the vast crevasse. The clear glassy smooth walls undulated to the east and west as far as the eye could see.

Viper hit a few buttons on the control pad and the sun struck the ice just right, radiating a kaleidoscope of colors through the tall transparent walls.

"This is amazing. Is all this made of ice?" Hope said in wonder as she stared at the massive formation.

"Yes amazingly it is." Viper smiled so wide at Hope it nearly hurt.

She climbed up on one of the giant formations and perched on it to look around the room like she was surveying her crystal kingdom. Hope then slid back down its slick incline with a bubbly laugh.

"Thank you for showing me this." Hope beamed.

Seeing how happy Hope was, Viper was so glad her brought her here. She had been so sad as she stared through the dome at her planet. He'd been at a loss as to what he could do.

Life would go on, and Hope would be a vital part of it. But that was hard to express without sounding like he was belittling her people's loss, something he would never do. Such a loss affected the entire universe.

Viper's greatest desire was that after seeing this, Hope might look forward to her new life on Anguis, a life that hopefully included him.

"I didn't want you to worry or be nervous about your new home. I can't replace your planet, but I'd be honored to give you mine."

8 Hide and Seek

Hope

"Their technology is amazing. I could do so much with just a fraction of what the Anguis possess here." Tara beamed as she looked around the medical bay.

Hope grinned at her giddy friend. Tara had spent much of her time here soaking it all in. Hope joined her today while Viper worked to keep from being bored, alone in Viper's quarters.

After her friends arrived on the ship, she assumed she'd spend most of her time with them, but Viper seemed to have other ideas, not that she minded much. Viper kept her entertained with tours of the ship, stories or videos of his home. He'd even taught her a game with colorful disks that reminded her of poker, called Bollo. She'd gotten pretty good at it. The time they spent together was never dull.

When Viper did tend to his duties Hope sought out Tara or JP. Though Tara was so enthralled with Anguis technology Hope spent most of her time watching her friend poke around one machine or another as an Anguis doctor rambled about things Hope only barely understood from working at the free clinic. Hope didn't mind being bored to tears, it was fun enough watching her friend's enthusiasm.

"Where's JP today?" Hope asked.

"Assisting with vitals checks in the hibernation dorms." Tara replied as she approached Hope hold something.

"You're not seriously going to give me a check up are you." Hope's brow rose.

"Viper was very insistent, and he is a prince so that makes him the boss. You wouldn't want me to go against his commands now would you?" Tara winked at her.

Viper was the boss and everyone on the ship strictly followed his commands. But Hope wasn't in need of a check-up just because of her damn period. Of course Tara looked over the moon at having a guinea pig to test this alien technology on. And since other Anguis were present Hope didn't dare to appear as if they were contradicting Viper. She didn't want to undermine his authority in front of his people.

Hope shook her head.

Tara held up a wand.

"What the hell is that?" Hope demanded.

"It's an injector. Don't be a wuss, it's just an iron supplement."

"Fine." Hope held out her arm.

Tara pressed the injector to her arm and gave her the supplement. It was surprisingly painless.

"I've been thinking about formally requesting to help with our fellow humans when it's time to awaken them."

"That's a good idea." Hope smiled.

"Okay now let me scan you and we'll can say you've got a clean bill of health."

"Don't irradiate me or something Tara."

Tara scoffed at Hope as she grabbed another piece of equipment from a side table. She glanced over at Ophidian standing silently by the door as she retrieved the scanner and returned to Hope.

"He follows me constantly." Tara whispered suspiciously. She was still adjusting to the Anguis people though she'd taken to the technology like a fish to water.

"That's because he's assigned to protect us." Hope whispered back.

"Against what?"

"I don't know. The men seem overly protective of females." Hope shrugged.

The medical bay door slid open and in walked Viper. He smiled at Hope as he stalked into the room. His green eyes captured hers and she couldn't look away nor help the smile that instantly spread across her face. He was quickly growing on her.

"Hello. How was work?"

"Everything is running smoothly. I have received reports that things are going as well as can be expected on Earth." Viper turned to Tara. "How is she?" He asked looking concerned as he also glanced at the Anguis doctor present.

"Looks good. The iron supplement will help, but Hope is healthy." Tara replied.

The Anguis doctor looked at the scanner and nodded in agreement. Hope wanted to roll her eyes but resisted. The Anguis were still learning human physiology and were just playing it safe.

"Good. Hope I have plans for us and some things to tell you if you wouldn't mind joining me." He always asked politely.

"Okay." Hope hopped up excited at the prospect of another adventure.

"Wait a minute." Viper said as she started to head towards the door.

Viper bent down and scooped her up.

"Seriously. Tara tell Viper I'm fine to walk."

"I'm staying out of it. Have fun." Tara grinned.

Hope grunted, but she wasn't too put-out, as she wrapped her arms around Viper's neck and looked up at him. It was nice being held by him, she'd gotten rather used to it. She took a deep breath enjoying his comforting fresh scent that reminded her of the woods. Viper's chest was pressed against her side radiating a cozy warmth. He was seriously ripped. It caused little butterflies to flutter in her stomach anytime she thought of him crushed against her.

Hope shook off her spiraling train of thoughts that would only lead to the gutter.

"So are we going to see the animals?"

"Did you like seeing them yesterday? We can do that again if you'd really like." He grinned down at her. She didn't wince anymore when she saw his fangs.

"I did, but I'm sure whatever you have planned will be just as fun."

Hope couldn't imagine Viper facing off against the giant bear he pointed out sleeping in the ship's hold. Then again as big as he was maybe she could. Hope realized she was running her fingers over the slightly textured skin of Viper's neck and stopped.

Viper didn't act like he noticed as he walked into the arboretum. Then again would it be so bad if she encouraged him to make a move?

The domed garden was oddly barren of the people that usually roamed it. As Hope looked around, she gasped when she caught view of the far side. The pond at the edge of the lush desert landscape was filled with a dozen floating lights that bobbed in the water. Beside the pond was a blanket set up for a picnic. That was lovely in and of itself but it was the view of space in the background that stunned Hope into silence. There was a multicolored spiraling galaxy, the likes of which she'd seen only in pictures. The center of the swirl shone bright with the radial arms of space dust twining out from the orb. With the lights twinkling in the pond it looked as if the stars that filled space had descended into their little sanctuary. It was positively breathtaking.

Hope turned to Viper with a surprised smile.

"You like it?" Viper grinned seeing the awed expression on her face.

"I don't even have words." Hope looked from Viper's rugged face to the wonder before her.

Viper placed Hope on the blanket at unpacked the box of food.

"I'm glad it pleases you."

"I never fathomed such a thing." Hope's heart clenched.

Viper had done this for her. No one had ever thought to do such a thing to impress her. It was unexpected.

Hope looked at Viper as he brought a berry to her mouth. She opened without thinking and chewed it as she studied him. Her reservations were rapidly diminishing the more time they spent together.

Hope let Viper feed her as they sat silently appreciating the sight. She picked up one of the fruits she knew he liked and reached out. Viper's lips wrapped around it, grazing her fingers as they closed. Hope didn't shy away as she stared into his green eyes. They practically glowed in the dim light of the arboretum.

"Hope I have some news." He said seriously.

"Okay." Hope braced herself.

"One of the other ships reported that they located your sister and her family."

"You found them!"

"Yes they are fine. It will take a few weeks since the ship they are on isn't yet at capacity but they are safe and healthy."

Hope instantly broke into tears and threw her arms around Viper.

"Thank you!" She sobbed as she thought about her little niece and nephew.

Hope let all the tension she'd been bottling up out as she squeezed Viper and cried. Viper rubbed her back soothingly.

"All is well they well they are safe." He murmured into her ear as he tenderly stroked her.

"I've tried not to worry but so much has happened. We lost our parents, and she's the only one I have left."

Viper pulled back he reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek. His eyes dilated the greens looking even brighter.

"You have been very brave and strong. Do not cry little, you are breaking my hearts. I know what it's like to lose your family. All five of my siblings were lost to the Morbo along with many of my other family. I am glad you did not have to suffer your sister's loss as well. I feel lucky my parents were spared."

That explained why Viper was so serious about this mission and fighting the Morbo. The look of pain on his face and the husky tone of his voice made it seem as if their deaths had happened just yesterday. Hope imagined Viper relived the loss every time he confronted the awful virus, like tearing open a raw wound.

"I'm so sorry." Hope gripped his arms tighter.

Hope was relieved and touched, but there was something else that stirred within her. Viper's face was so close, his expression filled with concern, heart ache and shared relief. She wanted to kiss Viper. The need was so strong it made her ache.

Hope leaned in, she could feel his breath against her face as she closed her eyes.

Suddenly with part groan, part growl Viper was gone. Hope opened her eyes, but she saw nothing. It was like he vanished in thin air. Hope stood as she looked around the garden.

"Viper?"

Hope wandered down the main path then onto a smaller one.

"Viper?"

She turned and started to head back to the blanket confused about what had gone wrong.

Something reached out and tickled her side. Hope nearly screamed as she spun to see Viper grinning down at her.

"Got you!"

"You nearly frightened the crap out of me." Hope swatted Viper's arm and he chuckled with that deep rumbling voice.

"I bet you can't find me!" Viper smiled then shimmered out of view his skin shifting to blend with plant.

"You want to play hide and seek?" Hope laughed watching Viper's wavering camouflaged image dart off into the foliage.

This wasn't what she had planned a moment ago but Viper always surprised her. Things were getting pretty serious.

Hope remembered how Viper, though he blended into the environment, still left a hazy outline. Then there was his distinctive scent. Hope wandered the direction he went her toes digging into the sand. She smelled the sweet perfumed flowers blooming from the succulents as she attempted to pick out his scent.

"No cheating don't move." Hope hollered out as she tiptoed looking for his outline.

Hope circled round a large Joshua tree and stopped. There next to a tall cactus Hope saw an odd shadow. Hope silently approached the cactus though she was sure Viper had the advantage and could see her clearly.

Hope got to the towering pin cushion and scented Viper's piney musk. She was certain she'd found him as she snuck around it.

Disappointment struck her as she saw the shadow of the spikey yucca had blended with the cactus to fool her.

"Got you again." Viper tickled her from behind making Hope squeal. She was really ticklish, and he'd found her weak spot just along her ribs.

"Oh you rotten bastard just you wait till I find you!" Hope hollered after Viper as he loped back towards the path, laughing the entire time as he disappeared again.

She had to step up her game. Hope went down the solid path following it looking for any evidence of where Viper might have stepped off it into the sand.

She didn't see his tracks, so she kept going nearly to the edge of the arboretum. She took a turn in path and ran right into a solid body. Hope stumbled and fell off the slightly raised walkway nearly falling into mess of small cacti with hundreds of hairy needles.

A arm reached out and grabbed her before she fell into the bramble.

Hope looked up to see Canebrake was the one gripping her arm.

"Thanks." She said, but he didn't release her, his stern eyes just staring at her.

"I heard you yelling obscenities at our Prognatus. Do you know the penalty for such disrespect?" Canebrake frowned.

Hope blinked realizing her foul mouthed response to Viper's teasing had clearly offended the general. Hope suddenly was worried. Surely Viper knew she was kidding. He wouldn't punish her for a slip of the tongue would he. Hope realized she knew so little of their laws.

"We are playing a game and he was tickling me. I meant nothing by it."

Canebrake didn't look mollified as he held her arm tight.

There was a sudden roar behind her. Hope turned to see Viper pushing through the tall grass. He was on Canebrake a second later. The general released her arm as he was tackled to the ground. Hope regained her footing as she gaped at Viper snarling at the other man, his fangs a scant breath from Canebrake's neck.

"You dare touch my subeo!" Viper snarled deep his voice nearly unrecognizable.

Hope was shocked how drastically Viper's personality switched turning deadly. He'd been increasingly aggravated with the men that got too close to her. It was worrisome, but this was different. None of his men had dared to touch her. Hope wondered what the penalty was. Viper looked like he was seconds from slaughtering Canebrake.