The Krinar Eclipse, page 4
part #0 of Krinar World Series
“First off, what’s this non-interference mandate?” Claudia asked. “Is that like the Prime Directive from Star Trek?”
Soren glanced at Bianca, knowing that she knew the answer, but he indulged her roommate’s curiosity.
“It’s a set of rules we have imposed on ourselves about limiting our interference in human evolution. Revealing certain bits of knowledge, technology, or even healing humans who aren’t our chosen companions can be considered a violation. There are some of my people, the KETHS, or the Krinar for Ethical Treatment of Humans, who are pushing to have the mandate updated now that we’ve contacted and are coexisting with you. They seek to have your medical knowledge advanced in order to cure more illnesses based on what we know of human biology.”
“Why would you worry about interfering in our evolution?” Bianca asked. Soren wanted to praise her for losing her animosity, at least for now.
He leaned back, getting comfortable in his chair. “Given that we set your existence in motion, we have been monitoring you over the eons, but we have tried our best to let you grow and adapt on your own to your own world. It’s only now, when we’ve seen signs of economic and resource mismanagement, that we chose to intervene so you could stop destroying your world.”
He expected the girls to have a dozen follow-up questions on that, but Bianca and Claudia exchanged glances before Claudia asked a somewhat unexpected question.
“What is a charl? Is it true that they are human sex slaves for Ks?”
Soren resisted the urge to roll his eyes, a human habit he’d picked up. “We have no sex slaves. That is foolish anti-K propaganda.”
“But you do have charls. We all saw the broadcast of that girl from New York. She married one of you.”
“Mia and her cheren named Korum were married, yes,” he confirmed, well aware of the unusual situation. It was the first time a Krinar had married a human, following human customs, no less, to show a lifelong bond. Something stirred deep in Soren. In all his years, he’d never once sought to bind himself to any female the way his friend Korum had done with Mia. Korum had proven his devotion to his charl by going through with a human ceremony.
Soren’s gaze drifted back to Bianca, tracing her full lips, delicate nose, golden brows that arched above those rare, green human eyes. She had no idea how beautiful she was or how she made his blood hum and his heart pound at the thought of gathering her in his arms. A deep longing, one he had buried for centuries, made his chest ache. He resisted the urge to rub his chest over his heart.
“Charl is hard to translate into human terms, but what comes closest is ‘one who pleases.’”
“Charls are always human?” Bianca asked quietly.
“Yes. The word is special, reserved only for lifelong human companions of my people. Humans are charls, and the Krinar they belong to are called cheren.” He met Bianca’s green gaze as she narrowed her eyes.
“Do you have a charl?”
He waited a heartbeat too long to answer on purpose, long enough to see the flare in her eyes and a flash of jealousy, which made him smile.
“No, lilana, I have no charl. I’ve never had a charl.”
“Interesting…” Claudia drummed her fingertips on her chin, her dark-red hair tumbling around her. She reminded him a little of those Pomeranian dogs he’d seen walking about the neighborhood of his residence in Washington. Humans and their pets… He hadn’t understood the need to keep an animal, but over time he had come to realize that most domesticated dogs were not simply there to entertain humans. They worked as part of the pack, fitting in with humans in their lives, helping them in many ways. Soren, having lived so long, was now better able to process why humans did the puzzling things they did.
“So, this was fun, but I have class,” Claudia said a little too casually as she got off her bed and retrieved her bag from the floor. “But I’ll see you tonight, Bianca. To, you know…” She headed for the door but paused at the doorway. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine—don’t worry about me,” Bianca said. “We’re just about done here.”
Claudia nodded. “If you’re sure. My Mace is in the nightstand drawer.” And with that, she left them alone.
Bianca remained silent for a long moment before her eyes slowly slid to the drawer in question.
“Mace would not affect me,” he warned. “But it is good that your roommate cares for your well-being.”
Her shoulders sagged in resigned defeat. This was not how he wished her to be.
“I would never hurt you.” Why he felt the need to tell her this he wasn’t sure, but she seemed convinced he was an evil alien bent on seducing her against her will. He wouldn’t. But he would prove to her that her desire for him was very real. What existed between them, the flame, that was rare, once-in-a-lifetime rare. If she wanted to walk away from him, she had to know what she would be abandoning first.
“What are you doing this evening with your friend?” he inquired.
She met his stare, defiantly lifting her chin in challenge. “Oh, just dinner out. Girl time.”
Did she think he would make some command that she stay home? Well, he was a bit strict, perhaps, but not unreasonable. She would know soon enough what it meant to belong to him, but not yet. The hunt would be sweeter the longer he delayed the gratification of claiming her. But he would. He’d decided that in the library as he’d kissed her. It would be dangerous for her, and it would be an outrage for her father and possibly bring about a conflict between their races, but she was worth it. She made him feel things he’d thought long gone from his ancient existence. He wished he could say it was simply passion he felt, but there was more. So much more.
As he’d watched her show off her campus today, he had seen her intelligence, her pride, her knowledge. She was more than a simple source of pleasure—not that he wouldn’t enjoy that part of her—she was also a worthy companion to him. She would keep him on his toes with her youthful vibrance, and he would steady and guide her with his many thousands of years of experience.
Soren stood and looked once more about the room. “Take care tonight, lilana.”
He left without allowing himself to steal a kiss or a tempting touch. He had a busy night ahead with important matters in DC. But he had accomplished one thing. As he’d kissed her in the library, he’d grasped her wrist that held the bracelet that alerted her agents of danger. He’d left his own microdot technology on the leather so he could track her. It would have been easy enough to hack the human device, but he wanted his own tech on Bianca, to know it would be precise and would not fail him. Once he had a chance to use other technology on her or plant nanocytes in her, he would be able to track her exact location. The nanocytes, while repairing her body and keeping her from aging, would also offer an advanced form of what humans call GPS. The microdot was pressed against her wrist and would measure her blood pressure and heart rate. If something happened and she was in danger, he would know instantly and hopefully be able to reach her in time to protect her.
He exited the dorm, shoving his hands in the pockets of his trousers as he walked toward the SUV where the two agents sat. He stopped in front of the car, and one agent rolled his window down.
“She’s planning to go out tonight. Protect her well, or you will pay with your lives.” He growled the warning in a low voice, and he knew that his eyes must have changed to gold as he tried to control his temper. The two men flinched and nodded.
Then Soren walked away into the growing dusk to where his private spacecraft was carefully hidden from human eyes.
Someone watched from the shadows. Soren walked away from the dormitory that President Wells’s daughter was staying in.
So the alien parasite had taken an interest in the girl. His employer wouldn’t be pleased to hear that. The president’s daughter and a K? It could make the K and human alliance stronger, which was the last thing he and his employer wanted. But he had an idea about how to use the situation to their advantage. The man pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number.
“It’s me,” he said, eyes still fixed on the darkness where the K had vanished into the gloom like a wraith.
“Soren has left Wells’s daughter’s room. Do you want her removed?” He listened to the soft voice on the line.
“You know what to do. Make sure it looks like murder. Leave evidence implicating the Ks,” the woman said.
“Understood.” He ended the connection, deleted the call history, and then reset the phone to factory settings, making it impossible to find the number he’d dialed.
The man slunk into the shadows to prepare for tonight.
4
Bianca frowned at herself in the mirror, wishing she had Claudia’s slimmer body. Her hips were just a little too large, as were her breasts.
“Damn, you look great, Bee,” Claudia said from behind her. They both wore cute dresses, hers black and knee-length, Claudia’s red and mid-thigh. Nothing too wild for either of them. They were just going to a bar to celebrate her twenty-first birthday since she had been busy all day with homework, the campus tour, and Soren. She definitely needed a drink to forget about that brooding Krinar and his intoxicating kisses.
“You ready? Let’s get Rocky and Bullwinkle to give us a ride.” Claudia had nicknamed the Secret Service agents using names from an old cartoon.
Bianca wrinkled her nose. “They really shouldn’t do that. They aren’t my personal drivers.”
“If they drive us, it saves gas and therefore saves the ozone or whatever. The Ks will love that.”
Claudia had a point, so when they left their room, they went down to the parked SUV. Scott rolled down his window.
“Scott, any chance we can get a ride to the Red Lion pub?”
“Sure, Ms. Wells.” He unlocked the car doors, and she and Claudia climbed into the back. Neither agent said anything, and the girls kept quiet as well. Scott remained with them while they waited for Mike to park, and then they all entered the bar.
“So…?” Claudia prompted.
“What?”
“How did things go with Soren after I left?” Claudia applied another layer of lipstick as she waited for a response.
“Okay. He only stayed a few minutes longer.” She wanted to tell her friend what had happened in the library, the way she’d felt like she was losing her mind for kissing Soren back and how she’d been afraid—not of him, but of herself.
That kiss had been dangerous. It had promised her things she hadn’t even known she wanted. Heat, light, stars dotting her vision as their lips melded together. She hadn’t wanted it to end, hadn’t cared where she was or even who she was. Kissing Soren was like surrendering everything she was to him. She could taste the dangerous truth on his lips. He would kiss her, and it would consume her until nothing was left.
“You okay, Bee?” Claudia asked.
“I’m fine.” Bianca didn’t dare confess to her friend how ashamed she felt being attracted to Soren. He was the last man on Earth she should have been attracted to, but there was no escaping the fact that she was. She’d been obsessed with him since she was sixteen. Five years hadn’t changed that, and neither would another five. She’d been all too aware of him, seeing him everywhere—the news, the covers of magazines, newspapers, all over social media. There were whole fan groups of girls online devoted to him, and they even called themselves Sorenites. But that was to be expected given that Soren looked like he’d just walked off the cover of GQ magazine or out of a Hugo Boss ad.
Bianca inwardly winced. And I had to go and kiss him in the damn library.
Mike and Scott chose seats at the end of the bar, ordering sodas, while she and Claudia grabbed a table near the stage. A man was playing a guitar, and a woman crooned softly into the microphone.
The music made her think of Soren. Of the way he’d held her close in his arms, his body vibrating as he’d struggled for control. She had felt that, his battle over his self-control, and she’d seen the churning gold pools of his eyes, eyes far too beautiful to be human.
The waitress paused in front of their table. “What can I get you?”
“A bourbon, neat,” Claudia answered.
“And you?” the girl asked Bianca.
Bianca hadn’t bothered to look at the drink menu. “Er, the same?” Her friend smirked as they offered their IDs to the waitress before she left.
She arched a brow at Claudia. “What?”
“You won’t like it. Bourbon is an acquired taste.”
“And you’ve acquired it? You’re only three weeks older than me.”
“Yeah, but I’m not a Goody Two-shoes like you. I’ve been drinking since eighteen. Not much, but enough to know what I like.” Claudia peered around the bar. “What if we pick up some guys tonight?”
Bianca knew her friend was kidding. Mostly. They’d both agreed never to exile the other to the common room just so one of them could have sex. That meant no boys were staying over in their dorm room.
The waitress returned with their drinks, and Claudia watched her take a sip. Bianca winced and coughed as the strong liquor burned the back of her throat, and then she laughed.
“You’re right. I hate it. I should’ve gone with wine.” She eyed the bourbon glass with a frown, then giggled. Claudia burst out laughing.
“Oh, boy. You’re a one-sip Stella, aren’t you?”
“I’m a what?” Bianca tried another sip of her drink. She didn’t want to waste it, even if she did hate it.
“One-sip Stella. It means you can’t hold your liquor, lady.”
Bianca took another cringing sip of the bourbon and nodded. “Okay, I’ll own up to that. I’m definitely going with wine next time.”
Over the next half hour, the two of them drank their bourbons and talked about classes and boys and their plans after graduation.
“So you’re off to California?” Claudia asked.
“Yeah, I have a job waiting for me at the aquarium. There’s a couple of amazing marine biologists there who want to show me the ropes.”
“That’s awesome.” Claudia waved the waitress over to order two glasses of merlot. “I’m going to MIT. Got the letter yesterday.”
“What?” Bianca squeaked in joy. “Oh my God, why didn’t you tell me?”
Claudia blushed uncharacteristically. “I don’t know. It makes me feel a bit nerdy, you know?”
Bianca nodded in understanding. Claudia was gorgeous, but also smart. She’d always been embarrassed by her intelligence. Bianca had spent the last four years reminding her roommate that having brains was a good thing. Being pretty was nice, but being smart and having a great career—that was better.
The pair of singers on the stage started a new song. Bianca felt the music ripple around her, and her stomach suddenly cramped. She winced and got to her feet.
“You okay, Bee?” Claudia started to get up. Bianca pushed her friend back down in her chair.
“I’m okay. I’ll be right back. I think the bourbon is just working on my empty stomach.”
“Okay, but I’ll check on you if you’re not back in five minutes,” Claudia warned.
Bianca gave a little salute and headed for the restrooms. When she saw the agents trying to come after her, she waved them off. She and Claudia weren’t stupid. After four years in college, they had a strong girl code. That included rules like go find your friend if she’s too long in the bathroom and never leave drinks unattended.
Once in the bathroom, she headed for the back stall, pitching to her knees just as she reached it. The bourbon came right up, along with the wine. She moaned in misery. She hated being sick like this. Her skin flushed with an uncomfortable fever, and she pressed her palms on the cold bathroom floor as she braced for another heave. The pain was too much.
“Ms. Wells?” Scott called from the bathroom door. “You all right in there?”
“Yeah, I’m just…” She breathed deeply. Now her whole body was shaking uncontrollably. “Just too much bourbon,” she finally finished.
“Why don’t we take you home?” Scott offered.
Bianca wanted to scream. She just wanted to be left alone for one damn night, to be normal like any other girl.
“I said I’m fine!” she snapped, then immediately regretted it. “Sorry, Scott, I’m fine, really.” She swallowed down a wave of nausea, knowing he would hear if she dry-heaved into the toilet again.
“Okay, we’ll be outside if you need us.” Scott closed the bathroom door. Bianca leaned against the wall, staring at the names and numbers scratched into the painted metal as they started to blur. Everything was blurring now. The world took on a fuzzy hue, and her thoughts became cloudy. She toppled over like a rag doll, her lips unable to form the word she desperately wanted to say: Help!
Shadows crept in at the edges of her vision as she saw someone looming over her. Mike? No. Scott? No. Stranger? Yes. Strange man…help.
The words played like a skipping record over and over in her mind.
Stranger…help.
The man picked her up in his arms and carried her out of the stall. He left her on the floor as she stared helplessly at the ceiling. Blue and white squares patterned the ceiling like a geometrical arrangement of clouds and sky. But that wasn’t right. She wasn’t outside. She was… Where was she? Her thoughts swirled in her head as a wave of darkness flushed down around her.
Soren stared at his palm, watching a flood of information illuminate the air just above his skin. These hand-connected devices of Korum’s design were ingenious. They connected to the central core control systems in place in all Krinar residences. The Krinar used to have advanced devices that were a thousand times smarter than human computers, which were called common data storage facilities, but Korum had compressed that technology into a small chip implanted in a Krinar’s hand. It made it easy to work from anywhere, and Soren could gain access to any information he might need, even from the humans’ information databases. He’d just finished reading over the draft of his latest report to Arus when a red alert flashed across his palm.
