Sex, Love, and Aliens 2 (6 page)

“No. I have a commitment. Let me finish here, then—” She started to turn back, but he stilled her.

“Sorry. No can do. We need to move now.”

She understood his situation, but this was too important. Not just to her but also the
Ba’Tuan
hybrids. “I can’t. These are important discussions. I won’t leave.”

Even as he prepared to speak, Dria accepted the tiny card the woman she’d been talking to proffered, and stashed it in the bag she carried over her arm. Dria shaded her eyes against the brilliant shine of the sun then strolled toward the door. She teamed her quick wave with a smile, as if nothing were wrong.

The only reaction she allowed was the bracing of her shoulders as she moved to the middle of the crowd. Her feet tapped as she made her way up the steps, and at the doorway, she stilled, turned, and gave a final wave before she stepped inside the building.

“
Turana
, you’re in danger. And you’re potentially putting everyone here in danger,” Marcus whispered.

Her stomach wobbled at that information. But she’d promised them that she would address their issues, and until she had something concrete to base the decision to cancel on, she couldn’t in all good conscience clear the area. “No. I promised my parents and Joruzan I would follow through with this. The needs of the hybrids are too important.”

“But the information—”

Her gaze speared him. “You have specific information? A credible threat?”

He shook his head.

If she were going to even consider leaving, she needed more than a whisper.

“Can you honestly tell me they’re more important than you?” He spoke harshly, but his steady gaze remained on her face. “Come on, Dria. You know as well as I do, you need to get out of here, and them too.”

She knew he wanted to shock her into making a decision. Should she evacuate? Without more details, she couldn’t.

“Dammit, if someone tries to make a move, you’re a sitting duck.”

“I know. But I gave a commitment, Marcus. I have to follow this through. I promise not to take any chances, but this is part of why I’m here.” Dria stepped back, but reached out to grasp his hand loosely. “As soon as I can, I’ll leave. I promise, but unless you have more...”

* * * *

Time passed slowly as she glanced around from her position at the table. Marcus wasn’t a happy man, but nothing she did would make him happy right now. Dria focused her attention on the man in front of her, listening to the issues he raised.

“Princess, we’ve made appeals, but the government doesn’t seem to understand. While we carry citizenship of the countries of our birth, our hybrid status means we can’t be registered as citizens of Earth. Ergo, we can’t access certain employment, judicial, and political services. We’ve lived with these issues, but our children... I don’t wish to see my daughter restricted as I have been.” He gestured to the child who sat quietly beside him. Dria judged her to be about twelve or thirteen. More than old enough on her planet to start learning and participating in formal meetings.

“I understand that, Davien, but if I’m to present this information to the Earth government, I need details of what you’ve done. Who you’ve addressed. What you’re prepared to give up. I would also imagine they will require you to choose either Earth citizenship or
Ba’Tuan.
”

The man before her opened his mouth, but she raised a hand. “I know. It doesn’t seem right. I understand that you identify with both species, but should something happen to the agreement between our planets, you will be required to choose sides.”

“But I can’t! I’m both
Ba’Tuan
and human!” he screeched indignantly, and Dria tried again to soothe his ruffled sensitivities.

“Davien, if you were on
Dirustandi
, you’d be asked the same question.”

“But that’s archaic thinking!” He threw his hands in the air. “I shouldn’t have to choose!”

She sighed. “I understand your frustrations. But I need to present an argument to the government of Earth. If war broke out between our two species—” He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand, signaling him to stop. “Which side would you choose? I’d have to choose
Ba’Tuan
, because that’s my homeworld and the one I feel the closest attachment to.” The moment she uttered the words, she knew she’d made a tactical mistake.

Davien’s lip curled and his gaze turned glacial. “So you’d choose them over us?” He reared back. “I’m wasting my time with you then. Excuse me,
Turana
.”

God! Is this what my father has to deal with on a daily basis? I’d rather let my younger brother take over the position than to suffer this kind of intransigence!
She leaned forward, ready to calm the situation, when a rumble began, growing louder and more insistent. The screaming of metal and the cracking of masonry was deafening.

Dria was instantly up and moving, her eyes tracking back and forth, searching for the threat. The thunderous noise continued, yet the walls stayed still and tall. She searched for and found Marcus’s face. He too was clearly confused by the sounds of a distressed building, and he reached out, gripping her shoulders hard. There was comfort in the bite of his fingers in her flesh.

“We have to get out of here.” The gravity in Marcus’s tones ate at her.

“Yes. I’ll get them out. You...” She didn’t want to tell him to check the building, but they both knew he had to. They needed to know what was causing whatever was going on.

“I’ll be careful. Just keep my people around you. We can’t afford to take any chances with your safety.”

What about yours?
The cry rose from deep within, but she beat it back. He had a job to do, and so did she. Dria nodded slowly before rounding everyone up while Marcus and another of his team headed further inside the building.

She wanted to follow him, but the reality was, her people needed
her
assistance.
Her people.
The thought stilled her.
That sums it up, doesn’t it?
She shook away the intrusion and set to work again.

She herded them out into the car park, but the whole time her gaze rested on the building. Her stomach jittered like a flight of butterflies taking to wing. Dria scrunched her hands together and waited.

When Marcus exited the community center, her heart started the low, steady thump against her ribs, the feeling she now associated with his proximity.

In his hand he carried a small amplifier, a tiny digital device, and on his face was a scowl. “It was a bloody trick!”

“
What?
” It seemed unbelievable that anyone would do this. “Who?”

He grimaced. “The Incubi.” Marcus reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment coated with clear plasti-seal. He shoved it in her direction. “Read it.”

This time is just a warning. Next time the repercussions will be far more wide ranging. Go home and take the hybrids with you.

“This can’t be, surely?”

One look at his face told her they both knew the truth—the threat was very real.

“We have to get out of here. Now.” Marcus gripped her hand and tugged.

Dria let him drag her away, realizing her continued presence put everyone in more danger.

Marcus shoved her into a car then got in the front seat, canted slightly so he could see the milling bystanders.

“We need to find them. Quickly. This fear cannot be condoned,” she said.

His gaze speared her in the mirror of the vehicle. “We’ll stop them. You and I together.”

* * * *

Marcus understood Dria’s fury. The depths of her frustration at her inability to act gnawed at his gut.

Hours had passed and night fell. They’d eaten in front of their mini-comps as they worked, but no more information was revealed.

His fingers strayed to his head, and he dragged them through his hair as he eyed the large board they’d erected to hang their evidence on.

“Do you think that board will help us?” Her gaze settled on him.

“I read that in the past centuries many law enforcement officers used this system with excellent results.” His eyes strayed to the collection of photos, information, and references.

“We’re just missing one clue. The one that will tie this whole damned mess together.”

He stalked around the table.
At least there haven’t been any more attacks since Dria arrived—or any where she’s been the target.
There’d been three more attacks on hybrids though. Each tagged
courtesy of the Incubi
.

Ding!
The sound echoed in the near silence, and he spun. “What is it?”

“It’s the analysis of the list of those who purchased the chemicals. No one person has ordered enough to create the missile.” She slumped down and he laid gentle hands on her shoulders.

“Maybe not, but if they had, it would almost be too simple.” The supple skin beneath his touch felt rigid and he massaged gently.

“But until we can find a match, work out who is partnered with them, we don’t have anything. By now...” Defeat threaded through her voice, and it infuriated him to hear how weary she sounded.

“Our people are looking for alternatives. I’ve got one working on fingerprint and DNA evidence. You have others working on tracking down known associates of Incubi and their sympathizers. We’re both working through anything that occurs to us, and you’re offering yourself up as a diversion. With limited resources—”

“It’s not enough.” She shoved back from the table, breathing hard, chest rising and falling in a rapid motion. His heart lurched in his chest. “We should have them by now!”

Unable to withstand the pain in her voice, he reached out and pulled her close, enfolding her in a hug. “We’ll get them, Dria. We just need to be patient.”

“I don’t...”

“It’ll be okay.
Shh...
” He rubbed circles over her back as she nestled in, her body tight against his, and when her hands wound around his waist and held on, his chest tightened, obstructing his breath.

“Marcus, I don’t know what to do. I’ve always been in control of my own destiny. Able to negotiate whatever needs to be done, without leaning on anyone, but this time...” Her voice hitched as he dipped down, planning to offer only support. When she turned her face up to him, he swooped, pressing his lips against hers.

The only sound in the room now was their groans as they pushed closer together.

Ripe. Succulent.
The thoughts zoomed into his mind, then melted away as his body quaked. Urgent desire, the pressure in his groin, and the feel of her...

He jerked back, grasping a tiny thread of sanity. “God damn.”

“Marcus?” She sounded uncertain, and he wanted to take back those two words that had clearly unsettled her.

He’d never felt like this before. He was both aroused and protective in equal measure. It added a whole new dimension, and one he wasn’t sure was easy to deal with.

“You don’t want—” she whispered, the sound broken and forlorn.

“I want you so badly I’m aching with it. Dria, if you want me, then put me out of my misery. Tell me.”

One second then another passed, and the tiny hope shivered like a flame before disappearing. He turned, hoping he could somehow assuage the need that roared in his veins.

“Don’t turn away, Marcus. I...I want you too.”

His turn was executed with lightning speed, his gaze zeroing in on her face. “Be sure, Dria. Once we take this step, there can be no going back.”

She reached up, cupping his chin, and electricity zinged through his body. Her soft smile turned his insides to mush. “I have no intention of changing my mind.” Then she kissed him.

* * * *

Her entire body ached with hunger. Her brain struggled to get past the swirling vortex of emotions contained in his skin-burning kiss. Heat filled her as he clasped her shoulders.

I need more!

Her fingers strayed from his chin to his chest, where they found the buttons on his shirt. She’d watched him all day, aware of the highly defined muscles hidden beneath the cotton. The memory of him the other night haunted her dreams.

Pop!
The buttons hit the floor as she jerked his shirt open. Her fingers rested against his chest for a moment, then she pulled back with a hiss as she caressed his taut muscles.

So perfect!

“I’m not sure I can manage a lot of foreplay this time, Marcus. I want you so badly, my knees are knocking together.”

His rumble of laughter echoed in her bones as his hands slid to the hidden fasteners of her dress. “That’s good, because I’m too damned hungry for you right now.”

The chiffon floated to the floor, leaving her covered only by lacy underwear.
Thank goodness...
The thought petered away as he brushed the tiny straps down, leaving her bra gaping. As Dria started to remove the last barely-there wisps of material, he stilled her trembling fingers.

“So beautiful.” He spoke unevenly as if overcome with the same emotions that wavered within her. “All mine.”

Their lips collided, moving hungrily together. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, and she couldn’t stop a moan from erupting. His hands skated over her belly, then brushed the underside of her breasts before sliding behind her. Her breasts sagged as he released her bra strap.

Dria hurried, searching for the buckle of his belt, then tugged at his pants impatiently. With a thud, the material fell to the floor.

Marcus pulled away. “Last chance.” The whisper of his breath caressed her skin.

“Don’t need one.” She took a step back and hooked her thumbs in the side of her panties. Dria captured his gaze as she slid them all the way down her legs.

His gaze turned molten, and she was sure her bones would melt.

She trembled as Marcus stepped toward the door, latching it slowly. The sound echoed in the quiet night. Turning, Marcus shucked his underwear, and she noted just how aroused he was.

She reached out, her touch gliding over his chest.
Warm and lightly bronzed.
“You’re...
amazing!
”