I ran a hand through my hair. It was easier to speak to Hallonnixmin, my elder brother, and Monqilcolnen, my sole cousin, than my younger brothers. They were both only a cycle older than I was and we shared a tight friendship that transcended our blood relationship, but I loved and was close with all of my siblings.
“People’s emotions can be hard,” I said.
He grabbed my tail with his own again. “I know.”
I closed my eyes.
Zoltilvoxfyn stayed by my side, silent, as he followed me to my quarters. “Do you want me to stay? Caleb won’t mind. I can even rouse our other brothers and we can make a night of it.”
Part of me wanted to accept. I liked the idea of all of them being curled around me, safe, but I said, “I’m fine. Go back to your mate.”
I watched him disappear to his own quarters down the hall from mine. I stepped inside and ran a hand through my hair yet again. I’d been so out of it, I hadn’t put on a shirt or shoes. I was lucky none of my crew had caught me wandering around in my state of undress.
That would hardly bestow confidence in my crew.
I plopped down on the couch and blankly stared at the wall in front of me. What was it about this human? It made no sense. He shouldn’t affect me so. Seth’s trauma didn’t. Caleb’s readjustment to living flesh hadn’t. Bartholomew barely registered on my senses. I assumed as I grew to care about him that would change, but still, he didn’t bother me.
Vince did.
I wouldn’t find any answers here, and there were possibly none to be had. I needed sleep. I was due on Command first thing in the morning. I sprawled on my bed, but my thoughts returned to Vince. I couldn’t perceive him now, which was agood thing. I took a deep breath and thickened my static shield so as not to disturb him or my brothers, then tried to sleep.
Chapter 5
A gathering of humans, times two.
I sat in Seth’s apartment with Caleb and Teddy. It was identical to mine, except there were a few personal items, such as a hoodie thrown over the arm of the couch, a small bookshelf that had several figurines on it, and several pieces of artwork around the room. An easel with a half-done painting of Seth was near the eating area, and I was having a hard time pulling my gaze off it. Seth’s broad back was the main focus, with him peeking over his shoulder. The artist—Kal, I assumed—had perfectly captured him, and love was in every stroke.
Kal, that fucker, actually cared about Seth.
I ripped my gaze from the painting and turned it to Seth. He’d met with the other humans earlier to answer questions and give them a tour, explaining how to use everything, including NAID, which was the artificial intelligence that was always listening. The dispensers that could literally make anything that you could think of. They, plus the computer, were going to be interesting to play with, and I planned to explore exactly what I could do later when I was alone.
During the tour, Seth had been more at ease than I’d ever seen him. Oh, I’d been able to detect his nervousness, but I’d also spotted a calmness that I’d never perceived before. He seemed at peace, which was new, but oh, so welcome.
Now, we were all hanging out in his room. Caleb was chatting about nothing, changing conversation topics quickly, Teddy was silent, not that I expected different, and Seth was staring at the TV-sized monitor in front of his couch that showed his and Kal’s child. I wanted to be mad about the little fetus growing in green liquid, but Seth’s obvious joy when he looked at the baby had stolen any anger. I wanted him to be happy, and clearly his kid made him happy.
“So, you and Mindy?” I asked Teddy, leaning against the couch. None of them had backs. They were tall, too. I was short, and my feet didn’t touch the floor when I sat back, so I’d chosen the floor.
Teddy nodded. “Yep.”
“How?” I demanded, trying to pry details out of my silent friend. I needed proper material to tease him with and “yep” didn’t tell me anything besides that he and Mindy were easy. Also, I needed to know if Mindy was actually a good husband. I was worried. Teddy was acting distant, though at the same time, I felt awkward with him. Now that we weren’t in a life-or-death situation, I wasn’t sure how to act.
“Serlotminden was trying to rescue me. He cut out my tracker and kidnapped me.”
“So you were abducted twice?” I asked with a laugh, relaxing further. While I didn’t know Caleb well, there was something perfect about being with Seth and Teddy, even with the awkwardness. I felt safe… or as safe as was possible on an alien ship.
“Three times if you count the alien on the planet who tried to take me,” he said with a slight grin. “They kept patting my ass. Apparently, I’m popular among aliens.”
Sweat immediately gathered on my temples, and a sick feeling churned in my stomach. Teddy appeared perfectly fine. But I couldn’t help but remember strange hands on my butt.
I shook it off and forced a laugh to match everyone else. I said, “Well, your flat ass, Teddy, has never inspired much interest from me.”
He flipped me off, and I felt a modicum of normalness return between the two of us. I softly smiled at Teddy. Teasing aside, I saw why others would find him attractive. There was an ease about him that provided comfort and stability. He was solid, and there was something super hot about his calmness.
Seth said, “I was abducted twice too.”
“What?” I snapped, whipping back to him. I reached for him, then yanked my hand back at the last second, tucking it beneath me and against the spongy floor.
Teddy frowned at the movement, a deep divot forming between his eyebrows.
