Olivia blinked. Wow, he was opening up to her. If she'd realized underneath his cold exterior he had a heart... But now wasn't the time to get distracted. They were allies, and his information could prove vital. They could be friends and collaborators, but nothing more.
Smiling, she removed her hand from his shoulder and sat straighter. "As we say on Earth, 'It's water under the bridge.' From this point onward, we focus on what's good for all of BloodDark—not just Clan Alpha or the Pure Bloods—but for everyone on the planet. We need to concentrate our energies on discovering how to keep this planet safe from outside influences."
"You mean humans from Earth?" Moreau raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "All my life I've been taught humans weren't a race to be feared. Our ancient enemy was all powerful, but humans? No, they weren't a threat. Our old foes forced us to crash our spaceship and sent us into exile here on this desolate world. Theirs was the true evil in the cosmos."
Olivia nodded. "Maybe so, but I wouldn't discount humanity for a second. Human history is rife with evil antics. I should know—my father is a history professor. He calls them like he sees them."
Olivia sighed. She missed her father—and her mother, too, if she were honest. I wonder, would Dad consider coming to BloodDark to teach Earth history and write a book on what he learned of BloodDark's past? It would make a wonderful sabbatical for him. Mom would hate it. I can hear her now. What? No public libraries? Where could she set up a book discussion group? She'd start her own free lending library in a heartbeat. Perhaps Mom could be useful on BloodDark after all.
"Yes, please invite your parents to come to BloodDark, Olivia." Hernando stopped in front of the garden bench and nodded to them both. "I'm certain they'd be of great benefit in helping us understand Earth culture, and vice versa."
Olivia blushed and scrambled to her feet. Moreau stood as well. His glare indicated he knew Hernando had heard her thoughts and he had not.
"I'll think about it," she said to Hernando while trying to keep Moreau in the conversation with an aside. "How to phrase the invitation will be the tricky part. You have to make them think it's their idea or else my folks might decline out of sheer stubbornness."
"Ambassador, you're sure you don't understand Earthmen?" Moreau asked in a somewhat mocking tone. "You've been working with them for some time. If anyone understands their culture from a BloodDark perspective, it would be you, Hernando."
"I do have some insights, which makes it all the more imperative Clan Alpha doesn't work outside the system." Hernando raised a hand to halt Moreau's objection. "No more arguments on the point—your clan admits its guilt in using the old ways of stealth and secrecy, both here and on Earth. We must become an open society if we are to survive. We have to learn to trust each other."
"You speak the truth, but it won't come easy." Moreau nodded. "Pure Bloods aren't a trusting society. I have some reservations about my family's trust of certain Earthlings as well."
"Which is why this fact-finding trip to the Mosaic Desert will prove useful." Hernando grinned his encouragement. "I know everyone on the ruling council appreciates your clan's willingness to arrange the transportation, Moreau."
"It's our duty, as well as our pleasure. Now, I should go and help finalize the arrangements." Moreau turned to Olivia and took her hand in his. "Thank you for hearing me out, Olivia of the Clan Brown. May your life's journey continue without harsh incident as the skies of BloodDark City are without harsh light."
As Moreau walked away, Olivia stood transfixed, observing his tall figure until it vanished from view. "You know, it sounded like he gave me an Irish blessing."
Hernando turned to Olivia, a twinkle in his eyes. "You could call it a blessing. He has released you from your pair-bonding and wishes you well. It's always good to part friends."
"Yes, it is. Hernando, I..." She hesitated. Maybe it was better to let her apology about the whole matter go unspoken. After all, it was in the past and the future had challenges of its own. His thoughts and actions proved he'd forgiven her.
"Are you ready to go on another train ride to the other side of the planet?" Hernando chuckled. His enthusiasm to climb aboard the mega-sized, train-like vehicle reminded her of her father's enthusiasm over building model railways. "I remember how much we enjoyed it the last time we traveled aboard the steam-powered transport."
Olivia's cheeks warmed at the memory. "Yes, it was nice to sleep in your arms. I suppose this time we'll have more than one carload full of passengers, though, right?"
He sighed. "Yes, it's going to be crowded. It's the ticket of the century. There won't be quite as many as those screaming New Yorkers in Times Square when I dropped the crystal ball on New Year's Eve, but it'll be enough to make it feel like one big road trip."
Chapter Nine
"I feel like shouting, 'All aboard!"
Olivia laughed and clapped her hands. Annara frowned at her.
They continued across the platform and stood in line to board the massive steam-powered transport. Olivia remembered the previous time she’d been aboard, back when she’d been one of thousands herded into the carriages bound for the slave farm. Now she and the others were heading out on a mission that could make or break the new government on BloodDark. It generated mixed feelings.
One small backpack was
