Chine shook his head and chuckled. I doubt it. Where would we stay while you eat? Besides, I would prefer to have my augments installed over the night as well. These are supposed to be easier to deal with than the ones in Middang3ard. I’d like to see if that is true.
Alex stayed with him for a bit longer, the two of them talking in the fashion that they had both grown comfortable with. The thought didn’t often cross Alex’s mind, but she was suddenly reminded of how much she appreciated the dragon being in her life.
The ether dragon was the being she was closest to in the whole world. Even when they weren’t talking to each other, they were in contact. Thoughts and feelings passed between the two of them on such an instinctual level that Alex never thought twice about it.
That was what was happening at the moment. Neither Chine nor Alex was purposely sending anything, but they were still playing off each other’s thoughts, letting them wash through and responding in kind. It was a different kind of interchange than Alex had experienced with any of the other telepaths in Middang3ard.
Telepathy reminded her of Vardis. The two of them were linked now. Was that a good idea? Especially since she was linked to Chine too. Did that mean that Vardis had access to the dragon’s mind?
Reassurance from Chine poured over Alex like warm water. No, he doesn’t have access to my mind. I am a stronger telepath than most, stronger than the alien.
Do you think it’s okay to trust him? I mean, he’s coming to dinner with us all from what Manny told me.
Chine folded his claws over each other and rested his head on them as he stared at Alex with his deep-black eyes. Trust is a difficult thing to understand. On the one hand, we have no reason to believe anything this Vardis says. And on the other, how are we to defeat the Dark One without trusting those who share in our fight?
The dragon had a point. The other races of the nine realms had to have learned to trust each other over the years they’d worked together. Just because they were getting along now didn’t mean things had always been like that. There had to have been a period of time during which they were all building that trust. I guess bringing him to dinner is a pretty good first step.
I would think so.
Alex looked down at her dragon anchor to check the time. I should get going. I’m pretty sure I have to do a briefing with Manny before we’re allowed to leave the base. I’ll see you in a bit, big guy.
Alex prepared to leave and suddenly stopped. Hey, I just thought of something. When I’m not around, what do you do?
Chine stood up on his hind legs and leaned over the edge of the nest as Alex climbed out. Usually, we’re left to our own devices. I have friends, much like you. Since none of us are near our families, those in the Nest have become our family. Generally, we’re allowed to come and go as we please. Unfortunately, that will not be the case during our time on Earth.
I’m really sorry you have to be cooped up the whole time we’re here.
Chine winked at Alex and then exhaled a small cloud of dust, the dragon equivalent of shrugging. Nothing to worry about. I have my friends. Timber and I have plans to teach Furi meditation techniques. He could use some calm.
Alex laughed as she turned to leave and find Manny. “Him and Brath both,” she said over her shoulder.
Alex found the Beholder in the mess hall, staring at a bowl of sad-looking soup. He seemed to be in the same state as the soup. Most of his eyes looked up when he saw Alex. “You know, when I found out I was coming to Earth, I had my hopes set pretty high,” he said. “This is only the first stop, and I’m praying this doesn’t set the bar for the whole trip.”
Alex took a seat across from Manny and peered at his soup. It looked like brown sludge with bits of vegetables floating on the surface. “My dad’s cooking is much better than that.”
“That won’t help me. I’m not joining you for dinner, just Boundless and Vardis. Your family is going to be the ambassadors for all things human.”
Alex gulped. All things human? Sure, why not add a little more pressure, she thought. “Why aren’t you coming? Don’t you want to keep an eye on everything?”
Manny poked his soup as if he thought that would make it more appealing. “No, I trust you, and so does Myrddin.”
Alex considered his words and nodded slowly. “This is a very different trip than the last few.”
“Think of it as a short vacation. Nothing’s trying to kill you. We’re just picking up something hidden in one of the safest quadrants of the nine realms. It’s about time we all got a break.”
As Manny started to slurp his soup, Vardis walked into the mess hall. He took his time walking over to the table, and he stood awkwardly once he arrived. “Are you going to sit down?” Alex asked, slightly annoyed by how uncomfortable the alien seemed.
Vardis looked confused by the question. “Is that the most appropriate way to handle these kinds of situations?”
Alex scooted over to make room for him. “Yeah, definitely,” she explained. “When we go to my parents’ house, we’ll be sitting and talking. If you see a bunch of people sitting, it’s usually a good idea to sit as well. Otherwise, people think you’re trying to rush them.”
Vardis seemed to be paying attention, but it was hard to tell with his dark eyes. “Excited to meet my family?” she continued to
