The other Kindred frowned.
“Well, we knew that was a possibility. But since the T’lix-Kruthe is originally an ancient Kindred artifact which they stole from our ancestors on First World eons ago, I consider the theft justified.”
Chain grinned.
“That’s pretty much how I think of all thefts, Commander. Especially when I’m attempting to steal a lovely female’s heart.” He threw a glance at Vicky who shook her head at him, though she couldn’t help smiling.
Commander Sylvan frowned but didn’t look surprised at the statement, Vicky thought. His pale blue eyes left Chain and lighted on her and he nodded approvingly.
“I see you’re already getting prepared for stage two of the mission on Priima Belle. You must have done your homework and found out you won’t be welcome without a female there—good job.”
Chain threw the other Kindred a slightly surprised look, then smoothed his features almost at once.
“Ah…of course,” he said. “Nobody prepares for a job more thoroughly than I do.”
“It’s one of the reasons I hired you,” Commander Sylvan said gravely. “I’ll meet you at the Docking Bay along with our Alien Culture Coordinator. She can help outfit your female assistant for the trip.”
Vicky had been so surprised by this exchange, she didn’t quite know what to say. Now she opened her mouth to tell the other Kindred he was mistaken—that she was only here to spend a little time on the Mother Ship—but he was already signing off.
When the viewscreen went blank and then showed the white bulk of the Mother Ship again, she turned to Chain.
“What was that all about? Why didn’t you tell him I’m only here for a few days until we can be sure those awful lizard men won’t come back for me?”
He shrugged, his shoulders rolling.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to appear ignorant. I should have spent the last few hours, after getting the first half of the T’lix-Kruthe, studying the local Priima Belle culture and getting ready to procure the next half. Instead…” He cleared his throat. “I was…shall we say, somewhat distracted.”
Vicky felt her cheeks heat with a blush.
“All right, I won’t blow your cover, but I never promised to go to a whole other alien planet with you.”
“I know,” Chain said quickly. “And you don’t have to. I’m sure I can find some other willing female to go with me and pretend to be my mate.”
For some reason, Vicky didn’t like the sound of that—didn’t like it one damn bit. She had a sudden flash of some other woman—a much younger and thinner woman—hanging on Chain’s arm and batting her lashes at him coquettishly.
The image sent a flash of jealousy through her and she realized that though they hadn’t even known each other twenty-four hours yet, she felt possessive of the big Kindred. Which was ridiculous, of course. He was too young for her and he had his life and she had hers. After this was over, they would go their separate ways.
Still, she couldn’t help the way she felt.
“Well…” She cleared her throat. “Maybe I might consider it. If you wanted me to go, I mean.”
Chain turned to her, giving her his whole attention.
“I would like that very much,” he said quietly. “Though we have known each other such a short time, I find myself strangely reluctant to part with you, Victoria.”
“I, um…” She was blushing again—she could feel her cheeks getting hot and she was glad the cabin of the spaceship was too dim for him to see it. “I kind of feel the same way about you,” she admitted at last. “I know it doesn’t make any sense…”
“That’s where you’re making a mistake,” Chain told her. “Feelings don’t have to make sense—that’s why they’re feelings. And right now, what I’m feeling for you is that I don’t want to let you go.”
Vicky felt very strongly that she didn’t want to let him go, either. But she didn’t want to rush into anything dangerous.
“I don’t want to make any promises, but let’s find out some more about the mission,” she told Chain. “If it’s safe, I might be open to going. But I have to be sure I get back home to my two daughters. My girls might be all grown up and out on their own, but they still need their mom from time to time.”
It was the first time she’d mentioned her kids to him and she waited to see if it would put him off. But Chain didn’t bat an eyelash.
“Of course your safety and getting home to your family has to be the first consideration,” he acknowledged. “I would never want to bring you into danger. Let’s speak to this Alien Culture Coordinator Commander Sylvan talked about and see what he or she has to say. Then you can make up your mind.”
Vicky nodded.
“Sounds good to me.”
She kept her voice calm but inside she was so excited she could barely sit still. Finally—the adventure she’d been waiting for all her life had arrived! After all those years of teaching French and Spanish and then never going even once to either France or Spain, now she might have the chance to go to a whole new alien planet! She wouldn’t do anything rash, she promised herself, but she really hoped it was safe to go.
Not only would it be the adventure of a lifetime, you’d also get to spend more time with Chain, whispered a little voice in her head. And isn’t that what you really want, Vicky?
Yes, she had to admit, that was exactly what she wanted.
She had no idea she was going to get way more than she had bargained for.
