13. Iris

THIRTEEN

Panic shot through me as I gaped at Tessa. "What are you talking about?"

"Is the alien hurting you?" Tessa placed her palm on my shoulder, gripping tight. I sensed she'd grab me and yank me away if I didn't reassure her. "Has he put a spell on you?"

"Isn't it wizards who cast spells, not aliens?"

Tessa's voice dropped to a whisper. "Say the word, and we'll run. I've got a knife in the back waistband of my pants. It's sharp and I know how to use it. If he comes after us, I'll gut him. This I swear."

Jeez. Wow.

"There's no alien here." I had to get her out of here. I couldn't endanger my friend.

"I saw him watching us from the barn. Really, let's go. I parked my car at the end of the driveway just in case. His spell won't be able to reach you once we're away from this area." She latched onto my arm and tried to drag me away, but I dug in my heels. "We'll beat it out of here to safety, and whatever spell he's cast on you will fade. I promise, you'll be safe."

"Stop." I huffed and tugged my arm out of her grasp. "Tessa, stop. There's no alien here." I suspected I could protest for the next hour, and she wouldn't believe me. A sigh bled from me. "Can't you just leave. Please?"

Her flinty gaze met mine. "I'm your friend, and I'm not leaving you here with him." She pulled her knife, a big brutal thing as long as my forearm. How had she walked with that thing sticking down the back of her pants? "I mean it. Come with me now, Iris."

"No." I said it firmly. She knew me well enough to know I meant it. "He's not hurting me. Please, Tessa. Leave. Go back to town and don't tell anyone about this. Leave us alone."

Tessa socked her fist onto her hip, brandishing the knife in the other hand. "Don't give me that." Her head jerked back, and her voice lifted. "Alien? Come out now. I'm going to decide for myself if you're hurting my friend. Don't try any fast stuff. I've got a blade and I know how to use it." She slashed her knife through the air so fast it whistled. "If I think you're hurting her, I'm going to make sure you live with regret until your dying day." She frowned at me. "Is he big and purple, with six arms and antennae bobbing around on his head?"

She'd storm the barn with her knife, and who knows what might happen then.

I winced. "Please tell me you won't scream or call 9-1-1."

"Me?" She sounded perturbed. "It'll take more than a bright pink beetle alien to frighten me. Come out of that barn, alien! I mean now."

The door creaked and Lordek stepped outside, a silver weapon in his hand, though he kept it by his side.

"Oh my." Tessa lowered her knife. "Why didn't you tell me he was a handsome alien?" She smoothed her hair. "Well, well. He has green skin. Two arms. Lots of muscles. He's big, but I like a man with solid bone structure."

My nervous laugh burst out. "His name's Lordek, and he's a sweet guy. Really."

Lordek stopped beside me, his arm going around me protectively.

Tessa drew herself up stiffly. "I didn't emerge from the egg this morning. If you're hurting Iris, I'll fillet you, and don't think I won't."

"I love Iris," Lordek said. "I'll never do anything to cause her pain."

Except leave me, but I wasn't going to think about that. We had this moment, and I was going to make the best of it.

"Love, huh?" She looked at me. "Sounds kind of sudden to me."

"It is, but I love him too."

"You're sure he's not spelling you in some way?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. We met days ago and we've been together since." I leaned into his side. "How long does it take to know when someone's your perfect match?

Tears appeared in Tessa's eyes. "Not long with my Robert. Not long at all." Her breath whooshed out. "I can tell you're not harming my friend, Lordek." She tucked her knife into the back of her pants again and dipped forward in a bow. "Welcome, alien one. If you come in peace, I greet you."

"Is she from your government?" Hope bloomed in Lordek's voice. If Tessa was welcoming, he might assume the rest of my people would be, that maybe he could find a way to stay here. Then we could be together. That's what I'd assume.

Unfortunately, Tessa was one of the nice people. I didn't want him to meet those who weren't.

"I run a bakery." Tessa nudged the box I held. "Assuming she was sick, I stopped by to bring Iris some goodies. There's enough there for you as well." Her smile fell fast. "We probably shouldn't be standing out here in the open though." She peered around, even looking up into the sky. "Someone might see you."

We went up onto the front porch. At least the screens partly masked us while we stood inside.

I lowered the box onto a table. "We saw the news report on TV," I said. "Are they sure an alien ship crashed in the area?" It was silly to ask, but I needed to know what else she might've heard.

"Darn right, they are." Tessa huffed. "They've taken over the town, renting every BB available. They're even hooking up RVs with lots of satellite dishes on the top to any outlet they can find. They're scouring the town, looking for the ship and for any aliens, and it won't be long before they find your green friend."

I gulped and leaned into Lordek's side. "How long do you think we have before they start looking in this area?"

Tessa grumbled. "From what I overheard at the diner, they're expanding the search into this area within the hour."

So soon.

"I can help." She nodded pertly. "I'll head back to town right now and distract them. Buy you a little more time if that will help. It's not much, but it's the least I can do."

"Would you? We were repairing his ship, and it'll soon be ready to fly." If she could delay them, we might have time for one final goodbye.

"Happy to do it." Tessa shook her head. "Damn government's always trying to interfere. You two are in love. You deserve a few precious moments together. Heaven knows I wish I had even ten more minutes with my Robert, may the Lord bless his soul. I can see Lordek's a decent guy, and I don't want them to capture him. I'll tell them I found his ship, that it's way out in the woods on the western side of town. That should get them searching in that direction. Do you think a few more hours will make a difference?"

I looked up at Lordek, who nodded.

"Very well then." Tessa hugged us both, blushing after embracing Lordek. "He really is a fine specimen, Iris. I can see why you two..." She frowned. "Well, that's none of my business. I'll get going and give you two a bit more time to get ready."

After giving me another hug, she strode down the driveway and got into her car, scattering dirt on the edge of the road when she floored the engine, taking the vehicle back toward town.

I turned into Lordek's embrace. Our time together was almost over. How was I going to smile when he soared up toward the stars?

"I need to leave, Iris," he said gruffly. "I don't want to go, but I have to."

"I understand." I tipped my head back, and he kissed me.

With a groan, he swept me off my feet and carried me inside, stopping in the living room to press me against the wall.

We ripped off our clothing and he captured my mouth like he'd already captured my heart.