Chapter 4

I had no way of knowing how she would react to seeing my planet for the first time. Nevertheless, I didn't expect her eyes to roll back in her head, or her going lifeless before I could blink an eye. Unwrapping her from the straps, I pull her up into my arms and head back towards the main piloting seat.

Tuckingher into my lap, I look her over. She appears to be breathing normally, even if her heart seems to be beating out of her chest. Convinced this was simply the way her body handles the stress it's been subjected to since she has awakened. I close my eyes and inhale the scent of her soft hair as I think back on the questions she asked.

Avoidanceis the first thing that comes to mind. I did everything I could to keep from telling her the truth. I ponder if DaR encountered something akin to this when he initially found his human on SybrusOne. AsI understand it, he simply walked up and took her off the stage they were selling her on. I wonder if I would have reacted the same if this little human had been in those same circumstances.

Icould comm him and ask how to proceed, but I fear he would try to take her away from me and until I understand this pull, I have towards her. Allowing that to happen is out of the question. My mind ponders on my next steps and who would have the answers I seek. One person comes to mind immediately, but I have not spoken to him since I lost Mother.

Flyingseamlessly through the dugout entrance to the landing pad, the shuttle heads down into the lower corridors under my main dwelling. The jarring of it settling down must have spooked the little human because she jerks up. I barely catch her before she falls to the floor. Her eyes look around wildly before settling back to me.

Thedevastation on her face makes my heart hit my chest. I was hoping to be blessed with another one of those smiles. Her bright green eyes stare up at me, she is searching for something, but I don't know how to reassure her that she is safe with me. "Amori, take a few deep breaths."

"My name is Tessa, not this Mori thing you keep calling me."

"I apologize for not asking for your given name earlier,Amori. Would you like to venture forth and see what my world may have to offer you?"

"I would like to have something to cover my ass. This sheet with sleeves is itching me to death and my stomach thinks my throat has been cut. Or a first-class seat back home would also be great."

Withoutthinking, I turn her in my lap. Her legs straddle me as I maneuver her throat around, looking for any damage I had not seen previously.

"What the hell?" She slaps at my hands as she tries to scoot backward off my lap. "Get your meat hooks off me."

"You indicated your throat is damaged, and I am simply trying to see how badly you are injured." She is fighting against me violently. To keep from injuring her any further, I allow her to move away. She must not have realized my chair is elevated and almost falls before grabbing herself. The shuttle ramp opens with a loud thud and before I can stop her, she is running out the door. I shake my head at her foolishness.

Ihear my guards yell and I am down the ramp chasing after her before I realize I've moved. WhenI see one of my men reach for her, rage overtakes my mind. "Touch her and you'll die! She is mine and mine only!" Everyone stops when I roar out those words, including Tessa. Raya steps in front of her, stopping her from going any further.

"Father, it's good to have you home, and I see you have brought a pet with you."

BeforeI can intervene, Tessa turns and pokes Raya right in the chest with her finger.

"What the fuck did you just call me?"

Ican see that Raya is one more poke away from taking things into her own hands, as she stares down at Tessa, who is a good foot shorter than she is. I grab Tessa, pulling her back against me, waiting to see how Raya is going to react to my possessiveness.

Rayalooks at me, her eyes flash and I can tell she is not happy. "Father … I am pleased to see you escaped before the riot. Is that the reason you brought that thing here?"

"What are you talking about? Escaped what?" When she starts to answer me, I hold up my hand halting her for a moment as Tessa tries to yank herself away from me. Pulling her back against me fully. I bend down to her level, getting right in her face. "Stop fighting me. What are you planning on doing if you manage to run past my guards? You have no idea where you're at or who to trust. I would advise you to stay with what you do know."

"Yeah, I'll stand here like a good dog, since so far I am an IT… thing, and a pet."

Ignoringher rant, I look back up. "Raya, continue."

"We received a comm from the Chilten in your research center saying the females had found a way to drug them and somehow escape. No one was injured, but the research was destroyed and most of the files were stolen. Volten said there was no way the females did this on their own, but there were no recordings or sightings of anyone else at the facility."

"The shuttle detected something in the atmosphere when I was leaving, but I didn't see anything on screen. Frack, how could this have happened? I need to deal with this immediately… Raya, I need you to take Tessa to my quarters. Find her some appropriate clothing and sustenance. I would prefer you to stay with her until I return."

"Father, I am not a babysitter. I have my own duties to attend to."

"Ok, you two are on my last damn nerve. Just point what way to go and I'll be just fine. I am sick of standing here in this see-through sheet giving all the freaks a free pass on human female anatomy."

Tessais standing slightly hunched over with her arms crossed over her chest, and this is when I realize the clothing she has on is showing more than its covering. I yank my cloak off and wrap it around her small frame. It's so big it practically swallows her whole.

"IsElexa up yet?"

"I passed her on the way here. She was headed for the kitchens."

"Comm your sister and tell her I need her. Then grab your brother and meet me in the control center. I will speak to Volten, then you can inform me of what has been happening since I've been gone."

Rayaturns away with the normal scowl on her face.

"Damn, she is a ray of sunshine, huh? ChipOff the OldBlock as far as I can tell."

Eventhough her words don't seem to be translating accurately, there is no missing her instant dislike for Raya. I watch as she looks around the underground cavern. When her eyes come back to me, we simply stand here both curious, but weary of the other. A female voice breaks the spell I seemed to be under.

"You called for me, Father?"

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Elexa. This is Tessa, she is a guest of mine and I expect her to be treated as so. I need you to take a few moments and lead her to my dwelling above. She will need some clothing and sustenance as well."

"I will take care of it."

Noddingmy thanks, I make myself walk away from Tessa. The further away from her I get. The more scattered my thoughts become, as all I want to do is gather her up in my arms and lock us both away until I figure out what this pull, I have towards her is. Unfortunately, there is no time in my world for such luxuries.