Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
* * * * *
When they got back to her house—landing in the early twilight in her back yard—Vicky felt strangely reluctant to let him leave. Which was completely ridiculous, she knew, but somehow she just couldn’t stand the thought of watching Chain fly away, never to return.
To put it off a little while longer she said,
“Would you mind coming in and checking the house with me? Just to be sure no more, uh, lizard guys are hiding anywhere?”
“Of course.” He had been unusually silent all the way home, but now he seemed to come alive. “There shouldn’t be any Varians though—we towed their ship out of orbit so there should be no way for any of them to track you. But if it would make you feel better, I’ll come with you to look.”
“It would make me feel better,” Vicky said. “Especially since it’s going to be dark soon.” She looked around the dim backyard and shivered.
“Come on, then.” Chain went with her into the house and they made a thorough check of everything and everywhere an alien lizard guy might be hiding. They found nothing, though, except the broken bathroom window—which Chain had patched for her with plywood from the garage—the shredded drapes, and the greasy black spot where the second Varian had been incinerated.
“I’m sorry about all this damage to your domicile,” Chain said, frowning, as they ended up in the living room where the stained carpet was. “I promise you’ll get more than enough from your half of the fee for our mission to repair and replace everything. I’ll be sure to ask Commander Sylvan to see to it personally.”
“Thanks,” Vicky said nodding, though at this point she wasn’t really thinking about the damage to her house. Instead, she was dreading the moment when Chain would have to leave. “Um, would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked, hoping to prolong their time together. “It’s kind of like the caffeine brew you made me—only brown instead of light blue,” she added, seeing his confusion.
“Thank you but…I’d better not.” Chain shook his head regretfully. “Commander Sylvan will be wanting the other half of the T’lix-Kruthe.”
“Oh, uh…sure. I guess he will.” Vicky nodded and sighed, feeling unutterably sad. “Well, I guess this is goodbye then?” she asked and was surprised to feel that her eyes were actually stinging. God, she was going to miss him! She knew it was ridiculous—they hadn’t known each other more than a few days. But she couldn’t help it—she really cared for the big Kindred, even if they were mis-matched due to their age difference.
The heart wants what the heart wants, she thought sadly to herself. Only in this case, it can’t have what it wants. Which was Chain, of course.
“Yes, I guess this is goodbye,” he echoed and Vicky thought he didn’t sound any happier about it than she felt.
Still, they walked to the front door together and he opened it and then they just stood there, staring out into the deepening twilight together. The soft gray light reminded Vicky of the morning light on Priima Belle where she had woken up not so long ago. It all seemed like a dream now—their trip to the other planet, the crazy food lecture she’d given, and everything that had happened afterwards…
All just a dream, Vicky thought sadly. One that would never be repeated.
Chain started to go and she heard herself blurt,
“What? You’re leaving without even hugging me goodbye?”
He turned to her at once and gathered her into his arms.
Vicky gave a little surprised gasp as he pulled her close and buried his face in her hair. His arms were around her tight and he inhaled deeply, as though he was trying to fix the scent of her hair in his memory forever
For a moment she was frozen—then she hugged him back, pressing every inch of herself against his hard, muscular body. God, he felt so good against her! And his spicy, masculine scent seemed to fill her senses, making her feel she was drowning in him.
They clung together for what seemed an eternity, neither wanting to let the other go. At last Chain whispered in her ear,
“Goodbye, beautiful Victoria. You will live in my heart forever.”
Then he tore himself away from her and hurried out the door, not looking back once.
Vicky watched him go and felt as though a cat with very sharp claws was using her heart a scratching post. God, why did it hurt so badly to watch him leave when they’d been together such a short time? And why did she have the urge to run after him and beg him to stay?
But no—she couldn’t do that. It would only drag out an already painful process. She had to let the big Kindred go.
Sadly, she watched the sky as his sleek, silver ship took off and flew quietly away. Then she went back to the living room, sat down and cried.