Page 17 of Eclipse Bound
"That would be Solar finding Lunar," Eclipse said with resignation. He held out his hand to Rowan. "Will you help us? Before they destroy your retreat as they did our accommodations?"
Rowan hesitated for only a second before taking his hand. It was still warm, with a subtle vibration that tingled up her arm. It instantly made her want to press against him again.
"I must be insane," she muttered. "But yes, I'll help you."
Eclipse's fingers tightened around hers. "Thank you, Rowan Clark. Your assistance may save two worlds."
"Let's start by saving the retreat," she replied, pulling him toward the door. No part of her wanted to fill out more insurance paperwork. UFO invasion wasn't covered under their plan. "Then we can worry about interplanetary diplomacy."
As they hurried down the hallway toward the commotion, Rowan couldn't help noticing that Eclipse hadn't let go of her hand. And strangest of all, she didn't want him to.
Chapter
Six
Eclipse fought to remain neutral as he watched Solar and Lunar retreat to their respective rooms. After they caused a commotion at the retreat's dining area, he had managed to convince both of them to come to the suite before their energy signatures drew even more unwanted attention. Thankfully, the staff dining area had been empty at the time, and only Rowan and the woman Lunar had been following saw them.
During Solar's interruption in Rowan's office, he had observed subtle changes in his companion. Solar's golden essence pulsed with unfamiliar patterns that suggested some kind of emotional engagement, though Eclipse could only speculate. He mentioned a fire dancing female in passing, which seemed like it would interest the light-dweller. More surprising was Lunar's shadow form, which had been intensified when they found him confronting the female he'd been skulking after. For Lunar to show interest in any being was unprecedented.
Now they were safely contained again, at least temporarily. Solar's room was bright and sunny. Lunar's embraced the dark. The suite Rowan had secured was remarkably suitable, with distinct zones that accommodated their biological needs while maintaining proximity. A diplomatic solution worthy of the Peacemaker Council.
If only the council could see them now. Three aliens hidden in a luxury suite on Earth, each already forming connections with human females despite their protests otherwise.
"The mission parameters did not anticipate this," Eclipse muttered to himself, moving to the central living area. The space was balanced between light and shadow, much like his home in the Twilight Belt. A rare comfort since arriving on this planet.
He removed the increasingly uncomfortable skin-suit, allowing his natural form to emerge. His skin had a subtle purple-blue luminescence, neither as bright as Solar's golden glow nor as light-absorbing as Lunar's shadow form. Evolution had adapted those in the Twilight Belt to exist between extremes, to mediate, to find balance.
To be forever caught in the middle.
It was exhausting. More and more, he just wanted to tell both sides to throw themselves into a dark swamp for all eternity.
The energy stone he kept in his pocket projected Zorveya's image into the air before him. A wave of unexpected homesickness came over him. Rotating the projection, he focused on the narrow habitable strip between day and night where he'd spent his life walking political tightropes.
"Display mission parameters," he instructed. The stone responded, replacing the planet image with scrolling text.
"Mission Objective: Demonstrate peaceful coexistence and cooperative potential between representatives of Solarus and Lunaris zones through successful integration on Earth.
"Duration: Minimum one Earth month.
"Success Metrics: 1. Formation of meaningful connections with compatible humans. 2. Absence of conflict resulting in property damage or exposure. 3. Unified return to Zorveya.
"Failure Conditions: 1. Mission abandonment by any participant. 2. Exposure of alien origins to Earth authorities. 3. Irreparable conflict between representatives."
Eclipse deactivated the projection with a sigh. Less than forty-eight Earth hours into their mission, and they'd already caused property damage at two separate locations and revealed their true nature to humans. If the council received a full report, they would likely extend their exile indefinitely.
He wondered what the odds were of Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides actually monitoring them. It’s not like they were running a superior operation. After the crash landing and hasty directions, they’d all but abandoned them.
Perhaps that had been the intention all along. Remove three influential voices from the political equation before hostilities escalated.
A soft knock on the suite's door interrupted his thoughts. Eclipse quickly reapplied his skin-suit before answering, finding Rowan on the threshold. Her presence stirred an unexpected response, a resonance in his energy field that hadn't diminished since their last meeting.
"I brought supplies," she said, holding up several bags. "Food, clothing that might fit better, and some local guidebooks."
"Thank you." Eclipse stepped aside to let her enter. "Your assistance is appreciated."
Rowan moved into the common area, setting her bags on a table. "Is everyone settling in?"
"They have claimed their territories," Eclipse answered. "Solar has the eastern room, and Lunar the western. The arrangement should minimize conflict."
