Page 10 of Solar Bound
Solar hadn't detected her before now. Probably because she hummed with Eclipse's energy signature. What exactly had he walked in on? And why did the idea of transferring energy make him want to abandon his travel companions and find Dani?
Solar glanced at her but spoke toward Eclipse, "I see you have located your woman with the compatible biorhythms. She seems adequate."
"Solar," Eclipse scolded, as he was wont to do. "We discussed proper Earth protocols."
"Yes, yes. Don't call humans inadequate to their faces. I remember. I said she is adequate." Solar focused his energy on not overloading the electrical system. His translator insisted adequate was a complimentary word for these situations, but Dani had given him the same negative response. "But we have more pressing issues. Lunar is displaying signs of possible mate fixation on a loud female, and if he follows his instincts, he may?—"
"He wouldn't harm her," Eclipse insisted, defending Lunar like usual.
"Of course not," Solar scoffed. "But he might be attempting communication, which would be far worse. You know how he gets. All shadows and cryptic statements. Humans find it unsettling. I have seen references in their horror movies. They will try to exercise him."
Solar noted the brief flicker of surprise on the woman’s face. "Exercise? I think you mean exorcise."
"Yes." Solar felt sparks escaping his suit in agitation. This was not a productive conversation.
"You really are aliens," she said.
Eclipse gave a small gesture to indicate Solar should calm his aggressions. Interesting. Perhaps their leader’s interest in this human went deeper than mission necessity.
Solar turned to her and tried to smile. She shielded her eyes at the bright light that escaped his mouth hole. "Of course we are. Did Eclipse not explain properly? Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides sent us to your primitive planet to find mates and prevent an interplanetary war. Though why anyone would want to mate with a species that can't even regulate their own bioelectricity is beyond me. No offense."
"Solar," Eclipse interrupted. "Find Lunar. Now. Before he causes a diplomatic incident."
Solar started to leave. It was clear that Eclipse was not readily coming with him. Fine. He'd handle the problem himself. Like always.
“Wait,” Rowan demanded. “You can’t keep walking around the retreat like that. I have a suite put aside for you. It’s private.”
“Find him and then find the suite. Stay out of sight,” Eclipse said.
Solar left and quickened his pace as he entered the growing shadow. Within the darkness, he could hear voices. One was distinctly human and female, the other the cold tones of Lunar.
"I'm an anomaly," the female was saying. "The stone I gave you last night, did it help?"
"It’s not safe for you to know about me," Lunar replied, his voice barely audible.
"I can’t help who I am," the female insisted. “You can trust me.”
Solar had heard enough. Eclipse doing it was one thing. At least the twilight-dweller had some sense. But if Lunar had exposed their true nature to a random human female, the entire mission could be compromised. He pushed open the door without warning, golden light spilling from his skin as his control slipped.
The room was small, filled with supplies and strange Earth food delivering artifacts that reminded him of the continental breakfast buffet. Lunar stood in the darkest corner, his true form partially visible as the skin-suit struggled to contain his shadow manipulation. Before him stood a human female with unusual coloration. Her hair was the shade of a long-dead star, and her eyes looked like Earth's twilight.
Both turned at his entrance, Lunar's expression darkening further while the female's eyes widened in recognition. The room was dark, except for the sunlight coming in through the window. Solar automatically amplified the light to fight the shadows.
"You," she whispered. "You're the bright one. From the crash."
Solar focused on Lunar, ignoring the female in his irritation about being outed. "Eclipse sent me. We must go to our assigned dwelling. You should not be talking to anyone."
"This human has unusual perceptive abilities," Lunar replied. "She detected my presence despite shadow concealment."
"That doesn't matter." Solar brightened with frustration. The room's lighting fixtures began to flicker and buzz. He didn’t trust Lunar to make decisions regarding group safety. "Eclipse has secured new accommodations."
"The shadow stones should help," the female said to Lunar, seeming unfazed by Solar's display. "I have more if you need them."
Solar's attention snapped to her. "What do you know of us?"
The woman met his gaze without flinching. "I know you're not from here. I know you crashed near Pete's shop yesterday. I know you're different from each other, light and shadow." She gestured to the space around them. "And I know you can manipulate energy to the point you’re disrupting the retreat's electrical system."
As if to emphasize her point, the overhead light exploded in a shower of sparks. She gave a small cry of surprise and moved out of the way.
