Page 2 of Jorax
Of course, he neglected to mention that to me. Typical Icaron, keeping me in the dark. Ever since we were younglings in school together, he’s enjoyed lording his charm and social status over me. Things only got worse as we got older.
He was always one to take advantage, use a person’s weaknesses against them. After I was badly injured in an explosion when we were lab partners in chemistry, he seldom missed an opportunity to subtly demean me about my deformities.
As Icaron guides the human out, I sigh, running a hand over the short hair on the top of my head, avoiding the exposed hardware on my forehead. Syrryn tried hard not to show her emotions, but I saw the shock in her expression when she first laid eyes on me. Not that I blame her. With my hulking frame, brilliant green skin, and forlorn expression, I’m used to being seen as a monster.
Still, a part of me wishes that just once someone would look past this wretched exterior and see me for who I truly am. But such fantasies are foolish. Instead of seeking humanoid company, I’ve embraced my research. It’s all I have.
I’ve poured everything I am into my work, determined to develop a cure for Eryxi disease. The debilitating illness has plagued our galaxy for too long. Preying mostly on children, it leaves misery and death in its wake.
Those who survive it are often disfigured. Because I know what it’s like to horrify people with my appearance, I’ve chosen to channel all my passion into curing this deadly and demoralizing disease.
Because Syrryn managed to hide the disgust she had to be feeling, perhaps she’ll be able to work with me without issue. I’ll request her resumé from Icaron to assess her strengths, then assign her tasks she’s best suited for.
After clearing a space on the counter for Syrryn, I tidy the lab. Although she appeared unsettled by me, she seems kind. But I dare not hope for more than professional courtesy from anyone.
With Icaron as our supervisor, he’ll surely charm her, as he does everyone. I push down the familiar bitterness at that thought. All I can do is dedicate myself to this work and try to make the galaxy a better place—even though there’s nothing that can repair the damage already done to me.
Chapter Three
Syrryn
After the brief introduction to Jorax and the lab I’ll now be working in, Icaron continues the tour of the facility. His melodic voice keeps me enthralled as he enters various labs and introduces me to more researchers. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, but no one holds my interest like Jorax.
He seemed such a tragic figure. I’ll have to look up his species. Are his looks common, or are they from an accident?
I shake my head, trying to absorb everything Icaron is saying. Why is my mind focused on Jorax when I’m so close to one of the most attractive men I know? He won the DNA lottery with those high, pale cheekbones, the strong jaw of an Adonis, and those ice-blue eyes that seem to pierce my very soul. He could be a vid star on Earth, that’s for sure.
By the end of the tour, my head is spinning with all the information he shared. As we return to the lobby, Icaron turns to me with a dazzling smile.
“I hope there isn’t going to be a test.” I laugh. “Don’t expect me to remember the names of half the people you introduced me to.”
“Forgive me if I overwhelmed you. It’s just my nature to bethorough.I’m a stickler for beingprecise.”
I must be reading things into the male’s words. My little crush is making me think that instead of talking about work, he’s alludingto the way he treats a woman in bed. Perhaps the long trip here has given me a case of space sickness.
“You must be tired, and I imagine you’d rather do anything than unpack. How about I take you out to dinner tonight at a nice restaurant? You can relax. We can chat more about the Eryxi project and your role at Quantum Bio over a good meal.”
My heart flutters at the invitation. “That sounds lovely, thank you.” I tell myself he’s just being a gracious supervisor, but part of me hopes it might turn into something more.
At the restaurant, Icaron is the perfect gentleman, pulling out my chair and selecting a delicious wine that perfectly complements our meal. His fangs glint in the candlelight as he regales me with amusing stories about his work and life on Hallion.
“The people here are quite friendly, once you get to know them,” he says. “I think you’ll find yourself right at home in no time.”
I take a sip of the rich, velvety wine. “Everyone has been welcoming so far. And you’ve been an immense help introducing me around, Icaron.”
He smiles, his frigid blue eyes meeting mine. “It’s my pleasure. I’m delighted to have you on board. Your background is ideal for this project. A perfect match.”
His flattery melts away any awkwardness I felt. The wine courses through me, relaxing my nerves. Icaron is charming, no doubt, but I wonder if his interest goes beyond professional. Either way, I’m certainly taken with him. Who wouldn’t be drawn in by that melodic voice and those hypnotic eyes?
After dinner, we stroll through the city square, admiring the Halloween decorations. Boy, Arixxia Fields sure takes its holidays seriously. My research told me that tourism for their over-the-top holidays is their biggest source of income.
Icaron tells me about the origins of the haunted house I passed on the way to Quantum Bio. He says a human, Isabella, loved her Earther holiday and brought it here, hoping it would bringin tourist dollars. It was such a hit, it’s a yearly event and has become a point of pride for the town.
“In addition to enhancing Arixxia Fields’ bottom line, the female is now mated to one of our firefighters.”
He winks at me—he’s clearly flirting, right?—then says, “Everything certainly worked out for that little human.”
His hand occasionally grazes my back as, after dinner, he guides me through the festive streets. With his pale skin that’s cool to the touch, I can’t help but have a fleeting thought of vampires again. It must be all the Halloween hoopla. It’s so odd that the holiday seems to be bigger here than it is on Earth.
