Page 57 of Taken for Granite
“I thought my handlers lied to me, to confuse me,” he murmured.
“They liked to fuck with your head, huh?”
“Language,” Juniper said.
“Sorry. Mess with your head,” she corrected.
“My handlers changed often, to prevent them from growing attached, I imagine, and they frequently changed their codenames. I was moved from facility to facility. Sometimes I encountered the same agent but under a different name. They denied any previous relationship.” He frowned. “If you call that a relationship. They would not tell me the date or the year, but I could track the seasons from the odors on their clothes. All in an effort to confuse me.”
“So how can you look like that?” Chloe asked, rapidly changing the direction of the conversation.
“I can shift some of my features. It is an innate skill.”
“You were in the military?”
“I still am. My ship was on a mission before a solar flare disabled it, causing it to crash into your charming ball of dirt.”
“Nice attitude, and very clever calling us all dirtballs. Score one for the gargoyle. What did you do in the military? Let me guess.” Chloe twisted in her seat and tapping her index finger against her chin. “Demolition. You blew shit up.”
“Language!”
“You say worse all the time, Junie,” Chloe said.
“Intelligence, actually. I gather information.”
“Because you can change your appearance? So… you’re a spy?”
“Crudely put, but yes.”
“Cool.”
The conversation drifted toward general questions about his planet and his family. Juniper felt remorse that she never thought to ask him such questions. She had been so focused on her own panic and worry—over Chloe and then his health—that it never occurred to her.
They neared Toledo at noon. Hungry and needing coffee, she pulled over at a rest stop.
* * *
tas
“Lunch,” Juniper said, pulling the vehicle off the major thoroughfare and into a service area. “At this rate, we’ll hit Chicago in four hours. Then I need a break. I want a hot shower and a back rub.”
Tas nodded, willing to give his mate the relief she needed.
“Gross,” Chloe declared, rolling her eyes. At first, he feared the youngling would be obnoxious, but he found her amusing and enjoyed the way her questions quickly changed directions.
Juniper handed Chloe currency and instructed her to bring back caffeine and sugar, while Juniper went to use the toilet.
“We need to talk, gargoyle.”
Tas grunted as Chloe sat down opposite him. She brought two cups of hot chocolate, a bag of air puffed marshmallows, and one latte, judging by the smell. The young female had an air of determination about her which unnerved him, but he accepted her offering of chocolate.
“What are your intentions toward my sister?” Chloe asked, her tone firm, as though issuing a challenge.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re fucking my sister, aren’t you? What do you think I mean?”
“Such vulgar language is not befitting a young lady. I know your sister pays handsomely for your education.”
