“Hey, boss men,” she shouts over the top of them, and they stop arguing and turn around. “I’m going to borrow Lila for a bit. We’re going to get drinks, and I’m going to show her the places to shop.”
William visibly shudders at the wordshop, and you can practically see him tap out, but John and Eric look pleased.
“Thank you, Mags. That would be great. We’ve got some stuff we have to do for the deportation detainees. I guess you can learn how to do that tomorrow.” John turns away, studying the court like he’s already planning his redemption shot.
“And don't forget you promised to meet Caspian at the Aquilian pool later.” Eric shoots me a suggestive wink, so I guess all is forgiven regarding the mating.
Earlier in the tour, we’d had a whispered conversation, smoothing out things between the two of us. He wasn’t truly disappointed in me or Caspian for forming this bond or the prospect of our future kids. Octopuses. Krakens? That’s something to iron out later; I don’t know that I can say I’m giving birth to a kake. In any case, it was sort of an accidental trigger for him, I guess. With how hurt he and the other grandpas have been by my grandma’s disappearance and my parents being gone, he just sort of got scared and flew off the handle. I’m still excited to explore my future with Caspian, but Eric did remind me of something important that I might have forgotten about. The bond ties our lives together, so Caspian is automatically at risk given our family’s true job with the circus. That’s something we’ll have to figure out in time since Caspian can’t be in the dark forever, especially if we’re really going to make a life together.
Heavy stuff aside, it was a good talk. He apologized and told me how thrilled he was that Caspian was my choice. All three grandpas really like him and are happy to welcome him to the family.
“I won’t forget, don’t worry. I’m excited to see him shift.” The grandpas now looking reassured, Magenta practically drags me away. When I turn back, it looks like the important detainee stuff is going to be forgotten if the basketball in William’s hand has anything to say.
“I’ve been dying to talk to you, but your grandpas kept you so busy all week. Every time I tried, they shooed me away.” She leads the way to another of the side slip transports, and with a press of a button and a woosh, the doors close and the pod starts to move. “Girl, that lightning that exploded out of you on the first night was freaking amazing! You must have some wicked cool powers,” she gushes, and a wave of embarrassment flows over me. I stare down at my feet, avoiding looking at her.
“It was a fluke,” I mutter quietly, hoping she doesn't hear me.
“What?”
I breathe out a defeated sigh and look up at the friendly girl. “It was a fluke, a one off. I have no powers except for heightened senses. I didn't even get speed like Eric.”
Her mouth drops open in surprise, but she tries to hide it quickly. “Nothing?” she pushes.
“Not a scrap of power. Eric talked about getting Xavier to look at me, but I think I’m just broken. I’ve been on Earth too long, and the waters of Skar are rejecting me.” This thought turns my embarrassment to sadness.
She stops suddenly. “The warlock? Holy shit, you called himXavier.” She looks around like he might suddenly appear. “He’s scary as fuck. Have you seen him? It’s freaky that you can’t see what he looks like.
“He didn't seem to mind me calling him Xavier. Should I have called him something else? And I know what he looks like. He had to get rid of the fog when he was showing me how to work the hologram emitters.”
She gapes at me like I told her aliens exist… well, you know what I mean. “Everyone calls him Warlock. I’ve only ever heard the boss men call him by his name. And I can’t believe you saw him. Warlocks only ever show themselves to their family or their mates. Or maybe their harem? I’ve never had the pleasure of being in one.”
A hint of jealousy spikes through me at the thought of Xavier using a harem to feed. Dylan had mentioned that before, but he had also just dumped a whole heap of information on me, so this is the first time I’ve really thought about it since. What does that bite of jealousy mean? How can I be wishing it was me being the one to feed him instead of his harem when I’ve just mated a wonderful man beast? Fuck, this Skarrian thing is tricky. I feel guilty for having all these thoughts, but I bet Eric would be crowing and encouraging me to tap that.
I shake off my thoughts and go back to the important issues. “But how do they have sex before they’re mated if they don’t take solid form?”
She shrugs and smirks. “Girl, you and I are going to get along just fine if your mind goes straight to the important questions.”
I smirk back. “Well, those are the kind of things any red-blooded woman needs to know.” The pod comes to a stop, and she drags me in the direction of what looks like a shopping mall, giving me no chance to even take my own step. There are shops on either side of the wide open space.
“This is the place to get everything you need, though we can order online from the GIN.” I raise my eyebrows in question. “It’s our version of the internet. It stands for Galaxy Information Network. We have the equivalent of an Earth postal box on all of the planets the circus visits, and if we receive any packages or mail after we’ve moved on, they have the schedule and will send those items to our next stop. The only one that doesn’t is Earth. We get a post shuttle from Skar when we’re here.” She gestures to a shop with cute outfits in the window; there’s everything from Earth-style clothes to really strange outfits unlike anything I’ve seen before. “This is Infinity Beyond. They have the best range of casual clothes and will have things that you’ll need to fit in on different planets. Like when we visit Rilu, the surface is extremely hot and dry, so there’s an appropriate outfit for there.”
My eyes are stuck on one outfit in particular. It looks like it’s fur, but it’s shaggier than anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s a full-length coat, and it’s paired with equally shaggy knee-high boots and a hat that looks like a furry hunter’s cap with ear flaps. A pair of aviator goggles finishes off the look. All of it is a pale blue, like the color of an iceberg.
“Cool, huh? That’s for when we go to Iceeen. It’s freezing there, like nipple freezing. I always find myself someone to snuggle up with when we’re there too, if you know what I mean.” She gives me a cheeky wink. I know exactly what she means. “The lightning cats we have with the show have their own big suite, and it’s apparently kept at a lower temperature than everywhere else on the ship. I’ve never seen it because that Natalia is a raving bitch and won’t let anyone near the rest of them, but rumor has it that their room is all frost and snow. Anyway, let’s go and get an Achom! It’s hot and yummy and will give you a burst of energy. It’s made from the anal secretions of the Silax worm, but don’t let that fool you!”
I must turn slightly green at the description because she just laughs again and drags me along to a café where we take a seat.
“Trust me. It tastes like a blend of Earth coffee and chocolate but has a kick to it like there’s a dash of chili and vodka.”
She orders two on a screen built into the table, and within a minute or two, a hatch opens in the middle and they rise up out of it.
“What do we do for money? I didn't think to ask the grandpas about it because I haven't needed it up until now.” I start to panic, the thought of how dependent I am hitting me for the first time. I hate not having a way to take care of myself, but I’ve been a bit distracted up until this point. “I haven't got any. How am I going to pay for this?”
Her hand on mine, she gives me a gentle squeeze and a smile. “Relax. Everything like food and drink is included. As for shopping, well, we all get paid a wage, and I can’t imagine you would be any different. The boss men have probably added you to their account too. All the information should be available through that.” She points to the watch on my wrist.
My panic ebbs, and I make a note to talk to the grandpas about it. “Okay, thanks. It’s all just a lot, you know?” I take a cautious sip of my drink, and wow, it’s amazing, like a mocha with a kick. “Finding out about all of this, and then learning I’m not even from Earth and now the mating on top of that.” The words just slip out of my mouth, and it’s only when I see her reaction that I stop and think about what I said.
“You’re mated? Holy fuck! When did that happen? Who is it? Was it good?” She fires the questions at me without giving me a chance to answer. “Didn’t you know about the five tries before you buy rule? How have you managed to have sex with someone five times while I haven’t even been able to grab a meet with you?”
