I snort. “My money’s on brooding. I’m not so sure I want to meet him anyways.”
Both women laugh, and something loosens in my chest. This is nice. Easy. Like being back at university with Leah, joking around in our dorm room.
“Don’t believe everything those females said about him,” Lila says, her voice soft but sincere. “Bayzon’s... prickly. But he’s a wonderful male. He takes care of his family. When I first arrived here, I was so scared of everything. He was one of the first brothers to make me feel safe.”
“All the brothers do,” Roxy adds. “It’s kind of their whole thing. Annoying levels of protectiveness.” She says it like a complaint, but her smile is fond.
Before I can respond, both women’s tablets chime. They check them and exchange another look.
“Duty calls,” Roxy says. “Kid stuff. But we’ll find you later, okay? And welcome to Timbur. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of you.”
Then I turn and see the male in black again. The one I’m supposed to be avoiding. He and I are the only ones in this entire ball not dressed in costume.
Bayzon.
He’s walking towards me and why does my breath quicken? There’s literally a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. Again. His black jacket is perfectly fitted as are his slacks, to show off his powerful, muscular body while remaining just a little bit loose.
He’s sex on a stick.
This is who that group of Xylan females were referring to, this male they think is snooty and arrogant. The male in black, with no costume, is Bayzon—the male Leah wanted me to meet, who she thinks is right for me? He looks like he could give a shit about being here. I have a good excuse for not being in costume, but what is his excuse?
I’ve watched him cause one female to cry and listened to a whole group of females complain about his actions. But then Roxy and Lila painted a completely different picture.Prickly but good. Takes care of his family. Made Lila feel safe.
Who is the real Bayzon?
The cynical part of me, the part that learned the hard way with Derek, wants to believe the worst. Wants to turn away and protect myself from another charming man who turns out to be cruel underneath.
But Roxy and Lila are married to his brothers. They live with this family. They would know, wouldn’t they?
I frown at him, still uncertain, but I don’t turn away. Not yet.
Maybe I need more information before I make up my mind. Maybe I owe it to myself—and to Leah, who clearly thinks we’d be a good match—to find out for myself which version of this male is the real one.
Sex on a stick might not be good for me. But a male who makes his family feel safe? That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.
I just need to figure out which one he actually is.
A tall female approaches and looks me up and down, ready to play the mask game. “You’re the new female med tech, Rylan Bander?”
“No.”
“Dammit,” she snarls.
And then I’m being asked again and again by one Xylan after another. I’m now amongst the last beings still wearing a mask tonight and they want the honor of unmasking someone difficult to discover.
I have a great time, trying to get to know the other guests as they question me, trying to forget about that mysterious masked Xylan. I focus on meeting others and enjoying the game. I immediately like these Xylan, which is good considering I’m hoping to take a job here. They are all much, much taller and more powerful than me (even the females) but they treat me with care.
I laugh at their jokes and enjoy the variety of costumes. Normally I’d be freaked out at a party where I don’t knowanyone, but they make me feel instantly included. It’s nice. And Leah is right. I think I’m going to win the grand prize tonight. The fact that I just arrived on Timbur and no one knows me yet without the mask gives me an edge. My competitive instincts kick in hard. They know my species, but they don’t know my name.
The grand prize tonight—a fabulous luxury vacation—will go to the last being who remains masked at midnight. And that person is going to be me. Because I’ve always wanted to go on a space liner cruise of the Nebula.
A message from Leah blinks on my tablet. I take it out of my pocket and look down.Sorry, I’m still at home. It’s taking much longer than I thought.
I tap a quick response.How is Argylia?
She’s having an allergic reaction to something she ate. I’ve got her at the med lab now. It’s so weird. We didn’t even know she had any allergies. Saxon is here with me now, too.
Oh no.
