I climbed in back with T’raat, and Aunt Ann took the driver’s seat. We all buckled in, and she gunned the engine to get us up to interstate speed before the AARO reinforcements arrived. I turned in my seat and saw them farther back on the interstate, barely visible but distinct in their black SUV motorcade. They weren’t using lights or sirens—yet—but I wasn’t dumb enough to think it a coincidence, especially when they all turned down the rest area exit.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I leaned against T’raat’s shoulder. Aunt Ann caught my eye in the rearview and raised a warning brow at me.
“No funny business back there, you two. We’re on the run, so there won’t be a third date for quite some time. Get used to restraining yourselves. Timber and I both know that human-Xalanite attractions are amplified for some reason, but acting on those feelings will just endanger us all. Do you both understand me?”
“Yes, director.” T’raat said, just as I groaned out a “Yes, Aunt Ann.”
“And no more ‘director,’ T’raat. I’m giving you permission to call me Ann. Just Ann. We’ll have to make some adjustments for a few days, and it’ll take some getting used to for all of us.”
“Yes … Ann.”
His hesitation sounded suspicious even to my ears, but Aunt Ann just rubbed her temple with a sigh. “I guess that’ll do. Work on your delivery, though.”
I’d expected us to continue towards the intake center, but to my surprise Aunt Ann took a random exit a few miles ahead that led west rather than east. I wanted to ask her about it, but then I remembered that she didn’t yet know who the moles might be in her organization. For better or worse, the four of us were on ourown. That meant doing unexpected things, like stealing a car or taking a weird route.
As we headed into Minnesota, I clutched T’raat’s hand for comfort. I had no idea how long we’d be on the road, where we were going, or when or if I’d be able to let Dad know I was safe.
I had thought I was living the adventurous life by sneaking around the farm with T’raat, but I had no idea what I’d be getting into. This was so beyond anything I could even imagine, and if we got out of this alive, it was gonna be one hell of a story to tell at the bar.
Chapter 12
T’raat
Earth transportation was dull. The antiquated vehicle had windows to view our surroundings, but I could only stare at so many trees and hills before boredom set in. After a sole time unit, I grew tired of the view and turned my sights inward, to Leigh.
I could stare at her for an eternity and never grow weary of the sight.
Soft tendrils of golden hair fell into her face, and I brushed them gently behind her ear so I could better view her sweet oval face. She rewarded me with a brilliant smile and rested her head on my shoulder. The safety devices prevented me from pulling as close as I would have liked, but I wrapped my arm around her shoulder to provide what little comfort I could. Her warmth in turn comforted me, for during those brief moments when Ann and I had thought her taken, I had feared I’d never feel her warmth again.
Ann’s eyes met caught mine in the rear-facing reflective device, but she did not ask us to separate. Good. I hated the thought of having to combat Leigh’s aunt for the right to hold my chosen mate.
After some time, Leigh fell into a light slumber in my arms. Her even breathing soothed me. My worries could never overcome me while she was safe at my side.
While Leigh slept, Timber turned in her seat to face me. Her expression was solemn, and she asked her superior for permission to converse with me in Xalanite. Ann nodded, and Timber sighed before she began.
“First thing, T’raat, I want to praise you for your bravery. Ann has informed me that you refused to escape until you knew Leigh was safe. That is admirable.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Timber. They are much appreciated, though I do not consider it bravery. Ensuring Leigh’s safety is paramount to my own. While her fate remained unknown, my life mattered not.”
She sighed again and rubbed her temple.“Again, admirable … but ultimately foolish.”
Foolish? How dare she! I opened my mouth to protest, but she stopped me with a hasty gesture.
“Before you think to start a fight, please remember that I am with child. I would gladly face you in battle after the birth, but for now, I beg your mercy.”
My free hand, which had curled into a fist of its own accord at her insult, slowly relaxed. She had a point. It would be quite cowardly of me to attack her while she carried a child, and one of my people no less.
“Go on,”I said.
“In the future, I ask that you follow the director’s instructions if we are to be separated again. Trust me to care for Leigh. I will not allow any harm to come to her.”
I frowned. Her words disturbed me. Why would we become separated again? I asked Timber this question, because I could foresee no situation in which I would allow Leigh out of my sight or out of the scope of my protection.
To my surprise, Ann answered—in Xalanite.
“We have to prepare for any eventuality. It might be necessary to split up in the future, and things will go much more smoothly if you listen and obey.”
When did the director learn Xalanite? If she’d received nanites as Timber had, it was a well-kept secret indeed. Few humans were known to speak our language, and I suspected that Ann’s knowledge was hidden even from her own subordinates.
