Chapter 12
Drake wished there was an easier way to convince Jamie that he was telling the truth. In another few minutes it won’t matter, he reminded himself. She’ll see the proof staring her in her beautiful face.
“I’m not lying,” he said after a moment. “And I’m sorry that I had to deceive you for so long. I couldn’t risk exposing myself. I’m fairly certain that the conspiracy goes up to the highest levels. To tell you the truth it already puts my mission in jeopardy.”
“I can’t believe I let you into my house,” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “And I kissed you….and I…I let you…Oh God.”
Drake put his hands on her shoulders again, and this time when she tried to pull away, he didn’t let her. Instead, he pulled her in closer, locking her in his arms. He rested his chin on her head and continued to speak.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t plan for any of this to happen. I’ve been tailing you because I thought you represented the safest access point to the restricted areas of NASA. And I would have never approached you, if you hadn’t caught me out yourself.”
“You took advantage of me.”
Those words were like a punch to the gut. “I’m sorry that you feel that way. But I assure you, I never planned to touch you like that. It…it just happened. I saw you and I couldn’t resist.”
“As soon as we get out of here I’m going to report you to the authorities. You need to have your head examined.”
“I can assure you, by the time this door unlocks, you will believe every word I say.”
He heard her sniffle, and his heart seemed to crack in his chest. He hated the thought of causing her pain. “Please, dear heart, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Shut up,” she said, burying her face in his chest while she started to cry. “I hate you.”
Drake wished those words didn’t have the power to rip out his insides. But they did.
“You are a resident of JL-398,” Herman said without warning. “That means you are living evidence of life on other planets.”
Drake laughed. “Yes, at the moment I’m living evidence, although I’m not sure everyone in the room is as thrilled as you are about it.”
“And Dr. Sylvia Cohen is safe in your world?” the robot continued.
“Yes,” he said. “She is the chosen mate of my brother, Xivthar Rasveen, the Supreme Regent of Zanthar.”
“Chosen mate?” Jamie’s head flew up, her eyes filled with fire. “Are you telling me your brother has been having sex with my sister?”
“And quite enjoying it,” Drake said with a smile. He had to dodge quickly before Jamie’s fist connected with his chin.
“Now I know for sure you’re crazy. Sylvie doesn’t even date. There’s no way she’d fall for an alien asshole, even if he is Supreme King or whatever.”
Drake laughed. “You’d be surprised.”
Jamie struggled against his hold, and even though he didn’t want to, he let her go. She took a couple of steps back from him, her eyes narrow, her face a mask of anger. “Why are you making all this up? Why did you even bother to come on this wild goose chase? What are you after?”
“My planet is in danger,” he said with a fierce tone. “And so is yours. The enemy, the Hareema, are infesting planet after planet. Governments are taken over before the people even realize that their leaders have been replaced. Zanthar is the only planet fighting against this scourge. And now they’ve come to Earth.”
Jamie swallowed and Drake thought for a moment that she was beginning to believe him. Then she replied. “I’m going to tell the authorities that you need a padded cell, because you’re a danger to yourself and others.”
Drake wanted to groan with frustration, but at precisely that moment, he felt the shift in his suit. He’d run out of time.
“It’s happening,” he said softly, then felt the first tug of the suit as it began to revert to its gelatinous form.
His face was revealed first, and he locked eyes with Jamie as she watched the transformation. In less than a minute, he was standing before her, entirely naked, his true Zantharian form completely exposed.
He held out his hand. “Nice to finally meet you,” he said.
Jamie’s mouth fell open. Then her eyes rolled up and she started to fall.
Drake caught her before she could hit the floor, then went to his knees and slowly lowered her until she was resting in his lap. He sat quietly stroking her hair, waiting for consciousness to return.
