Ziggy hummed noncommittally. “Perhaps. Or it’s because they’re trying to figure out why we’reactuallyhere.”
My blood ran cold as I sat up and turned to gape at him. “You don’t think they believe the story we gave them?”
Now I was sweating, but my stellar collision looked as unbothered as always. “I don’t believe they’re as clueless about Pedro as they let on.”
“I got the same vibes!” I shouted before lowering my voice—as if anyone around here spoke Earthling American English. “And Pedro’s shields were up, so it wasn’t the call of the karnilian or whatever.”
Ziggy cleared his throat and dropped his gaze to the Trol curled up in his lap. “Yes, well… you should keep Pedro’s shields up while we’re here regardless?—”
“What’s the point?” I huffed, annoyed at my lack of skill all over again. “You saw how that Eki justdissolvedmy shields like it was nothing.”
Hmph.
“And you can learn to do that too, sunshine,” he soothed, filling me with comfort from the inside out. “If the Eki wanted us dead, they would have tried harder to kill us.”
“That’s not as reassuring as you think, Zig,” I laughed, even as I blastedhimwith schmoopy gratitude in return. “I have to ask, though… Why did you make up that story about the Kaalas? I know Uulvin said don’t mention them by name, but we’re really gonna pretend this was a complete coincidence?”
Ziggy was quiet for a long moment, absently running his hands through Pedro’s fur as the creature purred up a storm.
“Something isn’t adding up here.” His gaze met mine. “And sincewehaven’tbeen given the full story ofwhythey let us into a notoriously unwelcoming city, I figured I’d return the favor.”
I sighed heavily, even if I understood where he was coming from. Knowledge was power, no matter what planet you were on, and—as a supe—I was well-versed in the ways people withheld intel for personal gain.
“Well, as long as you don’t think it’s a bad idea for me to train with them…” I tried to play it cool, even though I assumed my man could see—feel—right through my nonchalant posturing.
He smiled softly. “I think it’s a very good idea, and I also believe the offer to train you is genuine.”
That was all the reassurance I needed, because Ziggywasskilled at reading others, even with his tendrils under wraps.
“Okay!” I stood and jumped in place a few times, hyping myself up. “Then I should probably go find the Eki who offered?—”
As if on cue, a soft knock on the door had me hustling to answer. When I swung the—lava rock, of course—door wide, my space wizard sensei was calmly standing on the other side with their hands tucked into the sleeves of their sparkly robe.
I wonder what they look like under there…
“H-hi, hello!” I switched to the trade language and stepped back. “Please come in.”
They took a single step inside the room before clocking Zig and Pedro on the bed. “The accommodations are to your liking? Would you have preferred a single room?”
“Yes! And, uh, no. Two rooms is better for me and my… mate…” I trailed off as my face heated.
Because I need uninterrupted Tendril Touchy Time, thanks for asking.
“What should we call you?” Ziggy called from the bed, probably picking up on my slutty embarrassment and wanting to redirect.
“Leeloo,” the Eki replied, and my excitement returned with a vengeance.
Like Lilo and Stitch?
Or The Fifth Element?!
MULTIPASS!!!
Yes, my nerdy taste in entertainment knew no bounds, but devouring sci-fi content had always been the best way to give my busy brain a break while feeding my obsession with space.
Until my very own alien landed on my doorstep.
Now I’m just obsessed with him.
