Part 17 (2/2)
They both turned to her, as though she were the referee in a heated game of Stavilition, the favored team sport on their planet.
Venus sighed gauging their needs, wis.h.i.+ng she had the words that'd make everything better. Make it so Dervinias could go back to his life before they arrived and so Zaren could return to Kelari. Reaching back and setting the phone on the TV, she decided to try.
Twisting her hands together, she said, ”Zaren. Dervinias. I'm sorry. The past several days have been awful. You've both tried to help me and I appreciate it.” To Zaren, she said, ”I think when you go back to the Transports you should take yours and leave. Return to Kelari-”
Zaren interrupted, ”No. I'm not leaving Earth without you. I'll contact the G.o.ds, explain the situation to them and demand they allow you to return.” He smashed a fist on the coffee table. A Car and Driver magazine, a novel ent.i.tled PREY and a large mug of milky coffee shook, as though in fear. ”That should be enough. You haven't done anything wrong! Killing you for crimes you didn't commit would be reprehensible.”
Venus agreed wholeheartedly, but she wasn't in charge.
Dervinias growled, hooked a finger into the handle of his coffee mug, lifted it to his lips and slurped.
Venus smirked, ”You have something else to add?”
As he set the red gla.s.s mug on the table, he said, ”According to the G.o.ds, V must complete her goal or be destroyed. It's their way or death.” He paused and took another sip. ”Or worse-Helker.” Venus noticed a hint of smugness in his words that filtered onto his face. ”It's the dumbest d.a.m.ned thing I ever heard, but there you go,” he continued.
”No! No! No! I won't accept that. I'll make them change their minds.”
”I'm grateful you want to try. Go,” Venus whispered, biting her bottom lip. She knew Dervinias spoke the truth-either she help Michael or suffer the consequences. But she also wanted Zaren to make his attempt, if for no other reason than so Zaren would come away with a clearer understanding. Perhaps accept the way things were. Maybe he'd even leave and return home, as she wanted him too. And who knew, maybe he could convince the G.o.ds to change their minds. If anyone could, she'd bet on Zaren.
Nodding, she continued, ”I'd like to know what more the G.o.ds expect. He said he loved her. That's likely all he's got, especially given the circ.u.mstances. I know he means it. He does love her.” Venus moved to an oversized purple beanbag and slouched into it. Crossing the boot with the arrow in it over her knee, she watched it float around. The arrow still glowed, but it had dulled significantly. ”I don't get it.”
”Neither do I, which is why I'm going. Immediately!” Zaren walked over and stood in front of her. ”I should be back in a day. You know I'll hurry.” Turning to Dervinias, he continued, ”You'll watch out for her while I'm gone, right?”
Dervinias threw up his hands. ”Of course. If you have to do this, you'd better leave sooner rather than later.”
”Agreed.” Zaren stuck his hands out. Venus grabbed hold and he pulled her upright, their bodies touching, toe to toe, though she had to look up to see his face. He caressed her cheek with the back of a hand. ”Wait for me, all right? Don't do anything . . . unwise. I'll be back.”
She leaned into his hand. ”Fabu.”
38. Take It On The Run.
Venus had consigned herself to waiting for Zaren. She didn't think her body could handle much more anyway. Since it was Sunday, Dervinias had made plans with friends. Venus promised him she'd stay in the house and he took off.
”So much for watching out for me,” she muttered, though she was happy to see him go. Some Venus time sounded great. And she didn't need looking after.
Alone for the first time in days, she plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. After flicking through the channels, she settled on a Mork and Mindy marathon. The main character, Mork, was an alien doof. Much different from any kelarian she'd ever met. Different from any humans, too. The episode running was about Mork being pregnant. ”I'm preggers. I've got a bun in the oven.” Ridiculous. And hilarious. She couldn't stop herself from giggling. ”Oooh. Eeeen. I just felt a sharp pain. What does it mean? The doctor replied, ”It means you're in labor and I'm playing singles.” It hurt to laugh, but she let herself anyway. She'd seen a couple of the episodes in Earth Studies and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Next to her sat a bowl full of popcorn. She'd popped it in the microwave. Grabbing a couple of the funky-shaped kernels, she set them on her tongue. After chewing and swallowing, she made a face. Venus decided it smelled way better than it tasted. The loose, yellow bits were hard and annoying.
About half way through the second show, Michael called.
”Venus? Hi, it's Michael.” He sounded tired. Stressed out. Full of grief.
”Hey Michael. It's nice to hear from you.” Grabbing the remote, she muted the TV. She was thrilled to hear from him, but curious why he'd called her. ”What's up?” She tried to keep her voice light. But what she really wanted to do was ask how he was.
”Would you like to get together? Hang out.” She heard a strange quality in his voice like his words were rehea.r.s.ed.
”Sure, Michael.” Venus waited, crossing her legs. The heel of her boot caught her attention. Thump. Thump. Then a pause. Thump. Thump. She wanted to scream at him, ”Fall in love already. I'm going to die.” She didn't.
He cleared his throat. ”Do you remember where we first met?”
Did she remember? He'd slapped her with her first kiss. How could she forget? ”Sure, I think so. Why?”
”I thought we'd take a hike and talk.”
How odd.
But his voice had created a pulling in her chest, like her heart was one end of a magnet. Her body wanted him near, longed for his touch. She remembered the way his lips brushed hers, and her skin grew hot.
Don't go. Stay away, her mind shouted.
Far away.
His calling meant danger. But she wanted to see him. Shutting off the TV, she said, ”Yeah, I'd like that. Um, I don't have a way to get there though.” Maybe she could ask Chev for a ride. That might be for the best anyway, the three of them together. Although Chev might think it was weird he'd invited Venus to hang out. What was going through his head?
”No problem. I'll come get you.” He paused and blew out a ragged breath. ”Where do you live?”
Venus gave him Dervinias's address.
”Cool, I'll see you in about ten minutes.” He hung up.
”Cret.” She wheezed as she rushed into the bathroom. At the mirror, she checked her teeth for popcorn kernels and decided to brush them. Then she went into her bedroom and changed into a long-sleeved, red s.h.i.+rt and her heaviest coat. The weather had turned chillier, and the air felt thick, heavy with moisture, like it would snow any moment. Venus figured it'd be even colder in the mountains. There wasn't enough time to braid her hair so she left it down. Because of her irritating cough, she also put a bunch of tissues in her pocket.
A nagging worry sat on her heart. She didn't have a way to communicate with Zaren. Even if he could read her mind, she had no idea what he'd say. Well, she had an inkling. He'd say it was a bad decision-unwise. But since he wasn't there, she went with what she wanted. Dervinias wasn't around either. He'd be gone all day. At the last second, Venus wrote a note and left it on the kitchen table, telling them where she'd gone and with whom.
When Michael arrived, a hitch caught in her throat. He looked miserable. Dark circles hung like blackened moons under his eyes. His mother's death had taken a toll on him.
”Hi. You ready?”
”I am,” Venus answered.
She couldn't help studying him, searching for some hint of what he was thinking. In spite of everything, he looked gorgeous.
His eyes. Today they were chocolate brown with flecks of green and gold around the edges. His hair kept falling over his eyebrows, touching his long lashes. He'd flip his head every few minutes, trying to move it.
He had on a light blue denim jacket with what looked like lamb's wool lining the inside. His navy s.h.i.+rt b.u.t.toned down the front and he wore a white t-s.h.i.+rt under it. Jeans and black boots completed the outfit.
He looked perfect.
Get a hold of yourself, princess, she berated, trying to think like Zaren.
They walked to his car in silence. After she'd settled into the car and Michael pulled away from the curb, Venus asked, ”What's up?”
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