Determinant -Guardians of Vesturon [3] (25 page)

They were soft and gentle and I felt them tug at my heart. He seemed...nice. Not harsh and unbending but kind.

His head slanted to the right as he stared. Then he surprised me by saying, “Do not get used to this. It is rare that something makes me laugh.”

As I stared at him, his eyes changed back to the color I had become accustomed to.

“Make no mistake Ms. St. Davis. I am no gentleman nor do I intend to be. So do not allude yourself into thinking I can be changed. I am what I am and it has served me well all my years.

I numbly stared, not quite knowing how to respond. His words shook me out of my frozen state.

“Is there something else you wish? I am busy and have no time for dawdling.”

“Er...right. Well, I need to use the restroom.” I could feel my cheeks flaming.

His head flicked up and down once and he turned to the iPad looking things scattered on the wall. He tapped the first one on the left and the room immediately transformed into a bathroom.

“Seriously. This is incredible.” I turned to look at everything. There was a shower, sink and what I thought was a commode, but it wasn’t attached to anything. I bent down to take a close look. I put my hands on it and pushed down to see if it would move.

“May I ask what you are doing?”

“How does this thing work? It’s not attached to anything?” I kept pushing on it.

“You act like you want to hop aboard and take it for a ride. Just use it and do not worry about the mechanics of the thing. It is too complicated to explain.”

I looked at him and stuck my tongue out. Okay, I know it was childish, but I couldn’t think if anything else to do.

He burst out in laughter. Again. That’s right...he who never laughs, has now laughed twice in one day.

The whole situation struck me as comical so I found myself giggling along with him. He must think I’m dorky as all get out. Trying to push the commode around like a piece of furniture!

Our laughter finally subsided and he gave me the oddest look.

“You have quite an unusual effect on me, Ms. St. Davis.”

“It’s January. My name.”

He formally bowed to me and said, “January.”

I giggled again because I found that action to look comical.

He raised his brows and chuckled. “Enjoy the bathroom, January.” He was gone.

I rapidly took care of my needs when a thought hit me.
What if they’re watching me?

I should’ve expected it but I was, nevertheless surprised when I
heard
his voice.

Have no fear. No one is watching.

How do I know?

First off, I do not lie. Second, my species does not approach a female unless they are invited. So unless you are inviting me January, you have no need to fear you are being watched.

Oh, okay. And just for the record, I’m not inviting you.

I never thought you were.

I stripped and stepped into the shower and...stood there. There was no water nozzle, no knobs or handle to turn on the water...here was nothing but a series of buttons. His voice came to me again, laced with laughter.

It seems I am destined to find humor today.

Yes, at my expense,
I thought drily
.

Humor is humor January. The top buttons on the left turn on the water. Tap them both simultaneously. The left is hot and the right is cold. The ones beneath them control the strength and type of flow. Play with them if you like. The second panel of buttons are body wash, hair wash, and so forth.

I tapped the two buttons to get started and the water appeared from everywhere...above, behind, in front and on the sides. It was like being in a water park. I couldn’t help but twirl around and laugh. I found the soap and had a bubble of a time. I tapped the next button and started to wash my hair. My guess was the third button would be conditioner and I hoped I was right, because that’s what I used it for. Then the fourth button threw me. I tapped it and at first nothing happened. Then I felt my arms being raised by an invisible string and next I saw my body glowing and surrounded by light. Seconds later, my arms fell to my sides and the glowing went away. I was momentarily confused until I looked at my skin and realized I was totally devoid of any body hair, save the hair on my head. I stood stock still. The hair must have melted off of me. My fingers quickly touched my face, inspecting it for eyebrows and lashes. It was a relief to find they were still there.

I should have warned you about that last button January.

His
voice
was laced with laughter.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that I can be such a source of amusement for you!

My eyes darted around in search of a towel but I quickly realized I didn’t need one. I was completely dry, including my hair. I stepped out of the shower and wondered about my clothing. My eyes landed on a neatly folded stack of white garments. I stepped into a soft pair of leggings and wrapped myself in the accompanying tunic, which was equally as soft.

Tap the first screen on the left when you want to return to the bedroom.

I followed his instructions and I found myself back in the white bedroom.

The large window beckoned me so my feet carried me there. Leaning in to get a better view I tried to imagine how I could possibly be standing and overlooking this glorious arena of stars.
Is it real or an illusion?

It is as real as you are.

The felt room become charged with his presence. Every time he came to me, my fears lessened.

“As I said, you have nothing to fear from me January.”

“I am learning that,” I responded, though I was still wary of him.

“Was your time in the bathroom enjoyable?” he asked with a smirk.

My face flamed with embarrassment as I thought about my hairless body. I swiftly turned away.

“Perhaps I should have warned you,” he said.

“Yes, perhaps. Can we please change the subject?”

“Indeed we can. I came to inform you that I will be leaving in a while.”

“What? You can’t leave me here!” My apprehension mounted and I broke into a sweat.

“So you enjoy my company that much?” he teased. “Wait until your Rykerian hears of this.” He laughed under his breath.

“He is not ‘my’ Rykerian!” I shouted.

“You think not?” he challenged. “Have you learned nothing from the silly Vesturions and their ways?”

“They aren’t silly! Besides, when you insult them, you insult me.”

“Even so, you must face the facts January. Like it or not, Rykerian is yours. What you need to decide is what you are going to do with him. Vesturions connect for life.”

“I’m fully aware of that!” I snapped. Why was it that every time I thought of Rykerian my stomach did a flip-flop and my heart began racing?

“Because you are not being honest with yourself and your feelings,” Jurek answered my question aloud.

“That’s rude you know! You should stay out of my head!” I yelled.

“You are angry because you do not want to admit the truth. You know I am correct, and if you are truly Vesturion, you will stop lying to yourself and others.”

He had me there. My mouth opened and closed several times in my quest to formulate an adequate response. No such luck.

“Why are you so unwilling to admit this?”

“Why are you so nosy?” I bit back.

His eyes lightened and we stared at each other for a moment.

“I cannot explain this but I somehow feel linked to you.”

He just gave me the shock of a lifetime. My mind started to spin with this information.

“Do not mistake me January. When I say connection I do not mean that in any sexual or romantic way. There is something that flows between us that I cannot name and it puzzles me. Make no mistake though, this does not mean you are in any less danger here.”

I blew out my breath in relief and chuckled nervously.

“Well, I’m certainly happy you cleared that one up! I didn’t know how I was going to handle that. I have enough issues in dealing with Rykerian.”

He jerked his head in that strange angle of his and smiled...really smiled at me then.

“Do you care to discuss it with me?” he asked kindly.

“I’m not sure.” I gave him a wary look. This man was a huge mass of great contradictions.

“What are you not sure about?”

“No, I didn’t mean exactly that. I meant...” I stopped because I didn’t have an appropriate answer. “Well, I’m not sure if I want to discuss it with
you
.”

Jurek moved closer to me and said, “January, has he done anything dishonorable?”

“No! He would never...”

“Has he shown you anything but respect and love?”

“No!”

“Then I do not understand.”

“It’s me, not him,” I murmured. “It’s hard to explain.”

“May I?” I was very aware of his intention as I gave him the go ahead. He lifted his hand and placed it on my forehead. Several moments later he stepped away, his eyes stormy.

“This woman, your mother,” he spat, “did you great harm. I should like to destroy her!”

“Stop that. Getting rid of her doesn’t solve my problem. Besides, I think I am incapable of being in a relationship.”

“That is incorrect. I can feel your emotions and I have witnessed the strength of them. This female did you great damage but you are most capable of a relationship. You must trust yourself January and you must trust the Vesturion. I have seen his reaction to your disappearance. He cares a great deal for you. You must give him the chance to show you how much!”

He was so emphatic I could only gape at him. Eventually my tongue came back to me and I responded, “Why do you care so much? Besides, it’s a bit difficult being held prisoner somewhere in the middle of outer space in no man’s land!” My tone was dripping sarcasm.

His left brow lifted and then his booming laughter filled the room. Talk about ever-changing moods!

He was still shaking with laughter as he headed toward the iPad looking things. His fingers raced across the middle one and I immediately found myself standing in the middle of a living room, fully equipped with sofas, tables and the like. Now what?

“I thought it might be more comfortable if we had a place to sit,” he answered between chuckles.

“By all means. I was wondering when we could have a little fireside chat!” I retorted.

When would I learn to keep my mouth shut? My last comment brought out another round of guffaws. I was rapidly becoming exasperated with this man.

I collapsed onto one of the sofas and did my best at giving him a perfected eye roll. It had no effect, except for adding to his humor.

“Would you stop already?” I was exasperated with him.

“Forgive me. I find myself enjoying our repartee. You are quick witted January and highly intelligent.”

“Okay, first off, a repartee involves two people conversing. This is not a conversation. It’s me saying something and you laughing at me. Second, did you expect me to have the brains of a rock or something?”

Don’t ask me why I said that because he was now slapping his hand on his thigh, in complete hysterics.

My mouth clamped shut and I decided my best course of action was to keep it that way until we could have a normal conversation again.

He finally ceased his howling and dropped himself next to me on the sofa.

“Oh January, I suppose I need to beg your forgiveness but I cannot remember when I laughed so hard as to make my body ache.” He threw his arm around me and gave me a squeeze and a hug.

“Okay...who is this man and what have you done with Jurek?” I should have known better.

The snickers began again. Maybe he’d lost his mind. The stress of having your family imprisoned could totally mess with your mind.

“No, I assure you I am not losing my mind.” His face became serious again.

“I have not found much to laugh at in a very long time.”

“I’m sorry I’ve turned out to be such a great source of entertainment!” I said a bit harsher than I had intended.

“I am not. I will tell you what I
am
sorry for,” he said softly as he turned to face me and took my hands in his. “I am sorry I had to steal you away from your new found love. And do not dare to deny it for it radiates from you. I am also sorry I have done such a terrible deed on Earth. I regret those actions more than I can say. I am sorry that the Xanthians are holding my sister and father hostage and that I have had to seek out your Guardians for assistance. I am sorry that some will get hurt or even die in the process. I am sorry I did not meet you under different circumstances.” His penetrating glare threw me over the edge.

I’m not sure how it happened, but I found myself wrapped in his arms, crying my eyes out. My sobs ebbed and I sniffed loudly, saying, “Now it’s my turn to apologize for turning into a blubbering mess.”

He pulled away from me, and those intense violet eyes bore into me.

“What’s going to happen?” I asked in a raspy voice.

“I cannot say. I am hoping your Guardians can pull off the coup of a lifetime.” He wiped me tears away with his thumbs.

I whispered my next question, partly because I was afraid of his answer and partly because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know. “What if they can’t do it Jurek?”

“Then that means some will die.” His response was so matter-of-fact I had difficulty processing it.

“You have to call them back. I’m begging you.”

“January, oddly enough, I like you. I do. It is rare for me to feel this way, but this is my father and sister I am trying to free and for them I would do anything.”

“I see.” This was no game. This was real life. The wonder of the view from the window was replaced by a deep sense of dread.

“I must leave for a time. That is what I originally came to tell you,” Jurek said ruefully.

“Where are you going?”

“I have business to check on. I should not be away for too long. You need not know more than that.”