Soul-Bonded to the Alien (18 page)

This was how she thought Christmas should be.

“What do you think, Paige?” Cal asked as both he and Victor turned to look at her.

“It’s amazing, I love how tall and full it is. I can’t wait to see it all decorated.”

“Well you won’t have to wait long,” Rylan replied as he and Gabe walked into the room carry several boxes apiece. Vick and Mckayla trailed behind them carrying one child size box each.

“I could have carried a bigger box,” he said looking at his father, “But Uncle Ry and Uncle Gabe wouldn’t let me.”

“They know your strong, Vick,” his father said, placing a huge box in his hands before lowering himself to his knees whispering, “They also know if they made you do all the work I would have to get after them.”

Rylan and Gabe gave an exaggerated shudder of mock fear that caused both Vick and Mckayla to laugh.

Selma came out of the kitchen holding a serving tray full of food.

“Allow me to help you.” Joaquin took the tray from her hands placing it on the table before following her into the kitchen for the drinks.

They had a lively debate of what went on first the lights or the decorations. Lights won and soon the tree was covered in them with Vick and Mckayla showing off the decorations they placed on the tree. With hot chocolate in one hand, Paige helped to decorate the middle of the tree while the males took the top. The laughter and sheer joy of tree trimming had the word home slowly seeping into her pores.

*~*~*~*

“Dinner…but what did I do to deserve this?”

Cal shook his head before answering. “You don’t have to do anything to deserve it. I just wanted to take you out on a date.”

“A date?”

He nodded his head yes looking at her in the passenger seat.

“Everything happened so quickly. You met me and realized you had a ticking time bomb in your chest. Then you made the decision to soul bond with me allowing me to touch, kiss, and love your beautiful body and still we haven’t gone out.”

“Sounds like a lot,” she answered, her voice soft and low.

“Are you regretting soul bonding with me?”

She shook her head. “Not at all, it is one of the best decisions I ever made, even if I die.”

“You’re not going to die.”

“How do you know?”

He opened his mouth then closed it, opened it again and then snapped it shut rattling his teeth. He didn’t know.

“No matter what happens, Paige, we will be together.”

“Why should I have to die because I gave myself away to the Sudir?”

“That’s like asking why the kettle is blue.”

She found herself chuckling because the kettle at the house was blue.

“You know what I mean, Cal. I think maybe there’s a way for you to survive.”

“Maybe, Paige, it’s never been researched, but you’re missing something. I don’t want to live without you.”

His response hit her in her solar plexus; it wasn’t the response she was expecting.

“We do it together.”

“Ok, together.” There was suspicious moisture in the corners of her eyes, “Where are you taking me?”

“Depends on what you like to eat.”

“Steak.”

“Then I am taking you to the best steak place in town.”

“I love steak although I rarely cook it.”

“Why?”

“You ever get into the habit of not doing as much for yourself as you could? It’s a left over from the orphanage. Mostly I ate out at fast food places even when I wanted to dine in a fancy restaurant.”

“Time to bring that to an end,” he said as he pulled into a parking space. “It’s not a big city restaurant, but the food is excellent and the company is great.”

He looked over at her smiling.

“Use your talent to open the door, Paige.”

“How?”

“You not only stopped knives, but held them in the air. I entered your old suite via the secret door to collect them before Aviana and Mckayla made it to the room. Then you flung a spoon of sauce at Victor, you can figure out how to open a car door. See you inside.”

He left the car with her sitting there staring at him with an open mouth. He left us, her inner voice chimed in. Not really. She could picture her inner voice’s eyebrow arching, yeah he really left her in the car with a locked, closed door.

How to open a door? The question vibrated through her brain. She knew the think light thought didn’t work. She imagined herself popping the lock open with her hand and peeked out of one eye at it. Nope, it was still locked. She should be better at this by now. If she took into account that she lost a week sleeping maybe she was exactly where she should be.

There was a vibration in her chest; fearing the venom snake she tried to look inside. Instead of looking she fell into herself. There was a rocky downward path leading to the inside of a cave. The darkness of the wall repelled her as the rattle called to her. Shoving the fear into her rolling stomach, she kept walking. How could this place be inside of her? Maybe she left her body like she and Cal did when they entered the soul bonding tests.

Vines hung down reminding her of Cal being wrapped in them. The desire to turn around snapped at her heels while the rattle became clearer, maybe that of chains.

She walked on, accepting the simple truth that life as she once knew it was over. She kept walking as the rattling got louder. Eventually it was so loud she couldn’t think straight, she also couldn’t find the source. After examining the section of the cave where she was standing, she took a seat on the floor. It had to be here somewhere. Leaning back in exhaustion her eyes caught a white glow above her head. It was wrapped in what looked like super thin chains, not that she was under the misguided impression she could break them.

Standing, she lifted her arms trying to touch the bright light. Nothing. She went to her tip toes, nothing. Finally she began jumping feeling foolish, but she jumped anyway. Eventually her fingertip grazed the white light. She was jerked back into the front seat of the car. The door was unlocked and opened. She got out knowing she would have to puzzle this event later.

Right now Cal was waiting for her with dinner and his sexy smile. How could she ask for anything more?

Chapter Twenty Two

The interior of the place was homey. It had the kind of family feel that made her want to come again. There was soft Christmas music in the background, the kind both parents and children would know. The light was high enough not to suggest extreme intimacy while being low enough not to be garish or in her face.

There was a Christmas tree decorated in one corner. The tables were a nice size giving the occupants not only space but a place to put all of the dishes.

Cal stood and waved her over. Paige by passed the waitress standing in the foyer, walking directly to him.

“I see you managed to get out.” He gave her a well done smile before they both sat.

“I did, I’m still not sure how I did it,” she sighed, a restlessness moved within her. If she didn’t figure it all out soon…

“You’re learning, Paige. You can’t ask yourself to do more.”

“I can, it doesn’t mean I am up to the challenge.”

Their waiter approached the table. “Good evening, can I get either of you something to drink?”

He was handsome, standing around five foot seven. Silky blond hair with a friendly smile. He was lean, but attractive. Paige glanced at him enjoying his looks until she met his eyes. Her body tensed as she fought to breathe normally. His eyes were slit reminding her of an animal.

“I’ll take a ginger ale as well as a cup of hot cider.” She gave her order with a smile.

“I’ll have the same.”

The waiter nodded. “I will be back for your orders.” He walked away heading towards another table.

“I like the way you handled coming face to face with an unknown entity. I barely picked up on your distress.”

“What is he?”

“He’s a shifter, his kind are more animal than anything else. They seem to prefer the wilderness or areas like this that are not densely populated.”

“How many aliens are there in Newburg?”

“More than you can count. This region seems to draw the alien population. The humans living here are aware of us to a certain extent. As long as we cause them no problems, they leave us alone and pretend we don’t exist. Just the way most of us like it.”

She could understand that, it was live and let live. It was the way she spent most of her life until she met Cal.

“How do they ignore the waiter’s eyes?”

“They can’t see them. You saw them because glamour is no longer working on you. This is also a sign of your talents pushing to the forefront.”

“So I will see all the creepy things I used to be unaware of?”

“I’m afraid so.”

This was definitely a double edged sword. On the one hand, she would know who she was dealing with and if they presented a threat to her, On the other hand, walking through life with blinders on had a certain appeal to it.

Cal reached out to place his hand over hers sending little shock waves through her fingers and up her arms. His smile made her heart flutter.

She was on a date, the kind she dreamed about when she was young with her prince charming. Cal certainly fit the bill with his height, charm, and physique. He was more than sigh worthy.

“Paige, I would like to give you something.” He reached into his pocket. In his hand was a beautiful ring. He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.

“It’s beautiful!” The emerald was perfect to her untrained eye. The color, cut, and clarity were divine.

“It was my mother’s ring; she wore two and sent them with us when we came to earth. One for Victor’s soul bond and one for mine. The ring will offer you protection as well as help to increase your talents. It is said part of the essence of the wearer is trapped within the ring. If you ever need help call on my mother.”

“Cal, I can’t take this, it’s a link to your mother.”

“It is and now all three of us are linked. If I haven’t said it yet, I am so glad to have you as my soul bond, as my mate.”

She couldn’t control the smile on her face or the way her heart opened a little more. A warmth flowed through her starting at the ring and covering her body.

“Cal, I am honored to be one with you and humbled that you would trust me with your mother’s ring. You amaze me constantly, thank you.”

She dabbed quickly at her eyes, there was no way she was going to cry.

He reached out and brought her hand to his lips, kissing her palm. “Paige, you will forever be in my heart.”

She wanted to reply in kind, but her throat closed. She cared, but a battle raged on inside of her, caring meant risking her heart and she wasn’t ready.

She curved her lips slightly wrinkling her nose, “Cal, I do believe I more than like you now.”

“You’re not sure?” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“I’m sure I more than like you.” She kept a smile plastered to her face as she dealt with her disappointment in the answer. She cared for him deeply. Why couldn’t she force the words out?

“Sounds like progress to me.”

The waiter came back carrying their drinks. “Are you ready to order?”

“I am. Paige, have you decided?”

“I’ll be ready by the time you’re done.”

“I would like a T-bone rare, baked potato lots of butter, as well as a side of broccoli.”

The waiter stared at her with his odd eyes. She refused to flinch under his gaze as she gave her order.

“I’d like filet mignon, medium well with a baked potato and a side of glazed carrots.”

“What type of dressing would you like on your salads?”

“Light Italian.” A pang of guilt touched her before she shook her head determined to enjoy her first date with her soul bond.

“Ranch.”

The waiter left assuring them their food would be ready soon.

“Do you come here a lot?”

“Not really, both Selma and Victor like to cook and I find no reason to disappoint them by not showing up to eat their food.”

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say you don’t like to cook.”

“Nope, sorry. But I do make a mean spaghetti as well as cereal. My cereal is the best you ever tasted. I use several different brands with just the right amount of milk. People come far and wide for a bowl of it.”

Paige choked as her ginger ale went down the wrong pipe.

“Do you need the Heimlich?”

She shook her head no vigorously as she continued to half choke, laugh and breathe at the same time.

“I’m good,” her breathing was coming in shallow breaths as her face turned beet red.

“I’d take a picture of you right now, but I have a feeling I’d be sleeping on the couch.”

Her lips jerked upward as she began to breathe normally. “I knew you were smart.”

He chuckled. “What’s your favorite food?”

“Chocolate chip cookies.”

“That’s a snack.”

“It’s a snack you can eat, so its food.” She jutted her chin and crossed her arms.

“Uh huh, what is your favorite meal?” he tried again.

The light in her eyes dimmed, “Turkey, stuffing, and gravy.”

“Did you have it for Thanksgiving?”

Her eyes lowered and she slid her gaze to the left as she shook her head no, hoping he wouldn’t pursue the topic. The memory of the pasta she ate came back to haunt her. It was the perfect representation of where she was in her life on Thanksgiving. You were pitiful. Not anymore she assured herself, now she was allowing her strong inner core to come out and she like her new self.

“Dinner’s coming.”

She looked up to see the waiter headed their way with bowls of salad and a basket of bread. Her stomach growled as the waiter set the food down.

“Just in time,” he gave her a half smile before walking away.

“He’s not a vicious, mean animal, is he?”

“Quite the contrary, he’s a nice male. I am happy to call him friend.”

“Snap judgements, they’re easy to make when you’re looking at someone so different from you.”

“Could this be related to how you judged me in the ally?” he asked her with a teasing voice.

“What should I have done for future reference?”