Turbulence (6 page)

“But you can’t see me?”

“No.”

“Hmm.” He stroked the hair on his chin, his movements slow
due to his impairment. “Is that common?”

“Not at all. It’s never happened before, except with myself.
I can’t see my future.” She tried numerous times but never saw a thing.

“That is strange. What do you usually see?”

Avalon raised her shoulders in a shrug. “Different things. I
can’t control what I see, so at times it’s really personal and other times it’s
not. It can be circumstances in the near future or years away. I’ve learned to
control it for the most part. I keep up a mental shield to keep from getting
sucked into random visions.”

“It was down just now?” He placed his hand on top of hers on
her thigh.

“Yes, sir.” She swallowed deeply.

Greyson slowly slid across the bed, closing the distance she
put between them. His soft brown eyes were just that…soft. And filled with
something she couldn’t recognize.

“Why was the shield down, Avalon?” He gripped her face in
his hands. Though his hands were big and held her snug, he was gentle.

Her heart was beating so fast in her chest that she was sure
it would rip out and fly away. His face lowered to hers. He was going to kiss
her. Avalon couldn’t believe that she wanted him to.

“Are you going to answer me, Lonnie Girl?”

She’d never kissed anyone before. Avalon was saving it for a
special guy, saving herself for her future bonded mate. A man who would cherish
her. That wasn’t Greyson.

“I’m not a whore,” she blurted.

Greyson released her like she had a contagious disease. He
sat back and closed his eyes. “I know you’re not, Avalon. I know.”

Even though she wanted to feel Greyson’s lips on hers, her
conscience wouldn’t let her do it. Earlier that day he’d been with Jalena. She
did not want to be one of many.

“I think I should leave,” she said softly.

He put his head in his hands again, just the way she found
him when she walked in. “I… Yeah. Just go. I’m drunk and in a bad mood. Leaving
would be best. Save yourself.”

Avalon gathered up the cold remains of the tea, leaving the
beer cans to be cleaned up tomorrow. Before she could shut the door behind her,
she heard him ask, “Will you come back tomorrow? Have breakfast with me?”

She left without answering him because she didn’t know what
to do. She felt so conflicted and knew it would only get worse with the more
time she spent around Greyson.

----

“There is no need for you to be alarmed.”

Greyson rubbed his forehead, the action doing nothing to
alleviate the constant headache he carried around for the past week. Greyson
could not begin to count the number of times he had this same conversation with
various people. As soon as the news of Davie’s murder hit, panic erupted. He
tried his best to calm everyone down, but there was only so much he could do.

“We’re being targeted.” The male sitting in the chair in
front of Greyson’s desk puffed himself up.

“There is no evidence of that.”

“Davie was murdered.”

“I know,” he said. “It was unfortunate and the entire
community is grieving. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that anyone is
targeting us. Davie’s death was the senseless act of some sick individual.”

He and Dex enacted new rules for the colony such as curfews
and not going into town alone. Ross had the sentries working longer hours and
extended the boundaries of where they patrolled. Greyson was even thinking of
putting up wrought iron fences and a gate that monitored entry and exit.

The male pursed his lips, unhappy with Greyson’s answer.
“I’m not sure this is the place for us. Too many things are happening:
abductions, murders. We were safer on our own.”

It hurt to hear that. Unfortunately, he heard it a lot as of
late. It was hard to take when Greyson had done all that he could to prevent
people from feeling that way. However, it was exactly what had gone through his
mind as well as he watched Davie’s body burn on the pyre and listened to
Davie’s mate and daughter’s tearful words during the memorial service.

Then he thought of Avalon’s story, how she’d been living in
homeless shelters, barely surviving before this and he knew the colony was the
best place for his people to be. Maybe not all, but some still needed this
refuge, this community.

He folded his hands atop the desk. “I’m sorry to hear you
say that. Naturally, I deem the colony as the best place for you, but if you
think otherwise, then there is nothing I can say to stop you from leaving. If
you choose to leave, we’ll do our best to find suitable housing for you.”

“Then you should probably get on that. Good day, sir.” The
man got up and left.

Greyson leaned back in the chair, rested his eyes. He wanted
a drink bad but had forgotten to replace the stash of liquor in his desk after
he drank the last of it this morning.

This past week was rough on everyone. They were all wound
tight and ready to break at any second. It was his duty to guarantee they
didn’t.

An image of Avalon rose up in his mind. He thought about her
a lot lately. Though they continued to eat breakfast together, they did so in
the kitchen. Greyson didn’t trust himself to be around her in private. Not that
he had much time to be around her recently with everything going on.

He liked her. He’d be damned if he knew how that happened.
She wasn’t his type. Yet something about her called to him. Avalon was a
stunning woman with a kind, innocent spirit. She was graceful and elegant. He
wanted to stare at her all day long.

Since she’d been eating more regularly, in just a short
period of time her face had filled out some and gave her a healthy glow. Her
breasts even looked fuller beneath the dresses she wore. And those eyes. When
he was around her, they flared violet, warming the cold air within him. She
couldn’t deny she was attracted to him as well. The emotions within her usually
blue eyes gave her away.

Greyson couldn’t act on the attraction like he did with
other women. Avalon deserved better than sex. Excellent sex, but sex
nonetheless. She deserved a mate who loved her. Greyson couldn’t give that to
her. It wasn’t within him to give. He had to keep her at a distance for her own
sake.

The phone on the desk rang. Who was it now? The thing was
constantly ringing. He sighed, opened his eyes and answered.

“Yeah?”

“We need to talk. Car’s waiting outside to take you to the airport.”
Click
.

Jay Copeland. He was the head of the extraterrestrial and
paranormal sector of Homeland Security. Greyson didn’t usually have to deal
with the guy. So something must have happened, something serious for Greyson to
have to travel just to speak to him. It had to be more than Davie Riddick’s
murder since they would not care about something as “trivial” as one man’s
death.

Dex’s dark head poked into the room. “Did you just get a
call?”

“Yep. Better kiss your mate goodbye. No telling when we’ll be
back.” He smirked. Dex and Lily whined whenever they had to be apart. You would
think they shared a brain at times.

“They tell you why they need to speak with us?” Dex asked.

“Don’t know anything.”

“Huh.” Dex worked his jaw around. “Guess you are as clueless
as you look.”

“That’s not what Lily said last night,” Greyson quipped.

“As if Lily would give you a chance. Her standards are
higher than that.”

“Can’t be too high if she’s with you, Dexter.”

Dex snorted. “Whatever. I’ll see you in a few.” He shut the
door.

Not too long ago he and Dex were constantly at each other’s
necks. They had a rivalry that began when they were youths. Since they moved to
Nebraska, Dex got bonded, and work around the colony kept them busy, they
didn’t have time to hate each other. What a bummer.

Greyson picked up the phone again and dialed.

“Hello?” The soft, pleasant voice on the other end made him
smile.

“Avalon? Where are you?”

“In the laundry room, sir.”

“Stop what you’re doing. I need a bag packed. A couple days’
worth of things.” He didn’t suspect he’d be gone any longer than that.

“Right away, sir.”

He could have packed his own bag. It would have taken him
only a few minutes. But there was a feeling he couldn’t recognize that he
received in knowing Avalon was taking care of him. Nobody else made him feel
that way.

After completing a few last minute tasks, Greyson locked up
the office and went to the living room. Lily was lying on the couch. Her
usually tanned skin was ashen. Guess she was sick again.

“You okay, Lily?”

She flicked her wrist to dismiss his concern. “I’m fine.
Just a little bug. Nothing a little soup and orange juice won’t cure.”

He wouldn’t know whether she was telling the truth or not.
Humans were so fragile, their immune systems so weak. Jhetans could not contract
human viruses and diseases and he was glad of it. He glanced around. Avalon
hadn’t made it down yet.

“Do you mind doing me a favor, Lily?”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Depends. What is it?”

“Keep an eye on Avalon. Make sure she takes care of herself.
She tends to get so busy that she forgets to eat.”

“That happens to me too. Yeah, I’ll keep an eye out.”
Suspicion still flooded through her gaze. “Why do you care?”

“I care about everybody,” Greyson answered.

“Ha! Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you.”

He rolled his eyes. Lily wasn’t that sick if she was getting
in his business. He was saved from having to defend himself when both Dex and
Avalon walked in. Dex went over to his mate, kneeled down before the couch to
kiss her.

Avalon held out his bag for him to take. “I hope I didn’t
forget anything.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.”

Then they just stood there, staring at each other. Avalon eventually
lowered her eyes in a cute, flirtatious way that tugged at a tender part within
him. He stepped closer. He might have caressed her cheek or hugged her if they
were alone. But they weren’t and he was glad for it.

“I shouldn’t be gone long,” he said.

She nodded. “That’s good.”

“Eat. I have moles planted to watch you.”

That made her smile. It was a beautiful smile. Sweet and
shy. “Aren’t you going to be late for wherever you’re going?”

“Probably. They can suck it for all I care.” She gasped and
Greyson realized that his crassness was not winning her over at all and more
than likely offended her. “Sorry. Um, yeah, you’re right. I should go.”

“Have a safe trip.”

“Yeah, thanks.” He pivoted away, but her voice stopped him.

“Greyson?”

“Yeah?” He turned back around.

Avalon wrung her hands together and shifted uncomfortably.
“Well, uh, I was wondering whether you’d call me. You know, if you want. You
don’t have to. I—”

“Absolutely.”

Her eyes transformed from blue to violet. “Really?”

“Yes. I will call you.” He reached out and quickly caressed
her soft, pale cheek like he wanted to do before. “I better go, Lonnie Girl.”

If Greyson didn’t leave now, he didn’t think he ever would.
Just seeing her eyes flare with excitement because he promised to call her was
enough to make him want to kiss her in front of Dex and Lily.

Yeah. He had better leave. Avalon was making him feel things
he’d rather not.  When he got back the first person he planned to see was
Jalena.

Chapter 6

Avalon shut the door behind the guys. She felt giddy. She
watched girls walk around with goofy grins on their faces, not understanding
what caused them. Now she was one of them. All because Greyson was going to
call her.

 She was not disillusioned by any stretch of the
imagination. A phone call from Greyson meant nothing. He didn’t believe in
love, relationships, or blood bonding. All of which Avalon did, and longed for
someday.

She wouldn’t be another conquest on his list of women. But
it was nice to feel what she heard others talking about, what she read about in
her books. On Jheta, she had a few suitors, but none that piqued her interests
or lasted very long.

She wondered how Dex and Lily’s courtship was. She bet it
was intense. They made no secret of their love now. Just a short time ago when
she was heading to pack up Greyson’s belongings Dex had stopped her in the
hall. Even though he was Lily’s mate, Avalon couldn’t help but notice how
incredibly attractive he was with his dark, movie-star good looks.

“Avalon, can I speak to you for a minute?” he asked.

“Sure. What can I do for you?”

Dex grimaced. “I’m being called out of town. I’m worried
about Lily. She’s been sick lately and I don’t feel comfortable leaving her
alone. Humans are so delicate. A simple illness can turn deadly. I don’t want
that for her. I—”

“You love her.”

He nodded. “Yes, Avalon. I do. Very much. Do you mind
staying with her while I’m gone? I’ll pay you extra.”

“No need. I would do it even if you had not asked.” She’d
noticed Lily getting more fatigued and rushing off to the bathroom frequently.
It made Avalon worried too.

“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

Before she even realized what was happening, Dex kissed her
cheek. It was quick, but it caused her face to burn like fire.

Getting back to the present, Avalon walked across the living
room. She had laundry to fold, but it could wait. It would take her no time to
do it later. She pointed to the chair. “Mind if I sit here?”

“Not at all. Sit here on the couch.” Lily moved her feet
back, making a portion of the couch free for Avalon.

“Thank you. How are you feeling?”

“Good. Better.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Everything’s fine over here.” She gestured to herself,
but there was something guarded in her eyes. A secret she could not quite hide.
“Want to watch TV? I have
Worst Cooks in America
on DVR.”

Avalon had no clue what that was, but she agreed. It turned
out to be a show where bad cooks competed against each other while burning
things and using wrong ingredients unintentionally. Avalon learned tips and
recipes from the professional chefs who served as team leaders that she planned
to use when she cooked dinner.

“I like this show.”

“Yeah, me too,” Lily said. “It makes me want to bake.”

“You bake?”

“Don’t look so surprised. I did it all before you came
along. Baking was something my twin sister and I loved to do, especially Shay.
Cookies were her thing.” A sad, resigned smile stretched her lips.

“Where is she?” There were a few photos around the house of
Lily with her sister, but she did not talk about her and Avalon never asked,
though she wondered why the young woman never came around. Was it because she
was human?

Lily shrugged. “I don’t know where she is. She took off a
year ago when the Jhetans were living in Nevada. My parents are on my case,
convinced I’m hiding something for Shay.”

“Are you?” Avalon posed.

“You don’t know, do you?”

Avalon shook her head back and forth. She was not one to
listen to gossip or to believe hearsay. However, after she heard the story Lily
relayed about the evil of Department X and her sister’s abduction, Avalon was
horrified. Not only at what happened to Shay but what the Jhetans had to go
through.

Lily fast-forwarded through the commercials on the
television. “Now you see why I can’t tell my parents anything? They can’t know
that. And I have hope that Shay will come home.”

Avalon wasn’t quite sure what she should say. She thought
her life before this was rocky. They all had a tough go at it.

They continued to watch the reality show, but she couldn’t
quite let go of the feeling that Lily was hiding something more than worry for
her sister. The look in her eyes earlier wasn’t easy to forget.

Avalon didn’t like using her ability in an underhanded,
selfish fashion. Yet she could not stop herself. She scooted over so that
Lily’s foot touched her thigh. There was no telling what she’d see or at what
time period, but it was worth a shot. If Lily was seriously ill, someone needed
to know. Maybe she could receive help in time.

Avalon released the hold she kept on her gift. It overtook
her, sucking her into a vortex. The vision appeared, fuzzy at first and then
clearer. It was a warm day, the sun bright in the sky. A blanket lay across a
green lawn. On top of the blanket was Dex and Lily. Lily looked healthy, a rosy
glow to her cheeks. She and Dex grinned at each other and then both looked down
with adoring eyes. Between them was a baby with a head full of dark hair,
wearing a white t-shirt and a diaper.

Dex started to say something. The vision shattered away
before Avalon could get more. But she got enough. She stared at Lily with wide
eyes.

“You’re with child.”

Lily sucked in a hard breath. “W-what? How do you know?”

The ramifications of her actions hit her like a ton of
bricks. She invaded Lily’s privacy and blurted out something so dear and
precious. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I-I can see glimpses into the
future and—”

“It’s all right, Avalon.” Lily reached down and patted her
hand. “It was going to come out sooner or later. It’s actually a relief that
someone besides me and the stick know.”

“The stick?”

“Yeah, it’s… Never mind.”

“That explains why you’re unwell so often.”

She made a sound of annoyance. “I don’t get morning
sickness. I get all day sickness. It’s hard keeping the pregnancy from Dex. He
knows something is up.”

“Why are you keeping it a secret? If that’s not too personal
to ask,” Avalon corrected. Bringing a baby into the world was something to
share, not hide.

“No. It’s nice having another woman to talk to. With my
friend Noris getting a job, my other friend Tess coaching the cheerleading
squad since I quit, and my sister gone, I’m sort of short on friends at the
moment.”

Avalon liked the idea of being Lily’s friend. She was short
on those as well.

Anxiety clouded Lily’s features. “I can’t tell Dex right
now. Before we got married we said we would wait two or three years before we
had children. It’s been less than a year since we tied the knot. What if he’s upset
with me and doesn’t want this child? Things are crazy around here. I can
understand if he’s not ready for that yet.”

She set out to put Lily’s mind at ease. “I don’t know Dex as
well as you do, but I know he loves you. That child is a result of your love.
You didn’t create it alone. He is going to be as thrilled as any mate would be.”

She started biting on her fingernail. “I don’t know. I’m
scared.”

“Don’t be. When I saw your future you were both very happy.”

“Really? Did you see whether I’m having a boy or a girl?”

“I did not. Forgive me.”

Lily sighed. “It’s okay. Well, I guess when Dex gets back
I’ll tell him. I’m still nervous though.” She cocked her head and stared at
Avalon. It was extremely disconcerting. Just like when Greyson did it. “You’re
really pretty.”

“Oh. Thank you.” It wasn’t often that Avalon received
compliments.

“Are you seeing anyone right now?”

Greyson didn’t count. Eating breakfast together each day
meant nothing even though they were learning a lot about each other. “Not
really. No.”

Lily tapped her chin. A gleam entered her stormy gray eyes.
“I have the perfect guy for you.”

Avalon waved both hands in front of her. She wasn’t
interested in being set up with anyone. Dating was the least of her concerns.
“Thank you, but no thank you.”

“Oh come on, Avalon. The guy I’m thinking of is amazing.
He’s sexy and smart and kind. You would love him.”

Avalon shook her head until she felt dizzy. The guy sounded
great, but she wasn’t ready to dive into the dating pool.

Lily clasped her hands together and pouted. She was good at
it because it was softening Avalon’s resolve. “Please. Please. Please.”

“All right. Fine. What’s his name?”

“Yes! You won’t regret it. He’s my friend actually. His name
is Ross.”

“The sentry?”

“Yeah. Do you know him?” Lily asked.

“Not really. We met briefly, but it was nighttime so I
didn’t get a good look at him.” If she knew she’d have to go out with him, she
would have tried to get a better glimpse of him.

“Trust me, girl. When you do, you won’t be disappointed. I’m
so excited. He needs a nice woman like you. How does tonight sound for a date? 
I can make a reservation for you at a nice restaurant.”

“That’s so soon.” It made her stomach somersault.

“You might be right. We’ll work on the exact date. You have
to do a little shopping in my closet first anyway. Your wardrobe could use a
little diversification.”

Avalon looked down at the loose mint green dress that draped
over her body. She couldn’t help but feel slighted. Her wardrobe looked fine to
her. “What’s wrong with my wardrobe?”

Remorse reflected on Lily’s face. “It’s nice. It really is.
I love your dresses. But that’s all I ever see. You wear no jeans or cute tops.
I’m sure you have an amazing body under there somewhere.”

Avalon didn’t particularly like what humans wore. When she
first arrived she and her grandmother had to wear what the homeless shelter
could piece together for them and it was unpleasant. Perhaps just this once she
could indulge Lily.

“Okay. Whenever you feel better we can closet shop.”

“I feel better now.” She jumped off the couch. Color was
coming back into her skin with her growing excitement. “I just really have the
urge to eat a pickle.”

----

Greyson switch from being annoyed to being pissed off. He
had been sitting in this box of a room for over an hour and he had yet to do
any talking to anyone.

After he and Dex left the farmhouse, they were swept away by
plane to a Homeland Security office. When they arrived they were searched,
scanned, patted down, and a bunch of other things Greyson felt violated over.
Then he and Dex were taken to separate rooms.

Greyson kicked the chair across the table from him. Petty,
yeah. But he was tired of sitting in this drab gray room with nothing but a
table and a few chairs for company.

He hadn’t even been offered a glass of water. Talk about
hospitality. You would have thought he was a criminal with the way he was being
treated. Not to leave out he still had no idea why he was even here. As far as Greyson
was concerned, it was a waste of time.

The security personnel confiscated all of his stuff, so he
didn’t have a cell phone to call Avalon. He promised her. It bothered him that
he might not be able to keep his promise to her. Just as he was wondering what
she might have been up to, the door opened.

“It’s about damn time,” he said.

Jay Copeland walked in followed by Keith Barney. They both
sat down on the other side of the table. Barney, no problem. Copeland, on the
other hand, was a bigheaded jerk who probably took a hot shower with bleach
after coming in contact with one of them.

Greyson smiled. It wasn’t friendly. “Why in the hell am I
here?”

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” Copeland shot
back.

“My mother is dead. Dad too. Now tell me why I had to get on
a plane just to talk to you assholes. I do have responsibilities like running a
settlement for aliens, in case you forgot.”

Barney put a manila folder on the table. “We apologize for
the interruption of your duties, Mr. Kane. But a matter of serious importance
warranted your presence.”

“If it’s so important then why are Dex and I separated? Why
did it take you so long to question me? I’m not an idiot. What am I being
accused of?” He glared at the both of them. Whatever was going on, he had the
right to know.

Barney nervously adjusted his red bowtie. “Well—”

“What do you know about this?” Copeland flipped open the
folder.

Inside were black and white photographs from crime scenes.
Greyson looked through pictures of various dead bodies and destroyed houses and
buildings.

“What is this? I didn’t do any of it.”

Copeland folded his hands under his chin and inspected him,
searched for the lie. Greyson might have been insensitive at times, but that
stuff in the photos wasn’t on him.

“No one is saying you did anything, Mr. Kane. Unless you
want to confess to something, hmm? I guess not. I am asking whether you know
about any of this.”

“No. Why would I? I’m not in the business of murder and
destruction.”

“Perhaps not,” Copeland agreed. “But some of your people
might be.”

“They wouldn’t.” Like humans, there were good and bad
Jhetans out there. None that lived in the colony. Greyson wouldn’t stand for
it. He ran a respectful place with civil people. Anybody who did not comply was
kicked out with a firm shove from his boot.

“What makes you think it was Jhetans responsible for this?”
he asked.

“The methods,” Barney answered. “Unnatural methods.”

Greyson arched a brow in aggravation. “Such as?”

“You saw the photos. How else can you explain victims who
were found drowned nowhere near water or those abnormally burned with no
residue of a fuel source? Others were beaten with extraordinary force. It was
all within thirty miles of the colony. The destruction—”