EPILOGUE
Thor and I sat on the terrace of the stone building outside our sleeping quarters and watched the bustle of activity in the village. It had been a week since the Dynatec attack and there had been lots of changes, some painful, others exciting.
A hard knot formed in my chest when I thought of Poe, the gentle giant who had been killed in the fight, along with four other Buri. I’d never lost anyone I considered a friend before, so this grief was new for me. And it was only a fraction of what Thor was still going through. Not only had he lost his home and family, now he felt responsible for the tribe members we’d lost. How could I let him leave with me after that?
But there were things we needed to get worked out, urgent questions that needed answers. Dr. Daniels was preparing to leave, and as far as Alien Affairs was concerned, my job here was done. Yet Thor refused to talk about it. Whenever I tried he got a stubborn look and walked away. And to make matters worse, the boss was doing the same thing. I couldn’t get a straight answer from either of the males in my life and it was making me slightly crazy.
I’d learned a lot from the Limantti in the moment we’d joined, things I’d never dreamed she could show me. Like exactly how the mind bond worked. I could now wall off my thoughts from Thor at will while still maintaining contact, which was a relief. Even when you feel as close to someone as I felt to Thor, you don’t want them privy to all your innermost thoughts.
I also knew how to slice through his mental shields like a hot knife through butter without him suspecting a thing. But privacy is a two-way street, and I wouldn’t do that to him any more than I’d want him doing it to me.
She’d taught me one final thing, something I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. She showed me how to sever the mate bond without hurting either Thor or myself.
I glanced at him just in time to see Rayda, a scarlet-feathered dragon bird, land on his shoulder and then squawk warnings at two others who tried to follow suit. Thor belonged to her, and she was making damn sure the others knew it. Emitting meek little cheeps, they darted off to find other, unowned Buri.
Gem, my own guy, was striding up and down the length of Crigo’s back, chittering to the cat in dragon birdese. Whatever he was saying looked pretty intense, and I smiled in spite of my mood. Gem seemed to be laboring under the impression that he’d single-handedly saved me from Dorn, and now had the right to rule me and everything attached to me, including Crigo. The cat wasn’t happy about it, but he knew I’d frown on his making a meal of the dragon bird, so he sighed and put up with the indignity.
We weren’t the only ones with dragon bird issues, either. Even as we watched, a young Buri female with Ghost’s silvery hair and eyes stopped in front of a ruined adobe building, looking confused as four of the small creatures vied for roosting space on her shoulders. They had apparently decided en masse that if Gem could own me, then they deserved their very own people too, which was how Thor had ended up with Rayda. As for the young female, turned out she was Ghost’s cousin.
It had been a hectic week for all of us. We’d returned to the village after the attack to find Claudia and Redfield holding the remaining fifteen crew members prisoner. Nearly all the surviving Buri were injured in some manner, a few seriously. I’d moved from one to the other, healing them with the Limantti’s help.
The village didn’t fare as well. Only three of the adobe houses were intact, along with the stone building, which the Limantti assured me she had protected during the battle. The communal kitchen was damaged but still useable. And it was a good thing. With the prisoners locked in one of the remaining adobe huts, we needed all the space we could get. But being crammed into our few remaining buildings was fine.
To my surprise, Federation Troops weren’t the only ones who arrived two days later. Dr. Daniels showed up at the same time in his own ship, shouting orders and taking charge of the soldiers. And he’d brought supply ships carrying large quantities of food and Quonset huts. How he managed to get that organized, that fast, I’ll never understand.
The prisoners were rounded up and sent off on one the Federation ships, along with the pirates and the remains of Dorn and Frisk. Although there wasn’t much of Frisk left after Crigo finished with him.
The second the first Quonset hut unfolded, Auntie Em marched inside and punched in the combination for Panga ale on the food unit, but Junior and Elder went straight for the amberberries with chocolate sauce.
As soon as things were under control to Dr. Daniels’s satisfaction, he dragged Thor off for a long talk. Seems Max had completed a language program and the boss now spoke fluent Buri. Claudia and I immediately took advantage of the program. One of my biggest problems after that was keeping her pried off Ghost until we could have the mating ceremony, which had of necessity been delayed.
By the time Thor and the boss emerged from their conference, the Buri were the newest members of the Galactic Federation. A little dazed by the boss’s zeal, Thor had even agreed to awaken the rest of his people.
Upon hearing the news, I spent the next eight hours feverishly studying Max’s medical files with Redfield’s assistance. When I was done, I knew everything it was possible to know about the hypothalamus. I then went from female to female, including the ones still in deep sleep, permanently restoring the gland to full functionality.
When I got to Auntie Em, she glared and informed me that if I touched her, she’d break my fingers. All the Buri thought that was quite humorous.
The silver Quonset huts were now scattered through the jungle from the bluff to the plains. They would gradually be replaced as the Buri built their own homes, but for now they worked very nicely.
Even Redfield and Brownie had settled their differences. Since Redfield had killed a crew member who was intent on burning a large hole through Brownie’s forehead, the Buri considered all debts paid in full. Now Redfield was scheduled to return to Alien Affairs with Dr. Daniels for retraining and reassignment.
I glanced at Thor again. He was watching something over my shoulder, but I didn’t turn to look. “We have to talk.”
His chin got that stubborn slant I was becoming all too well acquainted with, but he didn’t speak.
“Talk about what?” Dr. Daniels’s voice came from behind me, and I swiveled to see him better.
“The future.”
“Ah.” He smiled and gestured to one of the cushions. “In that case, may I join you? I believe I have a stake in the outcome of this discussion.”
“Of course.” I poured him a glass of wine while he got comfortable. “I’m just trying to make Thor understand that I can’t stay.”
“I see.” He smoothed a wrinkle in his suit pants and then reached for his drink, sipping thoughtfully. “Do you want to stay?”
While I hesitated, Thor answered for me. “Yes, she wants to stay. This I feel through the bond. She is Shushanna. My people have become her people. She cares about them. But there is part of her that wants to go, also. This part I do not understand.”
The boss arched a brow at me. “Why don’t you explain the part that wants to go? I’d like to understand too.”
Sometimes being connected to Thor even minimally through the bond sucked. I rubbed my forehead to give myself a minute. “It’s not that I want to go, because I don’t. I don’t want to leave Thor or the Buri. But, there’s my indenture. I’m legally and morally obliged to pay it off, and I don’t have the credits.”
Dr. Daniels turned his questioning look on Thor. “May I?”
Thor nodded as I looked from one to the other. “What’s going on?”
“Your indenture is taken care of, my dear. The Buri paid it off three days ago.”
My mouth dropped open and I reeled with shock. “What? How could they pay it off when they have no credits?”
“They have something better than credits. They have Orpheus crystals. The Bureau was quite happy to accept an amount equivalent to the remainder of your indenture. I would have mentioned it sooner, but Thor wanted it to be a surprise. Actually, I believe his intent was to give you the freedom of choice.”
Was that your intent? I asked him.
Yes. He stared at me, his features schooled into a mask. If you stay it must be because you fully want to be here, with me. And if you go, I’ll know you were not forced to leave.
Dr. Daniels was watching us, and he gave a slight nod, almost as though he knew what had been said. For a Natural, the man could be downright spooky. “Now that your indenture is off the table, why don’t you tell us what the real problem is?”
“Okay, I will.” I slugged down the rest of my wine and straightened my back. “Gertz created me the way I am and I accept that, accept myself. But part of that is accepting that I was created to do a job, a job I’ve done my entire life. If I’m not an agent anymore, what will I do? In spite of what Thor thinks, the Buri would survive just fine without me. I’ve fixed the females so they’ll reproduce normally. Eventually, another Shushanna will be born. The truth is, they don’t need me. If I stay here, I’ll spend the rest of my life twiddling my thumbs and being useless.”
Thor started to speak, but Dr. Daniels stopped him with a raised hand. “You’re afraid you’ll be bored.”
I nodded. “Out of my skull.” I’m sorry, I told Thor. I love you, but I need something to do. It’s not in my nature to just stand around looking gorgeous. I’d be a gibbering idiot before the month was over.
“Weren’t you bored with being an agent, too?” The boss continued.
“Well, yes. But at least I had something to do, something to keep me busy and feeling like I was making a difference.”
He swirled the wine gently in his glass. “So if you were offered a challenging job that kept you on Orpheus Two, you’d be interested?”
Excitement mixed with hope began a slow trek up my insides to tighten my throat, but I kept my voice level when I answered. This was exactly what I’d wanted to talk him about when he was avoiding me. Now he was offering the chance I’d only dreamed of.
I sat up straighter. If there’s one thing I know it’s how to negotiate a deal to my advantage. “I might. Did you have something specific in mind?”
My calm tone didn’t fool the boss for a second, though. A smile lifted the corners of his lips as he answered. “As a matter of fact, I do. I’ve asked that you be appointed director of Orpheus Two. The Buri are going to need a lot of help to become productive members of the Federation, not to mention protection from unscrupulous people who’d love nothing more than to take advantage of them. There are also trade negotiations, and the crystals are going to be a large part of that, which will complicate matters enormously.”
His gaze met mine as he continued. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified for the job than you, my dear. And the truth is, I’ve been selfish. You should have been promoted several cycles ago and your indenture commuted. I knew you were becoming bored with the job, but you were the best agent we’ve ever had and I didn’t want to lose you, so I kept putting it off.”
“I’m getting a promotion?” I was so dazed at the idea I could barely blink. To think, I’d actually been hoping for a job as the new director’s assistant. “I didn’t know I was qualified to be a director.”
“All of our best directors were once agents,” he told me.
“Since it’s the same duties on a larger scale, being an agent is the perfect training ground for the job. Shall I assume you’re interested?”
I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head. “Does the job include a raise?”
Thor looked downright smug, waves of love and satisfaction rolling off him, and the boss was smiling again. “A substantial one.”
“And of course, I’d need a ship so Thor and I can attend the Federation council meetings.”
“Of course. You’ll be happy to know that Max has volunteered to stay with you.”
“Excellent.” By now I could hardly breathe, I was so excited. Ideas and plans for the Buri’s future filled my head. Abruptly, I thought of Claudia. I had promised her a job, after all, and I’m a woman of my word.
“I’ll need a staff, too,” I happily informed the boss.
This time it was the Dr. Daniels who narrowed his eyes.
“You’re allowed three paid employees, based on the Buri population.”
I cut my eyes at him. “And a new office building paid for by the Federation.”
He scowled. “Fine, and a new office. Hasn’t even accepted the job yet and already she’s a politician,” he grumbled.
With an exuberant whoop, I leaped on him and hugged him hard. “I accept. Thank you. Oh, wow, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Oh, I think I’ve got the idea,” he choked, untangling my arms from around his neck. “If you have to strangle someone, strangle your mate. He’s younger, and can withstand your enthusiasm.”
But he was smiling when he said it. “Now tell Redfield good-bye so we can be on our way.”
Thor stood when I turned to the GEP, who had just arrived. Impulsively, I leaped to my feet and hugged Redfield, too. “Thomas, I’m going to miss you. If I had a brother, I’d want him to be just like you. Promise me that after your retraining you’ll come back and visit us.”
He returned the embrace, his voice husky when he answered. “I’ll miss you too. And a herd of wild gergians couldn’t keep me away. If the boss ever gives me any time off, I’ll be heading your way.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Dr. Daniels said as I released Redfield and moved to stand by Thor. He draped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close as we watched the men walk away. At the edge of the jungle, they both turned and lifted a hand in farewell.
I waved vigorously and called “Good-bye, Dr. Daniels, good-bye, Thomas!”
“Happy?” Thor asked me.
“Ecstatic,” I answered. “I get to stay here with you, and keep working.”
He gazed down at me, a smile curving his lips. “Did I not tell you there would be a new purpose for you?”
“Yes, you did. You’re a wise man, mate of mine.”
“Like the Yoda?”
“Exactly like the Yoda. Only you’re taller and better-looking.”
Suddenly he got serious. “Would you really have left me and our people?”
A smug feeling went through me. “Guess I finally got one over on you, huh? I thought for sure you’d notice how well I was shielding my thoughts.”
His brows snapped together as he gave me his best “I-am-the-leader-you-will-respond” stare.
“No,” I told him quietly, letting all my love for him pour through the bond. “I never intended to leave you. If you’d talked to me when I wanted you to instead of avoiding me, you’d have known that I only wanted to discuss ways to make this work.”
His emerging smile was brighter than Orpheus’s star. “I love you, mate.”
“Like I said, you’re a very wise man.” I reached out and took his hand. “Shall we?”
Together, we turned toward our home, where a large tapestry of an Ashwani Feastday now hung on the wall in the great room. Our people were waiting, and we had a mating ceremony to prepare for.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
No man is an island, and no author completes a novel alone. With that in mind, I’d like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the following:
Laura Bradford, for her belief in my writing and for all her hard work getting it into the right hands.
Emily Krump, an editor with the patience of Job, who helped me make this novel the best it could be.
The wonderful art and marketing departments at HarperCollins, for creating not one but two gorgeous covers so readers could pick their favorite.
http://hubblesite.org/ whose amazing pictures of Messier 64, otherwise known as the Black Eye Galaxy, inspired parts of this novel.
Wikipedia, for providing information on everything from quartz to the female reproductive system.
And my family, for putting up with me when I was in the zone.