CHAPTER FOUR
The travelers soon reached a large dwelling and turned onto a lane beside it. A smaller version of the dwelling sat at the back of more green lawns, with another silly fence edging the area. Lacey led the way from the vehicle to the front hatch of this building.
"Here's my aunt's guest-house," she said, ushering them inside. "Topper's on a cruise, but she keeps this place open to family friends and, erm, guests such as yourselves."
They entered a cool, yet bright room with polished floors of some dark wood, and walls of a warm russet. Padded furniture of dark green invited one to sit or sprawl and take leisure. There was, however, a cupboard along one wall opposite the sofa that was large enough to hide an enemy.
"Sit," Van said to Reva, who was looking paler than before. He prowled across the room and placed his hand on the cabinet.
'Contains tech,' his com unit informed him. 'No life forms.'
'Weapons?'
'No weapons discernible.'
Van jerked open the doors of the cupboard, sliding to one side, keeping himself between the contents of the cabinet and Reva, who had refused to sit—when had she gotten so stubborn?
Inside the cabinet rose a large, smooth black screen with a red light blinking in a lower corner. "What is this?" he demanded of Frost. "Disarm it."
"It is not dangerous," Frost informed him, holding up a small black box with many buttons. "It is a television, used to view many Earth programs, such as travel, food preparation and even fictional tales."
"I'm taking Reva into the kitchen," Lacey said. "She needs a cool drink. You guys come when you're done playing with the remote."
Van looked around. "Wait. I will go before you, and make sure the entire place is safe."
"No need," Frost said. "I scanned it upon entry. We are the only sentient beings here, except for Lacey's aunt's feline on the back step. Also, all entry points are secure. I will show you the security system before we leave."
Van's estimation of the tall male went up a notch. Van backed up a few steps, so he could see into the galley area, where Reva now sat at a small table while Lacey opened a cold storage unit. Satisfied that the women were safe, he turned back to Frost, and the fascinating, if old-fashioned device.
"From where does the holovid emanate?" he asked, peering at the screen.
"No holovid," Frost said. "In this time, such tech is only experimental. The video and audio appear on the flat screen. I will show you."
He pressed two buttons, and the flat screen flooded with color and motion. Sound flowed from speakers set into the unit.
Van stared aghast as humans dressed in strange, bright costumes jumped about a lit-up stage, shrieking with excitement while lights flashed around them, and other humans applauded.
"Why do they do this? Are they insane?" And if so, why would their behavior be offered as entertainment?
For the first time, Frost allowed himself a deep, pleasant chuckle. "I wonder that myself at times. They are playing a game. Other humans enjoy watching them attempt to win prizes."
He flicked another button, causing the screen to display a tranquil, oceanic scene with a calm voice narrating the flight of large, white birds over water. "This is a nature show. There are also many sports."
Van perked up at this. "Do they display quasi-ball?"
"No. It is not played on Earth. I miss a good quasi-ball match. We have no air-cycles here, and of course no simulated black holes for goals."
"The Flamers are set to win the championships this season," Van told him. "I had hoped to be back on base before the match."
"Perhaps you will be." Frost's gaze said if he had anything to do with it, Van and Reva would be gone tomorrow.
Van stiffened. "We are on a mission of exploration only. We mean no harm to anyone here."
"We will discuss your purpose here later. Now, it is time to eat."
With that, he turned and strode to the front hatch of the dwelling. He opened it to reveal a short, skinny youth in tight pants and tee, one hand upraised to knock, the other holding a large, insulated bag.
The boy grinned and shook his head. "Dunno how you do that, Mr Frost," he said. "But one of these days, I'm gonna get to knock before you hear me coming."
"Not in your lifetime," Frost said, and exchanged the bag for a small, folded paper. He closed the door and carried the bag into the galley. Van followed, drawn by the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat.
"Cheese-burgers," Lacey told Van and Reva. "They're a favorite of our visitors. And don't miss the fried potatoes, they're delicious with ketchup."
Van watched to see that Reva was eating before he gave into the growling of his own stomach, and unwrapped the plump bundle on his plate. He saw roasted meat, melted cheese and green veg between two hunks of brown-glazed bread. He took a bite, and then sighed with pleasure as flavors and textures burst on his tongue.
He and Reva exchanged a look of astonished pleasure, and took second, larger bites.
Lacey watched them with a pleased smile. "Like I said, everyone likes cheese-burgers. That's why I ordered extra."
The room was quiet as everyone ate.
Van liked the crisp, salty fried veg almost as much as the burgers, of which he consumed three.
Reva drank a dark, bubbly beverage from a paper cup, and the way she wrinkled her nose at the bubbles made him want to chuckle. He drank water.
But when he grinned at her, she looked away and down. He frowned. Why was she angry with him? It was hardly his fault she was here. In fact, as soon as he had more intel from the two locals, he intended to tell her so. And if she thought she'd get off easy because she was a civilian, she was in for a rude awakening.
She might have grown up on the Hamor base, but she was a civilian who'd intruded on a military mission, now she'd follow orders... or else.
* * *
Reva sipped her delicious drink and avoided Van's gaze. When he smiled, his hard face creased, his white teeth flashed and his green eyes lit with fun. Impossible to resist. Impossible—at least for her—not to do or say anything to keep him smiling that way.
Except that she was through hanging around, waiting for his smiles. She would learn to give up her foolish infatuation with him, if it was the last thing she did. And it might be, if they did not find a way home... or at least back to their quadrant of the galaxy.
They were lost.
They were lost together, but no matter the temptation, she would not lean on him, and wait for him to save them. She might not be a soldier, but she had a brain of her own. Time to use it to get home, if they could.
Panic beat at the edges of her mind, and sent her heart racing. What if they never found home again? What if they were now doomed to travel the galaxy, or simply live out their lives here—since there was apparently no organized space travel yet.
If they had come back in time... which Van didn't believe was true. He thought this was all a hoax, and she had to admit that was easier to believe than that Octiron's jump machine had somehow managed to jump space and time! That was the stuff of myth.
Except, what if it was true?
"You must have many questions for us," Lacey said, as if reading her mind.
Reva curled her trembling hands in her lap. "I don't understand how we could have traveled not only through space, but through time. How is that even possible?"
"Agreed," Van put in. "A wormhole is merely a connection through folds in space. Time has nothing to do with it, except for the time it takes matter and light to travel."
"You're both correct," Frost said. "However, Magic is a very... special place. With a pull that few other places in the universe can provide."
Reva blinked, puzzled. "So you think the pull was on this end of our jump? The jump pod didn’t malfunction?"
Van frowned. "You're not saying this place is some kind of nexus of power, surely. Those are old legends, used by lazy minds to explain natural phenomena."
Frost raised a brow. "Really? I believe I'll let my wife answer that."
Reva and Van looked to Lacey, who smiled. "Van, you are both right... and wrong. Magic, the town, contains more power than any other that we know of on Earth, but not only because of the place. Because of the inhabitants. We locals may look normal, but most of us are extra-normal."
"What are you, then?" Van asked bluntly, crossing his brawny arms and regarding the woman with clear skepticism. "How are you extra-normal? None of the Earthlings I've encountered are extra-anything."
"Me?" Lacey asked. "Why, I'm a witch."
Reva gasped, excitement surging through her. "You are? I have heard of these in holovid legends. You are real. What can you do?"
"Many things," the other woman said.
"Not here," Frost said, raising one hand, palm out. "Please."
Van snorted. "Oh, that's a fine deflection. She could do something, but she won't, because you've asked her not to."
Incensed at his rudeness, Reva kicked him under the table, and when he flinched, she glared at him.
To her astonishment, instead of frowning back at her, Van's hard face softened into a smile so lazy and sweet she nearly looked overher shoulder to see if some other woman stood behind her. His green eyes drank in her face.
He leaned forward across the corner of the table. As if they were alone, he reached one big, calloused hand to her face and brushed back a lock of hair from her cheek.
Even more strangely, his gaze fell to her mouth. Instead of letting her go, he cupped her cheek with consummate gentleness, and brushed his thumb over her lips. His hand was warm, and his touch so sweet she wanted to lean into his touch, turn her head and taste his skin.
"What?" she whispered, heat flooding her face. "Van, what is it?" Had he forgotten who she was? And that they had an audience?
"Little Reva... I've always known you were lovely," he murmured, his deep voice like rough velvet. "But now, I see it's time I stopped fighting my desire for you."
Then he kissed her. And for a few perfect moments, time stopped.
Van's mouth was so firm and yet so soft, his lips covering hers, nudging and sipping at hers as if she was delectable.
His hand slipped around the back of her neck, and urged her nearer, tipping her head slightly as he tipped his the other way. He tugged her lower lip between his, and then histongue met hers and he tasted her.
And she tasted him, fresh healthy male with traces of salt and ketchup. His scent and heat filled her senses, sending her reeling.
He groaned, a nearly inaudible rumble deep in his broad chest, and his other hand reached for her.
The table rocked, something tumbled over... and cold liquid drenched Reva's legs.
She yanked free of Van's grasp with a yelp, and shoved her chair back, away from him. Gaping at him, she brushed at the melting ice soaking into her leggings. He'd knocked her drink cup over.
Van now regarded her with slumberous gaze, his eyes heavy, cheeks flushed, and his lips damp from hers. Giving her another slow, devastating smile, he put out the tip of his tongue and swept it over his lower lip, as if still tasting her.
Reva's blush burned down over her face, her throat, and into her gaaulites. Heat streaked clear down into her panties, heat that even the ice water couldn't cool.
"Oh, dear," Lacey said regretfully. "That was quite a kiss. Too bad about spilling Reva's drink."
Van froze, then shook himself like a man waking from a deep sleep.
His eyes widened, his smile morphed into a look of horror as he stared at Reva. Then he turned on Lacey, his jaw clenched. "What was that? What the hells just happened?"
The human raised her brows at him. "Why, I'd say that was you giving into your true feelings, commander. Although, you spilled soda all over Reva, so right now, we need to get her some new things to wear. Maybe more becoming, while we're at it."
Frost sighed. "Lacey... stop meddling."
His wife ignored him. "Reva, please come with me. I'll show you your bedroom, and you can change into some dry clothing."
Reva rose and followed the small human from the room. She wanted to change her soaking wet pants... but more than that, she wanted to get away from the look of chagrin on Van's face.
She felt sick, her tasty meal like lead in her stomach. Two things were clear—he hadn't wanted to kiss her, not really. And Lacey did indeed have extra powers.
She followed the other woman, barely registering a cool, quiet room with a big bed, bureau and a comfortable chair.
"Please do not do that witchery again," Reva said. "Commander A'Ralle does not care for me, not that way." Even if, for one glorious moment, he'd made her believe he did.
"Oh, honey," Lacey said, her hand warm on Reva's forearm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean... but don't be hurt. That man doesn't know what he feels for you. Give him time, you'll be surprised."
"You don't understand," Reva said miserably. "He—he and his friends laughed at me! They said I was like a—a pet, following him, hoping for attention. And he replied that he would never give me that, or anything else."
Lacey shook her head in disgust. "Men. They are so clueless. I suppose he has some silly idea he wants another woman? Here, get those pants off."
Reva nodded, kicking off her sandals and wriggling out of her wet leggings. "Yes. She is a general's daughter, who can aid the advance of his military career. But she's..."
"A bitch?" Lacey put in dryly. "I'm familiar with the breed. And I don't mean my dogs."
Their eyes met, and they snickered together.
Then Lacey handed Reva a pair of soft pants, pink like the first blush of sunrise.
"Here, you'll love these yoga pants. So comfy, and they'll look fabulous on your long legs. Although, your, ah, camo top doesn't really go with them. Better try this one instead."
The knit pants were as soft as a mawwr, and clung to Reva's hips and legs, the wide waistband settling around her hips below her belly-button. The top was cream, of thin knit that clung to her shoulders and breasts. The hem hit her waist, leaving a band of bare skin.
"There," Lacey said, smiling at her. "Oh, honey, what I'd give to have your tall, super-model figure and face. But, we've gotta work with what we have, right?"
Reva made a polite sound of disagreement. "You are lovely. And I believe your man finds your looks most satisfactory."
"Yes, he surely does. Now, there are more clothes in the bureau, and some care products in the bathroom. You two will share a bathroom."
"Thank you, Lacey," Reva said. "All this... you are most kind to strangers who have landed in your town by accident."
Lacey gave her a last look from the doorway. "Just make sure your soldier causes no trouble here, and we'll call it even, okay?"
'Okay—a friendly agreement', Reva's com translated.
And despite Van's suspicions, she trusted this woman.
Reva nodded. "Okay."