Chapter Two
Mallory Cahill had never been known for her generosity. When it came to getting the story, she’d use every card at her disposal, including deception.
She glanced at Vaulcron’s giant form, planted in his seat as if he feared he’d be ejected at any moment.
Anger surfaced at the treatment he’d received from the pilot. No matter what she’d be able to prove from her interview with Vaulcron, Mallory knew his presence would never be accepted in society.
Her gaze traveled over his muscular thighs, encased in a pair of shorts that appeared to be made of sharkskin. His legs were devoid of hair, as was his massive chest.
Mallory had never encountered a male more beautiful than the Bracadyte prince. His sheer size was enough to intimidate any man, but his eyes could melt the panties right off the entire female species. Yeah, he was incredibly sexy.
She shook off her lustful thoughts and glanced at her watch. They had a two-hour flight ahead of them to the small Destin airport, and Mallory intended to make use of every minute she had with the prince.
“Once we arrive, you’ll go to my place while I set up the interview. Most roads are blocked off, and military presence is heavy along the beach. We’ll have to be extra careful not to be seen.”
“Is your city not under quarantine?”
“Parts of it, yes. But businesses are still open, so we are allowed to come and go, as long as we stay within the county.”
“But you left the county,” Vaulcron pointed out.
Mallory nodded. “By private plane. Don’t worry; you won’t be stuck in the States. I’ll arrange for your safe passage back to Cuba as soon as possible.”
Vaulcron pinned her with a curious stare. “I am to sleep in your dwelling?”
Mallory’s heartbeat kicked up a notch at his naïve, yet hopeful tone.
“Well, not in my bed, of course. I have a spare room that you can bunk in for the night.”
Embarrassment shone in his emerald-green eyes. “I did not mean to sound presumptuous. I only thought…”
“You thought what?” Mallory prompted, a small smile playing on her lips.
“It does not matter. The spare room will be fine.”
For some reason, it frustrated Mallory that he didn’t elaborate. “I’ll order us some sushi for dinner. Have you ever seen Man from Atlantis?”
An adorable indention appeared between his eyes. “I do not understand.”
“It’s an old television show. I think you’ll like it. I have all the seasons on DVD.”
“I am not sure what a DVD is, but I thoroughly enjoy television. We do not have your human luxuries in Aukrabah.”
“Tell me about your home,” Mallory implored him. “I would love to see it sometime.”
A look of pride settled on his face. “It lies at the bottom of the gulf, hidden behind the falling water. It—”
“Wait,” she interrupted, holding up a hand. “Falling water?”
Vaulcron’s eyes crinkled with mirth. “Humans refer to them as waterfalls. Or so I have read.”
It took everything Mallory had to rein in the reporter inside her and listen patiently. “Go on.”
“There are miles and miles of caverns in Aukrabah. The air is crisp, the water warm and fresh. It keeps us safe from those who wish us harm.”
A muscle ticked along his jaw. “Or it once did. Before the human military attacked. I do not know if Aukrabah still stands, or if it has been destroyed.”
Mallory let that soak in. “The Navy has found your home?”
Vaulcron shook his head. “They found Anthony Vaughn’s boat, along with Doctor Sutherland attempting to return to the surface, approximately a mile from the entrance to Aukrabah. They dropped explosive devices around the area, causing severe damage to the walls surrounding the entrance.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“A few, but most made it out in time. I do not know if the military continued their assault after we fled to Cuba.”
Mallory had a hell of a story, and she knew it. This gorgeous Bracadyte prince had practically been dropped in her lap. He had no idea that he was the break she’d been waiting on for the past ten years.
“Sounds to me like they are bombing that area in hopes of flushing your people out. If no bodies surfaced, they will likely move on.”
“I hope you are right, Mallory. Many families left behind all that they owned when we fled. It would be wonderful if they could return soon to find their possessions are still there.”
Guilt settled in Mallory’s gut. She shifted her gaze to her hands, unable to look into his eyes another second.
Mallory’s father had always told her to never get close to a subject. Treat it as a means to an end. But her father had never met Vaulcron, with his innocent heart and guileless eyes.
“Will you excuse me for a minute? I need to have a word with the pilot.” Mallory unsnapped her seatbelt and jumped to her feet before he could respond.
Stumbling down the narrow isle to the front of the plane, she took a seat behind the pilot and tapped him on the shoulder.
He removed his headset and glanced to the right, presenting her with his ear.
She pulled another wad of cash from her skirt pocket and leaned over him, sliding the folded bills into the pocket of his shirt. “We were never here.”
The pilot glanced down at the bribe. “How much is it?”
“Another five thousand,” Mallory assured him, holding her breath as she waited for his response.
“You were never here,” he confirmed, replacing his headset as if the brief exchange had never happened.
Mallory squeezed his arm in thanks before returning to her seat.
She plucked her notepad from her purse and snagged a pen. “We have another hour and a half before we reach Destin. Would you mind answering a few questions for me in the meantime? It’ll help me out a lot for the upcoming interview.”
“I will do whatever you want me to do. I rather enjoy hearing you speak.”
Another round of dreaded guilt tightened her gut. She quickly shook it off. “Let’s start with your history. Where you came from, where you’ve been. Your abilities, what you eat…that sort of thing.”
Mallory listened attentively as Vaulcron filled her in on everything from the Bracadytes’ favorite food, to their need for blood. He explained their barbs, gills, and their telepathic ability.
Fear replaced Mallory’s euphoria. “You can read my thoughts?”
Vaulcron laughed. “As much as I would love to say yes…the answer is no.”
Relief poured through her. “So, you can only read the thoughts of other Bracadytes?”
The plane hit turbulence before Vaulcron could answer. His face turned white, and he gripped the back of the seat in front of him with enough force Mallory thought she heard the material rip.
“It’s okay,” she assured him, resting her hand on his incredibly muscular thigh. “It’s only turbulence.”
“I will be swimming back to Cuba upon my return. No more planes for me.”
Mallory’s lips twitched. “You can swim that far?”
He glanced at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Cuba is not far.”
“It is for someone that doesn’t have gills.”
“I did not think of that.”
Mallory decided to give him a break from her questioning. The guy had enough on his mind without being harassed on the plane. There would be plenty of time to question him later, once she fed him and got some wine down that masculine throat of his.