“You want to see more of me?”

I don’t know if it’s the tea or the interplanetary teleportation, but something has got me feeling frisky.

Probably the tea.

“You’ve got me at a disadvantage, is all I’m saying,” I answer. “You undressed me. That’s hardly fair.”

Davor takes a step back, looking genuinely wounded. I’m just messing with the blue alien, but it’s nice to see he genuinely seems to care about my opinion.

“I did nothing improper,” he says. “I swear it on my planet and yours.”

I lower my gaze because I look into his brilliant blue eyes for one moment longer I might do something I regret.

Like asking him to do something mighty improper.

I fidget nervously with my tunic instead, hoping that my wanton thoughts disappear out of their own free will. Not a chance, of course. This Zoran, he looks at me like he knows me, and the strange thing is… I feel the same way about him.

This is what I wanted, isn’t it? To travel to New Exon, to see the man I’ve been dreaming about… and yet, now that I’m here, I want nothing more than to return home. It would be funny if I wasn’t so worried.

“I will even the score then,” he says decisively.

Before I can react, he strips his cloak off, and I’m in for another surprise. Not only does he show me his amazing broad chest, but he also unfurls two beautiful, feathered wings! The Zoran warrior looks like a winged god, and it takes my breath away. He stretches his arms above his head, his biceps bulging as his wings spread open wide.

“That feels good,” he sighs. “That cloak is rather restrictive.”

“You have wings,” is all I can say.

Not my smartest comment, I’ll admit.

“Indeed,” he smirks. “Very astute.”

He hooks his thumb into the waistline of his pants and I nearly spill my hot tea everywhere.

“W-wait,” I say. “You don’t actually have to, uh, strip,” I stutter.

He raises an eyebrow. “I thought that is what you wanted. It would only be fair.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. It is what what I want, but not what we should be doing right now. We should be finding a way back to Garna.

“Very well,” he shrugs. “You have Zoran blood, do you not?”

I nod.

He motions at my lower arms and tilts his head. I extend my arm towards him and pull the sleeves up. The symbols are glowing brightly, and he gently runs his fingers over them. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“The Zorashi symbols,” he muses. “They match mine.”

His symbols are also on his muscly arms, and he is correct. Our symbols match up, one by one.

“What do they mean?” I ask.

“We are connected,” he says. “We are both Chosen.”

“Chosen?”

That sounds rather definitive.

He nods thoughtfully. “We must ask the Sacred Mothers. They will know more. But as it stands, our very souls are linked to one another. I’m sure you feel it.”

I nod. The connection, the pure chemistry we have is undeniable.

“These wings… they are a manifestation of my powers, I think. Have you gone through any changes?”

“Yes,” I say, my voice nearly breaking. “I can control metal. Sort of. Sometimes.”

He nods. “It seems our connection has given us both newfound powers. It must be connected to the Rift somehow.”

I knew that vortex had something to do with it — but to be honest, it frightens the hell out of me. Who knows what could be on the other side?

As much as I enjoy Davor’s thumb brushing my skin, as much as I want to sink my nails into that broad, naked chest of his, I have to admit I’d give up all my powers just to keep my parents safe.

They are at the hands of ruthless mercenaries, and I’m wasting my time flirting.

“I must return to Garna,” I say resolutely.

“Is that where you are from?”

“Yes, and it’s under attack,” I say. “Because of me.”

“By who?”

“SINTRA,” I say. “Or mercenaries who claim to work for them anyway. I have no idea how they found me, but shortly after I dented up the Silo’s roof, they arrived.”

“Tell me what happened,” Davor says. “Start at the beginning.”

“There’s no time!” I say, my voice rising. “We’ve already wasted too much of it!”

“I can’t help you if I don’t know what is going on,” he says calmly. “I sense your distress, but please, calm down and tell me everything. It’s the only way I can help.”

“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Here it goes.”

I tell him as much as I can remember, racing through the events of the past few days as fast as I can.

“… and that’s when I was suddenly transported here,” I finish.

“Yes,” Davor says. He looks off into the distance, lost in deep thought.

I know that this isn’t really the time or the place for this, but damn he looks good. Like, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man, and more. His skin is a gorgeous shade of blue that seems to change hues ever so slightly, depending on the light. And his radiant blue eyes make me feel safe, despite my strange surroundings.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask.

He turns to me, and for the first time I see a speck of doubt in his eyes. “I have, erhm, a confession to make.”

“A confession?”

“Yes,” he says rather sheepishly. “You see, I felt your distress in that moment, when the SINTRA soldiers descended upon you, and I… well, I think pulled you here.”

“What?” I stammer. “Pulled me?”

“Yes,” he nods. “I sensed your distress, and it felt like my soul was being splintered in a thousand pieces. With every fiber my being I wished for your safety. Somehow, due to our connection, I transported you… here. Your separation from your family — it is my fault. And for that, I apologize.”

I lick my dry lips. “It’s okay,” I say. “I’m pretty sure you saved my life in that moment. Those men had bad plans. The fact that it brought me halfway across the universe is just… an unfortunate side effect. Right now, we’ve got to send a message to the Galactic Aids Corps Headquarters. We’ve got to let them know Garna is under attack. Unless the Zoran can intervene?”

The blue warrior frowns, and the pit in my stomach grows.

“I wish it were so,” he says, “but us monks do not control the warships. The Thaboist Warrior Regiments do, and convincing them to help human aid workers in another galaxy would be a feat indeed!”

“Then we need to send the message, as soon as possible!”

“Yes. We must venture to the Trade Ports on the Arcor Moon then.”

I stand up. “Let’s go then!”

“Now?”

“Yes now! What are we waiting for?”

Davor rises and grabs his temple cloak, tucking those gorgeous wings of his behind his back. He grimaces as the cloak slides into place.

“It is not that easy, I’m afraid, Leah. I must register you as a guest of the Sacred Order before we can cross through the jungle.”

“What?” I say, my anger rising. “There is no time!”

“Those are our laws,” he says. “Without approval, the Regiments will hunt us down and imprison us.”

All this red tape is making me see, well, red.

“I brought you here,” Davor says, “So I will fix this problem. Trust me.”