AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Six
Tegan gave the Dothvek a knowing look as he swiveled his head wildly in both directions.
“He is gone,” he said, his voice grave.
His tone startled her. She assumed his friend had wandered around the corner, but Zaandr was genuinely worried. “I’m sure he’s not gone.” She waved a hand at the stalls surrounding them. “He’s probably scouting ahead.”
Zaandr shook his head, and his long, dark hair swung around his face. “He isn’t. I would sense that. I would hear him.”
“Hear him?” Tegan readjusted her crossbody bag as Pog poked his head farther out.
“You do not know about Dothveks, do you?”
She was a bit taken aback. She knew what she’d seen—they were huge, gold-skinned warriors with ridges on their backs, and pointed ears hidden behind long, black hair. She also knew what Tori had told her, which, now that she thought about it, wasn’t much. “I mean, I know you come from a sand planet, and Tori said this is the first time your people have left to explore space.”
“That’s true, but she did not tell you about our abilities?”
If this was going to be about their efficiency in getting females pregnant, she was going to kick him in the balls. She crossed her arms over her chest. “What abilities?”
He continued to glance around, his brow furrowed. “Our people can sense each other’s thoughts and emotions. Occasionally we can sense those in other species, as well, but usually it is only between mates.”
Tegan stared at him, suddenly self-conscious. “You can read people’s minds?”
He frowned. “No. Not people. Dothveks. I can sense the emotions of my fellow Dothveks and communicate with them through our minds, but I cannot read minds.”
Tegan released a breath. Okay, that wasn’t so bad. At least he couldn’t read her mind. Almost as soon as the Dothvek had said that he was empathic, she’d had the most inappropriate thoughts about him. Even now, she had to fight the urge to gape at the swell of his chest muscles, his corded stomach, and the intricate markings around his forearms.
Get a hold of yourself, girl. He isn’t that hot. But that was a lie, and if he could read her mind, he’d know that, too.
“Maybe your friend got bored or found someone better to flirt with,” she suggested, trying to lighten the mood. He had to be nearby. He couldn’t have vanished.
“Rixx did not get bored,” Zaandr snapped. “He would not abandon his mission, but he is gone. I can no longer hear him or sense him, and I am reaching my thoughts far.”
“Gone?” Her nerves jangled. Suddenly, the market seemed more crowded and the cries of the street vendors more insistent. “He’s a big, tough Dothvek. How could he be here one moment and gone the next?”
Zaandr scowled but didn’t answer. He looked as confused and frustrated as she was. She could see how upset the alien was and how convinced he was that his friend hadn’t left them on purpose. “I’m sorry I suggested that Rixx got bored or found another female to hit on. I was trying to cut the tension, but it was a dumb thing to say.”
Zaandr shrugged one shoulder. “Do not feel bad. You do not know Rixx.” He met her gaze for a beat. “And he was doing his best to charm you.”
“And I’m afraid I wasn’t very receptive, which is why I thought maybe he’d found someone who would appreciate his flirting, but you’re right.” She glanced around the market, noticing some sketchy characters eyeing them. “He wouldn’t leave us like this.”
“He vowed to keep you safe. We both did.” Zaandr moved closer to Tegan, slipping an arm around her waist. “Stay close to me.”
The warmth of his body flush to hers made her feel both more secure and more unnerved, but she didn’t move away. Pog made a chirping sound as her bag bumped the Dothvek’s leg. She reached across and ruffled the Lycithian creature’s head. “It’s okay, buddy. We’ll be fine.” She wasn’t sure she believed it, but saying the words gave her comfort.
The Dothvek glanced at her, one slanted eyebrow lifting. Tegan had the strangest sensation that he could tell she was lying, but he’d told her that he could only sense the feelings of other Dothveks or a mate, and she wasn’t either of those.
Pog wiggled again, working himself up until he popped from the bag and onto the ground. Tegan yelped as he hit the dusty paving stones and rolled.
“Pog! Where are you going?” She lunged for him, but he scampered just out of reach. “Come back here, you little maniac. Bexli will kill me if I lose you.”
But Pog didn’t come back. He scurried to the spot where Rixx had last been in view and snuffled on the ground.
Tegan blew out an impatient breath and reached for him again, but Zaandr grabbed her arm and held her back. “Wait. I think he’s scenting Rixx.”
Tegan cocked her head as the little green creature moved briskly around feet and stacks of wooden crates, clearly sniffing as he went. “Glurkins can track?”
The Dothvek shrugged. “I know little about Lycithian pets, but I do know tracking, and that’s what he’s doing. Maybe he’ll have better luck with smell than I did with thoughts.”
