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“What do you mean?” Lili asked. “I know how they feel—they don’t want to see me anymore.”
“Well, what if they think it’s you who don’t want to see them?” Rachel asked, raising her eyebrows. “What if they decided to break things off with you because they didn’t think they could ever Bond with you—did you think about that?”
“They did mention that several times.” Lili frowned thoughtfully. “Is a Bond really that important?”
“Oh, honey—the Bond is everything!” Rachel waved her hands expansively. “It’s a connection deeper than anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Now that I’ve experienced it, I can’t imagine being with a man without it. It would be like…like…like eating cardboard for dinner instead of having a juicy steak. Or seeing everything in black and white instead of in color. Or…I don’t know! I’m not explaining it right, but yes—having a Soul Bond is very important to the Kindred.”
“Maybe they haven’t contacted me because they thought they couldn’t Bond with me then—not because they didn’t want me.” For the first time in weeks, Lili felt the stirrings of hope in her heart. “Oh, Rachel—do you really think it’s possible?” She was starting to cry now—she couldn’t seem to help it.
“I think it’s more than possible,” her friend said firmly. “So what we need to do right now is go back up to the Mother Ship and track the two of them down. You can show them that glowing doo-dad f’loon sent you and explain how it works. And I’ll bet you anything they’ll jump at the chance to use it and Bond with you.”
Lili wanted to believe it was true—she wanted it with all her heart.
“All right,” she said, swiping at her eyes and sniffing. “Let’s do it! Oh…but how are we getting back up to the Mother Ship? I thought Brock wasn’t coming back for you until Sunday?”
“Leave that to me.” Rachel had already closed her eyes and had a look of concentration on her face. “Honey?” she said, obviously talking to her husband. “Yes, hi—I love you too. Look, I need you to come get me right away… Yes, I know you just dropped me off and you’re halfway to the Mother Ship, but I need you to come get me and Lili. You will? Thank you, sweetheart! I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
She opened her eyes and grinned at Lili.
“Okay, he was a little bummed because he had a boys night planned, but I promised I’d make it worth his while so he’s coming back to get us. Hurry and go put on your sexiest outfit! Oh, and take those things off!” she added, nodding at the pink rubber dishwashing gloves Lili was still wearing.
Heart thumping with anticipation, Lili peeled off the gloves. She wadded them up and threw them across the room. Then she grabbed Rachel and the two of them danced around the kitchen, laughing and crying.
“I can’t believe I’m going to see them again!” she gasped. “I missed them so much!”
“I’m sure they missed you too!” Rachel exclaimed as they danced around.
Lili’s heart was full to overflowing. Soon—she was going to see her guys again soon! She was sure of it! And with the harmonizer in hand, how could they say “no” to her? She was sure that by tomorrow this time the three of them would be happily Bonded.
She had no idea how wrong she was.
27
LILI
“Gone? What do you mean they’re gone? Where did they go?” Lili asked blankly.
Commander Sylvan spread his hands.
“I’m sorry, ladies. The two of them came to me weeks ago and told me that they were going back to Zeaga Four.”
“Back to where?” Rachel demanded.
“To the Dark Kindred home world,” Sylvan clarified. “They told me they were going home.”
“But…but why?” Lili felt like someone had dropped her heart on the floor and stomped on it with a big, heavy boot. “Why would they do that? Why would they go back there? They can’t even have emotions there—can they? I mean, they told me it was a crime!”
“Maybe that’s why they went,” Rachel said, frowning. “Maybe being with you made them feel too much.”
“If you want further clarification on their motives, you might try talking to Yipper,” Sylvan suggested. “He was the Tolleg surgeon assigned to them—I think they went to talk to him before they left.”
“Oh, Yipper—I know him!” Rachel exclaimed. “He fixed my eyes for me—that’s why I don’t have to wear glasses or contacts anymore.”
“He gave you Lasik, you mean?” Lili asked, frowning.
“Well, not exactly—but it was the same result! He operates with his tongue.”
“Wait—he what?” Lili was sure she’d heard her friend wrong.
