“Mamaw Vic said they had the power to glamor most around them, and that was the only reason they had survived for so long. But as things got more advanced, that was becoming harder to do.”
“Are Victoria and Tyberius the only vampires on your planet?”
“No, there is another true blood, Katherine, and then of course my Uncle RaZ also has a taste for the red stuff. He also has wings and when I was little, he used to fly me everywhere.”
“Okay, I’m falling down the rabbit hole now. I’m entirely out of my league here. I do believe that you and I could talk nonstop for a year, and still, I wouldn’t have a clue about the beings that suddenly surround us ... me. Perhaps I should speak with Kira and DaR first about my idea of a clothing boutique. We really haven’t discussed what we’re going to do next once the pods are finished. I’m sure someone has a plan.”
This whole time, BuK has been standing silently next to me, listening to us talk about the future, only turning away when he sees Danny strolling our way. Danny reaches out to BuK, and they do that strange elbow handshake thing that looks all manly. But when Danny smiles at me, nodding his head before turning to talk to BuK, I can see why Keida is so stuck on him. Even my heart fluttered just a little, especially when he slides an arm around Keida’s waist, pulling her close. They gravitate naturally toward each other. Their love is open for all to see, even if they don’t realize it themselves yet. Danny’s following words catch my attention as my thoughts wander.
“BuK, communications are being disrupted more than usual planetside. Something is interfering with the signals coming in and out of here, putting DaR and Ty on alert. SCOUT has activated the maintenance bots to guard mode until they can get the signals cleared.”
“Should we be concerned?”
“Not sure, but I thought I would give you a heads up. ANDI is not having any issues from his end, but he did tell DaR that he was starting to pick up some static, and that he was going toreadjust his orbit this rotation so that he could stay directly over the settlement.”
“I am assuming his scanners have picked up nothing.”
“I was not in the room, but all he mentioned was that the Nebula was shifting, which might be causing the signal disruption.”
Before Danny can say anything else, Raven comes strolling up, and I have to hold my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud when I see Kiki sitting on her back like Raven is her own personal transport. Holding my hand out, Raven nudges it gently with her snout before turning her massive head to look back at Kiki, and I swear that little Suet sticks her tongue out at her.
Raven shakes her back, and right before I see Kiki start to sink her claws in to hang on, I reach up and grab the little ornery furball. “Stop being a brat, you little chunky butt. Do you have no self-preservation? You wouldn’t be more than an appetizer for Raven if she decided aggravating little Suets are on the menu.”
Kiki squirms in my arms until I put her down, and the second her feet touch the ground, she’s back to messing with Raven, who seems to take it all in stride. I hear a sharp whistle, and Keida and Danny both turn, looking back at the shuttle they arrived on. Keida grabs me once again, hugging me tight.
“Promise not to be a stranger; I’m just a comm away. We will be back as soon as we can. Dan won’t admit it, but I do believe he was enjoying watching others like himself, you know, the humans interact, and Carla has promised to fix him a real birthday cake when we come back.”
“Great, then we’ll see you soon.”
“Danny nods his head before placing his hand on the small of Keida’s back, guiding her toward the shuttle. We stand there watching as they walk away, and I see Keida look up at Danny. He leans down slightly, a smile forming on his face, before he clicks his tongue, making an odd sound, and Raven turns to follow them. When I see Kiki start to trot along, I grab her before she gets too far and hand her to BuK.”
I see her look up at BuK. “Kiki, she will return to play with you, but you can’t go with them because it would make Lacie sad if she realized you were gone.” I hear the little feline sigh right before she settles into BuK’s massive arms.
“Are you now the Suet whisperer or something?”
“Pardon?”
“Can you talk to that cat?”
“Not in the sense you are thinking. She understands the tone more than the words themselves.”
“Uh-huh, and why do I not believe that entirely?” Before BuK can say anything else, the buzzers go off for us to step out of the red zone, and we watch as the two shuttles lift off, leaving the atmosphere.
CHAPTER 5
BRIAR
Briar
“Well,we might as well get started because this day is not getting any younger.”
BuK sits Kiki down before looking at me oddly. “Younger?”
“Okay, now that I think about it, that is an odd saying, but it basically means it’s passing by quickly, or the newness of a new day has already come and gone.”
“Hmmm.”
“I need to go grab our cart from the dining tent. They were using it for the wedding, and then I’ll meet you back at the main path if you want to grab our cleaning stuff.”
