“Oh, sorry.” He pants when he picks his head up. “Got lost, enjoying you.”
When my body finally starts to calm, Zorin cleans me with his tongue and helps me back into my race suit.
The lights brighten again, and I notice Zorin on his knees, stretching his back with his eyes closed. The shadows slip from the cave and soak back into him.
So that’s what he meant when he said he could create darkness.
He helps me to my feet, and I want to return his favor. I reach down to stroke his swollen shaft.
He jerks away from me. “I…uh… I’m good.”
“You…”
He hangs his head and laughs bashfully. “You arching and moaning like that…fuck. I’m going to need a bath.”
“But you didn’t stop when you were done?” I ask.
“Mindorans can go back to back during a rut. Now, you need the ruby egg.”
Zorin takes me by the hand and leads me to a passageway that circles behind the treasure room. “I saw it back here.”
He guides me to a platform of rock and points up at the ceiling.
I read the inscription. “In honor of Ruby, who founded this race. Not all can look to the stars for hope. Some look up and see only a hull or a mountain of rock. To some, the stars are myths, hidden beyond bars of metal. For her Larisien mate, for the blood spilled trying to save the last of their kind, the Alien Bride Race will donate 100,000 credits to endangered species outreach when this egg is captured. Just answer one question.”
Zorin studies the question. “I know.”
“What the purpose of life is?” I ask.
“My purpose is love. To love my family, my pack, my mate. It is what carries us through hard times, makes us able to endure insane things. The purpose of life is love.”
The egg descends from the ceiling on a platform.
“Congratulations, Zorin Aegeris, for understanding the purpose of life.”
We turn to look at the voice. A glowing gold silhouette of an older woman in long robes sways across the floor.
“Oh, don’t look so freaked out. I’m just a synthetic projection, a replication of my former self. I’m stored in a server inside the complex.
“You two have been through a lot. I have been watching you. Just promise me that you will use your powers for good.”
“Always,” Zorin replies.
“Even when that Shifter takes over,” she gently warns. “I know he’s everything violent you don’t let yourself be in upright form.”
She turns to me. “As for you, Tessi. You have an ancient gift, an ability to share how two people feel without words. You transfer the energy, emotions, souls, and expose the truth with a simple touch.”
“How do you know?”
“I was around for two centuries, love.” She laughs. “It’s why Ohni won’t let me die, not completely. But I don’t mind. I have seen some amazing things since my body faded. Ciricidians would call this transcendence. Except I’m tied to a damned moon. Talk about cabin fever. Anyway, take the egg. You may exit that way.”
A light blazes in from an opening passage in the rock.
“Thanks,” I say.
She dips her head. “Thank you for the conversation. It gets lonely being the only ghost in this place.”
“I know that feeling,” I tell her.
