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"It's part of my genetics. I'm not a geneticist, so I can't tell you what exactly it does and how. The truth is that I didn't even know my blood could heal you. Aru told me, and the reason that he knew was that his sister studied to be a healer for the lesser species."
Frankie's forehead creased in a deep frown. "Lesser species? Is that what they call us?"
Oh damn. He shouldn't have said that. "Created species is a better term, but many still use lesser. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, and I don't even believe it. I'm a member of the resistance."
"What kind of a resistance?"
He'd forgotten that Frankie wasn't privy to all that the clan had learned about him and his teammates, and he hadn't told her much about himself other than the basics. They really needed to have a long talk about who he was and what his goals and aspirations had been before he'd been told that Earth was it for him for the next thousand years or so, or maybe even forever.
Aru
"You look stunning." Aru rubbed a hand over his face, commanding his fangs to behave. "That dress is even more beautiful than the one you wore for Alena and Orion's wedding."
Gabi beamed at him. "Thank you. What do you think of the sandals?" She lifted one foot to clear the full-length skirt of the gown.
"Very pretty. But will you be able to walk in them?"
She chuckled. "Walk, yes. Dance, I'm not sure. You might have to hold me tight."
His fangs vibrated in his mouth. "I can do that."
Sauntering up to him, she cupped his cheeks and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Hold that thought, lover god. Karen is waiting for me to come over so she can do my hair. Cheryl is in charge of makeup, which is a little scary, but if I don't like what she does to my face, I will just wash it off and do it myself."
He frowned. "Isn't she too young to wear makeup?"
"She's sixteen, and Karen allows her to put on only a little, but she watches lots of tutorials about it on InstaTock and is supposedly an expert."
"I need to check that platform out."
"Don't." She waved a dismissive hand. "It's mostly nonsense posted by misguided teenagers and influencers pushing products that they are paid to advertise. The makeup tutorials are probably the only ones worth watching."
Are you alone? Aria's voice sounded in Aru's head.
Give me five minutes, he sent over their telepathic connection.
"Aru?" Gabi waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Where did you go just now?"
He shook his head. "I was just thinking that Dalhu is probably not going to get the bachelor party that was planned for him, which is a shame. I was looking forward to one of Kian's superb cigars and a few shots of equally excellent whiskey."
It wasn't a lie per se because everything he'd said was true, except for what had really been the cause of his momentary distraction.
Gabi pursed her lips. "There is still plenty of time, and Dalhu doesn't seem like the sort of guy who will fuss about his appearance."
"It's not so much about the lack of time as it is about the lack of motivation. Everyone is in a bad mood, and it seems wrong to celebrate when we have the victims of a horrific tragedy on board."
Visibly deflated, Gabi nodded. "I know. I'm trying not to think about it." She sighed. "On the one hand, I'm thinking that by allowing it to crush my spirits I'm letting the monsters win, but on the other hand I feel like a weakling who can't handle that much suffering and shuts her mind to it."
Walking up to Gabi, Aru pulled her into his arms. "Cling to the first part because it's the right approach. We can't let evil win by demoralizing us, but we cannot turn a blind eye to it either. We all need to do our part to eradicate evil, even if it's just by pushing against the darkness to celebrate a joyful occasion."
"You are right." Gabi took a fortifying breath, squared her shoulders, and plastered a smile on her face. "I'm going to have fun with my sisters-in-law and my nieces even if I need to drink myself silly to enjoy my time with them."
"That's the spirit." He kissed her forehead. "Just don't drink too much."
Smirking, she pushed out of his arms. "I'm immortal now, and it takes a lot of alcohol to get me drunk. I also burn through it in no time." She patted his shoulder. "Call the guys and try to organize a bachelor party for Dalhu. It's not fair to deprive him of the one time in his life that's all about him."
"I'm not a close friend of his, and it's not my place to organize anything, but I can send Kian a text and ask him if it's still happening. It will serve as a nudge in the right direction."
"You're such a diplomat, my love. I don't know why you were relegated to a simple reconnaissance mission on Earth instead of getting promoted to something more, but their loss is my gain."
