As he grabbed a lantern and headed toward the back door, I darted forward.

“Stay here,” he whispered.

I cringed inwardly. I couldn’t let him face whoever or whatever was out there with a broken weapon. “I have to tell you something first,” I whispered.

He frowned. “Now?" His eyes darted to the door and back. “Can’t it wait?”

“No. It can’t.”

“Okay.” His eyebrows inched up higher on his forehead. He was poised to rush outside, but thankfully, he stayed to listen.

“Um... The night you found me in the barn, you had that gun...”

“Yes?”

“I... umm... made it so you couldn’t shoot me with it.”

“You what? How?”

“I used my mind to remove all the powder and fuse the projectile to the barrel.”

“What? How can you— I’ve never heard of anyone being able to do anything like that.”

“It’s something I can do. I had to protect myself.”

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. “I wasn’t going to shoot you.”

“I didn’t know that at the time. You’re an alien and I was trespassing.”

“You’re an alien.”

He had a point. I sighed. “Well, I guess. Alien to you. Alien to this world...”

“So now that there’s a noise outside and I urgently need the gun, you’re telling me this?”

I bit my bottom lip. “I forgot about it till now.”

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Okay. I have another gun.”

He stalked over to the room he slept in and came out a few moments later with a longer gun in his hand. “Now wait here.”

“But—”

“No. If it’s a person, they’ll see you...”

Oh. Yeah. Duh. I nodded. He was right. We couldn’t risk it.

I was trained for this sort of thing, though, so I felt useless letting him go alone.

He placed the lantern on a small table near the back door and crept out silently without it. I figured he’d come back for it if needed.

A few moments later, I heard quiet footsteps on the back verandah. Probably waited till his eyes adjusted to the darkness. I wondered if his species could see well in the dark.

I waited, frozen in place. My heartbeat the only sound. Well, it was pounding so hard that it seemed like I could hear it.

I tried to imagine the yard and the barn, but it was difficult. I’d only been out there once in the dark and once in the daylight. And a few peeks out of the windows.

Was he at the barn now? Could he see well enough? Would he shoot someone if they were spying on us or robbing the place? I didn’t think so, but I really didn’t know him well enough to make that call.

Every now and then I could hear a faint noise out there. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. And even then I could only manage shallow breaths. What if something happened to him?

I jumped as a loud crash split the silence. Oh my stars! What happened? What should I do? I need to go out there. I need a weapon. I need my pistol.

I looked around the room frantically as if the pistol would magically appear and I could grab it.

Maybe I could use something else as a weapon...

I quickly darted around the room, but I couldn’t find anything suitable.

Charging out into the night without a weapon or a light would be too dangerous. And really dumb. I’d probably get shot by Jarath in the darkness.

No. Don’t try to be a hero. Just wait a little longer. Then, But what if he’s hurt? What if—? An image of Alwyn’s face as he sunk down into the boggy sludge invaded my mind.

“No!” I shoved the image from my brain. I needed to calm down. I needed to slow my breathing. I had to wait a bit longer. If Jarath didn’t come back soon, I’d find my pistol, grab the lantern and venture out.

Just as I was starting to get my breathing under control, the door handle started turning. My heart leapt into my throat and my hand went straight for my pistol — only it wasn’t there.

My eyes automatically searched for a weapon again, but before I remembered that there was nothing here I could use, the door opened and Jarath popped his head in. “It’s just me.”

I was so relieved it was him and that he was unhurt that I rushed forward and hugged him. He tensed, but put his arms around me.

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m okay. I think it was an animal. I couldn’t find anything or anyone out there.”

I could feel his taut muscles under his shirt. What am I doing?

I came to my senses and stepped back. “What was that loud bang?”

He gave me a sheepish grin. “I tripped over the end of the plough.”

I tried to imagine it. “But why was it so loud?”

“I landed against some empty tins that I use for grain for the chickens. Knocked them all over me.” He chuckled.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. And his dimple was back.

Oh, that dimple’s gonna ruin me!

He grabbed the lantern and turned to head back outside. “I don’t think there’s anything out there, but it’s pretty dark, so I’ll just double-check.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The next morning was clear and bright. We talked over breakfast and I had trouble looking away from Jarath’s eyes as he spoke.

Once we’d finished, I stood and glanced out the window. The urge to rush outside and take a walk in the forest was so strong, I had to hold on to the table to stop myself. I needed to get out of here. I needed to go to the ship. I needed to check to make sure the homing beacon was still working and there was still a chance Laith was coming for me.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I needed a distraction. I looked at Jarath. At his handsome face. Yes. It was handsome — even though it was so pale and so different from my own kind. I couldn’t help it. I was hopeless. And today I couldn’t blame it on my head injury.

Jarath must have read something in my eyes.

He frowned. “Are you okay?”

I sighed. “Yeah. I just... I’m thankful for your help but... I can’t... I need to go. I need to get home.” In frustration I ran my fingers through my hair and sucked in a breath when my fingernail found the edge of the scab on my head. “Ow! Damn it!”

Jarath jumped up. “Let me have a look.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. I sat back down and handed him my torch. I felt my hair being moved to the side.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“Not a problem.” Pause. “It’s bleeding a little, but it looks okay.”

“Thanks.”

After dabbing at it with a cloth, he handed me the torch and sat beside me. “I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. I can only try to help you.”

I looked into those unusual eyes that were making me feel warm inside. Why was he helping me? How could he just accept me so easily? Was he being truthful, or did he have an agenda? Maybe he’d contacted the authorities and was just keeping me occupied until they arrived...

Where did that come from? I had no idea. If he was going to turn me in, he would’ve done it before now.

My eyes wandered to his lips and then slowly down to his chest.

He chuckled. “Are you checking me out?”

My eyes shot to his face and I felt my cheeks flush. That’s exactly what I’d been doing. “I... Um. No. I wasn’t. I was just... Oh, don’t be putting tickets on yourself, Alien Boy!”

Oops. That just slipped out.

His smile grew. “Alien Boy?”

“Yep.”

He dissolved into a fit of laughter and it was a struggle not to join in.

I waited until it had died down. “Are you done?”

He wiped the tears from his eyes. “Yep.”

The dimple was there in all its glory. I had no words. He just smiled. Oh, boy...

He was suddenly very close to me and I realised I’d leaned closer too. His scent was intoxicating and...

And I couldn’t do this. I pulled away. I couldn’t give in to my attraction to him. He was an alien. We were too different. And I was leaving this rock as soon as Laith arrived... If he arrived...

I stopped myself. When he arrived.

Alwyn’s face flashed into view and he was telling me to find someone new.

No!

I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

There was a noise outside. A low rumbling sound. Not again! Not now.

This time, Jarath leapt up and rushed to the window, but didn’t go looking for his gun. The noise was getting louder by the second.

I sprang to my feet, automatically reaching for my pistol. I found nothing and cursed. I needed that thing back.

Jarath, however, didn’t look alarmed.

I tried to slow my pounding heart as he turned back to me. “What is it?”

He could see my fear. “It’s okay, Lilliana. It’s only a car. A ground vehicle used for transport.” I took a deep breath to try to calm down. “But you’ll have to hide.” He looked out the window again. “It’s Mae. A friend of mine from town.”

Mae? A friend? Male or female?

Why was I wondering about that? Maybe to assess how dangerous they might be. Yes, that was it…

Jarath took me to the hallway where he pulled a cord and a ladder extended from the ceiling.

“You can hide up here,” he told me. “I will not betray you. I’ll keep you safe.”

I nodded and climbed up, then watched as he pushed the ladder back up and disappeared from view.

Anxiety gnawed at me as I listened to the voices below. I could hear them exchanging pleasantries from my hiding place. Definitely a female’s voice — unless there were males of his species with high-pitched voices.

The fact that it was a female down there piqued my curiosity. What did the females look like? Was she as pale as Jarath? I had to know. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to just take a peek. I could be stealthy and silent when I needed to be.

It took a while to work out how the ladder thing worked. I lowered it slowly and grinned stupidly when it didn’t make a sound.

I crept down and padded across the floor, following the sound of their voices. They were in the kitchen. I stood to the side of the doorway, wondering how I could get a glimpse without being seen.

A door on the cupboard with the glass front was sitting open. It reflected the image of Jarath and a busty female sitting together at the table. She was attractive in an odd sort of way, but only because I still wasn’t used to their pale appearance. She was lighter than him. Long pale hair and pale eyes. Curvy figure. Pleasant smile.

“I didn’t see you in town on market day.” Her voice was sweet and light.

“I didn’t need any supplies.”

That was probably a lie. Her tone had implied that it was unusual for him to not be there.

I felt guilty. Would he run out of supplies because of me? I couldn’t let that happen. I’d have to insist that he goes into town. And soon. Even if it was just to keep the appearance of normalcy. I would talk to him about it as soon as Alien Girl left.

I had to stifle a chuckle at my own joke.

“I’m worried about you,” she continued. “All alone out here. It must be hard to run the farm all by yourself.”

He shifted his weight awkwardly. “It’s fine. I manage quite fine by myself. I know your brother needs the work, but I—”

“I wasn’t talking about my brother.”

It hit me in the gut. I knew exactly what she was talking about. She was looking to be his mate, to live here with him and help with the running of the farm. She placed a hand on his arm.

Heat rose in my chest and it took a few moments to recognise what it was. Surely I wasn’t jealous? Come on. I couldn’t be. We weren’t even from the same part of the universe!

It was completely logical that he would be attracted to someone of his own species and someone he knows well. He might even have feelings for her already.

Now that thought caught me off guard. I knew it was stupid, but I couldn’t help the way I felt. I quickly retreated to my hiding spot before I made a noise and ruined everything. Jarath would keep my secret, but I doubt anyone else would.

I waited impatiently for him to return. When he did, he looked relieved to see me still up there. Where else would I be? Well, that was a dumb question, considering I came out and snooped around.

“She’s gone. You can come out now. Sorry it took so long.”

“That’s okay.”

Was it? No. Not really. How many times was this going to happen? Would I eventually have to stay up here permanently? I hoped not. It was dark and dusty and the air was stale.

I climbed down and turned to look at him. “She seemed to like you a lot.”

“How could you tell that from up here?”

Whoops. “I...” Might as well just tell him. “I peeked.”

“You what? Are you crazy? Do you know what she would’ve done if she’d seen you?”

“I was curious. I only looked at her through the reflection of the glass in the kitchen cupboard.”

“It doesn’t matter. She could have walked to the doorway and seen you.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Lilliana. You need to be more careful.”

My hands went to my hips. “I only wanted to see the female of your species. I didn’t get caught, so just calm down.”

I stomped off to the room I’d been sleeping in and slumped down on the bed. I was no child, but right now I was acting like one.

Jarath followed me. “I just don’t want you to be found out, that’s all. Do you know what they’d do to you if they caught you? They’d dissect you to see what makes you tick.”

My stomach dropped and I looked up at him. He was serious. My people wouldn’t be so barbaric, but there was a time in our history when that’s exactly what they did. I kept forgetting how primitive it was here.

I looked down at my feet. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. We just have to be careful, okay?”

I looked back into his eyes. “Okay.” I sighed. “You know, she does really like you.”

“No. Not really. Not as anything more than just a friend.”

“Oh, now that’s where you’re mistaken, Alien Boy.” He raised his eyebrows at the nickname. “She likes you and was hinting at a union.”

“No. You’ve got it all wrong. She was just concerned about me working out here alone. She thinks I can’t handle it. A lot of people think I can’t. I’m out to prove them wrong. I’ve been going great.”

“But you haven’t been out of the house since... since I got here. That couldn’t be good for the farm.”

His shoulders slumped. “No.”

“You need to go into town.”

His muscles tensed. “I can’t do that.”

“You have to. You have to get supplies, and you have to act normal, so no one will get suspicious.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but he knew I was right. “Okay. But when I do, you’ll have to hide up in the attic again. My brother sometimes drops in unannounced, and if I’m not home, he comes in and makes himself at home till I get back.”

“Oh. Okay.” The thought of spending hours up in his attic by myself didn’t sound appealing, but what choice did I have?

Hurry up, Laith!