The Healer's Hellion - Miranda Bridges Page 0,11

items, such as the bed, kitchenette, and bathroom, to stare at the window, which displays a breathtaking view of space. It’s so beautiful I momentarily forget I’m in Braxton’s arms.

“You can put me down now,” I say.

“I know.”

I glance up at him, but his face gives nothing away.

He sets me on my feet and waves a hand. “Please have a seat.”

I settle into one of the empty chairs, letting my gaze wander. It lands on Braxton as he moves about in the kitchenette. There’s a look of concentration on his face, and his hands are deft in their movements. It’s easy to see that he has the fingers, along with the dexterity, of a surgeon. Before long he has two plates of steaming food, and my stomach growls in anticipation.

“How did you make this so quickly?” I ask, inhaling the delicious scent.

He sets my meal in front of me and joins me in the opposite seat. “We have something similar to a gamma ray that cooks the food to the perfect temperature within seconds while also eliminating any harmful bacteria. However, unlike a gamma ray, it will not cause radiation. Enjoy.”

I pick up the fork placed on a napkin to my left. “At least this isn’t too high-tech for me to comprehend.” I twirl the utensil like a baton and give him a grin.

“You will find we are similar in a lot of ways, Skylar.”

After eating a piece of my food, I give him a pointed look. “I find that hard to believe, but maybe you can help me see the light. What were you doing on Earth anyway?”

“Your planet now falls under our jurisdiction, since our appeal to the Coalition has been approved.” He takes a bite, chews, and swallows before continuing. “So when the Yalat entered Earth’s atmosphere, we were notified and came to ensure the safety of its inhabitants.”

I stuff my face as I sit there, trying to absorb the information he’s given me. Even though Braxton hasn’t said much, what he has said is more than enough to have me reeling. Life-forms existing outside our solar system has always been a speculation for most and a dream for others. However, the reality of it comes with far more ramifications than anyone has perceived, in my opinion.

“Does my government know you essentially own Earth?” I ask, thrumming my fingers. Even hearing myself say that out loud works my nerves. “And why did you make an appeal to this Coalition?”

He leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers, peering at me over them. “Humans were not aware of our existence, and we wanted to keep it that way. Unfortunately the Yalat has ruined that for us.”

I get to my feet, laying my palms on the table.

He doesn’t do more than meet my gaze, his expression unchanging.

“Look, I’m not sure if I trust you Dravians, but I do need your help to find Camille. I doubt that I can be helpful to you in any way, since you are obviously stronger and more equipped to handle the Yalat, but I want to come with you.”

“No,” he says simply.

My anger is quick to surge and along with it the familiar sensation of power. It’s like a long-lost lover coming home, and I embrace it, closing my eyes as it heats my veins and flows through me. I inhale deeply, trying to keep from yelling as intense emotion roils within me.

“No?” I repeat, my eyes still closed and my jaw clenched. “Why not?”

“Because of that.”

My eyes fly open, and I part my lips to give some sort of scathing retort when the words die on my tongue. The plates, forks, and napkins are hovering above the table, floating in the air as if held by an invisible hand. It’s as though someone is playing a magic trick on me, and it scares me. I snatch back my arms, cradling them to my chest, and all the items fall, crashing into one another as they land on the table.

“Oh my God,” I whisper. I rove my gaze over the now still mundane items and then stare at Braxton. “How did that happen?” I may be getting my master’s degree in DNA analysis, but there’s been nothing in my studies to explain my new power.

“You did that.” He says it as if he’s telling me it’s sunny outside or some other bland piece of information, not that I’m a freak. I mean, obviously I knew I had powers considering what I did