The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,98
the hell?” Marcus whispered.
“Sorry about that,” Taelon muttered.
Four rectangular patches of grass flattened in the center of the clearing. A horizontal crack of light formed in midair, then lengthened downward toward the ground as if the scenery before them were painted on a huge wall and a drawbridge were lowering.
Lisa gaped as a ramp seemingly descended from nothing, providing a small glimpse of the brightly lit interior of a spacecraft none could see.
Beside her, Taelon chuckled.
She glanced up at him. “What?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your eyes so wide.”
“I can’t help it. I’ve never seen a spaceship before.”
“This isn’t the actual ship. It’s a transport designed to carry us to and from the planet. The ship itself wouldn’t fit in the clearing.”
And the shocks just kept coming.
Seth sheathed one of his swords and drew a cell phone from his back pocket. “Chris. It’s Seth. … Some of your contacts in the military and intelligence agencies have access to satellite data, correct, including that scrutinized by NORAD? … I want you to put them on alert. Tell them to keep an eye out for anything that may show up in David’s vicinity and quash it as soon as it arises if it does.” He listened for a moment. “An alien transport vessel just landed in his backyard. … No, I’m not shitting you. … That won’t be necessary. … Thank you.” Pocketing the phone, he glanced at David. “Well, that’s a call I never thought I’d have to make.”
David grunted.
Booted footsteps rang out on metal.
A figure descended the ramp. Male. About six and a half feet tall and packing a lot of muscle. His skin was tan with a hint of gray, almost as if someone had used photo-editing software to desaturate his image. His hair was jet-black and shorn close to his head, his eyes dark, the expression on his rugged face grim.
Formfitting, leathery-looking dark brown pants and a matching shirt hugged his big body. Some sort of vest she thought might be body armor protected his chest and back. One hand gripped a weapon the length of a rifle but much thicker. Thick enough to launch a grenade, she thought. More weapons—both advanced firearms of various sizes and lots of blades—covered the rest of him.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Marcus reach over and ease Ami behind him.
Seth and David tensed.
Taelon strode down the porch steps and approached the imposing figure. “Ari’k.”
The male stopped and bowed. He began to speak in another language.
Taelon held up a hand. “Use Earth English so our friends can understand.”
“Yes, Prince Taelon. I’ve prepared the med bay.”
Lisa frowned. Really? That was it? No handshake, no hug, no Holy crap! You’re alive! I’m so glad you made it! or Good to see you again! after three years of silence and wondering whether or not Taelon had been slain?
Taelon seemed unfazed, as though he had expected such a wildly unenthusiastic greeting. “We won’t be needing the med bay. We are all well.”
Ari’k responded with an abrupt nod.
Ami pushed past Marcus and skipped down the steps with a smile. “Hi, Ari’k.”
No surprise lit the man’s features when he saw her. He bowed. “Princess Amiriska.”
Ami wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug.
His eyes shot to Taelon. But no emotion flickered in his expression as he stoically endured the embrace, keeping his arms at his sides.
Laughing, Ami released him and stepped back. “Sorry about that. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen anyone from home.”
“Touching an unbonded male is forbidden,” Ari’k said. His words carried no shock, sneering, or anger. He displayed no emotion whatsoever.
Lisa stared. Was he a robot?
No, Taelon murmured in her head. He is a Yona warrior. The Yona are flesh and blood but feel no emotion.
Again Ami laughed. “I know. I don’t care. It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed it has, Your Highness. You appear well.”
“I’m very well.”
Taelon motioned for Lisa to join him.
Ari’k turned to Taelon as she approached. “The king and queen contact me daily.”
Taelon winced. “What do you tell them?”
“That I have no news to report. They believe you and the princess are both dead.”
He swore. “I’m surprised Father hasn’t already sent an armada to kill all the Earthlings.” When Lisa reached them, Taelon looped his arm around her.
“He intended to,” Ari’k said, his piercing gaze studying the two of them and seeming to note every single point they touched. “But your brothers convinced him to wait.”