Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,23

the whole time.”

I wonder if I’ll ever stop embarrassing myself in front of you.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. He meant it. She had no idea the dark and distorted thoughts some people had.

“Okay?” Tigre asked.

He squeezed her hand, and she stepped back. “Okay,” he said.

The lid slid shut. The machine whirred as the diagnostic beam swept over him from head to toe. He closed his eyes against the brightness, reopening them moments later as the light dimmed.

“Hmm. It appears he has acquired a contagion,” he heard Tigre say.

A robotic arm swiveled out and delivered an injection into his arm. Within seconds, the achiness and fatigue began to ease. His jaw didn’t throb as much, and, when he patted his face, he could tell the swelling was subsiding.

Long seconds ticked by as Psy waited for the unit to release him.

A contagion, Tigre had said. Did that mean his mating glands hadn’t been activated? Disappointment and dejection threatened to settle upon him, but he shoved the emotions aside. He didn’t need a physical response to confirm he and Cassie were genmates. Their mental connection served as proof. On the rare chance they didn’t share the same mating gene, well, he didn’t care. He wanted her. Nobody else.

“What’s taking so long?” he yelled to be heard through the capsule.

“You’re under quarantine while the antiviral destroys the virus you acquired,” Tigre said.

“For how long?”

“A few minutes.”

Finally, the machine rescanned him, pronounced him free of the virus, and rolled back the cover. He leaped out with newfound ease. He hadn’t realized how achy he’d been until he no longer was.

The swelling in your face and neck are gone! Cassie said. Amazing. Nothing we have comes close to your med pod.

“I’m sorry,” Tigre said. “You did have the mumps.”

Psy shook his head. “Nothing has changed. We’re still genmates. I feel it in here.” He tapped his head and his heart and then held out his arm and pulled Cassie to his side. “Thankfully Verna stopped us from going to Millie’s diner. I could have infected other people.” He looked at Tigre. “I might have infected you. You should get scanned.”

They waited until the pod disinfected itself, and then Tigre climbed in. Psy watched the screen as the red light flashed signaling a contagion had been detected. Tigre was treated and released.

“Everyone I came in contact with will need to be treated,” he said, relieved Cassie had had inoculations, since getting into the med pod would be impossible for her.

“Who have you been in contact within the past few weeks?” Tigre said.

“Chameleon, Kevanne, Inferno, Wingman, and Delia—everyone except Shadow.”

“I’ll phone them to come in for a scan.” After Tigre left, Psy turned to Cassie. Are you ready to go to Millie’s?

I should eat something, but I don’t feel like going out.

We’ll do that another time, then. How about if we prepare something to eat here?

Perfect. Can you cook? she asked.

Yes! I microwave frozen and canned dinners all the time. Most food on ’Topia had been lab formulated for maximum nutrition. Little value had been placed on taste. It wasn’t until they’d arrived on Earth that they realized food could taste good.

She giggled. That’s not cooking.

It’s not?

Let me handle this. Show me your kitchen, she said confidently.

She bustled around the kitchen, throwing together ingredients he never would have combined. In no time, a pot bubbled on the stove, releasing delicious aromas. Maybe Tigre would like to join us for dinner? she suggested, as Psy set the table and poured them some drinks.

He kissed her. That’s sweet of you to ask. He probably would. He knew his friend had cleared out so he and Cassie could be alone. After setting another place, he went to Tigre’s room. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

“I’ve been smelling it.” Tigre’s stomach growled. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

Cassie’s meal tasted even better than it smelled. Psy had asked her for permission to convey her comments to Tigre so she wouldn’t have to interrupt her meal by writing. She agreed, but none of them spoke much, instead focused on eating the delicious food. While she consumed a modest amount, he and Tigre finished it off.

“That was the best meal I ever had!” Tigre praised her.

“It was fantastic,” Psy agreed, feeling deliciously sated and full.

Cassie downplayed her accomplishment with a shrug. I threw together some canned stuff. If you thought that was good, you should see what I can do with fresh ingredients. My lasagna is to die for, if I do say