Her smile fades a little. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “He came on a little strong a few times, but I had things under control. When we finally got together, it was my call and not his.” Well, it was the cootie’s call, but I don’t point that out. I sense that Georgie might not listen. She’s utterly crazy about Vektal the way I am about Raahosh and I’m going to defend him, even if it puts us on opposing viewpoints.
Because for some reason, I’m feeling mighty defensive. Something about all of this feels wrong, and I can’t put my finger on what it is.
What Georgie says next floors me, though. “Settle in for a long wait, though. It seems their ladies carry for three years or so.”
The breath explodes from me. “What the fuck?” I’m appalled. Nine months of bloated belly and swollen ankles sounds bad. Three years of pregnancy sounds like sadistic torture.
She grimaces. “I know. Apparently they stay pregnant a lot longer. Maylak says thirty five moons or so, but it’s hard to tell how long their moon phases are compared to theirs, because no one exactly has a watch or a calendar, and this doesn’t line up with earth.”
I moan in horror. “So we’re going to be pregnant somewhere between nine months and three years? Shoot me now.”
“If it makes you feel any better, you’re handling the news a lot better than Ariana did.”
“Let me guess – she cried.”
“Bingo.”
Maylak looks between us curiously, and so Georgie translates for her. As she does, another question comes to mind. “So who all is pregnant?”
“Let’s see – Ariana, of course. Me. You. Marlene. Nora. Stacy. That’s it so far.”
“No resonance for Kira, huh?” I think of the way Aehako flirted with her outside the caves. “Or Josie? Tiff?”
“Nope. Maylak says sometimes the resonance happens later, but so many of us resonated at first sight that I don’t know.” Her voice lowers. “Some are disappointed.”
Weirdly enough, I understand that. It’s like their cooties decided they’re not good enough for alien babies. And since the tribe seems so desperate for kids, that has to sting. “It’ll happen. Or, you know, it won’t. Maybe their cooties don’t want to be moms.”
Georgie laughs. “Maybe they’re not ready yet.”
“Any sign of the Little Green Men?” I rub the spot on my arm where the tracking device was implanted weeks ago and then cut out shortly thereafter.
She shakes her head. “Everything’s been quiet…” It’s left unspoken. Except for you.
To be fair, she’s trying to protect me from a kidnapper. I can’t hate on that. “I’m fine, Georgie. Really.”
She bites her lip and then sighs. “Vektal is really pissed at Raahosh.” The look she gives me is uneasy. “Did he tell you about the story of his parents?”
“I heard from Aehako. It’s not quite the same thing.”
“Maybe not in Raahosh’s eyes, but to Vektal, it is. Their tribe has very strict laws about that sort of thing, Liz.” She shakes her head. “Just be prepared for a shitstorm. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Commence the shittening,” I tell her. “I’m ready.”
• • •
Maylak finally deems me fine and dandy, and Georgie and I leave her cave behind. I don’t miss the fact that they exchange a few heated comments between them in the alien language, or the worried look on Maylak’s face as we leave. I’m not blind. There’s an ominous feeling to our return, and I know it can’t bode well.
In the center of the cave, Vektal sits on a few carved steps. He’s casually lounging, but there’s nothing casual about his demeanor. He looks tense. Pissy. Aehako and Haeden are talking to him, and Raahosh is nowhere to be found. Other men are standing around, and as Georgie and I return, all attention is fixed on us.
Vektal gets to his feet. He looks past me and I turn to see that Maylak has emerged from her cave and is a few steps behind me. He says something in alienese and I catch my name. It’s not hard to hear ‘Leezh’ mixed in with the patter of their tongue.
This is getting irritating. Everyone’s talking around me. I snap my fingers in Vektal’s face. “Hello, I’m right here. Don’t speak as if I’m not.”
I hear Aehako muffle a laugh and Vektal turns a shocked look on me. “What are you doing?”
“Does it look like I’m snapping to the beat? I’m getting your attention.” I’m also getting might tired of everyone talking around me. I want a say in my future, damn it. I’ve been pushed around too long, and I’m not going to be pushed around by another big blue alien with horns just because he says he’s the chief. “I’m right here. You can talk to me about my favorite topic – me.”