Well, there was nothing he could do about it now. He would have to go on with his plan. They had to see Slk once more to be certain the DNA alteration was stable and then he would take her back through the wormhole to her own solar system and Earth.
And after he dropped her off? Xairn didn’t know. He only knew that he had to leave her and never see her again. The knowledge was like a stone tied in his chest but there was nothing he could do about it. If he truly loved Lauren—if his twisted heart was capable of such emotion—he would leave her and never look back.
No matter how much it hurt.
* * * * *
“Ah, hmmm. Yes, satisfactory. Most satisfactory.” Slk paced—or slithered might be a better word since he had tentacles for legs—around the two of them, nodding in obvious approval. “The alteration was a complete success.”
Lauren thought he sounded awfully pleased with himself. “Are you sure?” she asked. “I mean, it’s clear that it worked on him.” She gestured to her left where the new and improved eye-candy-Xairn stood. “I mean, he looks completely different. But what about me? I can’t find a single thing that’s changed.” Well, except for her pinky finger but she was certain that was nothing—just that stupid nightmare she’d had still lingering in the back of her subconscious.
“Never fear, my dear Lauren—you are changed. Subtly but substantially. You should now be able to travel safely back to your own world with no one the wiser.” He squinted at them with all three eyes. “But neither of your faces reveal the standard signs of joy. In fact you seem somewhat depressed. Are you not pleased at the successful alteration and the prospect of returning home?”
“We’re pleased,” Xairn said gruffly. “We thank you, Slk, for a job well done. And now we’ll take our leave.”
“Ah, hmmm, not so hasty, my friend.” Slk slithered over to peer into Xairn’s face. “Before I let you go, I must warn you of something.”
“Make it fast,” Xairn growled. “We need to go.”
“It is only this—any time you alter DNA there is always the possibility of it returning to its original state. This should not be a problem for Lauren—the change in her was extremely subtle and slight. But for you, Xairn, your Scourge DNA is very strong and persistent. It resists being altered in any way. You should beware of any sudden, dramatic emotional upheaval. It could undo the work I have done on you and allow your Scourge DNA to dominate once again.”
Xairn frowned. “I’ll keep it in mind but I don’t believe it will be a problem. Not after—” He stopped abruptly but Lauren knew what he had been about to say. Not after he gets rid of me. Because I’m the one who causes him to have too many emotions, who makes him feel things he’d rather burry and remember things he’d rather forget. She tried not to be bitter about it but it still stung, the idea that he would leave her rather than even give what might have grown between them a try.
“I feel I have to give you warning because any reversal of the process would be permanent.” Slk gestured with all eight hands. “I would not be able to alter your DNA again. So have a care, my friend.”
“I will.” Xairn nodded shortly and then they all stood there, not saying anything.
“Well, I see you need to be going,” Slk said at last, filling the awkward silence. “I wish you safe journey to your destination’s end.”
“Thank you, Slk,” Lauren said politely. “And, uh, I’m sorry if I left the bathroom in kind of a mess. I’m afraid the bathtub is filled with some weird pink oatmeal stuff.”
Slk waved all eight of his hands dismissively. “Not to worry, my dear. I’ll have one of my servants clean it up. And now, I have work to do.”
“Good bye.” Xairn nodded at the alien geneticist and jerked his head at Lauren. “Come.” Then he was off, striding down the long hallway they’d come in by the night before, his boot heels clicking on the purple-brown stone floor. Lauren had to almost run to keep up with him.
Come. Just as if I was his dog, she thought, fuming. “I’m coming,” she said in her coldest voice as she caught up to him. “I know you can’t wait to get rid of me.”
“You know that isn’t how I feel.” They reached the blank stone wall and he pressed his hand to it, muttering something in an alien language under his breath. The crack opened and they stepped through into the parking area filled with large stalls.
“How do you feel then?” Lauren demanded.
“I have told you how I feel. There is no need to repeat it.” He was staring straight ahead as he walked purposefully down the broad corridor between stalls. Lauren wanted to make him stop and look at her, make him answer her question truthfully.