Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(13)

No one had ever called her beautiful. Smart, sharp, cunning, bitch…she’d heard all of those before. But no man had ever looked at her with such curiosity or desire—like she was something precious for him to uncover.

“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Are you ready to start your show?”

“Are you ready to be my assistant?”

“Not really, but let’s get this over and done with.”

He took her hand and led her over to the small stage that had been set up near the windows.

Madeline moved up to the tiny microphone device the staff had brought in. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you to the House of Galen.”

Cheers erupted.

“I hope you’re enjoying our celebration.”

More cheers and lifted drinks.

“Now we have something extra special for you.” The lights lowered, leaving the guests in dim light. “Our own showman gladiator is going to put on a very special show. One you can’t see anywhere else. One that will wow you and leave you a little breathless.”

Murmurs rippled through the guests. Madeline saw Cerria pressed into Vashto’s side, watching the stage with acute interest.

“Please welcome Lore, son of Uma, grandson of Xilene.”

She stepped backward as Lore strode forward. A single beam of white-blue light illuminated him. He stood tall and straight, looking both mysterious and approachable.

He threw his arm up, then turned one palm skyward. For a second, nothing happened, then the spectators closest to the makeshift stage gasped.

A tiny bubble of water appeared on his palm.

Madeline stared. It looked like a tiny crystal or diamond. He lifted his other hand over it, until the small bubble of water was pressed between his palms. Then he started moving his hands apart, like he was working taffy, pulling the ball bigger and bigger.

The crowd, and Madeline, watched, mesmerized, as the ball of water increased in size. Soon it was over a meter wide.

“If my lovely assistant would please bring me that small box behind her.”

Madeline grabbed the glimmering metallic box and moved up beside him. The spotlight was far brighter than she’d imagined and she fought not to blink.

“Open it.”

She flicked open the lid. Inside was a tiny, polished, multicolored rock. She frowned. What was he going to do with that?

He pulled out the tiny rock and tossed it into the bubble of water. She watched the rock sink slowly, then a second later, it burst open, turning into a brightly colored fish.

Madeline’s delighted gasp matched the crowd’s. As the small creature swam around the ball, the guests applauded.

“Now, let’s make this more exciting.” Lore snapped his fingers and the fish disappeared. He gripped the water orb on either side and again worked it until it grew even larger. The giant blue sphere floated in front of him until it was as tall as he was.

“And now, I need my lovely assistant’s help.” He held out a hand to her.

Madeline set her hand into his.

“Your turn,” he told her.

“What?”

“Trust me,” he murmured.

She didn’t trust anybody, but strangely enough, with his big, warm hand holding hers, she let him help her step inside the ball of water.

Madeline expected it to actually be an entire ball of water, but instead it was only a giant bubble. She could breathe just fine and float around. She held her arms out, feeling like she was as light as a feather.

Lore raised his hands up and the orb of water lifted off the ground. Madeline’s heart leaped in her throat. Trust him. He won’t hurt you.

She looked down and saw the crowd looking up at her in awe. She was grateful the fabric of her dress clung to her legs and didn’t give them a view of her underwear. A giddy laugh caught in her throat. She glanced at Lore and saw he was motioning for her to spin around.

What the hell? Recalling skills from her days as a high-school gymnast, Madeline turned in a somersault, a laugh escaping her throat. She kicked and floated back upright.

Below, Lore leaped up onto a table until he could reach her bubble. He touched the sides again, enlarging it more.

Then he climbed inside with her.

“This is incredible,” she said breathlessly.

“I thought you might like it.” He held her hand, and, with his other hand, he waved forward. The ball of water moved out over the party guests. They were all reaching up, women laughing, men looking on wide-eyed.

Lore moved the bubble around the room. Inside it, they spun around together and Madeline turned a few more somersaults with his help. Soon, the orb was floating back over the stage.

“Ready for the finale?” he asked.

Madeline wasn’t sure she was ready for anything, where this man was concerned. But she nodded anyway.