Modified: the Alien's Mate

Chapter Six

Regina had found a position where she felt she could speak to him without being too uncomfortable. She had even ordered one of the young ensigns to bring her an alcoholic drink. A smile played on her lips as the same ensign who brought her clothes had barely made a comment as she had brought the drink and placed it on the table. She was still nursing the cold liquid when Edgar strolled into the room and came to stand across the table from her.

His eyes went to the mug, then met her eyes. There was disapproval in those orbs she thought.  So, what if she had ordered the ensign outside to get her something alcoholic to steady her nerves. She eyed him back, letting him know his opinion on her having the beverage did not matter to her.

Picking up the mug, she took a sip of what passed for whisky on board his ship and swirled the smooth liquid around her tongue then swallow it. She was used to drinking stronger stuff, especially when she was managing the Bear and Butcher, the pub she had brought along with her friends on Olduh.

The pub was her pride and joy. She had found a job there with an elderly human couple and when they had wanted to retire, her boss had asked if she would take it over. Thomas and Lisa had been patient until she had gathered her friends and pooled their resources to buy out the place.  

One of their specialities was whisky. They even brewed the stuff themselves, but that was Arana’s speciality. She wondered if her friends were doing well and how the business was going, but she knew they would take care of it. The pub was their livelihood. Their means of independence. If she was honest, one of the reasons she had gone into hiding was that she did not want her friends to be caught up in her drama when they had already been through so much to get where they were.

The whole time his eyes were on her, but he did not say a word.

“Have Fox seen to your needs?” he asked.

            The mug was halfway to her lips again and she placed it on the table. “As you can see and smell,” Regina sniffs either armpit. “I’m as clean as a whistle.”

            The captain c***s his head as if he did not get her meaning, but he understood what she was saying. Regina raised her glass, and the oaky scent of the drink filled her nostrils. “Have the doctor looked after you?” she asked using her chin to point to his side, before gulping down the last mouthful of the drink setting the mug back on the table.

            “The doctor is always thorough,” he responded, before taking the chair across from her.

            As he sat down, she wondered why the room suddenly felt smaller than it was.  She had not noticed before, but he was tall, pale, and handsome, she thought as her eyes went to his long alabaster hair.  What was it about Karans and their long hair, she wondered?

As if he heard her thoughts, he shifted beneath her gaze and she contemplated if he found being with her in such a small space as uncomfortable as she did.

            “So, Captain Edgar Wolfblood, why did you bring me here, to this lovely abode,” she said sarcastically, her eyes sweeping the room.

            He looked her over as if he were choosing his words. “I brought you here because you are being accused of murder.”

Her heart jerked.

            His index finger taps the table, and her eyes were drawn to his long fingers. They were much the same as humans, though they were larger because of his height, they did not appear overly large.

            In the harsh light of the room, the ridges between his brows and on either of his cheeks did not miss her inspection.

             “Don’t play games with me. I have been alive long enough to know when someone is pulling my leg,” she accused, hoping he would be open and honest with her. Though he talked about arresting her, she was not being treated as a convict or an accused murderer either. His words belied his treatment of her so far.

 “I think you want something else from me, or I would be in your brig and not sitting in this room enjoying your hospitality.”

            Regina liked being straightforward. She did not like it when people tried to beat around the bush. She wanted him to be straight with her. Since she had begun working in the pub, she had learned that being a straight talker was better than playing games. She honestly felt that if she had been more straightforward when she was eighteen, instead of assuming things on her own she would not have joined Beur’s crusade against the Newahans.

It was as if her way of speaking had taken him off guard because his posture changed and the way he looked at her did not feel as if he had a ten feet barrier between them.

            “I do want something from you, Regina Wilde.” The way he said her name made her wonder how much he knew about her. He would have had access to her file, so it would be no secret that she had been a part of the Purist movement and their attempts to oust the Newahans from earth despite them signing a treaty.

Her scalp prickled with shame and she avoided his eyes. As she waited for him to say what was on his mind, she wondered how he viewed her. He could not completely hate her if he saved her life, surely this meant she should trust him, even a small bit she thought.

Edgar Wolfblood was not a person who liked to make conversation, she thought. He also did not seem like an individual who lacked confidence. Being a captain of one of the Intergalactic Space Corp was not for the faint-hearted she rationalised. There were enough worlds with conflicts that they had to be involved in. So having him sit before her was disconcerting and a bit intimidating, she could admit this to herself, especially when he settled his eyes on her. She wondered if this was what his enemies felt when he was at a standoff with them.

“Are you not going to tell me then?” she asked sourly, rapping her knuckles on the table in agitation.

He tugged at the ruffles of his shirt. “I want the evidence you have on Samuel Beur.”

Agitated, she picked up the mug but there was nothing inside and she sets it down too hard.

“And how do you know I have evidence on Samuel Beur?”

A flicker of irritation and impatience shone in his eyes, but she ignored this and gave him her best innocent look.

“I do not have the time or the inclination to play games with you Regina Wilde,” he said impatiently. “Alex was collaborating with us; I can trust his words. He was the one who led me to you.”

It seemed that there were things she had not known about Alex. Since they had gone to prison, she had not stayed connected with him. Regina had been shocked when he had contacted her six months before and told her he wanted to pursue Beur for his crimes against them.

At the time she had not known it was because Beur had had a hand in killing Alex’s wife Cassandra. When she had learned the story, she had sympathised, and they had begun gathering the evidence against Beur. She had known that Alex had had help from someone in the Intergalactic Space Corp, but she had not known who it was.

If what the captain was saying was true, and he had no reason to lie, then it was he that Alex felt could help them get Beur. Regina had wondered why Alex had been so certain they could take on Beur. Now she knew.

“Do you expect me to take your words that Alex was collaborating with you?” She let her eyes linger on his face. “Who is this us, you’re talking about?”

He assessed her, but she could see that he was debating whether he should tell her what she wanted to know.

“Alex was working for the head of the Intergalactic Investigations Bureau.”

Regina frowned, she had heard about this bureau but had things like intergalactic politics were not something she was interested in, but that was before she had decided to help Alex go after Beur. Her curiosity was piqued though.

“What was Alex doing for the bureau?”

His eyes swept her. “He was gathering evidence for us when he was murdered,” he explained. “There were things that Alex found out that I would never have, and I consider myself a decent investigator.” Edgar’s voice had gone soft and quiet when he spoke about Alex as if he knew him well, she heard regret too and she wondered what type of relationship they had.

            “Since you’re talking to me and not throwing me in the nearest brig, I guess you don’t think that I killed Alex?”

            “You are correct,” he answered confidently. His eyes softened a little as they stared at her.

Her skin flushed beneath his eyes and she avoided his gaze.

“One of our agents saw Beur at the apothecary before Alex was found. You appeared after the murder occurred.” She flopped back in the chair as s a sudden lightness of her body made her feel as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

As Regina began to process what he was saying lump formed in her throat and she swallowed hard.

“So, you know the truth, why are you not doing anything to catch that despicable human being?” she said, folding her arms over her chest defiantly as she speared him with her gaze.

“I want Beur to be accountable for his crimes, that means all the crimes that we know he had committed up until now.”

“That is all good and well, but what about me? You know the truth, so why am I being hunted like an animal?” she asked, her shoulders tensing she began to process his words.

The captain was usually as cool as a cucumber, but he slammed both hands on the table. “I know you want to clear your name, but do not tell me that you cannot see the bigger picture?”

Two weeks ago, when she had first been accused of the crime, she would have welcomed hearing that someone believed she was innocent, but now, after being hunted by the Allarians, her blood boiled to know that he was aware of her innocence and had let them go after her.

            Every fibre of her body was taut with anger. Her hands dropped to the table. Leaning closer, she narrowed her eyes at him. “This is my life you’re talking about.” Her voice rose an octave higher.

He did not flinch, he just watched, and it made her irate. “Do you know how hard I had to work to make a life for myself? Do you?” she hissed. “I have finally got somewhere and you’re telling me you know the truth and you’re not going to do anything about it, that’s what you’re telling me, isn’t it?”

            Regina was filled with nervous energy. She shoved away from the table wanting to put distance between them. The ache she felt in her ankle before, began pulsing in earnest, but she did not dwell on it. If anything, she would use the pain to remind her that her future was at stake. “No wonder no one likes authority,” she gave him a dirty look. “You people don’t do anything unless it benefits you, do you?” Regina accused, staring at him with animosity.

His eyes flashed, but he remained seated and surveyed her as if she were fly that he was considering swatting.

            “I never once said that I would do nothing about it,” he responded calmly.

            She did not like the way he was always so calm, even when he had gotten wounded, not even a grunt of pain had come from his lips. It was something to do with him being alien, but it was not human to just sit there and be quiet when someone was raging at you. Rationally, she knew it was because he was trained to be diplomatic, but she felt as if he was controlled, too controlled in her eyes.

            “Take a seat, we must discuss this calmly,” he told her. His voice was measured as if he was talking to a child.

Heat flushed through her body.

“I don’t know how you want me to discuss this when I feel like my world has fallen apart,” she muttered as she sat back down. She told herself it was because her ankle ached, but the truth was that he appeared more alien when he spoke so quietly.

 “Be calm, Regina Wilde, let me speak without interrupting,” he said placating her.

            Regina opened her mouth to speak, but he placed an index finger over his mouth and said, “Zip your lips,” he said.

            “But…” she protested.

His eyes went to her mouth and she bit her lip to stop her spewing all the anger which simmered within her.

Edgar shook his head. “It is my turn to speak. If I knew you were going to make assumptions on your own, I would have put a gag on you and not a proximity bracelet.”

            Blinking at him, she could not believe he said those words. Were those the words a captain uses when he had a conversation she wondered?

            “Before you interrupted me, I was going to say that the Head of the Intergalactic Bureau of Investigations wants to meet you to discuss your future.”

            Regina opened her mouth to protest, and he silenced her with a shushing motion. “Let me finish.” His words were hard and direct. And she immediately quietened. “We want you to help us catch Beur. It was what you were doing before, this should not be difficult for you to agree. If you help us, we will clear your name and give you your life back,” he said shrewdly.

            She sniggered at him “Can I talk now?” she said, aware that she was being fastidious but did not care. It was her life. It was her evidence, and she had the upper hand.

Regina saw his eyes narrow at her, but she tilted her chin and stared at him defiantly.

            “Let me get this right. You want me to give you the evidence that I have for a promise that is looser than water? Are you crazy?”

He blanched, she guessed he had never had anyone call him crazy before. Well, there was a first time for everything.

            “I am not insane, it is simply common sense,” he said with assurance, his eyes observing her as if she was a strange being he had never encountered before. And he had not. She may be smaller and human, but she was not a complete i***t.

            Leaning back on the chair, narrowed her eyes at him. “You must think I am a pushover.”

He shook his. “I think you are a strong female; in my tribe, you would be perfect as an alpha’s wife.”

Regina was sure that was a compliment, but when he said the words, he was frowning, so she was not certain of his true meaning.

 Ignoring the comment, she grimaced and shook her head. “To think all I did was visit Alex and then to be accused of murder.” She let out a derisive snort. “When he contacted me, I should have followed my instincts, but no. I had to let him convince me that we could get Beur.” Her eyes swept the captain’s features and came to rest on her cheeks. “Look what he got from it.”

A sudden lump formed in her throat and she stared down at her hands on the table. For all this time, she had not allowed herself to think of Alex, but here she was contemplating the choices they had made.

“I don’t know if I have it in me to continue this fight,” she admitted to him, not knowing why she felt she could say this. “These past two weeks have felt harder than when I was on Sigma Twelve.” She rubbed her forehead. Her eyes went to her ragged fingernails, and bruised hands. “I don’t think I can continue like this,” she mumbled, more to herself than him.

“Help us,” he said. His plea was earnest, and something resonated within her, and when he added, “I will protect you.”

A tingling warmth filled her limbs.

“That’s not the problem, I think I have made my peace with death a long time ago,” Regina admitted, reluctantly.

            “What is the issue?”

She rocked slightly forward in the chair. “I don’t want the others who were with me on Sigma Twelve to get caught up in this.”

His features softened.  “You are worried about your friends?”

She nodded. “I was the one that decided to work with Alex, they’re not even aware that I have evidence against Beur.”

            “What if I offer to protect your friends too, will this set your mind at ease?” His words were gentle and soft.

 It was not what she had expected him to say. He must have felt that she was not convinced about helping him. Resting palms flat on the table his eyes met hers. “Would you be convinced our offer is genuine if you heard it from the person in charge of this investigation,” he asked kindly.

            Taking a deep cleansing breath, she exhaled loudly.

 Regina could count on one hand the people she had met who had made her feel this strong sense of connectivity. She was sure Edgar was holding back information but from talking to him she felt that he was not trying to get the better of her. She had opened to him and told him things that she had only thought of herself.  Though she could not explain her emotions towards him she did want to trust him.

            The way he was persistent upon getting her evidence felt as if it was personal. Curious and interested to know what was in it for him she surveyed him. “Why do you want my evidence so badly?”

            “I have my reasons,” he replied curtly.

She pinned him with her eyes, and he avoided her gaze. “Our data banks were tampered with and much of the evidence we have gathered was lost. Alex said you had copies of this and much more that you had gathered while you were still living on earth.”

            She narrowed her eyes at him. “Look here captain, I may be in a tight spot, but I don’t feel comfortable giving you what little leverage I have.”

            His demeanour changed and he gave her a frosty look. “I am the only one who can help you get Beur, do not think anyone else would believe you are innocent?”

            Regina forced a smile. “Do not force me to go elsewhere captain,” she said. “There will be someone in this solar system who believes me and will help me clear my name.”

            “And how long before you find this sage person? do you think you will live long enough to get that evidence in the right person’s hands?” he said, with a tight grimace.  “Do not be unwise, Regina Wilde. I am your only option right now.”

            Giving him a dirty look, she sighed. He was right, they both knew it. She had managed to escape the Allarians because of him. How far could she go and live?

            “Fine, I can admit that you’re right,” she replied grudgingly.

“But I’m not giving you anything until I have some verification that you will clear my name.”

            The captain pressed his lips together again, and her eyes drifted to them. They were nice lips she thought as he considered her words.

            “If you want verification, I know the person who can do that.”

“Who is this person that you think can convince me then?”

Placing her elbows on the table she rested her chin on a fist and scanned his face waiting for him to go on.

            “Lionel Corbin.”

“Which Lionel Corbin?” she asked, sitting up straight. “Not the Lionel Corbin who is earth’s representative to the Intergalactic High Council?”

            Edgar nodded. “Yes, it is he.”

“Bloody hell,” she gasped, hooking her legs around the leg of her chair to steady herself.

“Ow, bloody ow,” she yelped as pain shot up her leg.

Edgar was next to her before the stars cleared from her eyes.

            “I do not believe you only twisted your ankle as you said,” he commented, kneeling next to her, and looking down at her bare feet.

            After her shower, Regina had not bothered to put on the boots Fox had sent to her, because her ankle had looked swollen. The water from the shower had helped, but clearly, it was more serious than she thought.

            “Come, I shall assist you to the doctor,” he said, picking her up as if she was as light as a feather.

            “I can walk there,” she protested half-heartedly.

He stared down at her. “I will carry you.” Edgar hoisted her higher in his arms effortlessly.

            Taking a deep breath, she centred herself and enjoyed the sensation of being carried.

            As he took her out of the room, she felt her animosity towards him lessen. Yet she still felt unsatisfied with the way their conversation had turned out. Regina did not know what she had hoped for, but knowing what he wanted from her, did ease her mind.

However, she was hesitant about giving what she had to him. Maybe after meeting Lionel Corbin she would feel more reassured she thought as she relaxed in his arms and enjoyed the sensation of being carried.