Page 36 of Bikar

Glaring at her, I lean forward. “I think I’m doing a pretty damn good job so far, considering I had a panic attack on our first date.”

Heather’s face is intense as she reaches across the table, grabbing my hand and holding it fiercely. “Bambi, honey, you’re doing a damned fine job. I’m proud of you for giving him a chance, even though you had good reason not to. Bikar has shocked me, too.”

Giving my hand one last squeeze, she releases me and braces her elbows on the table. “He’s kept me up to date on your whereabouts at all times; that way, if you needed me and to be away from him, I could make that happen. Says a lot about him as a person.”

“He… he did all of that?”

“Yeah, honey. He did all of that. All for you.”

Slumping in my chair, I stare at her. “Wow.”

Quirking an eyebrow, she smirks. “There’s more to him than meets the eye. The persona he plays for everyone else isn’t what he shows you, is it?”

Ducking my head, a sappy smile pulls at my lips. “No, I get the real Bikar, and he’s… he’s pretty wonderful.”

“Then I’m happy for you. Now, the Winged Wanker sent all of us a message earlier that we’re going to arrive at this Viri 9 place later today. Has he mentioned anything to you about what might happen?”

Snickering over her nickname for Bikar, I think back to last night, and the in-depth conversations Bikar and I had on our last date before we leave the shuttle. I debate for a moment whether I should tell Heather what Bikar told me, eventually deciding to spill the tea.

“Bikar’s been digging into everything he can find about Viri 9 for the last couple of days. I’m not sure there’s much on the planet and the folks that live there he doesn’t already know.”

Heather’s eyes narrow. Looking around the dining hall, she checks if anyone is paying attention to our conversation before lowering her voice. “He hasn’t told anyone else about the snake… has he?”

I shake my head. “No, no. He told all his brothers—and their wives—about Bhastas. He didn’t intentionally keep that from us, just so you know. There wasn’t any meanness in his decision to tell Slavic first before you, and I found out.”

Sniffing in disdain, she jerkily flips her hair over her shoulders. “I don’t care about the snake.”

“Then why was he the first thing you brought up?”

Curling her lip in disgust, she clears her throat before replying. “Because he’s a member of the species that stole us from Earth!”

Inwardly shrinking at the sharpness of her voice, I slowly nod in agreement. “Yeah, he is… but, Heather, Bhastas, theindividual, didn’t do anything to us. Ironically, the other Jega that stole us kinda saved our lives when they abducted us. I know the journey to get here was… bad, and that’s putting it lightly, but we’re mostly happy, healthy, and safe now.”

Slumping back into her chair, her stiffness slowly disappears. “Stop making sense. I’m supposed to be the worldly, wise one in this friendship.”

She regards me steadily for a couple of seconds with piercing blue eyes, and I have to force myself not to fidget.

“What else did he say? Surely there’s more.”

Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, I nod. “Yeah, there’s more.”

Hopping to her feet, she snatches my empty coffee cup off the table. “I’ll make us fresh drinks, and then you’re going to tell me everything. I don’t want to walk into our new life without knowing what to expect.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I have to admit she’s got a point.

“Fair enough, bestie.”

CHAPTER 33

BIKAR

The tech leads snick as they embed themselves into my back, making me twitch, right before data starts flashing across my mind faster than most beings can fathom. I send a ping to the Zenith, letting Slavic know I am about to open comms with Viri 9. Less than a tic later, he sends back confirmation and authorization to proceed.

Diving into the shuttle’s system, I check on my mate one last time. She’s in the dining hall drinking herchocolate coffeewith Heather, and discussing what life on Viri 9 might be like after we land. Assured she is as safe as possible, I begin my initial foray of communication with Viri 9.

Opening a holoscreen, I make sure my wings are tucked safely away and my vest is in place before sending my query to the command center planetside. There is not anything I can do about my horns… so I am as prepared as I will ever be.

“Hailing, Viri 9. Hailing, Viri 9. This is the shuttle, Scythe. Requesting permission to land for Scythe and sister ship, Zenith.”