Devotion (Chosen by the Karal #5)(12)

“No,” he cried, “Tikki Mommy, get up.” He pulled and pulled at her, and then he stopped, turning to cower as the big Karalian who had shot her loomed over them.

“Please, let the boy go,” she sobbed, the pain in her body slowly subsiding, but she still couldn’t move.

“No, Tikki Mommy, I’m not going to leave you,” Charlie cried, now pressing his small body against hers.

“Tikki?” the big Karalian asked, his voice soothing, gentle. “I am so sorry. I thought the cruiser was under attack.” He bent down, turning her onto her back, and massaging the place where the electric current had hit her. “Lie still, it will pass.”

“How do you know who I am?” she asked.

“Okil has told me all about you. He is at your home now; he was scared because someone had broken in. When I heard someone outside the cruiser, I thought we were under attack here too.”

“I came to him for help.” She clutched her chest, her heartbeat erratic as the aftershocks hit her. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Shh. He’ll be here soon.” He lifted his wrist and pressed a button before talking into a communicator; Tikki had seen Okil use his on several occasions. Okil. He was close, he would know what to do. She closed her eyes, aware of Charlie curled up next to her, sobbing.

“Don’t die, Tikki Mommy,” he said over and over.

She lifted her hand and stroked his head. “I don’t intend to.” But in some ways death might hurt a whole lot less than the pain she was in now. All her muscles were cramping, and her body burned. It slowly began to pass, the electricity dissipating from her body.

“Better?” the Karalian asked.

“Yes.”

“Then let’s get you into the cruiser. I have no idea what is going on here, but we are too vulnerable outside.” He helped her up, with much protesting from Charlie. “It’s OK. I’ll help her feel better.”

“You hurt her,” Charlie accused.

“He didn’t meant to, Charlie.” She clutched her chest as she was lifted, the alien cradling her against his massive chest. Then he carried her as though she weighed no more than Charlie, up the ramp and into the spaceship.

“Here, let’s make you comfortable,” he said sitting her in a chair. “My name is Darl, by the way. And it is my pleasure to meet you at last, Tikki.”

“Thank you, Darl,” Tikki said with some effort, her teeth clamped together to stop a jolting sensation taking hold of her body. Charlie slipped into the chair next to her, and offered her his teddy bear. It was his most prized possession. “No, you keep hold of him, Charlie.”

“No. I don’t mind. Mommy gave him to me. When I went to live with Sienna Mommy, she made me promise to keep him safe at all times. But I trust you with him.”

Through the fog of cramped muscles, Tikki took hold of the teddy and said, “Thank you.”

Charlie looked concerned, but he didn’t look scared to death anymore. Although when there were voices outside, he went and hid behind the seats, taking his teddy with him.

“Don’t worry, it’s Okil,” Darl said, placing his hand on Tikki’s when she made to get up.

“He’s here already?” she asked, and then he was beside her, scooping her up into his arms and holding her close. She buried her face in his chest, breathing in the scent of him and feeling his colours as they cascaded across his skin. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“What happened, Tikki? I went to your apartment. Reja was there, she said you were supposed to be home. When we went inside, it had been searched.” His eyes were fixed on her face. “What is going on? Is this because of me? Because someone knows about us and doesn’t approve?”

She shook her head, her brain still not up to speed. “I don’t know, Okil. I honestly don’t. First there is Charlie, and his parents, and then this afternoon I had a visit from one of Elissa’s old boyfriends.”

“What did he want?” Okil asked possessively.

She looked up at him, wondering what to say when the whole thing sounded absurd, but she had to tell him the truth. “I think he was looking for Charlie.”

“Who was it?” Reja asked. “Which boyfriend?”

“Harri. You know, the one she lived with when she went away.”

“I never trusted him,” Reja said. “Always seemed too shifty.”

“What happened?” Okil asked.

“He knocked at the door. And I thought it was Reja. But just as I opened it he spoke, and Charlie ran.”

“What do you mean he ran?” Reja asked quickly, her hand over her mouth.

“He gathered up all of his toys and went and hid in my bedroom. Right under the bed.”

“Maybe he just doesn’t like strange men?” Okil asked, looking to where Charlie was hiding now. “Hello, Charlie.”

Charlie shrunk back, trying to get as far away from Okil as he could. Tikki turned, her body still a mess of pain, but she held out her hand to Charlie and said, “Come on out, Charlie. You already know Reja, and Okil won’t hurt you.”

Slowly, Charlie took her hand and slipped out to hide behind her legs instead, resting his head in her lap while he nervously eyed the people looking at him. He clutched the tattered teddy bear in his arms, and Tikki’s heart ached for him. She rested her hand on his head and stroked his hair, hating that she had to ask him about things that scared him, but they had to know what was going on.