Page 27 of Sasha’s Bounties
Wide awake now, I hurry after Brettin through the ship. When we get to the cockpit, Vruk is at the controls, scrolling through rows of alien code on the large screen. He looks over his shoulder and grins when he hears us come in.
“About time you decided to show up.” He says with a grin and reaches across the control panel where he hits a button that makes the code disappear and a huge image of Earth—my Earth—appear on the view screen. “You almost missed it.”
“Oh, my God,” I breathe, covering my mouth with my hand at the glorious sight. It’s just like all the photos and video’s I’ve grown up seeing. Only better because this isn’t just an image but the real deal. It’s a view of my planet I never thought I’d ever see.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Brettin’s arm snakes around my shoulders and he draws me against his chest. “It is. You have a lovely home planet.”
“I’m patching into your planets global positioning system, so that we can better find your home. But I need the coordinates.” Vruk says, switching half of the screen back to the rows of code.
Of course, they would break into Earth’s GPS to get directions to my farm. I can’t help the giggle that bubbles up at the simplicity of it. I rattle off my address and then wait as the ship’s computer does its thing. A moment later there is a chime and then an arial image of my farm appears on screen.
“Oh!” I gasp, and unexpected tears sting my eyes.Home.
“We can be there within the hour,” Vruk tells me as his fingers fly across the control panel.
“Wait!” I nearly shout. “What time is it there? We should wait for night to fall. No one can know about us. Aliens don’t exist to humans, and if the government were to find out, they’d try to capture you so they could study and run tests on you.”
“The Sovereign has cloaking capabilities, but we will do as you say and wait for your night to fall.” Brettin assures me. I find myself relaxing into him as I stare at the view of my home on the view screen.
“There are still several hours before your sun sets,” Vruk sighs, pushing himself back from the controls. His dove gray colored eyes lock on mine and his lips pull back in a menacing smile. “How should we spend the time while we wait?”
“I can think of a few ways,” Brettin growls from behind me.
My heart thuds in my chest, and damn if I don’t go instantly wet for them.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Sasha
* * *
Iwatch the corn stalks sway wildly from the screen as Vruk sets theSovereigngently in the field closest to the house. To my surprise all the corn has already been harvested.
Just how much time has passed on Earth since I’ve been gone?
Once the ship is on the ground, Vruk cuts the engines but leaves the cloaking system running.
“Are you sure you must go alone?” He asks me, for probably the fifth time.
“I told you, no one can know you’re here or that you’re aliens.”
“If it’s dangerous to be out there, how are we supposed to just let you go.” Brettin pipes up.
I have to force myself not to roll my eyes. “It’s only dangerous for you, not for me. I just need to make sure the house is safe and then I’ll come back to get you both.”
I can tell they want to argue, but they also know I’m right.
Grabbing Vruk by the horns, I pull his mouth to mine and give him a sound kiss before turning to Brettin and doing the same.
“Maybe you should take a blaster with you?” Vruk growls.
“Here. Keep my knife on you.” Brettin adds, pulling a “knife” that’s almost as long as my arm from the side of his leg.
“Guys, stop,” I can’t help laughing at the way they are showing me how much they care. “I will be fine. I promise.”
They look skeptical but walk me to the ramp that swings open, and I get my first breath of fresh air in weeks. The smell of the cool night breeze and cornstalks and home has tears stinging my eyes. I truly never thought I’d ever get to experience this again.