Coto's Captive Read online

  She gaped at him until Coto rushed out of the house. He spotted Vhon and barreled toward him, throwing his arms around the guy in a bear hug.

  “It’s so good to find you safe.”

  Vhon hugged him back. “I am glad to see you. I wasn’t sure if anyone else survived.”

  Coto released him and seemed to notice his clothing. “Where is your uniform?”

  “Buried. I wanted to fit in.” He waved his arms down his body. “What do you think? I totally could pull off being human, couldn’t I? Jeans are comfortable. I would have exchanged my shoes too but I couldn’t find any that fit my feet. Whoever used to live here had small ones.”

  Holion cleared his throat. “Of course we are human. We’re leprechauns.”

  Vhon shot a horrified look at Holion. “That’s your cover story?”

  “Yes. Gar has evidence of what we are and showed the woman.”

  Vhon suddenly laughed and peered at Lynn. “Did you tell him what they are? I know. I learn everything I can about Earth culture. It’s fascinating.”

  She shook her head. “I just say okay a lot,” she admitted.

  He chuckled. “I apologize.”

  “What is going on? What is entertaining?” Holion sounded pissed.

  “Leprechauns aren’t real life forms,” Vhon informed him. “They are stories told to children that involve tales of pots of gold to make humans wealthy and powerful.”

  “You’re wrong. We have proof,” Holion protested. “Show him, Gar.”

  Gar withdrew the ad and passed it to Vhon. He studied it and snickered. “This is a cartoon. It’s a drawing to amuse children. It’s clear this tavern wanted to draw parents to bring their young to this event.”

  Lynn smothered a grin. Some men act like kids. She wasn’t about to clarify that it was a bar that served adult beverages.

  “Enough,” Coto ordered. “It doesn’t matter. Lynn knows the truth. I told her everything.”

  “You’re taking her to Zorn with us?” Holion grimaced.

  “You’ve claimed her?” Vhon spoke at the same time. “Cool beans. She’ll get along great with the other women in our family.”

  “Stop speaking that nonsense,” Holion snarled. “Why are you talking about food? The real issue is that Coto cared more about the woman than he did about finding you. His need to claim an Earth woman overruled his duty.”

  Coto snarled and took a threatening step forward.

  Vhon reacted faster. His easygoing demeanor swiftly changed. He attacked Holion, grabbing him by the front of his uniform and getting in his face.

  “Stop being such a kiss-ass,” Vhon warned, his voice harsh. “That is Earth slang, meaning that I know you are saying words, wanting me to be angry with Coto, so I ask my father to demote him and give you his standing within our family. It is never going to happen. The woman is very attractive. Coto can court a woman and look for me at the same time. I would do the same. Now shut your mouth if you are smart before he beats you like a piñata. That’s Earth slang for kicking your ass so hard it will be merciful if you survive.” He shoved him and stepped back, staring at Coto. “What a tool.”

  “I don’t know what that means but I agree if it’s an insult.” Coto backed away and stepped next to Lynn.

  Vhon addressed Coto. “It is. I’ll teach you Earth slang so you can communicate with your woman better.”

  “She hasn’t agreed to come home with us yet.” Coto glanced at her. “I wish her to. I’m giving her time to get to know me better.”

  “He’s a great guy.” Vhon winked at Lynn. “He’s a good fighter, also an excellent provider, and he’d be as loyal to you as the day is long. We’re way better than Earth men. They can cheat and lie. Coto has honor and always keeps his word.”

  “Enough,” Coto grumbled.

  “I’m talking you up to her. Be cool.” Vhon smiled at Lynn. “I would totally say yes to him if I were a girl. He’s got lots of muscles and all our warriors have big swords.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And we know how to use them. We have stamina too. Lots of that.”

  Lynn couldn’t help but laugh. Vhon wasn’t what she had expected and he had a good sense of humor.

  “Enough,” Coto repeated.

  Vhon sucked in a deep breath and shot Coto an irritated look. “Fine. I’m trying to help you out.” He caught Lynn’s eye. “You’ll enjoy our food. I have three sisters-in-law and a stepmother from Earth. They love Zorn and are happy to live there. You’ll have a built-in Earth family. I’m done now.”

  A faint buzz sounded and Coto reached down and pulled out one of those communicator devices from his pocket. “It must be one of our ships.” He pushed a button, making the sides of it light up. “This is Coto.”

  “It is good you are alive. What is the status of Argis Vhon?” The man had a raspy voice.

  “We all survived the crash. There are none seriously injured. Our ship was destroyed. How long until you can reach us?”

  “Eighteen hours.”

  “We will be ready. There is cleanup to be done.”

  “Understood. Ending transmission.”

  Coto turned it off and returned it to his pocket. He held Lynn’s gaze. “Our time is shorter than I estimated.”

  He was leaving in the morning. She wasn’t certain how to feel about that. It wasn’t as if he were moving to another town or even another country. It would be impossible for her to visit him. She glanced up at the blue sky, then him. Her chest tightened and it was difficult to breathe.

  “Why don’t we all go inside?” Vhon motioned to the other men.

  “We should return to our camp,” Holion argued.

  “Geez, you’re thickheaded.” Vhon sighed. “Get inside and give them a little privacy.” He spun, striding toward the broken front door. “Follow me. That’s an order as your Argis. Not you, Coto.”

  Lynn waited until they were alone and swallowed hard. Coto stepped closer and brushed her hair away from her cheek. They just stared at each other until she finally couldn’t take the silence anymore.

  “Are you coming back to Earth soon?”

  “It’s uncertain. Berrr won’t be happy that we were attacked. He might station a war ship to protect the planet from Collis. It would mean they’d have to stay far enough away to prevent Earth from detecting us. He’ll also be concerned that we weren’t able to hide our visit and might ban anyone from returning here for a long time. We don’t wish to frighten humans.”

  “Oh.”

  “It’s possible I won’t be able to return for years, if ever.”

  That pain in her chest increased.

  “Have you considered leaving with me?”

  Part of her was tempted to say yes. It was a terrifying concept though. She’d have to leave behind everyone and everything she knew and face so many uncertainties that she had a difficult time trying to imagine them. She had a job, a house payment, and how could she give up one life for another?

  “Can you stay here with me? I mean, you could always contact Zorn if you wanted to go home later.”

  “I can’t do that, Lynn.” He wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck, gently cupping her there. “It would be impossible for me to fit into your society.”

  She studied his features, knowing he spoke the truth.

  “We’re aware of the kind of reception Earth could give an alien. We’ve been studying your society. They would fear me, examine me, and I wouldn’t live long in captivity. They wouldn’t allow you to be with me. I’d face certain death.”

  He was right. She knew it. They’d probably dissect him within a week of discovering him. That would be the least of it, if the military wanted to torture him to learn everything they could about his people and their technology.

  Coto tried hard to think of what to say to convince Lynn to return to Zorn with him. “I’d do anything to make you happy. I know you reacted badly when I told you women and men are not equal on my planet. I’m larger and physically stronger but I see you as my equal. We