“The leader of our expedition…A guy named Max…He took the hunt weapons—against my protestations. There was nothing I could do. It was like Hell on Earth after that. Your hunters came after us with everything they had. It didn’t help that the pyramid kept shifting every ten minutes. Everywhere we turned, there was a gaping hole…Or a wall…Or one of those black aliens…Or one of you. It was crazy. Me and Sebastian…One of my team members…We were the last two humans alive. We observed your brother…Scar…While he was marking himself. We were hidden inside one of the pyramid’s apertures. It was after he''d tried to kill us. But we didn’t see anything attack him. I don’t know when that happened. When the pyramid reconfigured again, Sebastian was taken by one of the black aliens and impregnated. Of course, I didn’t know that until later.”


    Lex takes a deep breath and glances around the kitchen. She climbs from her seat at the table and crosses to the sink. Leaning against the front of the sink, she gazes out of the tiny kitchen window.


    “I really don’t want to talk about this. I’ve spent the last eleven years pushing it down and away. I can’t do this right now.”


    Scorvo follows Lex’s lead and climbs to his feet. He strides to where Lex leans against the sink and stops a foot or two behind her. His eyes slide over her form, observing the tiny shivers coursing through her body. The ooman female is crying.


    “There is no need to continue this conversation now. I only wished to know how it is that my brother came to be in your presence…And dead by the queen serpent’s tail. There are those who talk of stripping my brother of his honored warrior title…Because he strayed from the hunt. Because he dared save the life of an ooman. While these voices and whispers are very small, I worry they may further poison opinions of my fallen hunt brother. The shame would bring down my entire house. I did not mean to cause you pain.”


    When Lex turns to face Scorvo, her eyes and cheeks are indeed wet. The seasoned warrior finds himself struggling to meet the ooman female’s gaze. The emotion visible on her face is more than what he would have expected—her scent quickly changing to match the depth of her sadness.


    “They would strip him of his title…Because he dared to save me?” Lex says, disbelief evident in her voice.


    “There is talk of such,” Scorvo says, his amber eyes sad and unblinking.


    “That’s ridiculous!” Lex exclaims. “Since when is saving another life dishonorable? What kind of society do you live in? No, never mind. That was rude. Forgive me. I just can’t believe what I’m hearing. Or seeing.”


    Wiping at her cheeks, Lex peers up at the clock on the kitchen wall.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Look…I really have to go.”


    Scorvo nods with agreement but makes no attempt to leave. His eyes are riveted to Lex’s face, studying every twitch and curve.


    “Which means…You have to leave,” Lex says, trying to spur Scorvo to movement.


    “I believe it would be better for you if I stayed,” Scorvo counters.


    “Why?” Lex challenges.


    “Because I do not believe it is safe for you to be alone at this time,” Scorvo says, his eyes remaining locked on Lex’s face.


    Tears well up in the corners of Lex’s eyes. She shakes her head, voice cracking under the emotional strain.


    “No. I don’t think so. Sorry. Please go. Now.”


    Scorvo’s eyes narrow and he reaches up to touch the scar on Lex’s cheek again. This time, she does flinch, unsure of why he continues to repeat the action.


    “If that is your wish,” Scorvo replies.


    “It is. Thank you. And goodbye. I hope everything works out for you. Your brother…Scar…Was a hero. Plain and simple. At least, as far as I’m concerned. But now, I have important things to do.”


    Scorvo drops his hand from Lex’s cheek and moves in the direction of the back door. He peers wolfishly over one shoulder, eyes narrowed and mandibles drawn up in a sly grin.


    “I understand your need for expediency. I am sure the many males who fill the singing chamber will worry if you are not there on time. I have seen the way their eyes graze over your body. As I have said before…I can see why my brother would want to save you. I might have been tempted to do the same.”


    Lex takes a moment to process the words she has just heard. By the time she spins to face the back door, Scorvo is exiting it at a quick pace. Lex’s mouth moves wordlessly and she places a hand at her forehead, as if checking for a fever.


    “What the hell was that about?” Lex exclaims, finally finding her voice.


    -


    -


    Jukebox Club


    Laura/Lex slowly lowers herself down onto the plush seat of the chair directly facing her wardrobe mirror. Opening the top drawer, she retrieves a tube of dark red lipstick. She changes her mind and decides to go with a more natural look, choosing a medium shade of peach.


    Evenly applying the lipstick, she turns her face so that her left cheek is fully visible in the reflection of the mirror. Makeup now hides the scar on her cheek.


    Why today? Why now? After all of these years. Just when she had managed to convince herself that everything would be okay.


    How strange, her alien visitor. How much he resembles the alien from the pyramid. Even for twins, the resemblance is more than uncanny. Had the visitor not revealed the truth, she would have gone on believing it was him--Scar.


    Why did the simple mention of his name cause a stirring in her stomach? Guilt? Remorse? Something else? The way he had leaned toward her, just before the queen had emerged. What had he planned to say? Or do? She will never know.


    Finishing with her lipstick, Lex smacks her lips twice and forces a smile.