Alien Interludes Read Online Free Page A

patient. “Excuse me, Narpok. I’m going to take this cal outside. I’l be right back.” She stepped out of the room to deal with whoever caled, knowing just the sound of a male voice could be enough to upset Narpok. The woman had been sexualy abused by a brutal Kalquorian clan for years. The foul mistreatment had finaly broken her when the truth came out.
    Jessica smiled to see her mother Tara waiting for her in the halway, and she quickly shut the door behind her. The locks clicked home, keeping Narpok trapped in her safe cocoon. The empress hugged Tara despite having just seen her at dinner the night before. Being separated from al of her family for over two years had been her one overriding sadness since coming to Kalquor. Tara’s arrival three months prior had been as precious as the birth of Jessica’s two children.
    “What’s up, Mom? Are you the one who caled? Is everything okay?”
    Tara smiled up at her. If Jessica saw herself as short, then her mother must have felt miniscule. A petite woman even for an Earther, everyone towered over her; especialy the Kalquorians whose average height hovered around six and a half feet. Tara joked about the constant crick in her neck from looking up al the time.
    The elder woman pressed a kiss to Jessica’s cheek. “I missed you at breakfast. Not that I mind eating with your clan and my grandchildren. We had a very nice conversation.” Jessica gave her a rueful smile. “My schedule is off the charts today. I only had time for a quick bite before I headed out.”
    “So I hear. According to your mates, you’ve al been terribly busy.”
    “We have. It comes with the territory, I suppose. The Imperial Clan’s work is never done.”
    “Even so, I suggested you might find a little time for each other. Earth relationships with just one man and one woman require a great deal of attention. I can only imagine how complicated it gets with three husbands.”
    Jessica sighed. “Time is something we don’t have a lot of, especialy with the recent attacks on Earther Mataras.” She scowled. Someone had it in for the Earther women who had chosen to join Kalquorian clans. In the last four months, two women had been abducted with another five going missing. The situation had everyone on edge. While the vast majority of Kalquor’s indigenous population was overwhelmingly in favor of mixing the two endangered species to create a new one, the rebelious few had become more vocal in their opposition as of late. More vocal and more violent. There were rumblings that a real insurgency might be building.
    “Wel, you have time now.” Tara beamed at her. “Clajak has decided your clan is meeting in Egilka’s office here at the hospital immediately. You go ahead and join them, sweetheart. I’l sit with Narpok.” Jessica stared and felt a little flare of indignation in her breast. “You’re meddling, Mom.”
    Her smile only grew brighter. “Yes, I am. Mother’s prerogative.”
    Jessica slowly shook her head. “You unapologetic fiend.”
    “Go already. As you said, you’re al very busy, so you don’t have the whole day.”
    Jessica knew better than to argue with Tara. As sweet and gentle as her mother was, she didn’t give an inch when her mind was made up. Jessica, never one to acquiesce gracefuly, grumbled as she waved her hand over the identification sensor, unlocking Narpok’s door for Tara.
    “Fine. Enjoy your scintilating conversation with my girl here.” Poking her head in, Jessica announced, “Narpok, my mother is going to visit with you. Say nice things about me.” Narpok stared into space, no flicker of interest showing as Tara entered. Jessica sighed and walked down the hal.
    She nodded absentmindedly at the Kalquorians who bowed as she passed. Guards, orderlies, doctors, and nurses, al of them male, stopped whatever they did to show her respect. Almost three years of being their empress hadn’t made Jessica entirely comfortable with the formality. After al,