pool of deadly liquid, Maya.” Lex gave credit where due, even given the disturbing fact a female had saved him, which went against everything he’d been taught as a warrior.
“Deadly liquid?” Maya giggled, an enchanting sound that made him pulse even larger. “That was a swimming pool. It’s only deadly if you don’t know how to swim.” When Lex frowned, still not comprehending, she explained.
“A pool is filled with water and chemicals to keep it clear, and people swim in it. Umm, move their arms and legs to keep their bodies afloat. It’s a form of recreation on Earth and a way to cool off on a hot day.” Appalled, Lex sputtered, “You use water for recreation? Is your race completely crazy?”
Maya crossed her arms under her ample breasts, which had the effect of pushing them together and out, a sight that made him speechless for a moment. “Listen here, senor. I don’t know where you come from, but here 13
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on Earth, we have lots of water. And if we want to swim in it, we will,” she said huffily.
“On my world, the use of water is strictly prohibited it is so scarce. Not to mention necessary to ensure a healthy planetary survival. I can’t believe you would treat such a precious resource so recklessly.”
“Whatever. Dios. See if I save your ass next time,” she muttered under her breath, but Lex still heard every word although he had difficulty following when she mixed up her languages.
“Why is it you speak in two languages?”
“I am Hispanic. Spanish is my mother tongue.”
“I thought you were an earthling?” Or is Maya yet another unknown breed of alien?
* * * *
Maya looked at him strangely. “ Ai , you must be alien to be so ignorant. I am human, or earthling, if you prefer, but my people are called Hispanic, or Latina. We tend to have dark hair”—she pointed to her halo of curls—“and tanned skin. Don’t tell me everyone on your planet is blue like you?” And she wondered if the blue extended to all his body parts.
“No, we have different shades depending on the purity of the bloodline, and the occasional other color depending on the mixing of alien genes.” Maya shook her head at the remark that skirted the edge of racism. “I’m not even going to touch that one,” she said shaking her head. “Now, it’s time you explained exactly what you’re doing here. And you’d better tell the truth, or I’ll call the military police myself. You said something about marrying some human girl?” Actually Maya wouldn’t turn him in. Somewhere between the hotel she worked at and her home, she’d begun to believe his strange tale—kind of hard not to when his eyes kept glowing violet whenever he looked at her. She only wished his mission had been to claim her. She wouldn’t have minded becoming his mate.
“I am to mate with the human Amanda Beckwith. She has been chosen by the Oracle and my ancestors to be my mate.”
“Who’s this Oracle? Is she like a clan elder?” Lex launched into an explanation. “The Oracle is the oldest being on our planet. She has always been and always will be. When the females of our planet were killed by a deadly virus, she, along with the spirits of our ancestors—”
Maya interrupted. “Wait a second. Did you say spirits?” 14
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“Yes, all who die in the clan are buried in the mausoleums on one of the three moons, thus freeing their spirits to perform deeds. With the help of the Oracle, many are now tasked with finding suitable females for us as mates.”
“That’s barbaric,” she exclaimed.
“What is?”
“Arranged marriages.”
“It is our custom,” he said frowning at her. “We require females of other races to breed with and rebuild our population. Once they are selected by our ancestors, we are sent to retrieve them.”
“You mean you kidnap them? Don’t they get a choice?” Maya couldn’t believe his chauvinistic attitude. Then again, it was kind of