The Chosen 5: Trapped
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G. M. Marks
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30
Risky Secrets
Book 5: Trapped
CHLOE
Chloe gripped the handrail as she gazed at the two large moons gleaming in the dark, alien sky of Zibon 8. She felt dizzy as she looked down over the edge. She was so far up she couldnât see the ground, whether ocean or land.
Looking back up, she tried to remember how different Earthâs moon was. It was sad to think that sheâd barely looked at it back home. That sheâd barely noticed anything of her world.
So caught up in her little life, in her little home in Texas, sheâd rarely noticed the blue of the sky or the shining stars.
She closed her eyes, letting all the new sensations prickle against her skin. It felt different too. It smelled different.
In a queer way, it made her pine for home. She was starting to miss the blue. The one moon.
Everything that was once normal.
Chloe opened her eyes. The nostalgia came and went and didnât last long. The excitement of a new world, of a new life, was waiting for her, begging her to reach out and take it.
But she couldnât. She wasnât allowed to take it.
Chloe frowned. As infuriating and tedious and suffocating as her life used to be back on Earth, at least sheâd been able to go outside. At least sheâd been allowed to have some kind of life.
Chloeâs eyelids fluttered as a big warm presence made itself known. Two huge hands curled around the railing beside hers. It felt like the air was vibrating.
His smell suffused her body like a perfume. She took a deep breath and released it, and immediately her misgivings and regrets swept away.
How did he do that? Theyâd known each other for almost a year now. Theyâd been in each otherâs pockets every minute of every day.
How could he feel like a beautiful, wonderful stranger she was still getting to know, and yet feel like someone sheâd known for several lifetimes?
Tor leaned his chin upon her head. âYou think too much.â
âYes.â
âWe must go.â
Chloe sniffed. âCurfew is for children.â
âI agree, but what can we do?â
Chloe leaned back into him, his warm chest pressing up against her back. âWhat will happen if we break it?â
âI guess theyâll drag us back.â
âThen whatâs the rush?â She felt a thrill of excitement. âWhy not give them a bit of a fight for a change?â
He chuckled. âI guess we could see what happens.â
Chloe gazed into Zibon 8âs night sky, trying to keep her mind focused away from Torâbut it was hard. And it seemed to be getting harder and harder as each day passed.
âIs our bond getting stronger?â she asked.
âWhy do you say that?â
âDo I really need to answer?â She entwined her fingers through his. âDoesnât it worry you?â
âDo you really need to ask?â
Chloe was frustrated, and yet she couldnât help smiling. Tor always did this to her, made her feel so many opposite things.
She turned in his arms. Tor was smiling too. His long dark hair tumbled down over his big shoulders, shifting in the breeze.
The alienness of his face suddenly struck her: his too-big jaw, his too-high cheekbones, those predatory yellow eyes. His sheer hugeness was another thing; it made her shiver, it made her heart beat hard, it made her want to curl up into him like a kitten and completely lose herself.
He always reminded her of her âfemalenessâ in a way no other person did.
His silvery shirt glittered. His smile broadened into a grin, and it made something inside her lurch.
Seizing his face, Chloe looked into his yellow eyes. They were gleaming against the moonlight and seemed to pierce her right down deep into her bones. The tip of her tongue was tingling.
Her mouth filled with saliva. She didnât realize she was kissing him until a voice called for them to stop.
They jerked apart.
âCurfew!â the voice barked.
Chloe wiped her mouth with a start. Torâs cheeks were flushed, his eyes glowing like liquid gold. He was panting as he turned to look at who had disrupted them.
Two men stood at the entrance to the balcony, arms folded.
Tor slumped his arm around Chloeâs shoulders nonchalantly. He even laughed. âAnd what are you going to do about it? You going to fight me? Hurt me? You going to hurt my female?â Tor gave Chloe a gentle squeeze. âCome on, then, I dare you.â
âIt is only our job, Tor. It is what keeps you safe,â the one on the left spoke.
âNo offense, Darrin, but I think I can do a better job keeping Chloe safe than you can, donât you think?â
âDonât make this hard. Just go back to your quarters,â he said. He sounded tired.
Tor was about to speak again when Chloe stopped him. âLetâs just go back. I canât be bothered.â She glared at the two men. âWe wonât be staying long anyway. If you want a baby from me, youâll have to start doing what I say.â
And with that, she took Torâs hand and stormed her way back across the balcony, the two Zibons pulling out of their way.
Once they were out of earshot, Tor said, âYou continue to surprise me. Where did that come from?â
Chloe shrugged, too angry to speak. She was shaking as they made their way down the womenâs quarters.
When they reached their room, Chloe sat down on the edge of the bed, breathless. The automatic lights flicked on.
âCalm down,â Tor said with a frown. âYouâll make yourself sick. Youâre making me sick.â He knuckled his diaphragm. âDonât let them get to you.â
âEasy for you to say,â Chloe said. âThey donât treat you like youâre a breeding dog with no other purpose in life.â
âThey donât think that.â
Chloe laughed darkly. As he tried to sit down and take her hand, Chloe stood. She started pacing the room.
The windows were open, and the breeze made her feel itchy. She seemed to always feel itchy. Itchy to leave.
Itchy to do something. Itchy for Tor.
Itchy. Itchy. Itchy.
She raked her fingernails down her neck.
âTheyâre starting to look at me strangely,â Chloe said. âHavenât you noticed? Theyâre starting to get suspicious.â
She touched her eye. Every morning, she checked for the telltale bumps, just to make sure their precautions were still working.
âI wonât deny that,â Tor said.
âWhat do you think will happen when they catch on?â
âI cannot say.â
âBut youâre worried,â she said. âDo you think theyâll⊠Do you think theyâll force us?â
He didnât answer. Chloe could feel the ripple of unease through their bond.
âIt isnât fair,â she said.
âI know. Iâm sorry.â
âStop with the guilt. I donât blame you.â
âYou should. It is my fault.â
âYou saved me.â
âAnd imprisoned you again.â
âNo.â She gripped her throat as it swelled with tears. âEven ifâeven if I were forced, Iâd prefer it. Iâd prefer it over several lifetimes over what I had before. At least Iâll be with you.â
Tor stood and joined her.
âYou say that because of the bond, but I appreciate it.â Smiling, he stroked her nose with his broad forefinger. âWeâll get through this.â
Chloe gazed up into his eyes. âAs long as weâre together.â
âWe have to be together, remember?â He broke out into laughter. âWe have no choice!â
Chloe smiled, her tears drying up as his humor echoed darkly and wonderfully through their bond. As he laughed, she watched his Adamâs apple bob up and down.
It made his throat seem thicker, his shoulders broader, his hands more huge. He suddenly filled the room.
Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips against him.
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