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Chapter Five
"You're chasing dangerous targets." Coco locked the door behind them and gestured towards the leather sofa.
Ignoring their host, Cleona prowled around the large office, examining Coco's picture frames in a glass cabinet. "What's NASA?" She pointed at a group of astronauts."An organization I worked with for many years.""Miss. Domingo is originally an astrophysicist—a human who studies the universe and its contents." The couch felt comfortable, and Stralath stretched out his legs, ignoring the temptation to take a nap.Cleona huffed out a laugh. "With the archaic technology that humans use? Can they see beyond their solar system?""Don't be rude." He shot the female warrior a glare."She's right. If the NIRL hadn't reached out to primitive humans like me, we'd still be wondering about life on other planets." Coco took a seat behind her desk and reached for a folder.Coco ran earth's NIRL sector in veiled secrecy—with limited electedRelated chapters
Tidal Souls Chapter Six
Darghelm led his scouting pod over a sea ridge and into darker depths. They were many miles away from land, and exhaustion ate away at his vigilance. They'd been away from home for two weeks, and he missed the familiar terrain surrounding the Fisheri fortress. He'd gathered enough intel for concern, and their leader would not be pleased with the report. Darghelm's caudal spine throbbed in time with his strokes, and he glanced back at his long tail. A few days of rest should help his strained muscles. His skin was a hybrid of fish scales, sensory cells, and collagen fibers. A combination not ever seen on earth. Plenty of sea creatures on the planet had mastered the art of camouflage, like the cuttlefish. The fisheri species had evolved way beyond any of earth's imaginings. Thanks to their advanced evolution, his alien species had hidden for centuries in the deep oceans. Darghelm watched his tail darken as they drifted deeper. His concealment abilities were so innate and s
Tidal Souls Chapter Seven
Stralath hummed a human song as the elevator slid below ground, and Cleona shot him a strange look which he ignored. He liked earthling music which showed creativity and spirit. He'd stayed up late scrolling the internet and uploaded an extensive playlist to the "insight device" attached to his skull. Coco cleared her throat, and he reluctantly tapped the disc behind his ear, shutting off the rhythmic sound waves rolling through his mind. "The fisheri won't talk, and we've tried everything short of torture." Coco rocked back on her heels. The doors opened, and they stepped into a concrete tunnel. Soft lighting led the way, and when the two women paused at the entrance to the observation room, Stralath gave them a warning."No cameras. Turn off the recording equipment until I give you the green light." Coco glanced at the small gym bag that he carried. "Are you going to hurt him?"Stralath shook his head. "Not unless he attacks first. Did he give a n
Tidal Souls Chapter Eight
Galene loved the off-campus studio. She was back in California at the UCLA School of Arts and preparing for her first official exhibition. Three years of hard work led to a taste of gallery life, and she refused to disappoint herself or her professors. She had her last year of college ahead and needed to focus on direction and narrative within her art. Crossing the quiet street, she glanced at the old industrial warehouse and smiled. Ten of her fellow students shared this massive space with multi-level studios. Yes, the old building seemed unaccommodating to the average person, but it felt eclectic and welcoming to art students. Old sofas and messy studios sat next to a make-shift pottery space. They also had a lithographic and printing room, a sculpture space filled with stone, wood, metals, and a workshop and welding area. The sounds of artists working always motivated Galene to try harder to translate her passion onto canvas. Pulling out her security pass, she swiped
Tidal Souls Chapter Nine
Stralath watched the entrance to the warehouse, hoping his intel was correct. The new SUV was a luxurious brand, and he appreciated the warm leather smell as he reached for the box sitting on the center console and snapped it open. The Hublot watch cost twenty grand and matched his outfit and car. The NIRL had provided a generous budget for the mission, and Stralath wasn't complaining. "Why don't we just rely on Bobby's father—what's his name—to relay a message to the fisheri? That's way easier." Drusdor asked from behind. "There's little trust between the pods, and the fisheri will think it's a trap. I'll need to speak to Vigtor Norvegius myself. At least we now have a name." Strapping on the watch, he glanced at Cleona and scowled. "I can't believe you actually shaved your head." "I hate human hair." She ran a hand over her cropped cut. "I feel free. Such annoying shit. And apparently, I had to wash it with fancy bottled soap just for hair. No thanks.
Tidal Souls Chapter Ten
Galene needed to get her shit together. How had she lost her favorite paintbrush? The stiff hog bristle brush was what she needed for her background blend. And now, she'd gone in search of a similar tool, begging fellow students to lend her theirs. She'd buy a new brush later that evening. Grumbling at how much time she'd wasted, Galene raced back to her studio and headed straight for the open tin. Dipping the broad brush into bright green paint, she turned to her new canvas and, with an arched swipe, let loose. Green globs struck white canvas as she dipped the brush again and raised her hand."What in the living hell!" The deep voice behind the easel had her freezing as a large man stepped into view.He clutched his paint-splattered jacket like he'd been stabbed and gaped at her in shock."O
Tidal Souls Chapter Eleven
Galene put aside the brush and stretched her back. She'd worked all afternoon and had finally finished two of her works. After lining them against the wall, she refrained from squealing. Her excitement grew, knowing that she was only weeks away from a gallery opening. The art critique session had gone well earlier in the day when three of her fine art professors gave her constructive criticism and praise. Having tapped into her base emotions for inspiration, she was on the right track. "If I step through this door, is it safe?"Galene whirled to face a smiling giant, and her mind went blank. The same investor from the day before leaned against the wall. He wore more appropriate clothing—a grey Henley shirt and loosely fitted jeans. Somehow, he seemed more lethal. Perhaps it was how the shirt hinted at the carved torso beneath. Hands in pockets, he pushed away from the wall and strolled towards her. Galene circled away from his predatory vibes and strived for calm.
Tidal Souls Chapter Twelve
After helping Liam at the sculpture bay, Galene paused by a large window and stared out onto the quiet street below. The feeling of being watched hadn't subsided over the past few days. Perhaps she felt paranoid with the lack of privacy—now she had another person living in the apartment and a handsome investor watching her while she worked. Both men affected her focus. Had she been too harsh earlier with Mr. Stralath Rey? She called him a trafficker. Galene winced. At least he'd left her alone after her tirade, and the afternoon had been productive. Now, the sun had almost disappeared, and the warehouse slowly emptied. Her stomach growled, and Galene decided to call it a day. What did she want to eat? She thought of the restaurants she'd pass on the way home and decided on Mexican. Needing exercise, this morning, she'd walked to work, and now she regretted that decision. It would take a good thirty minutes to walk home, but she'd take the scenic route. She hummed a
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirteen
He'd revealed a glimpse of his true form. Only his golden, glowing eyes. But, that had been sufficient enough to scare Galene's assailant away. Stralath didn't regret the decision. The knife in the bastard's hand had sat too close to her skin.He glanced at Galene as they walked towards the alley exit. He took his time and asked once more to see her head. The NIRL vehicle was not parked in the street—he'd followed her on foot. Luckily, Cleona drove their transport to the restaurant, and he needed to buy time. Cleona had used the Gamneda to look up the restaurant owner's name and background, which helped with Galene's interrogation."We're almost there."His teammate's words rang in his head."I'll call the police." He pulled
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