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Chapter Three
Galene traced a fanned paintbrush as her mother worried over a set of expensive oil paints in the same aisle. A Saturday meant a bustling hobby shop, and they both looked a mess, dressed in color splattered dungarees. Galene even had paint in her hair and had pulled it up into a messy bun.
"I should've ordered online at our wholesaler." Her mother picked up a tube—the same violet color as her name."Oils isn't your normal medium—you prefer acrylic paints. Why the sudden switch?" Galene twirled in the aisle and ran a hand along a white canvas. "Besides, I like your current work.""My current commission." Her mom grumbled. "I hate painting for other people.""You're getting paid a lot of money.""Which is why I'll take a break and play with a different medium." Bending, she grabbed a bottle of turpentine. "It's not like I need the cash."Her mom was correct—Violet was an established artist with international exhibits under her messy aprRelated chapters
Tidal Souls Chapter Four
Los AngelesThere was little time to rest. Traveling beyond the speed of light led to severe exhaustion—craft lag—and Stralath rallied his energy as they walked up the stairs to the large white mansion. A mix of security personnel and partygoers milled around the front lawns, and Stralath ignored them all, intent on meeting the most powerful person on earth. As expected, a bodyguard stopped him from entering the massive double doors. Cleona waited while he flashed a business card, and the muscled human stepped back, allowing them entry. Heading through the lobby, Stralath knew where to go as he'd been here before. They entered the vast drawing-room and slowed. A bar took up the far end, and a central fountain surrounded by sofas and chairs created a welcoming space. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the gardens surrounding a small lake. Celebrities took up space and gathered in groups around the massive water feature. A wide staircase beside the
Tidal Souls 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 elected
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.
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