Chapter Seven
The afternoon sun had already started its lazy journey down toward the horizon by the time Xanxaa stashed a new note into the hiding place. As before, she did her best to glance around to make sure no one following her had seen what she did. When the policeman continued following her without noticing the wall where her note was now placed, Xanxaa felt a new lightness in her walk. She had finally found passage off the planet for her and Adam thanks to her new Graok contact, and now that her note had been delivered, she felt buoyant about the prospect of being with her mate again and she vowed to never let him leave her side for any reason ever again.
She walked down random streets before heading back to her ship, and she didn't even bother to see if the policeman was still behind her as she rose up into the air and headed for home. Xanxaa read the note left by Xerea, explaining how they were trying to raise money to pay for someone to smuggle them away, as well as to start their new life. Xanxaa was glad they were all doing everything they could, and she felt better knowing she and Adam would have some money when they left home. She stashed the note away and then took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she had to do next.
She used her voice to video call her parents from the ship's communication system, and even though she knew all her transmissions would be intercepted by law enforcement, she had to make this one last call. As soon as her parents' faces appeared before her, Xanxaa couldn't help but lower her eyes to avoid breaking down. "Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I may be getting a new assignment off-world in a month or so, assuming this situation with Adam is resolved by then." She had to stifle the lump forming in her throat, "I'm not sure how long this particular negotiation will take, so I may be gone for a long while."
Even with her eyes closed, she could see their smiles of support in her mind. "We understand completely. Hopefully your new.... mission will be successful. We love you very much and are so proud of you. Take as long as you need, we will be here when you get home."
"I love you so much," were the words she tried to pronounce in shallow, exhaled breaths through the burning clench in her chest, but to her it sounded like staccato chirping noises from an abandoned chicklet. "Goodbye." She looked up at the last moment to see her parents beaming with pride, and then she quickly disconnected the transmission so that she could cry for the rest of the journey home without anyone watching her.
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Adam saw the huge smile on Xerea's face when she walked back into the hotel room. "She got our note," she squealed, "but even better, she's arranged for someone to take you and Xanxaa away from Hryulla tonight!"
"What? That's.... that's fantastic!" Adam wrapped his brawny arms around her and lifted her into the air, and the two of them hugged each other elatedly. After spinning around in the middle of the room several times, he set her back down "What's the plan? When do we..."
"We're going to meet her at a café at midnight." Adam still had his arms around Xerea, pressing her body against his, as she held the note in front of her. "I know this place. Not very popular, so barely anyone will be there. It's a long walk, but..." She looked up at him with beaming joy. "You're going to be free. You'll be with Xanxaa tonight!" They laughed and smothered each other with hugs and kisses again.
They collapsed down on to the mattress, and Adam sat there staring off into nowhere. Xerea's face suddenly became more ominous. "I do have some bad news, however." He looked at her inquisitively, waiting for her to continue. "The man you attacked.... He's dead." Adam's brain went blank trying to process the information. "I saw it on a video screen as I was walking."
"So now I'm being charged with murder." Adam let the information sink in.
"It was an accident!" Xerea got on her knees and put his head in her hands. "He attacked you!"
"I know, but still...." His voice tapered off, not knowing where to go next.
Xerea pulled his head so her eyes met his. "It's not your fault. They started it, all you did was defend yourself! I'll also point out that just because it was on the news doesn't mean it's true."
"But if I did something to...."
"If anyone did anything, it was Xroqx. Right now, you don't know anything," Xerea's words settled into his head and his guilt began to dissipate, "except that now it's even more important we get you off this planet."
"But what about...?" He turned to Xerea, "Should I still do the cum tasting tonight?"
Xerea sat up beside him and thought carefully. "Well, if Xanxaa found a way to leave, it doesn't sound like you need the money for the pilot anymore. And if you are somehow recognized despite the mask, then..." She stopped not wanting to tempt fate by saying anything else.
"True," Adam said in a low voice. "But I think the risk is pretty low. And it looks like we're going to need as much money as possible to start over."