uninvited

chapter sixteen

"Yes, and he will assume your heart has stopped beating. Dezrick, what are the human Jessalynn's vitals?"

"One hundred twenty over eighty-one. Heart rate eighty-nine. Temperature ninety-eight point six. She has eaten very little and has slept even less."

"Anything else I should know?"

"She was not happy to see you. Her heart rate goes up when you say her name and seems to cause her distress."

"Bite me, Dezrick."

"Quite impossible to do, human Jessalynn."

"Now her sister Meline."

"She does not have a wrist band as of yet, but she seems in good health. Right now, she is finding something very amusing with her match Jetidi. Do not distress, human Jessalynn. Human Meline has many matches and it could be years before her mate is clear."

That was something at least.

"So, she's having a good day, Dezrick?"

"She is."

Kellum moved closer and offered his hand.

"That isn't going to happen. I'm mark free and plan to stay that way."

"I am only offering to feed you."

Crap. He was learning too much about her if he already knew she couldn't say no to food.

She gave him her hand and when nothing happened, she smiled and let him pull her to her feet. "Ha! Told you."

He seemed unconcern.

"It is going to feel like falling. You will want to hold your breath, but you do not need to."

"What are you talking________?"

She would have fallen flat on her face if he hadn't caught her against him. "What the...." They no longer stood in the school gym. They stood in a stainless-steel cafeteria. "fuck?"

"Language, Jessalynn."

As soon as her legs could hold her, she moved away from him.

Kellum moved to the counter. "Variety of fruits, Dezrick. Why did you not eat breakfast or lunch, Jessalynn?"

"Committee ran late, and you mean that crappy mush? Because of yuk."

Up out of the counter came red and green apples. Strawberries. Grapes. Cut up cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon.

She attacked the strawberries and by-passed the plates of things she didn't recognize. "Any coke on ice under there?"

"Dezrick, carvia juice, tea and some manoia."

A glass of green juice, a tea so weak it was nearly clear, and a glass of a purple liquid appeared in front of her.

Jess frowned at him. "If I don't have a coke soon, I'm going to die. You can't just take a woman's coke from her. Any many mighty moe." She took a sip of the tea and nearly spit it back out. "Any of these not taste like ass dipped in more ass? Dez, just give me some water."

"Your water may appear_______."

"Is it unhealthy?"

"No."

"Is it going to kill me?"

"No."

"Then give it to me. On ice, if you have it. Any peaches? I love peaches."