Sol Read online

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  A Note from the Author

  Say It Like a Lyqa

  SOL

  Nikki Clarke

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Art: L.M. Byfield

  Copyright © 2018 Nikki Clarke

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author at [email protected].

  For I.B. Your time is coming.

  PROLOGUE

  SOLUANITIAT’TI SOMIITI’UN

  Her face is round and smiling a strange smile. It is mischievous, yet innocent. It only flashes briefly in the montage of images that float through the drowning woman’s mind.

  “Who is that woman?”

  I speak the words gently, as much to keep her calm as to learn more.

  “Shay.”

  “Who is Sheh?”

  “My sister.”

  This beautiful woman is kin to Tee. The urge to dive into the water, to get closer to the mind that knows the most beautiful face I have ever seen, is strangely intense. It is an urgency that is unfamiliar to me, but nonetheless persistent.

  The only thing that stops me is the youngling at my side. He is anxious. The drowning woman is his mother. His thoughts tell me that he loves her and wishes to see both her and his father return safely.

  Do not fret, youngling. Your father has reached your mother. They are safe.

  A moment later, the Lyqa emerges from the water with Tee. She clings to him, and again I am struck by the way they interact. Somii are not a people of affection. To touch another so often and with such comfort is…strange.

  ***

  “Thank you, friend, for helping me save my lehti. I am forever in your debt.”

  We have left the west seas of Qiton and now travel back to the transport center so that Bati, his partner, and child can return home.

  I am glad I was there to help. The look of terror on the face of the boy, KJ, when he ran up to the campsite flashes through my mind. If I may ask for a favor in return, I would consider my actions repaid.

  Bati peers closely at me, as if noticing the difference I have been feeling since seeing that dimpled, laughing face.

  “Your scent is different. It is more…complex.”

  I show him the woman. I project that laughing image between our minds, and his eyes expand with surprise.

  “You wish to know LaShay?”

  I wish for permission to accompany you to your home. I do not understand how this woman has affected me, but when I see her face—

  I stop because I do not have adequate words to describe these new sensations.

  Bati gives me a kind clap on the back.

  “I will take you to my home if only to know how this will turn out. I was led to believe Somii were not ones for affection, but you have surprised me, friend.”

  I nod in gratitude as we approach the transport center. My Lyqa friend is not the only one who is surprised. I could never have expected these new sensations, but I like them, and I aim to find out what they mean.

  CHAPTER 1

  LASHAY

  “Hey, boo.”

  Ah’dan doesn’t look up. I step up to the work table where he’s peeling away at a large clay bust. Curled bits litter his work space and cling to his skin and dark, curly locks.

  I’m used to him ignoring me. Every day, I come into his studio to watch him work, and every day he chips away at this sculpture and ignores me. It’s kind of our thing.

  “So, I was thinking. Since both of my sisters have babies, and we’re the only single people in the house, you and me should hook up.”

  Ah’dan squints and leans close to the bust, concentrating as he curves a skinny metal pick over the surface. He runs it down the side of the nose, unfurling a long shaving and flicking it away.

  “I mean, I know it’s only a matter of time before it happens for us anyway. Might as well get the fun stuff started, am I right?”

  I lean my chin against the heels of my hands and watch as he scraps away another shaving.

  He pauses and tosses the pick into a pile of clay-caked tools. The metal clangs out loudly in the silence. He leans back, squinting and tilting his head to the left and right. He brings his hands up, meeting his thumbs in a square, angling it in one direction and then the other.

  “Or we could just wait. It’s always special to wait. I was thinking the same thing.”

  Ah’dan flicks through the pile of tools and pulls out a long, flat piece of wood. He stares at the bust for a long moment, his golden eyes lazy on the form, then raises his hand and stabs the wood through the clay. The pointy end emerges out the back in front of me, and when he yanks it out, I can see the smooth, brownish-red of his chest through the hole.

  The piece of wood lands back into the pile with a loud clang.

  “Not going how you want it to?”

  “I cannot remember her eyes.”

  He says this more to himself than to me. He’s been saying this for the past three months. Everyday, I come to his studio, and he’s working on a bust. Every day, he wrecks it as he mumbles about “remembering her eyes.”

  “Take me to the market?”

  Ah’dan finally looks up. He frowns like he’s just realized I’m in the room.

  “I will take you, of course, my sa’aih. Allow me an hour.”

  He looks away without waiting for me to respond. I get up from the table and leave, making my way through his cluttered apartments and back to the long halls of our Lyqa house until I get to the area my sister Tiani shares with Ah’dan’s brother Bati. I rap on the heavy door.

  “Who is it?”

  My nephew KJ’s disguised voice sounds out from the other side. His attempt to make it deep is terrible, but I play along.

  “Bati, is that you? Can I come in, please?”

  A delighted giggle sounds out as the door swings open and KJ steps into the crack with a wide smile.

  “I got you, Auntie Shay! You thought I was apha!”

  I widen my eyes and throw my hands up in shock.

  “Oh, my gosh, KJ, was that you? I couldn’t even tell!”

  I project mock surprise into my voice for good measure. KJ cracks up, and the door opens wider to reveal a smiling Bati.

  “My dahni’s impressions of me are getting better and better every day. Soon, I will have him answer all of my comms.”

  He ruffles a hand over KJ’s head and shoots me a wink. I sigh. He’s such a cutie.

  “Shay, stop sighing at my man and get in here.”

  I throw myself at Bati for a quick hug and step into the living room.

  My sister Tiani sits on the low couch h
olding one of my nephews to her breast. My other nephew is asleep in a shallow basket beside her. I creep forward and kneel down to peek in.

  “Yo, I still can’t believe how weird these Lyqa genes are.”

  My voice is a whisper, but the baby still stirs. His tiny, brown nose bunches up before his lids open to reveal bright, yellow eyes.

  He fusses, and I lift him from the bassinet, rocking him back and forth.

  “Don’t cry, little H’sim. Auntie Shay’s got you.”

  “That’s Sa’qar,” KJ says beside me.

  I frown and angle my head at the baby’s face.

  “How can you tell?”

  “Eyes.”

  “Hm.”

  He’s right. Tiani and Bati’s twins are identical except for this one feature. While Sa’qar’s eyes are the shimmering yellow of his uncles, H’sim’s are bright blue like Bati’s. I look at KJ.

  “You’re one smart kiddo, you know that?”

  “Yup.”

  He beams and bounces away.

  Sa’qar settles and falls back asleep. I ease him back into his bassinet and plop down on the couch next to my sister.

  “You seen Amina?”

  Tiani rolls her eyes.

  “You mean, have I heard her whining about being fat and tired and hungry? Who hasn’t?”

  “I can’t believe she’s knocked again.” I tilt my head back to Bati. He’s on the floor with KJ playing with a pile of transformer blocks. They’ve built a sky scraper, complete with spire. “Yo, B. What’s up with you guys and your crazy Lyqa sperm?”

  His cheeks flash pink, and he looks away.

  “I do not know to what you refer, my sa’aih.”

  “Mm, hm. That’s why you guys sneeze in my sisters’ directions, and they give birth?”

  Tee slaps my arm when Bati flushes again. I laugh. The door to the apartments open and Ah’dan walks in. Of course, he looks irritated.

  “I thought I would have difficulty finding you, but I should have known, I only had to follow the volume of your voice.”

  “You said an hour.”

  He rolls his eyes away and drops down to kiss the top of KJ’s head.

  “That is a very impressive tower, my dah’san.”

  “It’s the Seeyer’s Tower, Uncle Ah’dan!” KJ flashes a grin and turns back to his blocks.

  Ah’dan stands and comes over to where I sit with Tee. He leans down to press a kiss to my sister’s forehead. My mouth turns down at the same moment hers curves into a smile.

  “Hey, big brother-in-law. Still giving my sister the cold shoulder?”

  “I have not given her any shoulder.”

  “I’m saying, dude. Whenever you’re ready. Although I’ll take something other than your shoulder.”

  I flash a wide grin, which he doesn’t see cause he’s not looking at me.

  He runs his hand over H’sim’s head and tweaks Sa’qar’s tiny foot before walking back toward the door.

  “Do you wish to go, or not, LaShay?”

  I push off the couch and trudge over to him. When I get close, I fling my arms around his waist and bat my eyes up at his annoyed face.

  “You know you love me, boo.”

  SOLUANITIAT’TI SOMIITI’UN

  Sheh laughs up at the Lyqa walking beside her and brushes her hand across his arm. He looks at the place where she has touched him and frowns.

  “Buy your fruit, LaShay.”

  Sheh pouts and turns away.

  “I am, geez. Why you gotta be like that?”

  “I am not any way,” the Lyqa responds distractedly. He is with Sheh, but his thoughts are busy and obsessive. A pair of brown eyes flash through his mind only to be replaced by another pair and another. He scowls.

  I can’t remember her eyes.

  “Did you hear me, Ah’dan?”

  He blinks on Sheh’s face, and I cannot understand how he could ever look away from her. Whenever she is within sight, she is all that I see.

  “Buy your fruit, LaShay,” the Lyqa repeats and walks to the next stall over, leaving Sheh at the stand.

  “Jerk.”

  Sheh mumbles what I can only assume are insults directed at the Lyqa as she selects several large, purple fruits.

  I have not looked into her mind, but I do not have to. She wears all of her emotions on her face. They are subtle and intricate. Like, now, she is displeased. Her lips pout as she waves her hand over the merchant’s sensor for payment. She sighs and lets the sack carrying the fruit hang at her side.

  “I guess, I’m done.”

  She turns and halts. The Lyqa is gone. Her head swings from side to side. I, too, scan the open area of the market, but see no sign of him. I was too intent on Sheh to notice the Lyqa leave, but I wonder that he would abandon her. He should stay with her. He should keep her safe.

  Sheh glances once again across the market. When her eyes pass over the alcove where I stand, I step back into the shadow. She has shown discomfort in my presence. And while her sister Tee has described me as adorable, I do not believe Sheh agrees with this perception.

  It is this that has kept me from speaking to her even though I would very much like to know her.

  From across the market, I observe Sheh’s chest rise then fall with a heavy sigh. Her face shifts down into disappointment, and she turns and begins to make her way down the street that will take her back to the place where she resides.

  I wait a few moments before pushing off the wall. The crowd in the market is thick, and I move gingerly through the throng as she disappears out of view.

  CHAPTER 2

  LASHAY

  “I can’t believe that big-headed Legro left me. Get!”

  I flex at a scraggly Lyqa raccoon lurking a few feet away. It flinches on its boney legs and skitters to the side, hissing as I pass.

  I continue through the alley, trying to remember the way back home. I should know where I’m going. I’ve been to this market a billion times, but I’m usually with one of the Lyqas, so I don’t really pay attention.

  The back of my neck tingles, and I stop to look behind me. A flash of silver dips out of view. I wait to see if someone appears, but the alley stays empty and quiet. Further back, I can hear the sounds of the market. I swear, if Ah’dan is trying to scare me…

  “Ha ha, very funny, you jerk!”

  There’s no reply. The animal I scared is paused about ten yards away. It faces an alcove and lets out a pleading purr. Almost as if someone is there.

  “Oh, hell no.”

  I spin around and start jogging down the alley. I know Lyqa is supposed to be safe, but this shit doesn’t feel right. Everything in my spirit is telling me to run.

  The long dress I’m wearing restricts my movement. The sack of sawa tangles in my frantically moving legs, causing me to stumble.

  “Shit!”

  I right myself and glance behind me. Standing in the middle of the alley is a huge silver dude. A shock of yellow fans across his chest. Something about him is familiar, but before I can figure out what it is, someone grabs my arm and jerks me around.

  For a moment, I think it’s Ah’dan. A sigh of relief is nearly between my lips before I come face to face with two cold, milky white eyes set in a puke green, froggy face. I go to scream, and the dude raises a hand, the slit of his lips forming a tight circle, and blows.

  The thin cloud of powder rushes through my nostrils and into my open mouth. It’s bitter and an immediate haze washes over me. I feel like that time when I was fifteen and me and Tee got a guy at the gas station to buy us a fifth of cognac and a bottle of pineapple juice, and we drank the whole thing behind the house.

  Froggy’s face whirls. In slow motion, the alley rotates in my vision as I shift toward the ground. The dull sound of running feet fills my ears, and the ground shakes, or maybe it’s me shaking. I don’t know.

  My fall is broken when Froggy catches me. My jaw slackens as my head falls back on his arm. I can hear my heart thumping. A garbled bark sounds ou
t.

  “Take her. I will deal with him.”

  The words are slow and dragged out in my head. My body rocks as whoever carries me starts to walk away.

  No!

  The word is a hoarse shout in my head. My eyes hinge closed on their own, and I strain to force them open. What’s happening?

  Unconsciousness finally brings my lids together, and that garbled speech sounds out again.

  “If you want her, you will fight for her. If you do not fight, you will lose.”

  ***

  “Ugh!”

  The inside of my mouth is thick with saliva and metallic-sweet. My jaw aches like it’s been clamped shut, and my head throbs like it did that time me and Tee got some guy at the gas station to buy us a fifth of cognac and a bottle of pineapple juice and we drank the whole thing behind the house.

  I want to open my eyes, but a part of me feels like, if I do, I’m going to see my mother standing over me giving me that same look she had when she found us laying in our own vomit on the floor of the living room.

  “She is awake.”

  The harsh sounds convert into English through my translator, and I freeze as everything comes back to me. The market. Stupid Ah’dan. Silver giant and Kermit the Froggy.

  My heart thumps so hard my body jerks with it. I still haven’t opened my eyes, and now I’m really not gonna. I squeeze them tighter and send a prayer to the universe that this is all a dream.

  Sweet, Black Jesus, when I prayed that you would send an alien to eat me, this is not what I meant. I said ‘out,’ Black Jesus. Eat me out.

  Ah’dan’s dark, curly head lowered between my legs flashes through my mind.

  Seriously, Shay? You’re about to get barbecued by some fucking alien abductors, and you still can’t stop thinking about that Legro?

  “Open your eyes!”

  Something nudges my thigh, and I press my mouth tight so I don’t scream. This can’t be happening.

  “Up, now!”