Himiko: Warrior Read Free Page A

of one scared and angry human after another at the harvesting, until the memories blurred into a tapestry of hostility.
    It wasn't exactly what we were after. Pietr tried to keep his tone of voice light, but the pain in his mind was far too strong for it to be convincing.
    I can't believe you could live with that. Close contact with other beings was what kept a Himiko sane, and whether or not the humans could actually communicate with the Himika, the constant rejection had to hurt.
    You seem to forget that we did it to ourselves. And to the humans. Pietr tried to keep the flashes hidden from Matt, tried to spare him from the human fear and pain Pietr had witnessed, as well as Pietr's agony at having to face it day in and day out. Matt reeled at the mere thought of having to endure that.
    You're not me. They won't hate you like they hate us. Pietr's inner voice was quiet but firm.
    No. At least I don't have pointy ears. The charm went out of those really quickly.
    There wasn't much to say after that. Pietr kept close to Matt for the rest of the evening, but there wasn't as much comfort in his mate's presence as there used to be. It wasn't that Matt regretted anything -- he knew that their bonding had been both unavoidable and the best possible thing for him. He just hadn't accounted for the consequences.
    They were very quiet when they went to bed that night.

     
     

2
     
    Matt woke up the next morning determined to shake off yesterday's events. He had thought that Jones and Benjamin were his best friends. That was clearly not the case. It hurt, but shit happened, and he had to get over it.
    He was determined to make his return to work more successful; at least now he knew what not to say.
    There you go. Pietr's inner voice was quietly encouraging.
    Matt called his office in advance, and his assistant was over the moon with joy when she heard that Matt was coming back.
    "I missed you so much!" Anne often used exclamation marks when she spoke. They hovered in the air around her long after she had finished talking. "I can't wait to see you again!"
    She talked eagerly about their projects and the many pitfalls they hadn't been smart enough to avoid in his absence. Matt secretly thought that she had a crush on him, which was odd since everybody knew he was gay. In the end, he had to interrupt her.
    "I'll be there in twenty minutes, Anne. We can talk then."
    He was optimistic and really looked forward to seeing everybody again, but when he stepped through the door to the office, nobody answered his greeting.
    "I said good morning."
    Shaun finally raised his head. Instead of returning the greeting, he looked at Matt with cold eyes. "I talked to Jones."
    Matt felt his shoulders slumping.
    "And?" He dreaded the answer.
    "The school project is going as planned. I've made a proposal on an extension to the city hall's administration building."
    "That's all?" Matt couldn't help hoping that Shaun would get over whatever Jones had told him and talk to Matt. He had been the first employee that Matt had ever hired.
    "We have two other assignments from the city."
    So, this was how it was going to be. Matt made an effort to speak. "And the McCauley proposal?"
    "It's on your desk. We didn't get it."
    Matt nodded, not knowing what else to say.
    "I'll be in my office."
    "Good." Shaun turned his back to Matt and went back to work.
    Keeping his face carefully neutral, Matt went into his office where Anne was hovering, looking uncertain.
    "They said that you've been brainwashed! And that you're having sex with the aliens! I told them that there was no way you would do that, but they kept saying..."
    Matt had to raise his hand to stop the nervous stream of words. He sat down in his chair heavily.
    "I live with one of them. He's my boyfriend."
    Matt looked up, and saw the hope on Anne's face change into confusion. Then she tightened her lips, her eyes getting cold.
    "I see. I can't say that I understand."
    Matt sighed. "I can't say that I expected