Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess (6 page)

Stephan had an eerie feeling of being lost until Maria touched his shoulder, and the sound of her voice was like coming home after a long time lost in the wilderness.

He thought drunkenly she wasn’t just the most beautiful woman in the room or on the station. She was easily the most wonderful being in the universe.

He had always valued his independence, but didn
’t even find it strange to have grown so devoted to her so quickly. He couldn’t see it himself, but he was bewitched. A couple of weeks with this woman had done what seven years of heavy drinking failed to do; he was obsessed, helplessly addicted.

S
he pressed her lips against his and the kiss filled his entire universe, washing away every trace of doubt. Nothing mattered, besides making her happy. When she broke free, she brushed away the lock of hair that always seemed to fall into his eyes, and he put the glass down on the counter, no longer the least bit interested in it.

“
Come on, babe, let’s get out of here.”

“
Okay.”

She nodded and took his hand, but slowed down and stopped just a few steps outside the door. Just as well
; the world swayed around him.

Why did I drink so much?
Stupid thing to do.

She put her hands on his shoulders, stood on her toes, and pressed her lips against his.

“I’m sorry I’m so late. I just... I couldn’t leave them all to die you know. They’re sort of my responsibility. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

He pulled her close and enjoyed the feeling of her warm body through their clothes.

“It’s okay, I unnerschtan.”

Dammit, I can
’t even talk straight. At least she’s not laughing, or yelling...

He muttered,
“Ugh,” before repeating the last word, “understand,” getting it right this time.

“
Are you okay, love?”

I don
’t know. Am I?

He took a moment to think about it, and besides being too drunk he felt fine. All the physical discomfort from earlier was gone, either drowned at the bar or chased away by her.

Who cares, maybe I was really coming down with something and the booze killed it.

“
I’m fine. I just need to clear my head.”

He held her tighter and murmured,
“I’m sorry.”

There might not be something specific to apologize for, but doing it made him feel better. He had been so sure she was leaving, and she shouldn
’t have to find him plastered with another woman all over him.

She nuzz
led her head against his chest.

“
Mmmm, don’t worry about it... Want me to help you with the head-clearing thing?”

Standing up and standing still was increasingly difficult, and her help usually involved her touching him, so he nodded.

“Close your eyes.”

He did, and exhaled when she rubbed his temples. It truly was the touch of a God, leaving him sober but euphoric, without a care in the world. His hands were no longer satisfied with just resting on
her hips; he brushed them up her back, wanting to squeeze her butt and her breasts, and he moaned as he kissed her.

This won
’t do, I can’t rip her dress off right here.

He glanced around the hallway, found what he was looking for, and breathed in her ear,
“Come on, sexy, I have an idea.”

She followed without objections, and smiled when they entered a supplies closet filled
with  towels and clean, soft rags.

“
Ah, privacy. I like your way of thinking.”

Stephan grinned and locked the door behind them.

“I thought you might.”

Running his hands over her arms, he urged her to follow him further in where he took a seat on a pile of clean towels. Maria kissed him eagerly, already working her way inside his clothes.

I might have a one track mind, but she’s not much better.

*****

When they left the closet, a woman with four arms stood outside, struggling to get the door open. Stephan grinned like a contented cat, and Maria flashed a dazzling smile. The woman stared at them and peeked into the closet, clearly wondering where they came from, but reluctant to make a scene.

Maria wrapped her hands around his arm and they strolled into the station. She stopped when they reached a bustling hallway with people from a multitude of species hurrying past each other in organized chaos.

“Wow, those women remind me of butterflies.”

How
can someone like you also seem so innocent? I wouldn’t think there’d be anything left to discover after four thousand years.

The base was built in 65 levels, each one with corridors like the spokes of a wheel, leading towards a large
centre area. It would take days, if not weeks, to go through it all.

Where should we go? Oh, I know…

“C’mon, let’s go over here.”

He led her towards the casino. With any luck at all, she
’d find all the people and games amusing. On a normal visit he would spend hours there, but the games had lost whatever allure they once held.

The place didn
’t disappoint him. There were rows upon rows with brightly coloured slot machines playing merry melodies, and the people in front of them reminded him of robots performing the same motion repeatedly, afraid to move away from their machine, certain it would pay out any second.

There were roulette tables and card games,
multicoloured lights and mirrors, and Maria’s eyes became round and wide as she took in all the sights and sounds.

“
You’ve never been in a casino, have you?”

She shook her head, gripping his arm tighter.

Besides the croupiers and inevitable security, there were girls dressed in only roller skates, miniskirts, and minimal bras serving drinks and snacks, and he bought champagne and some tokens from one of them, winking at Maria as he handed her a tall glass of the bubbly beverage.

She took a sip and glanced after the girl.

“I hope she gets paid well.”

He shrugged.

“They get a fortune in tips from the winners. It’s one of the best paid jobs on the station.”

More than once he tried to get whatever little thing they wore off, but the servers maintained a high level of integrity and he never managed to get even one of them into bed. Even knowing the futility, the old him would have ogled them and tried to cop a feel. The new him couldn
’t possibly care less. He tugged her towards a row of slot machines.

“
Come here, pick one you like.”

She bit her lip
and pointed towards one in the row.

“
Okay, you put a token in there, pull the lever and keep your fingers crossed.”

Maria took the token and looked at the shiny surface, clearly curious. She frowned a little and glanced around, and she had to stand on her toes
to reach to whisper in his ear.

“
Okay, but why?”

Stephan smiled and
marvelled over the warm, fuzzy feeling that spread through his chest.

You
’re just too precious.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed his lips against her temple.

“Because you can win money. That’s what all these people are hoping for.”

Frowning, she glanced down the row where representatives from at least 20 different species sat feeding the machines tokens, pulling the levers over and over again.

“Why? Don’t they have any?”

“
Well, maybe they did, before they came here.”

It was clear to see the place puzzled her, and the people in it even more so. It was pretty with all the
colours and lights, but also held an aura of desperation beneath the glitter. She glanced up at him, shrugged, and did what he told her to.

Th
e machine spun, and she pouted.

“
I don’t think I won.”

“
You can always try again.”

He handed her another token, and she fed it to the machine and pulled the lever. It spun for a long time before the first wheel came to rest, then the next, and the one after that...

A light on top of it came on, a siren wailed, and Maria jumped as the thing spewed out tokens with a deafening noise.

“
Did I win?”

He grinned and clinked hi
s champagne glass against hers.

“
Yes, babe, you won.”

People gathered around the lucky machine, and he tipped one of the girls to collect their winnings for them.

*****

The casino was shiny and fascinating, but all the people crowding in on them made Maria uncomfortable. There were so many different species, many telepathic, and everyone
’s heightened emotions made it difficult to shut out the barrage of thoughts and impressions. She tugged at Stephan’s hand and went towards one of the green card tables where there was more room.

He rubbed her shoulders.

“Here, the object of the game is to get twenty-one, but not over.”

“
Oh, Frank used to play that all the time. He cheated, of course.”

“
They’re playing baccarat. Want to try?”

“
No… You go ahead if you want to. I’ll watch.”

“
Well, if I’m ever to win it would be today, accompanied by my super-sexy lucky charm.”

All these people are so obsessed with winning. Could I be? Would I want to be?
Probably not...

She watched him play for a little while, but was soon bored with it. Looking around, her eyes fell on another game with a huge and
colourful board filled with animals.

No one played, and the girl sitting there smiled when Maria moseyed over.

“So, how’s this work?”

The girl
’s smile widened.

“
It’s easy. You pick a colour and an animal, and when I push this button, a computer randomizes the animals. For example, if you bet on pink Tharg, and there are five or more pink Thargs on the board, you win.”

She sat in front of a rack with various stuffed animals.

I think I get it. I want that large teddy bear, and I just might cheat to get it. The others want money, and they’re not able to cheat. Interesting...

“
Okay, I want blue elephant. Is this enough?”

Her hand had been quite empty a second earlier, but now she held five silvery tokens.

“Oh yes. Blue elephant it is.”

Stephan didn’t notice that Maria wandered off until he started losing every game.

I wonder if she stacked the cards to make me win, or if she really brings that much good luck. Maybe the universe just favours her...

He glanced through the crowds but didn’t have to search for long. She was already on her way back, hauling a four-foot tall teddy bear in her arms.

A drunk in the crowd whistled after her, and people turned to look as she walked by.

I can’t blame them. The way that little black dress caresses her body...

She seemed oblivious of the attention, but it would probably be a good idea to meet her before something happened. The multitude of people worked against him, making him criss-cross between aliens and humans.

She beamed and waved when she saw him.

“
Look what I got! Isn’t he gorgeous? He’s Mister Teddy, and he’ll be living with us from now on.”

It was imposs
ible not to smile and he wrapped one of his arms casually around her shoulders at the same time as his other elbow hit the chest of a drunk grabbing for her ass. The man fell to the floor, gasping for air, and he steered her away from the mass of people.

I don
’t think she noticed. Good.

“
It’s a fine bear, babe. Want me to carry it for you?”

Holding the toy under his arm seemed a little silly, but s
he flashed him a smile making him want to fill the entire ship with stuffed toys just to get to see it again.

“
He’ll be safe with me.”

“
I know.”

She smiled and squeezed his arm, and her trust made him feel warm inside
, even if it was just about a teddy bear.

“
Would you like to...”

He didn
’t get any further; a voice called out, “Stephan Forks? I’ll be damned, I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon, or like this. I mean, you’re all prettied up and heeeey, what do we have here?”

The man eyed Maria, disrobing her with his eyes.

There’s just no peace and quiet in this galaxy anymore...

“
Hello Dean.”

“
You always had an eye for the ladies, but where did you find
this
? I don’t suppose you’ll share?”

“
Don’t make me hurt you. She’s off limits.”

The other man grabbed Maria
’s hand and kissed it, and Stephan expected her to either smile or object to Dean’s advances. She just stood there with a distant look on her face and he squeezed her waist.

“
Are you okay?”

She made a visible effort to return to the present, giving her head a slight shake.

“Nice to meet you, Dean. There’s something I’ve got to do. I’ll be right back.”

His arm fell off her as she
turned and disappeared into the crowd. Dean nudged him.

“
That’s the good stuff right there, I’m impressed. So, how ‘bout a drink huh? For old times’ sake? Seems like you’ve got a lot of stories to tell.”

Something
’s up. Shouldn’t I be in on it, whatever it is?

He pat
ted his old friend on the shoulder.

“
Maybe later.”

*****

Maria would be the first to admit her entire species were suckers for the big picture, but from time to time, the need of the one must be tended to as well.

Ow
, whomever’s doing that has to stop right now.

A soul cried out to her in agony, so close its pain teetered on the edge of becoming her own. She could shut it out, but no need to when she could remedy the problem instead.

She zigzagged through the crowds until she saw a young woman sitting on the brick edge of a fountain. The girl cried, and an ugly bruise was forming on her face.

A young man with a mop of brown hair and cold eyes leaned over her.

“We bought you fair and square bitch, and you’re going to obey. Running away will just make it worse on you.”

Maria
opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut with surprise as he shoved the girl hard enough to make her fall backwards into the water, arms and legs sprawling. A couple of people passing by turned to look, but no one interfered.

Seriously? You won
’t even tell him to stop? You should be ashamed of yourselves.

“
Stop that!”

The stranger glanced back at her and frowned.

“This is none of your business. Get lost.”

“
Well, I just made it my business. You should leave her alone.”

Her voice sounded like she made a friendly suggestion
. He might back off, and she had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Meanwhile, the girl splashed around in the water and finally managed to get to her feet. She stood soaking wet, dripping water, clearly torn between despair and the faint hope that someone might speak up for her.

Her tormentor
, on the other hand, was unperturbed.

“
And what are you going to do about it, princess?”

Maria
didn’t have a chance to answer.

T
he girl gathered courage and shouted, “Run! Save yourself while you can.”

She was instantly
rewarded with a fist to her face.

“
I told you to shut up.”

He whirled around when
Maria’s finger poked his back. She had been too far away to reach him a split second earlier.

“
And I told you not to do that.”

Behind him, the water took on a pink hue and the girl moaned with pain.

Sadist. You like beating women, don’t you?

“
You know, Imma take you too. My customers will pay good money for you.”

He reached out to touch
her hair, and she punched him right in the face, without thinking. She didn’t hit him very hard, but it was enough to hurt him, and definitely harder than he expected. When he lifted his fingers to touch his lip they came back drizzled with blood, and he stared as if something completely unthinkable just happened.

Maria
crossed her arms, challenging him, waiting for him to hit her back.

“
Feisty, but you’ll change your tune when you get on the receiving side, bitch.”

She didn
’t even blink when the thug tried to hit her, but smirked when Stephan caught the fist in a grip that wouldn’t budge. He closed his fingers around the other man’s hand, crushing it, and the pain was enough to bring the assailant to his knees.

I didn
’t see that coming, but I like it.

“
We do not hit women. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but hitting them is just wrong.”

He handed the bear to Maria.

“You take Mister Teddy, babe, and look after your friend. I’ve got this.”

The younger man seemed too preoccupied with the pain from his hand to resist much. He was trying to protect it, an
d Stephan shook him a little.

“
Don’t you faint on me you little wimp.”

I have a very able protector. I like it.

His willingness to defend her satisfied her ego.

*****

Stephan grabbed the man’s shirt and pulled him towards a back door.

“
Space idiot. If you were to attack
me
I could forgive it, but
her?
You’re not even worthy to step on the same
floor
as her.”

As they got closer to the door, the
man fought to pry Stephan’s fingers open, struggling to get loose, but it only resulted in the grip on his shirt tightening further. He kicked Stephan’s leg, and was rewarded with a shake.

“
Don’t do that.”

The door led to an open space behind a restaurant.

“Please don’t hurt me anymore, man, it was just a girl.”

Stephan dropped the woul
d-be slave dealer on the floor and watched him crawl backwards, holding the damaged hand in front of his chest.

“
You can have her, you don’t even have to pay. We have more of them, lots, and pretty.”

“
It’s my lucky day, huh?

The irony was wasted; the other man nodded ferventl
y.

“
Yeah, man, all yours, just let me go. Wha’cha say?”

What am I going to do with this idiot? She
’s probably perfectly able to take care of herself, but he tried to hit her.

The very thought of someone attempting to harm his Goddess made his hands itch for breaking something. There could be only one punishment
, and her ancestors or whatever would probably approve.

“
I’ll pay you. Everything’s for sale, name your price.”

Glancing around, there weren
’t any people in sight, and the area seemed clear of cameras. That
was
a very fine dumpster just a few feet away.

“
It’s not your lucky day pal. She might have let you live, but I won’t.”

It was over in a couple of seconds. Someone would get an unpleasant surprise when it was time to empty the
container, but oh well.

He shrugged, dusted his hands off
, and went to look for his girl.

*****

Maria gazed after Stephan and mumbled, “Hurry back.”

It took a couple of seconds for her to remember what she
should
be doing. Up close, the young woman’s face was even worse than she expected. One eye was swelling closed and she had bruises everywhere.

Her poor nose, poor jaw... How can so many people pass by without even lifting an eyebrow?

She helped the girl out of the water and sat down next to her on the edge of the fountain. The perpetrator would get what was coming to him and there was no need for her to go kick anyone, but a good kick might have been satisfying.

Oh well, I did get to hit him, and I
’m sure Stephan won’t let him off easy.

“
Close your eyes for a moment and focus on my voice. Everything is going to be alright. You are safe now.”

No one even looked
their way and it seemed safe to assume no one would pay attention. Maria healed the girl’s wounds and bruises and did her best to sound cheery.

“
Open your eyes and look at me.”

The girl clung to Maria
’s arm with one hand and touched her own face with the other.

“
I’m Maria Callaway. Remember my name. If you’re ever in real trouble again, you can call for me, and I’ll hear you. Okay? Want to tell me what brought you here?”

“
You healed me. How... How’d you do that?”

“
Trade secret. Don’t tell anyone or I’ll get a queue of people with toothaches and splinters. What’s your name?”

The younger woman still didn
’t answer; she threw her arms around Maria and started to cry.

“
Thank you.”

Oh no, don
’t cry. What do I do?

She patted the girl on the pack.

“You’ll be okay. It’s over now.”

It took a while, but
Maria eventually learned between sobs and thank-yous that her new friend’s name was Chrys. She ran away from home just over a year earlier, seeking reprieve from poverty on a desert planet.

“
I could have run forever to get out of there, and now I just want to be back.”

O
nly fifteen years old, she had been poorly prepared for life in space. The slave dealers caught her quickly. Bought and sold several times over, used and abused, she ended up on the station and finally gathered courage to make a run for it.

Stephan returned before the story was over. He stood next to Maria with his arms crossed over his chest, towering over the sitting women.

“It’s not an unusual story. That man won’t bother you again, but what are you going to do?”

Chrys
shook her head. She was crying again, and Maria produced some tissue out of nowhere. Stephan nodded to the side and she placed a hand on Chrys’s arm.

“
I’ll be right over there, okay? Just a few meters away, and I’ll be right back.”

Stephan said,
“That guy won’t be back, but he was hardly alone.”