Exiled by Rashelle Workman

Nor did he seem bothered that he killed a child last night.
    Venus ached with guilt over the death. An emotion she wasn’t fond of—at all. Yes, she probably would’ve killed him herself, if it’d come down to it. First, though, she would’ve questioned him, tried to figure out why he wanted her dead. Sadly, at this point, she couldn’t change anything. The damage had been done.
    If she didn’t come up with a plan to help Michael, none of this idiocy would matter. She had to focus on getting home.
    Zaren rubbed his temples. He didn’t seem to be enjoying the pancakes as much as Venus had. Part of the first one still sat on his plate getting soggy. “She needs to get close to the boy and fast. It’d be practical if she could attend this school. Perhaps as your guest. Do you think that’s possible? He needs to get to know her, start trusting her.”
    “Of course it’s possible. I’ve got the front desk lady wrapped around my sexy alien finger.” He held up his pinky.
    “You know, I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe he doesn’t need to get to know me . Maybe I need to get to him through Cheverly.”
    Both Dervinias and Zaren looked at her.
    “Interesting,” Dervinias said. “Why do you say that, V?”
    She shot him a dirty look. “Well, it’s simple. I’m positive Cheverly still loves Michael. And I know, up until two days ago, Michael believed he loved her, so I need to get them back together and there you go. True love. I get to go home and figure out who did this to me.”
    Zaren nodded. He seemed to approve, but Dervinias had a curious look on his face.
    “What? You don’t think it’ll work?”
    “You know there “?s a difference between love and true love, right?” He winked before popping another huge bite of pancake in his mouth.
    It was Venus’s turn to slam her fist on the table. “It’s a start, Vinny . Why did you take her to the lake?” she yelled.
    He shrugged. “She wanted to go and I wanted to take her. I had no idea you were coming and that you’d be required to accomplish such a-an interesting task. She’s hot.” He shrugged again. “Sadly, Hawke called her and nothing happened. I’ll keep my paws off now that I know what your plans are.” He lifted his hands up, like Venus had seen actors do in the movies when they were held at gunpoint. “Promise.” He smirked and chugged the rest of his milk. Checking his watch he said, “Well, if you guys are coming to school with me, you’d better get a move on.”
    Zaren seemed about to protest. Before he could say anything, Venus said, “You’re my guar- . . . my friend. If I’m going, so are you.”
    He picked up his plate and put it in the sink. As the water ran, Venus waited, watching the strange way dishes were cleaned on this planet. It seemed so much more beneficial to use particle soap and steam—dizipter—the way everything got cleaned on Kelari.
    Zaren turned to her and waved a hand toward the sink. “They still have a lot to learn, Princess.”
    She snorted and he turned back to his task. She watched his muscles flex through his white t-shirt and wondered if he’d grown tired of her. If he was sorry he’d come after her. She’d released him from his Formytian vow, and he was no longer obligated. Truthfully, she was glad he stayed. She needed him.
    The water clicked off and he turned. “I’ll never leave you and I’ll always be both—your Formytian and your friend.” Their shoulders brushed when he reached her. Zaren paused, a sensation she barely felt.
    She wanted to fold herself into his arms, allow him to stroke her hair . . .
    “We’re going to be late, P rincess. ” Dervinias tossed his dirty dishes in the sink and pushed past them. “Move it!”

1 9. A View To A Kill
     
    Venus picked out a black pleated mini-skirt and a horizontal black and white striped tank. Over the top of the tank she put on a see-through lace top in maroon. Then, over the top of that, she slid on a vertical pin striped