The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

or toe doesn't glint in one way or another. The Gorongiath are a hairless species, and the majority has taken to wearing veils made of jewels on top of their heads.

Groups of four or more mingle, when we step out of the confines of the elevator cabin into the lion's den, so to speak. The chatter slowly subsides until the entire room goes deathly still.

Every single Gorongiaths' eye is on us, openly staring—some curious, some hostile, I wager most of the assembled guests haven't seen humans before. Colin raises an eyebrow at me, and I suppress a grin. Nothing like crushing an alien party.

"Welcome, welcome, friends!" I hear a semi-familiar voice from my translator and lookup.

President Koralen steps towards us, followed by an entourage of men and women dressed in red and a few in regular clothes. "So glad to see you again, Commander Allister, Lieutenant Commander Thornton." She nods at us with what I assume is supposed to be a smile, exposing brown teeth, tattooed and set with jewels.

I blink and force myself to plaster on the widest, most false smile I can muster, "President Koralen, an honor to see you again!"

Colin greets her and introduces the others in our group; before Koralen introduces her entourage, of which one is High Commander Quill; the others I forget almost immediately. Most of their names are just too strange.

"Do you always have such elaborate parties for new Shadow?" Colin inquires with a smile, way too sweet to be true.

"Oh no, of course not, but when somebody is actually appointed rather than selected by our lottery system, we celebrate in the manner this rare event calls for." She points towards the far end of the buffet, "My apologies, our scientists still haven't figured out how different our digestive systems are, but I've arranged for food from your planet for you."

"That was so thoughtful, thank you," Briggs gushes, as neither Colin nor I are able to respond.

My mind wanders back to when I was held prisoner on the spaceship and how their scientists experimented on us. This is how they intend on finding out if our digestive systems are compatible or not. Just the thought of other prisoners who might be tortured right now makes my stomach turn, and I don't think I'll be able to swallow a crumb.

A waiter approaches us, offering a tray holding an assortment of champagne glasses. The President makes a swiping motion, "Also for you, imported from Earth so you may partake in our festivities. Prenton here will make sure your glasses are filled; he has been specifically selected to see to your comfort."

She waits for all of us to reluctantly take a glass before lifting hers—with whatever is inside of it, at the assembled Gorongiath around us. "A toast to our Earth friends. Let's make the humans feel welcome in our midst."

She lifts our glass and sips, leaving us no choice but to do the same. The champagne is sweet going down my throat, and I long for just a regular glass of water. I wonder if I could ask Prenton for one.

A musical bling sounds out, and the President tilts her head. "Our guests of honor will arrive shortly; let's welcome our newest Shadow, who has been selected to serve as Shadow to one of our Council members. One of a very few, to have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the Gorongiath race. One who has proven himself to be one of the best our species has to offer. Let's welcome Kamberlite Karadenskorium!"

A loud cheer breaks out. The elevator whooshes up and opens to expose Ka and Claire. My chin drops towards my chest, just like my teammates', well, most of theirs, some, like Litvin don't know Ka or Claire.

This can't be true; it just can't. My insides burn with disgust. Was this his rouse then all along? To become a Council member? Somehow this doesn't seem right, and I can't help but wonder what else he has up his sleeve. And Claire? What. The. Hell?

Ka and Claire exit the elevator and greet President Koralen with hugs and air kisses, so Earth-like I want to gag. President Koralen waves us forward to meet her guests of honor. Colin and I exchange a quick glance between us and Briggs before stepping towards them.

Alex hurries to my side, "Easy now." he whispers in my ear, and I'm grateful for his presence and distraction.

I get a hold of myself and smile sweetly at the couple. "Ka, how nice to see you again. I'm so happy for you to be honored this way; you truly deserve it."

Colin just nods at him; there is no love lost between the two; he doesn't even need to pretend.

Briggs slaps Ka on the shoulder, "Well done, friend!"

The others mumble words of greetings as well. I fold Claire into my arms. "It's so good to see you."

She presses me hard to herself. "You too." she smiles, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes, making me wonder as to how her time with Ka has been. Somehow, I'll need to find a way to speak to her in private.

Music—played on strange instruments, starts up. I turn and see something akin to a band occupying a corner at the other side of the room. The music is nothing like we're used to on Earth, but oddly beautiful and haunting.

President Koralen keeps chatting with Ka, and our group stands to the side, watching. Feeling not just out of place but played for fools as well. It seems there is a lot more at play here, than we could possibly understand with the little information we have so far.

An idea forms in my head, and I ask my tablet what Kamberlite means. The translation is long and not easy to understand, but it conveys some kind of relationship to the president of a huge corporation. I look sharply at Ka; that doesn't make any sense whatsoever; why would he be involved with the corporations