Light Speed by Arkadie, L. (accelerated reader books .TXT) 📕

it to the top of thisgiant tower that has to be at least five hundred feet high. We walkinto it through an archway.

“Stay on the blue,” Mag Star says.

There’s a blue-lit strip that splits thewhite stone floor. Right away I’m fighting the urge to veer off ofthe path, only because I’m naturally contrary. But the space isopen air, like a gymnasium. I can’t help but wonder: where are thesymbols of enterprise? Where are the computers, the sleekreceptionist or the sharp, modern couches that configure thewaiting area? Where are the workers in their clinking heels orplunking loafers bustling about late for their next meeting? I’veinfiltrated places like that before and this seems to be more of alibrary or a museum, not where business exists.

Although I’m still itching to step off theblue, I decide to respect the boundaries, especially since I cansee where we’re headed straight ahead. I squint curiously at whatlooks like an exposed elevator shaft.

“Where are the lands?” I endeavor to ask.“Is that where you’re taking me?” I’m momentarily thrilled aboutthe possibility of seeing where the Ugu Mag live and not work.

“I’m taking you to the hub.”

“The hub?” I can’t disguise mydisappointment.

“The hub,” she repeats.

It turns silent between us but I’m botheredby hearing the soles of my boots clunk across the clean floor.Suddenly, I feel out of place. It’s too spotless here for me. Inever feel the need to conform. However, right now I kind of wishmy boots were less grimy.

Anxiously, I take a glance at Mag Star. Allof this is right up her alley. Even in the little brown dress andround-toed wooden shoes with S-shaped heels, she looks impeccable.I want to ask her to explain the shoes? With all the advancementsin technology, why not a sleeker shoe? But I’m sure she has a goodand practical reason for the wood and the shape of the heel. Afterall, this is the world of no strippers, nor drunk or hornyhumans.

Finally, we reach the exposed elevatorshaft. I stretch my neck to look over the threshold. Before I canask where the hell she is taking me, a female automaton voice warnsme to “clear seam.”

I immediately draw myself back to clear thedoorway. A silver door slides down and then immediately shoots backup. I flinch, taken aback, surprised to see three men and one womanstanding in a glass encasement.

Seeing us, they scoot to one side to makeroom. Mag Star enters, but I’m now aware that I’m staring at theirslight smiles and their dark green clothes which look likestiffly-ironed hospital scrubs.

After refocusing my thoughts, I take thatspace the Ugu Mag clears for me next to Mag Star.

There’s a beep.

“Clear seam for closing,” the automatonwarns.

The door slides close. I roll my eyes up tobrace myself for what might happen next. I can see the bright skyof night above us. Smirking, I think the words for it is “majesticmodernism.”

The glass cylinder drops.

“So, I give: why the tour?” I finally askher. “What’s this all about it?”

“What are you hiding?” She asks.

I quickly turn to search her face.

That look.

Does she know?

I gulp.

***

Adore

“Isn’t the moon very close?” My voicewhispers in the cool darkness.

I’m not only in love with Chex, but I havecome to love the night. Like him, it’s intimate. It’s alluring. Iexhale into the air as we stand naked together on the threshold ofthe opened window. This city is uniquely wonderful. He’s behind me,I’m in front of him, and his hands are flat on my belly. I feellike I belong to him and we are in a place more perfect thanhome.

His lips graze the side of my face and thenkiss my skin. “I think we should stay here. What about you?”

I gently sigh at the thought of residing inUgu Mag forever. The city in the sky is quite peculiar, but itcould never gain my heart like the diamond mountain and crystalleaves of Enu. Suddenly I feel his body shake as he chucklesagainst me.

“I like your answer.”

“But I didn’t give an answer.”

“You thought one,” he says while rubbing thesweet chill out of my arms. “I know this is not your thing, Baby.”He sighs a warm breath against my temple. “I bet I’ll turn backinto a full vampire after we leave here.”

It’s funny how we both look down at hisjacket at the same time.

“Is that what you want?” I ask.

Now I can feel him shrug against me. I lovefeeling his gestures.

The silence is filled with his pondering.“You’ve made a promise that I know you’re going to keep. You’regoing to need me for that. As a vampire.”

I reach up to hook my hands around his neck.I’ve become comfortable with touching him. In response, his handsslip up to cup my breasts as his thumbs stimulate my nipples.

“Again,” I purr, feeling how firm he isagainst me.

“This is what happens when a guy hasn’twanted to get it on in over two hundred years.”

“But you said you had mules - females thatliked you. Didn’t you have sex with them?”

He takes a long pause. “No.”

“Oh,” I say, confused.

“They, um… usually…”

“What?” I impatiently ask.

“Go down on me.”

I’m confused and he chuckles, feeling thechange in my body which alerts him of that.

“You’re newness turns me the fuck on…” hethickly whispers as he pushes his man part between the crease of mybuttocks.

“Then, if I weren’t new, then you wouldn’twant to make love to me?” I reason.

“No.”

“Oh,” I say passively.

“No, not no; I wouldn’t want to makelove to you if you weren’t new. You’re beautiful as hell; sexy too,but that’s never a reason to get me going. With you, it’s all ofit. The newness, the sexiness, you’re brave, loyal. I can trustyou. Even that damn water creature can. All of that makes me wantto…” he pushes himself deeper into my buttocks. “All the fuckingtime. You make me insatiable. Vampire or man.”

“Oh,” I say again in the same tone of voice.He laughs at me. “But what did you mean by go down on you.”

He takes me and sits me down on the edge ofthe bed, spreads my legs and then guides my back onto the bed.

“I’ll show you,” he whispers as he