MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (32 page)

“Yeah, I see!”

“And look at my legs! They’re both the same length again.”

“I know! Your limp is gone. That’s great Oddily!”

“Oh, and guess what?!” She continued excitedly. “I want to keep my hair long for awhile, so I’m going to tell Pepper and Carrie that I got extensions.”

“I’ll go along with that,” he smiled.

“The only problem is, I don’t want to lie to anyone.”

“You don’t have to.” Paul assured her. “If anyone asks about your hair, just smile. Watch and see! People have a way of answering their own question without you saying anything.”

“Oddily, let me get a good look at you.” Nero left Maxim and joined Paul and Oddily. “How are you feeling?”

“Great!” she held up her fingers and wiggled them. “It’s been over an hour since Maxim trimmed my nails; and look, they’re still short.”

Nero called Maxim over and asked,
How has Oddily been behaving since she regained consciousness?

Maxim gazed over at Oddily thoughtfully.
She has been experiencing a surge in energy; and yet, she shows no signs of tiredness. Even after running though the woods and climbing a hill, she remains energetic.

Ahhh, she is behaving like a free spirit.

Those are my thoughts exactly!
Maxim agreed.

Considering her personality, this is not her typical behavior!

“Okay, that’s enough!” Paul barged in on their private conversation. “Why aren’t you speaking openly about this in front of Oddily. She has a right to hear what you’re saying, especially when it’s about her.”

Oddily gave Paul a bewildered look. “Who’s talking about me?”

“It’s your boyfriend and his father. They’re discussing you behind your back Oddily.”

Oddily stared at Maxim. “Is this true? Are you still keeping secrets from me?”

“Silence!” Nero spoke audibly this time. “Maxim, take Oddily home.”

“No, I want to stay!” In a show of defiance, Oddily crossed her arms over her chest.

Nero studied her defiant stance for a moment and then laughed. “You are feisty this morning.”

“I am?” Her arms dropped to her side.

“Yes, and I am amused. Therefore, I will answer your question about secrets. As far as Maxim keeping secrets from you, this is true. Some secrets he has shared with you already, others you have yet to discover on your own. Then there are the ones that you can never know about. Do you understand?”

“Stop it father!” Maxim abruptly moved to stand between Nero and Oddily. “You must leave her to me.”

“No! This needs to be said.”

Nero stretched his tall physique to view the redhead from over his son’s shoulder and saw her nod at him in agreement.

“Good! Now let me explain to you another one of our family secrets.” He continued. “All of us here, including Paul, can communicate telepathically. Except for Paul, it is our normal way of speaking—a habit ingrained in us since birth. For lack of a better explanation, it is so normal to us, Maxim and I didn’t think twice about speaking this way while in your presence.”

“Paul’s telepathic?” That was the only comment that truly surprised Oddily as she grabbed Maxim’s hand in hers.

“I can speak for myself,” Paul intercepted, drawing Oddily’s attention to him. “It’s true; but I hardly, if ever, use it.”

“Tell her why!” Nero pushed the issue. “You’re the one who wants her to know everything.”

Paul gritted his teeth. “I guess it’s because no one around me had the skill while I was growing up.”

“Exactly! So let’s not put any more idea’s into Oddily’s head. Have I made myself clear?”

“Hey, you have no business reprimanding me,” he fought back. “I’m glad I told her what’s up because at least now, if only for a moment, you’re talking out loud in front of her.”

Nero stared at Paul suspiciously. “Are you friend or foe? And remember—I will know if you’re lying.”

“In that case, I am neither.”

Nero’s body stiffened and then quickly relaxed. “What about Nexa as your mate?”

“What?” Nexa had been standing in the background watching from afar. Now her light blue eyes singled out Paul as she hurried over to join the group. “You are Zaylyn’s brother?!”

“Yeah…evidently!”

“But there’s no chemistry between us!”

Paul smirked at her. “Just out of curiosity, let me try something with you.”

“What is it? What are you doing?” Nexa asked as Paul placed his hand behind her neck and drew her face close to his.

“I’ll decide for myself.”

Before Nexa could protest, he kissed her in a way that was meant only for couples in love. It was deep and passionate, arousing a strong reaction of wanting more, a sensation that mystified the blonde haired beauty. When Paul released her and stepped back, Maxim and Oddily were standing close by. They were both stunned, but curiously awaiting Paul’s answer.

After Nexa regained her composure, she became defensive. “Well, smartass. Did you feel any fireworks?”

“Nah, you were right! You’re a beautiful girl and all that, but the kiss fell flat.”

The eerie silenced that followed made Paul uncomfortable. Did they know he was lying? ”I guess I have overstayed my welcome.”

“Tinley, come here!” Nero glanced at a section of the woods, and so did Paul. A human-shaped machine stepped out from behind a tree and leaped onto the road.

Paul couldn’t help but stagger at the sight of the giant android, but attempted to hide his fearful reaction from the others.

Maxim shot his father a confused look. “Where has Tinley been all this time?”

“Unlike you and your sister, he stayed away as I instructed. Assuming you would have obeyed me, I found no reason for his presence.”

Maxim shot an annoyed look at his sister, but remained quiet.

“Tinley, show Paul to his vehicle and then guide him to the entrance. He is free to leave.”

How can you let him go when he knows so much?
Nexa started to use her telepathy again.

Nero did the same.
Even though he is still in denial, Paul is one of us. He’ll keep our secrets.

Maxim turned back to Nero after watching Paul and Tinley disappear around a bend in the road.
I’ll make sure that he does.

Nero spoke again; but audibly this time, for Oddily’s sake. “Now, allow me to finish up my business with you, son. I kept my word and stayed until the Zaylyn situation was resolved. It has been and now it’s time for me to leave.”

To keep from hearing any protests, Nero’s majestic presence faded into the morning sunlight.

36

“Maxim, would you mind if I steal Oddily away from you for a bit?”

“No…not at all!” He assured his sister. “Go ahead and take the mini cart back to the house. I’ll be there soon.”

Oddily waved goodbye and then turned her attention to Nexa. “Is this going to be a girly talk?”

“I suppose,” she nodded. “It’s just that I needed a moment alone with you so I could let you know how glad I am that you’re back.

“Thank you Nexa. I missed you too, but I must admit that I’m sad over Nero leaving.”

“I know what you mean,” Nexa agreed. “He has a way of growing on you after awhile, but no worries. Nero won’t be able to stay away for long.”

Oddily’s mood brightened with the thought of Nero returning, her emerald green eyes reflecting the color of the surrounding foliage.

Then, after a short silence, Nexa found the nerve to ask, “Do you think Paul was telling the truth?”

Oddily gazed at Maxim’s sister. “Are you talking about what he said after he kissed you?”

“Yes! What do you think?”

Oddily shrugged. “I don’t know Nexa. You haven’t been very friendly towards him.”

“I introduced myself. What more was I supposed to do?”

“
Ummm
…I think maybe you’re asking the wrong person about this. I don’t exactly have the reputation of being a social butterfly.”

“That’s fine.” Nexa sighed. “Let’s change the subject and talk about you. Tell me, what’s going on with you and Maxim? Now that you two are back together, would you like me to sleep somewhere else for tonight?”

“What on earth for?”

Oddily’s bewildered look made Nexa smirk. “You know! I think you call it hooking up.”

“Geeez Nexa!” Oddily began to blush.

“I’m sorry. I guess I spoke inappropriately.”

Oddily agreed with Nexa, but then had change of heart. “No, that’s okay. It’s just that I want to be married first.”

“Oh!”

After waiting for Nexa to continue, Oddily became worried when she said nothing more.

Oddily cleared her throat. “I have a feeling that you’re not the only one who said something wrong.”

After bringing the mini cart to a stop, Nexa turned to her. “May I confide in you about something?”

“I guess!” Oddily began to squirm under Nexa’s watchful eye.

“Okay, it’s about me and Maxim. We were raised with different beliefs from what you and your kind have adopted. In the future, marriage is considered a primitive tradition that no longer exists. Moreover, because the future is where our father was born and raised, we came to believe the same way he does. Actually, Maxim’s commitment to you runs much deeper than signatures on a piece of paper. Even now, if you were to walk out of his life, Maxim would never choose another to replace you. His loyalty to you is that strong.”

Nexa kept a watchful eye on Oddily’s reaction and didn’t like what she saw.

“Okay, talk to me!” Nexa shook Oddily’s arm to get her attention. “What’s on your mind?”

“I was just thinking that if I lived in the future, that wouldn’t be a problem; but I don’t, and marriage still exists! I…I don’t know what more to say. I can only hope that if Maxim loves me as deeply as you say he does, he will marry me anyway.”

“You know what?” Nexa said wistfully. “You make a good point.”

* * * * * *

When the girls arrived home, Maxim was lying on the couch.

“He looks dead!” Oddily whispered.

Nexa’s face lit up with a mischievous smile as she tiptoed over to her brother. Standing over him, she turned and winked at Oddily before she took a strand of her pale blonde hair and tickled the tip of his nose. Maxim shifted positions, but he didn’t wake up.

Nexa teased him again; only this time, she let her hair touch his cheek. When she did, Maxim’s hand came up and scratched the side of his face.