Touched by an Alien

the superbeings don’t remember what they are when they’re back in human form,” I protested. “That their brain is split.”
    “True,” Martini said. “But the superbeing portion will remember this incident. And if it manifests again tonight, it’s going to be hunting you down.”
    “It has more power as Yates,” I argued. It was feeble, and I knew it. But it was worth a shot.
    “You’re younger and healthier,” Christopher snapped. “And, from all I can tell, nastier.”
    “That’s enough,” Mom said quietly. “We’re all upset. This is not the time for little games.” She gave Christopher a long look, and I saw him back himself down. Interesting. Mom looked to Gower. “I’m now very concerned about Kitty’s father, as well as the rest of our extended family.”
    Gower shook his head. “They’re all under protection. We have them mapped and agents covering all of them, pets included.”
    “Not that I object, but why the pets, too?” This was a new one, at least in my admittedly limited experience.
    “If you love it, it’s got potential as a hostage,” Martini answered.
    “My fish are safe.”
    “They might be the only things that are,” Mom said dryly. “I’d like my husband with us.”
    Gower shook his head. “He’s safer at your home. At least for right now.”
    Mom gave Gower a look that could freeze water in the Bahamas. “Young man, ensure that I don’t have to say this more than once. I don’t care what planet you’re from or what powers you have or what you think you can do better than humans. I’ve been protecting that man since I was nineteen, and if you think I’m going to trust his safety to any of you right now, you’re insane. I want my husband with me, where I know he’ll be safe, and I want him with me now, or I will show you that Mossad training is the best on any planet.”
    Gower actually looked as though he was going to argue, but Martini spoke up. “Do it. Now.” It wasn’t a request, it was an order. Gower didn’t fight it, just nodded and left the car, presumably to make the arrangements. Interesting again. Christopher followed him. Both of them were on their phones.
    Martini was concentrating. “I’ll be right back.” He got out of the car, too, joining Gower and Christopher. They were off their phones and clearly arguing.
    Reader sighed. “Let me see if I can get them to calm down.”
    “Why are they so upset?”
    Reader shrugged as he got out of the car. “Mephistopheles does that to them.”
    I was happy we were inside the car with the doors shut while the menfolk argued. Mom looked worried. “I’m not clear on all this alien parasite business yet. Christopher had time to give me only a few details while we were running for our lives, and honestly, I was so distracted I didn’t even realize they were aliens until you said something—I was thinking experimental weapons and technology. You really got under his skin fast,” she added.
    “Yeah, but I think Martini makes fast decisions because he’s an empath.”
    “Probably, but I’m not talking about Jeff. I’m talking about Christopher.”
    “The jerk? I have no idea why he hates me, and I couldn’t care less right about now.”
    Mom gave me an odd look. “Why do you think he hates you?”
    I snorted. “You mean aside from everything you’ve already seen? Calling me princess, asking about my tiara. He went through my stuff at home, pawed my pictures all up. I barely know any of these guys, but Christopher and I haven’t stopped fighting pretty much since we met. If my trying to strangle him earlier wasn’t a clear enough clue that we don’t exactly get along, let me clarify that for you right now.”
    Mom still had that odd look going. “Ah. Okay. Well.” She straightened her skirt.
    “What?”
    “Nothing,” she said, not looking at me. “We’ll talk about it later.”
    Whatever the argument was, Reader seemed to have gotten the situation calmed down. At least it looked as though everyone was playing nicely together again. Martini opened the door and stuck his head in. “We’re just about set. I want you two ready to move, okay?”
    “Sure. So, now what?”
    “Now we go to the bathroom. Quickly.”
    “I don’t actually need to go,” Mom said dryly.
    “Yes, you do. You explain it to her,” Martini said to me as Gower called to him. He shut the car door and went back to the other men.
    While I explained the traveling system, Martini, Reader, and