TiTi (Purple People Book 4)

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  SPACE BABIES—

  TiTi

  Rena Marks

  Space Babies—TiTi

  Rena Marks

  Titi promises to keep the pretty egg safe for her Aunt Joy. But the egg is more fragile than it seems, smashing in the very hand that swore to protect it.

  Little does she realize the egg has the power to thrust her forward in time for a glimpse into the future.

  But the future holds many secrets, while Titi has lost her hold on the past. When she uncovers the secret into her future is when she can finally relive her life.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Alien Stolen

  Artificial Intelligence

  Abducted

  Stargazer Series

  Also by Rena Marks

  Prologue

  Joy:

  The Mayor’s Council left immediately after the mediation, completely missing the party that occurred afterward. It was all for the best as the surly men acted with disgusting mannerisms like shifting the items in their crotch, and spitting their mouth contents in the streets. She’d never before noticed how completely horrible the males of her planet were.

  Commander Pritchard sat with the other Freijian males. Titi and Reese crawled over his lap as they giggled and played.

  Joy sat with her newfound sister, Millie. Millie was one of the females from her planet, and she’d just discovered she was her long lost sibling. Rojan sat a few feet away, talking to Pariah. He held the adorable Lily on his lap. She’d cooed nonstop for Rojan ever since seeing him naked in the woods. Lily would be a conniving woman when she grew. She definitely knew what she wanted.

  Joy could hear snippets of what Pariah was telling Rojan. “I admit I didn’t approve at first. I want only the best for my girls. But I have determined that your crew will protect their innocence and beauty at all costs. They like shiny…to the point of being on this side of garish.”

  “Figured that one out,” Rojan said, scratching his head. “Don’t know how anyone mistook them for humans.”

  Joy felt a small smile touch her lips and returned to her conversation with Millie.

  “Joy, I’m really sorry that you were chosen to become a Puritan. It seems like such a horrible system, a child given away—sold, really—so the rest of the family could obtain unlimited status and wealth. The remaining children are told it’s a great honor, but no one really knows, do they?”

  “Not unless you’re that child.” Joy smiled at her. “But it’s okay. Pariah took care of us, and I have a much better life now. Thank you for all that you did in coming here to help out with the trial and in making the remainder of our lives happier.”

  “There’s more I can do.” Millie leaned in. “This crystal egg is one of the most revered items on the planet, given to me by our own leader. I, in turn, bestow it upon you, sweet Joy. It doesn’t even come close to making up for the loss you had during your short life, but it does something else. Upon cracking it, it will take you briefly into the future to see how your life turns out. You can then change your path according to what you find out.”

  “I couldn’t possible accept it,” Joy said, staring at the small crystal placed in the palm of her hand. It consisted of translucent shades of green material marbled with streaks of purple zigzagging through it like lightning. As far as she could tell, there was a pocket of swirling gas right in the center of the egg. “You should use it for yourself.”

  Hell, Millie’s future with Peenis seemed more bleak than hers. She might want to know if it ever got better.

  But Millie laughed. “Trust me. I know my future. I don’t want to crack the egg and see myself in prison for murdering that slimy little bastard. No, you deserve it, my Joy. I hope we’ll be able to keep in touch.”

  “Yes! I’ll send you video recordings and tell you all about the new things we discover.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Millie!” Pariah said. “Come quick! The humans have started that Macarena I told you about. Let’s join in and leave these two lovebirds.”

  Millie giggled like a girl as she and Pariah went off to join the dancing humans and purple toddlers in the center of the gathering. Joy stood, moving over to Pariah’s chair to sit next to Rojan and the giggling Lily. She dropped her head onto his shoulder, inhaling his clean, fresh scent, and catching a whiff of Lily’s baby sweetness.

  Life was perfect.

  “Are you happy?” he whispered.

  “Beyond words. So much so I feel like it can’t possibly be real! To find another sister and a mate, all on the same day. Oh, and look at what Millie gave me. It’s a future telling crystal. If I crack it, it’ll give me a glimpse.”

  “Joy, do you know how much those things are worth? They’re so rare; there are probably only three in a dozen galaxies.”

  “Is it? Then I worry that she gave it to me out of guilt for her having such a glamorous childhood at my expense. And I don’t want her to feel that way.”

  “No, baby. She gave it to you out of love. Millie loves you just as Pariah does. Just as I do.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “I already know my future. A loving mate and an exciting life, traveling the stars with my sisters. And even better, we’re getting paid to do so.”

  He laughed, his chest rumbling near her ear. “That’s true. It is a perfect life.”

  Titi approached, stomping her little feet. “Joy, I mad! That Weese! He’s big twouble.”

  “What did he do, honey?”

  “He don’t like Titi no more. He’s playing with those boys ‘cause he don’t wanna dance.”

  “Sweetie, all the girls are up there dancing together. Don’t you want to join them?”

  “Ohhh! Yes! Thaaank, yeeew, pwetty Joy.” Tears dried instantly, and she puckered to plaster a kiss onto Joy’s lips. The purple toddler waddled off to dance.

  “That was easy,” Rojan said.

  “Pfew. She’s eating grass again,” Joy said, spitting the taste out.

  Chapter One

  Titi’s fingers barely closed over the pretty egg. She would take very good care of it for her Aunty Joy, who told her she could play with it until she asked for it back.

  Too bad Reese was no longer her friend. She would have loved to show him the shiny pretty—and explain to him how she was susponsible enough to care for it—but oh well. It was all hers. She skipped down the long path through the woods where she wasn’t allowed to play.

  “Titi!” she heard her mother shout. Oh, oh, mom must’ve seen her on the trails. She ran faster, as fast as her heavy legs could carry her. When she was out of breath, she stopped.

  The egg felt wet.

  Panting, she peered down at it. It was cracked, and lovely green and purple smoke trailed through her fingers, staining her skin.

  Oh, no.

  Not only was she dirty again, but she had promised to take good care of the egg. Why, oh why, did bad things always happen to good little people?

  Maybe it was only broken a little bit. Maybe Aunt Jo-Jo wouldn’t notice. Very, very slowly she opened her hand. Oh, the egg was broken all right. It was very much squished within her palm.

  But then, before her very eyes, the egg fixed itself. The edges came together and sealed, though the smoke still stained her hand green with darker purple splotches.

>   Wait a minute. Her hand didn’t look quite right. It was slender now, and the nails longer. No longer grubbily stained with dirt the way it usually was.

  After a few minutes the egg was completely healed, but the smoke that swirled inside was barely there. She’d probably better put the egg away before she had another accident with it. Carefully, she slipped it into the pocket of her tunic.

  “Titi!”

  Her mother called out in the distance. Titi made her way back up the dirt trails to find her mom walking toward her. “Oh, honey. Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “I know it’s hard knowing Reese is coming home today. It’s been so long since you’ve seen him, and you were so angry when he left.”

  “It’s been seven years. We’re strangers.” She shrugged her shoulder carelessly.

  Her mother carried on as if she’d admitted to his return bothering her. “He wanted the opportunity to study abroad. Travel with Aunt Joy and Uncle Rojan and learn to trade. He accomplished that. We’re all so proud of him.”

  “Yeah, I know. Reese is the hero for sending home such precious supplies.”

  “Of which you also benefitted from, missy.” Her mother’s voice grew stern.

  Titi felt shame burn her cheeks lilac. It was true. Reese had brought her lots of trinkets over the years, too. Though she managed to avoid him at nearly every visit.

  For a while she had been furious with him for leaving. But after the anger burned, hurt remained. Her best friend left her behind.

  Left. Her.

  And she was so used to being angry, it was just easier to continue. But now, this time when he returned, he would be staying. He finished his tenure with the Freijian Federation and had a degree in trade.

  She walked alongside her mother on the trail. Up ahead, children shrieked on the playground.

  “Your father and I want to go visit the cabin for the night. Would you take care of your sisters and brothers?”

  Titi smiled. “Hagan and Lily are busy?”

  Lara snorted. “Busy working on their own babies.”

  “Hmm. The kids and I should bake a cake to take over to them…”

  Her mother’s mouth formed an “O” before she could even finish the phrase. All these years later, and she continued to show shock. “Titi Lea Jeislkak. You are so naughty. You know your brother and Lily will want alone time. Disrupting their house with a horde of children on a sugar high on the pretense of congratulations is incorrigible, even for you.”

  Titi grinned. “But I love Bubba. I miss him.”

  Lara shook her head, exasperated. “Titi!”

  Her younger, silver-skinned siblings came running with their playground friends in tow. “Can we have a ride, Titi?”

  “No, Elias, it’s my turn.” Her youngest sister, Bebe, tried to push Elias, Reese’s brother, out of her way. At six, Bebe was a feisty one, dressed in striped leggings. For a brief second, a memory struck Titi, before dissipating almost as soon as it hit.

  She just couldn’t place her finger on it. Something to do with her little sister and striped leggings…but she couldn’t remember what. The leggings were familiar, of course. Hand-me-downs, from the long replicated pair she herself used to wear.

  She nodded. “Elias, it is Bebe’s turn. However, I bet I can take you both on.”

  Lara laughed. “You always were the strongest of the flyers. Listen, you kids be good for your sister. Otherwise you’re going to be in big trouble with your dad.”

  “Aww, mom,” Bebe said. “Dad’s wrapped around my finger.”

  “Whatever,” Titi laughed, poking her finger into Bebe’s belly. “I’m his favorite, missy. Don’t you forget it.”

  With a wriggle, she slowly lifted the wings that merged into the skin down the length of the back of her body. They separated from her purple skin slowly, the sheer lilac skin pulling away from the back of her arms, back, and legs. The skin left there looked a bit darker without their filter. Years of experience taught her how to maneuver her wings as easily as her arm.

  “So glad you learned how to wiggle those out of your clothes. I remember all the times you used to strip naked.”

  “Mom!” Titi laughed. “It’s been a long time since then.”

  “Feels like yesterday,” Lara said.

  At those words, another strange feeling hit Titi, but like before, it disappeared almost as quickly as it hit.

  “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “I’m not sure,” Titi said. “I feel odd today. Not sick, just a little melancholy. I keep remembering things…and then forgetting.”

  Her mother nodded, and Titi knew what she was thinking. That it had to do with Reese’s return.

  But not everything centered around Reese.

  “How is Aunt Joy?” she asked, to change the subject.

  “She’s great. She’s off to make a visit to Aunt Millie on Quakestrarian for her coronation. I can’t believe she’ll be queen! When I think about how the planet used to be such a patriarchal society, it’s amazing how far along they’ve come.”

  “Is she taking all the kids with her?” Aunt Joy and Uncle Rojan had a huge batch of red-headed, silver kids. The girls had delicate little horns they wrapped with tiny braids, and the boys had great strapping horns and were always half-dressed, earning them the nickname half-breeds. All except for little Prostate. He was such a rough and tumble kid, he frequently had one horn broken off, always in various stages of re-growth. His twin sister was Prostitute. They were the poorest choices of names Titi had ever heard of, since both were shortened by calling them Prost. What was the point of that?

  Fortunately, the humans of the planet had stepped in with a few whispers amongst each other and nicknamed them Tate and Tootie. It was much easier to say the names now and differentiate the children. Twins. What an unfortunate pregnancy that would be.

  “Bye, mom!” Bebe didn’t even spare their mother a glance as she wrapped skinny arms around her big sister and tried to climb up her hip.

  Lara sighed and then winked at Titi as she slipped away.

  Titi settled Bebe on her side with a hand wrapped around her waist and then motioned with her left arm to Elias. A huge grin split his face as he came to climb onto her other side.

  When both kids were steady, she swept upward as steeply as she could. They both squealed in her ear, and she felt her own stomach lurch in response.

  “Titi! You’re so fast,” Bebe screamed.

  “Faster!” Elias yelled.

  Instead she soared high, all the way up to where the air thinned, turned her head down and dropped just as fast. The little ones screamed bloody murder throughout the drop, until she landed with a swoosh onto the ledge of a cliff for a slower descent back to the playground.

  “Well played.”

  The voice behind her had her whirling, but at the same time, the kids wriggled from her hold and ran to him. “Reese! You’re here? Is Aunt Joy and Uncle Rojan back, too?”

  Chapter Two

  Titi couldn’t help but stare at the man he’d become. Titi wasn’t sure why she didn’t speak up, but her tongue was tied. Hell, it was always tied when there was mention of Reese…but now, she was in shock with her first glimpse of him in a year and a half.

  He had matured during that time. His purple skin had deepened whereas hers had lightened with the sun. Which made sense since he wasn’t in the sun very much. Not like she was. His hair was cut short and had darkened to a deep, dark purple that almost looked black. But the biggest change was his size. Reese had become…buff.

  And he still looked at her like he knew her inside out.

  “For a bit. You’ll get to play with all the redheaded half-breeds, I promise. But then, they’re leaving to see Aunt Millie’s coronation. She’ll be queen soon, you know.”

  “Mom and dad are going to the cabin with Uncle Tristan and Aunt Lara tonight. Are you going to babysit?” Elias asked.

  “Yup.”

  “Do you think I can spend the
night at Bebe’s?”

  “Yup. Then I can help Titi with all the little ones.” Reese gave her a lazy grin.

  Her parents were with his? They never once mentioned going to the cabin with Aunt Marcie and Uncle Bajoc. In fact, her mom led her to believe she and her dad were going alone.

  Bebe and Elias were cheering, high-fiving each other, suddenly best friends again.

  “Shall we take them for a ride?”

  All she could do was nod.

  He picked up Elias at the waist, pulling him in to hold him to the front of his body. His biceps bulged where he pressed his arm against the skinny kid’s waist, holding him tight to his muscular body.

  Yes, Reese had matured.

  He was off with a snap, his great wings extended over his entire body. Elias howled with as much glee as he had when she had flown him.

  “Figures his wings would be strong enough to lift all his extra weight off the ground,” Titi mumbled under her breath.

  “Titi, they’re beating us,” Bebe said, pushing her back up against Titi’s body so she could carry her in the same way. Titi snaked her arms around her little sister’s waist, and took off. She wasn’t worried. She’d always been the strongest of the flyers—ever since they’d learned to fly. Their wings had come in unnaturally early as toddlers—hers before the young age of three. She hadn’t been allowed to fly yet, but she could always talk Reese into sneaking away and trying. Since they grew up, Reese had less flying time than anyone, stuck on a space vessel as he was. But to the nineteen purple people, flying was as natural as walking.

  With a glide, she and Bebe were off after Reese and Elias.

  “Woohoo,” Bebe screamed. Down below, the rest of the children were cheering the race on from the playground.

  Reese was ahead of her, it looked like he was going to win. He had a huge head-start. But at the last possible second, she swooped a double loop around him—just to show her power—and allowed the boys to touch down first. However, Reese would know who really won the race.