Desire Disguised by Lynn Rae

sleepwear. Mat’s must have been in his recovered luggage, because no one on Gamaliel would have turned over something so eye-catching to the community chest. The garments were covered with holographic cartoon characters, and the figures appeared to move randomly all over the garment. Ben had never seen anything like it. Cara was bundled up in a grey robe which allowed only the hems and cuffs of her pale green sleepwear to show. She’d braided her russet hair into a tail that curved over her shoulder.
    “We’re sorry to disturb you so late, but we wanted to bring you something as a thank you.” Cara extended her container toward him, and he took it automatically. The bottom was warm against his fingertips.
    “It’s tandoori tofu and vegetable khorma. Cara invented it,” Mat piped up as he handed his over. “I made these cookies for you. Cara supervised so they’re still pretty good.” The boy glowed with pride at his handwork, and Ben thanked them both, taken aback by their gesture.
    “How did you know I was home?”
    “I did that too. Cara was checking the hall monitor constantly and it bothered me so much I set up a warning motion routine.”
    Ben was impressed by his inventiveness. “Nice work. Perimeter security and cookies all in one evening. Did you ever think about safety services when you’re old enough for the academy?” He’d thrown out the suggestion automatically, but Mat’s open expression stilled to watchfulness. Cara slipped an arm around his multicolored shoulder.
    “No. I won’t be doing that,” the boy answered and glanced at the floor. Ben knew he’d said something wrong, but he wasn’t sure what. Cara glanced from her brother to briefly meet Ben’s eyes and then focused on the containers he’d forgotten he was holding.
    “It’s late. We should go. School in the morning, right?” She gave her brother a quick squeeze and steered him toward their door across the corridor.
    “Cara, wait.” Ben didn’t know what he wanted to say, but Cara stopped and waved her brother to go on into their room, his vivid pajamas whirling with color and pattern. How did he fall asleep with all that glowing in the dark? His sister turned around and watched him, a meter and half away but even further judging by the coolness in her gaze.
    “I said something wrong just then. About the academy.”
    She nodded once and remained silent. Then it hit him. They were in hiding. There was no way Mat would ever be able to attend such an institution. He wouldn’t have the academic credentials or even the proper citizenship pedigree to qualify. That meant Cara hadn’t been able to go either. Sore subject.
    “What would he want to study there, if he could?” Why had he asked that? He was just adding insult to injury now.
    “Biomechanical engineering. We study as much as we can, but there’s only so much he can learn without a lab, proper teachers, or the right equipment.” Cara took a deep breath and gave her head a firm shake as if she was telling herself something negative. Her braid slipped off her shoulder with the motion. “Goodnight, Chief.”
    So they were back to formalities again. Rather than keep talking and say something else that would make her more upset, Ben nodded once. She turned and went back to her room, closing the door quietly behind her.
    As he closed his own door and carried the containers to his bare kitchen, Ben was again buzzing with curiosity about the Belascos. What exactly had their father done to have incurred such a lonely legacy for his children?
    * * * *
    “Time for bed.” Cara called out to Mat as he flung himself on the sofa. Her stomach clenched with nerves after their encounter with Ben. She’d been in a nervous flurry all evening as she watched for his arrival, debating with herself if they should disturb the man at all, if giving him food was appropriate, what his culinary preferences might be. She didn’t know much about him, so she’d packed up two servings. He