Read Online Cowboy from the Future by Cassandra Gannon - Free Book Online Page B

their masters.”
    Addy
got the SyFy channel.  She knew where this was headed.
    “The
gods saw the Voltyn were dangerous and they tried to unmake their creations,
but it was too late.”  Cade shrugged.  “The flash killed many on both sides,
but some Voltyn survived.  Over the centuries, many interbred with humans and
created creatures like me.”  He gestured to his otherworldly lavender eyes, not
meeting her gaze.  “Half-breeds.  We have the Voltyn’s powers and lack of
feelings.  Humans do not want us around.  Obviously, we are a stain on their
world.”
    Addy
thought about that.  “So… wait.  You’re discriminated against, because your ancestors
were tortured by unethical scientists?  That’s horrible!”
    Cade
blinked like he might have misheard her.  “What?  No .  Shit.  You are
confused.”
    “No,
I’m actually the one not confused.  Not about this.  You just said you
were a stain on someone’s world, for crying out loud.  Who told you that? 
Jesus, use your head!  Wherever your great-great-grandparents came from, it’s
as much your world as anyone else’s, now.”
    “No. 
You still don’t see.”  He tried again.  “I am… unnatural.”  He seemed to search
for a word she might understand.  “ Weird .”
    “Hey,
America’s founded on the principle that everyone gets to be weird.  It’s
what makes us great.  And whatever this place calls itself these days,” she
pointed towards the granite presidents, “ I’m still standing in America. 
Voltron’s should have the same rights as every other weirdo.  Good people died
so all us weirdoes could be equal.  I don’t know what the hell is going on
around here, but you can’t put up with prejudice, Cade.  Not in any time
period.  It’s not right.”
    He
stared at her for a moment, taking in her earnest expression.  “Volt yn .” 
He finally corrected in a less irritated voice.  “Gods, Adeline, you are not
seeing…”  He trailed off and sighed.  “This is not about right.   Don’t
you understand what will happen if you’re around me?”  He answered that for
her.  “No, of course you don’t.  You have lived your life wrapped in
glass, it seems.  Look at your aura.”
    “You
can see my aura?”
    “Yes. 
All Voltyn can.  It’s part of our powers.  And yours is like nothing I’ve ever
beheld.”
    “In
a good way or a bad way?”
    “It’s
very… pure.”
    Addy
smiled, delighted by that grudging compliment.  “Are you flirting with me?” 
She teased.  It sure sounded like an alien pick up line.
    “No,
of course not.”  He muttered uncomfortably and then bottom lined the situation
for her.  “Look, the point is, no respectable human male will ever have you, if
you’re connected to me.”
    It
was wrong to snicker, but she’d had very little to laugh at lately and that
antiquated statement was just flat out funny.  “So, I’ve blown my chance to
marry Michael Landon and live in Little House on the Prairie ?”
    “I
don’t know this ‘Landon’ man, but he certainly will not build you any size
house, if you stay here much longer.  You will be ostracized from polite
society.  I guarantee it.  Your future will be ruined.”
    “Luckily,
I’m way more concerned about the past.”  Addy told him and ignored his baffled
frown.  “Seriously, I don’t care about these stupid, X-Men movie
bigotries.  I really, really don’t.  I have bigger problems than whether
or not you see auras.”
    “Like
what?”  Cade demanded as if he couldn’t imagine anything more pressing than
being a super-solider.
    “Like
inventing coffee.”  She ran a hand through her hair and made a face at the
snags she felt.  “I also need a bath.”  Since Cade smelled pretty damn good,
they must have some kind of shower around the place.  “Just tell me I don’t
have to heat buckets of water over a fire or something.”
    “Water?” 
He scowled like that was crazy talk.  “We’re not