Page 2 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

Lilas’ stomach twisted. The metal gleamed innocently, but she knew better. She lifted her arms slowly, took the cuffs, and…threw them across the room.

The crack of metal against glass was the only sound before the door slammed open. The Boil loomed in the doorway, his eyes dark with fury.

Lilas smiled sweetly. “Oops.”

The Boil’s nostrils flared. His mottled gray skin reddened in blotchy patches. He stomped forward, making the floor vibrate beneath her feet. “You are an ungrateful little wretch,” he hissed.

Lilas tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness. “Ungrateful? Funny. I don’t recall signing up for this lavish experience.”

His face twisted with irritation, but then, just like before, his anger smoothed out into something worse—calculated amusement. “Defiant females are quickly broken in my harem.” He gestured sharply to the two servants. “Hold her. Let her see what happens when she refuses a gift.”

Lilas barely had time to lunge backward before pincers caught her arms and shoved her roughly toward the ornate chair. The silver cuffs, her so-called “gift,” glinted where they lay discarded, mocking her.

The Boil’s breath wheezed as he leaned in, bringing that seeping sore close enough for her to see it in vivid detail and notice it smelled like rottingsogfrut. His thick fingers plucked the cuffs from the floor. He examined them like treasured artifacts before gripping Lilas’ wrist and snapping one in place.

Fire shot through her veins. Lilas gasped. The pain was unlike anything she’d felt before. It wasn’t just burning—it was invasive, like something slithering beneath her skin, binding itself to her flesh. Her muscles locked as an unnatural stillness took hold of her limbs.

The Boil clucked his tongue. “These cuffs are quite special. They don’t just ensure compliance—they make rebellion excruciating.” He fastened the second cuff onto her other wrist and another wave of white-hot agony rolled through her.

Sweat beaded at her temples, but she refused to cry out. Instead, she met his gaze with a glare sharp enough to cut. “I’d say you’ll regret this,” she rasped, “but honestly, you probably don’t have enough functioning brain cells to feel regret.”

The back of his hand cracked against her cheek before she saw it coming. A burst of pain flared across her face, but she refused to flinch, refused to let him see that he’d gotten to her.

He chuckled darkly. “Oh, you’ll regret it soon enough, pet.”

Before she could spew yet another ill-advised comment, a violent jolt rocked the ship. Lilas’ head snapped back against thechair, and for the first time since she’d been dragged onto this nightmare of a vessel, hope sparked in her chest.

She smirked. “I really,reallyhope you’re being attacked right now.”

The Boil snarled. His bulbous face pinched with a mix of anger and worry. Another tremor sent pillows tumbling from the bed, and a shrill alarm blared through the chamber.

The Boil cursed in a language she didn’t recognize. With a rough gesture, he barked at the two robotic servants in the corner. “Lock her in and come with me.”

He turned and waddled toward the exit, obedient robots in tow. His stubby fingers pressed a panel on the wall and he left, taking with him his odd, sour smell. As the door slid shut with a hiss, a solid lock hummed into place.

Lilas was alone. Finally. Thankfek.

The ship lurched again, harder this time. The ornate chair skidded. A distant explosion vibrated through the floor, sending a pulse of unease through her.

Okay. Maybe she should’ve been more specific in her request. Because whoever was attacking The Boil’s ship clearly wasn’t here for a peaceful negotiation.

The alarm’s wail made her ears ring. Each tilt and shudder of the ship grew more violent. Her stomach flipped as if she were plummeting through open space. She scrambled onto the bed, gripping the bedding to steady herself against the chaos. A flicker of real fear crept in.

Then, without warning, the lights cut out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

TWO

Razion

Blaster fire lit up the glittering corridors of the Darkslip UF-2 space vessel Razion and his crew had just burned a hole into and boarded. His pulse was steady. His focus was calm and sharp as he strode into the luxury ship’s main cabin, dispatching guards. He’d done this countless times. Seizing and raiding ships had become almost a routine. His crewmates flanked him, moving with practiced efficiency, cutting down Gribna’s mechanical and alien security forces without hesitation. The thick stench of scorched metal and ozone filled the air, mixing with the cloying floral scent that clung to the ship’s halls. Gilded surfaces gleamed beneath the emergency lights. Their brilliance made Razion’s stomach churn. He’d seen wealth made from honest trade and hard labor.This?This wasn’t that—it was rot. Stolen lives, stolen futures. Gribna fed on suffering, turned it into gold-threaded carpets and jeweled ceiling panels. Disgust curled in Razion’s gut. He would burn this place to the ground before he let it stand another day.

“Krask, take Vedd and Cozax and clear decks one and three,” Razion ordered, gesturing ahead. His first mate gave a nod before disappearing down the gleaming corridor, boots pounding against plush floors. Razion pressed forward, stepping over the smoking remains of a fallen guard. As he turned the next corner and pried open a set of large double doors, his target came into view. Gribna, the festering parasite, cowered in his chamber, his bulk hunched behind two heavily armed guards. The moment they spotted Razion, their blasters went up. But he was faster. Two quick shots and two bodies dropped to the floor, their weapons clattering uselessly against the gold-trimmed tiles. Now, only Gribna remained. His damp, boil-ridden skin glistened with fear.

“How did you get in here?” Gribna demanded. “This ship’s hull is—”

“Not as impenetrable as you thought.” Razion stalked forward, his voice a low growl. “You’ve been selling stolen power cells to an Axis warlord who is using them to decimate the Henia colony on Tio-6. Where is your fleet of freighters now?”

---