Page 49 of Claimed by the Alien Warrior Triad

It’s a snarl of pure hatred and rage. I quickly jump behind a boulder, making myself as small as possible as I peer out towards the source of the sound.

From the north, I see it. The dragon is swooping this way, beating its huge wings, rushing forward towards the jungle. Now I understand why I was able to get down the mountainside without attack. Any beasts hunting me are hiding away, sensing the oncoming attack of the winged devil.

I stare out from behind the rock, squinting to try and make out the green hue of the faraway jungle. If I can only get there alive, I’ll be reunited with the men I’ve spent decades longing for.

A war horn sounds, and birds – tiny and colorful from this distance – erupt from the forest, swooping up and away from the foliage.

They do so just in time. The dragon has reached the edge of the jungle and sweeps over the towering, lush trees – shooting off a long trail of scalding magma into the verdant greenery.

It’s like those old documentaries of the Vietnam War, when American planes would pour hundreds of gallons of scalding napalm across the jungle to clear out the brushes where the Viet Cong lurked.

I shiver, watching as the swooping black dragon dives down into the flaming foliage, before grabbingsomethingand soaring back into the sky overhead.

My heart pounds as the dragon swooshes over me, and I see in its claws an Aurelian, still kicking and struggling.

I squint, filled with momentary horror, but I quickly realize that the unfortunate soul is not one of my three loves. I’d havefelt itif it were.

But my relief instantly turns to horror, as the dragon pulls upwards, gaining incredible height, and thendropsthe Aurelian.

The flailing figure falls screaming through the air, before splattering against the rocks below, killed instantly. The dragon did not even want to eat the Aurelian. It just wanted to kill.

All I want to do is hide. All I want to do is just curl into a ball and whimper.

No.

No. I willnotbe afraid.

The thought is resolute. I stand up, drawing myself to my full height and gripping my weapons with white knuckles. I didn’t come this far to get spooked; even by a massive, fire-breathing, Aurelian-slaughtering dragon….

I set my face with determination and set off.

There is danger everywhere, and I know I won’t be safe until I’m finally back with the three men who once seemed like they’d die to protect me.

Will I even be safe with them? I just watched one of their species get turned into a fucking splatter by that dragon.

Oh, God – what have I gotten myself into?

I shake my head. I don’t push the thoughts of fear down. I simply let them flow through me, until all that remains isme.I chose this path. Iwillwalk it.

It’s funny. Because of that single night I spent here, three decades ago, I’ve been irrevocably altered – seemingly unable to age.

But while I might notlooklike I’ve changed, I’m so far from the person I was when I first arrived on this alien world.

I remember themefrom thirty years ago as I stride forward. Back then, I had this stupid plan. This idea that I could create a life that I never even wanted, all because being a lawyer somehow made me feel like I had some semblance of control. When I was in the courtroom,Iwas the one who made things happen.

Deep in my heart though, I was still that scared little girl who’d once cut her thighs.

I weep for that girl. I feel pity for her. But she’s not me anymore. I’ve eagerly chosen terror and danger over comfort and stability; and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

I chose love. I just wish it hadn’t taken thirty years to see it to fruition.

I trot towards the jungle, keeping a steady pace, glad that the grass only reaches to my knees. No huge lion or wolf could hide in these plains.

But once I reach the jungle? That will be a different story. I’ll have to be constantly looking over my shoulder for beasts that might stalk, ambush and attack.

I make it that far – to the jungle – without any additional horrors befalling me. I think back to the map for a moment. I’ve always been blessed with a strong sense of direction, and I know exactly where to go to the get to the smaller cave system. I push through the brush in the right direction, until I get to a clearing nearby.

Then I freeze. My mouth drops open as I see a disgusting sight in front of me.

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