Page 61 of Claimed by the Alien Warrior Triad

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Aubrey

The three men leave to hunt, and I feel hollow inside.

What if they decide to fight the dragon today?

I fondle the cold steel of my gun. With it, I could most likely survive going out in the jungle and following them… if I could get a shot off before some panther turns me into lunch. I nervously touch my thighs and console myself with reason remembering the map I’d seared into my memory.

If the Aurelians were going to fight the dragon, they’d have taken more resources and rations. The volcano that was marked on the map was at least a few days hike away, even at their quick, long-legged pace.

Plus, I have to trust them. I have to trust that they would not make such a life-altering decision without consulting with me. Because if they don’t? Then I don’t know what I’m fighting for.

Yet every second that passes in their absence is agony. For the first twelve years I was back on Earth, I constantly questioned my sanity – my very understanding of the world.

Then I worked for two decades with a single-minded focus – committing every second of every day towards getting back to my three, powerful warriors.

Sleeping was a begrudged necessity. Eating was a biological weakness.

I didn’t spend thirty years fighting for Stryker, Haleon and Brigg just to lose them to a great beast.

I’ll kill that dragon myself.

The thought flares up in my mind. Itexcitesme. My heart pounds as I imagine sneaking up on the dragon and putting my pistol to its eye; pulling the trigger eight times and putting it to sleep forever. I don’t care if you’re a mythical being, cold steel slugs through your eye will put you down.

But how could I possibly sneak up on it? I have no idea how good its hearing, or sense of smell is. How much of the day does it spend in slumber?

I hear the rough sound of the boulder being moved aside. The three warriors have returned, with a brace of birds plucked and ready to cook. They all have the same stern, indomitable look. I know a decision has been reached.

“We go tomorrow,” says Stryker, his deep green eyes locking on to mine. He does not ask. He simply tells me what is going to happen.

“Good. I’m ready,” I respond, my pistol in my belt.

“This is not the time for jokes,” Haleon says sternly.

I stand, drawing myself to my full height. Haleon still towers over me, but I don’t let that stop me from saying what I have to.

“The portal opened for me again last night.”

The three warriors stiffen, their eyes wide. I’ve seen them face down giant eagles, lions and even Scorp – and yet my words are the first thing to ever make them appear truly frightened.

“I stayed,” I reassure them, and the tense shoulders of my three loves soften slightly. “I stayed because you need my help. Do you even have a plan for killing the dragon?”

Brigg nods. “Yes. We do. We will ambush it while it sleeps.”

I smile, knowing that I have them. “I thought of this plan, as well. I thought of leaving while you were gone and putting my pistol to its face. One small woman could hide better than three large warriors.”

Stryker reaches forward for my gun, but I jump back, putting my hand up in warning. “I’m no pet, Stryker. If you knew the things I did to get back here, you wouldn’t think of my so lightly…”

“My love… We donotthink of you lightly.”

Maybe not, but I knew my three loves each had a warrior’s arrogance. They just still didn’t appreciate that I was every bit the warrior they were – only I used my wits and intelligence instead of brute strength and an Orb-Blade.

“I have a better plan than yours,” I told them.

“Then speak it,” says Haleon, his voice cold. He hates the idea of me being anywhere near the terror of the dragon. The irony is, I feel the same about them.

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