Page 48 of Pact with the Alien Devil

I cried out, clutching him closer as the sensation overwhelmed me. I felt him everywhere, like we were two parts of the same whole. His release followed mine, his body shuddering above me.

As he withdrew his fangs, he licked the wound closed, the gesture somehow tender despite its strangeness. Exhaustion washed over me suddenly, my limbs heavy. Something was changing inside me, a warm tingling spreading through my veins.

“What’s happening?” I asked, my voice thick with drowsiness.

“The transformation.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

My eyelids grew too heavy to keep open. The last thing I felt before drifting off was Korvan’s arms around me, holding me close, and I knew I was exactly where I belonged.

EPILOGUE: IRIA

Iflicked the stabilizer relay switch back and forth, noting the slight drag on the downstroke. Another item for the repair list. TheStarfallhad always been my sanctuary, my escape. For years, it was me against the galaxy, and theStarfallwas the only thing I could trust. But now, as I ran my fingers over the worn controls, it felt different. Like I wasn’t alone anymore.

“Going to need a new relay soon,” I muttered to the ship, patting the console affectionately. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”

The nav computer beeped, confirming our flight path to the Cassian sector—our first official mission under the Fangs’ banner. I leaned back in the pilot’s seat, taking in the cockpit I knew better than my own face. Every scratch, every patch job, every modification held a memory.

My hand drifted to my neck, fingers tracing the new markings that had appeared after Korvan’s bite. Orange swirls, matching his own, now adorned the left side of my neck and shoulder, extending partway down my arm. The reflection in the darkened viewscreen showed their faint pattern against my skin.

Just two weeks ago, I’d been dodging creditors and taking whatever jobs came my way—legal or not—just to keep fuel inthe tanks. Now I was... what? A syndicate operative? The mate of a Vinduthi lieutenant? Both seemed equally impossible.

The environmental controls hummed as they cycled, a sound that had lulled me to sleep for years. TheStarfallhad been built for a human crew, but she was adaptable. We both were.

“Primary thrusters check complete,” I said to no one, then reached to calibrate the shield generators. “Let’s make sure these don’t fail us at the wrong moment again.”

“Still talking to theStarfall?”

I spun around to see Korvan filling the cockpit doorway, his broad frame dwarfing the space designed for humans. He carried a sleek metal case in one hand.

“She listens better than most people.” I grinned, my eyes drinking him in despite having seen him only an hour ago.

“And yet, here I am.” He stepped into the cockpit, moving with that predatory grace that still made my breath catch.

“To what do I owe the honor? I thought you were meeting with Alkard.”

“Just finished.” He placed the case on the console beside me and opened it. Inside lay what looked like a modified blaster, but with Vinduthi design elements—sleeker, more elegant than standard Alliance models, with curved lines that somehow looked both beautiful and deadly.

“Alkard wanted this to go to you. Consider it a symbol of your new role.”

I lifted it from the case, surprised by its perfect balance. The grip molded to my hand as if it had been custom-made.

“This looks a little too fancy for a smuggler like me,” I said, but my fingers already curled possessively around it.

“It’s a Vinduthi-modified SX-90. Fires standard plasma bolts, but also has a neural disruptor setting. The targeting system adapts to your eye movements.”

I whistled low. “Guess this makes it official, huh? Smuggler to syndicate operative. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“You’ve earned it.” His expression remained stoic, but I caught the pride in his gaze.

I holstered the weapon at my hip, feeling its comfortable weight. “How does it look?”

“Like it belongs there.” He moved closer, leaning against the co-pilot’s chair as I returned to my pre-flight checks. “Need help?”

I laughed, flicking through the fuel mixture settings.

“You’re good at this, but you could use a second pair of eyes.”

“I’ve been flying theStarfalllonger than you’ve been bossing people around, Lieutenant. Sit down and let me work.”

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