Page 80 of Salvation for the Alien Mercenary
He stayed close to her as they navigated the throng, making a mental note of every person who brushed past or looked her way too long. A merchant with wandering eyes tracked Mira's profile a heartbeat too long. Davis stepped between them and glared the guy down.
Spot stuck to Mira's heels like he'd been magnetized, sensors constantly scanning their surroundings. The little bot was having the time of his life, optical array whirring as he took in the sights and sounds of his first excursion.
"Medical supply vendor should be in the eastern quarter," Mira said, checking her datapad. "Then tech components."
Davis nodded, scanning ahead as they turned down a side street lined with more specialized shops. He'd begun to relax, just a fraction, when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Something was wrong.
Two uniformed figures walked down the alley toward them. Local security, by the looks of them, their posture screamed authority and trouble. He tensed as they noticed the three of them.
"ID verification," the taller officer demanded, stepping directly into their path. His gaze swept over them, lingering on Spot. "State your business in the eastern quarter."
"Supply run," Mira answered smoothly, producing her documents. "We're with a merchant vessel on pad 12."
The officer took the credentials, eyes narrowing as he studied them. His partner circled, positioning himself behind them.
Heat flushed through Davis's system, and sweat beaded on his forehead. His vision sharpened, colors becoming more vibrant, edges more defined. His hands curled into fists as his muscles tensed for action.
"These seem in order." The officer handed Mira her paperwork back, suspicion still evident in every line of his body. "And him?" He nodded toward Davis.
Davis pulled out his documents, conscious of the changes happening… of his elevated heart rate, the feeling of his pupils contracting into pinpricks, and the strength surging through his limbs. The second officer was standing too close to Mira. Every cell in his body said the man was a threat that needed eliminating. Now.
"Where'd you get the service bot?" The second officer prodded Spot with his foot. "This model looks customized."
"Private purchase," Mira replied with an easy smile. "All registration is current."
"We'll need to see those papers, too," the first officer insisted, stepping closer to her.
Davis moved before thinking, inserting himself between Mira and the officer. His hand shot out, fingers closing around the man's wrist with crushing force.
"Back off," he growled.
The officer's eyes widened, his face paling as he looked into Davis's eyes. The man's hand dropped toward his weapon.
"Davis!" Mira's sharp voice cut through the fog in his brain. She slipped between them, one hand pressing against his chest, pushing him back. "Officer, I apologize for my colleague. We've been on a long-haul run, and he's sleep-deprived and cranky. You know how it gets."
Her hand trembled against his chest, but her voice stayed steady as she pulled out Spot's documentation and handed it over with a strained smile.
The officers studied the papers. Finally, the first officer handed everything back.
"Move along," he ordered, avoiding looking at Davis. "And keep your friend under control."
They watched the officers disappear around the corner. The moment they were out of earshot, he rounded on Mira.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded. "You don't trust me to handle the situation?"
She stopped walking, whirling to face him, her face a mask of anger. "Trust you? You nearly attacked a security officer! Your eyes changed. In public."
"I had it under control."
"Bullshit. The changes are accelerating, and you're hiding how far it's gone."
He flinched. "That's not?—"
"Don't." She held up a hand, stepping back. "Don't lie to me. Not again."
He felt sick. "You heard me and Jex talking."
