Page 12 of Raven Blackwood
He cut me off with a look. “You cannot promise that.”
I swallowed hard. He had a point. If Jenkins or his men found out an alien was hiding in the mountains, they’d come for him. And they wouldn’t stop until he was dead or captured.
Still, the thought of being trapped here, of not having a choice, sent a wave of panic through me. “So what? I’m your prisoner now?”
Koha’vek’s expression didn’t change. “You are my guest.”
I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Aguest who can’t leave?”
He didn’t answer.
Frustration bubbled up inside me. “What do you plan to do with me, then?”
Again, he hesitated. “Nothing.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Nothing?”
“I will not harm you.”
Something in his voice made me believe him. He meant it. He wouldn’t hurt me. But that didn’t mean I was safe, either.
I studied him, my heart pounding. He was strange to me—alien in every sense of the word. His body was too large, too intimidating, his features too sharp. When I first saw him, I thought he was a monster. But he wasn’t, really. He was just an alien, kind of a cross between a reptile and a green goblin.
“I don’t even know what you are,” I admitted quietly. “I’ve never seen anything like you before.”
Koha’vek’s expression remained steady, though his gaze held something guarded. “I told you I am Mesaarkan.”
I rolled the name over in my mind. I’d heard stories—whispers of the aliens who had secretly occupied Earth, evading the cyborgs who took over. Most people thought they were all gone. Clearly, that wasn’t true.
“Have you seen my horse? I hope she is all right. She’s all I have left.”
“Your horse is fine. I found her and put herin the pasture by the livestock building.”
“I want to see her.” He gave me an unreadable look. “It’s not like I can jump on her back and ride away. I have no place to go anyway.” Tears welled in my eyes.
He made an exasperated sound and stalked out of the house. Tears spilled down my cheeks. My head hurt, and my body ached. Now I pissed off the only person who had shown me any kindness in a long time.
As I started to cry, I heard a clatter on the front porch. It sounded like hoofs. No, he didn’t.
The front door opened, and Koha’vek walked inside, leading my horse. I quickly wiped the tears from my face, laughing. She nickered when she saw me and moved closer, lowering her head so I could pet her.
“Oh, Dotty, that mean old bear didn’t get you.” She sniffed me and seemed to examine me, nuzzling me. It was almost like she was apologizing for dumping me off. “It’s okay; I know you didn’t do it on purpose. You were scared. That was a big bear.”
Koha’vek held the lead and stoically watched as I petted and talked to my horse. Finally, I looked up at him and chuckled, “I can’t believe you did that. That was so kind and thoughtful.But you'd better take her back outside before she makes a mess in the house. Thank you.”
Koha’vek simply dipped his head in acknowledgment, steered the horse around, and took her back outside.
When he returned, neither of us spoke for a long moment. The fire crackled between us, casting shifting shadows along the walls. I had no idea what the future held, yet I was starting to trust him. At least I was alive and not alone.
And that would have to be enough for now.
Chapter Eight
Raven
The morning air was cool and fresh as the late spring day began. I stepped onto the porch, tuning my enhanced senses to the world beyond the ranch. Hannah came out and stood beside me, her body relaxed but her eyes alert. Although we had only been together for a few days, the bond between us was undeniable. We had spoken the pledge that tied us, and now there was no going back—nor did I want to.
She handed me a cup of coffee, her fingers lingering against mine for just a moment. She met my gaze steadily. “We have a lot to do today.”
