Page 31 of Her Alien Beast
Chapter 20
AMIRA
We leave my parents’house after a two-day visit, during which time we invite our closest family and friends over to meet Vlann. We opt for a series of visits with our family and friends, rather than one small reception, and it’s much more personal that way. Cayley arrives first and gives me a big hug, whispering in my ear that she suspects I’ll be much happier now that I don’t have to marry Gregory. She’s the only person I’ve ever confided in, the only one I could trust to keep my secrets, and she instantly warms to Vlann and chats his ear off for several hours.
To my surprise, no one else who visits seems upset by my broken engagement to Gregory. It would seem he gave my friends the creeps and my aunt, in particular, confided in me that he’s always given her a bad feeling. I’m relieved by their reactions, especially with my mother there as a witness, further proof to my parents that marrying Gregory would’ve been a terrible idea.
I overhear a tense video comm call between my father and Gregory’s, however, and I can’t help but feel a bit guilty about that. But he emerges from his study afterward and gives me a kiss on the cheek, so I relax and decide that whatever happened between them, he doesn’t blame me, even if it does end up hurting his business. I promise to help him find a new interplanetary shipping company to work with us and he accepts my offer.
Amira Swan Mates with Exotic Kaxxloran Bounty Hunter, is the latest story to fill the newsfeeds, and I’m glad Vlann’s house is in the middle of nowhere. We’re not planning to go on a honeymoon, instead we’re going to hole up at his residence and spend time together, just the two of us, alone without anyone to bother us. I worry if we travel to a resort or other touristy destination, we’ll only draw attention to ourselves. I have no intention of giving more material to the newsfeeds. I’ve always valued my privacy, a trait I seem to share with Vlann.
“Ahh,” I say once we arrive at his home. My home now, too, I realize with a warm smile. “I’m finally home with myexoticKaxxloran mate.” I giggle and he gives me a wry look.
But after he parks the hovercar, he glances out the window and tenses, his hand immediately going to the blaster he always keeps on his hip.
“What is it?”
“The curtains above the kitchen sink are pulled shut. I am certain that when we left they were open.” A growl rumbles in his throat, a deadly noise that makes me shudder, though not because I’m afraid of him. I’m worried about the danger he suspects.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he says. He presses a few buttons on his wrist comm and I see the display of the security system controls. “This doesn’t make sense. No alarms have been tripped.”
“Do you really think someone could be inside?” I ask, peering at the closed curtains in question.
He restarts the hovercar and guides it down the driveway, away from his house. “Yes, I do, and I’m going to get you out of here and to safety before I investigate. I’ll take you back to your parents and then return to my residence.”
“But Vlann, I don’t want to leave you. Please, let’s just go—”
Suddenly, a blast hits the side of the hovercar. I scream and grab onto the armrests. I shoot a worried look at Vlann. His blue eyes have darkened and his jaw is set in a firm line. He tries to maneuver the hovercar through the air, though we soon hit the surface of the gravel road. Curses fall from his lips.
He places a quick distress call to the nearest Enforcer command center, requesting backup. Smoke starts filling the hovercar and he carries me out of the vehicle. He runs into the forest, moving so fast the trees and foliage become a quick blur of green.
I hear blaster fire coming from behind us and my stomach flips. I open my mouth, preparing to tell Vlann that I can run myself, but I quickly realize that even while he’s carrying me, he can still run much faster than me. As he zips through the trees, he occasionally returns fire at our pursuers. At least I think there’s more than one of them.
We reach a tall formation of rocks and Vlann carries me behind it, where he finally sets me down on my feet. “Get down,” he orders, and I immediately comply.
He exchanges fire with our pursuers for what feels like an hour, though I know it’s not that long because the Enforcers Vlann called haven’t arrived yet. My ears are ringing from the constant blasts. I wonder who’s trying to harm us and come up empty, though I suppose it’s possible Vlann has enemies. Perhaps a criminal he once captured has come to seek revenge.
Whenever I glance up, I see Vlann holding his blaster and aiming at something in the trees. I still haven’t glimpsed who fired upon the hovercar and I don’t know if we’re being attacked by humans or Marryyns or aliens from another race.
It sounds as if the return fire is getting closer and my stomach drops. But then the forest falls abruptly silent. Vlann freezes and peers from right to left, as well as straight ahead over the rock formation, scanning for signs of our attackers.
I hear a faint zipping noise and three tiny black ball-shaped objects land beside me. Before I can scream, they burst open and a disgustingly sweet scent fills the air. I start coughing and so does Vlann. He grabs me and tries to carry me away from the toxic fumes, but he soon falls to his knees. My vision blurs and I feel lightheaded. My eyes flutter shut as the world fades to black.
