Page 48 of Alien's Luck
Plenty of armed guards, though. A concerning amount, really, and a bit more than she expected for the WelcomeWagon. They wore black armor that had to be broiling and visors that covered their eyes.
Carla forced a smile and tucked the flower behind her ear. At least the weather was sunny and gorgeous. She could use a change from the cold gray skies and the even colder gray ocean of the resort.
“My name is Kronkee,” the male said.
Carla snickered.
The lizard man’s quills went flat.
She faked a sneeze and scrubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “Sorry. Pollen. Allergies.”
Kronkee wasn’t buying it, but whatever. “Follow me,” he said, walking at a brisk pace down the gangway onto the dock.
He launched into a well-rehearsed speech, sounding almost bored. “Master Tavat welcomes you to his home. For your safety, please remain on the marked paths. Please wear your charveli blossom at all times when outdoors.”
A cart waited at the end of the dock on a dirt road. The zombie bellhop slung their bags into the back. Thick jungle growth pressed right up to the edge of the road.
“Stop,” a guard called, striding forward. He held a baton in one hand and pressed his other hand to the visor, as if controlling a screen. “Scans detect a package on the male’s back.”
“Those are my wings,” Ari said. He had them folded and tucked tight against his back. Before they docked, Carla had questioned him, but he gave a vague answer about hospitality.
“Remove your garment for inspection.”
“Sir, we are not acquainted like that.”
The guard was not amused. The baton sparked to life, crackling with energy.
Ari gave a dramatic sigh, unbuttoning his shirt. “I was being polite. Folding my wings means I feel safe. It’s a compliment.”
No one cared.
Something scurried in the corner of her eye. A flash of white in the greenery and it was gone. Carla took a step toward the undergrowth, intrigued.
A creature poked its head out from a cluster of leafy fronds. It had huge round eyes, round ears, and a head shape that made her think of a fox. Its skin was pale gray, which had to be horrible for camouflage, and it had frilly yellow petals on its neck, like the flower she wore.
Carla went still. It was cute, but that could be a trick. “Hey, guys, what’s this thing?”
No answer. Ari kept Kronkee and all the guards occupied.
The creature crept forward, leaves rustling as it inched forward.
Carla took a step back toward the cart and the people with shock batons. “Hey, cutie, you don’t want to eat my face. Please don’t eat my face.”
It darted forward and climbed up her pant leg, little claws digging into the fabric, and perched on her shoulder. A fluffy pink and white tail smacked Carla in the face. It was like being attacked with a duster. The creature chirped, grabbed the flower, and launched itself off her, back claws digging into her shoulder.
“Son of a bitch,” Carla hissed, clutching her shoulder. That thing was heavy.
The zombie at the cart lost interest in the luggage and headed for her, moving alarmingly fast.
Carla screamed, tripping over her feet and slamming into the ground. Gravel dug into her palms. She rolled over, scrambling back to avoid the looming zombie.
Up close, she could see a network of green veins that spread under his sallow skin. Saliva trickled from the corner of his dry, cracked lips. His mouth stretched open, revealing a mouth of yellow teeth and green globs.
Ari threw himself between her and the zombie. Fabric shredded as his wings sprouted, creating a barrier between Carla and the attacker. He raised his arm just as the zombie sank its teeth into him.
The guards finally did their job and zapped the zombie with the batons and got Ari as collateral. They didn’t seem too concerned, judging how neither of them even bothered to glance at Ari when he collapsed to the ground.
Rough hands dragged Carla to her feet. “What have you done?” Kronkee demanded.
