I refuse to be a slave.
I rush toward the balcony Sutek loves so much.
I choke back a sob as a massive spaceship glides toward the hotel, like something out of a sci-fi movie. The air shimmers around the metallic beast as it maneuvers, thrusters glowing yellow-white on each side. A roar fills the air as it quickly descends into the courtyard. It lands with a thud, cracking the beautiful tiles beneath its unfolding legs. The ship is enormous—large enough to house an entire building.
I whimper when the ship’s side opens with a hiss. A large section lifts and tilts down, forming a ramp large enough to drive a car through.
I need to go down there, confront the dragon men, and persuade them to leave—ideally without me, but I know that’s unlikely. At the very least, they should leave Sutek and the hotel alone.
Somehow, I make it to the courtyard and cross to the looming ship. Its malevolent presence turns my blood to ice.
I do my best to hide the blade behind my back, pretending to hold my hands there while standing tall. I realize the weapon is evident, but what other option do I have? A spoon? What I’d give for one of my father’s guns right now…
And there he is—Greenie. At the top of the ramp, in that familiar silver suit, his scales gleaming. He smiles down at me, teeth pointed and fangs long.
“Good girl,” he purrs. “Now come with me,” he commands.
His words are oily and unpleasant, nothing like the way Sutek spoke to me. I feel sick.
Nevertheless, I raise my chin. I deserve to stand up for myself. And I need to protect Sutek because—I love him. He means everything to me, more than life itself.
I have no real plan other than bluffing my way through this. Maybe if I mention the police are here, they’ll leave? I’m still not sure if slavery is even legal in this strange world.
“You’re not wanted here,” I manage to say, my voice gaining strength as I grip the cleaver’s handle tightly.
“What?” Greenie asks, incredulous.
“People are watching you. You need to leave,” I say, my voice is more assertive now.
Greenie laughs. “Very funny. Now come along before my warrior brothers tear apart this building. Your new master doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Terror roots me in place. The cleaver seems more useless with each passing second. I feel powerless.
My insecurities put me in this situation. If only I had trusted Sutek sooner, then none of this would have occurred.
I glance back at the hotel, burning the image into memory. I regret not telling Sutek the one truth that matters—that I love him.
Then I see my red alien. Every inch of his large body is covered in weapons; swords and knives are strapped across his chest and back.
In that moment, I realize three things:
He’s here for me and won’t hand me over.
He’s furious.
And he’s very deadly.
ChapterFifteen
SUTEK
Bone-chilling terror seizes my heart when I see my beloved mate, Elana, standing before the hulking drakoon warrior. Why did she abandon the safety of my quarters?
The drakoon gawks at my sudden appearance, his jaw slack.
“Let me get this straight—I gave you explicit instructions, yet instead, you come packing heat ready for combat? Are you daft? This wasn’t a friendly suggestion—it was a direct order! When I tell you to do something, you do it, no questions asked! What part of ‘do as commanded or face obliteration’ was unclear? Need I remind you how many of us there are? And you,” he jabs a dagger-like talon in my precious mate’s direction, “are supposed to follow orders like a good little slave.”
When I hear him speak to Elana as if she is his property, something primal ignites within me. I unleash a thunderous roar as my claws extend to deadly points, and my body becomes a lethal weapon poised to hunt. The urge to stalk any male who threatens my mate overwhelms me. I will slay without mercy anyone who endangers my Elana. Though I have hunted prey countless times before, this feels different. For once, I am truly protecting someone more vulnerable than myself. I would gladly lay down my life to prevent her from coming to harm.
