“It’s time to end this,” I declare, shattering the peculiar silence blanketing the hotel courtyard. Not even the wind stirs, though at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if a tumbleweed made an appearance.
“Hey Lizard Breath!” I shout over the wall to Greenie. “You giving up yet, or do I need to come over there and shoot some sense into that thick skull of yours?”
This guy’s got to know he’s beaten already. I don’t kick a puppy when it’s down... though kicking an overgrown reptile right now is appealing.
“You. Are. My. Property!” The brute roars, frustration and disbelief simmering in his gravelly tone. Smoke streams from his nostrils.
I jab my finger onto the laser pistol’s charge button with a satisfying click. Time to take out the trash.
“I belong to no one!” I shoot back, resolve crystallizing within me.
“Except me,” Sutek interjects in a quiet voice.
I glance at him, shocked.
His usual arrogant bravado is absent. He almost seems... anxious. Vulnerable even. He looks up at me with what I can only describe as puppy dog eyes. These aliens have some serious hang-ups when it comes to female “ownership”. Jeez, they’re about to learn some new things about human women.
“You barged into my home and shot at my mate,” I grin like a maniac when Sutek’s entire face lights up with an almost childish glee. It’s the first time I have ever declared him as mine, I realize. Yeah, okay so maybe claiming someone else can feel good. Not that I’ll ever admit it out loud.
Sutek crashes his lips onto mine, kissing me fiercely yet allowing me to claim him in return. Our tongues tangle urgently as he cups my cheeks, drawing me closer. Heat blooms through my body, my skin flushing with need for him.
I could blissfully lose myself in Sutek forever, but time is ticking. We’ve got a dragon to slay first.
The laser pistol pulses brightly in my grip, fully charged and ready for action.
Reluctantly I pull back, meeting his heated gaze. “Watch my back, handsome?”
“Always,” he answers without hesitation, conviction resonating in that single word.
And for the first time, I believe him fully. I trust Sutek to protect me.
Grinning wildly, I sprint forward and vault over the courtyard wall, landing in a slight crouch on the uneven ground below.
“What’s the matter? Never seen someone take a shortcut before?” I laugh as Sutek gawks in astonishment.
Greenie gapes at me like I’ve lost my mind. Yeah, I’m definitely certifiable now. But I’m loving this newfound sense of freedom!
I fire my laser pistol at the overgrown green reptile. He represents everything wrong in this screwed up situation—he made me fear for my life. Never again.
Zing! The pistol doesn’t bang dramatically like a normal gun, yet it’s still so satisfying to shoot. The bolt of light dissolves harmlessly in front of the dragon, vanishing like magic.
Zing! I shoot again, closer this time. He stumbles back with a pained grunt, scales on his face now clearly visible. I can practically taste his fear, rich and smoky on my tongue.
The air between us shimmers for a heartbeat as a disconcerting pins-and-needles feeling dances across my skin. I stop, standing toe-to-toe with the hulking beast. He trembles uncontrollably, pathetic whimpers escaping his maw.
“You’re just a bully,” I state coldly. “You prey on the weak to feel powerful. True strength is protecting those who can’t defend themselves.”
I raise the pistol and fire point-blank.
Zing!
He crumples to the ground.
“This had better be set on stun,” I say as Sutek joins me, slipping a supportive arm around my waist.
“I didn’t expect you to be such a fierce warrior,” he remarks, admiration glowing in his eyes.
I sigh wearily. “I’m not a warrior. Just a ticked-off chick seeking justice.”
