Page 61 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
“Excuse me, sir.” As his hooded form swivels towards me, his cloak dances around his body.
My neck involuntarily cranes to take in every inch of his towering figure, and tears start to gather in my eyes. For a fleeting moment, my heart had swelled with hope that the beloved Taccit had returned. Alas, it was not meant to be.
This man is not as broad, his shoulder width suggesting someone with lean strength rather than brutally thick muscles.
Peering into the dark depths of his hood, I try to catch a glimpse of his face. Nothing.
Deciding to break the ice that’s formed between us during my time blatantly staring at him, I ask, “Do you know why the market is so busy today?”
The hood tilts as if the mystery man is cocking his head to the side, pondering my question. A sliver of apprehension runs up my spine. It’s not an entirely non-human gesture, yet it’s so… other. Perhaps he’s just hard of hearing? My eyes repeatedly try to penetrate the darkness shrouding his features, but to no avail. They’re great for chilly days when you need some extra forehead warmth, but not so much when you’re curious about who’s lurking beneath. Who even covers their whole face and body like this?
“Many have been recalled into the town’s walls. Most likely for your safety. The leaders fear an attack, and rightly so.” His voice rumbles over my skin, almost a growl.
Leaning closer, his face finally reveals itself. I see a pair of green eyes staring back at me. At first, I think he’s human, but then I notice the intricate patterns on his skin and how they seem to glow from within, as if he’s part bioluminescent.
“Hello, little human female,” he practically purrs.
I’m frozen stiff, glazed eyes still fixated, like a deer in headlights. What’s more terrifying—the alien dude before me or the fact that he strolled right into our colony unnoticed?
“Be careful, little female. There are many males that would love to have your company, and not all are good.” He leans even closer, nostrils flaring with a mighty sniff. The fur between his bushy brows wrinkles with an impressive frown. “I see you have already been claimed. Strange that your mate allows you to walk so freely among males without his protection.”
My breath catches as his words bring back thoughts of Taccit.
The stranger’s scowl deepens, and a very subtle growl slips through the air. Then his head jerks up to look over my shoulder, his nose twitching furiously.
“Ariana?” Maya’s hand magically finds mine. Her eyes widen at the stranger once she realizes that he’s not one of us. Not human. Her grip weakens, then tightens with a vice-like strength.
“Thank you for the help, sir,” I practically shout. Not my smoothest exit, but hey, no one’s perfect.
I reluctantly turn my back to the hulking figure and wonder when I changed. Days ago, I would have backed away from him in fear. Would I have screamed? This alien male’s appearance here might be shocking, but I don’t fear him as much as I perhaps should.
My mind is ablaze, jumping to conclusions. The alien was shocked that I was here without protection, which almost seems more like concern than a threat. Melvall had been the same, constantly inquiring about my health and happiness. Aliens might look absolutely terrifying, but their actions surely show they care.
Maya, meanwhile, looks like she’d seen a ghost. Then again, would you blame her? That was me not that long ago.
“Where did he come from? Since when did aliens -”
I quickly grip hold of Maya’s hands and squeeze them tightly to capture her attention. “Don’t worry, Maya. The nice gentleman was just letting me know there’s a town meeting later today.”
I had thought it weird that our entire colony migrated across the universe to settle on a planet without a single alien joining us. But I don’t think it’s such a coincidence after all. Nothing seems right about this whole setup.
“Nice? Gentleman?” she says, catching the attention of a passing miner who raises an eyebrow in our direction. I quickly refocus her attention, narrowing my eyes and whispering, “Yes, you can trust him.” I think. I hope I’m not about to lead Maya into some situation far worse than our current one.
The alien moves closer like an intergalactic bodyguard, blocking the gawking passersby. His glittering eyes lock onto Maya, and I can’t help but feel torn. Part of me worries that he’ll just snap if she starts screaming. The other part desperately hopes he will show her the same interest my Taccit showed me when we first met.
I don’t need to convince the humans to save Maya. I just need to convince this one alien. Life away from the colony is possible. At least she has a future. I’ll deal with Mr. Lewis and Walter after she’s gone from here, safe and sound.
I straighten up and speak with determination. “Sir,” I say, addressing the towering figure behind me, “we need your help.”
But before I can explain our predicament, a blood-curdling scream rings out across the marketplace. In unison, every man and woman turns toward the colony gate.
What I see has me falling to my knees.
ChapterSixteen
TACCIT
Ajolt runs through my entire body as something cold and wet touches my neck. It’s a mistake to move. Moving only increases the pain that spreads through every part of me—my skin, bones, and even my claws throb with the weak pulse of my hearts.
