Page 12 of Protected By the Alien Bodyguard

“No! Please, you have to understand. This isn’t our fault!” I cry, stumbling back. Before I get far, the Commander’s fingers wrap around my arm, steadying me—and stopping me from fleeing. And just where would I go? I’m in space. On a spaceship. It’s not like there’s a place I can run to, or an exit sign conveniently pointing me where to go.

Jaraz’s gaze flicks from the Commanders to mine, a sneer growing across his lips. “Do you really think a female is capable of murder?”

I gape down at him, utterly speechless. Instinct has me wanting to say that as a woman I am capable of anything I set my mind to... yet that would be stupid right about now, wouldn’t it?

“Well, actually it’s attempted murder,” corrects Commander Alder.

A buzz fills my ears, words coming and going. Attempted murder? Grum, the arch-villain of my life, is still alive? The guy who abducted me and a bunch of humans, and who knows what other sentient life? The guy who kept me as a pet all this time? That guy?! Just my luck, the bad guy has more lives than a cat.

“Turns out, when you attempt to kill someone, you really should finish the job. Honestly, you have no idea about the paperwork involved now. At least if you had killed him, he wouldn’t be able to put this arrest claim out against you for the physical assault. But it is what it is, you know? Duty bound and all.”

Did the Commander just agree that Grum should be dead? Am I hearing this right? What kind of messed-up justice system does this universe have? Apparently, one where attempted murder is frowned upon, but actual murder is a-okay.

“At least I won’t have to keep looking after her,” Jaraz nods in my direction as he’s led past by a dozen restraining officers. His expression... I can’t stand the way he looks at me, like I’m a burden, something to hate.

“Out of curiosity, why did you even take the female?” The Commander asks.

“Why not?” Jaraz laughs, as though this is all some big joke to him. “No one questions a mated couple traveling. Besides, I got to have some fun with her.”

“Why are you saying this? I thought we were friends... partners even,” I croak, my throat tight with anguish.

The corners of Jaraz’s lips upturn, a small laugh of disbelief escaping him. And then he’s gone, led away by bodies that block my view of him.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take you somewhere safe,” the Commander tells me. His hand rubs up and down my arm. It’s meant to be a soothing gesture, but it feels so invasive. This guy just arrested my mate!

Wait. My what?

Tears drip down my cheeks. I love Jaraz. I kept telling myself not to, but I fell for him anyway.

The past few years, or however long it’s been, I’ve thought it better not to hope for something—the pain of it not coming true was so heartbreaking. Abducted? Better not to hope for the police to come rushing to your aid. It simply doesn’t happen. Watching friends be sold, hoping to see them again... Nah, they’re gone forever. I became too afraid to dream. Until Jaraz came along. Somehow, somewhere, I found myself wanting a better life. I found myself wanting to be loved and accepted. I believed in it.

Having that all ripped away is excruciating.

Panic attacks have nothing on the absolute numbness that encompasses my body right now. A bomb could go off, sucking me into the void of space, and I wouldn’t even care.

Jaraz used me.

Did he even care about me at all?

It seems not.

Chapter

Seven

KAYLA

Ican’t let it go; Jaraz used me. He laughed so bitterly as the uniformed aliens led him away.

“Out! Out! All of you!” An emerald-colored naga shoos the throng of aliens out of the medical bay room. Turns out that’s what they call themselves: warriors, or Peacekeepers. Considering I was abducted, I have to wonder just how good they are at their jobs. I don’t voice that little bitter thought. At least they are helping now.

“Oh come on, Radboud, I’m sure I’m needed here, even if to provide moral support,” Commander Alder whines. He actually whines, his desire to stay in the room conflicting with his desire to get back to doing whatever a Commander does—probably shout at aliens for not doing their jobs. A bit hypocritical if you ask me.

Radboud forces him and the others through the door with wide sweeps of his long tail. He’s wielding it a bit like a whip, snapping it in their faces each time a male steps inside the medical bay.

“I don’t care what you say, Alder. That’s not how this works,” Radboud hisses.

“Are you actually defying me right now?” Alder plants his feet squarely on the floor, his chest puffing out. His wings flare out behind him, promptly smacking against a wall. We all hear the thud. We all see it happen, even the wince that the commander tries to hide behind his stoically scaled face. A moment passes, and everyone in the room—and those aliens crowding the door on the outside—all silently agree not to mention the mishap. Ever.

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