Page 29 of Riv's Sanctuary

For one, she was pale all over it seemed and she wasn't carrying the horns that were a feature of the females of his kind.

Taking a step toward her, he paused as she jerked the blaster in his direction.

"Dohnt moove uhntil yootell mee yoo arnt goh-ing to-hurrht mee."

A growl rumbled low in his chest.

He could move across the room and take the weapon from her small hands within a second. He doubted she even knew how to use it. The safety was still on. But she looked so...daring, pulling strength from her own bravery, that he paused and considered leaving her with the thing.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he surveyed her, wondering what she was about to do next.

She took a moment, watching him with eyes that were becoming less wide as the moments passed. Finally happy that he was no longer moving towards her, she let out a breath.

"Oh-kay. Lehts stahrt ah-gen."

7

The big blue guy wasn't responding but at least he'd stopped growling at her as if he was about to advance and break her in two.

So far, this first impression wasn't going well. It wasn't going well at all.

Lauren gripped the blaster in her hands, still pointing it at the male in front of her.

The darn thing was heavy and her arms were already protesting—this was what a year without proper exercise brought her—but she wasn't going to lower the weapon. Not when he still stood there as if ready to pounce and not while his entire frame seemed to fill the small room.

She doubted she could skirt around him and head for the door without him catching her. Wherever she ran, he would be there in a second. She reckoned the only reason he wasn't in front of her, snatching the blaster from her hands, was because she had it trained on him.

That gave her the upper hand for a little while—at least until she could figure out how to calm him down enough so he wouldn't hurt her.

She didn't even know how to use the damn blaster. He would find that out soon enough. For now, she had to play it smart.

"You should sit and I'll explain everything." She used the blaster to motion to the chair but he didn't move. He didn't even turn his head to glance at it.

Dammit. She wished he would at least say something.

Instead, his mouth was curled with distaste as he glared at her.

Shit.

Clearing her throat, she continued. "We got off on the wrong foot. I'm not a threat." She glanced at the blaster...well, it certainly wasn't helping with that point.

Shaking away the thought, she continued. "I didn't ask to be here—" Well, you kinda did, Einstein. "—and it's obvious you don't want me here either. I completely understand that. But, and I know this is rich coming from an outcast you just met, I would like a chance. I could help out around here. I could even stay in the barn...that is, if you have a barn. You wouldn't even know I'm here. I won't stay long. Just long enough for me to get my bearings. Then I'll be out of your hair. I promise." She paused. "Geblit said you were a nice guy."

Okay, so that last part was a lie but he didn't know that.

As she waited for him to respond, the blaster making the muscles in her arms burn, she prayed he'd say something friendly. Something that would reduce her fears. Something agreeable.

A sound of annoyance left his lips.

"Phekking Geblit," he muttered. "Sit."

Pushing the chair toward her with his boot, he turned and moved across the room, pulling a comm device from his pocket.

Not the reaction she'd been looking for but better than knocking the blaster from her hands and wringing her neck.

Glancing at the chair, she bit her bottom lip nervously. She needed to sit, the blaster was too heavy. But she wouldn't. She wouldn't look very threatening sitting with the blaster, now would she.

His back was turned to her as he pinged what she assumed was Geblit's number.

---