Page 90 of Riv's Sanctuary

They weren’t moving out of the way only so the procession could pass.

They were scampering to safety, trying to wedge themselves in the spaces between the stalls.

Those who couldn’t do that were hurrying away in the opposite direction and others were plastering themselves against the stalls themselves as if they could become a part of the metalwork.

The merchants themselves looked frozen and some even looked like they’d gone pale.

Frowning, her eyes fell back on the procession and she almost gasped.

There were guards travelling with someone between them...and she recognized the guards.

She understood now why the other aliens were reacting the way they were because her fight or flight response was telling her she needed to run.

What were the chances of seeing so many things that reminded her of her abductors?

Coming down the street was a group of about twelve of the species of guards that had been on the alien ship.

They’d been the ones to help abduct her from Earth.

They’d been the ones who’d enforced order on the ship.

Lauren’s throat went dry.

They looked like alligators walking upright and they snarled at the aliens by the sides of the street…just as they’d snarled at her on the ship.

In the middle of the group was an alien type she’d never seen before.

And it was hideous.

It looked like an oversized green toad dressed in a lavish white robe. Its dark eyes flicked over the aliens along the street and she swore she felt the air become chilled.

Someone’s hand closed around her arm and pulled her toward them.

With wide eyes, she looked up into Riv’s face.

She couldn’t see his expression but she could almost feel the alarm emanating off him too.

“Whatever you do, try to blend in.” His voice was low and Lauren nodded. She didn’t need to ask why.

Terror was flooding through her veins.

She was never more thankful for the cloak he bought than she was then.

As she pulled the hood low over her head, she turned a little so she could see the procession move closer.

The street was clear except for the group walking down it and it didn’t seem as if anyone along the street was even breathing.

And that’s when it happened.

A round object rolled into the street.

She didn’t know if it was a child’s ball but it sure looked like a toy based only on the colors.

There was a sound and a small being with light-orange skin ran out to get the thing.

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd of onlookers and when Riv stiffened beside her, she realized just how close they were standing together.

It was a child for a bigger version of the little alien came hobbling toward the little being.

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