Page 25 of Stardust Paws and Alien Claws

His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck straining. “Get back!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than the mesh shattered, shards of plex raining down as the Lazamai burst forth in a kaleidoscopic wave.

With a piercing screech, the creatures converged on Liora, their forms shifting and contorting in a nauseating display. Gossamer wings stretched into leathery, bat-like appendages, and tiny bodies elongated, sprouting wicked talons and rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Liora’s eyes widened, and she backpedaled, firing wildly into the swarm. “What in the nine hells are these things?”

The nightmarish beasts descended upon her, shredding through her environmental suit with ease. Liora screamed, a high-pitched wail of agony that sent prickles down my arms.

I recoiled, burying my face in Doanor’s chest as the creatures tore into her, their shrieks mingling with the sickening sound of rending flesh. Doanor’s arms encircled me, shielding me from the horror unfolding before us.

Blaster fire erupted around us, but the Lazamai were relentless, their fury unleashed in a maelstrom of violence. I could taste the metallic tang of blood in the air, sharp and cloying.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the chaos stilled. The creatures retreated, their forms reverting to their usual fluffy, innocuous selves. They hovered around me, chirping softly, as if seeking reassurance.

Doanor’s grip on me loosened, and I pulled away, my gaze falling on Liora’s wounded form. She lay on the ground, her suit in tatters, blood seeping from multiple deep gashes, but she was alive, moaning softly in pain.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to retch. Doanor’s hand found the small of my back, steadying me.

“Are you alright?” His voice was a low rasp, tinged with concern.

I nodded mutely, unable to tear my eyes away from Liora’s injured body.

A soft weight settled on my shoulder, and I glanced over to find one of the Lazamai perched there, nuzzling my cheek. Its gentle warmth seeped into me, offering a stark contrast to the brutality we had just witnessed.

Doanor’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling me against his solid frame. “They were protecting you,” he murmured, his breath ruffling my hair. “Defending their caretaker.”

I leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence. The Lazamai had revealed their true, savage nature, all for the sake of shielding me from harm. A shudder ran through me at the thought of what might have happened had they not intervened.

Doanor’s free hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face up to meet his intense gaze. “I would have done the same, Cassidy. Anything to keep you safe.”

His words hung between us, laden with unspoken emotion. I searched his eyes, finding nothing but raw honesty reflected there.

Before I could respond, a faint groan drew our attention. Liora’s fingers twitched, a weak spasm of life amidst the ruin of her body.

Doanor stiffened, his features hardening into a mask of grim determination. “Stay here,” he rumbled, disentangling himself from me.

He stalked over to Liora, his movements slow and purposeful. Crouching beside her, he leaned in close, his words a low growl.

“You brought this on yourself, Liora. Your greed blinded you to the truth – these creatures are more than mere commodities to be bought and sold.” He shook his head, his expression a mix of pity and disgust. “You never understood what you were dealing with.”

Liora’s lips moved, but no sound emerged. Doanor regarded her for a long moment, then rose to his feet, his gaze finding mine across the room.

DOANOR

Anger surged through me like a raging wildfire as I stared at Liora’s form. Her once luminescent skin was torn and shredded, the iridescent hues now darkened by the pooling blood. The Lazamai had protected their caretaker with a viciousness I’d never witnessed before, their fluffy bodies transforming into terrifying beasts.

Cassidy trembled beside me, her hand clutching mine tightly. I pulled her close, her warmth a grounding presence amidst the chaos. The scent of her fear mingled with the metallic tang of blood, making my nostrils flare.

“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice a low rumble.

She nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the gruesome scene. “I...I think so. Just...shocked.”

I understood the sentiment. Liora and I had been friends, colleagues united in our passion for environmental conservation. To see her driven by such greed, willing to exploit these rare creatures for profit...it was a betrayal I never could have anticipated.

A pained groan drew my attention back to Liora’s broken form. She was still clinging to life, her luminescent eyes flickering weakly. I knelt beside her, my expression hardening.

“Why, Liora?” I growled, the words laced with a bitterness I couldn’t contain. “These creatures...they trusted you. We trusted you.”

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