Page 63 of The Commander

She wanted to forget about Brenda and Springfield and finish eating the slop. Return to his bedroom, curl into his amazing body heat, and nap. Her heart told her that he was one of those men Brenda claimed didn’t exist; someone who enjoyed touching, giving pleasure. A protector. He’d stand between her and the world, capable of devouring anyone who threatened her. Safe. For the first time, completely safe.

“Would you eat me?” She had to ask.

He made a face that showed off his teeth again. Another grin. “I have eaten you. You are very tasty.”

“My heart. Would you eat my heart?”

“You will never be my enemy.”

“What if something happens? What if we break up?” She didn’t know how in the world to frame the question. They’d started out as enemies. But a day later, and after lots of sex, they weren’t. She didn’t hate him. She had to force herself to fear him. She was so changed already that it was strangely difficult to imagine not being with him. Something terrible had happened to her mind. Something irreversible.

How was it possible? Was she in love after a day? Was she so lonely and messed up that an alien who tied her up, cutoff her clothes, and chased her through a school was now her boyfriend? The love of her life?

This couldn’t be love. But it was something powerful.

He watched her search for more words. Pushed the plate at her as a reminder.

Taking an absent bite, she chewed. “This is beef, right? You blue guys aren’t turning humans into food and making us into cannibals, are you?”

It was a theory wankers spouted. He looked confused by the question. “There is no reason to do that. There is no shortage of edible food on this planet. In fact, there are more cattle and sheep than there are humans. The Sarria came here to farm. You know of the cornfields, the wheat? The other vegetables?” Cara nodded. She did know.

“We take our share of all of that, can consume all of that. The red hats gorge themselves in their free time on the local game, which would explain why there is none left over for humans. The deer and other vegetable eaters don’t like the smell of red hats.”

That answer made Cara ask, “The vegetable eaters?”

“Nothing likes red hats’ stink. They smell strongly of predators and tend to piss everywhere. I believe that your Mister Danov learned this and invited them to piss around your little town while they are on duty.”

“To keep us hungry, so we go back inside the gates,” Cara guessed, adding up the information.

“That’s one reason. Why don’t the rebels bother you outside the town gates?”

“Not sure. Someone made a deal. They left the old folks and kids alone until we arrived. I have to fix this. There is nothing for them.”

“Why are you the one to fix it, Kitten? Why not your friend who dragged you into this?”

Cara avoided examining it too closely. The thought of Brenda using her gave her a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, threatening to turn the food she’d just eaten into mud.

Knowing she’d fallen for it, naive and lonely, added another layer of embarrassment.

“Does it matter what other people do? If I don’t do right by others, I lose my humanity, don’t I?”

“Do you? Is that all that makes you human?” His expression disagreed.

“One thing.”

“Why did you carry the name day blade?”

“The what?”

“The knife?”

“Oh, Andy’s knife? You asked about that before. You don’t still think I am a wanker rebel, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. You are my mate. But I need information about what you have been up to, little Kitten, so I can protect you against what might be coming.”

That sounded very ominous. “What might be coming? What do you mean?”

“That blade is a symbol the Sarrian will defend. That knife is connected to the enforcers—a prime battler, and no one but the owner or the dead can embrace it. Do you understand?”

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