Page 22 of Terror

“And I ended up with a Telean doctor how?”

“However I see fit.”

“You’re weirding me out.”

Terror reaches for my other hand, then strokes my skin, his rattle softening to a purr. The scent in the air changes almost instantly, and a sense of calm washes over me. I lean back, feeling exhausted from just a few brief minutes of being awake.

“I am responsible for every Omega,” he says.

“That’s a lot of Omegas for one guy.”

He chuckles. “Not as many as I’d like.”

“Millions is not enough?”

“When I landed on your planet, I expected a billion.”

“Oh.”

He nods. “With that said, I have elected to take this attack on you personally. I will find every man and woman involved in this ploy to hurt you, and I will line your property with their bodies.”

The image of dead people on my lawn makes my belly churn. It doesn’t stop my heart from swelling at the gesture. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I do.”

“Okay.” He’s made up his mind.

“Before my aunt could get him, Travis fled his New York apartment.”

I frown. “You sent your aunt after him?”

“Of course. Did the man say anything before he stabbed you?”

I look up at the ceiling and shudder. The wound stings, and I rub the itch. Swallowing the fear the memory brings, I say, “Should’ve taken the pills. It’s less painful.AndTravis sends his regards.”

Chapter 8

Arkin

Back in Tabby’s house, I sprawl on the sofa in her “spare” living room, the smallest secluded space I could find in this gigantic mansion. The open spaces humans prefer in their homes make me uneasy, the many windows even more so. Countless fucking points of entry into this home piss me off.

The humans have these beeping security systems that alert them of intruders. It’s the most ridiculous invention. The thing beeps, and people respond to a call. By the time they respond, I could rob the entire house and the next-door neighbor’s house three times over. The defense systems are terrible, and if you ask me, it’s the fault of their mayor, who has never secured her people. Instead of protecting them, she robbed them blind and made them pay her for it. At this time, with abominations on the loose and Betaren dealers pushing pills down Omegas’ throats, security is paramount.

Which makes me wonder about Tabby’s. Why doesn’t she hire guards? She can afford a crew. I swipe dust off the table. Housekeepers, gardeners. She’s got nobody. The Omega appears to be completely alone. For a human family, I find this odd. In my experience, humans make for great parents, especially mothers. Mine is the best.

I scrub my face. I don’t want to think about Mom. I haven’t seen her in many turns, and I look forward to my brother’s arrival and news from Regha. I wonder what my Dad is doing with his free time. Now that he’s retired and has nothing better to do but annoy my uncle Kinre, he must be up to no good.

Footsteps sound upstairs, and my ears twitch. I listen for the Omega’s movements as she goes to the bathroom and releases waste, washes her hands, I presume, then exits the bedroom.

I turn around, waiting for her to find me.

Tabby appears in the doorway, hair mussed, sleepy eyes blinking, long black silk night gown showing the outline of her body and ending right above her fucking bare feet. I love human toes, which she curls as I stare at them.

“Do you not sleep?” she asks.

“Not tonight.” Or ever as I watch over her. People are trying to kill her, and multiple entries into the house won’t let me rest. They drive me crazy.

“So you do sleep. In general, I mean.”

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