Page 9 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

Izzy watches this exchange with those sharp eyes of hers, and I see the moment she begins to understand the dynamic between her sister and me. It’s there in the slight widening of her eyes, the thoughtful tilt of her head.

“Time to go,” I announce, gesturing for Khrint to bring Izzy forward. “We have a long journey ahead.”

“Wait,” Roland says, apparently having found his voice again. “The police?—”

I cut him off with a wave of my hand, ice crystals forming in the air between us. “Will not be a concern. The coin in your pocket ensures that you will get exactly what you deserve.” I let my voice drop to a whisper that carries only to his ears. “Consider it my gift to you.”

The color drains from his face as understanding dawns. His fingers clutch convulsively at the pocket holding the cursed coin, but it’s far too late. The magic has already taken hold.

I turn away from Roland without a second glance, leaving him to discover the full implications of my generosity at his leisure. The coin’s enchantment will ensure his silence—and his suffering.

A fitting punishment for a man who would sell his stepdaughters to aliens.

But I have more pressing concerns than petty revenge. The real work begins now, with both sisters finally in my possession. The timing couldn’t be more critical—the week of the double full moon approaches on Trasq, and with it, the peace summit Jonyk has called, a convocation between the firelords and the Icecaix designed to keep the two races from annihilating one another, despite the fact they supposedly renewed the peace accords mere days ago.

I glance at Lara, noting how she’s positioned herself protectively in front of Izzy despite her bindings. Such fierce loyalty—albeit inconvenient for me.

And yet... something in me responds to that fire in her, even as I know I must eventually extinguish it.

The magical ribbons around her wrists glow with a subtle warning light. The sight sends an unwelcome pang through my chest. The bindings were necessary—she proved that with her attempted escape—but watching her test them, seeing the pain flash across her face...

I push the thought aside. There’s no room for sentiment in what must be done.

“Come,” I say, my tone commanding. Both sisters need to understand their new reality. “We’re leaving.”

Khrint guides Izzy forward, his grip on her arm professional but firm. Unlike her sister, she hasn’t yet tried to run—though I suspect that has more to do with shock than acceptance. She’s studying everything with an analytical gaze, collecting information. A different kind of danger than her sister’s passionate defiance.

The market churns around us, its usual cacophony of merchant cries and haggling voices creating a discordant backdrop to our little drama. A few of the more observant vendors have noticed something unusual occurring, their otherworldly eyes tracking our progress. I let my power leak just enough to frost the ground beneath my feet. They quickly find other things to look at.

A Starcaix merchant with delicate green-gold wings flutters past, her gaze lingering curiously on my small procession before my cold stare sends her hurrying away.

“My ship isn’t far,” I tell the Evans sisters, though Lara already knows this. She walked this path less than an Earth hour ago, after all. “Try not to draw attention.”

Izzy stumbles slightly, her eyes widening as we pass a stall staffed by something that might charitably be called humanoid, if one were being extremely generous with the term. “What was that?”

“The market attracts all kinds,” I reply smoothly. “Best not to stare.”

Lara makes a sound that might be a laugh, if laughs could carry that much bitterness. “He means the market attracts monsters. Like him.”

The words shouldn’t sting. I’ve been called far worse by beings far more powerful. And yet...

I pause, turning to face her with deliberate slowness. “Careful, princess. You’re not the only one who can be bound by words.”

Her eyes flash with that delicious defiance that simultaneously draws and infuriates me. “Is that a threat?”

“Merely an observation.” I lean closer, close enough to see the amber flecks in her eyes, to catch the scent of her skin—snowfly honey, sliced carcenda fruit, spiced bardenberry wine, and something uniquely her that makes my blood heat in ways it shouldn’t. “After all, you seemed receptive enough to this monster’s kiss earlier.”

A flush creeps up her neck, but her glare could freeze the sun itself. “That was before you magically handcuffed me.”

“No,” I correct her, letting my voice drop to a whisper meant for her ears alone. “That was while I magically handcuffed you. And you didn’t object then.”

She jerks back as if I’ve struck her, and I allow myself a small smile of satisfaction. It’s petty of me, but her ability to affect my composure deserves some turnabout.

“Lara?” Izzy’s voice breaks through our tension. “What did he whisper to you?”

“Nothing,” Lara snaps, too quickly. “He’s trying to mess with my head. Let’s just get this over with.”

I gesture for them to continue walking, noting how Izzy’s gaze darts between her sister and me. She’s piecing things together, this one. I’ll need to watch her carefully.

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