Page 95 of Captured By the Alien

“He did what?”

Kara yawned and wriggled closer. God, her head was so fuzzy.

“He said he’d watch me burn. Prick.”

Vahn closed his eyes and breathed deep. When he next spoke, he made sure to keep his tone measured.

“When he threatened you, Kara, did he touch you? Was he the one who gave you the bruise on your face?”

“And my arms. But it doesn’t matter.” Her voice became a mumble. “I beat him. I won.”

Vahn willed himself to remain calm, when what he actually wanted to do was rip the cabinets off the walls and break them with his bare hands. When he finally got his rage under control he asked Kara to show him her arms.

There was no response. She was fast asleep.

Carefully, trying not to disturb her, he pulled up one of her sleeves. A welt circled her bicep, pink against her skin. It was fading but he knew what had caused it.

The bastard had laid his serpetri on her.

He wanted to get up immediately and hunt Baelon down so he could tear his limbs from him. But Kara chose that moment to sprawl across his chest and bury her face into his neck. The movement, small though it was, was enough to bring Vahn to his senses.

He had to protect Kara. And that meant not acting like a senselessgrekel.When the time came, Baelon would be dealt with.

And in the meantime, he would be having stern words with hiskalehshaabout keeping secrets from her Zhaal.

Forty Two

The six remaining contestants spoke little the next day. Not because they had sore heads – Vraxian liquor was designed to metabolize without any unfortunate after-effects once the intoxication wore off, which personally Kara thought was the planet’s finest invention yet.

No, it was the knowledge that come the evening, they would face each other in unarmed combat. It would be violent and painful. And three of them would be eliminated.

It made things a little awkward at breakfast.

“Does anyone want to practice?” asked Kara, trying to break the ice.

“It is unwise to reveal our moves before the challenge,” said Hespia.

“Plus Layahn would probably try to break our arms to shorten the odds,” quipped Vysh. Layahn threw her a scornful look.

“I do not need to practice. I could take all of you on with one hand tied behind my back.”

“Prove it,” said Kara promptly. “I’ve got some rope somewhere.”

“I could takeyoudown withbothhands tied behind my back.”

“You talk a big game. Let’s see you put your money where your mouth is.”

Layahn’s nose wrinkled.

“Your human idioms are nonsensical. And if you think I’m going to waste my energy on you, you’re mistaken. I have better things to do with my time.”

She got up from the table and stalked off.

“Imagine if she was the Zhaalini,” mused Risane. “Such a lovely personality. So warm and caring.”

Kara giggled.

“God, anyone but her. I’d prefer to see one ofyouwin. Honestly, I think you’d all make fabulous Zhaalinis.”

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