Page 30 of Pact with the Alien Devil

“Good,” I said, though my voice came out shakier than I’d intended. “Because I’m not dragging you back to the ship.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’d like to see you try.”

I rolled my eyes, but the tension in my chest loosened slightly. “Let’s just get out of here before something else decides we look tasty.”

We reached theStarfallwithout further incident. I punched in the access code, and the ramp lowered with a mechanical hiss.The familiar smell of engine oil and recycled air welcomed me home.

“I’ll start the decryption,” I said, heading straight for the cockpit while Korvan closed and locked the ship behind us.

I dropped into my pilot’s chair and inserted the data chip into the console. The encryption was heavy-duty - military grade. This would take time.

“Start program: Locksmith,” I told the computer, then leaned back, finally letting my body acknowledge just how tired I was. Every muscle ached. I rubbed at a bruise forming on my forearm, already turning purple against my skin.

Twenty minutes passed before I heard Korvan’s footsteps approaching. I turned, expecting to see him still bandaged and bloodied.

Instead, I froze. He’d removed his armored shirt, and where there should have been a gaping wound on his side, there was only smooth gray skin. The orange markings that curved along his torso stood out against his ash-gray complexion, unmarred by injury.

I stared, amazed. “Your wound... it’s completely gone. I knew Vinduthi healed fast from what I saw earlier, but this is incredible.”

Korvan looked down at his side with casual interest. “The damage was extensive, but not beyond my body’s ability to repair. We evolved as apex predators—quick healing was necessary for survival.”

I stood up, crossing the space between us. My fingers hovered over the spot where I’d seen him bleeding out just hours ago.

“That’s... incredible. You were bleeding out an hour ago.” The words tumbled out as I studied the orange patterns that ran along his side.

“We’re not like you, Iria. Our bodies are stronger. Faster. Designed to survive.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” I couldn’t pull my gaze away, fascination overriding my usual caution about personal space. “Is that why Vinduthi dominate the underground? Biology?”

“It helps,” Korvan said. “But strategy matters more than physiology. Strength only takes you so far.”

I finally looked up at his face, still marked with dried blood and grime. “Does it hurt? The healing process?”

“Yes.”

One word, but it gave me a glimpse behind his stoic façade. I stepped back with a start, realizing I’d been practically examining him like a specimen.

“You’re staring,” he said quietly.

Heat rushed to my face. “I’ve just... never seen anything like you before.”

Korvan stepped closer, erasing the distance I’d just created. “And I’ve never met anyone like you.”

The air between us changed, charged with something I didn’t want to name. My heart beat harder against my ribs.

“Iria...” Korvan’s eyes searched mine.

I took a small step forward. “This is a terrible idea,” I whispered.

“Probably,” he replied, his voice low. His hand brushed against mine, then moved to my cheek.

When his lips met mine, the touch was tentative, questioning. I answered by pressing closer, and the kiss deepened, slow and thorough. His skin burned hot against mine, and I felt the slight press of his sharp canines against my lower lip. I should have been terrified. Instead, I wanted more.

The kiss broke, both of us pulling away at once. My lungs demanded air. My cheeks burned. Korvan looked at me with an open vulnerability I’d never seen on his face before.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” I said, my pulse still hammering in my ears.

“Maybe. But it wasn’t a mistake.” His voice remained steady.

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