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The remaining two criminals, their initial bravado shattered, scrambled back, their eyes wide with a terror that mirrored the fear rippling through the crowd. One of them, the taller of the two, stumbled, his foot catching on a crack in thecement, sending him sprawling to the ground. He scrambled to his feet, his weapon falling from his grasp, his voice cracking with a mixture of rage and desperation.

“You… You monster! You’ll pay for this!” He lunged, his fist aimed at Jo’Nay’s chest, afutile attempt at retaliation.

Jo’Nay sidestepped, his movements flowing, effortless, his blade a whisper of silver as it sliced through the air, turned at the last instant so the grip broke the man’s arm at the elbow, instead of severing his limb. Ascream, raw and agonized, tore through the square, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings, achilling reminder of the warrior’s power, the alien’s ruthlessness.

Winn watched, mesmerized and horrified, as Jo’Nay moved, his Vettian reflexes a blur of motion, his blade flashing, adance of death played out on the walkway of the marketplace.

She had seen glimpses of his power on the ship, during their passionate encounters, but this public display of his warrior’s prowess was both exhilarating and terrifying. He disarmed the remaining criminal with a speed and precision that impressed the hell out of Winn. Aprimal thrill filled her. Her mate exemplified an undeniable allure of power, as well as an awe-inspiring display of alien strength.

He was magnificent, his Vettian heritage evident in every movement. But this display of his true nature also filled her with a sense of dread. Every moment he remained exposed, every second he deviated from their carefully constructed human façade, increased the risk of discovery and attracting unwanted attention.

Her gaze darted to the surrounding crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. The initial shock had given way to a mixture of awe and fear. Some onlookers, their faces pale withterror, scrambled to escape the unfolding violence. Others, their expressions a strange blend of fascination and horror, stood frozen, transfixed by the spectacle. Worse, they were taking photos and videos with their phones.

She could sense their growing unease, the dawning realization that something was amiss, that the boundaries of their understanding were being challenged. The man they saw, the one she called Johnny, the one she had pretended was her boyfriend, was not what he seemed. The truth of his being, his alien nature, pulsed beneath the surface, asimmering current of otherness that threatened to break through the fragile façade she had helped him construct.

Chapter 8

THE TALLERcriminal lay writhing on the ground, his arm badly broken, his cries fading into whimpers of pain and shock. The remaining criminal stood frozen, his eyes wide with terror, his weapon forgotten, his body trembling as he stared at Jo’Nay, the alien warrior who had descended upon their world like a vengefulgod.

Winn saw the opportunity. Achance for escape in the midst of the unfolding chaos. She pushed herself away from the overturned table. She had to reach Jo’Nay and pull him away from this madness before anything worse happened.

“Jo’Nay!” Her voice, thin and reedy, was swallowed by the surrounding clamor. She pushed forward, her hand outstretched, her gaze fixed on his towering form, his white hair a beacon in the swirling maelstrom of the marketplace.

He turned, his head snapping towards her, his purple eyes blazing, the intensity of his gaze nearly knocking her off her feet. For a heartbeat, their eyes met, and she saw it. The recognition,the flicker of concern, the momentary break in the warrior’s façade, the glimpse of the male beneath.

And then, it was gone. His gaze shifted, flickering to the fallen criminals and the surrounding crowd. His senses remained alert, his body tense, ready to resume the battle, if necessary.

He lowered his blade, the point hovering inches above the remaining criminal’s throat, his voice a low growl, the Vettian accent thick, unmistakable.

“Go. Leave this place and never return. And pray to your gods that our paths never cross again.”

The criminal didn’t hesitate. He scrambled back, his eyes darting between Jo’Nay and the fallen form of his comrade, His fear was palpable, his relief evident in the trembling of his limbs as he turned and fled, disappearing into the maze of stalls and fleeing shoppers.

Winn reached Jo’Nay, her hand finding his arm, her fingers digging into his flesh, anchoring herself, groundinghim.

“Jo’Nay, we have to go. Now.” Her voice was a desperate whisper against the roar of the crowd and the lingering echoes of the battle.

He nodded, his gaze flickering back to hers, the intensity momentarily softened, replaced by a flicker of concern. He grabbed the hand truck as they turned and it impressed the hell out of her that he had enough self-possession to remember it. They hastened through the dispersing crowd, their movements swift and purposeful. Winn kept her head down while her senses reeled and her mind struggled to process the events that had just transpired.

They had to get out. Had to escape before the authorities arrived, before Jo’Nay’s true identity was exposed, dissected, and ultimately feared by the ignorance of the human world.

As they reached the edge of the marketplace, anew voice cut through the air, sharp, authoritative, laced with the chilling timbre of human law enforcement.

“Hold it right there. Police! Don’t move!”

The officer, atall, broad-shouldered man with a stern face and piercing blue eyes, approached, his gaze fixed on them. He stopped a few feet away, his hand resting on the butt of his holstered weapon, his posture alert but not overtly threatening.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” His voice, though authoritative, held a surprising gentleness.

She forced a smile, her voice trembling slightly as she replied. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

But she knew it was a lie. They were far from fine. They were teetering on the edge of a precipice, their future hanging in the balance. And the fear, icy and inescapable, coiled around her heart, threatening to consumeher.

“I need you both to come with me.” His words were courteous, but left no room for argument or discussion.

WHILEthe human officer apprehended two of the criminals, Jo’Nay stood beside Winn, observing the scene. His weapon seemed more of a hindrance than a threat. He couldn’t understand Winn’s fear. He had swiftly disarmed and subduedfour criminals with ease, atestament to his superior Vettian strength and centuries of combat training. Did she not think he could do the same with this latest combatant?

And yet, she stood frozen beside him, terrified. Did she not understand? He was a Vettian warrior, aFirst, the most skilled and deadly of his kind. He could protect her from any threat. After all, he was the true threat.

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