Page 31 of Scorching the Alien Empire
“Some warvisor vision spectrums can pierce surfaces,” he answers, and I nod my head, confirming my earlier suspicions.
Wait. Was pervy Dracoth staring through my clothes this whole time?
“Let’s try a hard one,” I mutter, determined to stump him. “What’s the meaning of life?”
“Killing,” Vexius replies without hesitation.
The word, combined with his flat, emotionless tone, hangs in the air like a dead man swinging from a noose.
“Killing?” I repeat, letting out a disbelieving snort. “I think your cyber-whatsit circuits are a little fried, Vexius. Pretty sure that’s not what you meant to say, right?”
“It was,” he states.
For the first time, his deep voice carries an edge, the faintest ripple of something not entirely monotone. I wish it didn’t.
I tighten my grip on Todd, stroking him nervously as the identical doors, endless corridors, and viewports blur past.
“It’s the blood—the way it comes out,” Vexius begins, his tone eerily conversational, as if discussing fine wine. “Sometimes it spurts in jets; other times, it oozes like the weakest stream.” He barks a short, jarring laugh that sends a shiver down my spine. “It depends on the cut, the weapon, the body. I find it... fascinating. Hacking an artery, watching the hot gore gush out, bathing me in its warmth.”
His pace slows, his gaze turning distant as if reliving some twisted memory. “And the colors. The shades of green, yellow, blue, richer tones—it’s intoxicating. How I long to be drenched in all their blood at once, their screams a symphony to my craft.”
His vivid blue eyes mist faintly and I recoil, instinctively reaching for Dracoth’s flame through our bond. My own flame blazes with fear and an unquenchable desire to live. But Dracoth’s rage simmers too faintly to bridge the gap.
Shit, I’m totally helpless!
A wave of terror ripples through me, stealing the air from my lungs. I’ve dealt with crazy before, but nothing compares to this monster standing before me—a monster who lives only for blood.
Stay strong, Lexie. Don’t let him smell your fear.
“That’s totally not creepy or anything,” I snap, forcing a sneer as I meet his blazing blue eyes.
Vexius tilts his head, his lips curling into a sharp-fanged smirk. “I wonder,” he drawls, his voice laced with sadistic curiosity, “what color isyourblood, War Chieftainess?”
He leans in slightly, his towering frame casting me in shadow. His gaze devours me, like I’m a shiny new crayon he wants to splatter over the walls.
“Perhaps I should see for myself,” he murmurs, as though savoring the thought.
“Try it,” I bite out, forcing steel into my tone despite the pounding of my heart, “and you’ll be jerking off to the sight ofyour ownblood—”
“Vexius!” A muffled shout cuts through the tension from a nearby door. “Leave us now, and return to your duties.”
The change in Vexius is instant and unnerving. He straightens as if yanked by invisible strings, his fiery eyes dimming to vacant, mechanical blue.
“At once, Elder Ignixis,” he intones, his voice returning to its dead monotone.
Without another word or glance, he turns sharply on his heel and strides down the corridor, each heavy step fading into the distance.
My knees nearly buckle as relief floods through me. My breathing slows, though my heart continues to race. Todd stirs lightly against me, offering a small, comforting warmth.
That was too close.
My hand trembles as I push a stray lock of hair from my face.I need a panic button straight to Dracoth because screw being sliced up by that psycho.
With a long exhale that could rival Dracoth’s wind-tunnel snoring, I attempt to regain some composure. Not helped by the fact, beyond this door awaits the creepy Ignixis. Somehow,I have to convince the rude prick to teach me the sacred words.
Talk about leaping from the frying pan straight into the fire.
But I won’t take no for an answer! I’m Arawnoth’s blessed daughter, and I’ll make him proud of me!
