Page 12 of Scorching the Alien Empire
Jazreal strides forward, fist clenched to his chest, bowing his head as he speaks.
“Let me handle this, War Chieftain.” He rises, a smirk spreading across half his face. “They are beneath you. I’ll take them apart easily.” He punctuates his words by slamming the butt of his spear into the black metal floor.
“Come,” Dracoth says, taking my hand in his. He turns quickly, leading us out of the bridge. “We have spines to collect.”
Chapter 3
Alexandra
Robbing the Cradle
“Well,isn’tthiscozy?”I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “A littletoocozy,” I mutter under my breath, resisting the urge to elbow Jazreal and Sandra to make some room. We’re crammed together like sardines in this creaky, rust-bucket excuse for a spaceship—the same one Dracoth dragged us onto to ferry us to Klendathor. Of course, it’s still filthy: plastic containers rolling around the floor, the air thick with the stench of moldy bread.
I choke back a laugh seeing Dracoth, his massive frame hunched awkwardly to fit inside. He’s far too big for this disgusting vessel—far too big formostthings—except me. We fit perfectly, like pepperoni on pizza or my Chanel suit paired withmy Birkin purse. But I try not to remind myself of that—the memory’s still too raw, too painful.
The rhythmic stuttering rumble from the engines fills me with dread. I notice the walls shaking like this entire ship might be a shoddy cupboard backdrop for a play—a play with me cast as the tragic yet beautiful protagonist.
“We’re supposed to pull off a daring raid onthisthing?” I say, managing to wedge my arm out from between the others. “I mean, this rust pile is probably more dangerous than the loser aliens.”
Images of the creaky door being pulled open and us all being vented into space spring to mind, making me shudder.
“Stop squirming, Lexie!” Sandra groans, even though she is the one wiggling like a worm. “Your creepy bug is almost touching my face.” She grimaces, side-eyeing the poor, defenseless, too-cute Todd.
“Hey!” I snap, defending Todd’s honor and wounded pride. “Take it back—he’s gorgeous.” I stroke his rubbery, segmented body. Todd clacks faintly in agreement, his one big eye lazily blinking. “Actually, here—you can look after him while I’m gone stealing spines or whatever.” I pluck Todd off my shoulder with a grin.
“Eww, no! Keep it away!” Sandra shrinks back as much as the cramped space allows, but it’s too late. Todd’s mandibles click happily as I deposit him onto her head like a living fascinator.
“Pffft!” she sputters, flinching as Todd scuttles across her mouth. He eventually settles atop her hair like a nesting bird. “So gross. I canfeelits horrible wee legs in my hair.”
“Imagine how he feels,” I say, shaking my head in mock pity. “Stuck withGinger-zilla.Poor little chug bug.”
Bizarrely, Sandra’s freckled face flushes redder than her hair. “Lexie, if we survive this, I swear—”
“Wait!” I interrupt her pointless outburst—a brilliant idea striking me like a lightning bolt. “Why don’t you come with us?”
Sandra’s eyes widen like I’ve just declared mocha is overrated. “Seeing as I don’t have magical boobs, I’ll stay here, where it’s sort of safe, thanks.”
“Magical boobs,please.” I roll my eyes. “Divine, actually.”
“Divine, my foot,” she mutters under her breath, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
It’s fine. I’ll let her have that one. Sandra’s probably just jealous. Todd will help cheer her up.
“Princesa,” Dracoth rumbles, his baritone voice vibrating through my ribcage like a rockslide. “You remain here with Sandra.”
“Really, Dracoth?” I snap, glaring up at the giant bore. “You think I climbed aboard this rickety death trap just toremain here?” My voice deepens in a dramatic mimicry of his wind-tunnel tone.
“Wait. Isn’t that why I am here?” Sandra pipes up, rudely interrupting my righteous tirade.
“Not now, Sandra. This is important!” I huff, barely able to lift a hand in the cramped space to silence her, my glare still locked on Dracoth.
“I won’t risk losing you,” he replies, his face stern and unreadable, as if that explains everything.
“Aww!” Sandra gasps, her sapphire-blue eyes sparkling as she glances at him. “That issosweet.”
Arawnoth give me strength.
“I can summon impenetrable barriers, Dracoth. Or did you conveniently forget thatsmall detail—like when I saved our ship twenty minutes ago?” My voice rises, fueled by righteous indignation.
