Page 235 of Scorching the Alien Empire
Perfect. Time to strike.
“So...” I purr, sucking my teeth like there’s a cactus stuck in them. “What ya been up to?”
“Oh, not much,” she says—way too fast, voice clipped, body stiff.
“Really?” I huff, cocking an eyebrow. “That’s weird. Seeing as you’ve been goneall morning.”
“Um... well...” she stammers, wilting like a freckled rose. “Wait. Have you been following me?”
Ouch. But let’s keep her on the back foot.
My face drops—not from outrage, but from pure, devastatinghurt.
“That is,” I say gravely, “the single. Worst thing anyone has ever accused me of.” I reach instinctively for Todd’s comforting plumpness—but he’s just a motionless, black-red sock draped across the shoes like abandoned laundry.
Sandra frowns, clearly not buying my righteous indignation.
“Yeah, okay. Icheckedup on you,” I admit with a sniffling sniff. “Only because I was afraidPapa Smurfmight’ve kidnapped you to his Mushroom Kingdom or whatever.”
“What are Smurfs?”
I blink. “Really, Sandra? Really?”
I shake my head, eyes glistening with theatrical disappointment. “If you’re not even going totryto take this seriously, I don’t even know anymore.” I toss my hands up, sighing, probably how Joan of Arc did before they burned her. “At least,Itake our promise seriously. I look after you. I make sure you’re safe, fed, included in all the fun—and all the terrifying crap that seems to follow me like a stalker ex-boyfriend—and what do I get in return?” I tap my chest dramatically. “Accusations. And abuse.”
I avert my eyes, letting the words settle like little truth landmines she’s stepping all over.
“Lexie... I’m sorry,” Sandra says, wilting, her voice low, sincere.
Boom.
She leans forward, taking my hands in hers. Her blue eyes sparkle with that innocent sincerity onlyshecan muster.
And dammit—I actually feel bad.
“Listen, Sandra—”
Zzzzap!
A murder-orb darts out of a sliding wall panel, making my heart leap out of my chest. “Fucking murder—” I shriek, raising my hand to attack, before remembering: these murder-orbs bring delicious food.
“Uh, sorry. It’s my MBSD—Murder Bot Stress Disorder.” I exhale shakily.
“It’s okay,” Sandra grins, eagerly eyeing the orb lowering her steaming plate like it’s a winning lottery ticket. “Hmm, bread,” she practically drools, barely waiting before digging in. “I’m bloody starving.”
Perfect. She’s distracted by deliciousness.
“So you were about to tell me...” I prompt, wearing my most innocent face. “About what happened earlier?”
Sandra mumbles through a giant mouthful, then swallows hard.
“Oh, right. Yeah.” She wipes her mouth with the back of her sleeve—gross—and leans back. “Well, I was doing what you asked, Lexie. You know, making friends with Rocks. She introduced me to Krogoth, Noroth and...”
She pauses, a dreamy look crossing her freckled face. Her eyes drift toward the wall like she’s searching for the meaning of life.
I frown, following her gaze, half expecting to find Todd glowing while doing backflips.
“Logarn,” she finishes wistfully. And it’sdefinitelynot the French toast talking.
