Page 2 of Kissed By the Alien
“I have no sholani or pleasure mate and I’m not here to find one. I will do my job, then leave.”
“It’s one night, Lutan. Ensuring good relations with the humans is part of your job. There are a few unmated females at the embassy. One in particular, Voja, will appeal to you. She likes tall, brooding males.”
“I don’t brood.”
“You don’t smile either. Not for some time. What happened to you on Karthika?”
“I screwed up. Don’t push me for more.”
Hunzu sighs. “I’ll introduce you to Amelia. She’s First Lead Povin’s cultural advisor. A human, but one that is accepting of aliens. Not all humans are. I’m certain she’ll accompany you, since she has to attend as well. She’s more your type.”
“Meaning she shot you down before you introduced yourself.” That shuts Hunzu up, and I can’t help but grin.
“And here I thought you’d changed,” he quips.
I have. But it’s easier being myself with Hunzu. Well,moreof myself.
My hand shoots out, blocking him from taking another step. Immediately, his eyes track my line of sight to the two humans standing by a metal drum with a roaring fire. I saw the muzzle of a blaster peeking out from beneath the long coat of the tall, bearded male.
Hunzu and I sink into the shadows, observing. Two males stand guard several feet away while their leader negotiates a price with a human half his size, a slovenly dressed male in a baggy coat, pants, and a hat drawn low over his face. His gloved hand shakes as he reaches into his pants pocket and withdraws a credit chip. This one is not a threat.
The male armed with the blaster hands the shorter male an archaic weapon that uses crude projectiles. A gun, as humans call the weapon. Just as deadly as a blaster, and from what I’ve read about the laws here, just as illegal, except among law enforcement.
“Any undercover operations in this area?” I whisper to Hunzu. Attacking local law enforcement won’t help Zyan’s relations with the humans.
“Negative. And we have full authorization to capture and interrogate anyone we suspect is involved. Try not to kill them, Lutan. Dead humans don’t provide much intel.”
“Have you ever known me to kill someone who didn’t deserve it?”
“These men are likely part of the Brotherhood.”
I see his point. My horns shift forward as I run through a plan to separate the males. “You distract the guards,” I order. While Hunzu knows this world better than me and he’s head of security at the embassy, this is my op. “I’ll take the one with the blaster.”
“And the short one?”
“Him too. One punch to his face will bring him down.”
“Unless he pulls a knife like Senid did.”
Just because the Brotherhood on Earth consists of humans doesn’t mean they’re any less trained, devious, or cut-throat than the Brotherhood on Zyan.
“Ready?” I ask, pushing aside any thoughts of our younger days together. We’re both thirty-two. Established warriors. In a deadly situation. This is no time to reminisce, but I appreciate the reminder not to underestimate anyone, even a male whose hand shakes while buying a gun. Those who show fear are often the least predictable and most dangerous. I consider the incident with Senid, who nearly killed me ten years ago. I’d dismissed him as a threat. If Hunzu hadn’t been at my side, the male would have gutted me.
A second before I point to the guards, signaling Hunzu to take them out, I adjust my plan. I’ll target the stocky male first.
Hunzu disappears down an alley. A moment later, the sound of metal clanging in the distance lures the guards away. At the same time, my targets look in the direction of the noise, giving me the chance to approach from behind.
The short male turns my way first, solidifying my plan. I lunge at him, knocking him to the ground. I land on my target, allowing my full weight to crush him. I hear the umph of a person who’s had the wind knocked from his lungs.
First target down. I spring to my feet, prepared to take out the main target. This one challenges me. He’s fast on his feet, kicking and trying to take me down without drawing his blaster. I’ve seen this style of fighting in vids during my flight to Earth. Karate. We have a similar style known as Ke-Len on Zyan.
I block his attempts, and within four moves, my fist lands in his face, knocking the male to the ground. I yank the blaster from his side, secure it to my belt, and reach for my mag-cuffs.
Drekk. They’re not there. I scan the ground.
“Looking for these?” the short human taunts me, holding my cuffs above his chest. He’s still on the ground, which means I have the advantage, but I’m not naïve. He’s up to something.
“Toss them to me, and I’ll let you leave.” I won’t, but lying to criminals won’t keep me up at night.
