Page 4 of Kissed By the Alien
I throw my hand up with a flourish. “You’re looking at me like I’m a gorilla and you’re Jane Goodall.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“The point is, I’m human. Not some lower life form. If you want to know what I’m doing, ask.”
“I’m assessing why you suddenly stopped speaking. Did I injure you?”
I’m sore everywhere from when he tackled me. The layers of baggy men’s clothing didn’t cushion the fall. “No. All good here, Mr…” I wait. Still no answer. “That’s your cue to give me your name.”
“Then you should have said so. I’m Warrior Tannis.”
I throw him a smile. Why, precisely, I’m not sure. But there’s something about him that makes me smile.
“Are you going to arrest me?”
“Should I?”
“No. You attacked me, not the other way around.” I was buying an illegal gun, but why point that out? “I was just talking with a guy. Nothing wrong with that.”
Those deep blue eyes and rugged face give nothing away. I’ve been in this position before. Not caught by a hot alien, but in similarly risky circumstances. Hence the need for a gun. Which I didn’t get, despite paying Moses the exorbitant fee. I have nothing except my ability to talk my way out of this.
The alien steps into my personal space, so close I can’t ignore that magnificent scent which reminds me of a campfire. I haven’t thought about camping in ages. So much has changed since the occupation ended. No more hiding from og’dals. No more running.
Except from the gangs.
And the Brotherhood.
And any guys who think they’re entitled to sex because an unescorted woman walks by.
I try to repress the shiver over what happened last week. And fail.
This warrior’s face hardens. “You can’t read minds, can you, Tannis?”
“My title is Warrior. And why do humans have such foolish notions as reading minds?”
“Hey, nothing’s impossible. Except getting out of here, apparently. Are you going to let me go or not?”
“You were dealing with a criminal. One selling blasters.” He motions to the high-tech gun tied to his hip beside another in a holster. “Only warriors and select agents of Galactic Intelligence are permitted to carry blasters.”
“Most people around here are criminals.”
“Including you?”
“No. But they control the supplies.” I didn’t know Moses dealt in blasters, weapons that pose a real threat to our military and our planet. Honestly, I’m not sure knowing would have kept me from doing business with him. I still need a gun. I glance over at Moses, who’s on the ground behind the warrior. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me get what I came for. Which wasn’t a blaster.”
“Are you military or law enforcement?”
“Do I look like either?” I twirl in my oversized clothing meant to convince others I’m a guy, so I have a little freedom to go where I want unescorted by my father’s goons.
“You masked your appearance, so it is possible. Most likely you’re a criminal, like this one here.” He kicks the bottom of Moses’s left boot. The man doesn’t move. I hope he’s not dead.
“You shouldn’t judge a person based on looks. I mean, one look at you and I could think you’re headed for a costume party.”
“Costume?”
“The horns, the weapons. And you’reblue. That’s unusual.”
“Not unusual where I come from. Zyan. All of my people are blue. Except the eeshone.” He swallows hard, then his horns rise again. Impressive horns, long, deadly. Intriguing as fuck.
