Page 12 of Kissed By the Alien
CHAPTERFIVE
LUTAN
One by one, humans enter the Keshi Pearl Hotel, the females dressed in bright shiny red dresses, shoes with spikes that are impractical for walking, and jewelry decorating their hair, ears, necks, wrists, and ankles. These females are so unlike those I’ve seen on the streets as Hunzu and I hunt for the remaining blasters as well as those who have been distributing them. These women flaunt their wealth on a world that has very little. Perhaps I should not judge them. The finery they display may lift their spirits, reminding them of a time before the Coalition.
As for the males, they do not impress me. They wear the same strange garments. White shirts, black pants, and matching jackets. No tattoos telling of their accomplishments and nothing distinguishing one from the next. Except those in the military who wear medals and ribbons on their chests. Their clothing looks crisp and sharp, like the attire of kings and princes, not soldiers.
I backhand Hunzu in his chest. “Did we miss instructions on how to dress for this event?”
“I checked with First Lead Povin. He said to wear our finest warrior clothing.”
We exchange looks. He and I both dressed in traditional warrior attire. Black pants, boots, and vests. With a full complement of knives fully on display. None hidden. Though I always keep extras in my boots. As does Hunzu.
Hunzu shrugs. “No rips, no blood, no stains. We’re good.”
I nod, trusting Hunzu in the ways of humans, at least until my guide arrives.
If she arrives.
I have no way to find her if she doesn’t. That bothers me. I’d like to see her again, to experience whatever it is about her that made me feel lighter—hopeful—for those few short minutes we spent together.
Drekk, I’m forgetting the entire reason for inviting her to this ball. I suspect she has information on the Brotherhood that I need. I must remember that and not lose myself in her beauty or charms.
“There’s Amelia,” Hunzu says, nodding toward one of the few humans working at Zyan’s embassy. His horns shoot high and he puffs out his chest.
“She’s here with First Lead Povin. His date, I presume,” I say, tormenting Hunzu because I can.
“She’s merely sharing transportation. Keep your eyes and hands off Amelia.”
“Why should I? I’m not mated.”
“You asked the human female. What was her name again? Lali?”
“Lexi.”
Hunzu frowns. “You don’t think she’ll show up.” The male sees how I’ve lost faith in the universe.
“If she wants that gun, she will,” I say casually, stating a fact. This is only business. I won’t risk another innocent. I won’t be responsible for another death.
“Do you believe what Moses said about her?” Hunzu asks.
“Undecided. He’s the type of male who sprinkles truth in with lies to keep law enforcement guessing.”
I have much to consider in the wake of what Hunzu and I learned in our interrogation of Moses these past few days. Moses claimed Lexi is more than a simple female buying a gun for protection. According to him, she’s often on the streets buying and dealing in information for another criminal organization. Her family. This is where the facts became muddy.
Moses hopes I’ll waste time investigating false leads, but that doesn’t mean he’s not telling the truth. Either way, his words stick in the back of my mind.
While it’s possible Lexi isn’t aware of Moses’s involvement with the Brotherhood, it’s more likely she’s protecting her family and their criminal activities, whatever they are. What bothers me most is that Lexi lied to me. The day I captured Moses, she said she’d never met him before. That means she may know more than she claims about the blasters as well.
I’ll need to use her, to lead me to other members of the Brotherhood. That means breaking my promise to her, one I had no right making. One more sign that I’m not quite healed.
I’ve never been so twisted up inside over a female I do not know, especially one who may be a criminal.
“Have you changed your mind about humans?” Hunzu asks.
I gaze at the decor on the outside of the hotel and the humans entering. The sight of all the red—red dresses, red ribbons, red carpet, red balloons—makes me cringe. It’s as if someone sprayed this place in blood.
Like where I found Narzan.
