Page 12 of The Stolen Tribute
The maintenance tunnels were just as dusty and cramped as I predicted they would be. Thankfully, my suit had a built-in respirator to protect me from all the space dust that had accumulated in the ventilation ducts.
I moved like a shadow through the narrow passageways. The grimy innards of the ship opened into pristinely clean stainless steel and chrome corridors. The halls were as crazy as I anticipated. I followed the numbered signs above the door to make my way to Dal’s private quarters.
With every step I took, my heart began to pound. My entire body was quivering, chomping at the bit like a wild animal. Soon, my revenge would be complete.
I stopped at the door and paused to catch my breath. The respirator was fogging up.
Suddenly, the door slid open, and I pressed myself against the wall.
It wasn’t Dal. It was the beautiful blond human in a long black dress being ushered along by a tiny robot.
If she was leaving, then Dal wasn’t in his room. He was already in the great hall for the ceremonial feast.
Fuck, this was not going to plan.
I had two options: abort the mission or wait until he came back. No, I had three options. I’d make a show of it and kill him right in the middle of the feast. That made my anger surge. I could destroy him publically like he did to me.
I glanced down at my utility belt. It had enough battery to teleport me back to the ship in case things got messy. Then, that decided it. I’d crash the party and make sure everyone saw Dal’s demise.
I glanced back up and caught a glimpse of his human mate. Her hips swayed as she walked. She was utterly hypnotizing.
Following this human through the corridors put a strain on my focus. I wanted to feel her, taste her, smell her. She was enough to drive me mad. How dare Dal even think he was worthy enough for this precious human? She deserved someone of honor, someone who would treat her like a Queen.
The little robot guided us through the busy crowds to the great hall.
Thanks to my disguise, no one even gave me so much as a glance. My blaster was tucked inside my clothes. I’d take him out, teleport away, and be done with it.
The blond didn’t realize how close I was.
I glanced at her, watching her stand hesitantly by the door. She looked terrified.
Zexians and humans pushed around her to get into the feast. Music was playing, and the elders were preparing for yet another one of their speeches. The human clutched the neckline of her black dress, her eyes flicking back and forth as if she was looking for someone.
I was looking for someone too, probably the same person. Dal. And he wasn’t hard to spot, being the absolute giant that he was.
Dal was surrounded by other Zexian warriors, all looking quite drunk already. Perfect.
I glanced back to the blond, but she was gone. Shit!
She’d spotted him too and was walking towards him hesitantly.
The way Dal’s eyes lit up with lust made my blood boil. He was so distracted by her, this was my moment.
One of the elders stood up, and the crowd began to quiet.
I didn’t listen. I had tunnel vision. People were probably looking at me, but I didn’t care. No one in the maintenance department should have been in the ceremonial room. Nobody stopped me.
I walked forward, focusing on my goal. Kill Dal. Kill Dal. That’s all I could think about.
Or, at least, that’s all I should have been thinking about. That human. That delicious blond was in front of me, between Dal and me. She was so distracting. The very sight of her made my instincts surge.
Someone shouted something.
Dal finally looked away from his Tribute Bride. His gaze shifted from her to me, and only a moment passed before he realized what was coming.
The next ten seconds felt like an eternity.
I pulled my laser blaster from my coverall suit.
