Page 18 of Taming Chaos

Damn it! Seph stiffened as the lurid green flare of Ephrenian plasma lit up the room, momentarily blinding her. The idiot had actually pulled the trigger!

In these close quarters? She was no combat expert, but shit, what was he trying to do, get them all killed?

She blinked furiously as the haze cleared, the smell of ozone lingering in the air. The room had been warm before, but now it was uncomfortably hot.

In the corner, a figure moved. Wisps of smoke rose from his body, which was encased in sculpted black armor.

His outer layer—that ordinary looking space-armor, which disguised him as any old merc—was completely gone. The plasma blast must have obliterated it, burned it right off.

Somehow, he’d survived the full force of a close-ranged plasma blast.

Seph took a deep breath for the first time since the doors had closed. Holy crap! The air contained an acrid mixture of sulfur and ozone and something burned. She coughed.

The air moved.

No, it wasn’t the air that moved, but him. She yelped in fear as he rushed toward her, becoming a black blur. Surrounded by a halo of white smoke, he seemed more specter than man.

So fast! It took only a heartbeat for the Kordolian to reach her.

He went straight past Seph, going for her guard.

Before the Ephrenian’s plasma gun had time to recharge, the Kordolian knocked it out of his hand. It dropped to the floor with a metallic clatter. His other hand shot out, closing around the Ephreninan’s neck. “I warned you not to shoot,” he growled, shaking his head. “Why is everyone so reckless with their lives?”

Perhaps Seph was just imagining things, but was there a hint of exasperation in his voice? She couldn’t read his expression, because his face was hidden behind that intimidating black helm.

The Ephrenian choked. The Kordolian’s muscular arm flexed as he increased the pressure.

He’s going to kill him!

Unable to move, Seph looked on in horror. The Kordolian was big, powerful, and seemingly invincible. Now she understood why the Ephrenians had become so disorganized as soon as they’d caught sight of him.

He was a fucking monster.

And he wanted her.

If he decided to take her, there was nothing she could do.

Nothing.

Seph’s heart pummeled faster, faster, faster, wicked adrenaline coursing through her veins. She’d never experienced this kind of fear before in her life.

It was the knowledge that you were completely powerless. It was the realization that your life hung by a single slender thread, and the creature standing before you could crush you like a bug if he so desired.

“If you do as I say, I won’t kill you,” the Kordolian growled at the Ephrenian, ignoring Seph. He pointed to the corner, where the other alien stood, weaponless and too terrified to move. “Go and stand over there with him. I’m tired of playing. The next time either of you tries something stupid, my thirsty blade will kiss your throat.”

Predictably, the Ephrenian obeyed without a word of protest.

The Kordolian turned his attention to Seph.

Here we go.

She tried not to tremble.

For the first time in her short, unruly life, she had no words. What did you say to someone who had expressed a desire to buy you, especially when you had no idea what his true intentions were?

He stared at her through his dark-lensed visor, cocking his head slightly. Seph stared back, both fascinated and horrified. For someone who could move as fast as lightning, he sure could be damn still when he wanted.

Then, his helmet dissolved.

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