Page 16 of Fractured Souls

“Kaiin’s hells, woman. Just calm down. Why do you want to go about damaging yourself like that?” An exasperated puff escaped his lips. “I didn’t pick you for the violent type.”

His strength terrified her, and yet the way he spoke to her…

It was nothing like what she’d expected.

He didn’t sound cold and cruel and sadistic like the Kordolian who’d nearly killed her. Instead, he sounded almost… kind, in a gruff sort of way.

“If you’re so intent on breaking all the little bones in your hands, we’ll just have to stay like this until the urge has passed.”

“Like this?” Alexis’s voice was barely a whisper. Her terror went down a notch, just enough to allow her to think.

“I can be very patient, human.”

“Wh-why?” Why would you want to protect me?

“What do you mean, why? I’ve been assigned to watch over you. That means no hurting yourself or anybody else.”

“You think I’m a threat?”

“Until proven otherwise, yeah. If you want to convince me otherwise, you’re going to have to start behaving yourself.”

Her hand was throbbing like crazy. Something was probably broken in there, but she couldn’t take a look at it, because the Kordolian’s hand was clamped around her wrist. How could someone’s grip be so hideously strong yet at the same time so controlled, so gentle?

No, he definitely didn’t want to hurt her, and she wasn’t going to die here.

Alexis took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

The guard sighed. “Do you always have the urge to punch something when you’re upset?”

“No,” she said softly, suddenly feeling foolish. The chaos retreated from her mind, chased away by the warrior’s unwavering presence. Despite his irritable tone, there was something strangely reassuring about him. “Wh-when I need to blow off some steam, I usually go to the range and squeeze off a few rounds… or I go for a run, but obviously I can’t do that here.”

“Squeeze off a few rounds?”

“Target practice,” she said dryly. “It’s a human expression.”

“You shoot?”

“Used to.”

“Ah.”

For a moment, they were both silent. Alexis could hardly believe she’d just revealed such a highly personal snippet of information to this intimidating alien, who’d barely said two words to her up until now.

She hadn’t really paid much attention to him before. He was just another Kordolian, a big, silver-skinned alien who wore dark armor and a stern expression, who moved so silently and quickly despite his size.

Who was as powerful and terrifying as any alien she’d ever seen.

Actually, this particular Kordolian was one of the most intimidating creatures she’d ever seen in her life. He was bigger than her other guard, his body cut and honed, rippling with pure muscle.

A weapon in living form. There wasn’t a single doubt in her mind that he could crush her like an insect if he wanted.

Not too long ago, his people had reigned terror across the Nine Galaxies. To them, humans were just another inferior species to be subjugated.

She could never allow herself to forget it.

“Whatever was disturbing you… it’s gone now, isn’t it?” He sounded so sure of himself, as if he were reading her thoughts.

“It’s…” She found the strength to push the terrible memories out of her mind. “Yeah. Sorry. I don’t normally get like this. It’s just that the past few days have been absolute hell. I still don’t know what you people intend to do with me.” A soft, bitter laugh escaped her lips. She didn’t care what she said anymore. What did it matter? “Well, at least I’m not dead anymore… not right now, anyway.”

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