Page 21 of Saved By the Alien Mercenary

My sharp ears picked up the flick of the switch, and I acted as if I’d just been struck by lightning. Howling, twitching, and thrashing, my claws digging furrows into the stone floor. Beneath me, Ruby shook harder, a whimper muffled by her tiny fist, shoved against her mouth. She knew it was an act, but I could tell she hated every minute.

It felt like forever as I faked the pain I was supposedly subjected to by the collar. But once I deemed it long enough, I slumped back down, pretending to pass out. They did not move for long seconds, staring in silence as if they didn’t trust that I was fully out. It was De’tor who shoved through the ranks to approach my side with the heavy thud of his boots. I could even hear the way his tail, tipped with a sharp knife, whipped through the air behind him.

Ruby and I both held our breaths, then, waiting for him to come as close as he dared. His toes nudged against my leg with vicious force; I forced myself not to respond to the sharp pain. This was going better than planned, getting hold of De’tor was much better than capturing one of his goons. I waited until he hissed in satisfaction and moved closer to my head, crouching down so he could run his hand along my arm and poke my ribs.

Right as he withdrew his hand, I struck. Rising fast, I caught his neck in my hand and squeezed. As if we’d rehearsed this, Ruby flowed with me when I tackled the male and yanked him against my chest. With one hand around his neck, cutting off his air and preventing him from using his horns, my other hand snatched that dangerous tail from the air and snapped the blade off the tip. Ruby was right behind me, pressed against my back so she offered no target for the armed males in the hallway. I felt her small hand slide along my flank, snatching a laser pistol from De’tor’s hip. The vicious thing squeezed off three lethally precise shots before the armed males could regroup and hunker down behind their shields.

“It’s over, De’tor,” I snarled into the male’s ear. “You lose. Tell me where Ruby’s baby is, and I might give you a quick death.” He did not shake or tremble in my grip, he did not fight the tight squeeze around his throat, and he had not howled in pain when I broke the tip of his tail. Now, I felt a deep vibration start in his chest, knew it for the laughter that it was. He didn’t fear death, and he did not fear pain either.

“Shoot him,” De’tor ordered. “Both of them. That’s an order. Shoot to kill.” He knew he was in the way, but he would rather see me dead at the cost of his own life. It would ensure he won. The shuffling of the remaining guards and their shields told me they were not quite as sure as I was about the order from their boss. Their mistake. Driven by so much protective rage, I abruptly shoved De’tor forward. He hadn’t anticipated the release and nearly went headfirst into the row of shields. I was after him so fast that only two males got off a shot.

It was chaos after that, and the fury took over, controlling my every move until no one was left standing. This time, I was not alone in that fight, not alone in my rage. Ruby was with me every step of the way, her pistol fire suppressing theirs, picking them off while I destroyed their shields and their master. But I didn’t kill him—couldn’t—not until I had answers.

Standing in the carnage afterward, I pressed my foot to De’tor’s throat and leaned low to stare deep into his glowing purple eyes. Then I opened my mouth as wide as it could go and let him stare into the abyss of death, like he wanted. “Tell me where he is, and I will not eat you, tiny bite by bite, starting with your blasted toes. You’ll be alive a long time, and I’ll make sure you stay conscious for every minute of it.” The threat was hollow, I would never eat the bastard. I would not sully my soul that way. I didn’t even feel the all-consuming hunger of the Hoxiam. But he didn’t know that, and it was obvious he feared that fate, who wouldn’t?

It wasn’t until Ruby crouched next to his head and leaned in, fearlessly using my shoulder for support, that he caved. His fear overruled by what was possibly a tiny shred of decency when a desperate mother implored him with her tear-stained eyes.

“Jalima has him,” he coughed through a partially crushed throat. “Mansion southwest of Avur, aleyard.” He bared his teeth, the sharp, pearly white fangs stained with blood. “You’ll never get him back.” I gave him a firm shove, his head crashing against the stone, and that was it, De’tor was no more.

“Let’s get your son,” I said to Ruby, sweeping her into my arms and shifting her so she could cling to my shoulders. Then I busted down the door to the cell block.