Alien Freak - Calista Skye Page 0,32

Zaroc says to the jellyfish.

I try on the clothing, impressed by the smoothness of the alien fabric and even more so by the fit. While being measured very carefully by not-jellyfish tentacles is pretty unpleasant, I can’t deny that the result is better than any garment I’ve ever owned.

The jumpsuit especially appeals to me. It’s bright white, but it has an elusive pink tone to it. The fabric is thin, but feels sturdy and warm. The boots it comes with are light and obviously tough, and when I put them on I know that if I ever take them off again it will be against my will. It’s seriously like walking on a cloud. And if the hologram of me is anything to go by, I look really cool in them.

“This must be expensive,” I half whisper to Zaroc. “It’s super nice.”

“It has already been paid for,” he replies. “And yes, they are nice garments. Shall we go?”

I walk out after him. In a cool location like this, with the ray gun in a low-slung, purple holster at my side, I really feel like I’m in space.

Following right behind Zaroc for safety, I take the time to look around a little bit. This is obviously a town that we’re in. It’s like a mix of an open-air mall and a museum for modern sculptures. I can only assume that a whole lot of alien races have built this without much of a plan – the styles of the houses are totally different. The sizes, too.

All the aliens we pass are looking at us. Now they’re taking a little bit of an interest in me, too – I guess the rags were more discreet than this Princess-Leia-in-Cloud-City outfit. Some stare, some turn eyestalks in my direction, some cross the street with the apparent purpose of looking more closely at me.

One alien in particular worries me. He’s a genuine monster – huge and not quite human. He sees me from a distance, does a double take, and freezes, staring in my direction.

Zaroc walks through the streets as if he’s looking for something, but I’m not super comfortable about all this attention.

I’m just about to suggest we turn around and go back when a group of aliens suddenly surround us and force Zaroc to stop.

They lift ugly weapons, aiming at us.

My heart sinks in my chest. There’s six of them. And I’m pretty sure this is about me.

Because they’re all Bululg.

13

- Zaroc -

I’m taken off guard, and it makes me want to kick myself when I realize we’re surrounded by Bululg.

That’s one problem with Kur – it’s so idyllic and pretty, you forget there are no laws here and bad trouble can strike at any moment.

“Now, now,” I drawl, buying time to think, conscious it will take me a split second to aim my weapon. “What’s all this about?”

“The female,” the chief Bululg says and points. “She belongs to us. We will take her. We have no quarrel with you.”

I move the weapon very slowly, hoping they won’t notice. They are not professionals and not well positioned. “What makes you think she belongs to you?”

“She is a human female from Earth, which is Bululg property. She matches the description of a female whose tracking was lost recently. This female emits the same tracking code. We suspect poacher activity. And yet we will let you go peacefully as long as you hand her over with no resistance.”

I take one quick step back to get between Averie and the guns. “I think you’ll find she’s mine.”

They lift their weapons, now most definitely aiming straight at my face. “Now, don’t be silly. You may still get out of this alive.”

Holy Fate, this is bad. I can strike one of them with venom, kick another, shoot two more. Then they will still be two, and I will be the clearest target anyone could ask for. But my movements are fast. There is a chance—

“What is going on here?” a deep voice asks.

I glance behind me. It’s an alien, of course. A real nightmare of a gigantic male, plainly from one of the aggressive species that has evolved into regular war machines.

“Stay out of this, sir,” the Bululg leader says. “We are reclaiming our rightful property. It’s a very peaceful transaction. Continue on your way.”

“How do I know that female is really yours?” the giant rumbles. “Perhaps I want her, too.”

It’s too much. I explode with rage.

“She is mine!” I roar and strike the Bululg leader, spraying venom