about the clutter and how she’d rearrange what she’d seen so far, but this train of thought caused her mind to wander back to her own home. Everyone was probably waking to start their day—without her. Right now, Ines would be realizing she was gone. Her cats, Jasper and Abby would be waiting in front of her bedroom door, crying to be fed. Lila’s eyes watered and her nose stung as she imagined her lonely cats and the anguish her absence was causing the staff she cared about.
She continued down the street and tried her best to concentrate on the here and now. If she could pull this off and remain hidden, then she’d stay alive and eventually make it back. She couldn’t let them down.
Zayzon guided her to the nearest public transportation unit, a place she’d run past in the night. They stepped onto a crowded platform. A long vehicle soon pulled up and the doors slid open. Zayzon walked into the nearest section, sat down and pulled her into a seat next to him.
Other Xylan continued to covertly stare at their every move. Some of them looked visibly frightened and sat as far from them as possible, leaving the space around them empty but the rest of the cabin full. Her brow furrowed. Why were they all staying away? Was it because she was human? Or because she was with Zayzon? She had no idea.
A growl rumbled in Zayzon’s chest and his eyes flashed with anger. He sat up tall and snarled and growled at the other Xylan, saying something she didn’t understand. She had to cover her ears because, damn, he was loud. His booming voice echoed in the cabin. His message must’ve worked, because the prying eyes turned away.
She lowered her hands. Zayzon draped an arm across her back and his hand cupped her opposite shoulder and she allowed it. She seemed to be allowing a lot lately.
This was a weird situation. Zayzon seemed to be comforting her and was being very possessive for an unmated male who should be avoiding her touch. Why was he the one in charge of her? If she’d stumbled into another room, would she instead be the ward of one of the other brothers? Maybe they were all laughing because he’d been the unlucky one to find her in his room? Was he quietly beginning to realize she was a burden?
She glanced up and smiled, hoping none of that was true. Wanting to let him know that she was forever grateful for his help and his company. He gave her a warm smile in return.
Only for her.
If it weren’t for Zayzon she’d be alone right now. She still had no idea what her next steps would be, but at least she’d had this unexpected support in the midst of her crazy. He was trying to give her a universal translator so they could talk. This was actually super sweet. This intimidating male, who the others looked at with fear, had been nothing but nice to her since the moment he’d found her invading his bed. She reached out and grabbed his gloved claw and squeezed tight. “Thank you,” she said.
He gave her a curt nod and then began eating.
She focused on finishing the rest of her food too and then her drink, and so did Zayzon, and they dumped their containers into a nearby incinerator.
The transport stopped and she stepped off with him. He grabbed her hand again and they moved among the other Xylan on the streets who continued to brazenly stare at her—and at their joined hands.
Zayzon led her to an official-looking building that wasn’t far from the transportation unit. It was too bad she’d arrived last night in the middle of a storm. She really didn’t need to run through the streets, the public transport here was really good. Maybe this was also why they didn’t have a vehicle?
They walked inside, hand in hand, and Zayzon stopped at some kind of information desk. He snarled something to the Xylan working there. In minutes they were both led into a room with a lot of high-tech medical equipment. Two younger Xylan females and one older male stood nearby. They all stared in shock at her pajamas and at her hand joined with Zayzon’s.
Her imposing Xylan spoke loudly and pointed at her. There was a long conversation back and forth between the four Xylan in the room that she didn’t understand. Finally, the older male frowned and left the