Rescued by the Alien Warrior, Hope Hart [ebook pdf reader for pc .txt] 📗

too close to the edge of the boat. Yalex—our captain—nodded his head in agreement. “There are many different beasts waiting beneath the surface,” he murmured, his eyes on the horizon. “You would likely be nothing but a snack.”

I planted myself firmly in the middle of the boat, and now I’m keeping a close eye on Hewex as he loses his breakfast over the side.

Vivian and Sarissa are murmuring to each other as we approach the town, and I tamp down the jealousy that rises as they laugh.

I always wished for a sibling or a cousin, but I’m an only child. Mom came from money, but her parents disowned her when she fell for a man she later learned was married. When he abandoned us, she refused to give them the pleasure of saying “I told you so.” Instead, she worked three jobs only to be struck by a drunk driver when she was crossing the street for her night shift at the diner. I was nineteen.

“What are you thinking?”

I glance at Tagiz, his words still on repeat in my mind.

“I looked into your eyes, and all I could think was ‘finally, I found her.’”

If that’s true, why doesn’t he want me and only me?

I bet Mom wondered the same damn thing.

The thought makes my chest ache. Am I just repeating history?

I turn back at Sarissa and Vivian, who have their blonde heads so close together they’re almost touching as they read over the information Alexis gave them.

“I’m feeling a little jealous,” I admit. “I always wished I had siblings. I’d give anything to have family on this planet. Or someone I was friends with on Earth.”

Tagiz studies me. “What about the other human females?”

I smile. “They’re great, don’t get me wrong. Nevada saved my life, and Ivy was the one who gave me the strength to get through that lonely time in the cage without her. But…I’ve been stuck in the healers’ kradi while everyone else has been actually making a difference. It’s hard not to feel a little left out sometimes.”

Tagiz narrows his eyes at me, and I smile.

“It’s okay. It’ll come with time.”

“Is that why you insist on doing these things? Coming across the Colossal Water and leaving the safety of the camp after an attack?”

I scowl at him, but for once he’s not attempting to convince me to stay behind. He seems genuinely curious.

“I’ve always been someone who couldn’t stand to see people in pain. It sometimes felt like I was the one physically hurting when I was a kid. I managed to get control of that when I was studying, but I’m still driven to help. I believe I was given a gift. I’m calm under pressure. I don’t fall apart. And I can multitask better than most people. They’re all skills that are in high demand for nursing—especially trauma nursing. I can’t leave people to suffer when I know I can help, Tagiz. It’s not in me.”

Tagiz leans forward, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I…understand. Asking you not to help is like asking me not to fight. You feel it is your calling.”

I nod, and he sits back, studying me.

“But what about this trip?”

I scan his face for judgment or annoyance, but he still seems genuinely curious.

“I’m also not the kind of person who is happy just sitting behind. I want these guys to pay. I want the Grivath to pay for abducting us, I want the Dokhalls to pay for buying us—and for breaking my ribs—and I want the Zintas to pay for working with them.” I shrug. “I’m not used to feeling this way. Like I want to see someone suffer. And maybe when it comes down to it, I won’t be able to witness it. But for now, I think I should get to make that decision for myself and choose what I feel I can handle. Don’t you?”

The question is more rhetorical than anything else, but Tagiz angles his head. This is something I love about him. When I’m with him, he gives me 100 percent of his attention. He doesn’t ever provide flippant answers or brush me off. If I ask him a question, even something simple, he always gives the answer careful consideration.

“Yes,” he says finally, and to my surprise, he throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “I do.”

I give in to my instincts and snuggle close, inhaling his warm, masculine scent. Within a few minutes, we’re almost at the shore, and Yalex gives orders as we dock.

We leave him with the boat, and I turn, surveying the town.

I’ve heard all about it, of course. In fact, I’ve made Vivian, Ivy, and Charlie all tell me every detail they could…multiple times.

But still, I was somehow unprepared to see an actual town.

“Pretty amazing, huh?” Vivian smiles at me.

“That’s one word for it.” I’ve spent so much time in the camp that the sights, sounds, and smells of this place feel like an assault.

And yet I feel like I could stand here on this dock for hours. Just…watching.

Fishermen are bringing in nets of fish along with a few other creatures, one of which has gold scales and huge teeth and looks like a cross between an octopus and a shark. I shudder, turning my attention to the busy cobbled street in front of us.

Tagiz, Jozet, and Hewex seem to know where they’re going, surrounding us as we walk together. The buildings are so close together they remind me of photos I’ve seen of Amsterdam. While many of them seem shabby and worn, several are multiple stories high.

I stop and stare up at a collection of bright flower boxes on a balcony. A woman with gray skin and bright-orange hair is watering her flowers, and she raises one eyebrow as our gazes meet.

I smile at her and glance away. Great, now I’m the weird creeper staring at people who are just going about their business.

Tagiz takes my elbow as I almost walk into a guy