Her Alien Protector: A Sci-fi Romance

Part 21

"Landing in 5 Earth minutes," announces the computer.

"I've already notified Hydra. A team of vets is on standby and will board the moment we land," Tarak says.

"They can't. She's only recently become conscious. Scourges suddenly surrounding her will scare her," I say.

"Rigel, she needs to see a doctor," says Kayla.

"No," I say, my arms wrapping Ava in a tight embrace.

Tarak thumps his tail. "Step down, Rigel."

"You are not my commander."

Tarak growls and when he steps toward me, Kayla stops him.

Kayla crouches next to me. "Rigel, Ava is breathing now, but a medical team needs to evaluate her. We still don't know what caused her breathing problem. What if it gets worse, and she needs more medical treatment?"

I hug Ava tighter. "They can't have her."

"I need you to make me a promise," says Kayla.

"What?!"

"A medical team will need to evaluate Ava, so when they board the ship, keep it together. Promise me?"

I sniff, inhaling Ava's scent. "Yes, I will keep it together."

***

The scourges storm the ship, surrounding Ava. She cries, reaching an outstretched hand toward me.

I can do it. I can keep it together. I can–

My wings snap out, flinging one scourge and then a second and a third into the wall. These scourges have never dealt with an angry and protective Archae Bennuidae.

My wings widen and I stand over Ava. "Leave her alone!"

Kayla's voice floats to me. "Rigel, you promised. The medical team needs to–"

Tarak roars, charging at me and slamming me into the wall. I can't get out of his hold. Tarak grips my thrashing wings. In his hand is a large needle.

"Where did you get that? Are you going to—"

Tarak plunges the needle into my arm. It doesn't take long for me to feel tired. Even holding my eyes open is too much, and...

I fall into Tarak's arms.

***

I wake up, my outstretched body on the floor. The rahoni sits on my stomach and Tarak works at the ship's wall monitor. I do not see anyone else on the ship.

"Where is Ava?" I ask.

"Ava is with the medical team and Kayla accompanied her. She will not leave Ava alone with them."

I pet the rahoni and it purrs, curling its body on my belly. "What if the medics don't listen to Kayla? Sometimes scourges don't listen to humans," I say, thinking about all the things Ava probably endured when she was with Loviatar. He certainly never listened to her.

"If the medics need persuasion, Kayla will notify me at once."

"So, she notifies you, and then what?"

"Are you that oblivious, bird? Everyone on Hydra knows, Kayla is mine and I am hers. If they do not listen, I will bite them all. Now get off my ship!"

Tarak escorts me not only off the Firefly but all the way to my quarters.

"Ava doesn't like scourges," I say when we arrive at my door.

Tarak makes the hand signal that opens my door. "Kayla will be by her side the entire time and together, we will make sure they care for Ava."

"Thank—"