Page 14 of Made For The Alien Warrior

Tiegan’s lips arched into a smile when he thought of Sim-pony’s brusque tone and sharp glares. Though frightened by him, she had been bold enough to scold him. Her wit was intriguing. So was her scowl. And what would her smile be like?

Frightened by these thoughts, Tiegan scrambled to his feet and hurried out of the cavern. In his haste, he bumped into the Healer.

“Healer,” Tiegan whispered loudly, his eyebrow nubs hiking in shock. “Were you waiting for me?”

“I wanted to speak to you, but I saw you were otherwise occupied.”

Something hot lodged into Tiegan’s chest. He raised his chin and stared just beyond the Healer as he explained, “She tried to escape.”

“Is that why you guarded her personally?” The Healer’s lips twitched.

Tiegan clamped his mouth shut.

“You feel a connection to her, do you not?”

He rubbed his chin, wondering if it was a true connection or simply a product of sealing his mouth on her. Had the caress stirred something awake in him? Something that was better left slumbering?

“I saved her life. She is my responsibility.” Tiegan placed his hands behind his back. “That is all.”

“Ah.” The Healer’s eyes twinkled.

“My words are true.”

“Very well. There are many Plutonians who have heard of the humans’ ability to bear their offspring. They will be eager to mate her if you are not.”

Tiegan felt his tail stiffening. His spine dagger tore out of his neck, shooting up like a signal.

The Healer chuckled. “Your words may deny it, Tiegan, but your body does not.”

He broke off the spine dagger and tossed it aside. “It is not because I feel something for her,” he defended. “It is because she is in no state to mate.”

Sim-pony had not fully recovered. Rune and the Healer had successfully fused her arm with nano-tech, but it did not mean she was healed. The Healer had not found a solution to her illness, at least not one that would permanently work on humans.

The Healer’s smile dimmed. He flicked his tail in thought. “We need to find a way to stop thejidezifrom coming back. The second boutwillkill her.”

Tiegan bristled at the thought. He could still taste the horror of watching thejidezispread dark spots over Sim-pony’s skin. His hands were still stained from the blood she coughed up.

“Is there really no solution?” He peered into the Healer’s eyes, desperately searching for an answer.

“Neh.” The Healer sighed. “My powers only work on Plutonians.”

“You caused thejidezito flee once. You can do it again.”

“It worked partially. The faint Plutonian blood in her responded to me.” He stared at Tiegan. “I have never seen my powers work on an un-mated human before.”

He cleared his throat and glanced away.

“Tiegan.”

“I have not invaded her heat if that is what you are asking.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I did touch my lips to hers.”

“Perhaps this is the cause.”

Tiegan’s face burned.

“However, her Plutonian blood is too faint. Thejideziis strong in her. I believe she is just as sensitive to the atmosphere on this planet as she was on earth.” He turned to Tiegan. “Her life is in danger.”

“Will you have to cut off her arm as they did to her on earth?” He frowned.