Page 24 of Alien Assassin's Heir

CHAPTER 6

KRAJ

Night bleeds cold and quiet across the skin of Arkosh.

I breathe it in—dust, metal, bitter ozone. The kind of air that clings to the inside of your throat and leaves a taste like rust. The moons are twin crescents above, thin as blades, throwing pale blue light across the settlement’s outskirts.

Perfect for stalking.

My claws dig into the dry dirt as I crouch behind the perimeter barrier, its weak pulse of energy flickering like it’s too tired to work properly. Wildwood isn’t exactly a high-priority investment for Helios. Half the place is duct tape and corporate lies. Makes my job easier.

Across the field, a figure moves—small, wiry. The courier.

He’s punctual, I’ll give him that. Always comes when the comms tower shifts into standby. Same route, same time, every two nights. His satchel bulges with data rods and encrypted pouches, like he thinks the back trails of Wildwood are invisible.

They’re not.

Especially not to me.

Targen’s orders were clear. “Watch the comms tower. Track any Alliance rat sniffin’ around. We don’t want Helios playingboth sides.” His voice always sounds like sandpaper soaked in old whiskey.

So here I am, hunched in the dark, tail low, eyes on the courier.

But my focus drifts.

Again.

Toherbuilding.

Her window’s on the second level, corner unit, one light on behind the frosted pane. Just a blur of motion now and then. A shadow passing. A curtain shifting. A dream that refuses to die.

Damn me for caring.

I snap my head back toward the courier. He’s climbing the comms ladder now, moving like he’s done this a dozen times. Which he probably has.

I should be recording.

Should be tagging and transmitting.

But my hand stays at my side, claws twitching.

Because Luna’s silhouette just moved again. A flutter behind glass. A ghost in my chest.

I movethrough the shadows like I was born there.

Feet silent. Breath controlled. Tail low and balanced.

My eyes track the courier out of habit more than intention now. He’s placing a rod into the uplink receiver. Fast. Efficient. Doesn’t even look around.

He’s too comfortable.

That tells me more than any data intercept could.

He’s been doing this a long time—and no one’s stopped him. Helios is either complicit or negligent. Either way, the Coalition’s going to have a fit. But I don’t care. Not right now.

I only care about one thing.

And she’s a few buildings over, sleeping—hopefully—without knowing I’m out here like a monster in the weeds.