I don’t really have an answer. I guess I’ve warned him. But also, despite the fact I’m sure other humans would find a way to stop him, I really would like to see them try to deal with these alien behemoths. And, in fact, perhaps Dalox on Earth could actually be helpful for me.
Admittedly, I don’t think Stoke on Trent is ready for an alien invasion, but it would seem like it’s going to get it.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I respond, sounding exactly like my mum. Before she put me on the floor.
A formidable woman would probably quite like Dalox, when I think about it.
Dalox leans into me, his musky, spicy, smoky scent invading my nostrils.
“Warning accepted, little spark. But with you by my side, I am sure it will not be necessary.”
Why…why do his words make my core heat up? It would appear my body has not got the message. Dalox might be wortha look, but I am not up for breeding, and I am not going to be hismate.
A word which, apparently, does not mean the same here as it does in The Potteries. Mate, according to Lydia, means he thinks fate has put me in front of him and we are going to get alien married and have lots of little Sarkarnii.
So, that’s cleared that up. Although it hasn’t exactly helped. Especially when my body reacts to the great scaly creature in this particular way.
Dalox’s nostrils flare, and he makes a low guttural sound in the back of his throat which doesn’t help.
Lydia has explained about the lack of females, and although the older Sarkarnii had been around females for some time, their mating practices meant virtually none of them had any experience in thebedroomdepartment, as she put it.
When I asked if she also meant Dalox, she shook her head.
“He’s older than the others, so maybe he has.”
“Older?”
“It’s the reason he’s their fleet admiral. That and the fact he is apparently completely unhinged when it comes to battle. He’s the one who brought them all through the wormhole which put them in this galaxy,” she added.
I’d like to say I understand. I mean I didn’t live in a bubble. I understand, vaguely, the concept behind wormholes and the like. I sort of know something general about space. But all of this, and there being aliens too, I have let wash over me.
Probably because if I really thought about it, I’d lose my mind. Or what’s left of it.
“Where did the other female go?” Dalox looks around.
“She went back the way you brought her in.” I fold my arms. “Which, as it turns out, wasn’t by turning into a dragon and flying her here through a dark cave.”
Dalox lifts the corner of his mouth in the way which I shouldn’t think is a bit cute, but for reasons I can’t fathom, I do. A bit.
“I did not say there was only one way in,” he says.
“You didn’t say there was more than one,” I point out.
His hitched lip spreads, and then he is showing far more teeth in something of a smile.
“You didn’t ask.”
For all Lydia tried, it seems, to persuade me of the innocent nature of these Sarkarnii, Dalox seems anything but innocent.
In fact, he seems entirely wicked.
I just wish someone would tell my heart to stop beating fast when he looks at me because it’s making everything harder. I’ve known him all of half a day and yet…
I’ve never trusted any man in my life, so why would I trust Dalox?
GILLIAN
“As you’ve discovered my secret, little mate,” Dalox says, still doing a rather lopsided smile. “And as much as I want to keep you all to myself, if I am to comply with your request, then we will need to return to the surface.”
