Page 8 of Who Did This To You?

I stood there, breathing in the cool air, struggling with the urge to open the door back up and go in to be with him.

The air cycled through the filters, and the scent of him faded, and with it, my head cleared. With it came the awareness of how much I had been affected by the smell. It was like a drug, like being under the influence of alcohol, if it was a physical aphrodisiac as well as an inhibition relaxer.

"Are you well?" a male voice asked.

I looked back over my shoulder to see a Noscaryn male, blue and bulky, with two small horns just peeking out of his bald head, his abs dripping with water to soak the towel wrapped around his waist. He was hot, but the sight of him, and the lack of interest I had in that moment for him, cinched it for me.

Another howl echoed out, loud enough to be heard through the door, and my entire body clenched with the need to go back in there.

"I need to call for a medic," I said, my head still whirling with the understanding of how the scent affected me and how much I still wanted to go back in there. Worse than that was the warmth that blossomed in my heart, the complete and utter awe that this male I barely knew would hold himself back for my sake. Because if I hooked up with him while under the influence of his scent without making that decision while previously sober, that would have been a violation.

Zandaor was a good, decent male.

Another howl echoed through the door.

He was a good male, and he was suffering for it.

"Is someone injured?" the Noscaryn asked, moving as if he were going to go to the door. I held up a hand in his way, and he stopped.

"The medic is needed for unknown alien mating behavior involving pheromones. Tell them Zandaor Exlith-Orvanis-Orkith needs their help," I said.

"I will make the call," the Noscaryn said.

I waited there, outside the door, fighting the urge to go back in, part of me wishing that he would burst out through the door. The Noscaryn said something else, but I didn't hear him. I rested my forehead against the door, lost as my feelings fought with my logic. I didn't get dressed; I didn't move. I just stood there, needing more than this moment.

I didn't realize the medics had arrived until the sound of my name brought me back.

"Róisín Ó Gallchobhair, please come with me," a soft, clicking voice said.

I turned to see a giant spider looming over me.

I knew what the Chyrrith looked like; I'd spoken to one on a video chat before, but nothing prepared me for the pure, visceral horror of seeing a nightmare brought to life, looming over me like I was a bug caught in a web. The part of my brain responsible for my immediate survival had a brief moment of glory as it took over in full force and decided the best course of action was the immediate application of loud sound.

I screamed.

The door whooshed open behind me. The smell of Zandaor wrapped around me as his arms did, hugging me back against his chest as he spun me until I was behind him, and he blocked the doorway, a physical barrier of muscle in between the rest of them and me.

"What in the Sabaxl excrement is that stink?" someone gasped, and the sound of retching was accompanied by feet running away.

A sharp click echoed before the spider spoke again. No, not a spider; that was a Chyrrith, the more sensible part of my brain reminded me as it caught up with the whiplash of my emotions. Embarrassment flooded me, but that dull feeling had no strength against the smell that swirled around me, promising me delirious heat. I hadn't seen one in person before, but I knew about them. They had their own section on the ship and rarely came out into the common areas.

I could see the muscles in Zandaor's back, tense and accentuated, and I couldn't help myself. I needed him. I stepped forward and pressed my face against his skin, feeling the warmth of his skin against my forehead as I took a deep breath, inhaling his scent.

"Róisín Ó Gallchobhair, I was called to accompany the medical team due to the unique status of Zandaor Exlith-Orvanis-Orkith. I am Vketex’lin Krel’Veth, Licensed Litigator in Norratar, Alliance, and Seven Sector law, and I am here to ensure your safety."

"She is safe with me," Zandaor snarled, the baritone tones of his voice vibrating down into my bones, his arms spreading wide to grip either side of the doorway.

"I didn't mean to scream," I said as I put my hands on his warm, muscular back on either side of my face and gently patted him. "Zandaor, I was startled; I haven't seen a Chyrrith in person before, and it was rude of me to react like that."

"Your reaction to my sudden appearance isn't unexpected, and I take no offense," Vketex’lin Krel’Veth said. "Róisín Ó Gallchobhair, while you are being physically restrained, I am unable to take your statements at face value. You will need to be separated from Zandaor Exlith-Orvanis-Orkith for your opinions on this scenario to be taken as truth."

"I'm not being restrained," I said.

"Then please step away from the male," Vketex’lin Krel’Veth said.

"I will keep you safe," Zandaor said, a groan edging his words.

"I know," I said, my lips brushing against his skin.