Текст книги "The Alien’s Bond"

Автор книги: Kira Quinn

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

CHAPTER TEN

The trek back to the Oraku village was a surprisingly smooth and easy one. Having locals intimately familiar with the terrain certainly didn’t hurt. It was nevertheless a fairly long walk, and by the time they reached the primitive home of their new friends, Darla’s legs were aching.

She had done her best to mind her tongue as the hunters talked quietly about her, thinking she couldn’t hear them. One thing she had always had was a keen sixth sense and an equally attuned ear for bullshit. And this band of sweaty, muscular hunters were talking their fair share, even as they carried their kills between them, the dead and cleaned animals slung on a long pole.

Where Darla was concerned, it seemed that once they got past her smaller stature and decidedly unusual coloration, the curves of her body had managed to draw a different sort of notice, and from more than one of them.

It seemed that there was something of a skewed ratio of males to females in their tribe, and the arrival of fresh meat was making more than one of them stare with barely hidden interest.

“Do not worry about them,” Heydar said. “You are a novelty, but without the Infala marked on your body there is no hope for a union.”

“The what? Oh, you mean that tattoo you were talking about.”

“It is more than just that. The living pigment within the rune bonds its owner to their mate, though it is often a difficult process finding them.”

“What, so your magic markings don’t pull you together like magnets?”

“You feel the draw in the general area, but until you lay eyes on your mate’s Infala, you are left to wonder upon whom it resides. And where.”

“So, it’s like an Easter egg hunt.”

“I do not know what this Easter egg is. But it is a hunt of sorts, yes.”

“And that’s how you found your partner? A random feeling drawing you together?”

His jaw twitched. “I am unbonded. But that is how it works, yes.”

This tidbit was news to her, but then learning all about the strange alien mating rituals was more than a little out of her depth. All she did know was that so long as she wasn’t all inked up, the interest of the hunters was merely academic.

Or so she hoped.

Heydar hadn’t said anything about casual encounters, however, and judging by the glances coming her way there was always the chance one or more of them might get ideas. Fortunately, the village came into sight when they rounded the next small hillock, and the hunting party’s demeanor shifted to that of macho bravado as they returned from their task.

It was a rather quaint looking home. Rustic and old-timey. Buildings were made of branches and vines, some covered in mud to shield from heat or cold. Others were no more than large tents or yurts. The overall feel was quite tribal, though the pale green alien inhabitants were certainly not from the Wild West.

Tall trees bordered one side of the encampment, while another abutted a cluster of rocky outcroppings and small hills, their tops dotted with vegetation. There was the faint whiff of moisture in the air, which explained how everything was so lush. Darla couldn’t help but find the whole setting kind of pleasant, all things considered.

The hunting group led them into the village, weaving between the structures until they reached what was just about the center of the village. Long communal tables surrounded a dormant fire pit. Shirtless males were busy preparing wood for the evening’s fire while others scrubbed the table with buckets of water.

An old woman approached them, her body covered in fine lines and runes, many of them in an almost glowing pale ink, while other less active colors played second fiddle. She walked with the bearing of a woman who was used to getting her way. Darla took a liking to her immediately.

“We are returned, and we bring friends, Rohanna,” Adzus said.

The men carefully lowered their kills and dropped to one knee. Heydar followed suit, bowing his head in respectful greeting. Darla, however, stood tall, locking eyes with the woman. For her part, Rohanna took the human female’s insubordination quite well. In fact, after so long having others tiptoe around her, it was quite a refreshing change of pace.

“Come closer,” she directed the strange newcomer. “I would take a better look at you.”

Darla stepped forward. “So, you’re the boss around here?”

“One could say that,” she replied with a chuckle, her tattoos shifting and brightening with her mirth. “I help guide the Oraku toward a more harmonious life.”

“Oh, I get it. The whole nature thing. I suppose that explains the primitive camp. Um, no offense. It’s lovely, really.”

Rohanna let out a laugh. “Oh, you are an amusing one. I am so glad Adzus brought you to me. But I can assure you, though we live a basic lifestyle here, we are not ignorant savages as it might appear at first glance. We have chosen not to engage with the others. To live without constant competition and pursuit of more.”

“Wait, you said others.”

“There are more races than ours on this world,” Rohanna replied.

Heydar lifted his head and stood tall. “You say there are others, wise one?”

“Please, you may call me Rohanna. And yes, my Nimenni friend, I am familiar with your race, though I have not seen the likes of your kind for some time. But this one, she is something new.”

“She is called a human.”

Darla bristled slightly. “I can speak for myself, you know.”

Heydar’s tattoos darkened slightly, almost as if he was blushing through his pigment. “Apologies. Of course.”

Darla looked back at their host. “My name’s Darla, and yes, I am what’s called a human. But my people aren’t really space explorers. Not yet, anyway. That’s why you haven’t seen us before.”

The old woman raised an eyebrow, curiosity clear in her expression.

“It was the Raxxians, Rohanna,” Adzus said. “We came across pieces of debris on our hunt. One of their vessels crashing down is what we heard the other day.”

“Raxxians?” she said with a sour look on her face. “We do not approve of the Raxxians. Brutish creatures, the lot of them.”

“You can say that again,” Darla agreed. “But it wasn’t just one ship that crashed. We were held on a transport. From what Heydar said, it broke up into pieces and landed scattered all over the place. There’s a very real possibility others might have survived.”

This bit of information piqued Rohanna’s interest. She turned to Adzus. “Your opinion, hunter?”

“If there are others, they are beyond our borders. Perhaps other tribes have encountered them. Or even some of the offworlder settlements. But we cannot say for certain.”

“Hmm,” was all the old woman said as she fell into deep thought. A moment later she turned her bright eyes to her guests. “There is much to discuss, it would seem, but you have both been through a lot. Please, follow my helper, Moraki. She will guide you to the nourishing hot springs. The minerals will soothe your aches and revitalize your spirits. Once you have bathed, we will dine and discuss things further.”

Heydar gave a slight bow. “Thank you, Wise One. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.

“Yeah, what he said,” Darla added.

Moraki, the slender, young woman who had been shadowing Rohanna, stepped forward and extended her arm to guide the duo. “Please, this way. I will show you to the springs.”

“Excellent,” Heydar said. “We could certainly use it.”

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The natural spring was situated in a rocky outcropping at the far edge of the village. Darla was pleased to note as they grew closer that there was no foul sulphur smell wafting through the air. She’d been to that kind of hot spring in the past, and while it had been refreshing, the lingering smell of farts and rotten eggs was less than desirable.

She and Heydar were drawing a bit of attention as they were led to the springs. With curious eyes emerging to gawk at the newcomers, Darla noted that there really was a distinct lack of women in the village. She was a guest of Rohanna, and as such none would think to offend her, but nevertheless she felt like a prize sow on display at a county fair.

It was not exactly a pleasant sensation.

“This way,” Moraki said, guiding them around a small clump of rocks. “Most of the others have returned home already. You will have much of the bathing pool to yourselves.”

Darla did a double take.

“Did you say communal?”

“Yes. All villagers share the bounty of the springs. They give us an ever-fresh bathing pool in this location, and they also provide our clean water from another nearby source.”

“So, communal,” Darla repeated just as the body of water came into sight as they rounded another bend.

It was a roughly circular pool, fifteen meters across and two deep in the middle. The water was crystal clear, a faint layer of steam drifting across the surface.

There were two older women there, submerged to their necks, soaking contentedly off to one side. Three younger men were there as well. Not from the hunting party, she noted. These must be regular villagers. Perhaps farmers or something. She hadn’t really figured out the socio-economic structure of the Oraku people just yet.

“Excellent,” Heydar said, seemingly oblivious to the others present. That, or he just didn’t care.

With a fluid motion he pulled his tattered shirt from his body and tossed it aside, stretching wide, his rippling muscles moving like coiled beasts under his skin. In full daylight Darla could truly take in just how impressive his physique was. His abs had abs, and his chest was broad and deep. His thick forearms seemed as big as her legs, making it clear his multi-jointed, elongated fingers were likely even more powerful than she’d already witnessed.

Heydar’s large, capped shoulders bore a few scars, the lines of knotted flesh blending with the tattoos running all over his body. Runes like the ones on his arms that channeled power into them were scattered all across his torso. What they could all mean, she had no idea. Pecs, arms, shoulders, back, and one in the middle of his chest, all interwoven with the overall design.

She was admiring the lines when Heydar abruptly dropped his pants, pulling them off one leg at a time just like anyone else, then tossing them with his shirt. The motion was familiar, but Darla’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of a decidedly alien cock dangling between his legs.

The tattoos traveled all the way to his groin but stopped short of his length, ending in a small rune of deep purple pigment. That was as far down as the rune extended, and by the look of it he clearly did not require any additional power in that department.

His manhood was massive. It was also a deeper golden tan color than his upper body, long and ringed with slightly raised ridges that ran from his broad tip all the way to the base.

I wonder if that thing’s multi-jointed like his fingers, Darla mused, unable to take her eyes off the alien’s impressive cock. Say what you would about his personality, he was not lacking in this area. Not one bit.

Darla looked at him openly, a warmth that had nothing to do with the hot springs blooming between her legs. His runes and tattoo ink which had seemed somewhat plain and even primitive when she’d first caught sight of them were so much different now. So much more.

In the daylight and fully nude, she could now see how the different shades of pigment shifted ever so slightly within his skin. A living ink as much a part of him as any. Heydar stepped into the pool slowly, letting the warm water soothe his body inch by inch as he entered it.

Moraki picked up Heydar’s clothes and turned to Darla, an expectant look on her face.

“I will have your clothing laundered,” she said.

“Uh… right. Yeah, thanks for that,” Darla replied.

Well, I guess when in Rome.

Darla hesitated, uncomfortable stripping in front of all these prying eyes. Finally, she overcame her reluctance, sliding off her top then shedding her bra with a relief she knew all too well. She’d had it on for how long now? Too long. And with the relief came a new feeling of confidence. If the alien guys were going to gawk at her, well, so be it. She unfastened her slacks and pushed them down over her hips but paused. Heydar was standing thigh-deep in the water, watching her.

Fuck it.

She pushed them down further, the runway tuft of pubic hair she’d so carefully trimmed exposed for all to see. Darla slid the legs past her feet then handed the slacks to Moraki.

“Thank you. Please, enjoy,” the young woman said, looking the newcomer up and down with surprise, then headed off with the pair’s dirty clothing.

Darla stepped into the spring up to her shins, the hot water feeling amazing on her aching feet. Her nipples tensed and hardened in an instant as pleasure made a rather unexpected but very welcome appearance. But there was something else.

She could feel the violet-gold eyes on her body without needing to look. She glanced up, her eyes locking with his a moment before his gaze shifted, looking lower and lower with curiosity. Curiosity and it seemed like something more.

Motion just above the water caught Darla’s eye. Heydar’s impressive cock had shifted on its own, the ringed ridges pulsing slightly as he began to grow semi-erect. Darla thought she could see a single drop of fluid glistening at the tip before the alien abruptly sank down into the water and swam off to the far side of the pool.

What the hell? Darla was just wondering when the water abruptly sloshed higher on her legs. She turned to find a somewhat young, and very naked, Oraku man standing waist-deep in the pool beside her.

The very clear water, through which she could plainly see his rather respectable penis floating lazily between his legs. It looked nowhere as impressive as Heydar’s, but there was a respectable girth to it. Unlike Heydar, however, his was not rousing to life as he stared at her nakedness. Darla couldn’t help but feel a little put off by it.

“Where are your runes?” he asked plainly, his eyes scanning every bit of her with a curious gaze.

“I don’t have any. Well, except the one behind my ear. Just got that one, courtesy of those Raxxian bastards.”

The man cocked his head askew, surprised. “But everyone of adult age has received their initial designs. It is the way things are done in the Dotharian Conglomerate.”

“The what, now?”

“All planets under the Conglomerate’s gaze have agreed to this. It is a common bond between us.”

“Well, I’m not from a Darthin Conglomerate planet.”

“Dotharian.”

“Okay, whatever. My point is, on my world we don’t have any magical powered ink. When we get tattoos, it’s of our own choosing, though sometimes it’s a reminder of one drink too many.”

The other males swam over to join the conversation. A moment later the older women did as well, all of them perfectly comfortable in their nudity. Darla felt panic growing being the center of this unwanted attention. All of those eyes staring at her, evaluating her, put her on the defensive but she did her best to react slowly, trying to look as casual and confident as she could as she lowered herself into the water up to her neck, closing her eyes a moment as she savored the sensation.

The heat felt amazing on her aching body, soothing the tired muscles the moment she submerged. For a brief moment she almost forgot about the aliens studying her like an animal someone had brought home from the woods.

Almost.

“She is without her pigment,” one of the women said. “It is not right.”

Her companion nodded her agreement. “The laws must be followed.”

Darla reluctantly opened her eyes, her brief moment of comfort ruined. “I was just telling your friend here that on my world we don’t do the whole tattoo thing. At least, not as some mandatory ritual.”

The women shared a concerned look, and the men murmured their displeasure at this flaunting of the laws.

“Every adult must receive them,” the older woman said. “It is the law.”

“But—”

“There are no objections to this. Law is law.”

“But I’m not from around these parts. Everything here is new to me. I didn’t know I was breaking some law just by being me.”

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

Darla felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. “Hang on. If it’s an actual law, what kind of penalties are we talking for breaking it?”

The woman looked at her almost sympathetically, as one would a foolish child who had truly messed up. “You do not wish to find out.”

The group began chattering excitedly, and with the lower-powered pigment used for her translation rune, Darla found herself having a hard time keeping up with so many voices at once. Finally, they stopped, the older woman holding up her hand for silence.

“We understand you are new here, and it is believed there is some leeway for newcomers.”

“Oh, thank God,” Darla blurted.

“We will summon the Skrizzit. It may take a few days as the nearest with the skill for the task is a few days’ trek away.”

“What’s a Skrizzit?”

“The artist who will apply the pigments and ensure you comply with the law.”

“Hang on, are you saying I have to be tattooed? Oh, hell no. No one, and I mean no one, is tattooing me against my will.”

“Trust me, the alternative is one you do not wish to experience. In the meantime, you will be held away from the others, as is tradition.”

Darla was beside herself. “I just got here, and you’re going to lock me up for not having ink? And for days? This isn’t right. I want to speak with a lawyer.”

The woman looked at her curiously. “We do not have a translation for what you have just said. How unusual.”

“You’re saying your world doesn’t have lawyers? Oh man, I am so screwed.”

The water surged as Heydar rose from beneath its surface. He’d submerged and swam over to her, emerging from below like a stealthy predator on the hunt. He moved beside Darla and stood from the water, glistening wet from head to toe. From her position neck-deep in the pool, Darla now found herself looking up at his glorious cock, dangling just a few feet away from her face, the water running off his body dripping from its tip.

She felt her mouth water for a moment, and that wasn’t the only thing that had grown wet, totally independent of the hot spring.

“I will do it,” he said, locking eyes with each and every one of their hosts for a moment to drive home his words. “There is no need to summon a Skrizzit.”

“I see your runes, Nimenni. You know as well as any that the laws are quite clear,” the woman said.

“Yes, I do know,” he replied turning and glancing down at Darla with his violet eyes a long moment, then shifting his focus back to their hosts. “I had hoped her alien origins would afford her leeway, and I was unsure if this world was even within the Dotharian Conglomerate. But if that is the case, and if she is to receive runes, I possess the skills required.”

The aliens murmured in surprise.

“You are a Skrizzit?” the young man asked, clearly shocked that a man who looked like a warrior was an artist of that degree of skill.

“I know the runes and possess the ability, yes. Furthermore, I have my implements with me. However, the Raxxians only allowed me a small amount of pigment, and it was weak at that. Enough for basic translation runes for the prisoners but little more. My supplies are lacking. I will require additional resources.”

The older woman mulled over his words then nodded her acceptance. “We possess a great many varieties of pigments in our village,” she said. “I will convey your request to Rohanna personally. You will have what you need, Heydar of the Nimenni. And so long as you do as you say you will, your woman will go unpunished.”

He bowed his head slightly. “She is not my woman, but thank you for your kindness and hospitality. I am at your service.”

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER TWELVE

Darla had been allowed to bathe for a few minutes, but then found herself escorted to one of the smaller yurts, the flap pinned open awaiting her arrival. Again, it was males who were preparing things for their guest. Though it was daylight, thick candles were burning inside, providing a warm, flickering feel to the enclosure.

Light trickled in through the opening in the top of the yurt. The feature was normally used to allow smoke to exit the structure, but it was currently providing a bit of air circulation and a bit more natural illumination during the day.

Incense made of native woods and spices smoldered off in holders lining a far wall, the wisps of fragrant smoke wrapping the space in fragrant tendrils, lending a soothing aroma that almost felt as though it was draining tension from her body just as the spring water had.

A very old woman stepped into the tent. She seemed to be even older than Rohanna, and was covered in delicate, and surprisingly vibrant markings. Whatever this pigment was, it did not seem to fade in the way inks did on Earth. That, or this woman was getting regular touch-ups, which Darla thought would be highly unlikely.

A man walked in behind her, carrying a small table with a notch cut out of one end. He was shirtless and far more muscular than the others she had encountered so far. His tattoos were thicker as well, their lines flowing around his pecs and shoulders in a particularly pleasing way, drawing the eye to the man’s impressive endowments.

Runes were carefully inked in place, enhancing some of his natural strengths, no doubt, though the one on his collarbone was notably smaller than the others.

Darla realized she was staring. She also realized he was well aware of it.

The woman noticed the exchange. “Here,” she said, pointing to a spot off-center in the enclosure, out of the narrow beam of light coming in from above.

“As you wish, Tikanna,” he replied in a deep, rumbling baritone that Darla thought almost buzzed like warm honey in her ears. Most unusual.

His muscles flexed powerfully as he strode through the yurt and set the table where directed. He turned and stood quietly, waiting for further instructions. But he didn’t have the air of a servant. There was an amusement dancing in his deep amber eyes, as if he was party to a joke no one else could hear. He looked at Darla with clear interest, taking her in from top to bottom with an almost lascivious grin on his lips.

Darla felt a tingle flare between her legs and the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She was pulled from the moment when the woman’s surprisingly strong hands grabbed her and pulled the clean tunic she’d been provided free. Darla felt her nipples harden as the fabric fell away, fighting the urge to run with all her will, forcing her body to obey and stand still.

The man’s gaze did not break, but it did shift, a slight flush warming his cheeks.

Again, she was distracted by that look when the woman pulled on her arm, moving her this way and that, examining her body, poking and prodding, pinching and pulling. Finally, she stepped back and handed Darla her top back, shaking her head.

“It would have been better if you had soaked in the spring longer. You are still tense, and your skin is not yet pliable enough.”

“I was soaking, but your people pulled me out and dragged me here.”

“Hasty of them. I understand their motivations, but the laws do have some flexibility to them.”

“I wish they’d known that.”

“You cannot fault their actions. You are unadorned, lacking all but the most basic translation rune, and that is given to all children before they can even walk. You are an anomaly, and that must be rectified.”

Darla bit her tongue. Snarking to this woman would not help anything, and she seemed to be the only one so far willing to cut her a little slack on the whole tattoo thing.

“So, you said something about being pliable? What exactly did you mean? I had a decent wash in my limited soak.”

“It is more than that, child. Your skin must be scrubbed of any impurities, your muscles absolutely relaxed. It is imperative you are in the proper physical, mental, and spiritual state.”

“I need to be relaxed. Okay, I get it.”

“No, you do not. The process can be uncomfortable. More for some than for others, and always for the unprepared. But more than discomfort is at stake. For the pigments to hold, for the power runes to properly bond with your flesh, you must be ready. Once that part of the process is complete, it will take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for the pigment to fully set in and become one with your body.”

“Great, a long healing process. Sounds like fun.”

“Everyone reacts differently, and your abilities may take some time to present. But once the pigment is fully bonded your Infala will form and, if you are lucky, you will find your mate.”

Darla’s mind did a needle across a record screech to a full stop. “Hang on. What’s that about a mate, now? I thought it just attracted compatible people.”

“No. The Infala connects you to your destined mate. It is how we bond. Did you not know this?”

“Uh, no, that part I didn’t. And on my world, we don’t use tattoos to find a partner.”

“We do not find a partner. We are bonded to them,” the woman clarified. “Your Infala begins as a basic rune, the power of your pigment slowly engaging with your body’s needs until it becomes your true Infala. Once that happens, you will feel a draw to your mate. A visceral pull.”

“You’re saying I’ll just suddenly know who my supposed mate is? This is seriously messed up.”

“It will not be so simple,” the woman corrected. “You will feel a draw when close to your mate, yes, but it will be vague. And they will feel the same. But no one ever knows who their mate is until they actually see the Infala.”

Darla shook her head. “Right, I get that part. But I still don’t like the whole idea of your entire dating process being basically a tattoo Easter egg hunt.”

“I do not know what is an Easter egg.”

“I know, I’ve heard. But that doesn’t matter. What I’m saying is, I’m stuck looking for some guy’s tat or I’m forever alone? That’s no way to be with someone.”

The large man chuckled, his eyes full of amusement.

“Oh? You have something to add?” Darla snarked.

“Just that you misunderstand our ways.”

“Then enlighten me.”

An uncomfortably seductive heaviness settled into his eyelids as he locked his gaze with hers. “You see, the Infala is all about mating. As in life partner bonding. But that does not preclude one from engaging in other amusements in the meantime.”

“Sex. You’re saying you can still get with other people before this rune locks you down?”

“Yes, if you wish to put it that way. Sex is a zesty, joyful option. And in abundance, with the right partner. Why, if you would allow—”

“Enough of that,” the old woman interrupted. “I do not require your assistance any further. Thank you.”

He took the hint and gave her a slight bow. “As you wish, Tikanna,” he said, then flashed Darla a little wink, turned, and left.

The woman watched him leave then shifted her attention back to the odd human female.

“What he says is accurate, though in his case, being unbonded as long as he has been, he has fallen into the mindset of many of our young males. The pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, ignoring the Infala. Giving up on that dream.”

“It does seem there’s a pretty serious male to female ratio problem here,” Darla noted.

“It was not always this way, but yes, things are difficult for our males. And they have all seen the Infala of the few unmated females in our village and have not bonded. You see, when bonding occurs, they will be drawn to the matching piece to their own rune. Only those two individuals will possess that particular design. And when the pair have united, their Infalas will shift once more into their couple’s new mark, bonding them forever.”

This is the most ridiculous dating game I’ve ever heard of, and I’ve been on quite a few shitty apps over the years. This? It’s nuts, Darla thought. Then again, that hunky guy seems kind of interesting and up for fun.

“Hey, I was wondering. What’s that guy’s deal, anyway?”

“That was Zepharos. One of the future leaders of the Oraku, if he has his way.”

“And does he usually get his way?”

“More often than not,” the woman admitted. “You would be well served to mind yourself around him.”

“Uh huh,” Darla said, her mind already in other places.

She was abruptly snapped from her reverie when a different, familiar form strode into the yurt, his broad shoulders blocking the light from the opening.

“I am here,” Heydar declared. “My equipment is cleaned and ready.”

Tikanna looked him up and down, judging him and finding him adequate. She gave a small nod and gestured to the table and a large box of drawers nearby. “You will find everything you require.”

“Excellent.”

“But this one is not yet ready,” she added.

A look of concern flashed across his face. “Oh?”

“She requires further preparation. And as her Skrizzit for this process, the duty falls to you.”

Darla saw the muscle in Heydar’s jaw flex, but he maintained his composure, his face a blank canvas. He looked down on her, then back to Tikanna.

“Very well. I shall begin at once.”

Tikanna nodded and called for the other workers to gather their things and leave. A minute later Heydar and Darla were alone.

“Remove your clothing,” the alien commanded.

Darla felt her breath catch at his words but did as he said, stripping in front of his appraising gaze. He gave her a brief once over and nodded, then pointed to the table.

“On the table, face down,” he directed.

Now she knew what the notch was for. Someone had placed a towel there to support her neck and face and another on the table itself, providing a little cushioning on the firm surface.

Darla lay down and took a deep breath, fully exposed to this frustrating man. She could feel his heat as he moved close to her, his radiant warmth giving her skin goosebumps without even touching her. Then a massive, warm hand gently touched the middle of her back, the heat spreading through her like an ember blown to a flame as it pressed down harder.

He shifted his hand, touching her along her shoulders and sides, moving down to her ass, then legs, feeling her body, assessing her.

Exposed and vulnerable with a towering alien hovering over her, Darla felt a strange thrill as she wondered what would come next.