Chapter 5
Keelie
Ican’t believe what I’m seeing.
Pinching myself, I wince in pain and realize that, yes, I’m awake, and this isn’t a dream.
An alien is lying on the ground in front of me, and the one who carried me to safety quickly yet gently sets me on my feet before approaching his fallen companion.
The creature crumpled on the ground and landed in what appears to be an extremely uncomfortable position—its wings and limbs folded awkwardly beneath it.
These beings, whoever or whatever they are, just saved my life.
Without their timely arrival, that bear would have toyed with me for a while before eventually killing me.
Watching the slightly smaller being crouch next to the other, I take in their vastly different physical appearances.
Both appear to be a bipedal cross between a werewolf and a dragon.
The one on the ground is covered in dark slate-gray scales, broken by strategically placed patches of silver fur that deepen to black along the points of his body.
The smaller one is just as striking, his brilliant turquoise scales contrasted by pitch-black fur arranged in the same pattern.
Their hands are five-fingered, but their lower extremities end in digitigrade lower limbs with feet that are more reminiscent of a dinosaur than any warm-blooded mammal I’ve ever seen.
They don’t appear to have any external genitalia either; instead, their groin area has a lightly furred sheath.
So, if you add in a massive set of wings, a pair of impressive horns, and a deadly-looking tail, they’re the definition of an apex predator.
One thing I find interesting is that they have a mane of hair that looks similar to a human in the front, but appears to fade into the ruff of fur across their shoulders and back.
What on earth are they doing on Earth?
A quick glance over at the less vibrant fallen alien confirms that he’s out cold, and the second one is trying to rouse his friend.
Watching the tender way the black and turquoise cares for his companion, I ruefully rub the back of my neck, realizing what I have to do.
I’ve always believed that one act of kindness begets another—and there is no greater kindness than saving a life.
Peering up at the sky, I shake my head before chastising my husband. Because if there was a way he could make something like this happen, he dang sure would have.
“Wayne! Please tell me you are seeing the same thing I am, and this is not a bad mushroom trip…”
Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I refocus on the creature now peering over at me in confused amusement. I guess he’s never seen anyone yell at the sky before, and then it dawns on me.
Why is he smirking?
Can he understand me?
Taking a deep breath, I force calmness into my voice, so I don’t come across as a ninny and ruin my shot at my first sentient interspecies interaction.
“Erm. Hello? Is your friend okay?”
Pale green eyes with slit pupils widen in surprise at my question before its fearsome face creases in a macabre version of a smile, and a smooth, deep voice replies.
“Many thanks for asking about Aercek. From what I can tell, he’s merely unconscious and will be fine once he comes around.
Although he’ll wake with a fiercely aching head.
What about you? You just had a scuffle with a rather large predator. Are you harmed in any way?”
Wincing in sympathy for the pain his friend is certainly going to be in, I check myself out to ensure I’m still in one piece as the adrenaline begins to fade from my system.
“I mean… he did headbutt a freaking grizzly bear. That species has extremely thick skulls, so yeah… I’ve no doubt he’s going to have a hell of a headache.
Thankfully, you two got here before the boar stopped playing with me.
That last swipe before your friend tackled him was the beginning of a mauling that would have killed me.
I’m going to be bruised and sore, but I don’t have any open wounds. ”
Something akin to relief flits across his face, which puzzles me. Pausing for a second, I gather my courage and ask the question that’s been burning a hole in my tongue since I realized aliens were real.
“Not to be overly forward, but what are y’all and what are you doing here?”
Surprisingly adorable fluffy ears pin flat against his head, before he winces. “Ah, yes. Not the most auspicious introduction we could have made, but in our defense, saving you from being mauled took precedence over a proper introduction.”
He must see my confusion because he rushes through the rest of his explanation.
“My name is Ahstahl,” then he gestures to the heap of fur and scales beside him, “and this is Aercek. We are warrior hunters from planet Undatfonyh, and our species is called the Dewlvrkgnari. Please rest assured, we mean you no harm.”
Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I reply. “Duh. I don’t think y’all would have gone to the trouble of saving my life if you wanted to hurt me.”
I didn’t know it was possible for a creature that looks like the perfect blend of Hollywood werewolf and bipedal dragon to look abashed, but this creature’s face is far more expressive than I would have thought possible.
“That was rather on the nose of me, wasn’t it?”
Chuckling at him, my next comment is interrupted by a low groan from the one lying on the ground. “Ahstahl, what in the gods’ name did we drink last night, frater?”
Wow, I guess male stupidity transcends species and planets.