Lazar points at the weapon.
“That’s a high-powered weapon, Natali – not some clumsy blaster. Fingerprint activated. Once you touch that Orb, it will work for you.”
Orb? Is he serious?
I glance down and confirm what he’s taking about – this isn’t a regular blaster, or laser pistol.
“This type of weapon is perfect for weaker…” Lazar bites his tongue, “I mean, smaller people – who could otherwise have a weapon taken from them and turned against them.”
The towering Aurelian steps closer.
“Here, Natali - place your finger on the Orb.”
The handle of the gun has a small circle carved out of the sleek, black material. Inside is nestled a tiny Orb.
It’s only the size of my fingernail, but the glowing, blue-black bead draws the eye to it like it’s alive.
The little nub is made from the same otherworldly material of the powerful Orb-Blades these Aurelians carry. I try to pull my eyes from the little glinting bead, but I just… can’t.
It has this deep, endless depth to it. I cover it with my index finger…
…and nothing happens.
I’d been expecting a shock, or to feel something – but I guess it didn’t work.
Lazar seems unperturbed at the lack of response.
“It’s not like a trigger, Natali. Here – point it at the wall opposite me.”
I turn, aiming for the far wall. My heart starts to beat like a drum.
I’ve never fired any type of gun before – much less an otherworldly weapon like this. I mean, I’ve heard the thump of the sentinel’s high-powered rifles, but I’d never have thought that I’d be the one with my finger on a trigger.
The wall opposite is grimy and dirty. I remember the broken support beam that Lazar is sitting on, and I suddenly imagine the other walls crumbling down around me if I blast one of the few remaining walls. I certainly don’t particularly want to get crushed by a falling building!
“Uh, Lazar? Aren’t you worried the building could cave in?”
Otho’s booming laugh fills the room.
“You’ve been living behind walls for too long. Take a risk.”
Take a risk?
A stupid, foolish risk.
Nevertheless, a smile comes to my face. I’m feeling alive for the first time in as long as I can remember.
Standing up, I focus on the wall opposite. I can’t believe what I’m about to do – but I’m still going to do it. I raise the gun nervously.
Then, I hear the footsteps of Lazar approaching from behind me. His comforting bulk dwarfs me as I stand there.
“See that black mark on the wall?” Lazar breathes – with no idea of the effect his proximity is having on me. “Aim at it, Natali. Aim at it – and then think the gun is going to fire.”
I think: Activate.
Before the thought is even fully formed, a blue-black beam erupts from the barrel of the pistol, scorching the wall in front of me like the kiss of a dragon.
I gasp out, exhilarated at the power beneath my fingertip.
Then, I gasp again – as Lazar’s huge hand comes down to rest across my shoulder.
He’s still touching me as I turn to face the powerful alien – looking up at his towering visage, giggling with exhilaration at what I’d just done.
“Did you see that?” I gasp. “I just fired a gun!”
Lazar did see that. He grins, showing his perfect, white teeth.
Gods – he looks just as handsome when he’s smiling as when he has that stern expression on his face.
Up close, it’s hard to resist him. My fingertips tingle with the urge to reach up and touch his strong, powerful jaw. I want to know what his skin feels like – whether it’s as cool and smooth as the marble it resembles.
Lazar’s smile is as warm as a crackling log fire.
“Oh, I saw it, Natali,” he grins. “If that black spot on the wall had been a person… Well, he’d be pissing himself from the warning shot you just fired…”
I turn, following Lazar’s gaze.
“…ten feet to his left.”
My cheeks burn hotly. I was nowhere close to the spot he’d told me to aim at.
“Don’t worry,” the towering warrior reassures me – his fingers squeezing my shoulder. “I’ll give you a lesson outside. For your first shot, you did great.”
“I mean, she hit the wall,” Otho scoffs. “I think that’s better than you did, your first week at the academy.”
Lazar gives his battle-brother a scathing look, and then turns back to me.
Although, I’m not looking at Lazar anymore. It takes all my effort, but I turn – pulling my eyes from the handsome Aurelian to look at the wrath my weapon wrought on the wall opposite.
I’m not going to lie – it was almost as hard to pull my eyes from Lazar’s handsome face as it had been to tear them from the otherworldly, blue-black glow of that tiny Orb.
They’re both intoxicating – hypnotic.
I shake my head, and try to focus on the wall opposite.
There’s a new black mark there – from where I scorched the wall with my mis-aimed blast. It’s far from the mark I was supposed to aim at – but, as Otho said, at least I hit the wall.
Otho’s flippancy has derailed me. What’s changed with the Aurelians?
Why don’t I feel like they’re all going to rip my clothes off at any second, and take me right where I stand?
I look from Lazar to Otho, comparing their equally perfect faces and their huge, beautiful bodies. They make me feel so small and insignificant in comparison to them – and I like it.
But things are suddenly different.
“Otho,” I murmur. “You’re not…” My cheeks burn red. “You’re not feeling the mating frenzy anymore.”
The mating frenzy.
I can barely utter those two words. I feel like even saying “mating frenzy” could set these two men off again – and as for Brennan? Well, forget about it…
Lazar listens to my words, and then narrows his eyes in confusion – as if it takes a moment for understanding to dawn on him.
“The mating
