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the big alien made or irritated
by them. It was hard to tell. He was different, not like the cat
she’d seen on the televised report. That one had been tall, but
he’d also looked much leaner and smaller than the one in her truck.
Her catman was huge, and from what little she’d felt, his body
bristled with muscles.
    She risked taking her gaze off the
road to glance over her shoulder and check on him. He’d been silent
for a while. His outline was hard to make out in the darkness. He
was half sitting on the seat, face pushed into the fresh air that
blew in through the right-side passenger window as he gazed out at
the dark scenery. A pang of sympathy struck her. She figured she
should at least offer an apology. Maybe he’d talk to
her.
    “ I’m sorry I hit you with
my truck.”
    He didn’t move or respond. He just
remained in the same position. It occurred to her that maybe he
didn’t understand what she’d said. She’d just assumed that since
the other aliens were able to speak several of Earth’s languages he
would too.
    Unsure of what she should do next,
Bethany focused on the road. The barn light up ahead meant they
were close to her house. She slowed to make the turn into the front
yard and made a mental note to close the gate later or in the
morning. His rich, velvety voice startled her.
    “ You helped me, little
female. Thank you.”
    He speaks English? She missed the gate post by inches.
    “ Uh, sure, no problem.
Sorry,” Bethany responded. She cleared her throat and tried to keep
the conversation going. “You have blood on your chest. Are you
still bleeding?”
    “ Not mine. Two four-legged
creatures attacked me. Their blood stinks.”
    “ The dogs? You hurt
them?”
    “ They led humans to the
crash. They had weapons. I killed them and ran.”
    Bethany hit the brakes and slid to an
abrupt stop in her front yard. She whipped around and glared at the
alien. “You killed the humans?”
    “ No. The dog creatures.
Others chased me. I climbed over a tall wire barrier. You knocked
me down.”
    “ Oh, okay.” Oh, god, Bethany. It’s not okay. Get a
grip. She tried again. “Well…how do you
feel right now?”
    “ Dizzy. My head hurts. I am
bruised.”
    “ So the blood on your chest
is from the dogs?”
    “ Yes,” he answered with a
harsh groan.
    Bethany didn’t want to know how he
killed them, and she hoped he wouldn’t share.
    “ Okay then, we should get
inside before someone sees you. Do you think you can
walk?”
    In the dim light he nodded dazedly.
Bethany pulled the truck as close to her front porch as possible
before she turned off the engine. For once, she was glad she’d
forgotten to leave the porch light on.

Chapter Three
     
    Moments earlier
     
    A bright light roused him and he
groaned. The pain in his head was worse now, but he ignored it. He
was flat on his back on the hard ground. A human female spoke to
him. She told him to get up. Although the feminine tone sounded
fretful and urgent, he understood she wanted to help
him.
    Vren rolled to his side in an effort
to obey. She tried to assist, but when she looped her arm around
his and pulled, his bruised muscles protested. Instinctively, he
growled in response to the pain. Despite the fact his nose was
inundated with the smell of smoke and chemicals from the crash, he
scented a brief burst of fear from the female. No doubt, he’d
scared her. It was regrettable. He hadn’t meant to frighten
her.
    He allowed her to help him to her
vehicle. Once she opened the door, he followed her instructions as
best as he could. The constant stabbing pain in his head worried
him, and he hated being in such a weak condition, but he needed to
rest. He climbed in and collapsed onto the cushioned
seat.
    Her hand on his tail
startled him, and when she pushed it between his legs, he
instinctively hissed in outrage. It was an intrusive act, not an
invitation to couple. She’s
human , his pain-addled brain reminded.
Still, he was insulted and confused,