Darkside Blues: SciFi Alien Romance (Dark Planet Warriors Book 4.5) Read Free

first become aware of this dynamic when she realized General Tarak had taken Abbey as his mate.
    No-one could sway his opinion as easily as the vivacious Human.
    It was a glorious thing to behold.
    They walked down a long dark corridor until a welcoming draft of fresh air caressed her face. They’d reached the exit.
    “Sorry, chicka,” Sera murmured, as they passed through the huge glass sliding doors. “I had no idea that a single glass of wine would have such an effect on you. I thought you Kordolians were supposed to be super-strong and impervious to everything.”
    “Well, now we both know that’s not the case,” Zyara said wryly, as she became a little unbalanced on her feet. “You Humans are freaks when it comes to digesting drugs and toxins.” She blinked, realizing she’d just said that aloud.
    Zyara couldn’t believe it. How had she allowed herself to get into this state? She thanked the Goddess that General Tarak had stayed behind to be with Abbey and their newborn baby. She wouldn’t have been able to live down the dishonor of her boss seeing her in this state.
    “Whoa, there.” Arin steadied her. “Don’t worry. This has happened to all of us at some point.”
    “It has? What is happening to me, exactly?” Zyara’s words came out a little slurred. Her thoughts were becoming fuzzy.
    Jia gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Congratulations, doc,” she said. “You are officially wasted. Don’t worry. The effects of the alcohol will eventually wear off. But until they do, we’re not going anywhere. Relax, Zyara of Kythia. We’ve got your back.”

CHAPTER TWO

    Zyara leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the hot, crowded atmosphere of the club, but she still felt a little intoxicated.  
    She shook her head as she took another sip of water.
    “Feeling better?” Sera regarded her with a concerned expression, her dark brown eyes widening.
    “Yes. A little.” Zyara looked up and saw an endless stream of people flowing past. The street in front of them was busy, even at this time in the darkness-cycle.
    Bot-cars and Humans on small personalized hover-transports drifted slowly through the throng, people parting before them like swarms of those silver aquatic Earth creatures.
    What were they called again?
    Fish.
    Everything around her was bright and colorful and loud. The people rushing past turned into a blur, and the riot of colorful signs and holograms adorning the walls of nearby buildings turned the streetscape into a hyper-colored picture that was both surreal and jarring.
    Everything was moving too fast.
    Zyara watched in fascination as the crowds gave way to a convoy of black bot-cars. The vehicles had darkly tinted windows, and there were four of them in total. They rolled down the Glory Strip at a slow, even pace.
    The vehicles looked implacable and menacing, as if they wouldn’t stop for anything or anyone. The swarming pedestrians had all but disappeared from the street, providing the convoy with a clear thoroughfare.
    But to Zyara’s surprise, the cars rolled to a halt.
    A large group of Humans had surrounded the vehicles, seemingly appearing from nowhere. These Humans didn’t look like ordinary citizens. They wore a uniform of sorts; they were all dressed in dark suits, and they all carried weapons.
    “What the hell?” Arin, Jia and Sera stared at the unfolding scenario, looking decidedly uncomfortable. “We’d better get back inside.”
    “What’s going on?” Zyara’s foggy mind was taking a little longer than usual to process the scene unfolding before her.
    The Humans in suits drew their blades and guns and waited. The bot-cars started forward again, but a dark-haired woman raised her gun and fired though the front window, shattering the tinted barrier.
    Screams erupted from the crowd. Ordinary Humans started to flee. Zyara was being dragged back towards the club, the three Human women surrounding her protectively.