Serus

There wasn’t much to do while Harper and Nameless were helping her parents pack and sell everything, including their dwelling. So, Serus played Harper’s display screen game, while keeping a vigilant eye for a signal that would lead to his pathetic excuse for a father. But Serus was hardly lonely. In fact, he was having the time of his life.

Serus smiled, not caring that his character in the game got killed, while his mind drifted. Life had turned entirely around from the misery he’d lived with under his sire’s thumb. Nox was a tyrant to the outside world, but he was an absolute monster behind closed doors with his own family. Serus felt immense pride, knowing his mother was free of the man. It wasn’t just being liberated from the extreme abuse which left scars on his body that had him thrilled, he was finally reunited with his twin.

The time with Nameless was literally a dream come true. Being separated at birth from his brother had left a hollow void in Serus. And the miseries they suffered while apart, only added to the rift inside. Strangely though, the distance didn’t prevent them from finding each other in the quiet corners of their dreams. Anytime Serus found himself breaking from the strain of his torturous existence, Nameless would find him, like a calming specter, lending him the strength to go on. It was an impossible thing, but without the miracle Serus doubted he’d still be alive.

Serus scowled as he yet again found himself puzzling over the reason behind his people’s fear of twins. According to tradition, as the second born, dark twin, he should’ve been put down at birth. He held the other half of a soul that rightfully belonged to his brother. On more than one occasion, Serus felt the darkness consuming him, making him wonder if perhaps it would’ve been better if his mother followed tradition, rather than having one of them spirited away. The strange connection with Nameless brought Serus comfort, but it also gave credence to his worst fears; the superstition must be true.

I’d sooner end myself, then force Nameless to bear that weight. Serus just hoped he’d recognize the signs, before the madness took him completely. Maybe it’ll never come to pass. Serus rallied himself, shaking off his morose thoughts. The darkness didn’t grip him as hard, now he and Nameless were reunited. Serus smiled sensing his twin’s amusement, though his brother was radix away.

There was knock at the door, pulling Serus out of his head. With the loud volume on the display screen, he couldn’t pretend no one was home.

I should’ve adjusted the sound. Harper is right, I’m addicted to this foolish game, he sighed in frustration.

“Just a minute,” Serus hollered, after pausing the action on screen.

Serus put on the baseball cap he started wearing to hide his pointy ears, then peered out the hole in the door. Detective Stella Roberts stood on the porch in her tight uniform, looking entirely too good.

Why is she here? Serus wondered, though he wasn’t complaining.

He should be concerned the Earth officer was back, and while he was alone. But instead, Serus again felt the unexpected thrill shoot up his spine at the sight of the exotic little human. Serus took a moment to appreciate the way the sun made Stella’s hair look like it was on fire. He’d never seen hair so brightly colored on a female. At least not one who so closely resembled the Torvus. It was the color of passion come to life. His eyes drifted to hers. Serus thought Harper’s hazel eyes were stunning, but they were dull compared to Stella’s verdant green gaze. He couldn’t help himself as he panned lower. Her dark shirt tugged across her ample breasts, making him want to groan in appreciation. The tight chemise narrowed at her waist, then flared at her lush hips, stirring thoughts he probably shouldn’t be having about the Earth guard. Torvus females weren’t quite so well endowed.

Serus did his best to dismiss the wayward mental image Stella was conjuring, as he opened the door. He stepped onto the porch and moved so the sun was at his back. The last time he talked to the female officer, it had been dark out. This way she’d have to squint a little, and would be less likely to notice his not so human attributes.

Stella’s eyes widened, like they did the last time she saw him. Serus was well aware of how large he was compared to most human males. He smiled making sure his lips didn’t expose his sharp teeth, when the little female’s eyes roved his body. If he wasn’t mistaken, a glint of appreciation sparked in those emerald depths.

“Can I help you?” Serus asked, breaking the silence.

“Is anyone else here?”

“No.”

“You won’t mind if I check, do you?” Stella stepped into the house, and did a cursory inspection.

Serus couldn’t blame her. The last time Stella was here, he, Harper and Nameless had been discovered in a back room.

“You want a drink?” Serus asked, following her inside.

Stella smiled, and it lit up her face, making his heart stutter in his chest. Then her mien turned serious.

“No. This isn’t a social call.”

Pity.

“Serus, I have some additional questions for you. I’d like you to come to the station with me.”

“Is that entirely necessary. I’m happy to answer what I can right here.”

“Unfortunately, I must insist. It would appear whoever killed Steve Folton, came directly here. At least that’s what the canine units indicate. I would like to get your official testimony at the station.”

Well this can’t be good.

Serus debated his options as he compliantly followed Stella to her vehicle. He couldn’t raise suspicion and jeopardize their mission. But it was also unwise to go anywhere with the little guard. The moment Stella opened the rear door of the metal skiff, and he saw the caged backseat, Serus knew he had to remove himself from the situation.

Serus bolted back toward Harper’s dwelling. He regretting fleeing from the compelling female, but what option did he have?

“Freeze,” Stella yelled, as he rounded the side of the house.

Serus swiped his hand over the remote limen on his collar.

“Koyat’g fate,” he nearly roared when nothing happened.

Of all the times for there to be a malfunction!

Instantaneous fire lit up his entire body, bringing Serus to his knees. He glanced over his shoulder to see a barbed wire sticking out of his back. Stella tackled him an instant later.

“That was incredibly stupid,” she growled.

If he wasn’t so stunned by the disastrous turn of events, and the lingering pain from the electrified barbs, Serus would’ve been amused with how Stella wrestled with him on the ground, perching on his back, while her lush thighs gripped him. Despite her size, she was rather strong.

“You need to release me little female,” Serus insisted.

“I don’t think so. It’s patently clear you’re involved in my murder investigation,” Stella gritted out.

She attempted to pull Serus’ arms behind his back. As strong as she was, he was still stronger. There was no way Serus was about to let anyone restrain his wrists ever again; it didn’t matter how stunning Stella was. The baseball cap fell off in the process, revealing Serus’ ears. His shirt had also ridden up, not just exposing the lash marks on his back, but the gray hue of his skin, where it hadn’t been bleached by the light of day. Stella froze for a moment.

“What the fuck!” She burst.

It was obvious he was no longer going to be able to hide who he was from the human. Serus craned his head back and cast her a grim smile, exposing his sharp teeth.

“I do not wish to alarm you female, but you don’t know what you walked into the middle of,” he spoke in his native tongue, then repeated it in Earth English.

Stella’s eyes widened. Serus could see the rapidly fluttering pulse in her creamy neck. He truly didn’t want to scare little Stella, but he needed to drive home his point, and convince her to give up this chase.

“Wh-what the hell?” she stammered, but didn’t get off his back.

Serus refused to buck her off, and potentially harm her.

“You and I are not so very different. I am on Earth, looking for a very dangerous individual,” Serus calmly explained.

Stella blinked in confusion and shook her head.

“I don’t know if Comic-Con is in town, or you’re just a body-mod freak, but either way, you’ve just risen to the top of my suspect list, buddy,” Stella replied with renewed determination.

Serus sighed at Stella’s stubbornness. She was giving him little choice. Swiftly he flipped, so she ended up caged beneath him. Before Stella could act, Serus disarmed her. He gripped both her wrists in one hand, while examining the crude metal ordnance in the other. He tossed it into the brush, when he saw her face contort in true fear.

“You have no need to fear me,” he crooned, trying to soothe her.

“Then get off me, and give yourself up,” Stella snarled in anger, as she bucked beneath him.

Serus grinned in amusement. He liked how spirited she was, and how quickly she recovered. His smile only made her struggle harder.

“That would be unwise. I’ve already been warned of what your authorities would do to me if I’m discovered, and I’ve been tortured enough.”

Stella’s eyes darkened, her brows knitting together. Serus could tell she was picturing the scars on his back. He hated the pity reflected in her green eyes. That is not how he wanted this female to view him. It was foolish, but Serus preferred it when Stella’s eyes quickly regained their suspicious glare. Her crimson lips panted as she renewed her struggle. Serus was painfully conscious of the way Stella felt beneath him, enjoying the slight sting of her blunt nails, as they scraped at his hand.

“What am I going to do with you?” Serus mused out loud. He couldn’t allow Stella to alert her fellow guards.

“You’re going to release me. Help! HELP!” Stella began screaming.

He couldn’t have that. Serus lunged, his mouth smashing against hers. Stella’s frantic call turned into a gasp of shock. She tasted incredibly sweet, and Serus was addicted at once. He groaned, feeling Stella’s breasts heave beneath his chest. She bit his lower lip with her benign teeth, while making a disgruntled sound. Serus pulled back so he could look into her eyes. His sense of smell wasn’t as good as the Lupercalia, but it was good enough to scent Stella was outraged instead of afraid. She was as fierce as a felis, but much cuter. He’d achieved his goal. She was stunned silent, her mouth gaping.

“Don’t worry, little female. I also would never take advantage of you,” Serus chuckled, his dark blue eyes sparking. He then leaned into her ear. “Unless you ask me real nice,” he husked, enjoying the scent and silky texture of her hair.

“You… you,” Stella gasped in indignation, making Serus smile wider.

This Earth adventure had become exponentially more exciting.