Crunchy and not in a pleasant way. Taurian spat out the ice cream and pink stick. Why do humans eat this stuff? Sure, the smell was divine of mint in the shop, but the texture and flavor of the pink thing was bland.

Taurian sucked at his back tooth and dislodged a piece of the pink utensil the woman had given him with the ice cream. “Why would anyone serve something that inedible with a dessert?”

“Guess they don't have silverware on Renjer, huh.” She dragged him across the street to her car. “Next time I'll buy you a cone.”

“What's that delicious smell?” He pulled out of her grasp and followed the smoky scent around a corner.

“Wait, Taurian,” she squealed behind him.

Now that was something he could eat by the truckload by the smell of it. He turned two corners and skidded to a stop in front of a yellow bannered cart. Dena plowed into his back.

“Ow!” She stepped away and rubbed her chin. “Where are you going?”

“Here.” he gestured to the yellow sign. “The smell reminds me a bit of wild boars that roam our lands.”

“You gonna buy anything, Mister?”

“Yes, give me your whole wagon.”

“No!” Dena screeched out. “Sorry, he's from out of town. How about two hot dogs with everything.”

Taurian grumbled as the vendor placed two small links into two rolls that wasn't enough food to feed a hatchling.

“Thanks.” Dena paid for the food and handed both to Taurian. “C’mon.”

He followed her back to her car and took a bite of the food. The smoked, salty flavor hit his tongue along with a sweet and spiciness. Within seconds, both hot dogs, as Dena had called them, were gone. She spun on her heel and took off down the street in the direction of where they left her car.

Taurian shook his head at her refusal to cater to his every whim. Most females did whatever he wanted. He took a step after her. But another scent drew his attention. This one feral and smelling of rotting meat and mold. His gaze snapped to a dark walkway between two buildings. Was it the Tryn that had crossed over to Earth with him?

A muffled scream sounded from the alley and Taurian bolted forward. Someone needed his help and if it was the Tryn, then a human was no match for it.

Rounding the corner, Taurian found the beast bent over a woman. Her hair was spread across the ground above her head and the giant Tryn raised its clawed hand, ready to strike. Taurian collided into the Tryn. Both smashed into the ground and away from the woman. She scrambled up and ran out of the alley, not looking back once.

The Tryn backhanded Taurain. He flew into the brick building, his vision blurring.

“Die, Prelk scum!” Taurian pushed away from the wall. His fists swung at the demon. In Taurian’s human form, the Tryn towered over him by a foot and a half. But he didn't care if the monster was a hundred feet tall, it was going down.

Taurian pounded the demon’s flesh. The sound of fists on meat echoed in the alleyway.

In a split second, the Tryn dodged his swing. His elbow came up and clipped Taurian under his chin. Then the enemy snatched up Taurian as though he weighed nothing and smashed Taurian’s back against his knee. Pain shot down into Taurian's legs. And when he was dropped to the ground, the Tryn kicked him over and over in the stomach. Taurian couldn't get enough air into his lungs. Every stomp sent pain whirling through him to where he couldn't think much less breathe.

“Stupid, stupid, Renjerian,” the Tryn spat. “I almost had that female. She would've birthed a legion for me within a fortnight.” It kicked Taurian again. “But you had to interfere. Guess that means I'll have to take your woman as a replacement.”

Dena! “Touch her and I'll rip your tail off and choke you with it,” he gasped, catching his breath as every muscle in his body convulsed in pain.

“Wrong, she'll embrace me.” It yanked his hair, forcing Taurian to look into it. Razor fangs snapped near Taurian’s. “You see I am excellent at deception.” It bit into Taurian's shoulder and he bellowed, struggling to get away, but he couldn't move his lower body.

The Tryn pulled away. Blood dripping down its pug-nosed face. Then its face contorted, altering shape until Taurian stared back at his human face.

“Thanks for preparing her for me, Renjerian.” It smiled too widely for a human. “I can smell you on her.”

“Taurian,” Dena yelled from several yards away. “This isn't funny. Come out now.”

Before Taurian yelled a warning, the Tryn chopped his hand into Taurian's throat. An audible crunch sounded then raw pain struck Taurian. He ignored the lashing in his throat and hollered for Dena, but only a squeaky sound trickled out.

“Enjoy humanity, little Renjerian.” The Tryn laughed. “I know I will.”

Helpless, Taurian watched a mirror image of himself dash out of the alley.

No! He dragged himself forward with his arms. He had to get help. Dena wouldn't know the demon wasn't him. It would hurt her. Taurian pushed the jumble of images aside of what would happen and gritted his teeth. Somehow he had to warn her. Protect her. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself. Dena had been innocent...only asking for something when she really needed it...giving him a place to stay when she didn't know him. He was an alien and a dragon yet she tended his wounds and fed him. Her touch and kiss had been electric, charging his blood. He held onto the memory of how she tasted, dragging himself into a hunched position. He lurched out of the alley and onto the sidewalk.

The Tryn had vanished. Would Dena be waiting in her car? Or had the demon already reached her?

Taurian pushed forward to where she had parked her car. Blood coated his side and ran down his face. The humans seeing him gave him a wide berth. Some used their phones and called an ambulance.

If only he had his wings, he could get to Dena and protect her. Kill the damn Tryn. Taurian collapsed against a wood framed building. A painted black skull on the sign over his head. It swung back and forth or maybe that was just his dizziness making it seem that way.

He tried to lift his head, but pain slammed into his skull. Keep going damn it! Dena was in danger. The beast would rip her apart while Taurian lay helpless here on this blasted street. He shoved the pain aside and rose, holding onto the wooden pillar outside the black skull shop.

“My, my,” said a woman. “You sure are a long way from home, dragon.”

He tensed. How did this woman know what he was? Blinking against the pain thrashing his skull and side, he focused on her. She was an elder woman with grey curly hair and taupe skin. She wore a black shawl and a burgundy skirt. Yet her dark eyes seemed ancient like looking into the dark, moonless night. Was she from a line of slayers? After his kind had run out the Tryns from Earth, then the humans turned on them. Hunting Renjerians like beasts.

“Sorry, I must go.” He didn't have time for a slayer or whatever she was. Dena was in trouble. He stepped off the porch and the old woman snagged his arm.

“You're not leaving until I get what I need from you.”

Before he could react, she blew a powder into his face.

His vision darkened. On his mind was only one word...a name...Dena.