Serena's POV:

Lucas reminded me of Darien in some ways, but he was far more laidback and easygoing. He was quick to smile and laugh, although he had a bad habit of trying to get a rise out of Darien. He was lucky that Darien seemed to have more tolerance for him than for others.

Lucas also had no problem with me being human. "Sorry about earlier though, it kind of took me by surprise."

I nodded in acceptance of his apology, "It probably isn't something most people expect. You didn't react as badly as most do."

Darien sighed, "Let's change the topic, it annoys me."

Lucas stretched, "Sounds good to me. Where do you two plan to go next?"

Darien hesitated, but faint thudding sound and a panicked voice called from above. "Help us! He lost control and has Doctor Evans by the throat!"

I looked up to see the nurse from the second floor disappearing back inside. Darien was immediately on his feet, but glanced down at me, clearly not wanting to take me into what could become a fight. Lucas spoke, "I can watch her, no one has come into this garden for the past hour anyway."

Darien hesitated as his eyes flickered between me and his brother. I urged him, "Go, Alex will feel bad if he kills the doctor."

Darien closed his eyes for a moment before he started running towards the building. He wasn't using his full speed, but he was moving much faster than most Tarulk would have been able to.

Lucas sighed heavily, "I forgot how much drama can occur around a new soulbond. They get so touchy..." He glanced up at me, "But knowing my brother, you have probably experienced that first hand."

I slowly took a seat where Darien had previously sat, "It isn't easy on him, and I know the mate bond can really influence his actions at times."

"That is the mate bond. Although it sounds like you had your own share of fun. I am surprised that the bond hasn't settled yet, usually the aftereffects only last a couple of days at most."

I shrugged, "It may even be because I am human. I don't heal as fast as a Tarulk."

He nodded, "That could be. Too bad the waygates aren't working, I bet Darien would head back to Earth, even if some of those scientists are around."

"The waygates just started working recently."

He looked surprised, "Really? And you two are still here?"

"Darien really dislikes guns and they don't work here..." A gentle breeze caused a few flower petals to drift down from the tree above and join the numerous ones already on the ground. I watched them dance and spin in their descent while Lucas thought.

He eventually nodded slowly, "I can see that. An arrow he can possibly stop, but a bullet? Although if the Dranek keep advancing, we might all be forced to leave this planet."

He was really behind on the current news, although he had been out cold during those recent events.

"Lucas! You're awake!"

We both looked towards the source of the excited voice. A couple of men were just starting to jog over from the main road with relieved grins on their faces. Lucas swore softly, "Blast it. I will send them off and be right back."

He got to his feet as he jogged towards them, "Mark, Dustin! Boy, am I glad to see you two. Do you happen to know where my gear is? This place says that they don't have it..." He intercepted them and guided them towards the hospital while chattering away with them. The voices trailed off as they went around the back of the building and out of sight.

I pulled the front of my sunhat down a bit further as I remained sitting quietly on the bench. No one was in sight. Birds chirped in the bushes and a couple of butterflies fluttered between blossoms. Lucas had better get back before Darien did, or Darien would tear a strip out of him.

It was very strange to be alone. Back on Earth, it had been normal and I never thought anything of it, but since coming here, it was so rare that I could count the times on one hand. I had become accustomed to Darien always being in the vicinity as well as Saphira's almost constant presence.

An enraged scream made me jump as a large blue flash blurred past me. My heart hammered as the bond twisted in my sudden fear. I was on my feet and quickly backing away from where a pissed-off Saphira pinned what looked like a grey furry child to the ground. A roar from inside the hospital showed that Darien was on his way and woe betide anyone who got in his way.

Saphira's skin was sky blue in her anger and her hair stood on end. I stared in shock as I realized it wasn't a child, but a rather slender man with charcoal grey fur and far too many weapons...

Darien appeared at my side with a growl, his dark eyes quickly checked me over before he turned to snarl at the man, "Who sent you?!"

The pinned man growled at him and his words sounded weird with his heavy hissing accent, "We can't kill you, but we can kill that mate of yours, and it will work just as well to bring you down."

Saphira pressed her dagger against his throat, her voice was low and deadly, "Who sent you?"

The man hissed at her, "The Council mentioned nothing about a Dranek protecting the Tarulk's mate..."

Darien clenched his fists as his snarl split the air, "The Council sent you?"

The man bared pointed teeth at Darien, "There is quite a bounty on your head, although only a select number know of it."

Darien gritted his teeth as he spoke to Saphira, "Tie him up and gag him, we can question him later, once we are away from any witnesses."

She bared her teeth in agreement. The man suddenly jabbed something into his arm and his eyes rolled back in his head as he went limp. Saphira grabbed the small blade and examined it before hissing, "Poison. He had no intention of talking any more than he already did."

I closed my eyes and leaned against Darien, my stomach rolling as I realized that he had intentionally killed himself. Saphira huffed as she sheathed her dagger and stood up before turning her glare towards Darien, "I can't believe you left your brother to watch Serena. That whelp isn't even talented enough to guard an apple, let alone a singer."

Darien exhaled heavily, he was still irritated and trying to calm himself down before the bond went wild, "I know. The only reason I even considered it was because I knew you were right in that tree."

That seemed to mollify Saphira and her glare disappeared. She quickly glanced around, "I will go before someone spots me. I will be nearby, if possible." She jumped up into the flowering tree, causing a sudden shower of flower petals, and almost immediately disappeared into the dense foliage where she must have come from originally. I hadn't even known that she was in the garden...

Darien wrapped his arms around me and held me close, "I am sorry my heart. I was not aware that a Valrid was in the area, or I would not have left your side."

My eyes wandered over to the small man. He was shorter than I was by a fair bit. "That is a Valrid?"

Darien eyed up the corpse with a faint growl, "Yes. I was not aware that there were even any on this planet. They are more like assassins and can be paid for any job if enough money is offered. They are adept at sneaking up and ambushing those they are targeting."

"Darien! Serena!"

Darien snarled at the three running towards us and all slid to a sudden stop with wide eyes. Darien focused his wrath on his brother, "You said you would watch her! Where the hell were you?!"

The bond shifted on Darien's side with his growing anger, the only reason he wasn't chasing after his brother was because he had his arms wrapped around me. I leaned against his chest in an attempt to help calm him. His muscles were trembling in anger and he was clearly not impressed with his brother at this moment.

Lucas also realized that he had made a serious blunder, but he was concerned, "We heard the scream and came running, what happened? Is she okay?"

Darien pointed to the body, "A Valrid came after her."

Lucas gasped and took an involuntary step forward, "Oh no, is she okay?"

Darien gruffly replied, "She was unharmed."

Lucas glanced between me and the Valrid as he became confused, "She can't be responsible for that sound we heard, it was too loud. Who made it?"

Darien shrugged angrily and his voice was curt, "How am I supposed to know? I wasn't here."

One of the other men spoke up, "Why would a Valrid attack a Tarulk? That is against the peace treaty we hold with them."

Another one muttered, "Look at her, she isn't a Tarulk..."

"She is human?! No wonder the Valrid went after her, they detest humans." Both of them stared at me in surprise, shock, and unhappiness.

Darien glared at them and they gathered their wits. One spoke to Lucas, "We are heading back home, see you around someday..."

Both of the strangers beat a hasty retreat under Darien's unimpressed glower.