Chapter 48: Alien Bugs...Ewwww

Fear rippled through Taurian, not for himself, but for Dena. Had he saved her life to have theirs both end now? His mouth dried thinking how this was his war...his enemy...and he'd brought both to her doorstep.

The empty hallway behind the scorpions was just out of reach. He had to get Dena to safety. It was his fault that she was endangered by these monsters. She had no defense against them.

If she got hurt, he would never be able to forgive himself. It had been suicide to come here and murder to bring her here. He deserved to die and would be happy to do so if he knew she'd be safe.

The scorpions chittered their jagged, black pincers. Dena gripped his shoulders, her eyes wide, but not at him. The floor was covered in scorpions who blocked their exit. The smell of Dean's fear, sharp and burning, filled his nose.

"Climb into my arms."

She balked, "Why? What good would that do? I knew I should've grabbed a knife when we got here."