My Alien Assassin

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

ARID KOVELI

Like a jilted lover, I waited outside his house. I hid in a tall oak tree. Its leaves were wet, full, and sticky as early morning dew ran down its trunk. It was a beautiful day with both suns peeking out behind fluffy clouds. It made me furious. Instead of enjoying the day, I was camped in the tree like a chimpanzee from Earth. My target had been avoiding me. Normally, I would blow his house up, his vehicles and his favorite hangout spot. I was relentless when it came to killing my targets. However, I couldn’t do any of those things this time. My target was Cherwill Diazel.

On paper he looked like an upstanding Zucurian citizen, but he had a dangerous hobby. He loved making explosives for terrorists and extremists. He had managed to place and detonate an extraordinarily complex bomb at Amonthes Private School. The same school that King Jado’s son, Neobe, attends. Cherwil’s son, Teve, attends there also. He and Neobe were best friends.

The sins of the father are the sins of the son.

Teve was innocent even though I suspected he helped his father. According to the goddess, he wasn’t accountable for his actions until he had lived past seven planetary rotations. There was a line I didn’t cross, and children was one of them. Hence, the reason I was in the tree sweating my balls off.

I knew all too well the vulnerability and pain of being at someone else’s mercy. As a child you don’t pick your parents or the environment that you’re raised in.

What kind of parent detonates a bomb at his son’s school? I’m a monster but even I wouldn’t do that.

His car pulled up and I aimed the sniper laser blaster. My finger was on the trigger as the back of his skull was in my sights. I started to press it when the passenger side door slammed, and Teve strolled up beside him. Swallowing a curse, I lowered the gun as I watched Cherwill walk his son up the lawn and into the house.

Packing up my rifle, I climbed down the tree and made my way to my car parked a few blocks away. After making sure it hadn’t been tampered with, I drove to Jado’s palace. Clearing security, I parked, noticing a canary yellow luxury car parked next to me.

Glancing at the car, then at the security guards, I smiled and opened the door. A feminine voice that wasn’t Phoebe’s made me frown. A high-pitched male voice spoke next, and I silently stalked inside. King Jado was standing behind Phoebe with his hands clasped behind his back. She held up two soft blue baby outfits.

Osric was gushing more than Phoebe on the material the baby clothing was made from. I bet my life’s blood that the flamboyant car outside belonged to him. As outspoken and bold as he was, he had welcomed Phoebe to Zucury, and that made him alright in my book. Anyone could smile in your face and stab you in the back, but it was rare to have real friends.

My lips turned upward in a smile. I knew I was smiling because my cheeks always felt weird. I rarely got the opportunity to smile. I knew Phoebe was pregnant. There were subtle changes to her body and mood that I recognized. Her behavior created drastic changes in Jado. He became impatient, moody, and bloodthirsty.

Jado might be King of Zucury, but he was my best friend. We knew each other well since we were like brothers.

Clapping Jado on the back, I winked at Phoebe. “You’re looking as radiant as ever.”

She rolled her eyes and threw her arms around my neck. “You know that I look like a whale.” Patting her stomach, I sat down in the chair.

I looked at Osric and frowned. “What is a whale?”

He rolled his eyes and held up his hand. “Don’t pay her any attention. A whale is an aquatic marine mammal that weighs at least 150 tons.”

Jado frowned. “That doesn’t sound like something you should compare yourself to. A queen would never be referred to as a whale.”

Phoebe smirked. “I would. I’m not vain and I’m referring to my weight gain. My body has changed since you and I first met.”

Jado grasped her tiny hand in his. “You weren’t carrying our youngling when we first met. It doesn’t matter how much weight you gain or lose. My love for you is unconditional.”

Leaning against the wall, I watched Jado express his love for his human queen, Phoebe. It was a wonderful thing to behold. He deserved to be happy. My mood was sour and had only marginally improved. A toilet flushed and the door opened. Before I turned around, I caught a soft scent of rose petals and cupuacu butter. My pulsed leaped and I felt my heart ramming against my rib cage. Her hair was in its naturally curly state with large corkscrew curls cascading down her back. It was like the goddess molded every perfect shape and quality together and housed it in her.

Amber Takach would be mine.

I had never seen any female with a caramel smooth complexion like hers. She was thick, curvy, and voluptuous in all the right places. When I first laid eyes on her protecting Phoebe, she stirred something deep inside me that I didn’t know still existed.

Her wide amber eyes held me enthralled.

A jolt of pure energy surged through my body. My breath caught as I felt another heartbeat pulse to life within my chest.

Jado stood and walked over to her. “Amber, this is prince Arid Koveli.”

I shot him a side glance at the word prince. We all were except for him. He was now king, but we never introduced each other like that.

I held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Her eyes traveled down the length of me. “I didn’t know there were other royals here on Zucury.”

Walking closer to me, she took a seat next to Phoebe. She smiled as Amber leaned over and kissed Jado. I wasn’t used to their public displays of affection, but I liked it. It must be nice to be so carefree.

I smiled. “I don’t live on Zucury. I’m from the planet Kedai.”

Tilting her head up she stared at me. “I have never heard of that planet. How far is it from here?”

Shifting, I leaned toward her, inhaling her alluring scent. “It is a much smaller planet than Zucury, and it isn’t very friendly to outsiders.”

“He’s being modest. Kedai would resemble your Hawaii. It is surrounded by water and hot all year around,” said Jado.

“I love hot weather. I went to Hawaii once. It was the best time of my life. I’d love to visit Kedai if the planet lets me,” said Amber.

“I’m sure that could be arranged.”

Osric clapped his hands. “I never got to go to Hawaii, but I’d love to go to Kedai. I love to travel whenever I can.”

Phoebe snorted. “Osric, you’ve seen more of the galaxy than Amber and I combined.”

Osric stood. “I have to get back to take care of that thing. You stay and enjoy.” He winked at Phoebe and hugged her tight.

Osric didn’t have anything to do. He was giving me time with Amber. That was a precious gift I wasn’t about to question.

Amber stood up. “What thing? If you must go, I can leave with you.”

“I can drop you off whenever you are ready to leave.” I held out my hands in a harmless gesture.

Several houtaras passed. I needed a distraction. Every time I looked at her, there was pure electricity flowing through me. My body felt different. I needed to go, yet I couldn’t force myself to leave her presence. It was as if she owned me.

Turning to Jado, I looked around. “I wanted to see Neobe before I left. Is he here?”

“Yes, he should be coming home any mintos,” said Jado.

The hair on my nape prickled. Neobe was a great kid. He was the sole heir for Zucury, and that made him a target. His best friend was Teve, which was unacceptable, but there was nothing we could do about it. My hands became clammy as I wondered if he had snuck out of the house and went to see Teve.

Cherwill must die.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she regarded me. “Do you like children?”

I shrugged. “I don’t dislike them.”

Children are not in my future. By the time I am king and there is a need for me to have an heir, my sister will have had kids. Any of her children would be better than any spawn I could ever produce.

“What about you. Do you have any children?”

Just then the security guards opened the palace doors, and Neobe and Teve walked through them. I looked at Jado, who dropped the cup in his hands. It shattered into pieces and Phoebe shrieked.

She grabbed his hand. “Are you alright?”

Jado stood, moving swiftly to his son. There was a look of guilt on Neobe’s face, but he moved toward his father.

“Teve is with me, and I hoped you would let us play in my room for a few houtara father,” said Neobe.

Jado placed a smile on his face. “We have company so now is not a good time.”

He snapped his fingers. “Take Teve home.”

A dozen guards quickly moved toward Teve. Everyone turned as more guards escorted Cherwill inside. He looked skittish and nervous, as he wrapped his arms around Teve.

Cherwill narrowed his eyes at his son. “I was worried when I came home, and you were not there.”

“I came to my friend’s house. I wasn’t going to stay long,” said Teve. He shuffled from foot-to-foot chewing on his pinkie.

Cherwill walked Teve to the door. “Thanks for keeping my son safe.”

He emphasized the word safe which meant he knew he wasn’t safe.