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Chapter Fourteen
Humans are stupid.
Humans are weak.
Humans are prey.
The mantra ran through Kalder's head as he rang the doorbell and waited. A least there weren't any humans in the apartment. He held a bag of donuts as a tempting lure, hoping she'd open the door. Surely she could sense her kind? They came from different pods but, essentially, were the same.
The doors cracked open, the safety lock in place, and Kalder forced a smile. "Galene? Isn't that your name? Hello." He waved the paper bag in the air.
"Who are you? Oh right—Harper's couch boyfriend from the other day. Harper isn't home—she has an exam."
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Galene took a deep breath before ascending the pebbled stairs. Was she overdressed for the Grecian-themed affair? She touched the knee-length sky blue floaty skirt. She'd picked up the 1950s dress in a vintage thrift store. The ruched bodice nipped in at the waist, and the wide neckline revealed her pale collarbone, which made her feel slightly self-conscious.Aside from the fact that she never wore a dress—dungarees, jeans, and overalls made up most of her wardrobe. Many of which she'd ruined with her paints. But, at least she wore comfortable shoes—silver ballet pumps that matched a simple chain necklace. The tiny gemstone encrusted paint palette pendant was a gift her mom had given her for Christmas, and they now both had matching pendants.Galene's thick hair annoyed her. A pale flaxen strand blew across her chest, and she s
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He'd lost time while watching men flock to the siren's side. And could he blame them? Galene had looked like an ethereal vision—a sparkling gem—amongst the LA elite. Stralath couldn't look away and knew he was screwed. He also cursed his human skin which attracted females and caused a hindrance to the mission. Drusdor trailed behind Stralath, playing the perfect role as his assistant, but the asshole could whine about everything."Why do humans wear so many clothes," Drusdor muttered as they circled towards Galene. "I mean, it's as hot as Venus, and we're strolling around in numerous layers. Naked is better.""Don't you dare shed your clothes." Stralath pinned his friend with a deadly stare. "I miss the forest," Drusdor grumbled. "And snow. My peaceful time in the Himalayas. And the deep snowdrifts—reaching up to my chest and I ain't no small—""Enough, Yeti Jackass." Stralath raised a hand and dropped it when Galene met his gaze. He smil
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"You can't get out—we've reinforced the windows. We're not going to hurt you. Galene." Her panicked whimper escaped, and Stralath slowed the SUV and shifted to the right lane. "We're meeting someone on a private beach—her name is Coco, and we've been friends for decades. I think you'll like her.""You're crazy—both of you. Are you even a collector? You're a sex trafficker. Oh, my God! I was right." Galene banged on the window, ignoring the pain in her wrist.The man at the back sniggered, and Stralath shot him a glare."I'm the same as you," Stralath confirmed. "Not of this planet."Silence fell as she dropped her arm.Not of this planet.What did that mean? Same as her, how? Did he know of her weird skin—how, during her younger years, it had changed when she was scared. Did he know she was a freak? Like at eight years old, when she'd severed a finger when washing a glass.
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