Madness Unhinged: Dragons of Zalara

by ML Guida

  “Who?”

  “Detective Malloy.”

  “Agnes?” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you threatening her? I won’t let you hurt her. She’s been hurt enough.”

  Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to pursue this tidbit, but tucked it in the back of his mind. “I am trying to save her.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because the killer is going to come after her.”

  Uneasiness flittered in her eyes. “What makes you so sure?”

  “Because she’s my mate and the killer plans to kill every mate destined for Zalarians. Daidhl wants to wipe out our race.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” she said slowly.

  “No, I’m not human. I am from the planet Zalara.”

  She hung her head. “So, you think you’re from outer space?”

  “You can’t tell anyone what I say?”

  “I just said that.”

  “Yes, I am from outer space.”

  She put her hands on the table and looked at him as if he needed to be locked away. “Hoss, you’re delusional. You need help.”

  “I don’t. I can prove it.” Or at least he hoped he could. He looked around the small space. It’d be cramped, but he could transform.

  “How?”

  “You need to move away from the table.”

  She scowled. “Why? What are you going to do?”

  He opened his jacket. “They took all my weapons. I’m not going to hurt you, but I need someone to believe me. Agnes isn’t listening. She’s in danger, and I have to protect her before she gets herself killed.”

  “If I do this, will you promise to let me help you?”

  “Sure. Move against the wall.”

  She rolled her eyes, but did as he asked. Like Agnes, she thought he was nuts. Humans really did believe they were the only life in the universe. Their arrogance never ceased to amaze him.

  He carefully placed the table and chairs alongside her, blocking her escape. Not very smart on her part if he were a killer, but then again, she’d no reason to believe him.

  He blocked the door, then pulled on his dragon powers. His bones and muscles crunched and stretched. He transformed into a dragon, but he could barely fit in the tiny room. His tail was scrunched underneath him. His wings were wedged against the wall and his shoulders touched the ceiling. He’d had to bend his head so low that the tip of his nose was right in front of Kathy’s terrified face. He inhaled her fear that was mixed with a spicy perfume.

  She screamed, her eyes twice as big as a saucer. “You’re…You’re a dragon!”

  Pounding feet raced outside, then someone slammed their fists against the door repeatedly. The doorknob clicked, but didn’t open.

  “Kathy, are you all right? Open the door.”

  Hoss cringed. It was Agnes.

  The door pressed against his back-side, but his body was squished against it, preventing it from moving further than an inch.

  He quickly transformed back into a man. “Obviously. Still think I’m crazy?”

  “No, I am.” Sweat glistened off Kathy’s forehead.

  The door busted open, and Agnes and two other officers entered, their guns drawn.

  Agnes glared at him. “What the hell is going on in here?”

  Kathy shook her head. “Nothing. There was a big spider, and Hoss stepped on it.”

  Agnes still had her gun pointed at Hoss, but she looked at Kathy. “Are you sure? You’re white as a ghost.”

  “I’m fine.” Kathy sat in a chair, her hands trembling. “I have a…a….fear of spiders.”

  Agnes lifted her eyebrow. “Really? That’s a new one. Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve tried to scooped them up on a piece of paper and released them outside. When did you develop this phobia?”

  “This was one was really big.”

  Her voice squeaked like a creaky door.

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  Kathy lifted her chin. “Please, leave us.”

  Agnes slowly put her gun back into her sheath as the two other officers left grumbling out the door. She put her hand on Kathy’s shoulder. “I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”

  Her warning voice was meant for Hoss as she patted her gun.

  He wasn’t sure how he was going to convince Agnes to trust him. Every time he tried to make her believe, he pushed her farther away.

  Kathy pulled a tissue out of her purse and dabbed her forehead with her shaking hand. “Believe me, I’ll yell if I need you.”

  “Would you like a glass of water?”

  Kathy nodded. “Actually, I would.” She was breathing hard and her face was still pasty.

  “I’ll be right back.” Agnes kept the door open, as if to make sure that Hoss wouldn’t do anything stupid.

  Hoss stood against the wall, not moving, not wanting to scare Kathy again.

  Kathy glanced at him. “Just give me a few minutes.”

  “Take your time.”

  Agnes returned with the glass of water. “Here, Kathy.”

  “Thank you.”

  She gave Hoss a warily look. “Do you want me to stay here?”

  Kathy shook her head. “No, I need to talk with my client.”

  “Are you sure?” She rubbed her back. “You still look like a ghost.”

  Kathy braced her shoulders. “You’re interfering with attorney client privilege.”

  Agnes hesitated, but she left. Obviously, her trust meter for him was minus twelve.

  “Please sit down,” Kathy urged. “You’re making me a little nervous.”

  “I won’t transform.” He held up two fingers. “I promise.” He put the table in front of her and set the other chair on the other side. He sat slowly. “So, do you want to hear my story?”

  “Well, you’ve proved you’re not human.”

  He glanced up at the clock. Time was wasting away and who knew what his little detective was planning. But he forced himself to be patient. He needed Kathy’s help. “Like I said, I’m a Zalarian. We don’t mean you any harm, and the United Planet Confederation has charged us with protecting Earth.”

  “From whom?”

  “The Kamtrinians. They want to destroy all life on Earth and claim your planet.”

  She took another sip of the water, her hand shaking. “Is that who is killing the women?”

  “No. We have a protective shield that goes around your planet that they can’t penetrate. The killer is a possessed Zalarian. He used to be our peaceful navigator, but now another alien–a Mistonian–has taken over his body, forcing him to murder. I believe Daidhl is dead and only his empty shell is left behind. This creature not only kills, but feeds on fear.”

  She put her shaking fingers on her temples and rubbed them. “I don’t understand.”

  “Its food is emotions, and unfortunately, this one prefers fear.”

  “This sounds like something out of Star Trek.”

  The minutes dragged on, and he tired of this. He needed to get to Agnes, not sit glued in this chair. “I don’t know what that is.”

  He couldn’t hide the impatience in his voice.

  Kathy scooted her chair further away from the table. “Never mind. Why is it here?”

  He forced himself to keep the frustration out of his voice. “The Kamtrinians wiped out all of the women on Zalara. We’re dying as a race unless we mate with our designated mates. The Fates–our Goddesses–know who our mates are. We can’t mate with just any human.”

  “Agnes is yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is just too strange. I’m having a hard time absorbing what you’re telling me.”

  “If you don’t help me, the Mistonian will go after her. I won’t be able to mate with anyone else.”

  “I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about Agnes.”

  “I didn’t mean to sound callous.”

  She leaned back in her chair. “Let me get this straight. The two women who have been murdered were someo
ne’s intended mate on Zalara?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. Somehow the Kamtrinians have figured out how to determine our mates. Or they’ve discovered a species that can do it for them, which is disturbing. We don’t even know who our mates are until the ceremony. But our Queen said that the Mistonian had hidden abilities. I fear one is predicting the future. One he definitely has is invisibility.”

  Her face turned whiter than the walls. “You’re kidding? So, you can’t track him?”

  “It’s almost impossible. The only thing I’ve discovered is that he has a distinct smell of sourness. Here, I believe it would be like sour milk, but it’s very faint.”

  “Great, that’s not helpful.”

  He shrugged. “It’s the best I’ve got. I need you to convince Agnes to trust me. When I’ve touched her, I’ve sensed a power within her. Or maybe it’s between us. But if she doesn’t trust me, he’s going to hunt her.”

  Kathy studied him. “That’s strange you sensed a power within her. She’s psychic.”

  “Meaning?”

  “She can see the undead.”

  “That must come in handy as a cop.”

  “You would think, but definitely not here. Her brother and dad never accepted her gift. They were both cops. The police don’t believe in her ability. In fact, she gets shunned if she even mentions it. She’s very sensitive about what she can do.”

  “Humans are strange. On Zalara, this would be considered a valuable gift.”

  She turned up a corner of her mouth. “We’re not on Zalara, are we?”

  “Nope, we’re not.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  He glanced up at the ticking clock, warning him that time was of the essence. His knee bounced to the annoying rhythm. “I need to get Agnes alone with me. Will you help me?”

  “You promise not to hurt her?”

  He took her shaking hand in his and squeezed gently. “I’d never do anything to hurt her. She’s my mate.”

  She stared at him as if she were trying to decide whether he were innocent or guilty. He held his breath.

  She didn’t answer right away. The clicking clock banged away at his nerves.

  “I’ll hold you to that, Zalarian.”

  He exhaled loudly.

  She wiggled her hand out of his. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Am I free to go then?” He stood so fast he knocked the chair over. She gasped and jumped nearly six-inches out of her seat. The empty glass of water fell off the table.

  “God, you scared a year off me.” She put her trembling hand over her heart.

  “Sorry.” He nervously tapped his foot. “So, can I go?”

  She nodded. “Absolutely. Where are you staying?”

  He smiled. “I’m around.”

  “How will you contact me?”

  Her small voice betrayed that she wasn’t the self-assured attorney anymore, but she also wasn’t running screaming. He had to admit he respected her. He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll find you.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  He hated not opening his secret to Agnes first, but she forced him to play his hand. If he couldn’t get her directly, he’d get her through the back door.

  7

  Time’s up.

  Daidhl sat comfortably in Kathy Strong’s car. The fool, Anonghos, walked her out of the police station and escorted her toward him. The moonless night darkened the shadows except for the glowing street lights that glistened off the car windows. But he wouldn’t need to hide in the dark.

  No one could see him.

  He was invincible.

  He licked his lips, anticipating both her fear and watching the life slowly leave her eyes. He ran his thumb over his newly sharpened blade.

  Hoss opened the door for Kathy, who slid onto the leather seat.

  Daidhl inhaled her spicy scent that would soon change to fear, but then Hoss stiffened; his nostrils flared.

  “Kathy, get out of the car.”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  Before Daidhl could feed, Hoss grabbed Kathy’s arm and hauled her out. “He’s in the car. Run!”

  Daidhl hissed in fury.

  Kathy screamed, running toward the police station. Ten police officers raced out, guns drawn.

  Hoss pulled out a silver box from his belt.

  Daidhl’s heart froze. Damn it––an entrapment cage.

  Hoss aimed the cage at him. Fear jerked through Daidhl. He’d been captured once before. He picked up Kathy’s purse and threw it at Hoss. Luckily, Hoss dropped the cage.

  Daidhl jumped out of the car. He flew into the night, screaming over his shoulder. “You’ll pay for that, Zalarian! When I kill your mate, I will feast on her beating heart.”

  Unfortunately, heavy footsteps pursued him. His little trick had bought him little time. Hoss followed him like a Pack Ranger, who were the best hunters in the universe. The bastard swept back and forth, getting closer and closer. A stinging beam hit Daidhl in the leg. He gasped at the throbbing pain. A tracker ray pulled Daidhl toward the Zalarian. Gritting his teeth, he skidded his heels into the ground. The surge of energy glossed over his skin, making every hair on his head stand on edge. A glisten of sweat broke all over his body. If he hadn’t been in this form, he’d have been sucked into the dreaded cage.

  Drawing on every ounce of power he possessed, his body trembled as he slowly edged away from Hoss.

  Not good enough.

  He managed to run around the corner of a building, which lessened the ray, giving him time to transform. In a split second, he changed into a bag lady. His body was bent over, his hands gnarled, and he released a human stench of not bathing for weeks.

  Hoss skidded to a halt, shutting the dreaded entrapment box. He barely gave Daidhl a glance. Daidhl couldn’t help but pat himself for his clever disguise.

  Hoss sniffed the air. “Ma’am, did you see anyone run past here?”

  Daidhl shook his head. “No.” He stretched out his palm. “Do you have any money to help an old woman to stay warm?”

  Hoss reached into his jacket and pulled out some coins. “These are all I have.”

  He gave him two silver coins, two silver coins that Daidhl would use to cover Kathy Strong’s dead eyes.

  The Zalarian ran down the street without a clue.

  Daidhl smiled a toothless grin––just like in the café with all the scent of brewing coffee and steaming milk, Hoss couldn’t detect him.

  Daidhl could be a young man, a homeless woman, or Hoss’s worst nightmare.

  8

  Agnes sat next to Kathy, who held her trembling hand tightly. She’d never seen her so shaken. Her eyes were wide, and she struggled to breathe.

  “Kathy, take a deep breath.”

  Tom and several officers interrogated Hoss again while others, along with the captain, surrounded Kathy.

  “Tell us what happened,” the captain demanded. “What did the bastard do to you?”

  Kathy raised her head. “He…he…saved my life. The killer was…in my car.” Tears slid down her ashen cheeks, and she gasped for air.

  Agnes put her hand over Kathy’s. “Did you see what he looked like?”

  “No,” she sobbed. “If Hoss hadn’t been there…”

  She choked on the words and struggled to gain her composure.

  The captain looked up at his men. “Spread out and look for anyone suspicious.”

  She squeezed Agnes’s hand. “I need…to…talk…to you alone.”

  “Of course.” Agnes looked up. “If you’ll excuse us, Captain…”

  He gestured with his arm. “By all means.”

  Agnes wrapped her arm around Kathy’s quaking body and slowly escorted her to the same interrogation room that she’d been in earlier with Hoss. Kathy lay her head on Agnes’s shoulder. It was as if this hardened woman had turned into a little girl, but then, she might have just survived being the killer’s next victim.

  Agnes needed to i
nspect Kathy’s car before forensics got there to see if she could pick up any images.

  Kathy slowly unraveled her hands from Agnes’s. “Close the door.”

  Agnes complied, then sat across from her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  Kathy wiped her wet cheeks with a tissue from her purse. “First, do you think I’m sane?”

  Agnes frowned. “Excuse me?”

  She blew her nose. “You heard me.”

  “I’ve known you all of my life. Yes, I think you’re totally sane. Why?”

  She laughed, then stuffed the tissue into her purse. “Well, I’m…about to blow…your mind.” Her voice cracked.

  Between them, Kathy had always been the strong one, but her demeanor put Agnes’s every nerve on edge. “So, tell me?”

  “I’m breaking attorney and client confidentiality in what I’m about to tell you.”

  Even though they were good friends, she’d never known Kathy to do this before. “I’m listening.”

  “The killer isn’t human.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly, wondering what the hell Hoss had done to Kathy. “Then what is he?”

  “He’s a Mistonian possessing another alien. Look, I know it sounds crazy.”

  Agnes silenced her tongue. Kathy had never made fun of her whenever she saw a ghost. It was her turn to listen.

  “In this very room, my client transformed into a fifteen-foot dragon.”

  “What?” Agnes narrowed her eyes. Kathy’s pupils weren’t dilated, but her skin glistened with sweat. “Did he put something in your drink?”

  Kathy held up her trembling hand. “No. I’m not on anything. In fact, you can test my blood, if you want. I’m telling you the truth, Agnes.”

  “You’re telling me Hoss is a dragon.”

  “From Zalara. Their women were wiped out by the Kamtrinians, their deadly enemy, and he’s here to retrieve his mate.”

  A gnawing suspicion bit into Agnes’s insides. “So, who is his mate?”

  Kathy looked around the room as if she was deciding how to decorate the crammed brown room. She finally set her gaze on Agnes. “You.”

  This time, Agnes burst out laughing. She could barely breathe, her face burned hot, and tears swelled in her eyes.