Hanna wanted to cry for her alien brother.

He’d tried to follow the captain’s orders. Then he was attacked by his commander for trying to contact the mothership to get corrected orders, only to almost die because of space debris! Holy shit, he’d been through a lot!

“But I’m not sure you can trust orders from someone who was disobeying orders.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you still going through with killing this prince when we can talk to him, and possibly resolve things peacefully?”

He groaned. “Hanna. It’s not that simple. We’re at war. If I approach him and reveal myself, he could try to kill me first. He might even agree to a ceasefire. Then the next day, I’ll be dead in my bed. Do you want to see that happen?”

She stared at him in openmouthed horror. “Of course not. And I know that this might be wishful thinking...”

“And I also think about how, if he discovers my identity, he’ll try to kill you as well, just for being near me.”

“That wouldn’t happen, would it?”

“Lusundai have genetic memory. The hatred between our species runs deep. Even if I was okay with letting him live, his hostility for my kind would make it impossible for him to let me live. Do you understand?”

She didn’t want to agree. There had to be a better way then all this killing. But she was also a realist at heart. This was between two non-human species with cultures she knew nothing about. Realistically, she would have no way to help him at all.

“Okay, Kyle. If you feel you have to kill him, then I understand. But we need to find out what he did with the original Brandon first.”

He shook his head. “What if he impregnates someone before that happens? We have to kill him as soon as we find him.”

She shook her head. “No. My brother is already having months of his life taken from him because of an accident. I don’t want another person to have their life stolen from them if I can help it.”

He grimaced. “Hanna.”

“I know you saved him. And I thank you for that, but it doesn’t change the fact that poor Kyle is missing out on life.”

“Are you saying you’d rather have him here than me?”

She blinked at him. “No. I’m not saying that.”

“Then, if you had to choose between us?”

She squinted at him. “Are you trying to tell me that—”

“Once Kyle reappears, I’ll have to take over someone else’s life.”

She frowned.

“So, who would you rather have in your life. Me or the original?”

Her temple pounded and a headache started to form. “Let’s talk about this later.”

“I’m really disappointed that you didn’t immediately choose me,” He said. She felt the soft tentacle slide up the front of her shirt.

Two people slowly meandered on the sidewalk nearby. As they came closer and closer, she stared at Kyle with wide eyes. “Hey! Not here. Not right now.”

“Why?” The tip slowly made its way up to her clavicle.

She pointed to the man slowly being helped by a familiar muscular woman. The same one who accosted him in the library. “Because our possible Lusundai prince is here and drunk off his ass. I think he might get molested. We should help him.”

***

Kyle glanced at her, flabbergasted. “You can’t be serious.”

She sent him the brightest grin he’d ever seen. “And it’s a good opportunity to scan him.”

“Okay. You’re right.”

He shoved his device back into his backpack, stepped out of the car and slung his bag over both shoulders. Once he’d wiggled a tentacle inside it, he slowly made his way toward Brandon and the girl who half carried him.

“Hi, I’m Brandon’s classmate. Do you need help?” Kyle asked but threw one of Brandon’s arms over his shoulder to take some of his weight. The man’s breath stunk of alcohol. And he even had a little of throw up on his shirt.

There was also another chemical scent that gave him a bad feeling.

Hanna was right. Brandon was drugged.

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “No, I’m good.”

Hanna stepped over as well. “You say that, but he looks pretty heavy.”

She glared at Hanna. “You again!”

Hanna laughed. “Oh, Hi Danni. Are you trying to sexually assault Brandon again?”

Danni blushed furiously. “That was... because I didn’t have any other way. If I’m not pushy, he’ll never step out of his comfort zone to go out with me." She huffed. "Besides, he was enjoying it before you came alone.”

“Doesn’t make it any less sexual assaulty. I suggest you leave. My brother will take him up to his room.”

Her face turned purple but she left him in Kyle’s arms and stalked off. Of course, she sent them a warning glare first.

“You think she was planning on taking him to his room, sleeping beside him, then claiming that they’d done it?”

Hanna shook her head. “No. I think she was really planning on— well, who knows... Yeah, we’ll go with your version.”

***

They once more had an awkward conversation with Brandon’s stepmom, but they managed to get him into his room.

Kyle knew that his could be his best chance to kill the Lusundai. He was drugged. He was weak. But this was also the absolute worst time! Brandon’s mom had followed them to make sure they didn’t steal anything or something. And Kyle also didn’t know where the human Brandon was currently located.

And he still needed to look at his device in order to get information from it and confirm his suspicions. So, despite knowing that this was his best opportunity, he left.

As soon as he sat inside the car, he brought out his device and stared at the information. Right there at the bottom “Genetic Match Found! Warning! This creature has Lusundai genetics.”

He glanced at his sister and closed his eyes. Fuck, He didn’t want her to hate him. But he had to go through with this.

She caressed his shoulder. “He’s the Lusundai, isn’t he?”

He nodded.

“I wonder if that’s why...” She blushed, “Never mind.”

“Oh, no you don’t!” He gently grabbed her chin and angled it so she’d have to look into his eyes. “That’s why.... What?”

“Ah... I helped him in the library the other day. He was, sort of being sexually assaulted by Danni. And I found him..." She blushed. "...way more... attractive than I ever have before. Like, if I weren’t with you, I might have asked him out even knowing he was a douchebag. Unnaturally, attracted to him. It wasn't that I wanted to feel that way though!”

His sister seemed a little panicked. He was tempted to joke with her but instead he went straight to the point. “It wasn't your fault. Lusundai pheromones have that effect on other creatures to help encourage their race’s propagation."

Hanna sighed, looking relieved.

"There was this story told by the last member of a now extinct species that mentioned that the first Lusundai who had set foot on their planet had taken over the life of a very rich yet ugly man. The rich man had had many women sleep with him before, but after the Lusundai took his place, practically all the women in the city wanted to do him—and not just for the money. Actually, compared to that example, the Lusundai pheromones he’s emitting are on the light side.”

“Either that, or maybe they don’t work that well on my species, but still work?”

He shrugged and, under the cover of the night, gently kissed her lips. They were soft and tasted delicious. He grinned. “Either way, I want you to stay away from him, Hanna. I don’t want to risk us being wrong and you falling into his arms.”

She chuckled and stretched. “After experiencing the hot effects of your excretions? I think it’s safe to say that I’m not going to be all that affected by some dumb pheromones.”

Kyle had the urge to kiss her again. But he promised he’d do that later. Right now, they needed to get home so he could try and figure out what the fuck happened to the original Brandon.

He put the car in drive and started back. When they reached a spot near the business district, they passed a girl with twin hair drills who looked suspiciously like Tina Starfort. The girl ran into the local chapel.

Suddenly, the literal space in front of them split and a mass of purple demonic-looking tentacles spread out and captured their car.