Setting Fire to the Stars (a MM Sci-Fi Romance)

Chapter 6: Fever

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Lauren
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"Well hello there."

The man who held the gun aimed at Peter's head regarded us with a solemn expression, his wavy blonde hair shifting as he tilted his head to the side. The young man couldn't have been much older than Peter, a white dress shirt adorning his slender torso while a pair of light-brown khakis hugged long legs.

"Who are you?" the blond demanded, his gaze swerving in my direction. His bow-shaped lips twisted down in a frown, sky-blue eyes flicking to a spot behind the door. "Reese."

Another pair of legs entered my field of vision ad a tall, muscular body stepped out from behind the door. Before I could react, someone grabbed my arm and I was dragged into the room. 

"Hey!" I shouted, jerking to break free.

The rich, dark-skinned man forcibly wrestled me across the threshold and into the room.

My jaw dropped in astonishment at the decorative interior. The apartment was an extravagant loft with grey walls and a polished linoleum floor, reflecting a cozy modern design, with spotless white marble kitchen counters and beautiful decor. It must have cost a fortune to live here.

My blood ran cold when I spotted the giant pool of dried scarlet streaked across the floor behind the island.

Attempting to yank myself free, I glared at the man holding my arm. "Let me go!"

He frowned not bothering to respond before shoving me to the floor. My elbow knocked against the boards, a curse flying from my mouth as I rubbed the sore appendage. The door to the apartment slammed shut and the mystery men stalked in our direction.

Peter positioned himself between me and the gunman. "You okay?" He rasped over his shoulder, placing a hand on my knee.

"Yeah."

My stomach sank when I caught a glimpse of my companion's exhaustion. Peter's tan skin was pallid, the capillaries in eyes rimmed with red with dark circles beneath his lashes. Anxiety gnawed on me when I spotted spots of scarlet bleeding through his bandage.

Shit, he did not look good.

The brute who had muscled us into the room faced the back corner, folding his toned arms over a broad chest. I guessed him to be in his early twenties with a head of short black curls. Defined muscles stood out beneath the tight fabric of his blue jacket.

"Nice going, moron, you led them right to us," he scolded in a smoky baritone, deep hazel eyes staring down a man propped against the far wall. "Seriously, Josiah, what were you thinking?"

Josiah sighed with a resignation, running a hand through auburn hair that hung just shy of his shoulders. Dressed in combat boots and flannel jacket, he reminded me of a member of a boy band that I'd crushed on. "Calm down, Reese. I don't see what all the fuss is about. They're just normal people," he shrugged as he leaned against the armrest of a charcoal loveseat. "And they looked like they needed our help."

"Uh, yeah, until they shape-shift back into their hideous alien forms and eat our brains for dinner!" Another male voice piped up from the center of the room, far more strident than the rest.

I honestly hadn't even noticed the blond man lying on the couch until he sprung upright, blue eyes alight with curiosity. Almost identical to the man holding the gun, though his rumpled sweatshirt and lounging demeanor gave him a more laid-back attitude.