To Love A Hitman

by Randell Mccreary

  “I think it’s perfect,” I responded as I walked over to the bed and I traced my hand along the lace design.

  A knock came to the door, startling me as I stepped behind the female. My actions seemed to amuse her as she smiled and turned towards the other Tlalu that had entered. “What is it, Marcus?” the female asked as she politely folded her arms.

  “I’m here to escort the Earth woman to dine with Herald,” Marcus replied, another god-like figure with toned muscles. His bright eyes examined me a moment before shifting back to the female beside me.

  “Tell him that she is not ready yet. You may wait outside and I will report to him immediately,” she said in return.

  “As you wish, Tabatha,” the male replied before he left, shutting the door behind him.

  Tabatha sighed as she faced me once more. “It seems I must go. But once you have dressed, Marcus will be outside to show you the way. There are more garments in the dresser if you should need them, and you’ll find a suitable bathroom right through there,” she explained as she pointed to a nearby wooden door.

  “Thank you so much. I can’t imagine what my life would be like right now if you all hadn’t come and rescued me once that monster showed his true form,” I managed to say before she left. A part of me wanted to break down and cry, while the other half wanted to seek revenge for what had happened to me. But all I could do was tighten my fists as I looked away from Tabatha.

  “You are safe now, my child,” she said as she circled her long arms around me and pulled me close for a light embrace. She smelled heavenly, like fresh picked roses. I felt at peace in that moment and when she let go and left the room, I had confidence that things would go alright when I went to dine with this Herald I kept hearing about.

  Chapter Four

  I took my time in the room, slowly preparing for the meeting I would have with the captain of the spaceship I was currently on. In the bathroom I stripped of my clothes and stepped into the old fashioned claw foot tub and turned on the water that came from brass pipping. It had been a long time since I simply sat in a tub, and thoroughly enjoyed the hot water as it caressed my skin though the skin around my wrists and ankles still felt sensitive. I noticed a few unlabeled bottles near the tub and took the time to smell them all, settling with a scent that was a mixture of peppermint and lavender. I poured the liquid into the tub and rubbed some on my arms and legs, the room quickly filling with the scent and a heavy cloud of steam. I could have relaxed in that bath for an hour, but knew I shouldn’t keep my host waiting too long.

  Once I felt I was thoroughly cleaned, I stepped from the tub and wrapped myself in a lavish bath towel that was soft to the touch. The cabinet over the porcelain sink was filled with an array of bottles, and though it was tempting to see what they all smelled like, I already felt like I reeked of what I had put in the bath and probably didn’t need to smell like anything else. So as I wrapped the towel securely around me, I stepped back into the bedroom and attempt to get dressed in the relic of a dress.

  After finding a few more supporting garments, like a petticoat, a corset, and what I assumed was underwear, I was able to slip the dress over my head and lightly pull it down my body. As I stood before a mirror, I couldn’t help but rub my hands down the front of the dress, amazed by both its beauty and the way it accentuated my chest. Even though it felt rather constricting with all the layers and the corset, I now understood why ladies from the previous two centuries bothered with such things.

  After pinning my hair back with a few jeweled combs I had found in the dresser and finding a pair of white shoes that felt like slippers, I walked to the door and opened it to find Marcus still waiting for me on the other side. When he saw me, his eyes did widen as a small smile crept over his face.

  “What are you smiling at?” I asked as I felt the heat rise in my checks.

  “You look like a completely different creature from what I did first witness when I came into the room. You must have some sort of transformation power,” Marcus replied as he held out his arm for me to take. I lightly placed my hand on his arm as he guided me down the hallway, the layers of the dresses swooshing around my legs. I thought for a few moments on how I could reply to Marcus’ observation, but decided to keep quiet and let him think what he wanted about me. It was a fun idea to know he thought I had some sort of power.

  Eventually I was led to a dining room, large enough to sit fifty people comfortably. A long wooden table stretched across the middle of the room, already decorated with tableware with large white candles decorating the center portion of the table with light. Enormous chandlers hung from the ceiling, reflecting light off the crystals that did hang from them. It was like stepping into a fairy tale and being taken to the king’s castle for dinner. At the end of the table sat a male Tlalu that did stand as we neared.

  “Herald, might I introduce you to the Earth woman, Mary,” Marcus said as he bowed towards the male, his blonde hair flowing freely down his shoulders. Herald bowed in return before he pulled back a chair from the table and turned his bright gaze onto me.

  “Would you like to join me for dinner, Mary?” Herald asked as he held the back of the chair in his hands. Marcus turned and walked away, leaving the two of us alone.

  “Yes, please,” I managed to say as I sat in the chair he held out for me. He then sat back down in the chair at the head of the table. The moment he sat down, food appeared onto the table. It first looked like holograms that soon materialized, the room instantly filling with an array of sweet and savory smells. Though I did not recognized any of the foods that ranged in shades of dark purple, to orange and yellow, my rumbling stomach told me that I needed to at least try something.

  “Here, let me help you get started,” Herald said as he picked up my plate and started placing varies foods on top of it. “Though I’m sure you’ve never tried Tlalu food before, I’ll make sure you get to try the best of it.”

  “It all does look amazing,” I said, trying to pleasant and polite. The last thing I wanted to do was offend the aliens that currently had me on their ship. If I was going to find a way home, then I had to win over these aliens and convince them to return me at least back to my own planet.

  When Herald set the plate back in front of me, I picked up my fork and tried a purple onion looking thing that tasted like the best stake you’ve ever had. I sighed deeply as I chewed the tender bite, enjoying the flavors it had been cooked in. When I heard Herald chuckle, I looked over at him as he sat and watched me.

  “It’s really good,” was all I could think to say as Herald prepared his own plate and together we ate in relative silence. When I had eaten most of what was on my plate, I noticed a painting on the far side of the wall of a planet that looked familiar. I pated my lips on a cloth napkin I found on the table, and finally turned my attention back to my host.

  “That planet looks like Earth,” I observed, hoping to learn more about Herald and his people. He followed my gaze and starred at the portrait for a few seconds before turning back to me, wiping his face as he pushed his plate aside.

  “It is the planet I was born on. Though my species is stretched across the stars, it was the planet my family was staying on at the time as they helped the species that lived there. My parents were part of a crew that were teaching the people how to build better homes and sustain themselves better through agriculture. Though we did not share with them any of our technology, we were able to help them advance in small ways that would at least improve their lives. I really enjoyed growing up there because we lived a very simple life. But eventually our mission ended and back to the stars we did return,” Herald explained, his eyes twinkling as he told the story.

  “And now you always have a way to remember that time,” I said as he looked back at the painting one more time.

  “A reminder of happier times, I’m afraid to say,” Herald said as the light in his eyes dimmed as he looked back to me. “There are no words for how sorrowful I feel over what has happened to
you. Our current mission is to protect all those who the Harem wish to destroy, and I feel I have failed you.” Herald reached out and took my hand, his touch soft and comforting as he traced the red marks at my wrist.

  “I am still alive, and now here with you having a pleasant dinner instead of being trapped in a cold cage,” I said, trying to sound appreciative. But as the memories came back to me, I couldn’t help but shiver.

  “Alas, dark memories never seem to quite leave us, even after some time has passed,” Herald commented as he withdrew his hand from mine. He seemed to be talking from experience as he straightened his posture and looked away from me momentarily.

  “Do you know why the Harem targeted me of all people. The creature I knew as James mentioned something about creating a hybrid species with someone from earth and that my DNA was a close match to his,” I asked, part of me fearing Herald’s response.

  “Indeed, that is how the Harem create their armies, by mating with resilient species that will make their next generation even stronger. They are a war driven people, always striving to better themselves and conquer as many planets as possible. After the Harem would have mated with you and created an offspring that could be cloned and manipulated for their purposes, they would have destroyed Earth so that the humans could never progress any further,” Herald explained as he clasped his hands together, not enjoying the explanation any more than I did.

  “And that is why your people rescued me? So the Harem couldn’t get what they wanted from me?” I questioned, trying to rationalize everything that had happened to me. In that moment, I felt so used as I forced myself to look away from Herald. Since we both knew what that monster James had done to me, I felt like I needed to return to the hot bath and scrub my skin even more. As the image of that creature rose in my mind, I shuddered as I remembered how we had slept together.

  I flinched when Herald placed his hand on my shoulder, my vision refocusing on the reality around me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I relaxed and allowed him to comfort me, the warmth of his hand soothing on my shoulder.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, Mary. It will take time for your scars to heal, but know that you are safe here and out of the reach of the Harem,” Herald said in a soothing voice that almost sounded like singing.

  “But won’t they come for me? That monster made it clear that I was the closest DNA match to their own,” I reasoned, wondering just how the Tlalu could protect me and at what lengths would they go to make sure I was safe. Would there ever come a time when the risk wouldn’t be worth it anymore? Not knowing the true power of either one of these species, I had a hard time believing Herald right now.

  “You are right, Mary, they have great motivation to capture you once more. And that is why we will seek them first. If we cannot reason with the Harem to leave the Earth and it’s people alone, then we will have no choice but to destroy them,” Herald said as he removed his hand from my shoulder and pushed back from the table. As he stood, he extended his hand towards me. I stood from the table and took it as he led me from the dining room and back into the hallway.

  “Where are we going now?” I asked as he continued walking down one hallway, then another like it was a maze he had memorized a long time ago.

  “I am taking you to the ship’s command center so you may be able to watch what happens when we confront the Harem ship hovering over Earth. You must be a witness for your people,” Herald explained as we came to a door that slid open once Herald approached it.

  Inside was a large domed room, much like the green field I had first arrived in. The ground was grass that felt soft as I walked on it, Herald leading me to a small platform in the center where I spotted Tabatha and Marcus standing over a crystal counter with varies stones on top. Shrubbery and plants lined the perimeter of the room, making me feel as though I was standing out in an open space instead of being on a spaceship. Herald released my hand as he went and stood next to Marcus, giving him a single nod as Marcus began moving stones over the crystal counter, a few high pitches ringing out.

  A moment later, the air materialized before the platform, like a viewing screen was being created through thin air. As it came into a solid shape, I could see Earth in the distance and a large metallic spaceship hovering over it.

  “That’s them, isn’t it?” I asked softly as Tabatha came to stand next to me.

  “Yes, my dear,” she confirmed, the thought causing my body to shake. Even though it was just a screen, I felt venerable once more.

  “Hail them,” Herald instructed, Marcus obeying immediately as the screen changed and a picture of the reptilian creatures appeared. My heart started to pound as the creature on the screen looked between everyone on the platform and finally rested it’s cold, black eyes on me. I balled my hands into fists to help my body from shaking, terrified at any moment the creature would try to transport my body to its ship again.

  “Captain Herald, it seems you have acquired something I want at the cost of the lord of this ship,” the creature said, its nasally voice sending a wave of nausea through my body. I was starting to regret eating so much as I hugged my stomach.

  “Indeed, that is what has happened. The Tlalu will not stand by as you torture this Earth woman or prepare to destroy her planet. You have one choice, Harem scum. You can either leave this planet alone, or we will have no choice but to completely destroy your ship,” Herald responded, his voice booming like a trumpet.

  “Come now, Captain. Do you really want the entire Harem fleet hunting you down for the rest of your life? We have no problem seeking revenge. In fact, we quite enjoy it,” the creature responded, laughing as its forked tongue slid out of its mouth to hiss at us.

  “No, I wouldn’t want to end an entire species just to save another. But after all the destruction the Harem have caused to other lifeforms in the galaxy, I’m sure my superiors would not condemn me for ending the Harem once and for all.”

  The creature stopped laughing after hearing Herald’s words, the creature stilling as he considered the threat. But once the screen went black, Marcus and Tabatha moved quickly as their hands glided over the crystal counter, moving stones in a harmonious tone. The screen changed again as Earth and the Harem ship came back into view.

  “They are targeting us, Capitan,” Marcus reported as he looked over at Herald.

  “Do it,” Herald commanded, his voice sounding rough and pained as he placed his hand over a single stone on the crystal counter. Once Marcus nodded, Herald grabbed the stone and shifted it upward, the room filling with so much light that I was forced to shut my eyes and shield them. There was a low rumble that seemed to pass through the entire ship, followed by darkness. As I opened my eyes again, I watched as the light slowly returned to the room. When I looked at the screen again, I only saw the Earth. The Harem ship was completely gone.

  “What just happened?” I asked as I lowered my arms. As I looked towards Tabatha, I noticed she had tears in her eyes as she turned and left the platform in a hurry.

  “I will go comfort her,” Marcus said as he left to run after her, the same tears in his eyes.

  Herald leaned heavily on the counter, his head sinking between his arms. I walked forward and placed my hand on his, noticing how the tears streamed down his face and fell onto the wooden platform.

  “What you’ve done, it pains you all so much,” I said, noticing the way Herald’s eyes grew dark, like looking into the ocean on a rainy day.

  “We are guardians of life. We do not take life easily, nor do we enjoy doing so. The Harem may be a species of great evil, but it does not make the feeling of taking their lives any better,” Herald answered, turning from me to wipe his eyes dry.

  “Thank you, for both what you’ve done for my planet, but also for your honesty,” I said as I stepped off the platform, thinking that it was time I return to the room I had been provided and prepare for my inevitable return back to Earth. Though the Harem ship had been destroyed, it pained me to know I would have to return
back to Earth, to my normal life knowing what more that universe did hold.

  “Wait!” Herald called out as he stepped down from the platform and walked swiftly over to me.

  “I’m sure I can find the way. I can get changed quickly so you can return me to Earth and you can be on your way to your next mission,” I rambled as I took a step towards the open doorway.

  “But why do you want to leave?” Herald asked, the illumination in his blue eyes returning once more.

  “What other choice do I have?” I replied, completely confused by his words.

  Herald stepped closer as he gathered my hands in his, the sweet scent of pine coming from him as I looked up into his eyes, a small smile crossing his lips. “You could stay here with me. Together we could help your planet strengthen their defense against species like the Harem, and perhaps teach them to cross the stars like we do,” Herald suggested, rubbing his fingers across my knuckles.

  My heart rate increased as I thought about the possibility of staying with Herald on this beautiful ship and even being the one that helped Earth learn to travel into space. I couldn’t help smiling as I looked up at Herald, the possibilities endless when it came to his offer.

  “Yes, Herald. I would love to stay,” I said, completely surprised by my words. It was every geeky girls dream come true, to be taken to a beautiful ship and charmed by a gorgeous alien man. Now I would get to experience everything I’ve always dreamed about while watching Doctor Who.