Page 3 of The Dalgur’s Pet

Of course she was. Totally blinded by the fact that she had no real friends beyond Anthony, so desperate that she was willing to look past all the red flags in order to see what she had wanted to see.

She had worn her favorite slinky black dress, thinking he might actually pop the question. She’d even gotten a damn manicure so she could take cute pictures of the ring.

The ring that didn’t exist.

At thirty-two, she was more than ready to settle down and had believed that her boyfriend had felt the same.

Ex-boyfriend.

As she sobbed, a light dotted on in the sky. It was dead ahead, a single star low on the horizon, but far brighter than any of the others around it.

The strangest part was that it appeared to be moving, shifting erratically in the dark sky, unlike any star or planet she’d ever seen. Was it a rogue satellite? A plane?

Giselle wiped the tears from her eyes, trying to focus on the darting object.

The darting object that was getting closer and closer.

Her pulse quickened, the ball of light transforming into a glowing disc which radiated a dazzling white aura.

Then, her head started to ache from the brilliance of the light shining in through her windshield like a spotlight. Out of nowhere, intense drowsiness overwhelmed her, and she felt the car swerve as the world went black.

Darkness.

Silence.

Nothing.

But no, there was something.

Voices.

Hushed voices, but voices all the same.

Hazy bliss filled Giselle, a sense of airiness like her body didn’t belong to her. She couldn’t see anything, her eyelids too heavy to open.

“The human is quite intriguing, and a female this time.”

“Ah, yes, a female. She will suit our needs admirably. Shall we try her out?”

“Thase, you must behave yourself. Look what you did to our last pet…”

“That wasn’t my fault. And don’t you dare try to tell me what to do. If I want to ruin this one as well, then I will.”

“If you ruin this one, then we will go home empty-handed. I’m tired of circling this planet.”

Giselle blinked her eyes open, swallowing hard as the words settled in her chest.

Ruin? Pet?

Where the hell was she?

A bright light blinded her, shining from above like she was at the dentist. She tried to focus her mind, but it was as if it were made of gelatin, wobbling around and unable to latch onto anything.

What had happened to her?

Her vision was blurred, and she was in some sort of icy room, cold metal chilling her bare arms and legs. Her dress was the only thing that warmed her, her favorite black dress.

The dress.