“Shit. You have no clue.”
“Believe me, I do.” She patted him awkwardly. “I have a friend like you. He goes off his meds sometimes too. It’s going to be fine. Where are your pills? I’ll help you. You’ve obviously stopped taking them, which has led you to think up some crazy scenario that will land your ass in prison if you end up hurting someone. Rethink it. My grandfather might be a dick but he’s a human one. He’s not some alien bad guy trying to attack Earth or whatever you think.”
“I don’t take meds.”
“Of course you didn’t. That’s why you’re like this.”
He grew angry. “Shut it now. I’m not crazy.”
He wasn’t about to listen to reason. That was apparent. She decided to play along with his delusions. It was possible to reach him if he had any compassion. “Fine. All I’m asking is that you don’t take it out on us if he doesn’t do whatever you want. I’m serious about how he never lifted a finger to help us. I think he tolerates Bat, so he may give you money for her, or whatever you demand, but don’t hold your breath when it comes to me. He flat-out didn’t even want me to come to Alaska and was kind of a prick when Bat mentioned bringing me. He told her no, but she never listens to anyone.
“I came because I just wanted to spend time with her and—bonus—he’s dying. I really hated him as a kid. He treated me like I didn’t exist when he came to our house. Do you know what that does to a little girl? He made me cry at first, wondering what I’d done to make my own grandfather hate me. I finally came to the realization that he was just an asshole.”
“I’m not going to ransom you. Is your illness real? Did you need that shot your sister gave you?”
She bit back a curse. He was really into his delusions. “Of course. Like any sane person would want to be jabbed with needles. I’m not a drug addict. I don’t get high. I really needed it. It’s for my anemia. I have a rare form of it. Iron pills don’t work.”
Drantos looked down at her, his gorgeous eyes seeming to study her again. “You’re flawed. Decker would consider that an embarrassment to his bloodline. I assume your sister doesn’t have to take any form of medications?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so, if Decker wants her to come to him.”
“Okay,” she said slowly. “Whatever that means.”
“It’s all about the bloodlines sometimes.” A thoughtful expression gripped his handsome features. “I believe I’m starting to figure out why he sent for your sister.”
“Again with the whatever that means.”
“There would have been a larger chance of birthing a weak-blooded child when your mother bred with your father. You’re flawed, as far as Decker is concerned, but your sister is still useful to him. You’re dependent on those shots. I take it that you’ve had this condition most, if not all of your life?”
“I was diagnosed as an infant. It’s severe anemia, not a flaw or an illness. My body just doesn’t produce enough iron and I have to take supplements. We have that in common. Where are your pills? You need them just like I need my shots.”
“With our people, any type of need for medicine makes you flawed. It means you’re weak. And you smell totally human.”
He completely ignored her question about his pills. It irritated her. “What planet are you from? Mars? Saturn? I’m thinking Uranus.”
He caressed her cheek. “Very funny.” He didn’t look amused. “Don’t scream or be afraid. I need to know how human you truly are.”
That so doesn’t sound good for me, she thought, her body stiffening. She wanted to fight, to push him away, but instead held very still when he tilted his head to lower his face into the crook of her neck. A shiver ran down her spine and goose bumps broke out down her arms when his hot breath fanned her sensitive skin.
She had no idea what he would do but fighting him would be as effective as trying to attack a tree. The blows would only hurt her hands, and she knew she couldn’t move the heavy guy away from her.
Something warm and slightly wet dragged along the top of her shoulder. She gasped when pain jolted that area for a second before his warm tongue flicked where the pain had emanated from. Her eyes widened and her hands gripped his shirt. She pushed at him when she realized he had licked her.
A deep growl sent her heart into overdrive but he didn’t budge an inch. His tongue left her skin but his hot breath against her neck remained. The sound he’d made reminded her of a vicious dog. It scared her.
He stayed in that position, breathing on her neck, and kept her pinned against the tree. She stopped pushing when it was clear it didn’t work.
“Not all human,” he rasped. “I can faintly taste it on you, but it’s very weak.” He suddenly chuckled. “You’re not ill. You’re just starving for what you really need. Marvilella’s bloodline is stronger in you than Decker’s is. Your father’s blood is also strong, and masks it.”
The guy is flat-out bonkers, she realized, deciding he must be just like Greg. He probably saw aliens everywhere, certain they were spying on Earthlings so they could attack one day.
The smile that curved his mouth shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did when he lifted his head.
“Your grandfather doesn’t realize what you are. You smell completely human and he took that at face value.”