Chapter 6

Hello readers! If you were following the HOLD, this story has officially been updated to the point where you last left off. I hope to have chapter 7 up in a reasonable amount of time. For you NEW readers, please let me know your thoughts. I know the story was published quickly and updates have been constant. But I wanted to get my other readers up-to-date.

The next morning, when I arrived at the hold, I felt much more prepared than before. I had taken the time to compile a list of questions, and I had made a personal commitment to stick to that list. As I settled into my seat next to the glass, I gathered my hair and tied it up in a messy bun. With a determined expression on my face, I pressed the record button on my mini recorder, ready to capture every moment. I directed my gaze towards the creature, hoping to engage with him. However, he appeared completely disinterested in my presence. I even began to doubt if he was aware of my existence at all.

Undeterred, I greeted the creature with a polite "Good morning." The response I received was silence, which only fueled my determination further. He seemed lost in deep contemplation, slowly pacing its cell and meticulously examining every corner.

"Well, today I intend to test your intelligence."

I anxiously awaited his response, as he usually displayed great enthusiasm during our interactions. However, this time, he appeared on edge and distant, leaving me intrigued and curious about its behavior.

I tapped on the glass, hoping to catch his attention, but the outcome was not what I anticipated. His eyes swiftly shifted towards me, filled with anger. Surprised, I took a step back from the glass, realizing that today might not be the best day to conduct tests. He appeared on edge and uncooperative, and I sighed, knowing that his moods were always unpredictable. Despite my better judgment, I ignored the urge to leave and persisted in my attempt to engage him. There was no way I was going to let him take control. Well, at least not without one more try to capture his attention.

"Hey, come on. The sooner we finish this, the sooner I'll leave you alone. What do you say?" I asked, hoping to break through his hostility. Once again, a low growl escaped his lips, causing my heart to race, as his eyes assessed me like prey. Fear tingled down my spine.

I couldn't help but think that he really wasn't in the mood. It was time to change my approach.

"I thought you might enjoy this test. It's an opportunity to showcase your strength and intelligence," I suggested, hoping to pique his interest.

"Intelligence?" he grumbled, pausing for a moment. "How do you test that?" Bingo.

"Well, I have something for you." I held up a Rubik's cube, hoping it would captivate his attention.

My body stiffened as he lunged forward, landing right in front of me with a resounding bang. He scowled at the Rubik's cube in my hand and sniffed. "What is it?"

"It's called a Rubik's cube. It may be small, but it's quite colorful," I explained, relieved that I finally had his attention, even if his tone remained icy. "You need to strategize how to group all the similar colors together on one side. The cube consists of six faces, and it's your task to determine the right moves to align each face or row with the same color on all sides." I showcased, "It's akin to playing a game."

With a bored expression, he scanned the cube before his eyes wandered down my arm and settled on my chest. My neck flushed with heat, as I bite my lip. It was that familiar and irritating sensation building up inside me again, the one that only his gaze seemed to provoke. I couldn't understand why his presence both excited and terrified me simultaneously. In a strange way, he possessed an attractiveness, allure, and addictive quality, yet I couldn't bring myself to envision him in a romantic context. After all, he had claws, which should have been a major turn-off. So why did I find myself turned on?

As my eyes fluttered, as I took in his well-toned body, silver scales, and commanding posture. Immediately, I scolded myself for entertaining thoughts of him holding me in his arms and taking control. It was a mistake that sent tingles through my body and an unwelcome ache between my legs. I cleared my throat, desperately trying to suppress any moans that threatened to escape.

The creature straightened his shoulders, causing his muscles to become even more defined. Our eyes locked, and I wanted to glare at the mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes, but I found myself mesmerized by his presence instead. He flared his nostrils, sniffing the air deeply. Awkwardly, my eyes darted from side to side as he leaned his head back and sniffed the air once again.

What in the world was he up to?

"Hmm..."

As he tilted his head back, a sinister smirk played on his lips. Annoyed by his peculiar behavior, I inquired, "What exactly are you doing?"

"I caught a whiff of something peculiar," he responded. His entire demeanor exuded a relaxed confidence as he peered down at me with an unsettlingly amused gaze. What could he possibly be smelling? Was it me? I had just taken a shower. I didn't think I smelled bad. Perhaps he simply wasn't accustomed to the scent of humans. Maybe it was my lotion?

"What exactly do you smell? Or rather, what does it smell like?"

"Mmmmm," he tilted his head to the side. "A sweet aroma." Sweet? It must have been my lotion. Jasmine-scented. Although I didn't think the fragrance was overpowering. If that was what he was smelling, then his sense of smell was remarkably keen.

"Oh. Maybe it's my lotion. It has a somewhat sweet scent," I gestured to the inside of my arm.

He seemed to be suppressing his curiosity, so I decided to elaborate on my response. "Lotion is a type of cream we apply to our skin," I explained, demonstrating by rubbing the inside of my arm with my hand. "Next time, I'll bring the bottle so you can see it for yourself," I offered.

His gaze slowly traveled up and down my body, causing a mix of discomfort and curiosity to stir within me. His sudden smile carried a hint of sarcasm, yet there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Hmm. No need. I can figure out what scent it is," he said, licking his lips. An annoying ache between my legs intensified as I shifted uncomfortably, prompting him to lean forward with a daring expression. In response, I leaned back, awkwardly rubbing the back of my flushed neck. Doubt started to creep in, and I found myself unsure of what exactly he was smelling. A bead of sweat formed on my forehead, and I realized I wasn't entirely sure if I even wanted to know. Embarrassment washed over me, causing my face to turn a shade redder.

"Um... well... maybe today isn't the best day for this test," I stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"You're not ready? I thought that's why you came," he replied, his head lowering and his eyes growing more intense, accompanied by a ghostly smirk on his lips. "Have you changed your mind?"

"I think it would be better if we postponed the game to another day," I finally managed to say.

"I'm ready if you are," he responded, a glint of triumph lighting up his gaze. With a touch of arrogance, he added, "You speak, I listen." His dark gaze held me captive. "Do you want me to play with you?" he asked, his choice of words making me even more uncomfortable.

"Um, no. What I want you to do is participate in a game. You're not playing with me, but rather completing a task on your own to test your intelligence. And yes, it can be considered a game."

"A game, huh?"

"Yeah. You're familiar with the concept of games, right?" He paused, contemplating. "Don't you have any games on your planet? Like enjoyable activities for entertainment?"

"That," he gestured towards the cube, "is a human game? It doesn't seem fun. Hunting Norflogs is a fun game."

I let out a sigh. He must have known that I had no clue what he was talking about. I furrowed my brow. "What's a Nooorfl-oag?"

He grinned smugly. "Now it's my turn to enlighten you. It's a large animal. Very aggressive when it comes to defending its territory. They mate once or twice a year but have short lifespans. The game involves hunting them and then challenging them to a fight to the death."

"Death? So, some actually die in this game on your planet?" It didn't sound like a game to me.

"Some do die. Norflogs are incredibly strong and aggressive. True warriors need to be faster and stronger. It's fun. Some people underestimate Norflogs and end up running away. Quite amusing. But if you win, you take the Norflog's tusk and use it to court a potential mate."

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. Was everything always about finding a mate? Seriously. I was frustrated that he was sidetracking me once more, but I had to inquire. "Alright. I have to ask. Since you keep bringing up the topic of mating."

"Yes?" He smirked. "What do you want to ask? About the pleasure of mating?"

I felt my eyes widen as frustration washed over me. "Every time you bring up this topic, it's always about how males have to prove themselves. They know when a female is ready to mate, they compete for a mate, and they bring gifts to win over a female. But what about the females? Do they have any role in this? Do they just choose from a list of males? It seems quite one-sided."

He burst into laughter, revealing his sharp teeth as his lips parted. Surprisingly, it seemed like a genuine laugh. For the first time, his smile appeared real without any hidden motives. "Females must also woo. They have to prove themselves worthy of bearing male offspring." His gaze traveled from my chest to my lips and then back to my eyes. I couldn't help but squeeze my legs together, feeling a tightening sensation inside me. I desperately wished he would stop doing that. Clearing my throat, I squirmed in my seat, and his gaze grew darker, a mischievous grin forming on his lips.

I furrowed my brow once more. "Don't all women have the ability to bear children? How would she prove it? Is there some sort of test or examination?"

He moistened his lips before responding. "Females compete for males, just like males compete for females. However, they do it in different ways. Some females perform dances to catch the attention of specific males they desire. Others may offer to prepare a special bath for a male after a successful hunt, but only when they are ready to mate."

Special bath? My gaze trailed over his muscular physique, causing my face to flush. What would he look like in a bath? He appeared to be wearing some kind of helmet, so perhaps the rest of his body was covered in armor. Helmet, I thought again. What was under his helmet?

I found myself pondering, curious about the appearance of his hair. Was it thick and luscious, or perhaps thin and wispy? I longed to know the texture, wondering if it would feel soft and silky to the touch. The length of his hair intrigued me as well, wondering if it cascaded down his shoulders or if it was neatly trimmed. And of course, the color of his hair remained a mystery, leaving me to imagine if it was a rich shade of brown, a vibrant blonde, or a striking hue of red. Were his scales merely a form of protective armor, or could they be shed?

You're getting off track again. Focus.

He smirked as he continued, "Moreover, males can sense when a female is attracted to them. They can smell her... um, arousal, as humans would say. This scent lets the male know that the female is ready to be courted, ready for offspring. Worthy males will then compete for her attention." Was it like an extended period of ovulation?

Really? That was... rather peculiar. Maybe even primitive. I was about to inquire if there was a specific age when all females desired a mate, but he spoke before I could.

"I believe I have figured out the game in your hand. I will give it a try now."

"What?" Oh, yes. The game. Our intention was to test his intelligence. It made me cringe. I was terrible at staying focused with him. It just wasn't fair. There was something about his eyes and deep voice that kept me completely captivated. He had a knack for diverting my attention.

"Right. Yes. I'll put it in the box."

"Before I do, what do I win in this game?" His bright blue eyes sparkled, and a predatory look briefly crossed his face.

"Um...I guess I didn't really consider that. I don't know. What do you want?"

He paused, thinking for a moment, his eyes scanning his cell and then skimming up and down my body. "You must answer one of my questions, whether you like it or not."

I almost shook my head, but then I let out a sigh. "Well, there are certain questions I can't answer. So, I can't really agree to that."

"Everything we've done so far has been a trade. You give. I give. So, I'll play the game like the human wants, but I want something I desire in return."

"Right. But I can't give you what you're asking for. I can't just agree to answer any question you want."

"Hmmm. I understand. Then I won't play the intelligence game," he smiled.

I huffed. "Is there nothing else that might interest you? Different food, perhaps? A change in lighting?"

"No," he replied.

I stared at him in disbelief. "You know, you're not being fair. You can't just ask me to agree to answer any question. You have to understand that there are things I can't reveal to you. Like you said, we're in a war."

"I understand. So, I won't play the game. We both make our choices."

I rolled my eyes. Great. He had firmly planted his feet. "Alright. What kind of question is it?"

"A question of my choosing."

He purposely acted in a frustrating manner. Indifferent to my presence, he averted his gaze, indicating that he would dismiss me if I chose not to respond to his inquiry. What was the nature of his question?

"Alright. Fine. But I do have a condition."

"What condition?" He glanced back at me, his patience wearing thin.

"Well, for instance, you can't inquire about our escape plans. You can't ask about the production of our weapons. And you can't inquire about anything that would aid you in attacking us more effectively. If that makes sense."

His eyes briefly scanned my face, displaying a bored expression. "Is that all?"

"Yeah. Well, I mean...I think..." Wait. Was I overlooking something? "Um...I believe that's everything."

"I won't violate those rules, and you'll answer. Do we have a deal?"

I squinted my eyes, sensing that something was amiss. On one hand, I was apprehensive about making the agreement, but on the other hand, I desperately needed his cooperation. "Fine. You abide by those rules, and you can ask one question." I placed the Rubik's cube into the slot. "But first, you must play the game."

"Okay." He reached in and grabbed the vibrant cube.

I observed with great fascination as he carefully held the cube in his enormous hand, meticulously examining it from every possible angle. He even went as far as holding it up to the light, tilting his head in deep concentration. A smile of amusement crept onto my face as I watched him struggle with the puzzle. I was certain that he was completely perplexed, and I couldn't help but plan on snatching the cube away from him and swiftly completing the task myself. Just to add a little pressure, I casually mentioned, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that I'm timing you," while pointing to my watch.

He followed my gaze towards my watch, but with a sigh, he brushed off the added pressure. The cube seemed almost minuscule in his large, claw-tipped fingers as he began to manipulate the layers of colors. I couldn't help but smirk, knowing that he was already making mistakes. He caught a glimpse of my amusement when he glanced up at my smile, causing him to pause as if he were offended.

"Would you like a hint? Perhaps a little assistance?" I playfully teased.

He growled in response, his narrowed eyes fixed on me, before redirecting his attention back to the cube. After a moment of silent contemplation, he decided to change his approach and swiftly began turning the faces of the cube in different directions. I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden momentum he gained in solving the puzzle. My smile faded, and a slight twitch appeared on his lips, indicating that both of us realized he had figured it out. Damn.

Once he grasped the mechanics of the game, it didn't take him long to align the colors perfectly. With an air of arrogance, he lifted his head and dropped the cube loudly back into the transfer box, wearing a calm and satisfied expression.

I cleared my throat and reached into the box, retrieving the cube. As I turned it in my hand, I chewed on my lip, realizing that he had successfully solved it. It had taken him only about ten minutes. When I lowered the cube, his mischievous smile greeted me, and he observed my face with amused eyes.

"Are you satisfied, human?" he asked.

"Have you played this game before?" I inquired.

"No," he replied smugly.

"Well, you got lucky," I remarked.

"It's not luck. I figured it out. I'm intelligent, you see? And it's not that complicated. I can do it again if you answer two questions," he proposed.

It was tempting, but I was already nervous about answering one question, let alone two. "No. One question. Fair is fair. Ask your question," I agreed.

He straightened up and leaned in. "I've always wondered why humans are so attached to armor that offers no protection."

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my brow.

"I'm referring to what you're wearing now," he pointed at my clothes. "Why do you wear it?"

I blushed slightly and chuckled. It was such a ridiculous question. "That's your question?"

He nodded.

I laughed again. "First of all, this is not armor. It's called clothes. We wear them to cover our bodies."

"I can see that. But why? I understand why a man with a gun wears what he wears. It protects him. But what you wear... it doesn't seem to serve any purpose. I've seen other humans become angry or sad when their clothes are taken away. But clothes don't protect. So, why wear them?" he questioned.

"What do you mean our clothes have been taken? How did that happen? When?" My eyes widened in shock, and he chuckled in response.

"No. This is my question, not yours. Answer as you promised. Why are you so attached to them?"

I bit my tongue, restraining myself from arguing. "Well, for one thing, as I mentioned earlier, clothes provide us with coverage. We don't just go around naked. I cover my..." I gestured towards my chest and body, "...myself. It's a matter of propriety and respect, especially as a female. Just like you, you wear a covering or that armor thing, right? You are covered, not naked."

"My coverings protect me." So, do they come off? I smiled, wondering if there was more to him than meets the eye. I shook my head. This caught his attention. "Why are you smiling?"

"Oh, nothing. But yes, our clothes are meant to cover our bodies because it's considered proper. Understand?"

"I think I understand. So, you afraid to show your body as a female? Is that why you wear clothes?"

"Not afraid, just...well, we only expose our bodies when... I guess, when we're mating. When we have a partner, we show our bodies to them or whoever we choose to be intimate with at the time."

"You only take off your clothes during mating?"

"Exactly. It's like a way of showing that you're open to being intimate with someone else. But when we're not being intimate, it's considered proper to cover our bodies."

He nodded once. "So, female humans only remove their clothes to show their mate. Otherwise, they conceal their bodies from those who are not their mate."

"Not just female humans. It applies to all humans. We all cover ourselves and only reveal our bodies to the people we choose to be intimate with."

"So, when clothes are taken away, humans feel a sense of shame because they are being seen by those who are not their mates, and their bodies are meant only for their mates,"

"Yes, it's quite uncomfortable to be without clothes," I responded.

With an amused expression, he observed me while gently stroking his knee. "I believe I comprehend," he stated.

Feeling awkward, my eyes darted around as I asked, "Um...so, who removes our clothes? What did you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Just a question," he replied.

"No, please. You mentioned seeing clothes being taken from humans. Where did you witness that? And why was it done?"

He shrugged. "I have been hunting humans for a long time. I have seen some being stripped before they die. When their clothes are taken, humans cower and cover their bodies with their hands. I find it amusing, but I also noticed that humans cry or feel ashamed. I could never understand why." He turned to me pointedly. "Until now."

Suddenly, a wave of protectiveness washed over me, causing me to tightly cross my arms over my chest. The sound of his tail calmly tapping on the floor drew my attention, and as I looked down at my arms, he smiled once more. What did he mean by humans being stripped? And why were they stripped in the first place? "Well, it's not amusing. You shouldn't find it funny!" I exclaimed.

He chuckled again, unaffected by my words. "So what? I do as I please."

Lifting my head, I continued, "You shouldn't. It's cruel. How would you feel if I were to... to remove your scales?" His gaze turned fierce, his scales raising defensively.

"What?" he seethed.

"You heard me. How would you like it?" I challenged.

"How would I like it? I would kill human if she dared," he growled. "But now that I know, I would first take a female human's clothes and look at her, so she understands her place. I would make her feel ashamed and humiliated."

I sighed in frustration. "I'm just trying to make you see. It's the same thing. Can't you see how you feel? You get angry just like we do. You protect your scales just like we protect our clothes."
He licked his lips, deep in thought, his tail coiling around itself. After a moment, he responded, "If a human can protect her clothes like I can protect my scales, then she can keep them."

I let out a sigh of frustration. "Seriously? Can't you understand? It's not about who can overpower or win a fight. Can't you see? It's about... it's about the emotion behind it. Showing respect. Don't you get it? Your scales hold significance, just like our clothes do."

He rolled his eyes and remained silent for a moment. Then, in a hushed voice, he responded, "I hear your words and understand the human perspective. But humans shouldn't rely on others to grasp unfamiliar emotions."

I forced a tight smile. "By others, you mean your own kind."

He nodded in agreement.

"Well. If my clothes were ever stolen, maybe you could return them to me. Now that you understand their significance," I joked. However, he didn't find it amusing. Instead, he stared at me with a serious expression in his eyes.

"You're a very young and naïve human. This is no joke. I won't offer any comfort to humans. Ever. I am here to destroy, not to console. Do you understand? For now, we can play these human games and have conversations, but remember, we are enemies."

His words wiped the smile off my face. "Yeah, I know," I replied, looking down at my arms. It was just a harmless joke. "I know. And when you escape, you'll kill me."

His nostrils flared. "Yes. The human should not be surprised when I hunt her down like I do with the rest of humanity and feast on her flesh." I swallowed hard, tightly pressing my lips together. "Remember. No compassion. No mercy. I offer a fair warming to human because..." he stopped. My gaze lifted, locking with his, and in that fleeting instant, our eyes connected. It appeared as though he was attempting to communicate something profound through his eyes, yet remained restrained.

"Because?" I urged him, hoping to understand his perspective. He averted his gaze and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Because. You attempt. Even though it may not end wars or save you, you strive for trade," he explained. I couldn't help but smile.

"You know, there are other humans like me. Humans who reject war and yearn for peace. Isn't it worth exploring? Now that you've experienced our presence, shouldn't we at least try to achieve peace between us?" I proposed.

He turned back to face me, and I detected a hint of regret in his eyes. As I leaned in closer, his once bright blue eyes turned darker and more resolute. "You are like a child. I won't change my decision. I won't waver like a human. Once a choice is made, it's final."

My eyes narrowed. "I do understand, but your reasoning seems so...conclusive."

"Yes. Unlike a young human, I make a decision and stick to it."

"Whatever. And I'm not a child," I defended myself.

He grinned, his eyes sparkling once more. What did he mean by calling me young? Twenty-six wasn't exactly youthful...I certainly wasn't a child.

"Compared to me," he gestured to himself, "you're a child."

"Well, here on earth, I am not a child! I am a fully grown adult. And from the looks of it, you aren't that old either."

He took a deep breath. "I," he pointed to his chest again, "have seen Earth before humans like you existed."

If I had been sipping water, I would have sprayed it all over the thick glass barrier that separated us. What on earth? No pun intended! Was he actually serious? No, it couldn't be true. How long had they been aware of humans? And why did they choose this moment to eliminate us? Why now?!

I was momentarily speechless, my eyes widened and my mouth hung open as I stared at him. Countless questions flooded my mind. I could now understand why he considered me a child, despite the significant age gap between us. Nevertheless, I was still a fully capable adult.

"Human surprised," he smirked.

Surprised to not even begin to explain the half of it. "W-w-wait. I don't understand. If you've known about humans on Earth for such a long time, why attack now? What has held you back all this time?"

"I already told you. Humans destroy Earth. Humans must be eradicated. Humans have had their chance, but they never find peace. So, they must perish. You are young and female, so you don't realize everything I've witnessed. You also don't understand the horrors of war and its effects."

I shook my head. "I have seen war. And I still think, there has to be another solution."

"No. Dealing with you is exhausting." he uttered, as if it were a curse. "Humans truly are infuriating. You exhaust me without pleasure. Death means death. Humans equal death. You're human. You'll meet the same fate as the others." He growled fiercely, ascending to the ceiling, his claws scraping against the glass as he retreated to his usual corner of the cell.

I glared at him, standing up and grabbing the Rubik's cube. "Looks like you're done for today."
He hissed and sneered at me like an enraged panther, his luminous eyes shining beneath his tail, which coiled around his body like a snake.

"Fine. Grumpy old bat," I muttered as I turned to leave, purposefully refusing to glance back at the seething, growling creature behind me.

So Enzuk (Edward) seems to be battling with himself a little. But he is struggling to keep it together! One has to wonder if he will end up sticking to his mission in the end.