Alex took off the next morning, claiming she needed to buy and do "girl stuff." The dragon brothers were as scared of "girl stuff" as human men and let her go without further questions. Alex strolled back into the apartment, a plastic shopping bag in her hand. They all stared at her, mouths agape.

"What happened to your hair, Alex?" Rile wasn't one to mince words.

"It's best to dye it another color after what happened. Why are you looking at me that way? Brown is considered an inferior color anyway. This is more acceptable." Alex fluffed her now-blonde hair as she spoke.

"It wasn't only brown. It had copper, gold, and red strands all mixed in. It was pretty. Now it's just yellow," Rile said with a frown on his face.

Gabe turned angry eyes on Rile, as if he found fault with how much attention his brother paid to Alex's looks. Rile grinned wickedly in challenge at his older brother. Before a fight could erupt, a swirling vortex of light opened in the air, beckoning them.

No one hesitated to gear up and step through, but Alex stopped so short after entering the portal that Rile plowed into her.

"Are you brain damaged by hair coloring dye? Move." Rile's shove didn't budge her.

Alex stared at the world before her, immobilized. "I recognize this place."

"You don't have to stay, you can go back." Gabe motioned to the sparkling light of the portal.

"Not a chance. I'm a hero here on the Anolis home world," Alex replied.

Cale ran his sharp claws lightly up and down Alex's back, sending shivers through her. "You're a hero everywhere," he said. "Let's find a friendly face and get caught up."

"Zilik's," Alex replied with purpose. When she saw Gabe's unhappy expression, she asked in a too-sweet tone, "Would you prefer the Anolis palace?"

"We're not going to start this again, are we?" Gabe asked, the tension in his voice palpable.

"Please Portal Guardian, yes," Rile whispered and Cale nudged him.

Alex blew out a deep sigh and forced her eyes to stay level with Gabe's. "No, we're not doing this again. Where should we go?"

The silence hung heavy between them for a few moments before Gabe suggested, "Zilik's would be the easiest."

Alex clenched her fists at her sides, taking several slow breaths in an attempt to keep her temper in check.

Rile gave her foot a reassuring kick and whispered in her ear, "Don't you just hate it when he does that?"

The night air was thick, muggy, and quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling city streets. Gabe motioned for Alex to keep low in the bushes, and she could hear her own blood pounding in her ears as she waited for their signal. The brothers slipped into Zilik's building. Finally, Rile emerged from the building with a hushed "hurry" on his lips.

Alex's adrenaline surged as she ran into the building, and she couldn't help but notice how eerily quiet it was. As she burst through the door of his apartment, Alex's stomach clenched at the sight of destruction - furniture overturned, picture frames shattered on the ground. But it wasn't until she saw her friends crouched around something that she truly felt sick with dread.

Pushing past them, Alex's gaze fell upon Zilik - beaten, battered, and bloodied almost beyond recognition. She felt bile rise up in her throat.

"Zilik." Alex ran his fingers over his head and muzzle, taking in the wounds and bruises that covered his face. "Zilik what happened? Who did this?"

He opened pain-soaked eyes. "I must be dying. I'm seeing those who went before."

Alex shook her head vigorously. "No, no, I'm not dead. I'm really here." She put a glowing hand on his chest, feeling the rapid rhythm of his heart beneath her palm. The pain in his eyes faded, but he still looked weak, sickly. "Who did this?"

"Jealous girlfriend," Zilik said with a ghost of a smile.

Alex scowled. "Really? Who?"

"Not a girlfriend—it was Cla," Zilik said.

They all went very, very still while rage sparked in Alex's eyes.

"She's been the perfect little assassin." A wet cough suddenly shook Zilik's body, and it sounded like death itself in the silence.

"Call for a doctor or medic." Alex ordered, her gaze never leaving Zilik. Cale dashed out and Alex asked, "What can I do?"

"Razz is at The Institute. He'll tell you." Zilik's eyes rolled and Alex shocked him white power. "Ow," Zilik groaned, his reproachful gaze meeting Alex's.

She shrugged apologetically, her words carrying a warning, "More of that if you don't stay awake."

Zilik grumbled under his breath before looking up at her with an amused glint in his dark eyes. He murmured, "Sadist."

"Flirt," she replied without missing a beat.

He chuckled, the sound feeble but laced with humor. "Hopeless romantic," he said weakly.

A smirk tugged at Alex's lips as she retorted, "Social butterfly.

Even though he was still drowsy, a spark of interest glinted in Zilik's black eyes as he said in wonderment, "That's a new one. Can I use it?"

Alex smirked knowingly and responded, "If you promise to stay alive."

The loud thump of running feet echoed through the halls and three figures hurdled into the room. Two chameleons, wearing bright medical robes, dropped to their knees beside Zilik's bed and began checking his vitals.

The third figure, a gecko, addressed Alex. "What happened?"

Alex glanced at Zilik, who coughed weakly in agreement before replying, "It was Cla. The rogue Anolis Warrior. She kills without consequence."

The Gecko cursed under its breath before instructing the medics.

"Take the Guardians to Razz," Zilik said.

"We will," one of the chameleons said. "You rest." The two chameleons lifted Zilik's limp body onto a stretcher and carried him away.

*****

The carriage clattered to a stop outside the Institute, and Alex and the brothers climbed out. The medics jumped from the back of the open-air wagon and scrambled around Zilik, carrying him to the infirmary.

Hilto waited for them at the entrance – tall with an unyielding posture. He nodded as he welcomed them in, but Alex's eyes stayed on Zilik, until one of the brothers muttered something to distract her. Inside the infirmary, glass vials clinked against metal counters and bright lights gave everything a sterile glow. The healers moved quickly, cleaning and bandaging wounds while the medics hovered nearby.

Their wait wasn't too long before a familiar voice asked, "Alex?"

She turned around and shrieked, "Razz!" She held open her arms for a hug.

He leapt into her arms and clung to her tightly, tail wrapping around her thigh for stability. She laughed with surprise as she looked into Razz's black eyes—eyes that were filled with joy and relief. His nimble fingers touched her face gently, and he peppered it with small kisses. "I thought that you were dead. I never thought that I would see you again."

"Oh, Razz." Alex was gratified by his emotion and returned the embrace, resting her cheek against his head. She wondered why her throat tightened and tears forced their way out.

Razz's love is the only one that I've known that's safe, without threat of rejection. I saved Razz and he adores me, even traded his life for my safety. What a tremendous sacrifice.

Alex held on a bit longer than normal, causing Razz to tremble slightly in response. As she ran her glowing hand down his back in reassurance, Gabe scowled. However, Rile smiled contentedly at the sight of his friend and ally hugging Alex.

A voice broke through the tension. "We've done all we can for him," said the head healer, a green Iguana. He shook his head sadly. "But he grows colder despite the fires."

"You can save him," Razz murmured into Alex's neck where his head was nestled.

"Uhm, about that." Alex blushed from her neck to top of her head.

Razz picked up his head and regarded her with his intelligent black eyes. "Why is heat rushing to your face and your heart beating faster? You are upset about your powers?" Razz turned his head to glare at Gabe. "I strongly suspect that you are at fault."

"You know nothing," Gabe hiss-growled.

"He's right," Rile interjected.

Razz turned to Alex and spoke in a gentle, patient voice. "What has become of your powers? You have been gifted by the God of Light and Warmth, they could benefit us all. Do not allow Gabe to hold you back from doing what is good; saving Zilik will change this world for the better. He may be but a small hero compared to you, yet he still fights for what is right. He presses the Council every tenday for freedom of the Anolis males, and provides rescue to those wanting to escape from their female mates."

"He's much more a hero than me." Alex bowed her head, regret filled her heart, and she wished that she could be more like him. "Dealing with those sadistic witches and politicians every day? Practically a saint. You're right: I won't let him die." She lifted her hands, sparking them with energy, as she prepared to transfer some of her power. "It's not a healing power but it helps."

Razz kissed her cheek and jumped off her. He gazed up at her with such adoration and trust that her shoulders straightened. Confidence filled her face and a gleam entered her eyes.

"That is the Guardian I know," Razz said with reverence. He looked up at her expectantly. "Please, may I watch? I am interested in helping the wounded." A curious light shone in his eyes as he waited for her response.

The head healer retreated, nodding for Alex to step in. She approached the bedside and saw Zilik unmoving, lying like a corpse on its back, an arm dangling off of the mattress. Gently she lifted his limp hand and held it close to her chest as she channeled her power through her fingertips. The soft white light danced over Zilik's wounds until they glowed with the same brightness. Carefully she massaged Zilik's shoulders and chest in tiny circles, her hands warm and soothing. As her energy drained away, Zilik finally stirred, rolling onto his side as he instinctively curled up into a protective ball.

The head healer clapped his hands together, relief washing over his face. "That's an excellent sign," he said with a satisfied grin. "I shall pray the fires are enough to maintain his body heat."

"I knew you could do it," Razz exclaimed, exuding absolute confidence. "Now, lash this bed with another, and we shall sleep next to him. Cla or other assassins could attempt to murder him again."

"About that," Gabe said. "When Alex sleeps—"

"Gabe!" Alex gasped.

He favored her with a knowing glance. "She sleeps like the dead. She can't protect Zilik. I protect her when she sleeps."

"Your kind has a clan bed concept," Razz replied. He turned to the head healer and medics. "Bring in two more beds. The Guardians and I will be joining Zilik."

"Now, wait—" Gabe started.

"Alex will save Zilik and you and your brothers will guard Alex. If you object, I will call Trac and Kress and some Gilas to join us." Razz folded his arms across his chest and fixed Gabe with a beady-eyed stare.

"I don't object!" Rile bounded onto the bed and grinned devilishly, swinging his legs back and forth.

Alex felt her cheeks heat up as Razz watched her with a piercing gaze.

Cale gave her shoulder a pat and smiled warmly. "We're all like family here, Alex. This is a clan bed, a healing bed, and nothing more."

Alex chewed her lip in thought.

I think that makes it more creepy, not less. Still, I doubt a battered Zilik will be enjoying any jollies in his state. I'll have to trust Cale sleeps through the power like he has in the past.

"Rile, you take first watch." Gabe's brow creased with anger as he shoved Rile. "And second and third."

"A leader that allows a member no rest?" Razz asked. "Poor leadership.

Cale stepped forward and placed a hand on Gabe's shoulder. "Gabe is a young leader and that makes him unsure and sometimes angry," he said calmly. "But he is not a poor leader."

Gabe's tense expression softened, and he exhaled slowly. "Rile, take first watch. I'll take second, and Cale third."

Razz observed the exchange with a thoughtful expression before turning to Alex. "Come, Alex, tell me of your life since you left. Please, before Zilik grows cold again," he said warmly, taking her hand in his own and guiding her towards the bed.

Alex offered a small smile as she crawled onto the bed and snuggled up against Zilik's back. "Well, I could lie here and tell you stories," she said lightly. "Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away..."