Chapter 1

Shouts pierced the night, followed by a series of rapid pops. Gunfire. Panic started to set in, but after Aubrey looked at the fortified walls and the bulletproof windows, her worry gradually subsided. She forced in a few deep breaths.

Safe. We're safe.

The gunfire can't penetrate the walls or shatter the windows.

She headed down the upstairs hallway. Pausing at the first bedroom, she carefully opened the door and peeked inside.

Three sleeping forms were sprawled on the beds. Her young nephews. The only family she had left in the universe. Her heart ached at the sight of them. They'd endured so much, having recently lost their mother, yet in sleep they appeared so peaceful and untroubled that it brought tears to her eyes.

Not for the first time, she thought about taking the boys and leaving McHenry. During the last few weeks, her hometown had turned into a warzone. At least during the nighttime hours.

But where would they go?

The entire country was plagued by violence and unrest, and the borders around many towns and larger cities were strictly guarded. Unfortunately, some of the more rural areas in what was left of the United States, like McHenry, were terrorized by militias. You needed a huge amount of galactic credits to bribe a soldier to let you beyond a checkpoint.

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Fortifying the house had depleted her funds, and now they were barely getting by. Her job as a remote interstellar translator only covered groceries and the most basic of necessities. The boys were growing fast and would soon need new shoes and clothing. They were all due for a yearly doctor's visit as well. Probably a dental checkup too.

Guilt tightened in her chest. What if she failed them? What if one of them became sick and she couldn't afford the treatment?

As she stood watching them sleep, the sounds of violence faded. No more shouts or gunfire. She prayed it would remain silent for the remainder of the night. Usually, the various militias that were vying for power in McHenry got into skirmishes after darkness fell, but by morning they cleared out.

The daytime hours in McHenry were relatively safe at least. The current mayor, who happened to be Aubrey's ex-fiancé, prided himself on keeping the town open and running smoothly during the day. According to the rumors, he'd brokered a deal with the militias that would keep them off the streets at certain times.

After tucking an extra blanket around each of the boys, Aubrey walked to her office and fired up the computer. She mostly worked at night. Relief filled her when she found several contracts in her inbox, including one that would pay extra for a twenty-four hour turn around.

She set to work translating the fifty-page document from Anndollian to Galactic Common. Once the contents of the document became apparent—it was a collection of ancient Anndollian poetry—she smiled and shook her head. She usually translated top secret documents, but it was a delight when she received something so benign. The encryption software she used made it impossible to discern her clients' true identities or locations, just as it was impossible for them to track her in any way, yet she couldn't help but wonder who wanted the Anndollian poems translated and why they desired a quick turnaround.

She worked tirelessly through the night, translating poem after poem. Just as she heard the boys rousing from sleep, she finished the entire document and returned it to the client. Within seconds, the full payment hit her account. She exhaled with relief and said a quick prayer of thanks. It was enough for a week of groceries and some extras, like winter boots for all three of her nephews.

Covering a yawn, she turned her computer off and spun in her chair just as three rambunctious boys rushed into the room. The oldest, ten-year-old Marcus, chased his younger brothers around with a foam sword while pretending to be a pirate.

"Yarrr!" Marcus cried. He tried to whack seven-year-old Finn, the youngest, only for eight-year-old Wyatt to snatch it neatly from his hand and bop him over the head. They erupted into giggles as they all vied for possession of the sword, and Aubrey couldn't help but join in their laughter. It warmed her heart to see them playing like children should, especially considering how quiet and withdrawn they had been when she'd first become their guardian.

She stepped into the fray, grabbed the sword, and held it high above her head. "Behold. It is I, Aubrey the Pirate Queen, and you will do my bidding lest I feed you to the sharks." Ignoring her fatigue, she flashed a wide grin at the giggling boys. "Make your beds and get dressed, I say! Now or you're shark food!"

"I saw a shark once!" Wyatt said.

"No you didn't," Marcus retorted in his best bossy big brother voice. "You've never visited the ocean before."

"I saw it in the lake," Wyatt said.

"Really?" Finn asked, eyes wide. "A real live shark?"

Marcus sputtered, his face turning red as he drew in a deep breath, and Aubrey worried he was about to issue a grave insult to his brother. Wanting to defuse the situation, she stepped forward and ruffled Wyatt's hair. "I'm afraid there aren't any sharks in the lake or the river. You must've seen a very big fish." She cleared her throat. "Now, who wants pancakes?"

"Me!" they called in unison.

She set the sword atop a high bookshelf and turned to face her nephews. "How about you go make your beds and get dressed. I'll get started on breakfast, and then we can go for a walk."

They bolted into the hallway and rushed for their shared room.

Aubrey got to work in the kitchen, making a triple batch of pancakes. All three children seemed to be going through a growth spurt, and she anticipated there would be no leftovers. She turned on the small, countertop television, keeping one eye on the screen as she stirred the batter.

The news reports were as depressing and anxiety-inducing as ever. More war, more disease, more natural disasters. More of everything but peace and harmony.

She sighed and thought about all the beautiful planets and interesting space stations and trading posts she'd visited during her illustrious career as a traveling interstellar translator. The career she'd walked away from after her sister's passing. Wouldn't it be nice to settle on picturesque Ghorsonna or reside within the safety of the Quexxtian Empire?

But just as she'd visited many beautiful and safe locations during her travels, she'd also visited plenty of dangerous places as well. Earth wasn't exactly safe, but she didn't have the funds or resources to make a clean escape on a heavily armed charter vessel. And she sure as hell wouldn't risk the boys' lives by taking them on a cheaper, less safe interstellar ship.

Galactic credits. If only she could secure a few hundred thousand galactic credits. Then she could zip away from Earth in luxury as she whisked her nephews to safety. Unfortunately, just before she'd returned to her home planet, thieves had drained several of her once-bulging accounts. Most of the credits she'd spent years saving… just gone. And thus far, she hadn't had any luck getting the authorities to help her recover the stolen money.

At least she'd managed to scrounge up the funds to refurbish her childhood home in McHenry, installing bulletproof walls and windows. The boys would remain safe. For now. It was the best she could do under the circumstances, though that didn't stop her from taking as many remote translation contracts as she could. Maybe one day she would have enough money for a grand escape.

She ladled the first batch of pancakes on the griddle and leaned against the counter, absently twirling the spatula as she continued watching television. Suddenly, the news program ended and there was an announcement about a special broadcast. Her stomach knotted because she anticipated more bad news. Maybe an in-depth story about a new plague.

But instead of another scary news program, a lineup of over a dozen hunky (and shirtless) Vaxxlian males appeared on the screen, and a cheerful female voice started gushing about the benefits of becoming a Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Bride.

Aubrey snorted and rolled her eyes, but then the voiceover began listing some sound reasons to become a Vaxxlian's bride. She found herself listening closely.

"That's right, ladies. Once you become the bride of a strong Vaxxlian warrior, you'll live on the beautiful and peaceful planet of New Vaxx. Your sexy and sweet husband will have eyes for you and you alone. Vaxxlians mate for life and take their mating vows very seriously. I assure you, cheating is not an issue on New Vaxx. You'll be utterly adored, worshiped, and respected by your handsome alien husband. Imagine having the relationship of your dreams with a partner who delights in helping you raise the children."

With a dramatic sigh, Aubrey turned the television off. She hadn't been born yesterday. If something sounded too good to be true, then it probably was. She'd heard about Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides before, which was organized by the Intergalactic Dating Agency. She occasionally translated documents from Vaxxlian to Galactic Common or other languages, so she was more familiar with their culture than most humans, but she'd always suspected there must be a catch to the whole mail order bride thing.

Vaxxlians mated for life. It was a fact everyone knew, and while it sounded romantic on the surface, in Aubrey's opinion it also represented a potential lifelong prison sentence. If a woman mated with a Vaxxlian and the male wasn't as nice and wonderful as the commercials promised, she would be stuck on planet New Vaxx with no way to escape an unhappy marriage.

Aubrey shuddered as she thought about her asshole ex. Pete. Thank the heavens he'd shown his true colors before they'd made it to the altar. He'd shattered her trust so badly that she doubted she would ever contemplate dating again, let alone embark upon an actual relationship. They'd broken up years ago, seven to be exact, and she hadn't so much as kissed or held hands with another man in all that time.

She swallowed past the sudden burning in her throat. It was better this way. Better for her to remain alone as she raised the boys. She didn't need a man to help provide for them and keep them safe. Somehow, she would figure out a way to make more money and start saving for their eventual escape to a safer planet.

She flipped the pancakes and stirred the remaining batter, trying to think positive thoughts as the boys loudly got ready for the day. Thankfully, today was Saturday and they didn't have homeschool lessons. Convincing them to sit for two or three hours while they completed their assignments wasn't always easy. She covered a yawn and hoped to convince them to take a nap after the morning walk. Staying up night after night working on contracts was taking its toll on her. What she wouldn't give for a good night's sleep.

Just as the boys rushed into the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Aubrey grabbed her phone and quickly pulled up the security system's live feed, praying it wasn't Pete. Though years had passed since she'd dumped his duplicitous ass, he occasionally stopped by to plead for a second chance. As if. She'd rather kiss a Verrshuxan bog creature.

But it wasn't Pete. Nor anyone she recognized.

To her utter shock, a hugely muscular, dark-haired Vaxxlian warrior stood on the front porch. His green eyes glowed as he stared directly at the camera and waved.