Apparition

by C. L. Scholey

  But how was it even possible?

  Zoe collapsed against Doss and his secretions went into overdrive to calm her. Her entire body was shaking when his large arms wrapped around her. He couldn’t get enough of the feel of her. His armor stayed down even though his heart was thumping in his chest. He wanted to feel this overwhelming emotion. His hand stroked her long locks away from her face. She was so pale.

  “I thought I was a goner, but Loy grabbed me and suddenly his shield was all around me. I was so scared, but Loy said the shield needed all of its strength to deflect the power of the blow. I saw fire everywhere, but there was no pain. I felt Loy’s skin against mine and wondered why he hadn’t put his shield up to save his life. I was so confused when Loy just stood up and walked away with me through the wall of flames. I thought he had to be warrior mated with Doss first before he could do that?” Zoe asked. Her confusion was as apparent as Doss’ and Loy’s was.

  “He does, otherwise there has to be a blood connection,” Cobra said, gazing back and forth to each warrior. “There is only one way this could happen. You are both related. It’s not possible Loy is your father. Loy and Doss must be brothers.”

  “We’re the same age,” Loy said. “My mother was Castian.”

  “And Doss’ was Tonan. You are both of the same Castian father, which means you share the same shield DNA. After Doss’ father and mother joined, his father left this planet with me. The talks had not gone well at all. It was more like a fast getaway. Your father found Loy’s mother and mated with her and had another son—Loy. A woman doesn’t have to mate to become pregnant.” Cobra turned to Doss. “Your father never knew you existed. It was his first must. If he didn’t mate with your mother, she must have repelled him. He would have left fast, taking the hint and wouldn’t have been given a chance to feel any awareness of you. When he mated with Loy’s mother, he wasn’t allowed to go back to Ulsy, she needed him. Tensions were too high. I swear if he had known about you, he wouldn’t have left you here, neither would I.”

  “Brothers?” Doss said and stared at Loy, mouth agape. Loy looked just as surprised.

  “We should have realized something was up when Loy’s warrior mate’s babe didn’t balk at the idea of his chosen warrior mate, especially since Doss is half Tonan. The babe would scent her mother’s fear of Tonans and that her father was killed because of them. The child would scent what and who Doss was. She must have already understood he was family.”

  “But why didn’t Loy or Doss know?” Zoe asked.

  “Maybe because we are half brothers?” Doss said shaking his head. But he didn’t doubt for a moment it wasn’t true. That nagging feeling in his gut was telling him something all along. No wonder Zoe’s dream had been so important. Doss had been alone for so long and so few scent memories were detectable, now he was awash with them. He searched for the emotional scent of a brother.

  “A babe’s scent is far superior to ours. It has to be for survival instincts and fast reaction. A female is highly desirable when pregnant,” Cobra explained. “And Doss is a hybrid and capable of masking his emotions. It took me a while to scent his intentions. And I’m three thousand years old. Loy has been under too much duress, and if he sensed a brother connection, he would have naturally assumed it was with another and not Doss.”

  “This means you’re Raiden’s brother, too,” Loy exclaimed.

  “Another brother?” Doss asked.

  “Yes. I’m afraid our little sister died because of the poisoned water; it was a devastating blow to my parents—our father. Mother was already pregnant with Raiden by then and her baby shield only protected our parents until Raiden was weaned. I raised our brother. This is his first must, for both him and his warrior mate, Cace.”

  “I hate to break up this family reunion, but what the hell is all over that stallion?” a man asked.

  “Doss, Zoe, this is my son Rask,” Cobra said.

  There was a definite family resemblance between father and son. Doss looked at Caveat. “He’s covered in Moonway.”

  “I went back for them,” Zoe said quietly. “I didn’t want them to get left behind.”

  Doss smelled her remorse battle with indecision. He knew she blamed herself for what happened. The smell was emanating from all of them.

  “Well then, let’s get them on board,” Cobra said. He turned to Doss. “It’s time you went home.”

  * * * *

  Zoe had her face pressed to a window and watched as the stars flew by. She had flown in a large shuttle her first trip to Ulsy when the meteors weren’t as bad in the beginning. The same craft had brought Caveat and other prize animals. Many of those animals were now being taken to Bagron. Both she and Doss pledged alliance to Cobra. Zoe wanted to believe the Castians were decent men. It was hard when she couldn’t get the ringing of women’s cries from her mind. While Doss had examined the vessel’s controls and was being taught how to use them, Cobra had taken her on a tour of his ship.

  “I can scent your hesitancy and indecision about coming to Bagron,” Cobra said.

  Zoe stiffened and pulled back from the window. Cobra stood right beside her. She knew it would be useless to lie. “I don’t want to be afraid.”

  Cobra placed his hand on her shoulder and Zoe was surprised his secretions calmed her. It wasn’t that he drugged her; it was more a feeling of safety. She felt unthreatened, so that her thoughts could clear. “All Castian males are capable of calming a female—to an extent,” Cobra said obviously seeing her curiosity.

  “Doss will be better at it because you are his mate. I am now one of the oldest Castians alive; many died with their mates. I never mated Rask’s mother, her decision not mine. This is a way a female learns of Castians. If you were a Castian female and you felt my touch wasn’t right, you would have the ability to repel me. Human females don’t have the ability.”

  “Repel you?”

  Cobra grimaced. “A Castian female was able to secret a scent so foul it would drop a warrior to his knees; your daughter, if you have one, will have the same capability. Human females are exceptionally vulnerable around males.”

  “The captive women you saved must be so scared.”

  “Yes, there were twenty women and sixteen children in the first dome the night Doss and Loy saved Loy’s new mate. They are aboard this vessel. As is Brandy. You both need to form bonds. My men are still tallying the count of other domes. Some females and children fled, fearing for their lives once set free and have yet to be found on Ulsy. Like you did, they are hiding in fear of both Castian and Tonan. Doss could be a big help seeing as he is neither race, they may feel less threatened if he approaches them.

  “The children are easier to deal with. Acts of kindness and food and water have already gotten many of the children to smile and laugh. The place they are kept is open and bright, warm. We replicated a few toys, and they seem content. The women who were abused are afraid, but my warriors are falling over themselves to be helpful and charming.”

  Cobra rocked back on his heels and Zoe wondered why he really wanted to take her for a stroll. “You want me to talk to the women, don’t you?”

  “I was hoping you would share your experience with them,” Cobra said. “I understand what happened between you and Loy, and Brandy is also willing to tell them of how a Castian warrior was killed to save her from suffering. There are even a few of the other women with stories of my men’s bravery. Unfortunately, many of my warriors were in must, some still are. It’s impossible to excuse their actions and yet I understand them. Bagron is well-protected. This must cycle is coming to an end, for many it has passed. We have little time before the next generation of females slips between our fingers.”

  Zoe was annoyed. “Females, is that all you want?”

  “I want the women to be happy. I realize the last thing on their minds is mating with a race of would be attackers.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Cobra looked sad. “We are a wounded race. We have much love to give
. It pains me what happened. The Castian warriors we saved all look so defeated. The stench of self-loathing hangs in the air.”

  “There will be more sadness when you save the others. But maybe in time there will be healing as well. Cobra?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You say a Castian scents what a female is feeling and a touch can help?”

  “I know what you’re thinking and yes, my warriors can help the women with our secretions, but many don’t want us near them. Our secretions are confusing the ones we have touched. A warrior can’t make a woman want him, but a touch can calm a female to where she wants to be held and reassured and made to feel safe again.”

  A loud yell captured their attention. The sound of thundering movement was coming around a corner at Zoe and Cobra fast. Cobra’s armor snapped into place and he grabbed Zoe into his arms and scaled the height of the side of the vessel to about twenty feet. He hung almost upside down between ship floors. The ship had many levels. The walls and floor were sponge-like so sharp talons and claws could embed to aid in the Castians’ quick movement from level to level.

  Zoe clung to Cobra, her arms around his neck. Her thoughts centered onto Doss. Cobra held her cradled to his chest with one massive arm. A huge black ball of fury burst around the corner trailed by two warriors.

  “Caveat,” Zoe exclaimed. She heard a small chuckle and jumped in surprise when she saw Doss hanging almost upside down, like Cobra, right beside her.

  Wow, he is fast.

  The stallion stopped dead and reared. His hooves rested on the wall and he snorted up at Cobra. His ears were pinned back and his teeth snapped together. He dropped down and stomped his front feet in a crushing gesture. His regal head tossed and he ran around in tight circles finally stopping and whinnying his displeasure.

  “I don’t think that animal likes me,” Cobra said musingly.

  Zoe giggled. “Don’t feel bad, he bit Doss on the ass once. Now he just tolerates him.”

  “Gee thanks,” Doss drawled.

  Cobra sighed. “Well, it’s not you he looks like he’s about to destroy.”

  Cobra began to descend. When he settled Zoe on her feet, she went to calm the stallion that had obviously been looking for her. When he bent his knee, Zoe climbed onto his back. Two Castian warriors were scowling at the horse. Zoe smiled at them in passing as she leisurely rode Caveat back to the horses’ area.

  Chapter 10

  Zoe could see Caveat and the herd in the distance outside a huge window. Amidst the massive trees was the occasional open space and the horses seemed content. This was her new home on Bagron. She and Doss had been there two weeks. It was strange, almost confining, to be in the apartment-type dwelling with a sliding door. Zoe had spent so much time outdoors. The ceiling was high and domed. The walls and floor were made of the same sponge material the planet sported. The window she gazed through was about two feet high and about six feet long. Doss said no one could see in.

  There were many levels in the apartment-type complex, but Doss had requested the main floor. He had spent too long in a cave to be comfortable living anywhere not on the ground. Zoe was fine with that too. With the press of a button, she could slide the window back and feed Caveat and the other horses apples and carrots. All of the horses knew where to find Zoe and often milled about near the large window.

  The planet was much the same as Ulsy. Massive trees, tons of brilliant foliage. Odd holograms mixed with Earth animals. The complex where they lived was also domed and made from interlocking trees. It looked like a giant beaver dam from the outside. Inside were many levels and many more apartments. It was the size of a football stadium, and Zoe learned there were many more such complexes in various places on the planet.

  Zoe was bored to tears. She was no longer hiding and running for her life, which she was grateful for, but there was nothing to do. The apartment cleaned itself; the bed made itself. She had no need for money or a job; everything they needed the replicator made, including all meals. It left her free to do anything she wanted. She looked wistfully at the horses, itching to ride Caveat. She lacked companionship at the moment and was desperate to be outside. Doss had asked her to wait for him and so here she sat impatiently.

  Zoe had spoken to the fearful earth women who had been raped or beaten on many occasions. The women were put in pairs with their own apartments, also on the first floor as the domed structure had no elevators or stairs. Many had become friends. Zoe described her own experience; her fateful flee in the forest and her meeting with Doss. Brandy had become a close friend and spoke about her own encounter with a basically unknown warrior who gave up his life to save her, and his mate who accepted her and her unborn baby without question. Brandy said she loved Loy; he had risked his freedom to save her because of how loyal a Castian warrior was. Some were willing to give the Castian warriors a chance to prove they were honorable. Many were skeptical; Zoe didn’t blame them.

  Doss had been instrumental in saving the lives of hundreds of women, children and Castian warriors. In many instances, because he was different, neither Castian nor Tonan, the women and children found it more comfortable to be around him. Doss had been overwhelmed; going from centuries of being a loathed hybrid to hero and savior to so many in such a short time was humbling. He no longer masked his emotions but wore them with pride. Because of that, Doss had made numerous friends. And because he was related to Loy and Raiden, his Castian scent seemed stronger on him. That coupled with the fact he had no lying tail was proof he was a warrior who could be trusted, a male with honor.

  It had been a heartening experience to see women and children who were saved from the Tonan prison camp playing or just wandering freely outdoors. It seemed Cobra had a passion for earth animals, real and holograms. Elephants washed at lakes in the distance. Deer roamed and nuzzled food from an open palm.

  Because the holograms could create anything in various sizes for the parts Castians needed, they were able to replicate larger toys. It was nice to see the warriors bending over backwards to play ball with a quiet child, or pushing a swing, or manning one side of a teeter totter with only a huge hand.

  The human children had described Earth games and the replicators made hundreds of balls, gloves, bats. It didn’t take the warriors long to fall in love with football. And many of the warriors were already planning and designing an ice rink, which before would have seemed a laughable idea on a planet with two suns. It was a new experience for them all. The humans having come from a dying planet to a lush new world. The Castians having no women, knowing nothing but war, were playing side by side with the children and each other.

  Zoe was happy for Doss who seemed to be welcomed with open arms like a lost brother—which he was in fact. Cobra and Loy had taken him under their wings to teach him about Castian ways. Before long, Loy and Doss were the envy of warrior mates. Their fighting skills were unsurpassed with Doss’ lightning moves.

  As though Zoe’s thoughts had conjured him up, Doss entered their home smiling. Zoe was in his arms. His kiss was hungry when he captured her mouth and Zoe was breathless before long. Doss backed her up to the bed. Zoe landed on it with a gentle plop.

  “Well you’re in a good mood,” Zoe said and gazed into gray eyes rolling with billowing with clouds.

  “I met my brother Raiden and his warrior mate Cace. They are back from a mission. It seems another world that has been unexplored may have life on it. Raiden wants permission to land on the planet, but he was eager to meet me and my chosen.”

  “When will I get to meet them?”

  “Tonight. Loy and Brandy are having us all over for dinner.”

  Zoe was thrilled. She wondered what she should wear then chuckled. Besides different colors, the women wore basically the same thing. It was a necessity when it came to the warriors and their armor. The less encumbering the clothing, the better. A few of the warriors made suggestions that perhaps nude would be easiest. But Cobra put his foot down. Whatever the women chose to wear or not wear w
as up to them. Zoe thought he was a good leader.

  Doss settled himself on top of her. His hand brushed back a lock of her hair. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he said making Zoe smile.

  “Prove it,” she said cheekily.

  “Hmm,” Doss said as though pondering. “Let me start with your beautiful nose.” Doss kissed the tip of her nose, Zoe giggled. “Your eyes.” He kissed her eyelids. Zoe would have once thought the kiss was that of a butterfly wing, but the butterflies on this planet were a foot high. When they batted their wings it was enough to cause a substantial breeze.

  “What else?” Zoe whispered.

  “Every part of your body is gorgeous, everything about you is stunning, but your true beauty comes from within. That’s what makes you beautiful.”

  Doss lifted her shirt over her head and licked her breasts. He sucked each nipple until it hardened to a bud. He pulled her up and removed their pants. He sat her on his lap facing him. He was hard as steel and Zoe felt the tip of his erection glide into her ever so gently. His powerful hands did all the work as he lifted her and slid her down over his long hot length.

  Zoe groaned at the sheer strength of the warrior as his hands settled onto her ass. His power was unsurpassed. His huge hands that could crush were tender and loving. She was panting before long and she tried to move against him faster. Zoe planted her knees on either side of him and pulled up. Her hands rested on his broad shoulders loving the feel of his muscles. Doss let her set the pace, until her head dropped to his chest. Once she was exhausted, he smiled at her and Zoe hung on. She gasped as she rose and fell, bouncing like an uneven trot on a huge runaway horse.

  Their mouths met and tongues intertwined. Zoe nipped his bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth and releasing. She licked the soft skin around his perfect jaw, loving the fact there was no rough stubble. His tongue glided around her ear making her giggle and shove at him, but he held tight. His one hand gripped her long hair and he pulled her head to his chest. His stunning erection began to grow larger and larger and Zoe offered him her throat and begged to be bitten. Doss sunk his teeth into her and Zoe settled. Doss held her cupped to his chest. She felt safe and warm and loved. Everything was so perfect. Doss roared a release. He stilled, but they stayed together for long moments.