by ML Guida
She slowly sat and crossed her legs. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling. His dragon smell detected her warm breath, which soothed him.
A prickle edged up the back of his neck and he stiffened. He felt the same sensation when she’d entered his mind earlier.
His pulse elevated. He narrowed his eyes, his vision blurring to red. He clenched his fists tight.
Her eyes flew open. “I can’t. There’s so much rage.”
“Try again.”
She put her hand on her sweating forehead. “I don’t know if I can.”
“You’re going to give up on after one lousy try?”
“No.” Her small voice didn’t convince him.
“Then try again.”
She dropped her hand. One knee bounced up and down. She moistened her lips then closed her eyes.
Soft tingles swept up the back of his neck, massaging the stiffness. Her slow breath drew him to the rise and fall of her breasts. His fists slowly unclenched.
Be at peace.
He frowned. Not sure he heard right. It wasn’t his voice. Was it Chloe?
Let go.
The soft voice was subtle, slowly blocking out all his angry thoughts.
Trust me.
The knotted cords in the back of his neck unwound and the tension in his face lessened.
She lifted her head. “Do you feel happy?”
He shook his head but looked at her with wonder. “No, but I’m relaxed.”
Her face went slack and paled. “Damn, I was going for happy.”
“But you did good. It’s not easy turning down someone’s rage. It’s a start.”
Her eyes brightened and she smiled. “You think so? You think I did good?”
“Absolutely.”
Her voice was low, and her skin was still a little gray.
“How are you feeling?”
“To tell you the truth–drained.” She rested her shaking hands on her knees. “This takes a lot out of me to manipulate someone’s emotions. It’s not easy.”
Not willing to give up, he asked, “Do you think you could try one more time?”
“I could try.” She rubbed her stomach. “To be honest, I’m starving and I think I need fuel to do this.”
His gut growled as if to remind him he was just as famished as she was. “I’ll get something to eat.”
She frowned. “How do you know what’s edible on this planet? We could eat something that could be poisonous.”
He shrugged. “I’ll know. Our noses are more sensitive than humans. I’ll return shortly.”
She stood. “I’ll come with you.”
“No!” He pointed toward the ground. “You stay here.”
“I’m a prisoner now?”
“Of course not. But we don’t know where the Kamtrinians are. They could be waiting outside the cave.”
She looked nervously toward the entrance of the cavern as if waiting for a Kamtrinian to jump out.
He walked over and rested his hands on her shoulders. He kissed her on the mouth, drawing in on her softness to his hardness. “I’ll be back shortly.”
She stood on her tippy-toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her breasts against him, which made him want her all over again. “Be careful.” Her voice was soft, but he detected her worry.
“I will.” He forced himself to unravel himself from her warm embrace and left before he couldn’t resist her charms.
He hurried down the winding path back to the outside, but suddenly stopped in the darkness. His breath caught in his chest. His dragon hearing picked up something disturbing––silence. The creatures had been noisy all day and now, there wasn’t anything.
He pressed his back against the cold rocky wall and moved slowly to the entrance, careful to stay in the shadows. He inhaled deeply, trying to detect a scent, but all he could detect were the creatures that were hiding in the trees, and the flowery fragrance of the jungle.
But something was wrong.
His heart accelerated while everything else in his body slowed down. He gritted his teeth and tried to transform, but all he did was break out in a hot sweat. Whatever the Seps were doing, he was trapped in this vulnerable form.
He went to take a step out of the cave when a twig snapped. He slammed back against the hall, breathing hard. The breaking twig had been at least a stone’s throw away.
Another twig snapped, but this one was closer. Whatever was out there was getting closer. If he remained hiding, the thing might come inside and discover Chloe’s hiding place. Delias’s pleas echoed in his head, begging him to save her. He couldn’t let that happen to Chloe. She was his mate, and it was his job to protect her.
He peered around the cave wall. The Kamtrinian female hid behind a thick pink bush, but he definitely could see her. Where was the damn male?
His breath rose up and down on his chest. Although it was the Kamtrinian female out there, she’d still be incredibly strong. He needed to start the fire to weaken her. If he was a dragon, it would have been extremely easy, but thanks to the Seps, he wasn’t.
Another snap drew his attention. But this wasn’t coming from where the female was hiding. It was to the left of the cave. The male was coming. He had to draw him off, away from Chloe.
Cursing the Seps, he bolted from the cave, drawing on dragon speed, his heart nearly exploding from his chest.
“There he is!” The Kamtrinian male yelled. “Ifea, go to his left.”
Drake sprinted through the jungle. His adrenaline soared through him like a speeding rocket. His feet barely touched the ground and his arms pumped harder and harder. He leapt over fallen logs and small bushes. Leaves slapped him, and twigs and branches tore at his clothes and flesh.
Heavy footsteps tracked him from behind and to the side. He poured on the speed, drawing the Kamtrinians farther and farther away from the cave. They were closing in on him, but he didn’t care. As long as he kept moving away from the cave, Chloe would be safe.
The sound of roaring water rumbled ahead. Drake headed straight for it. His harsh breathing echoed in his ears. Out of the corner of his eye, the white alabaster skin of the Kamtrinians moved in out of the green, purple, and pink foliage.
He jumped over a thick flowery bush and landed on the edge of an embankment that looked down on a raging river. Swimming wasn’t his strong point, but his mate was in danger. Water crashed onto rocks and logs were crammed against the rocky edge. He’d no idea what was in the river. Predators could be lurking, ready to tear him apart, but he didn’t have a choice.
The thundering of footsteps was right behind him. He scrapped his hand through his hair, his muscles twitching. He took a step back and then leapt into the river. Water beat on him like an iron fist, forcing him under, slamming him against sharp rocks. He gulped in water and his clothes dragged him down deeper. His lungs squeezed shut begging for air and his eyes bulged. His heart pounded harder, sending adrenaline thrashing through his veins. Drawing on his dragon strength, he kicked his powerful legs and clawed his way to the surface. He burst out of the river, tossed his head back, and greedily sucked in air.
An angry splash made him spin around. His hair fell across his face, blinding him, but he knew what it was, even before long fingers closed around his throat. His precious air was robbed. He closed a fist and slammed it into the Kamtrinian’s face again and again. He rammed his knee into his enemy’s middle, but it was like hitting stone. The Kamtrinian forced him under. Water gushed into his throat, filling his lungs. He twisted, kicked, and pounded, but it was like fighting a wall of granite. White lights blinked in his vision, and he lost focus. His arms and legs lost their strength. His chest tightened. The warmth escaped from his body, replaced with an eerie coldness.
His death happened so quickly. He thought he could defeat his enemies, but they stole another woman from him, leaving him to die in hopeless misery and defeat.
Surprisingly Drake slowly woke to spitting up water on to his
shirt. He lifted his heavy head and blinked, trying to focus. Where the hell was he? He pulled on his arms, but realized his hands were bound behind a tree.
“Fumes,” a female said. “He’s awake.” She sat on a rock, watching him with no pity in those soulless black eyes.
“Good.” The Kamtrinian male walked over and slapped Drake across the face.
Pain exploded on his left cheek. Silver dots clouded his vision. He shook his head, trying to gather his wits.
Fumes wrapped his long fingers in Drake’s hair and yanked hard. “Where is your mate, Zalarian?”
Drake glared. “Go to hell.”
“I see we’re going to have to do this the hard way.”
He slammed his fist again and again into Drake’s face. Pain mushroomed, his eye swelled up, blood burst from his nose, and his cheek throbbed. Drake pulled on his restraints and kicked his legs, sweat dripping down his miserable face, adrenaline flowing through him, but it was useless. His bindings only cut into his flesh. There was nothing he could do. He’d no doubt the Kamtrinian would beat him to death.
“Fumes, wait. Stop.” Panic rolled through the female’s voice.
“What is it, Ifea?” He raised his fist but turned to look at the female who stared at the jungle.
“I smell smoke.” Ifea pointed, her hand shaking. “Look, the jungle’s on fire. Fumes, don’t you see? He started the fire. We can’t stay here. We’ll die. I know it. I just know it.” Her voice turned rapid and her lower lip trembled.
“Will you calm down? It’s not like we’re going to melt.” Fumes frowned. “There weren’t any storms.” He looked at Drake suspiciously. “It was your damn mate, wasn’t it?”
Drake clenched his jaw tight, refusing to answer. For the first time, the darkness inside him lifted. His little mate must have been the one who started the fire. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she turned the engines on him.
“Answer me, damn it!” Fumes slapped Drake hard again, the side of his face slammed into the bark of the tree.
Drake spit blood into Fume’s glowering face.
Fume ran his down his face, wiping off the blood. “The bastard’s not going to tell us where his mate is.”
“I still think he would have, but you beating the crap out of him wasn’t going to make him betray his mate. Zalarians would rather die than turn over their mates.”
“Really? Do you think I don’t know this? We’ve got to kill these two quickly and get you off this miserable planet.”
She looked back into the jungle. “Now, we’re going to die, because of your stupidity.” Tears formed in her black eyes. Her pale skin turned gray. “I’m becoming weaker and weaker, Fumes.”
Her voice was so lost that Drake almost took pity of her. Almost.
Fumes held Ilfea in his arms. He left her then bent down. Hate glistened in his eyes.
Drake gulped in ragged breaths.
“You had a chance to tell us where your mate was, Zalarian. Have no doubt I will find her. Like you, humans are stupid, useless creatures. I would have killed her quickly, but since you’ve defied me, I’ll make her suffer like you will when the fire consumes you.”
Ilfea frowned. “But he’s a dragon, Fumes. He’ll find a way to transform. I know he will.” She wrung her trembling hands. “He’ll find us. And kill us. We’ve got to get out of here.”
Her terror reeked from her like a stinky soak. She edged farther away from Drake as if any minute he’d break his bonds and burn her alive.
“Will you calm yourself? The Seps took away his dragon power. You’re safe. I doubt he’ll withstand the flames.” Fumes stood and kicked Drake in the thigh. Drake bit back a cry as more agony rippled through him.
Fumes gently took Ilfea’s hand. “I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
“I don’t know.” She raised her crackled hand. “My skin’s already beginning to crack.”
Holding hands, the two Kamtrinians disappeared into the jungle, leaving Drake to burn alive. Drake had no idea whether Fumes was right. Normally, Zalarians, even in human form, fire had no effect on them. But the Seps had stolen his power. Maybe he was vulnerable. He leaned his head against the tree.
But he’d learned something, if he could just stay alive enough to tell Chloe. The female Ilfea needed to get off this planet. She must have something wrong with her that made her vulnerable. It was an advantage, giving his mate a fighting chance.
Smoke seeped out of the jungle. His eyes watered and he coughed. His temperature shot up. Through the leaves and thick branches, the blaze of fire greedily consumed ground, inching its way toward him. He pulled against his bindings, but they were steadfast. Sweat drenched his beaten body. He closed his eyes, hoping the Fates would protect his little mate.
11
Chloe squatted behind a bush. She put her shaking hand over her mouth. Fumes slammed his fist into Drake’s mouth. Every muscle in Chloe’s body tensed. She clenched her jaw tight, to keep from screaming at Fumes. Giving away her location wouldn’t help Drake. She had to be smarter.
Drake was her only hope of getting off this wretched planet. She had to save him. Sleeping with him had rocked her socks off. It wasn’t just the physical sex, but he’d unlocked her heart. Trusting men didn’t come easy, but she was drawn to Drake. It was more than that she cared for him, really cared for him. Losing him would send her into a tail-spin.
Fumes punched Drake square in the jaw. Drake snapped his head against the tree trunk. He spit out blood, spraying droplets on Fumes’s torn and stained jacket.
She dug her nails into her palms, wishing she had the strength to pulverize him like he was Drake, but she wasn’t helpless, either. She stared at Ilfea, pouring all of her power toward the alien. Tingles gushed through her. Her limbs went slack and she slumped over. She descended into the female’s body. Like the male, her form was cold and hard. The female’s name was Ifea. Fear was already brewing inside her. Chloe tried to intensify it.
He’ll kill you.
Ifea put her hands over her ears. “No,” she whispered.
Yes, he will. He can transform. He’s only waiting for the perfect moment. He started the fire.
Ifea shook.
You’ll burn. Burn. Burn.
Chloe could feel Ifea’s pulse quicken, her terror igniting. Ifea yelled, “Look, the jungle’s on fire. Fumes, don’t you see? He started the fire. We can’t stay here. We’ll die. I know it. I just know it.”
Chloe couldn’t hold on anymore and slammed back into her sweating body. She rolled onto her side, gasping for breath, but inhaled smoke. Her eyes watered, blurring her vision. She coughed violently, nearly spitting up her lungs. She pushed herself up on her hands and knees.
Angry white and black smoke swirled into the sky. Creatures screeched in terror, trying to escape. Thickness formed at the back of Chloe’s throat at their pitiful cries. She coughed and her eyes watered. Flames leaped up trees, their trunks turning black. Leaves crackled. Branches fell to the ground. Bushes groaned as pink, yellow, and purple flowers withered, turning to ash.
Slimy things slithered over her hands. She yanked away and pushed the hair out of her face. Furry creatures the size of bunnies scurried past her. The leathery birds flew high into the sky. She hated hurting the innocent creatures, but she didn’t have a choice. She had to save Drake.
Her fluttering stomach, and her swelling heart, blocked out her logic that she only needed, Drake only to get off this damn planet. Admit it. He made her feel safe and whole when they were together. She cared about him. Really cared about him.
She wiped her mouth and smiled. Fumes and Ifea disappeared into the jungle. Drake was slumped against a tree. Blood trickled down his face, turning his neck and chest crimson. One eye was completely swollen shut.
Smoke circled around her. Heat beat down her like a hammer. She had to move. Not sure whether the Kamtrinians were lying in wait or not, she darted from tree to tree until she reached Drake.
He must have been slum
ped over, because his hands were slack and the bindings tight. She pulled and pulled but she couldn’t get the bindings to move. Behind her, the heat intensified. Her back dripped with sweat and her shirt and suit molded to her skin. She panted hard.
“Damn!” She put her shaking hands on her knees.
Something moved out of the corner of her eye. She whirled around. Her heartbeat raced, nearly exploding. A burning tree twisted and fell right toward her. She screamed and jumped to the side, smashing into a flowery bush.
“Drake! Drake!” Coughing and her eyes watering, she struggled to get out, kicking her legs and her hands to break branches. Fire crackled, popped, and snapped. Red-hotness drenched her as if she were melting into a pile of goo, but she had to get to Drake.
Ash and sparks flew into the air. She shielded her eyes. “Drake!”
Smoke poured around her, her heart slamming against her ribs. She crawled toward where Drake’s body was slumped over. She picked up a red-hot rock, scalding her hand. Ignoring the pain and utilizing all her strength, she repeatedly smashed it into his binding. Her raging breath echoed in her ear.
Ash fell on her hair and skin, sending throbbing anguish through her. “Come on!” Finally, the vines unraveled, one-by-one. She lifted the rock up and smacked the frayed vine. It snapped. “Finally!” She bent over, her hands on her knees.
She put her hand on her chest, gasping for breath, the smoke weakening her.
Drake was over on his side. He wasn’t moving.
“No! No! No!” She knelt next to him. “Drake, Drake, Drake.” She patted his face. Her wild heart went into panic mode, threatening to pop out of her chest. Tears formed at the back of her eyes. She couldn’t lose him. He was the first man she thought she could trust. “Wake up, please don’t die.” Tears slid down her cheeks.
He was so heavy. How could she move him? She put her hand over his nose. Warm breath blew onto her palm, but it was faint, too faint.
She edged around him, then put her hands underneath his armpits and took a step. She barely moved an inch. “Drake.” She gasped, her arms shaking. “I can’t. Please help me.”
