Alien Betrayed

by Marie Dry

  In a bleak and apocalyptic future, where the Zyrgin Warriors are getting ready to conquer Earth, Marcie is sent to infiltrate the alien stronghold in the Rocky Mountains, only to be betrayed by her own people. Instead of stealing the alien’s technology and accomplishing her mission of causing mayhem and destruction among them, she is captured by Larz, an arrogant alien, who wreaks havoc with her heart when he insists that she will be his woman. Still, he may no longer want her when he discovers her secrets...ones she doesn’t even know she has.

  KUDOS FOR ALIEN BETRAYED

  In Alien Betrayed by Marie Dry, Marcie is a spy, sent to infiltrate the Zyrgin base. She’s a brash, aggressive, and unlikeable hussy, and no one can stand her. But Larz wants her for his breeder. When she tries to kill a Zyrgin guard and the leader’s woman, Larz forces his third change so that he can claim her. Otherwise she might be put to death before he has a chance to make her his. But when Marcie wakes up Larz’s dwelling and doesn’t remember who or where she is, Larz isn’t sure what to think. Is she acting, in hopes of escaping, or is her loss of memory for real. And if it is real, what does it mean? The third book in the series is equally hot and spicy as the first two. My kind of book. ~ Taylor Jones, Reviewer

  Alien Betrayed by Marie Dry is the third book in her Zyrgin Warrior series. Our heroine, if you can call her that, is Marcie, an angry, vicious woman, whom Larz has claimed for his own. Marcie has been sent to the Zyrgins’ camp as a spy, but when she wakes up with amnesia, claiming she doesn’t know who she is or what she has done, she is appalled to learn that she is in a nest of man reptiles and the only thing between her and her death for trying to harm another warrior’s breeder is Larz. Marcie may not know who she is, but she is sure that she isn’t the mean awful shrew everyone seems to think she is. But dark secrets are hiding in her psyche, and she is afraid for her memories to return, afraid she will become the monster that she feels lurking in her mind, just waiting to take over. Alien Betrayed, like the two before it, is well-written with an intriguing plot and plenty of steamy sex scenes. What’s not to love? ~ Regan Murphy, Reviewer

  Alien Betrayed

  Marie Dry

  A Black Opal Books Publication

  Copyright © 2016 by Marie Dry

  Cover Design by Marie Dry and Jackson Cover Designs

  All cover art copyright © 2016

  All Rights Reserved

  EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-626944-77-0

  EXCERPT

  She didn’t know who she was, or where she was, but she knew that something was terribly wrong...

  She saw the monster crouch over her as though through a tunnel. His green and copper skin distorted and, for one hellish moment, huge teeth filled her whole vision. She managed to stop that awful screaming, to close her mouth.

  Move, she shouted at her body. She tried to inch away from him, to jump out of the bed, but her blood had turned to lead, her body to stone. She tried to mumble the prayer her mother had taught her. Only ragged breaths escaped. Her lips wouldn’t shape words.

  “You had a bad dream?” The fact that it spoke English made it even scarier.

  Large incisors framed by his savage face, gleaming in the faint light. The color of his eyes changed, with red tendrils slowly creeping into the black.

  Terrible screams bounced against the sinister looking silver walls and echoed.

  He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Quiet, human.”

  She thought she saw him shake his head, but she was too panicked to really register anything. She was the one making that terrible noise again. She kept screaming. Maybe if she screamed loud enough, she’d wake up.

  “Quiet,” he roared.

  She stopped briefly, saw him lift a hand tipped with terrible claws, and screamed again, harder this time. He could kill her with one slice of those claws. Maybe now that he’d had his way with her that was his plan.

  “Marcie, stop screaming or I’ll make you.”

  She stopped and stared at him. “Who’s Marcie?”

  He leaned down, his chest pressed into her. He was warm, his skin leathery with the muscles very pronounced. “What game are you playing, human?”

  This couldn’t be happening. She looked around, hoping she’d see her own bedroom with her father just down the hall. He was the sheriff. He didn’t love her, but he would protect her.

  She pushed against the thing and could’ve cried in relief when it moved back. She threw off the soft metal-like blanket covering her and jumped out of bed. She whimpered when she looked down and saw her naked body. Clutching her arms around herself she glanced around, frantic for something to cover her body. Everywhere she turned, gleaming silver walls surrounded her with no windows and no door.

  It had to be some kind of cage where his kind kept humans. But to what end? What if she was an after-sex snack?

  DEDICATION

  Aan Hannetjie Griezel, baie dankie vir die ondersteuning en aanmoeding en die simpatieke oor en jou vriendskap.

  CHAPTER 1

  Larz clasped the training sword with both hands and swung it in a wide arc around his head, conquering his favorite patch of the Rocky Mountains.

  This was the closest a Zyrgin warrior came to the human emotion of joy. The sword fit his hand like an extra limb. His body moving with strength and fluidity gifted to him by generations of the strongest blood on Zyrgin. Still swinging, he moved the sword to his left and then his right hand, increasing his speed until his movements became a blur.

  Every day after his warrior duties, he came to this rocky patch on the mountain. Practiced to ensure he was worthy and ready for the day the leader of all Zyrgin territories would give him his sword of honor. That was the moment all warriors lived for--when their leader, who they called The Zyrgin, gifted them with a sword that would respond to the touch of a certain warrior only. Warriors from a strong bloodline, and some warriors born stronger, received swords that, with the aid of technology, could be made to shrink to nearly invisible size. To the enemy, it looked as if they disappeared and appeared as if by magic.

  Many warriors used their cloaking technology to make it seem as if they had received such a sword from The Zyrgin.

  Larz knew he’d never have to resort to such measures. He was from The Zyrgin’s bloodline, descended from the strongest Zyrgin that ever ruled.

  Larz lunged sideways then stepped back, performing the sequence of the warrior conquering with his sword with ease. Instinctively compensating for the uneven boulder strewn patch he stood on. Though his movements were swift and smooth, as a warrior’s should be, today he performed without his usual fierce concentration.

  Worry for his human occupied his mind. Months ago, shortly before his second change, he claimed Marcie as his breeder after they rescued her from a raider camp. Everyone else called her a loud, mean woman with ugly red hair. Not a day went by without one of the warriors offering to kill her or bring him a better human. When he looked at her, he saw his breeder. A woman he’d never give up.

  If he claimed her after he went through his third change, it might mean he had to give up his need to do battle in their wars, to serve on the Zyrgin homeland. The friend of Natalie and Julia, Sarah had disappeared more than a year ago and it had taken many months to find her in a raider camp. She had been starved and bruised and told them Marcie was responsible for many of the things that happened to her in that camp. They may have rescued Marcie from a raider camp, but they were certain she was sent to infiltrate them. Her attitude made her very unpopular. Shortly after they brought her to their guesthouse, she’d tried to hurt Sarah and Sarah had been moved to live with Natalie. Larz had to go through his third change soon, or he might not be able to claim her.

  From the time the first Zyrgin ruled, millions of centuries ago, Zyrgin warrior
s were not allowed to claim a breeder before their third change. It was a strange knowing each warrior carried within. Larz turned and decapitated an imaginary enemy behind him. His third change was months away, and he needed to claim Marcie before she got herself killed.

  He stumbled and compensated for the uneven rock beneath his boots. Adding challenge to his workout, he closed his eyes. A warrior who owned a foul-mouthed human had to be prepared for anything.

  This barren patch of the alien planet he was born on, this little piece of Earth, always drew him. On the hard rock, where no trees grew and no reintroduced wildlife ventured, he was reminded of his home planet. Out here, with the exotic earth sun shining down on him, he could think about claiming a strangely compelling woman with a mean mouth and ugly red hair. Make plans for keeping her safe from the consequences of her actions.

  Zorlof, his brother, ran up to him, his pre-second change body small, but stronger than that of a human male. Their doctor couldn’t explain why he took so much longer than Larz to go through his second change, but all indications were that he would be very strong once it did happen. Zyrgin warriors were born with the knowledge of battle, with strength in their small bodies. With each change their knowledge and strength grew. In Zorlof’s case, he suspected that strength and knowledge might be much stronger in him than the average warrior. Even taking into account their strong bloodline, Zorlof was taller and stronger than any pre-second change warrior born for centuries.

  Zorlof easily leaped over a few boulders and increased his speed until he skidded to a halt in front of Larz.

  “Marcie tried to kill Zanr to get to Sarah. She screamed she’d kill Sarah the whole time,” Zorlof said.

  The mountain blurred around Larz and noise rang in his ears. Like their ship’s klaxon, instead of danger to the ship, it heralded danger to his human. Larz sank down on his knees and leaned his head on his sword. “That human will drive me to Solarian drink.”

  If she had simply gone after Zanr, they would’ve laughed at the idea of a human woman trying to overcome a Zyrgin warrior. No warrior would give an attack from a human woman any serious attention, beyond ensuring she didn’t hurt herself. Threatening the Zyrgin’s breeder? Larz might not be able to save her.

  His time was up. He had to choose between Marcie and being a warrior and probably his life. Give up everything that defined him to save that female who had no concept of honor. He didn’t understand her mean nature and why she hated Sarah this much? If she was sent to infiltrate them, wouldn’t it make more sense to befriend them?

  Larz closed his eyes and prayed for patience. Would the woman never stop putting herself in danger? When he claimed her, he’d make sure she understood that such behavior would have severe consequences for her. Ever since they rescued Marcie from the raider camps six months ago, she’d angered every human and Zyrgin who came into contact with her.

  “Choose another one,” Zorlof said.

  Larz hit Zorlof with the flat of his sword and the boy barely staggered. He might be pre-second change but he was a strong little drittsekk. “No, I want her,” Larz declared.

  He had to choose between his life and Marcie, and he chose Marcie. Something deep inside him drove him to claim her.

  He’d never walk on this planet that was not quite his, as a warrior. He threw back his head and shouted his agony. His roar echoed over the mountain. Repeated again and again, taunting him with his own agony. When he did what he had to do to save her, would he ever receive his sword from the leader of all Zyrgins? He roared harder. Would he be able to protect her?

  When at last the rage subsided, he turned to Zorlof. “Is she hurt?”

  Zorlof eyed his sword and stepped back from him. “Zanr had to hold her.” He hesitated before he added, “Firmly.”

  Larz swore viciously in Zyrgin. She would’ve fought Zanr. The crazy human didn’t lack courage. Or maybe she lacked sense. He was inclined to go with the latter.

  Zorlof took another step back. “She’s very slippery. He had no choice.”

  Larz continued swearing.

  “Are you sure you want that one? We can easily go get you another one.” Zorlof produced his handheld and scrolled. “What about her?”

  Larz ignored the device shoved under his nose. The only way to save her was to force his third change and claim her. Zyrgins went through three changes, during which they shed their skins and grew in tremendous bursts. Six months ago, he’d only gone through one change, had been on the verge of the second, when he saw her in a raider camp. A woman with ugly red hair and a mean mouth. During his second change, he’d screamed for her and she’d refused to come to him.

  “No.”

  “What about this one.”

  He ignored the image of a young human with beautiful black hair. Warriors had been showing him alternative options since the first time Marcie opened her mouth and spewed her venom.

  What he contemplated doing might get him killed, or worse. Forcing a change, and especially a third change, was one of their biggest taboos. It was imprinted on him at birth, never to force a change. Zurian had been forced to go through his third change early by his father. Even now, in spite of his rank, there were some that shunned him. Many believed it was dangerous to allow him to stay alive.

  “Where did they take her?” He’d been thinking of ways to induce his change. His best option was a nerve bomb. It would cause him pain, but no physical damage that would take time to heal.

  “She’s under guard in the holding cells. The guard said if Zacar didn’t kill her and shut her up, he will.”

  Larz bared his teeth. “If he touches her, I’ll kill him.”

  “He knows you claimed her.”

  “Did Zacar pass judgement?”

  “He’s on the ship.”

  Larz’s heartbeat sped up. If he could claim her fully before Zacar returned and passed judgment, he might still save her. He started running, Zorlof easily keeping pace with him. “Zacar would’ve been informed of what happened. The time it took for him to get back here from the ship might be enough for me to save Marcie.”

  Zorlof managed to sigh in an irritating put-upon manner while running. “She’s not worthy, warrior of my blood.”

  Larz ignored Zorlof’s opinion on Marcie. No one liked her, and he might have to confine her to their dwelling for her own good. Maybe for the rest of their lives. “Will you guard her until I claim her?”

  Zorlof was the warrior he was closest with. The only one he trusted to look after her. In spite of his shoving pictures of human women in his face all the time, Zorlof would never harm someone this important to Larz. Ever since Marcie had threatened that she’d poison the Zyrgin warriors or use her voodoo powers to kill them in their sleep, most warriors were careful around her. He looked up voodoo and came to the conclusion she liked to mess with their heads. At least Larz knew Zorlof wouldn’t try to kill her before he could claim her.

  “She calls you alien and little shit and small dick. Why don’t you give her up?”

  Larz had hoped to find a breeder who had honor. When Zacar and forty-nine warriors landed on earth two years ago, Zacar had taken Natalie as his breeder. Larz and Zorlof were the result of their union. Natalie would never betray Zacar. A year later Zurian had found Julia. She was a dangerous human, who managed to learn their language and tried to break into their equipment. She also had honor and would never betray them. Unlike Zacar and Zurian, Larz would never be able to claim his breeder had honor. He would have to guard against her betraying them.

  He shrugged. He couldn’t explain to Zorlof why he’d never give up his human with her ugly hair. He suppressed a shudder, hair the color of an eye. “I don’t know. Something inside me won’t let her go. Will you guard her?” he asked again.

  He and Zorlof had been birthed together. A rare occurrence among Zyrgins. It made them closer than warriors born from the same mother normally were.

  “Yes.”

  Larz looked around him at the mountain he’d com
e to appreciate. This might be the last time he saw the trees Natalie planted. Heard the birds they’d reintroduced into the area. Humans had caused the extinction of most of the animal life on earth. In his heart, he was a Zyrgin warrior. A warrior about to commit one of the worst crimes a warrior could commit. He might die this day, and his one regret was that he’d never make the journey back and stand on the soil of his home planet. He refused to think about never receiving his honor sword.

  He couldn’t claim Marcie until he’d gone through his third change, and he needed to fully claim her before they sentenced him. As his breeder, she’d be safe even after the execution. He was still surprised that Zacar had allowed him to claim her. She’d been kept in the guesthouse for when he went through his third change and fully claimed her. Kept on ice, she called it.

  Zorlof, who was half his size, easily kept pace with him. “Zacar cannot protect you from the consequences if you force your change.”

  “I don’t have a choice. You will understand when you claim your breeder.”

  “I’ll stick to being a warrior,” Zorlof said.

  Along with growing larger than a pre-second change warrior normally did, he seemed to have a strange sense of destiny.

  At the entrance to the cave, they split. Zorlof went inside to the holding cells deep underground. Larz ran to the armory they’d built, a safe distance from where the breeders lived.

  Booking out weapons was easy. He explained that he wanted to make sure he was proficient in the use of nerve bombs, and the warrior on duty signed one out to him without question. Since their second change, both he and Zorlof had access to explosives. Warriors had to be able to handle any weapon. He went outside, activated the bomb and, taking a deep breath, fell on it as it exploded, praying it was enough to trigger his third change.