by Lily Graison
She swallowed the fear trying to choke her and pointed up the river in the direction they’d been heading. “Let’s go this way,” she said, giving a nervous glance at the dark forest before trying to tug him to the left. She wasn’t going in that forest, she didn’t care how much her life depended on it.
The howling thing was closer and the sound of things running reached her ears. Something was coming. Many somethings from the sound of it. The thing they’d been hearing wasn’t alone. She didn’t have to see them to know the others were coming and from the sounds of it, they were on this side of the river.
Panic filled every ounce of her body, her lungs seizing as she tried to breathe through it. The screeching of whatever it was hiding in those dark woods echoed through the trees again, the sound of those things running through the forest getting louder. Sara turned enough to look into those trees, her heart skipping a beat as she saw a blur of red flying through the air. “Look out!”
A red skinned alien slammed into her sometimes blue alien and both went down snarling. Sara sucked in a breath as they rolled, growls and grunts filling the air before her new friend slammed the red guy to the ground, grabbed him by the head and twisted.
The sound of cracking bone was sickening.
Sara gaped at the now dead alien, his head twisted at an odd angle. The alien who’d found her stood and looked her way. Her first instinct was to run. Anyone who could kill a man—or alien—with no more effort than he’d exerted probably wasn’t the sort of person she should be around. Movement beyond his shoulder drew her attention and all thought of how smart it was to stay with him vanished. The red alien’s buddies had arrived. They varied in size and height, most humanoid in appearance—some terrifyingly not. “Emma was right. We’re going to die here.”
The alien-man grabbed her and hoisted her into the air so fast, the air in her lungs whooshed out when her stomach hit his shoulder. Once again, she couldn’t do anything but brace her hands against his back as he took off running. The ground beneath them passed by in a blur, the sound of the water a dull rush of noise in her ears before she felt the body underneath her tense, the arm around her waist tightening before he made a running jump for the river. Sara screamed, then sucked in a gasp of air moments before they hit the water. Her head went under, the water deep and dark. She felt the shift of muscle underneath her before water sluiced over her skin so fast it felt as if she was being dragged through the current by something larger than life.
They were submerged too long, her lungs starting to burn as the need for air caused a sudden panic to leech into her veins, the need to breathe, to open her mouth and gasp filled her head seconds before they broke the surface of the water and he lunged for the bank of the river. When the shadows of those black-trunked trees closed in around them, Sara braced her arms on his back as the alien started running, the sound of rushing water growing louder by the minute.
He ran for long minutes before he slowed and set her feet back on the ground. Sara pushed her wet hair out of her face while waiting for the world to stop spinning. All the blood that had rushed to her head while hanging over his shoulder was slowing making its way back down into her body where it belonged.
She looked up at him as she tried to catch her breath. His dark hair was plastered to his head, her chest rising and falling quickly as he breathed. Those violet eyes were bright and focused on her as if he were seeing clean through her.
He looked away, back across the river. She did the same and saw them—the others. Ten of them stood staring at them.
“Their fear of crossing the river won’t last long. Come, we must go.”
He led her away, straight into the maw of darkness under the trees. Her pulse leaped as the shadows enveloped them and the urge to reach out and grab hold of her new friend caused her muscles to tighten, her arm raising a few inches before she lowered it.
The river curved around a deep bend and she was surprised to see several small creeks feed into the main channel. The alien man veered to the right, heading deeper into the trees toward whatever it was making that high-pitched screeching sound, those big leafy tree limbs above showing no sign of anything being there. “Where are we going?” He didn’t answer, but she really hadn’t expected him to and with every step they made deeper into those dark woods, the noise of something in the tree branches above following the same path they were, she realized this alien was probably the only thing standing between her and a gruesome death.
Toren knew this part of the river as well as he knew the caves under the mountain where he grew up. He’d played here in the dark canopy of these trees before his wings were strong enough to carry him and he knew every twist and turn to the rivers and streams that flowed throughout it.
He also knew of the creatures that dwelled within the darkness.
The female was three steps behind him and the desire to pull her close was strong but he didn’t want to frighten her more than she already was. He could smell the scent of it clinging to her skin and every so often when she looked at him, it filled the air to the point he wondered if she would try to run from him. Not that he’d let her get far if she did.
The screech of a flying krinex echoed through the woods. He gave a quick glance to the tree limbs above, trying to do so without the female noticing. He saw nothing. Even with his ability to see well in total darkness, not a thing stirred in the branches above, but he wasn’t fool enough to not know they were there. Pack animals small enough to stay hidden and vicious enough to clean the meat from its prey’s bones in a matter of minutes. Hopefully, they would scent him for what he was and steer clear.
Shouts of the others filtered through the trees and he stopped, the female bumping into his back. He balanced her with a hand on her shoulder and peered behind her toward the river. Only the bravest of them would venture in after the female and he’d deal with any that grew bold enough to try and take her from him.
The female shivered and a glance down at her sent a jolt through his body. Being able to see in the darkness gave him the ability to see her as clear as if the sun were high above them and that thin garment she wore clung to her body, hugging every sensual curve she owned. The material was completely transparent now that it was wet and he could see every inch of her as if she wore nothing but skin.
The sound of the others coming after her had his limbs twitching to transform, to take her where no one would ever find her. He looked to the treetops. Would the wyvern see him if he did? Would those flying orbs that tracked every movement on the planet find him? Probably. He bit back a snarl of frustration. In order to protect her, he’d have to leave her in danger of being taken.
Taking her hand, he tugged her deeper into the trees and further into the darkness. The rush of water from the river grew faint as they walked and when he could no longer hear it, every other sound was amplified. He heard the scurry of many feet, the small sounds of things trying to be stealthy but he knew where everything that dwelled here was, could smell them in the air.
The female gripped his hand harder at every shriek, the scent of her fear growing the further into the trees they walked but he didn’t stop until her steps grew slower, her feet tripping over hidden vines and roots.
She gave him a questioning look when he turned to her. “We’ll rest here for the night.” Her eyes widened and that stench of fear clinging to her skin grew. “I’ll not let anything harm you.” He ran the back of his finger down her cheek. Her skin was smooth and soft. She turned her head and looked at the surrounding trees and said something he didn’t understand. “Rest here.” He let go of her hand and motioned for her to sit. She looked ready to refuse but finally did as he said, leaning back against a tree. He stalked a wide circle around her, listening, scenting the air, and looking for anything that would cause her harm.
Two days after walking into the dark forest, the trees started to look different. The black bark turned to brown, those big purple leaves getting smaller. The color lightening to pale pinks b
efore turning green. The trees weren’t as densely packed here, and shafts of sunlight filtered down through the branches, blinding her with its intensity and warming her skin. Sara had never been so happy to see the sun. She’d never been afraid of the dark but now, after the past two nights of trying to sleep in total darkness with things scurrying in the trees above her, loud screeches or shrill screams of things she couldn’t see echoing through the branches above her, she would never be able to rest easy alone. If this alien, who seemed determined to keep her by his side hadn’t been there, she didn’t think she would have been either.
Their steps were slow, the lack of food zapping their strength. They’d eaten nothing but a few nuts and berries. She never complained about the lack of food but her stomach growled enough she was sure he heard it. Her mouth was dry, her head pounding, and she was ready to just sit down and give up when she heard the sound of rushing water. It grew louder with every step they took and echoed through the trees.
Sara’s hand was still in the alien’s grip, his fingers entwined with her own and even though she didn’t know a thing about him, she put every ounce of her trust in him. It might be a stupid gamble but so far, he hadn’t scared her or given her any weird vibes and she’d risk being attacked by him instead of that pack of aliens chasing after them any day. One she may be able to fight off. A half dozen? Not a chance, but for reasons she couldn’t explain, she didn’t think this guy was going to hurt her.
She hadn’t seen him sleep once. He made her sit and rest but she never saw him do the same. He walked circles around whatever tree she was leaning against, his head lifted as if looking at things she couldn’t see. He may have sat down once she fell asleep, but as long as she was awake, he was alert, his head shifting from left to right as if he were scanning the area.
They’d walked half the morning when he stopped and spent a few moments staring at the trees around them, then to the small stream to their left before darting off toward it. “I think I know where we are now.”
Sara followed along quietly as she’d done over the last two days, letting him lead the way, the sound of rushing water growing louder. His steps seemed more sure as they followed the small stream and when it merged with a larger one, they followed it until that rush of water she’d been hearing grew to a rushing roar. She saw why when they stepped out from under the trees into a small clearing.
A small waterfall cascaded down a smooth rock wall and splashed into a pool below before winding through the trees toward the river. Shafts of light shot through the trees leaving the clearing bathed in pale dappled sunlight. The rush of water sent a small spray into the air casting a rainbow of colors across the stream as the sun hit it.
Her alien guide turned to look at her, a tiny smile playing on his lips. “My brother and I used to come here when we were younger.” He looked through the trees, a wistful look on his face before saying, “The noise from the water will mask our voices and there’s a small ledge behind the waterfall if there is reason for you to stay out of sight. No one will see you back there.”
Sara let go of his hand and walked to the rock wall the waterfall was cascading over and leaned against the slick surface. Sure enough, she could see behind it. She grinned. “I thought hidden passageways behind waterfalls were only in the movies.” She stepped behind the water, her smile growing.
The spray of water as it fell coated her skin with a fine mist and cooled her instantly. She reached out, letting the water run off her hands and brought a handful to her face, washing the sweat and dirt from her skin, then drank her fill.
The ledge she was on wasn’t much wider than her foot and wouldn’t hold more than three people standing shoulder to shoulder. It wasn’t a sheltered cave like she’d seen in the movies but it would provide a great hiding place if she needed one. She looked out at the wall of water and saw nothing beyond it. The alien man was right. No one would see her here.
Stepping back out from behind the waterfall, the air cooled her skin instantly. The sometimes-blue man was staring at her and it only took an instant to know why. The mist from the waterfall had dampened her dress again and the material was clinging to her like a second skin. The chill air caused her nipples to harden and the way he was staring at her caused her girly parts to give a tight clench. He might be an alien, but he was still a man and if the obvious bulge tenting the fabric wrapped around his waist was any indication, he had all the right parts in all the right places.
Wrapping her arms around her chest, Sara lifted her chin a notch and tried to ignore the obvious fact she was practically naked and he seemed to be enjoying it. “So,” she said. “What now?” She looked away from him, those intense violet eyes seeing too much. Her skin was heating from nothing more than him staring at her.
He said nothing but moved to an indention in the wall of rock a few feet from the waterfall. It wasn’t a cave. It wasn’t deep enough to be considered one but was more of an alcove of sorts with an overhanging eave. A few large rocks blocked it from sight on the right side and as shelters went, it wasn’t half bad. If it rained they would be fine as long as the water came straight down. If it shifted and blew in, they’d be soaked through.
“This will do for now,” He cleared out the alcove with his bare foot, tossing larger stones away until nothing remained but dirt.
She moved, and he seemed to notice her. “I don’t think the others will venture down this far.” He glanced back toward the main river channel. “We’re back far enough they’ll not see us, so as long as we stay out of sight, we should be safe.”
Sara nodded her head. “I guess this means were roomies, then?” She’d said it as a joke but the moment the words were out of her mouth, her traitorous eyes took a slow, leisurely stroll over all that sometimes-blue flesh he was showing off. He caught her staring and her face heated. She looked away and realized she didn’t even know his name. They’d spoken very little since the incident at the river. With him breaking an aliens neck with his bare hands, she’d been a bit wary of him until she realized he wasn’t going to hurt her. He’d watched over her as she slept and no guy willing to rape you would have bothered protecting you. Once she was comfortable around him, him not understanding anything she said made it seem a bit pointless. But she could understand him.
She cleared her throat and said, “My name’s Sara.” When he said nothing, she pointed to herself and said her name again, repeating it three more times, pointing to herself as she said it. His eyes brightened and he smiled.
“Toren,”
The words, Does not translate, filled her head. He crossed to where she stood and said the word again, pointing to himself. She realized he’d understood her and the untranslatable word was his name. He said the word again and she repeated it.
“Toren.” The smile he graced her with was so bright she felt a bit melty as he looked at her. Clingy alien or not, with those dreamy eyes and hot body, he would probably do her in, eventually. He’d be a huge hit on Earth, blue-tinted skin or not.
She said her name again and pointed to herself. “Sara.”
He watched her lips as she said it, then repeated, “Sarra.” He said it several more times and she smiled. He dragged the “r” out a bit but it didn’t matter. He said it and that was all that mattered. She smiled and nodded. “That’s right, just shorter on the ‘r.’ Sara.”
His gaze focused on her mouth, his hand raising, fingers lightly tracing the outline of her lips and she was so shocked, she just stood there letting him touch her. He took a step closer, invading her personal space. She could feel the heat from his skin and the chill that had been running laps up and down her spine ended with one last slow trickle down her back. She laid a hand on his chest to put distance between them and his skin seemed to heat underneath her palm. He felt feverish and the faint scent of some exotic, sweet spice filled the air. She inhaled deeply. It was similar to the one she’d smelled in the ruins her and Marcy had found but this was—richer, thicker. He hadn’t been at the ruins,
had he? No, he couldn’t have been. She didn’t know how far the dragon had taken her but she’d gone from a jungle to a forest. There’s no way this guy could have traveled so far, not to mention, what were the odds of him being in the same place as she was—twice? Pretty slim, she was sure. It had to be something else—like that phantom brain tumor Marcy had suggested.
She leaned in a bit and inhaled a deep breath. Whatever the scent was, it was definitely coming from him. Maybe whatever species he was smelled this good so a girl would want to lick them. Was the scent stronger on different parts of his body? The longer she stared at him, the stronger it became. She hadn’t noticed it before now though, so it had to be something he could turn on and off. An alien aphrodisiac? Was he trying to seduce her? To make her think of stripping off the ridiculous dress the Big Heads had given her and see if he had a big blue dick underneath that bit of cloth around his waist.
She blinked and dropped her hand. What the hell was wrong with her? She took a step back so she didn’t do anything stupid. “Okay, big guy, we don’t know each other well enough to be getting so close. Besides, you smell so fucking good it’s making me think crazy thoughts, like—do you taste as good as you smell?” He had no idea what she’d said, thank the stars. Could tell by the way he closed the distance between them again, his gaze darting over her features while his wandering fingers tickled down her neck.
Being so close to him, the heat from his body, along with that enticing scent of his skin, caused goosebumps to pimple her flesh, that sweet, spicy fragrance doing funny things to her head. Her body felt flushed the longer she stood there letting him pet her, his rough fingertips now sliding over her collarbone. She itched to do the same but she settled on looking at him instead. There was no sense in giving him the wrong impression by getting too touchy-feely but she took in his wide shoulders and well-defined chest and further down over the taut muscles of his stomach and obliques before ending up in places she shouldn’t be looking. That flush she felt burned a bit hotter. She might be on an alien planet and had been snatched from death by a dragon but she was still a woman and a hot, nearly naked almost-blue man was standing in front of her staring like he’d just found the only woman left in the world and honestly, he was the first alien she didn’t feel the need to run away from screaming. He was big and warm and smelled so damn good it was making her dizzy. He was intensely male and not at all any burden to look at. If she had to be stuck on this planet with someone, caught by one of the things living here, this guy would have been her first choice.
