“Holy geez,” Braylon whispered.
The massive male creature stood at least seven feet with red eyes so intense Tempest was happy she was in a crouched position. Panting with his mouth half-open, his large sharp pointed teeth and blue lips were clearly visible. White fur spattered in blood covered his chest to disappear into hip hugging white pants. He was no animal. A bald oval patch on his belly showed pink skin. Colossal feet were encased in snow-white boots. His crazy hair billowed around him, yet there was no wind. His fingernails were black claws, inches long.
No wonder I though he was a lion.
When he turned from her, his tousled wild locks showed her a broad bare back. The expanse of muscle mass gave her a sharp intake of breath. Except for four vertical white patches of fur, his arms were bare. His black claws dripped blood, spattering the ground as he moved. Whoever, whatever he was, he was leaving. Tempest pulled her son to his feet and taking his hand, she dragged him away. The animal-man didn’t look back.
“Wait, Mom, he saved us.”
“Yes, and I’m filled with all kinds of gratitude I can show from a distance.”
“Maybe he has a ship.”
“Well, we know he has a temper.”
“That temper saved us.”
“Again, grateful. Keep moving.”
“But Mom, maybe he can help us. That Tonan who dropped us off never came back.”
Tempest cringed. That Tonan said he loved her and he would return. That was three years ago, leaving her and Braylon to fend for themselves. The replicator was broken, had been for a year. She realized if she didn’t learn to hunt or scavenge, they would starve to death. The edible plants near the cave and growing on the mountain walls were filling, but they needed water. The drought that began months ago had dried all of the water reserves closer to their cave, forcing them farther afield. Soon enough the pounding rains would begin, but that wouldn’t save them if they died of thirst today.
When the Tonan, Grey, was here, the hyena beasts knew to stay away from him, Tempest, and her son. Once his protection was gone, Tempest’s world became a nightmare. She and her son watched Grey’s ship take off into the air from the cave. A lone hyena cackled and trotted off leaving her with a sense of foreboding. When the replicator died the year previous, their world changed again. It was horrifying leaving the protection of the cave even for short trips. The hyena pack practically camped out beneath them at times. Their cackles resembling what she thought of as the souls of the damned were a corrupt chorus.
Tempest and Braylon learned the hyena clan’s pattern of watering themselves in the morning and at night. From the height of the cave, she watched them. The beasts had been growing restless. The females fought, a few males had gone missing, and Tempest wondered if they ate their own. Their hunting ground was all but empty, the beasts would need to move off to other parts, she hoped. It became apparent they would make one last try for the elusive, tempting humans. She and her son varied their times leaving their safe-haven, not knowing if the beasts would catch on to a pattern. She never guessed they would have a sentry. Thankfully, the alien had come to save them.
Tempest hurried her son toward a large stone-covered hill. The side was riddled with small caves, the one the Tonan, Grey, had chosen was the biggest. Grey liked to be able to stand to his full height. She thought Grey was huge. He could scale the sheer wall when shielded. Nothing else could. The rope ladder was hanging where she left it. Braylon scurried up first. Tempest waited at the bottom, ever watchful.
“Mom?”
“We still need water. Throw me down another bag.” In her haste to be away, she forgot the other.
Braylon ducked into a small cave hole then returned to toss her a leather bag resembling a large wine skin. Neither of them had eaten since yesterday. They had to have the water. With the pack so scattered and broken, Tempest might even be able to hunt later. All the foliage they ate from the stone wall was picked clean as far as her arms could reach on the ladder. The tiny pink fruit grew between cracks. She wondered if there was something near the pond she could hurriedly grab, at least for Braylon.
“Pull up the ladder and I’ll call for you when I return.”
“Aw mom.”
“Do as you’re told.” She then sighed; she hadn’t meant to snap at him.
“Are you pissed because I made you take me to get water?”
Tempest groaned. Braylon could throw a wild temper tantrum for an eight year old. To be honest, though, an eight-year-old boy should never have to spend long hours inside a cave with only his mother to talk to.
“No, I’m not angry. I’m a grown up. And don’t say pissed.”
“All right, but you look pissed.”
“Enough with saying pissed. Pull up the ladder and do as you’re told.”
Braylon slowly hauled the ladder up, and she was certain she heard him mumble that she was pissed all right.
Chapter 2
Cy watched as the human female slinked her way to the large pond. She was disheveled, dirty. A hot mess. He had returned to wash off the beast’s blood and was hidden behind reeds. Cy was annoyed the shower in his vessel was broken and the alien’s shower, if you could call it that, sprayed a gentle mist. Cy was a warrior, he didn’t do cutesy mist shit.
He eased his way onto the bank and observed her. He pulled on clean pants and boots after drying himself with his gaze. The boy wasn’t with her. She seemed to favor a hand. Humans are so small. Why Titus and other warriors wanted them as mates was beyond Cy. Long, dark, ass-length hair fluttered around her face, sticking in places where sweat dampened a few tendrils. She had a nice appearance, high cheekbones, and blue eyes that sparkled reflecting the sun’s rays off the water. She was trying to fill a bag of sorts while slurping handfuls of liquid into her mouth.
She ducked, scooted, and turned her head in every direction wary of the beasts or him or both. Her shirt was soon soaked. The female trembled. Cy wasn’t going to hurt her, he had hurt enough females. When he saw the beasts, attacking a boiling rage overcame him. Cy had been stunned to see a human was the creatures’ target. The beasts were what he was, cruel. Well, no more. Cy had learned his lesson; you do not hurt the helpless. When he saw she was protecting a young child his feet raced over the terrain unbidden. All the rage and anger he carried went into destroying the beasts. Cy couldn’t battle himself, but spending his hurt, guilt, and anger was a small mercy. The carnage he caused was—overkill. Sending the one beast airborne was a little too satisfying.
Off to the side, he could see large birds making short work of the strewn animal parts. No other carnivore appeared. The female, though grateful at his interference, was terrified. Cy had decided to back away for the time being. He was happy to see her now; he wouldn’t have to waste time tracking her.
The female filled her water bag, capping it, and with the same motions of alertness inched away. As an afterthought, she grabbed a handful of root and stuck it in a pocket. She hadn’t seen him. If Zargonnii warriors didn’t want to be seen, they weren’t. Cy crept after her, wanting to know where they were and if there were more humans. A human female alone was a rarity. She traveled a well-worn path, and Cy rolled his eyes, no wonder the beasts had found and cornered her. She should have taken different routes. He then noted other well-worn routes. The paths seemed to have been traveled repeatedly. Cy frowned wondering how long she had been on the planet.
“Okay Braylon, throw down the ladder.”
Cy watched from a nearby bush as the child tossed a crude ladder to his mother. The cave was up, nestled in the huge hillside. The home was a smart idea. Only a bird would be able to get to them without the aid of a rope. Or a determined Zargonnii warrior.
The female was half way up the ladder, struggling a bit with the bulky water bag, when the handle on the bag caught a small sharp rock. A struggle began and the female used both hands to twist the handle. She winced as she tugged, again favoring a hand.
“Be careful, Mom.”
/> “Relax, man cub. I’ve fought worse before and won.”
Cy watched with amusement as the female tugged and struggled. The bag suddenly gave way and the female faltered, arms waving in the air. One hand caught a rung. The water bag fell to the ground as she made a grab for it. That was a mistake. The hand holding the ladder was obviously injured and gave under her weight. The boy screamed as the female tumbled back, her legs twisted in the rope. A sickening thud was heard as she connected with the rock face. As the boy reached for her ankle, he fell. Cy was already on the move. The female hung upside down, arms hanging and unconscious. Cy grabbed the boy before he hit the ground. The twenty-foot drop might have killed him.
“My mom,” he cried out from Cy’s arms.
Too afraid for his mother, the child held no fear of Cy. Cy clutched the boy to his chest and grabbed the skin containing water. If the female was desperate enough to go back out, they must need it. With little aid from the ladder, he scaled the sheer wall using his fingernail-like claws and deft feet. They were soon beside the female.
“Mommy.”
With gentleness Cy lifted her head and felt the sticky wetness he knew was blood. She’d hit her head in her plunge downward. She groaned. The female was alive. Cy put the child on the ladder and pointed up. He could understand the words the boy and his mother spoke, but he knew they wouldn’t understand his deep guttural sounds.
The boy dried his tears and began climbing. Once the boy was inside the cave, Cy untangled the female and carried her up. Within the cave, he could stand. There was a small fire burning, crude furniture and bedding, some old toys. A dead replicator sat in a corner. The cave was clean. Cy took her to a bed where he carefully laid her down. He turned her on her side, and the boy sobbed when he saw the blood.
“Please don’t let her die.”
Cy wasn’t a doctor but he knew enough to stop the bleeding. If her head was split, he could do nothing for her. He found a soft cloth to wash her, dumping some of the skin’s contents and wringing it out. He breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed the gash was deep but not life threatening. Once clean and the bleeding stopped, he wrapped a strip around her head and Cy sat back. He placed her on her back and covered her with a blanket. Lifting her one hand, he noted it might have a broken bone; it was already discolored. He admired her courage; he’d seen her punch a beast in the head. She was a good mother. She merely lacked the strength behind her determination. Cy tucked the injured hand under the covers. He didn’t know what to do for breaks; he’d never had one.
Both the female and male needed a good wash. Their hair was oily and stringy. Both wore dirty smudges. Their tattered clothing was pitiful. The term ‘malnourished’ weighed his thoughts. They must have been abandoned. But by who? Cy had seen no other ships.
His thoughts tumbled in random directions while he tended her. Everything settled to one thing: they needed to stay with him. With her wounded, she was more vulnerable. She hadn’t moved since being brought in. Cy wondered if anything else was broken. In her condition, he couldn’t move them to the ship yet. Once she woke, he could assess how much damage was done. Keeping them here would be inconvenient as he fixed the ship.
Can’t be helped for now.
From what he’d seen of the planet, the beasts he fought were numerous but gave him a wide berth. They were the dominant creatures of the planet with varying smaller animals. It was no wonder they wanted the humans. Once hunger set in, the beasts would be camped under the cave never allowing the pair relief. It would mean starving, dying of thirst or throwing themselves onto the animals. Either way, death was staring them in the face. He wondered if she even knew.
Doubtful.
Gazing around, he decided here was safe enough for now. If the beasts appeared, he could fry them from this level until they backed off. It looked like the pair had been here a while. He noticed the boy staring at him. Now that his panic for his mother lessened, his interest, though wary, had increased. Cy’s interest was no less for the boy. Human children were so defenseless and rare. Adult humans were defenseless, also rare, especially females. The boy was small, weaponless, scared. Cy pointed to his own chest.
“Cy.”
The boy cocked his head. “Cy,” the child repeated.
Cy pointed at him. “You.” The child frowned. Cy repeated himself trying harder to use the little English he knew how to speak. His words in their language were guttural. Some words were impossible for him to grasp. Finally, the boy nodded.
“My name is Braylon. My mom is Tempest. Will she be okay?”
“Hard hit,” Cy said. His words were a deep growl. “Hand hurt. Needs rest.”
“What are you?”
“Zargonnii warrior.”
The boy went white. “The Tonan said he was a warrior and he left us here all alone for three whole years.”
That explained a lot. Three years was a long time. “Tonan no honor.”
“Do Zargonnii warriors have honor?”
At one time, he would have been offended by the question. Not all warriors did have honor, he hadn’t. He had been all alone for a long time, much longer than this pair. Providence stared back at him. The Angano vessel wouldn’t be enough. But if he took the female and her boy to Titus, he was sure to be welcomed home. After all, since females got him into trouble they could get him out of trouble.
You got you into trouble.
“I have honor.”
“Why should I trust you? Grey said he would take care of us. He put his hand on my shoulder and said he would come back. I was five. I’m eight now. I hate it here. I get so lonely, so bored. How could he do this to us?”
The boy’s chin trembled, but he refused to let his tears fall. Cy was furious. There was evil and then there was evil filth. Getting the boy’s hopes up and then to have them smashed every day was the epitome of a Tonan scum. Cy didn’t know what to say.
The fire was simmering and outside it was getting darker. Rarely did Cy get cold, but he knew the humans needed warmth. The little male was shivering with cold or fear, Cy wasn’t certain. His piercing gaze settled on a log, tiny wisps of smoke spiraled in a lazy fashion. His eyes blazed, commanding the log to flames with a heated gaze. Braylon jumped and scooted back.
“Woah. The Tonan couldn’t do that. That’s amazing.”
He seemed more impressed than afraid. “You stay. I find food.” Cy struggled to make himself understood. When he rose, he was surprised when the boy grabbed his hand. A worried gaze was fastened onto him. His dirty light hair was long for a human boy. Smudges filled his face. There was dirt under his fingernails. Cy wondered the last time he bathed but figured it had been a while. The boy had his mother’s eyes, blue as the sky, and they bore into him. Cy was about to place his hand onto the boy’s shoulder to reassure him he would return, then remembered what the Tonan had done. Instead, he scooped the child into his arms. He weighed nothing. Little bones, gaunt face. Pity the likes Cy had never felt overwhelmed him. He damned the Tonan to human Hell.
“Long hike, my ship. You go?”
Braylon’s eyes lit up then he glanced at his mother. “I better stay with my mom. Please come back.”
The boy’s words melted his heart. The fear of being abandoned blazed. Cy knew humans cried when afraid, sad, happy. The child was dry eyed. His mother was injured; he had much to fear.
Cy smiled at him. “Brave, man cub.”
Braylon grinned, and Cy chuckled, he was a strong child. Cy set him on his feet. He pointed at the water bag he had grabbed when saving the boy and tossed more wood on the blazing fire. Cy assessed the cave thinking about what to bring back. He stood at the cave entrance. Braylon was watching.
“Back soon,” Cy said.
He then jumped to the ground, landing on a lurking animal making it squeal with its last breath. He punched another beast in the head; it stumbled away. The other beasts were slinking in different directions. The one under him dead. Cy picked it up and tossed it. He heard a huge intake o
f breath. He turned and looked up knowing the child would be hovering near the ledge, he was. The boy’s look was of pure amazement. He waited until the boy ducked back into the cave and took off at a dead run. His salvation was at hand. An enemy alien ship, a human female, and a human boy. Crash landing was the best thing to ever happen to him.
* * * *
The female was still sleeping when Cy returned. Braylon had curled up beside her but remained awake. At first, the child seemed terrified when Cy entered, then jumped up and threw himself at him, holding him tight.
“You came back,” the boy said, giving into sobs.
“Honor.”
Braylon swiped at his eyes. “Yes, honor. My father had honor. My mother woke for a few moments and asked for water. I gave her some. I hope that’s okay.”
“Good.”
Cy unloaded what he brought. There were clean clothes for them both, footwear, blankets, and food. The child squealed when he handed him a square of dark chocolate.
“You have a replicator.” He ate the treat wide-eyed and hungrily while he onehandedly washed his face, hands and neck with the extra water and a cloth Cy brought. Cy gave him the clean clothes he struggled into, all the while cramming the chocolate down his throat.
Cy groaned, the child didn’t really even chew, just swallowed. Thinking he should have given him better food to begin with, he pulled out a package of roast slices. He’d heard of young earthlings on a sugar high, if he was fast enough he might be able to avoid devil child.
The meat slices were met with as much enthusiasm. Braylon groaned as he ate. His eyes squeezed closed for a moment then opened.
“This would be awesome with mashed potatoes and gravy.”
Cy chuckled and pulled out a package containing mashed potatoes and an insulated thermos filled with gravy. He scooped up a huge amount onto a plate made of some kind of animal pelvis and handed it to Braylon. The child wolfed down two more slices of meat squishing mashed potatoes in between and dipping the sandwich concoction into the gravy. Cy gave him a scoop of baby carrots.
Tempest And The Warrior (Unearthly World Book Book 7) Page 2
