Titus climbed over her pressing her into the bed. He gripped her under her arms and pulled her to the pillows. He kept most of his weight from crushing her. Zabbie traced her finger down his forehead to the tip of his nose.
“All this time, I never knew. It’s been me all along,” she said.
Titus captured her finger to kiss the tip. “What happened to your hair?”
“A Gorgano really did burn it off. We were mind battling, the images are hazy. I think that’s how it intended to take my furs from me. Another memory I blocked. He tried to burn me alive, instead I burned the Gorgano. I’m still having trouble with my memories of what’s real.”
“You may always have some trouble with past memories but the ones you make now will be yours forever. You went through an ordeal and then some.”
“I have always tried to be a strong woman, but right now I’m a little scared of me.”
“You don’t need to be scared.”
“But look at what I put us through.”
“Have we suffered? The warriors will get over being pink. Think of what happened as though it was an adventure.”
“You are an adventure.”
“One that will never end.”
When his head dipped, Zabbie leaned to meet his lips. His tongue was soft and warm. Her tumultuous emotions needed strength to settle but she was too worn out. She broke their kiss and sought refuge, her face pressing into his throat to hide. This was a side of her she hated. Memories of feeling lost and alone resurfaced. She lived each moment as her last for so long, too long.
“Titus can you make me feel alive? I lost that emotion somewhere, I want it back, I need it back. I told you I wanted to live each day as my last. It’s because every day was my last, then every hour, then every minute. It became common place. I need to see a tomorrow if there’s to be a today.”
He gripped her throat in his hand to push her back against the pillows, the pressure firm though gentle. The intensity in his gaze warmed her skin. He released her throat and slipped his fingers into the fur she wore. Their eyes never broke contact as he ripped the hide from her, he was in battle mode, his nails were razors.
When he reached her middle, exposing her breasts, he rose to hover over her. Broad shoulders, powerful arms expanded sending them deeper into the mattress. Zabbie lowered her hand to trace the outline of his hard cock against the fabric of his pants. Steady fingers slid up then down caressing.
Titus shivered and sucked in his breath. His fingers were in the top of her fur near her waist. The tips of his knuckles slipped against her lower lips as the fur was torn. For a brief moment, as his flesh connected with her heat, he remained motionless. Zabbie lifted her hips to press against him. A single knuckle rubbed her nub.
“I want you, warrior.”
Her words were whispered but she knew he heard her.
“You will have me today, tomorrow and any time in between. No more risks, little warrior.”
His grunting growl was a warning she knew he expected her to heed. She nodded as best as she could as he pulled her fur from her and tossed it to the floor. Titus gripped her thighs and spread her before him. His knuckle returned to ravish her nub while she moaned. She reached her arms over her head to press against the flat wall.
Remaining in battle mode, Titus leaned down and kissed her folds. His hot tongue darted inside of her making her squirm. A snarling growl rumbled within his throat. Each of his fingers tightened on her flesh when he pressed them into the inside of her thighs to spread her further. She was vulnerable, his teeth were large and sharp, his nails weapons. The points of his black fingernails were millimeters from her skin. One slip and she would bleed. One slip and she could be taken from him. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but for a second, a single moment, she was afraid. Of him and of losing him. He had become that important. The idea was astounding, with her sudden fear came her love of life.
Titus rose over her and bellowed a war cry making her shiver and jump. He pressed his forearm high across her chest, pinning her. She cried out when he plunged into her making her take all of him. The sheer pleasure of the pain was welcomed. She lifted her legs to wrap around him. She could let herself feel fear if only for a second. He was massive, he was a warrior. Zabbie was strong but it was alright to let someone be strong for her.
The motion of his thrusts slowed. “I can sense you won your battle. The smell of fear is gone. A warrior has a great ability to scent emotion. Acceptance and surrender has given many of my conquests leniency.”
“When you Holiday?”
“When I Holidayed in the past. And when I battle.”
“Do you miss the battle leading up to a Holiday?”
“No. There is no urge to battle you.”
“Do you belong to me?” Zabbie asked.
He chuckled. “Yes.”
Zabbie wrapped her arms around his forearm and clung tight. Titus pulled from her and plunged deep. Zabbie was thrust up and pulled down. She had a new life, and she wanted to live it, she wanted to feel it. She gripped him harder, demanding more of his weight, more of his strength. The bed was bouncing under her; the entire world was in motion.
Calling his name, Zabbie came with his last powerful thrust. She was exhausted, her legs limp spaghetti from the wild ride. She groaned when he pressed his body against her, his breathing as ragged as hers.
A voice came over the intercom as Titus rolled off of her to settle by her side. “Captain? I know I shouldn’t disturb you, but I wanted to report the ship was rocking like crazy. It’s stopped now. Sorry to have bothered you.”
“Oh—dear,” Zabbie said. She couldn’t help it; she laughed then quieted feeling the slow blush creep over her face.
A disgruntled growl reached her ears. “Damn it, I should have known.” Cy didn’t sound happy.
* * * *
“Can you tell me what you remember?”
Zabbie was gazing up at Finn while sitting on a high table. Titus’s healer was a good warrior; he was also kind and patient. Zabbie didn’t look concerned or afraid but Titus was learning she hid her emotions well. She wasn’t as good hiding emotional scent. She wasn’t distant, more wary of harming someone.
“I remember leaving Earth. Watching the ground as we battled a storm. There was a tornado in the far distance, cities were in rubble. I remember feeling so sad I had to leave my home. But excited for a new start. Many shuttles left that day. The trip would be long, but we had food and water. We spent time getting to know each other. I made friends. We heard some conversation between the shuttle and Ulsy but the captain, Damon switched to head phones when talk became disturbing.
“Rumor was spreading of how evil the Tonans were. Some swear they had seen a Tonan in a grey shield. There were crazy rumors of a Tonan helping humans, but that was too impossible to believe. The only feedback from Ulsy became the same president repeating the same thing over and over. It was an obvious loop. All of us started wondering what to do, fear was palpable. Our captain, Damon, changed course and we were all in agreement. None of us knew what to expect when he spotted a distant planet. We landed on the planet; it was rough and the shuttle did actually crash. No one was hurt. Damon was an outstanding pilot, he saved us.
“All of us were nervous pioneers. Damon’s pep talk spurred us into action, leadership came easy to him. He was a big man, a commanding presence and we felt safe. A new home was built, each of us found our niche and settled in. The only real law was to be kind to one another. And we were. We were happy for a few years; we made a life for ourselves. The planet was odd but livable. We learned how to hunt, what to hunt. We laughed and played. One of our number got pregnant and we were all so excited. The father was overprotective, so was Damon. So were we all. New life on a new planet.
“Then the Tonans found us and came in the night. They can see in the dark. They were as scary as predicted. And merciless. Their grey shields are hideous, terrifying. They have tails that snap like whips. Black tattoos are on their
cheeks, bulbs where eyes should sit. That awful night was chaos. Many of the men were killed, cut down in seconds. We scattered into the night. When we regrouped there were twelve of us. A few of us noted, as we hid from them, the Tonans would stand in direct sunlight. The rays absorbed into their strange shield. We all thought it best to hide where there was no sunlight. It was a sad day for us. To have a wall of summer inches away. To stand with a single hand slipped through the wall to feel warmth.”
For a second she faltered and Titus slipped an arm around her. She sounded so forlorn. Loathing built in his chest for the rogue Tonans. To attack a small group of humans who were defenseless with no weapons was heinous. Zabbie began again slowly.
“We had hunted the shadow beasts before, but the next kill we made certain we had enough warm furs and meat to enter the winter season. We went underground. That’s when we lost Eddy to the ice wall. A hard lesson, to know each time we entered or exited the cave he was there and would be forever trapped. I blame the Tonans for his death, too. The Tonans didn’t follow us underground. What followed next was far worse. The Gorgano didn’t need to touch us. Our first encounter, our real encounter, not one I fabricated, with them was when we were hunting in the summer season. We knew all about Tonans and watched the skies for their vessels.
“When the first new alien appeared we stood there watching it. It was gangly, bald, tall, I wasn’t afraid of it because a solid punch would have crumpled it. One of the men beside me grabbed his head, screamed and died. We fled into the winter area. The Gorgano couldn’t mind battle us unless it came into the season with us. But the second it entered it died. They really do die when exposed to cold.”
Zabbie took a breath and rubbed her hands on her bare legs. She had given up her furs, the tears in them were too revealing. The replicator had made her another shirt and short pants from the material it could manifest.
“I know this is difficult,” Finn said. “You’ve been exposed to the Gorgano longer than any human female we encountered. Titus says you could be our next best weapon.”
“As long as I can be harnessed,” Zabbie said.
“Our planet is dangerous,” Titus said. “How safe you are can depend on your ability. I’m leader here, I have duties. I’d be much happier leaving you alone, when I have to, if I knew you could kick some ass.”
“I can’t just turn it on or off,” she complained.
“Zabbie you know the ability is there. Now that you know, try to tap into it. We can start small. I want you to look at this wand. Concentrate. See if you can make it rise,” Finn said. He held out a foot and a half long, thick silver device that was commonly used by the warriors. You twisted both sides and a hologram of you would record any messages you needed. Bethany, Finn’s female told Titus the device reminded her of a sophisticated post it note. Titus stepped away from her.
Sighing, Zabbie stared at the wand. Her breath increased. She growled and fisted her hands. For a moment the wand shook, then rose two feet. Titus smiled and spoke a few words of encouragement. Zabbie continued to concentrate, the wand rose higher. A noise over the intercom came through then many followed. It seemed every metal wand in the main hall was suspended in midair.
“Can you lower it?” Finn asked. The wand teetered up and down until it settled upright on the bed. “Now, think about what you’re feeling, what your brain is telling you.”
“Maybe I better not,” Zabbie said.
“Why?” Titus asked. She looked uncomfortable.
“Standing straight up like that might have been my mind wandering to the length of the wand. And, um, last night.”
Titus cleared his throat understanding her meaning immediately. The thick erect wand looked like a shaft ready for action. He suddenly had a hard on. The wand dropped and Titus felt a sensation travel up his erection. The sensation of fingers sliding over his cock grew in intensity.
“Zabbie,” he warned.
“I can’t help it. I think emotion does have something to do with what I can do, I think.” She rubbed at her temples whispering stop, stop.
The sheet on the bed squished between Titus’s fingers. Zabbie was focused, staring at his cock. Titus could feel the growl build in his throat. The urge to Holiday was getting too strong to ignore.
“Titus, get her out of here,” Finn said, his face was an open book of shock, his words a wary growl.
Grunts and growling howls filled the halls. “Zabbie stop,” Titus shouted.
“I’m only thinking of you, I swear it,” she cried out, her face was a mask of mortification. “I don’t know how to make it stop.”
Snarling, fighting, sounds of frustration roared in all around. Titus grabbed Zabbie’s shoulders and shook her. Titus could see Finn struggling and he was mated, she would be safe from him, Finn had control, although his mate Bethany might be in for a fast surprise. But if all of his warriors had a hard on and felt what Titus was feeling, Zabbie was in danger. Not many had control or were mated to a human female. Every warrior wanting to Holiday when it wasn’t the right time, they were clothed; they were all together in the same building. They were in the wrong environment, anarchy was looming.
Titus snatched Zabbie from the table and flung her over his shoulder. Danger surrounded them. Zabbie cried out when warriors appeared looking for the source of their frustration, moving in. All warriors were in battle mode. Zabbie swore and trembled. A strange emotion began to emanate from her. She should be terrified but Titus sensed she was pissed, infuriated. Titus almost lost his balance when a gusher of icy water dropped onto his head. Small portals over every warrior opened and they were saturated to the point of looking drowned. Different bellowing sounded as warriors in the hallway slipped and fell over ice cubes, landing them on their asses.
Finn shook his head and wiped a hand over his drenched face. “Wow, that was a rude awakening, at least we know she can take care of herself.”
Gasping from the sudden shock, Titus lowered Zabbie to the ground, she was completely dry. He was amazed, he too, was drenched, his hair was so saturated he was almost dragged to the ground by the pressure.
“Holy hell that was the coldest fucking water I’ve ever encountered. Works better than the limp dick fuel we all had to drink thanks to you, Finn.”
Finn chuckled. “You have a human female. You don’t ever need to drink the shit again.”
Chapter 9
Zabbie gazed around in wonder at her new planet home. Titus’s vessel had sent them directly to Finn when they hovered over the planet. She found it cute the way Titus held her to his chest each time she was transported on or off the ship. Apparently most human females found the ride made them vomit, it didn’t faze her in the least. She wondered if it was some kind of custom for his warriors to see her in his arms declaring her his and off limits.
This was Zabbie’s first look at her new surroundings. The sky was pastel colors, greens, blues, reds and oranges. Three shimmering round objects were in the sky. There were dark black floating holes Titus explained were worm holes.
Massive trees with gigantic rustic roots looked as though they could stand up and walk away. The foliage was lush in a jungle setting. Everything oversized to match the Zargonnii warriors. Titus looked comfortable in his setting but kept her close. He was in battle mode. She had no doubt he was happy to be home.
A pond came into view, but Titus only let her see it from a distance. Green scum rose and fell in tiny waves hypnotically. The substance looked harmless but it smelled rancid. A tiny furry creature went to lap at the water’s edge. Without warning the scum rose and was about to crash over the unsuspecting creature when the creature was sent flying to land safely but surprised on a branch limb. The scum smashed onto the ground spattering. It slinked its way back into the pond leaving a scorch mark.
“I get it,” she said in understanding. “Pond scum, it will leave you dying to see it.”
“It’s best not to get close to water in my world,” Titus said.
“That’s a
shame, no midnight skinny dipping.”
“Skinny dipping?”
“Naked, you swim naked at night. But with these melon tits of mine I’m thinking it’s more like chunky dunking.”
“Sounds intriguing if it involves boobs. Especially yours.”
Titus took her hand and they strolled a small path, dense foliage on either side. Zabbie knew it would take her time to get used to her surroundings. She couldn’t put her finger on why, but everything seemed sinister and ominous. Her hair stood on end seconds later. The sound of a heartbeat sounded and increased in tempo. Zabbie stopped and watched as a foot long, thick, large worm-like creature slithered across the path, its back end rippling to scoot its front end forward. It blobbed its way into the foliage on the other side. The noise it made dying down as it left.
“You have zombie worms on your planet, great.”
“It’s harmless,” Titus said.
“Gross. Sounds like the heartbeat in horror stories, the sound you hear right before you die.” A shrill scream to her left made her freeze. “I knew it. Yep, gonna die.” Goose bumps dotted her arms.
Titus snarled, it was apparent the screaming thing wasn’t harmless. A red hairy creature Zabbie’s size came howling into the path. Sharp teeth flashed. Its nose oozed snot covering its lower face.
“Well, that’s attractive,” Zabbie said.
“These are dangerous. It’s called a bangor. Their favorite meal is male Zargonnii children.”
“Why don’t your warriors exterminate them?”
“They reproduce too fast. The creatures have both sexes. Their litters normally don’t exceed twenty every three months but it’s enough to keep the warriors and our females busy. Within two weeks the creatures are full grown and on their own and ready to reproduce.”
“That’s a lot of snot.”
The bangor stood howling, no doubt trying to determine if Titus was a threat it could take on to get to Zabbie. The creature burst into flames the second it took a step toward her. She glanced up at Titus who grinned at her.
To Catch A Warrior [Unearthly World Book 5] Page 10
