Promise

by Yolanda Sfetsos

  Damon followed her gaze, grabbed her right arm, and held it up to stare at it. A frown darkened his face. “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I must remove them before they reach any of your vital organs.”

  “You know what they are?”

  “Parasites,” he answered, lifting her arm for an even closer inspection.

  “What the hell?” Her stomach flipped with disgust. What would these horrid things do to her?

  “These tiny creatures live as eggs inside the waters of Lake Eros. They can survive in that form indefinitely, but once they come in contact with the skin of another living creature, they penetrate it. The egg hatches beneath the surface, and they eventually make their way into the heart or lungs, even kidneys and liver of their host.”

  “Then what?”

  “The host dies.”

  “That’s it? They hatch and kill? What happens to them?” Alex tried to pry her arm away from his grasp, but his grip tightened.

  “They die with the host.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “These parasitic worms are micro-organisms. They’re supposed to live in the lake. They’re not supposed to be removed.” His lips pressed into a thin line, and his brow furrowed as he continued to inspect her arm.

  “Are you telling me these things belong in a lake somewhere?” If she made it out of this alive, she was going to kill that asshole, Sackor. What the hell was he doing transporting this stuff across the galaxy, anyway?

  “Yes.”

  “Where’s this Lake Eros?” It was strange, because even though she could see the tiny worms squirming away, she couldn’t feel them.

  “It’s on this planet.”

  “What?” That didn’t make any sense.

  Damon lifted his gaze and met hers. “There have been several incidents with these worms before, but only when someone comes into contact with them in the water.”

  She didn’t want to state the obvious, but someone—possibly Sackor himself—not only had access to Eden but had been taking this liquid for years. This wasn’t the first time she’d transported these barrels, but it was the first time she’d crashed landed and had any of it seep into her skin.

  “Is this kind of lake common on other planets?” She had to know.

  “Not that I’m aware of, but I don’t have contact with other places. I’ve already explained that to you.” Damon pinched her skin between his fingers.

  “Hey, that hurts!”

  “I know it does,” he said. “Where’s the liquid coming from?”

  “I’m not sure,” she lied, looking up.

  He pulled a knife out of his pocket and held the tip against her arm.

  “Wait a sec. What are you going to do with that?”

  “I have to cut them out. It’s the only way to ensure they don’t spread.” He didn’t wait for a response and instead stuck the blade into her arm. He cut a straight line along her forearm, using the tip of the blade to flip the skin and scrape at the exposed wound.

  “Ouch.” She instinctively tried to pull free.

  “Stop moving. I’ve almost got all of them!” With that admonition, he continued to scrape, flinging all the dead worms off the blade. “They’re gone, now.” He loosened his grip but didn’t release her.

  Alex looked down at the raw patch of red on her arm. He’d flipped the skin back into place, and the horrid worms were gone. Yet, she wasn’t bleeding.

  “I need to dress your wound,” he said. “I can heal it properly when we reach the village.”

  “Thanks, but I think—”

  “This’ll do until we get home.” Damon ripped a section off the bottom of his sleeveless shirt and wrapped it around her arm several times. “I can’t heal you out here, but in my village, I should be able to. Can you tell me why liquid from one of our lakes is dripping from your ship?”

  Alex couldn’t take her eyes off his firm abdomen, now exposed by the missing piece of cloth. His skin was smooth, and his tight muscles rippled with his every move. “It wasn’t my ship.” She met his gaze.

  “I might be naïve to the way of space travelers, but I’m not stupid, Alex.” His eyes were intense, so green they sparkled.

  A sharp screech overhead distracted her. “What was that?”

  “We need to get out of here. Now!”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  Damon’s face turned upward, and his eyes narrowed. “After dark, the birds come out to hunt. They feed on anything and everything they can find.”

  “What birds?” The screeching above didn’t sound like any bird she’d ever heard. On her mother’s planet, birdlife was abundant—canaries, budgies, cockatoos, parrots, and many more she couldn’t even name. None of them sounded as scary or as big as whatever was flying over the trees, though.

  Goosebumps rose along her skin. Alex leaned over and picked up her discarded backpack. “I don’t like the idea of leaving my ship unattended—”

  “They’re carnivorous scavengers. They won’t touch your ship, but you don’t want to be outside long enough for them to notice.” Damon wrapped his hand around hers. She cringed when he pulled on the bandage over the cut she’d gotten from Sackor.

  Alex wanted some time to think this through, try to understand why he said she shouldn’t be out here, and hadn’t included himself. He was as much flesh and blood as she was, and if these scavengers were a threat to her, why not to him?

  She also had to figure out how Sackor could have accessed liquid from a planet that wasn’t detected by radar. She could hopefully figure everything out later, but right now, there were some very scary birds descending toward them, and she didn’t particularly want to see them up close.

  “Come on.” When Damon dragged on her arm, she realized there was no time to think, only to run.

  Chapter Six

  The beast leaped out of the trees, landing with a thump on the leafy ground.

  He raised himself on his hind legs, raised his snout, and sniffed the air. Something smelled familiar. It wasn’t just the scent of the woman the human part of him craved so much. Her sweet scent was mingled with that of an unfamiliar male, as well as the multitude of smells the jungle around him radiated.

  He wasn’t entirely Ulric, anymore.

  The man he’d always been remained somewhere deep inside, but he’d faded into the background and given command to some sort of animal. He looked at his hands, now caramel-colored paws, but still holding Alex’s leather necklace and golden bracelet.

  What the hell happened to me?

  Voices distracted him.

  He slowly made his way toward them, peeking around the tree housing the wrecked ship he’d just jumped from.

  “What birds?” There she was, Alex. She stood with a man, and he was standing too close to her.

  The screech overhead distracted Ulric, and when he turned back to Alex, the man had grabbed her hand and was dragging her away.

  No, she’s mine!

  Ulric raced out into the clearing, surprised at how easily moving as a four-legged animal was, but he got there too late. The man had already led Alex into the path ahead of him. Entangled with branches, he couldn’t see anything but darkness.

  Follow her scent. I will follow her, wherever she goes. He’d tear the man to shreds if he laid another hand on her. No one touches her but me!

  When he took the first step, the loud screeching overhead was quickly followed up with a sharp stabbing to his back.

  He made a move to get free.

  The creature shrieked in his ear, digging its claws deeper into his skin and fur. He tried to shrug it off, but he was pecked in the back of the head. Warm blood trickled down his scalp and the back of his neck, but a wound was nothing to the
majestic creature he’d become.

  Ulric had no idea what had happened, but the change had come swiftly and easily. Out of nowhere, to fill him with a strength and hunger he’d never known before. This creature attacking him didn’t stand a chance against the wrath he suddenly felt inside.

  Nothing was going to keep him from finding Alex.

  She was the reason why he was here. She was the reason for everything, now.

  He lifted his front legs, struggling to wrap his paws around the creature’s skinny neck, damning the fact he couldn’t, because he was no longer a man with hands and fingers. Instead, he sneaked a look over his shoulder and extended his claws, digging them into the creature. He swung it over his head, slamming its bony body on the ground in front of him.

  He took a step back, away from the bird-like animal, taking the opportunity to get his next move figured out as it struggled on its back. Before it had a chance to take flight, he leaped forward, but the creature pecked him in the face.

  Agony tore through him.

  He collapsed to the ground and roared in protest.

  The wounded bird took flight, disappearing into the air.

  Ulric took the opportunity to get to his feet, disappointed that he couldn’t check his face with his paws without making it worse. As much as he tried to wish himself back into human form, he remained an animal.

  How was Alex going to react when she saw what he’d become? Why had this happened to him, and why did this place feel so familiar?

  Where the hell did we crash?

  All his questions faded when the bird attacked, again. This time, it seemed determined to pluck his eyes out.

  Ulric managed to avoid every attempt, spun around, and stabbed his claws into the tough skin of the creature’s abdomen. The cold blood seeped over his fur, and the bird squawked and flapped its leathery wings, attempting to escape his clutches. He didn’t let go. He kept a tight hold, slowly embedding his sharp claws deeper and deeper, until he managed to tear right through the coarse skin.

  The creature cried out, and Ulric threw it to the side. Before the bird had a chance to respond, he tore the wings right off its back, followed by the beak, and finally snapped its neck.

  When the creature’s cries died and the life had completely slipped away from it, he glared at the hands still wrapped around the bird’s scrawny neck. His hands were back to normal.

  I’m human. What the fuck is happening to me?

  He looked up, feeling the pull of the glowing orb in the sky.

  The moon seemed to be calling him, caressing his skin with its cool touch. Trying to draw out the monster he hadn’t had a clue lay hidden inside him. The canopy of trees above shielded him, giving him the chance to hold onto a little bit of control.

  Ulric released the creature and stepped into the direct path of the moon. Instantly, he felt the fur crawl over his skin, so he stepped back. With the trees shading him from the full effect of the satellite, he remained a man.

  Maybe Alex didn’t need to find out what had happened to him. As long as they got off this planet, he’d be fine.

  A new bout of screeching caught his attention. Shadows played out on the ground, a multitude of them. He wasn’t going to stay here and make himself a target.

  He looked at his hands. Both of Alex’s lucky charms were gone.

  Ulric looked at the ground, careful not to touch the moonlight as he searched for them. The glint of the bronze key caught his eye, and he leaned over. He’d found the necklace but couldn’t find the bracelet he’d given her.

  “Damn!”

  He couldn’t waste any more time looking. The birds were closing in, and Alex was still being led away from him by some man who had no right to touch her.

  Ulric turned and ran the way Alex had headed.

  With any luck, he could avoid the light of the moon and still be the man she knew when he reached her.

  Chapter Seven

  With every step they took, Damon’s grip tightened around her hand.

  He took Alex farther into the darkness of foliage around them. She was running blind, and as much as she hated the situation, she had no choice but to trust this stranger. The pressure of his grasp made the bandaged cut sting and itch, but she knew they had no other option but to keep going, and she certainly didn’t want to face these surroundings without a guide.

  Whether she was ready or not, it looked like they were headed for his village. Wherever the hell that was.

  She had no trouble keeping up with his fast pace. She’d done a lot of running during her life and was conditioned to it. The terrain, like everything she’d experienced so far on this planet, was harsh and dangerous. Twigs and leaves were getting caught in her hair, branches were swiping at her face, and the tangle beneath her feet made her feel as if she was about to fall with every step. She pushed on, determined not to become some creature’s lunch. She had things to do, places to go, a lover who was waiting for her on Anteris.

  Why hadn’t she stayed with Ulric? Things would have been less complicated. Sackor wouldn’t have scratched her. She wouldn’t have made a new enemy and certainly wouldn’t have crashed on this shitty planet. Whenever she stayed with Ulric, things were mostly straightforward. Maybe that was part of the problem. It was all too simple with him. So, since she enjoyed a challenge and adventure, she should feel right at home here, right?

  A shiver raced down her spine. Why did I have to go and think about him, again?

  If she really couldn’t get off this rock, what would Ulric do…forget about her and move onto some other chick? What about her? What would she do? She couldn’t take her eyes off Damon’s broad shoulders and the way his dreadlocks bounced around him as he ran.

  The ongoing screeching overhead was suddenly replaced by a roar. Every thought slid from her mind. Her gut clenched with fear. What the hell kind of wildlife did they have on this damned planet, anyway?

  Damon suddenly stopped in front of her, not giving her enough time to slow down before smacking into him. He didn’t seem to notice as he turned around, holding a finger in front of his mouth to keep her quiet. He looked over her shoulder. She followed his gaze, yet couldn’t see anything but the jungle engulfing them from every angle. She hated to think about the amount of insects creeping and crawling around her right now.

  A shiver roused goosebumps when she remembered the worms.

  “What type of animal made that noise?” she whispered, trying to catch her breath.

  Damon looked at her for a second. “Come on. We need to keep moving.” He continued forward, dragging her behind him.

  She groaned when a branch slapped her forehead, but she didn’t stop. Instead, she tried to stay as close to Damon as she could. The backpack was slapping her lower back with every move, and it was starting to grate on her nerves.

  A small nip at the back of her leg made her stumble. She lost her balance, her hand slid from Damon’s, and she fell forward. “Son of a bitch!”

  Damon raced back and helped her to her feet. “Don’t worry. We’re almost home, now.”

  Alex spat out some dirt and wiped the rest from her front. “Something bit me.”

  “It was one of the birds. The younglings like to toy with their prey. They’re small enough to hide in the bushes and take small bites until they immobilize you.”

  “That’s comforting.” She took his hand, but instead of moving on, Damon pulled her closer. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pressing their bodies close together, until she could feel his heartbeat. Her frantic pace echoed against him, but his seemed calm compared to hers. “What the hell are you doing? Just let me blast it.”

  “Shhh,” he whispered near her ear.

  Alex opened her mouth to ask how standing around hugging was going to stop an attack, when movement on her left caught her eye. She tu
rned her head very slowly, until her right cheek was pressed up against his firm chest.

  Damon hugged her tighter and leaned over enough to rest his chin on the top of her head. What the hell was going on here?

  The creature—stepping so close, she was sure they’d soon become an easy meal—hardly resembled a bird. Its body moved awkwardly. The fleshy wings were held tightly against its crooked spine as it used spindly legs to walk. Its eyes were beady as it inspected the area and used the long beak to feel around. She couldn’t believe it when the tip touched Damon’s arm but the creature turned away.

  She didn’t say a word and held her breath until she was sure the bird had left. She tried to move, but Damon kept her pinned in his embrace. Assuming it meant that the threat was still close, she relaxed against him, maybe enjoying their closeness a little too much. He smelled really nice, like herbs.

  When he loosened his grip, she pulled back a little, giving her enough room to look up into his face. “Okay, you have to tell me what the hell that was.”

  “It was my way of protecting you.” He kept his gaze up, surveying the area.

  “The bird touched you but didn’t even register you were here…why?”

  “For some reason, the birds can’t sense me. It’s why I’m the only one who ventures out of our village.”

  “Right, so when you mentioned before that the birds would notice me, you weren’t talking in general? You meant they’d eat me and ignore you?”

  “Yes,” Damon said, finally meeting her eyes. “Are you all right to keep moving?”

  As good as it felt in the circle of his arms, she managed a nod. Freaked out or not, she didn’t hesitate to run beside him this time.

  So far, she didn’t like this planet very much, what with the crash-landing, the liquid spill, and now these killer birds. Although, Damon was a different story. He intrigued her. How could his body have been enough of a shield to keep the bird from snatching her?

  Alex allowed Damon to lead her farther into the darkness ahead of them. Everything looked the same to her. She felt as if they were getting deeper into the regions of the jungle, rather than escaping. She had to trust this handsome stranger knew where they were going. She sure as hell didn’t have a clue of which way to turn.