“A person?” Maxim asked again. “How does he know what?”
Maxim hated the feeling of confusion that was rushing over him. It felt like he was missing something, like there was a piece that he somehow overlooked so he wasn’t able to keep up with the conversation that was unraveling around him.
“We weren’t alone in the quarry,” Kyven explained. “When we fell through the rocks into the cavern, it was just Emerie and me. Our lightstick was fading and we could hear the creature coming. The Meldor.”
“Meldor?” Avery repeated.
Kyven nodded.
“The less light there was, the closer it got. When our light went out, I was sure that we were going to die. I did everything that I could to protect Emerie, but I couldn’t see what was in that chamber with us, so I couldn’t fight. It attacked me, but before it could kill me, there was suddenly light.”
Kyven seemed out of breath and Maxim walked back to the side of his bed so that he could guide his brother back to lie down.
“You need to rest,” he said. “Emerie, can you tell us what happened?”
She nodded as she reached for Kyven’s hand.
“The light was blinding, but it was the most wonderful light that I had ever seen. A man had come down into the cavern with us and brought a ball of light that pushed the creature back. He told us that it was called a Meldor and that few who ever encounter it live. Before he left he told us that his name was Mhavyrch.”
“Why didn’t you tell us this?” Maxim asked.
“He was gone by the time that you got there to help us. I didn’t know if I should tell you.”
“Why?” Maxim asked. “He helped you. He saved your life.”
“He was a hybrid.”
The words struck Maxim silent. In the stillness that fell over the infirmary they heard footsteps rushing toward them. Lila appeared at the doorway with a look of fear in her eyes.
“What is it, Lila?” Elise asked.
The woman shook her head as if she couldn’t speak and gestured for them to follow her. Maxim looked at his brother again, and then ran out of the room and down the hallway toward the main chamber. He was partway there when he heard the low rhythm of drums in the distance. It was a slow, steady beat, like one that would correspond with a controlled march. The sound seemed to hold more resonance than its volume justified and Maxim felt like it was pricking at his skin.
He got to the main chamber and saw that the sun had finally made its way all the way up. It glowed through the window on the far wall and splashed like gold across the floor and furniture throughout the room. It should have been soothing. It should have invigorating to finally see the sun again, as dark as the sun on Penthos might be, but it didn’t represent the newness and possibility that a fresh day should. Instead, it was exposure, forcing them to see the planet where they had been dropped into Ryan’s disturbing game and what was waiting for them there.
The sound of the drums continued, seeming to get louder. He rushed to the window and looked out, but he didn’t see anything except the never-ending expanse of sand that stretched around the desert.
“What is it, Maxim?” Elise asked as she came into the room.
“I don’t know,” he said.
He ran through the pod chambers to the room that he shared with Ivy. She was sitting up in the bed, looking around with wide, confused eyes.
“Do you hear that?” she asked. “What is it?”
Maxim shook his head. He pressed a button on the wall across from the bed and watched as the flat panels that covered the window slid open. He pressed his hands against it and looked out, trying to see if there was something more out there that wasn’t visible from the window in the main chamber. Not seeing anything else but the shimmering sand did nothing to comfort him. If anything, it only made the fear that was beginning to prick the back of his neck more intense. He could feel the rhythm of the drums in his blood and the threat that they carried in a chill that rolled down his spine.
“Get dressed,” he told Ivy. “I don’t want you to leave the shuttle, but I want you to be ready.”
“Ready for what?” she asked as she stood from the bed.
She was still undressed from him gently pulling away her nightgown the night before, and her beautiful bare body in the morning sunlight underscored the vulnerability that was setting in. Maxim stepped up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist so that he could sweep her up against his body and crush his mouth down on hers. He kissed her with all of the intensity that he was feeling, the desperation to keep her close, and the brutal, primal energy that was building within him with each beat of the drum outside. She sought him in that kiss, connecting with him and reassuring him with her sweetness and familiarity, but also with the promise of loyalty that she had given him when they were still on Uoria.
When their lips parted, Maxim crossed to the luggage pod on the opposite side of the chamber and lifted its lid. He withdrew the weapons that he had brought along with him and the supply bag that he had packed before leaving Uoria. Maxim loaded his body with the weapons, ensuring each was easily accessible so that he would be able to grab and use them however and whenever they were needed. He picked up his cloak and looked down at it in his hands. Now that the morning sun had come to burn away the chill from the night before he didn’t know if he needed the cloak, but he still swung it around his shoulders and tightened it around his neck. He pulled the cloth around his body, concealing all of the weapons and providing a slight layer of additional protection.
Maxim walked back to the bed and leaned down to lift Ivy’s nightgown off the floor. He took the pale blue silk ribbon around the neckline in his fingertips and eased it out of the gauzy fabric, using it to tie his hair at the back of his neck. Feeling fully prepared, he turned back to the window and closed the panels again to conceal the inside of the chamber again. He stepped up to Ivy and touched his hand to her cheek.
“Stay in the shuttle,” he said again. “Stay with the other women and wait for me to come back.”
“I’m not just going to sit around here, Maxim.”
Maxim touched a kiss to the center of her forehead.
“I love you,” he said.
He took a moment to touch his fingertips to her belly and then rushed out of the room. The sound of the drums was louder now. He could feel each beat shaking through the air around him. He knew what it was. He had heard of it before. When he made it back to the main chamber he saw Rain standing at the window, her arms wrapped around her body. The panels were only open a few inches but she was staring intently through them. She turned to him as Maxim stepped into the room with Zyyr and Lynx close behind him. Her eyes met his as if she could transfer the images that she had just gathered into him with only that look. There was a long, tense moment with only the sound of the heavy, pounding drums reverberating from the metal around them to accent each breath. Finally, she spoke.
“They’re here.”
THE END
* * *
[sb1]only one attacked her
[sb2]Eden is also a healer
[sb3]Elon had mentioned surgery before so I changed it to reflect and I also made it sound more invasive than just the wound surgery in the previous text
[sb4]I made a change here because it had that he had no external wounds but earlier in the text he has a large gash from his stomach to his chest
Book 1 – Captured by Sweet Alien
Chapter 1
The hairs on my neck stood. It happened every time my boss was near. He gave me the creeps and on more than one occasion I had to politely remind him to keep his filthy hands to himself. Ever since I turned down his advances he made up his mind on giving me the worst cases and projects. I lifted my tired eyes to see him standing in front of my desk with a smirk. I knew that look. It meant he had something planned—and I wasn’t going to like it.
“Ms. Baines, I have a new assignment for you.”
Leaning back in my chair I nodded giving him permissio
n to sit in the chair and waited for him to spit it out.
“You’re going on a trip.”
“Where to?”
“Uoria.”
I gulped. Out of all the places he could have sent me and it was to the planet full of the most temperamental species humans had ever studied. “What for?”
“We need to learn more about them, what’s in their blood.”
I gasped. “You know that’s against the rules, Ryan.” Everyone knew that the King and Queen made the rules. They still allowed us to do testing, but never of their blood. And I knew what happened to those who tried getting the blood of a Denynso. They never came back that’s what.
He shrugged. “You’re sneaky enough and no one pays much attention to you. We need to know what makes them so powerful.”
His eyes lit up and I shuddered. I knew exactly why he wanted a sample of their blood. It was the same reason every other scientist wanted it, and it was exactly why they had all failed.
“Oh, and preferably the blood from their strongest warrior is what you need to get. You’ve heard of him right?”
Of course I had. Everyone in my line of work had heard of the monstrous Denynso called Pyra. He was one mean son of a bitch and no one wanted near him. Well, besides all the women that vied for a place in his bed. But there was nothing scientific about that.
“You know I won’t do that.”
He shrugged. “Then you’re job is as good as gone and so will your reputation. You’ll never work again. Not in this field!” He spun on his heel and looked over his shoulder. “Might as well practice saying, “Do you want fries with that?” because that’s the only work you’ll ever get. You know how much we need this information.”
“Wait,” I said and sighed. I couldn’t lose my job. It was all I had, my livelihood. I’d have to find a way to convince the leaders to let me have a sample and test it. Maybe fudge the results or something. I would find a way. “I’ll do it!” I prayed I live long enough to explain why I was asking for the one thing they’d refused since we learned of their species.
His smile widened as if he had won the biggest prize. He knew I wouldn’t be coming back and that was his plan all along. They’d kill me before I got close enough to the warrior, and if I managed to sneak by he’d break my neck with two fingers. I shuddered. This wasn’t going to be a fun vacation. I needed to form a plan and offer the Denynso something they couldn’t resist, but I didn’t have anything—not really. I only hoped I could get them on the off chance that they wouldn’t want me to lose my job. Maybe they’d feel sorry for me, throw me a bone or something. No matter how small it was, I’d take it.
“Good, I knew you’d see it my way. You need to be ready at four a.m.”
Then he left me stewing knowing he’d given me an impossible task. If I was going down, I was taking that piece of shit down with me. I smiled evilly. They were an angry species. It shouldn’t be too hard to piss them off and let them know it was all Ryan’s idea.
After he left me alone, I did what I was best at. I hacked the system and copied the surveillance from my office. Right there I’d be able to prove what was going on to the Denynso, if I could play it. I already knew there wasn’t electricity, but I’d charge my laptop for that purpose alone. Proof my boss was a scumbag and it was his idea to send me there to specifically break their rules. Maybe I’d have a chance to survive my stay there, but coming back home wouldn’t be so great.
Chapter 2
I was ready to go and waited for my boss well before four. I hadn’t slept at all. All night I planned how I would handle the situation my boss had put me in. I knew they would be expecting another scientist. I’d have to meet with them before I step foot on their compound. From what I had learned it was a very secure planet. Warriors scoured the land to keep watch over the humans, and be on the lookout for an attack from their enemies.
I shuddered and thought about what I’d heard about their enemies. There were several horror stories of the attacks on Uoria. The Klimnu were disgusting beasts. Luckily they hadn’t managed to make it to Earth yet or humans would be in big trouble.
Ryan strolled up to me at four on the dot and smiled handing over my paperwork.
“Here’s all the stuff you’ll need when you get there. I have you down as routine testing for plant and animal life. You’re there for up to six months. That should be plenty of time to get what I need.” He gave me a look and I didn’t miss the tone.
I nodded, but inside I was fuming. He was trying to get me killed. I was his competition, and the one that turned his ass down. He didn’t take rejection well, and now I was paying for it. But I was smarter than him and would come up on top.
“All right, well you know how to get in contact if you need anything, but I’m sure you won’t.”
I kept my mouth shut because this was all a fucking set up. I couldn’t believe he’d stoop so low, but maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was up for the promotion he wanted. Luckily I’d learned to control my Irish temper. My mother always told me one day it would come in handy to have self-control, and now I was learning.
Without a word I picked up my bags and boarded the ship. I was nervous as hell. This was the first time I was traveling to another planet, and I wasn’t too sure about it. I wasn’t the type of person who wanted to experience new things. I’d much rather stay in the lab by myself. I felt Ryan’s eyes burning into my back and straightened without turning back. He wouldn’t get a rise out of me. As soon as the metal door clanged closed I let out the breath I’d been holding and muttered, “stupid ass mother fucker.” He would get his.
The very human pilot chuckled. Apparently I spoke a little louder than I thought. Oh well. Everyone knew how I felt about Ryan so it wouldn’t be a surprise that I’d be cursing him. They also knew I had a temper and I held a grudge like no other. I glared at the man and he shrugged before getting ready to take off.
The ship shook and my stomach dropped. Leaning back in my seat I held my breath and closed my eyes. My hands gripped the arm rests and I clenched my teeth as I was lifted into the air at an unknown speed. My stomach rose back up into my throat and I nearly lost what little I had eaten. As soon as the ship leveled some I was able to relax but the speed hadn’t slowed and I kept my eyes shut hoping the medication I had taken would kick in soon knocking my ass out.
* * * *
I woke up to the pilot shaking me. I swung my fist and smiled when I heard the satisfying crunch of the bone in his nose breaking. I didn’t like being touched especially without permission.
“Shit!” he shrieked. “What the hell, I was only waking you up. I’ve been trying for nearly an hour. These warriors are starting to get antsy.”
I shot up and grimaced. “Sorry,” I replied sheepishly. Now I felt bad. “Sorry about your nose.”
“It fucking hurts. No wonder everyone is scared of you.” His eyes watered and he’d lifted his shirt to catch the blood.
I smirked. “Yeah, well next time refrain from touching me. Use a blow horn if you have to, but keep your damn hands to yourself.”
He nodded and winced. “You got it, but please get the hell of my ship.”
I stood and stretched knowing I’d just slept for probably five days. My body wasn’t ready to stand and I wobbled but caught myself before I fell. “Give me five.”
He didn’t respond so I took it as an okay and paced the small area while the rest of my body woke up. I needed to be alert when I met the King and Queen. My insides fluttered like butterflies. I wasn’t the biggest socialite and meeting people, human or not, wasn’t my thing. After the given five minutes I walked behind the pilot and laid a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked at me in fear.
“Thank you for the ride, and again, I’m sorry about your nose.”
He nodded curtly. The bleeding had stopped but his right eye was almost swollen shut. “I’ll remember the blow horn next time.”
I chuckled. At least he was able to find humor in get
ting his ass kicked by a woman.
I stepped off of the ship and gasped. It was so familiar, yet not. Everything was so alive. The grass waved in wind, and the sky was almost violet with pinks and oranges. It was breathtaking. I stood taking in the surroundings. The ship rumbled to life vibrating the ground. I didn’t even bother looking back. I was stuck here for the next six months. Life was about to get a whole hell of a lot more interesting.
My view was blocked by the largest body I had ever seen. Even I felt tiny to the beast in front of me, and instinctively I balled my hands into fists. I had to be in front of the warrior everyone spoke about.
“You’re the new one?” he asked in a gruff voice that vibrated along my skin. The sound shot right through my body.
I gulped and looked up, and then up some more before nodding. “Yes, I’m Eden Baines.”
He smirked down at me. “Come, you must meet the King and Queen.” His voice was a bit tenser, and I wondered why. Must have been that temper I had heard about.
Chapter 3
Pyra wanted to roar. The moment she spoke, something inside of him came to life. A heat so intense filled him he was barely able to hold back his gasp. It wasn’t acceptable. This measly human was not his mate. She was tiny. There was no way she’d be able to handle all seven feet, and three inches of him.
He wasn’t ready to be shackled down by the all-consuming love he’d feel for her. His body already was going through the change, and they hadn’t even touched. He had this feeling for days. He was edgier than normal, though for him that wasn’t saying much. He flew off the handle more than once and fought five of his brethren. Now he understood why.
He stalked to the main house, not looking back. He couldn’t look at her, not yet. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands to himself if he really saw her. From what he’d seen she was perfect. Fairly tall for a human woman, pale skin, fiery red hair, that he knew would match the glint in her bright green eyes. He noticed every tiny freckle that dusted her skin. He hadn’t missed the slight gap between her two front teeth when she spoke. He also didn’t miss the way she averted her eyes or didn’t offer her hand like most of the others did. She didn’t want to be there, he could tell right off.
The Alien's Return (Uoria Mates IV Book 1) Page 13