C.L. Scholey - Zuri's Zargonnii Warrior (Unearthly World # 2)

by C. L. Scholey

  “She stays with me,” came his thick-throated growl.

  “Citun wants her in the human area.”

  Kobe centered his gaze onto the six warriors. “I will take her.”

  The warriors conceded. Zuri gave a longing look to Finn and Titus, neither looked happy. The only reason Kobe was taking her with him was the fact Citun needed her to save the female Zargonnii. It was the only reason they had come back at all. Zuri hoped Citun would listen to reason—or this would not end well. With his arm wrapped around her shoulders, Zuri followed Kobe.

  * * * *

  “I will come back for you.” Kobe’s promise was sincere as he stared down into Zuri’s sad expression. He had shaken off battle mode when she had flung herself into his arms once witnessing the holding area. She bravely shed no tears, but her eyes were wet. The area made for the humans was cold, dark and unwelcoming. The two human males had lost weight, they looked sickly. Neither bothered to look up when their caged area was opened.

  “How could Citun do this to those poor men?” Zuri’s words were soft but laced with disgusted horror.

  The six warriors who flanked them shuffled their feet and looked none too pleased. In fact, they looked guilty. Everything in the room was in plain sight. The washing area, sleeping area, eating area. There was no privacy. The men looked un-kempt, unwashed. They looked tired and defeated.

  “I’ll talk to Citun, Zuri. I’ll explain this is wrong.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you.” Zuri gazed deeply into his eyes. “It’s about your mother and the female Zargonnii.” Kobe was hard-pressed to keep the other warriors from crowding them as she spoke. “Two of the females the Gorgano have captured are Citun’s mother and his little sister.”

  Kobe knew immediately why his mother had given Zuri the information; she must have known what life for Zuri would be like. Only Zuri could fight the Gorgano, Citun needed her help. Why would she help if he locked her up? There was no way Citun would leave any family at the mercy of the Gorgano.

  Kobe gave her a cocky smile. He kissed her lips and patted her behind as she hesitated for only a second before moving into the penned area. Kobe was escorted to Citun.

  “Start explaining.” Citun had his narrowed gaze on Kobe.

  “Zuri tried to escape, I found her; we ended up falling from the ship.” Citun who was in battle form was obviously surprised when Kobe grew into battle form. The other warriors gasped with amazement, Kobe was almost as big as Citun.

  “Leave us,” Citun demanded of the other warriors. When the door to his chamber closed Citun gazed at Kobe. “You saw the mixed babe?”

  “Yes, she exists and the rumors are true.” Kobe cast a glance to the window displaying the humans’ every movement in Citun’s personal cabin. He glanced back at Citun. “They are miserable in there.”

  “Don’t you think I know this?” was Citun’s growled response. “They’ve stopped eating. Every time one of them moves, my warriors jump to their feet in relief only to see the humans stagger to their beds. For the life of me, I can’t see what danger they possess. But I don’t know what to do with them. They are my responsibility, they’ll die if set loose. We have to monitor the heat; they almost froze to death the first night. We regulated the temperature; we boil all of their food. Gave them blankets.” Citun ran a hand over his face, his agitation was apparent.

  “Zuri will come to the same fate, if she is kept in there. I can’t allow that to happen. Titus has offered us sanctuary. My brother Finn lives there; we can stay with him until I build my own home.”

  “If you claim sanctuary, why did you come back?”

  “I came home.” Kobe went and stood directly before Citun. “We have a situation. Our females are being stolen by the Gorgano. Citun, your sister and mother are just two of the hostages.”

  Citun stiffened. “How do you know this?”

  “During our travels, Zuri and I met my mother. My mother and I were attacked by the Gorgano, Zuri killed the creature.”

  “Zuri killed it?”

  “Yes, it’s how she learned to speak our language so fast—and my mother’s. The Gorgano are like no opponent we have come across. They mind battle. Zuri is the only one who can save your females and the others. Titus will not permit Zane and his female, Bay, to board his vessel. It seems Bay is carrying another babe. Her little one is in fact a female. They guard her closely.”

  “No doubt,” Citun mused. He paced for a moment before stopping in front of Kobe. “That babe is young yet, and already the human female has conceived? She must Holiday with her mate continuously.”

  “She does,” Kobe paused only a second. “As Zuri Holidays with me.”

  Citun sized him up. “Are you willing to allow your mate to help us retrieve the Zargonnii females?” Kobe nodded once. “When we return, Zuri will live with you. We can get a hunting party together and find a cyron to reinforce your home. I’ve already come to the conclusion the males are harmless and can’t stay in there. I can’t just dump them on a planet; we agreed to be responsible for them. I’ve asked the warriors who caught them if they want them. They are considering it, both have male offspring and could use extra help; besides, they want to Holiday with Zargonnii females.”

  Kobe was pleased. Citun had saved face by offering what he knew Kobe wanted before he asked. There was no bartering, or bribery.

  Kobe stood and watched Zuri as Cash and Leo sobbed in her arms. From another window, Kobe could see many warriors lining the long wall with the one way mirror to see the exchange. Kobe saw relief on the warriors’ faces. Citun relayed it was the most movement they had seen in weeks. The novelty of having a trapped being for your enjoyment waned if the captive didn’t thrive. Kobe supposed in some cultures a captive might, if handled with care. These human men would die if not released soon. Kobe was happy Citun had realized that.

  “We need to move out,” Citun bellowed as he flung open his cabin door; the warriors sprang into action. He turned to Kobe. “Go get your female. Tell her to tell her friends permanent homes will be found for them.”

  “They’re not pets, Citun.”

  “No not pets, but they still need the protection of a warrior on this planet. We’ve been trying to teach them our language but after a while they gave up. Perhaps when Zuri returns she can help them.”

  Kobe smiled as he went to retrieve Zuri. With his new strength, he had no doubt he could protect her.

  * * * *

  Zuri sat on the bed holding her tummy, groaning. Kobe went and sat beside her. She glared at him.

  “You do know this means war,” there was a definite snarl to her words.

  Kobe gave her a cheeky grin. “I’m sorry, Zuri. I swear when we return it will be different, the ship can hover near land like Titus’s vessel, but we were in a hurry. The ship was already on the move with Citun’s first command. I’m afraid we’ll need to do the same when we get to the planet. As mercenaries, we get in, we get out. The beam is the fastest way. Didn’t my cocoon help at all?”

  It did, but Zuri was still pissed. She felt as though her insides were shoved halfway up her throat, smashed into the pit of her belly then regurgitated like lightning. For the millionth time, she wondered if she were pregnant as Unna suggested. At least Kobe had the sense to bring a bucket with him. Zuri had needed it.

  “How long will it take to get to the Gorgano?” she asked.

  “If we calculated their planet right and make use of the proper worm holes, it shouldn’t take more than a few days. It’s hard to believe we never knew of their existence until recently.”

  “I wish I’d never heard of them at all,” Zuri grouched.

  Rising from the bed, Zuri made her way to the window. The ship was gliding through the sky. The second it entered the wormhole the vessel pitched forward making her lose her stomach again. Zuri raced to the bathroom and vomited. Kobe sat beside her, rubbing her back.

  “Um, Zuri would you like a cloth cause you, well you kinda…”

/>   “So help me, if you tell me I smell, I’ll hunt you down like a rabid dog.”

  Kobe smiled. “It’s just that your—fragrance is a little overwhelming.”

  “Moron.”

  Kobe wet a cloth in the shower stall and wiped her face, then her neck. The last thing Zuri wanted was to have sex. She shoved him away and swore at him in English. She strung a long line of obscenities at him she was sure would do a drunken sailor proud.

  “I think it’s time to put you to bed, mouthy.”

  Bed was a wonderful idea.

  * * * *

  Zuri held her breath as they crept their way down a partially-lit hall. She tried to keep her mind as blank as possible, trying to escape detection. Citun was ahead of her, Kobe behind and six warriors trailed after. Citun decided for this mission the fewer warriors the better. Zuri understood why. The Zargonnii couldn’t battle the Gorgano. It would be useless to put many in harm’s way. All that was needed was Zuri—hopefully.

  Citun’s space vessel was as far from the planet as possible. The red flame was formulated for an extensive beam travel. With both Citun and Kobe cocooning her it wasn’t as bad as Zuri had thought it would be. When the Zargonnii determined the area where the females were being contained, they had zeroed in as closely as possible. It was the Zargonnii way: get in get out.

  A soft crooning caught all of their attention. From the bowels of the deep shaft, came a wounded lonely cry. A shushing sound followed. When they reached the cave Zuri saw the metal bars and intricate locks across the threshold harboring two female Zargonnii. Across from them were two cells holding the rest of the captives. The older Zargonnii hissed as the warriors and Zuri approached and stood before the younger one. Though the younger one was huge, it was apparent she was only a child and frightened. Zuri knew it was the first time she had probably seen male warriors. Compared to her, they were huge.

  Citun came close to the bars and sniffed. He made a face. “It’s my mother and sister.”

  “What is it?” Zuri asked. Citun looked as though he might vomit.

  “My sister stinks.”

  Zuri whacked his arm. “What the hell is it between Zargonnii males and smells?”

  Kobe chuckled and came up behind her. “I told you, Zuri; it’s nature’s way of making sure brothers and sisters don’t mate.”

  “Oh,” she mumbled and watched as Citun’s sister waved a hand before her nose. The smell was reciprocated. The youngster asked a question of her mother. Her mother told her she needn’t be afraid. She explained Citun was her older brother.

  Citun’s mother came forward. Her arms stretched through the bars to touch her son. Again Zuri was almost brought to tears. It was so sad a female had to give up her son when it was plain to see the love she felt.

  “We’ve come to get you out,” Citun said. Zuri relayed his message. His mother looked stunned.

  “You speak my language?” she asked. “I am Ura, and this is my daughter, Bella. Why did my son bring you here? You’re too small to open these bars.”

  “I’ve encountered the Gorgano before; I can mind battle like they do.” At least, she hoped she could. She was now sensing the rescuers were being surrounded. “Kobe we don’t have much time. The Gorgano have discovered us. They have to be in the room with you to control you, but I feel them coming—and they’re pissed.”

  Citun took hold of the bars and pulled with all his might, the females inside pushed. The other warriors joined but Zuri knew brute strength would never open this prison. It appeared they were also in possession of the nitride-eel substance. When the warriors slumped in furious defeat, Zuri moved forward.

  “It’s my turn now,” she whispered.

  Focusing all of her thoughts a wheel began to squeal and groan, it slipped back a few inches, stopped, slipped then spun like crazy. Next the middle bar slid back and Zuri was confident she had the hang of it. Six locks in total were turned, slid or rotated. The females were free. Zuri dropped to the ground.

  “They’re here,” Zuri said; she placed a hand to her temple.

  “Zuri,” Kobe yelled. He raced to her but was thrown into the cell.

  Zuri exploded into the mind of the Gorgano, killing it before it could lock Kobe up. She remained on the ground, her mind in agonizing pain concentrating on the other locks of the other cages. The warriors were roaring and growling. On the last lock, a Gorgano appeared within her sight. Zuri was in a battle for her life. Citun had figured out the patterns of the locks and set the other females free.

  Two more Gorgano appeared and two warriors found themselves suspended in midair, flailing helplessly. The prisons were opened.

  “Citun take them back to the ship,” Zuri screamed.

  “I’m leader here,” he yelled back. “No one gets left behind.”

  Zuri blew up two Gorgano, and the warriors dropped to the ground; she gasped in air. “You don’t understand, I can’t keep saving your people and fight at the same time. My head feels like it’s going to explode.”

  “Get them out of here,” Citun bellowed.

  Six warriors and eight Zargonnii females fled back down the corridor to where the beam would greet them. Zuri’s body was pulled up and pressed against the cave wall by three Gorgano. They were in her mind. Kobe tried to get to her but was flung back repeatedly. Zuri began sobbing. Seven more Gorgano appeared. If Kobe didn’t leave her, he and Citun would be killed along with her.

  “Kobe, run.”

  “I won’t leave without you.” He howled with his rage.

  Zuri placed her hands to her head. She blew up the Gorgano holding Citun against a wall. As Citun fell, a Gorgano came into his reach and he ripped its head off.

  “Zuri, just distract them,” Citun yelled.

  She understood his plan. Zuri backed off trying to blow up the Gorgano in her thoughts. She went into their minds and raised hell. Kobe killed a Gorgano to his right then left. Their plan was working until twenty more Gorgano appeared. Zuri felt her foggy thoughts slipping as her body slid down the wall where she slumped, she would be unconscious soon.

  She thought what she believed to be a huge black hole open against the far wall. She wondered if it was an abyss the Gorgano were pushing her toward. If she’d had the energy, Zuri would have screamed. For a second, she was positive they were being invaded by the Tonans. Massive black creatures barreled out of the hole. Their fangs glistened as they slaughtered the Gorgano. Green tattoos on their faces gleamed. They had no tails. Castians, Zuri heard the name screamed within her mind. The Gorgano took off terrified. They couldn’t penetrate the warriors’ shields with their thoughts. Zuri focused when the pressure eased. She could think again. The Gorgano were gone. Castian warriors took off after them, led by a warrior named Cobra. The warrior took a glance at her, but Kobe stepped between them and growled.

  “We fight the same war, Zargonnii,” Cobra said. “These beings cannot be allowed to murder human females.”

  Cobra raced after his men. Kobe relaxed. The cave chamber was almost completely empty. They had survived after all. The battle was over. Zuri screamed and Kobe bellowed in rage when a Castian warrior grabbed her. He flung her over his shoulder. The Castian jumped from the walls to the ground in a zig-zag pattern, eluding the two Zargonnii warriors, moving too fast for either of them.

  When the Castian approached the highest point in the ceiling Zuri thought she was saved, until another black hole opened. The Castian pulled her from his shoulder to settle her into his arms and jumped through the hole. The blackness engulfed her. Her arms were wrapped snuggly around the black being’s neck, terrified he would drop her into nothingness.

  The blackness gave way to brilliant light and Zuri realized they were on a vessel. Each level inside the football field-sized ship was lit. There were no stairs or elevators, but Zuri knew why. With their armor, the Castians wouldn’t need that resource. Instead of halting to a commanding call, the warrior who held her made his way up several levels, only stopping when he came to a larg
e door.

  With a wave of his hand the door slid open and the warrior strode to a bed and plopped her down. They stared at one another. Zuri was breathing fast—he was breathing faster until his body shuddered and he stood still. His inky black shield wasn’t what scared her. He looked like a Tonan and yet different. His tattoos were green, not black. He had no tail. He sported two glistening fangs, that dripped saliva. Zuri shuddered. The Castian held out his hands.

  “No,” he stammered. “Don’t be afraid.” He spoke to her in English.

  “You’re hideous.”

  “This is only my shield. Look.” The Castian dropped his armor. Zuri had thought the Tonan was handsome. The Castian before her was a perfect Greek God. His black as night hair reached his shoulders in waves. His stunning blue eyes devoured the sight of her. He had a muscular build void of nipples.

  “The Tonan was handsome until he murdered six human men in front of me.” Zuri spat the words.

  “The Tonan renegades are filthy beasts. I would never murder a human male or female. I swear it.”

  “You stole me from Kobe.”

  “I saved you.”

  For a moment they regarded one another curiously. The Castian went and perched beside her. The bed dipped with his weight and Zuri scooted away. When he reached to touch her she smacked his hand but his fingers grazed her skin. Zuri felt the soothing sensation immediately; it had the same effect as Kobe’s crooning. He was trying to calm her.

  “I didn’t need saving.”

  Her tone was firm but controlled. In an instant, she realized the Castian was different from the Tonan.

  “The Zargonnii used you to save their own females, they put you at risk. You were curled up on the ground, shivering, I could smell your fear.”

  To Zuri, he sounded desperate to make her see things from his point of view. She supposed she had looked pretty pathetic. Once again, he touched her. Zuri felt the wetness seep into her veins and she relaxed further. His body secreted some type of hormone. The feeling was pleasant, but not enough to sway her thoughts.