Bethany's Heart (Unearthly World Book 3)

by C. L. Scholey

  “This place is a freak show,” Bethany said and shuddered as she entered the warm enclosed area of their shelter.

  Her words bothered Finn. His planet was scarier than this one, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her.

  “I can keep you safe,” he soothed instead.

  As Finn kissed her, he was caught off guard as three warriors shoved their way into the structure. Kier tried to take ahold of Bethany with the other two warriors moving in closer. Finn would have none of that.

  “It is too dangerous for your mate to be exposed,” Kier shouted. “There are creatures that have learned of her vulnerable position. They make the Gorgano seem placid in comparison. The city is safer. Damn you, I warned you.”

  “Were you planning on hiding her from me and forcing me to leave the planet without my mate? It won’t be happening,” Finn bellowed.

  Finn raced at the warriors in the enclosure, all of them were barreled over before they knew what hit them as the wall came crashing down. Bethany followed them out. The warriors made a neat circle side by side with wings outstretched forming a shield Finn couldn’t break through, but neither could they touch Bethany. Finn strode to her. The shields dropped.

  “You aren’t being reasonable,” Kier shouted.

  “If she were your mate, would you be reasonable?”

  “I would be smart.”

  Finn lunged at him, until he heard Bethany’s cry of terror.

  * * * *

  Bethany screamed as the tall gangly creatures attacked in groups. The darkening sky filled with the sickly looking beings. They looked to be cousin of the Gorgano. Nine feet high, pale paper thin wings. Depthless eyes, bald everywhere. Their skin was so translucent Bethany could see their bones and internal organs. Green heartbeats inside their chests pulsed with rapid intensity. Their lungs expanded, green florescent blood flowed through veins. Bethany resisted the urge to vomit.

  “I warned you it was too dangerous for a female to be outside the city,” Kier bellowed. “They are mind battlers. They will take Bethany back to their planet to study ways to kill humans. We are all at risk.”

  Bethany realized Kier and his men hadn’t been lying, she was in real danger. A creature swooped to retrieve her.

  Come human, you cannot mind-battle me.

  Bethany heard the strange words in her head. There was no pain. Kier was right, they wanted her alive. Concentrating she tried to blow the creature up in her thoughts. The being merely laughed inaudibly. It landed before her; cocking its head, it approached. Thin, narrow claws on its hands clicked together. The knees bent as it moved, pulling the translucent skin fine to show off the bones just beneath. Its long oval gaping mouth didn’t move or close. She could see the black void of its throat. Bethany tried repeatedly to make it explode.

  There has to be something, she thought.

  There is nothing, said the voice in her mind.

  All around her beings battled. These Gorgano type beings were stronger than their counterparts. The creatures must have been the reason the dark warriors moved their women and children to safety. Bethany felt her legs collapse under her. She couldn’t feel them anymore. She could hear Finn bellowing for her, but three creatures kept him at bay. Bethany felt the rage build within her. In the dark corners of her mind she drew the fear and agony and hate of the last five horrible years to the surface of her thoughts. There was no way she survived Earth to be destroyed on a different planet. She was no victim, she was a survivor. She wished she could surround the being in flames like the ones that engulfed the Zargonnii vessel.

  The creature before her stopped smiling and began screaming as its wings caught fire. The fine skin burned to the ground leaving waving bones dangling in the air making haunting wind chime sounds. The creature drew in an agonized breath as the tinkling sound continued and it screamed. The other creatures stopped to watch as their comrade hit the ground, face to the sky. It twitched, turned its head and gazed vacantly at Bethany. A hot blast of wind rushed over her, blowing her hair around in a wild parade—then it stopped. Everything stood completely still.

  Killer. Female murderess.

  The beings began chanting and concentrating on only Bethany. They moved closer, but soon the sky filled with more dark warriors. The powerhouses were everywhere, diverting the attention of the ones who sought to destroy Bethany. Bethany found her legs, gathering them under her as living sensations filled her. Her hands rose, the ground became one with her under her bare feet; she could feel the sensation absorbing into her, through her. Touching the air with her heightened senses and searching for power as awareness of the creature’s thoughts and skills engulfed her. The sensation was having a second set of eyes imbedded within her flesh to see with.

  Bethany concentrated harder. Another being’s wing went up in flames, then another. The beings began to flee. The creatures were in her thoughts, filling her mind with their panic. Bethany let them keep their panic, she was fine. Bethany was scooped up into powerful arms. She thought it was Finn, but it was Kier. His oval shield enclosed them both. She couldn’t see anything except her surroundings with a small amount of light inside the capsule. Reaching out, she stretched her arm behind Kier into the wing forming the capsule. It was surprisingly soft.

  His arms were wrapped around her waist; her feet were off the ground. The enclosure was sealed tight but she could breathe in fresh air. The sensation of rising engulfed her.

  “Wait,” she cried out. “Where are you taking me?”

  “The city,” Kier replied. “We have a great many things to discuss.”

  “I could burn you,” Bethany warned.

  “We are thousands of feet in the air. If you burn me from within I may die but my shield will not. My shield is my grave; if I die in here, you will be entombed with me until you take your last breath. When I die, my wings stop filtering air. We will be mummified together if that is your wish. Personally, I think it would be more fun to get better acquainted.”

  Bethany put a clamp on her spiraling emotions.

  Chapter 13

  Bethany gazed at the lit city in awe. When Kier’s shield opened and she had been set on her feet, her eyes settled onto the warriors, all above the city forming a shield, wings outstretched fused together. Much in the same way the warriors had protected themselves from Finn. There was no way anything could penetrate the dome. It made Bethany wonder where Finn was.

  When she noticed Kier watching her, she pulled her lips into a fine line. “I’m not stripping, you pervert, so don’t even suggest it.”

  “You would do well to do as you’re told,” was his reply.

  “Happen not gonna. Where is Finn?”

  “His people know where to find him.”

  “You better make certain he can find me, or shit will hit the fan.”

  “You are insubordinate. If I had you under me you would be begging for mercy within the first five minutes.”

  “It would take you that long, huh?”

  At that moment, another dark warrior approached. Kier bowed to him. “I see you secured the female.” The warrior looked at Bethany. “I am Thane. You are under my protection until the Zargonnii arrive.”

  “You are permitting her to leave?” Kier shouted.

  “Universe tensions are rising. We need to be careful with our allies. War is brewing with enemies choosing sides. Something strange is going on. I know my warriors are loyal but information is leaking. I’m worried about our female planet. These Zargonnii would never harm our females. There is no way they would be able to send spies among us regardless. They are loyal and have the Castians as allies. We will return the favor.”

  “She is human. She isn’t a Zargonnii female,” Kier argued.

  “Castians have human females for mates. Would you war with them? A being that loathes harming innocents? There are other humans to search out if you so choose.” Bethany saw Thane’s snarl of anger.

  “Fine,” Kier said. His breathing was deep; a red hue crept up his che
eks. “I did not steal this female. She would have been killed without me.”

  Bethany snorted. “I kicked those creatures’ asses.”

  “Make no mistake, Bethany. Those creatures attack in droves, the battle hasn’t even started. Because you won your battle does not mean you won the war.” Kier eyed her up and down. He turned to Thane. “I did save her by bringing her here. She owes me a boon.”

  Bethany smiled sweetly. “I didn’t torch you, you crypt keeper, or wearer; there’s your boon.”

  “What boon do you ask?” Thane said.

  “The Zargonnii will be here tomorrow. Give her to me for the night.”

  “I don’t think so.” Bethany snarled. “I can still torch your ass.”

  Kier grinned. “I have something a little different in mind.”

  Thane glared sharply at him and waggled his finger at Kier. “Keep her safe and do not start a war.”

  Bethany squealed when Kier picked her up in his arms and soared through the sky. She had no choice but to cling to him. Before long they came to a high domed home on a huge long vertical structure. The structure resembled a massive insidious tree, made of dark wood, cement, or perhaps an iron-based material. The domed homes were glowing dark green at the rounded roof. Bethany surmised five elephants could fit in one comfortably. There were many of these structures around, each many feet from one another. Kier swooped into an open area and dropped her on a raised rounded bed. Bethany landed with a bounce.

  Glaring, Bethany stared at his midriff and sat back with satisfaction when he yelped and brushed off sparks dancing across his flesh.

  “Ouch, you little demon,” he said then laughed. “I see the Zargonnii hasn’t tamed you, do they not strive for dominance?”

  “Finn would never hurt me.”

  “I would like to hear you scream, for more of what I can give you.”

  “Happen not gonna.”

  “I have heard humans are a pleasant change from our delicate females.”

  “How do you get to them if they live on a different planet?”

  “The capsule my wings form has many uses. Space travel is merely one of them.”

  Kier went to an oval black sink in the wall where water flowed at a steady pace. The liquid looked clear. He scooped some into his hands to splash his face and then cupped more to drink. The small water fall continued to flow. Bethany watched Kier disappear into another room. She scooted off the huge oval bed and raced to the large opening at one part of the dome. She stopped short at the edge. It was a long way down. She was trapped.

  Everywhere she looked there were more dark warriors with the same markings, the same dark looks. For a second, a warrior stopped when he noticed her. He flew closer, hovering, and Bethany took a step back. The warrior grinned.

  “It looks like Kier has caught a prize. An oddly-clothed prize.”

  “She’s a brat,” Bethany heard Kier say from behind her.

  “Whack her ass. The human I have has a red behind, again. Stubborn little human female. Mouthy. But she’ll learn.” The warrior flew off.

  Bethany wished she could have asked him if perhaps Bertha had landed here. If so, she wondered who was going to prove victorious in a battle of wits. The warrior just might find himself unarmed.

  “Do you plan on jumping?” Kier asked.

  “If I did, you’d just haul me back in midflight.”

  “True.”

  “Why would you want female humans on your planet when you know it’s dangerous? Do you care so little for our lives?” Bethany walked past him to the fountain, after initially cupping her hands together for a taste and dipping a wary tongue into the liquid, she determined it was clear cool water.

  “We also have human males here as slaves. They appear as vulnerable as the females. Yours is a strange species. But I will admit your kind is much sturdier than our own females. Our males do not come into their wings’ fighting capacity until they are almost full grown. Until that time they are a little awkward, their wings unpredictable. They are as vulnerable as female siblings until a certain age.”

  Bethany strolled around the room. The walls were slick, black and warm to the touch. The green light from the domed lid lit up the interior. The floor was covered in a soft brown substance reminding her of worked leather.

  “Don’t you get lonely?” Bethany asked.

  “I am more in need of a diversion.”

  “Humans are emotional people.” Bethany faced him. “We don’t like to be prizes, or slaves or toys.”

  “Yet surprisingly, the warriors on this planet who have acquired a human go out of their way to keep them happy and safe.”

  “Like spanking them as if they were children?”

  “That is unfortunate. That particular warrior’s new human is a pain in the ass. I would have tossed her from my home already. He has more patience than me.”

  Definitely sounds like Bertha to me, do I want to know?

  Bethany sighed. “Who is she?”

  “I’m uncertain of her actual name. Her master calls her mouth blaster.”

  “Well, what does she look like?”

  “Again, I’m uncertain. To introduce a bitchy human to other warriors would deface the warrior. As much as humans are an anomaly and a welcome diversion, our females are submissive and welcoming. This is a new process for us. Females who talk back, are aggressive and a nonconformity. This is frustrating and amusing and strange. Until the warrior can get her under control, no one will lay eyes on her. It doesn’t keep us from laughing and talking about her. Even her master makes jokes about her behavior at times. From him we are learning how to control an impossible female. Our females are kind and gentle; there has never been a need for control. They are given everything they need or want. In return they give to us everything we desire.

  “They are pampered and protected. It is our privilege to keep them safe. The older warriors sit and talk about the attacks to our females and children. Any race that would harm the defenseless is an abomination. The planet which homes our priceless families is tethered to this planet. At any given time the tether will move making detecting the planet impossible. At least to others. Our wings have a homing device. If I were to gaze into space I couldn’t tell you where the planet rests. But if I wrap myself in my winged capsule and take a leap of faith, I will go home.”

  “Do you have children? I wouldn’t like it if my mate had slaves.”

  “So far I have no children. I have no mate. Our females have no idea humans exist.”

  “So you lie to them as well?”

  Kier scowled. “What happens on our planet stays on our planet.”

  “Oh, I get it now. I’m in Vegas!”

  “You are mocking me.”

  “No, you are mocking you. You’re delusional. Your females will find out. Females always find out. You’re just a bunch of unfaithful bastards. You have some nerve berating Finn. He is twice the male you are.”

  “None of the warriors with slaves is mated,” Kier howled.

  “For now.”

  “A slave isn’t a mate. They are…”

  “Nothing? Without feeling or emotion? Less than you?”

  “You twist my words.”

  Bethany could almost see his frustration dripping from his pores. She didn’t have time to spar further, another warrior entered Kier’s home.

  “Thane has summoned you and this female.”

  That was all. The warrior simply left without awaiting a response. Kier tugged her into his arms and was over the edge before Bethany could utter a protest. She had no choice but to cling to him. His return grip was tight. She may have pissed him off, but it was apparent he wouldn’t drop her.

  The city was gorgeous. Domed silver roofs covered massive buildings. Beautiful fountains flowed where Bethany made out a human male drinking. He shielded his eyes as he looked up and waved. Kier waved back. Bethany saw the human man smile before he disappeared into a smaller building. Everything was lower to the ground but still too h
igh for anything wingless to ponder escape. Humans would be trapped in this place. Kier’s feet touched the floor of an open room. The area was huge, airy, and six warriors stood conversing. Thane approached as Kier settled Bethany onto her feet.

  Bethany’s neck hair was soon standing on end, she felt ill, and goose bumps dotted her arms. She swallowed hard a few times. Thane looked at her oddly.

  “What have you done to this female?” he demanded to Kier.

  “He hasn’t done anything,” Bethany said, whispering up at Thane. “I don’t like it in here.”

  “This is our second major control room,” Thane said. “There is nothing and no one here who would harm you.”

  “Then why are all of my senses screaming at me?” she asked.

  Bethany gazed around the room. Her body began shaking. She swiveled slowly, pivoting around on the balls of her feet.

  “Thane, she looks ill. Perhaps I should take her back to my home,” Kier said.

  Bethany would have been surprised at his obvious concern if she hadn’t caught the movement from the corner of her eye. The winged being stood hovering at a huge panel. Its white boney wings waved as though a breeze were blowing. The clawed toes barely tapped the floor. The vision was a ghost or an apparition.

  “It’s over there,” she whispered.

  Both warriors turned to gaze where she was watching. “There’s nothing there, Bethany,” Kier said.

  Soon all six warriors were fixated on the place Bethany stared, her gaze never varied. Her breath was rapid. The surreal creature suddenly stopped what it was doing, as the room had gone eerily quiet. Bethany knew it would turn, as it did, to face her. It began to float toward her, its clawed toes scraping across the floor soundlessly to everyone but Bethany.

  “There isn’t anything there, Bethany. Come with me. Thane, I’m getting her out of here,” Kier’s tone was urgent but Thane stopped him.

  “What do you see, Bethany?” Thane asked.

  “One of the creatures in the clearing.”

  “She must be ill. Fighting the beings made her ill,” Kier muttered.