Quest For Earth Read online

  The next instant he dumped her onto her feet. Bree curled her fingers over the hard muscles in his forearm to keep her balance. Fear crawled like an attacking scorpion down her spine.

  Kondo had drawn his weapon.

  ‘What is it?’ Fear made her voice shrill. She flinched at the cold contempt in his eyes when he swept a glance over her dishevelled body.

  ‘Charge your stunner, female. We are surrounded.’

  Chapter 8

  ‘Define what you mean by they?’ Sherise croaked.

  ‘The Half-dead.’

  Cercis’s cloak! ‘My friend could be in danger. You must release me.’ Her dagger slicked into her fingers. Dread quivered along her spine. Was she capable of slicing her knife into his flesh? Yes, if her life was at stake, but her every sense told her this was not the case.

  In one swift movement, he removed his arm from beneath her legs and allowed her to slide against his length until her feet hit the ground. Her ankle throbbed anew under the weight of her body, but she choked back her whimper of distress and stepped away from his support.

  ‘I find your repeated attempts to harm me irritating.’ He reached out and tapped the point of her blade. ‘A most interesting weapon. What else do you have hidden on your body?’

  A vision of him removing her garments one by one shuddered into her mind. His hot touch would brush against her naked skin, evoking a trail of need she would be powerless to resist.

  ‘A pity I do not have time to investigate.’ His voice reeked with hungry anticipation and a tremble quaked through her. Had he shared her vision? ‘Why do you insist on delaying us?’

  ‘Us? As in, you and me?’ Astounded, Sherise gaped at his shadowy form before saying, ‘It is clear to me your brain is seriously underdeveloped.’ She leaned forward and prodded his chest with the hilt of her knife. ‘One, there is no “us”. Two, I do not want to go with you. Three, I intend to find my friend.’

  ‘Aah, this Bree, of whom you think often.’

  By Cercis’s cloak, how can he know this?

  ‘You may return your weapon to its hiding place.’ He touched her wrist. ‘It gives me comfort to know you are armed.’

  Sherise hissed, her hand tightening over her knife as she allowed herself the pleasant image of pummelling his dense head with a large stick. But his utter stillness gave her pause. He no longer attended to her but looked into the distance, over her shoulder. She shivered. What could he see that she couldn’t?

  ‘Your Bree is not without a protector.’ He gripped her upper arm and propelled her along with him.

  Could he be talking of Kondo? ‘How do you know this? Wait! Who is protecting her? By the stars, let go of me!’

  He stopped and swung round to face her and lowered his head until his gaze was level with hers. His eyes caught the starlight above and glistened. His spicy breath teased her nostrils.

  ‘You may walk or you will be carried.’

  ‘Neither,’ she choked out. What were his intentions? Perhaps I should have used my knife on him when I had the chance.

  He sighed and straightened, passing a hand over the back of his head. ‘Very well.’

  One fluid movement and he had her draped over his shoulder; his arm about the back of her legs locked her in place. He set off again, his loping gait made her head bounce against the small of his back until she braced her hands above his buttocks.

  A woman’s shrill scream sliced through the night.

  ‘Wait! Stop! That could be Bree.’

  Her captor quickened his pace. She was sure he headed in the opposite direction, increasing the distance between them.

  ‘Where are you taking me? Fool! You’re going in the wrong direction.’ Sherise dug her nails into his flesh above his belt. He grunted but didn’t stop. She pounded his back with clenched fists, knowing she should draw her dagger and plunge it into him. Her stomach rolled over. Whatever he deserved, it was not that; he had shown nothing but consideration for her wellbeing, even if he was fixated on his own agenda.

  A last resort only. My stunner. Where is it? She patted his buttocks. Higher. She ran her fingers along what she could reach of his belt.

  Nothing.

  ‘If you seek your weapon, I have it in my hand. But do not stop. I find your touch most pleasant.’ A short laugh rumbled through him.

  Sherise snapped her teeth together. ‘What do you want to know about us?’ Maybe she could get him to stop long enough for her to wriggle free.

  The wind howled down the long road, gathering force. Loose metal and timber clanged and rattled, leaves flicked up against her legs, adding to her discomfort.

  He muttered what sounded like a curse, stopped and lowered her to the ground. Dizzy from the rush of blood, she staggered, grateful for the support of the arm he kept about her waist. He gripped her chin with a firm touch, directing her attention to the east.

  ‘Beyond the moon,’ he whispered near her ear, his breath stirring tendrils of her hair. His low tones caused expectancy to feather over her skin, need gnawing deep in her belly. She stabbed her nails into the palms of her hands to rid herself of this useless complication and stared into the sky.

  Above the jagged outline of the broken city, the glow of the full moon revealed clouds forming in a churning pattern that reminded her of boiling lava. Even as she watched, a snaking tunnel arrowed towards the ground. The air surrounding them crackled with electrical energy.

  ‘What is that?’ Despite her best intentions, her voice shook with fear.

  ‘Tornado. We need to be underground within minutes.’ He indicated the nearest building. ‘In there will be a basement where we can wait out the storm. Can you walk?’

  ‘Yes,’ she ground out. She would crawl on hands and knees before she asked for his assistance. ‘But what about Bree? The others? I cannot leave them.’

  ‘Your Bree is with your soldiers. My men have found them and will lead them to safety.’ He tugged at her arm.

  She limped beside him, struggling to keep up with his long stride. ‘How can you know this?’

  He shrugged and remained irritatingly silent.

  She punched the air with her fist. ‘You could have told me about this earlier instead of letting me think Bree was out there, defenceless. You could be lying.’

  His voice cool, ‘I have no need to lie and I do not explain myself.’ He muttered something further under his breath but his words were swallowed by the fury of the wind. The next moment he swung her into his arms, vaulted up a flight of steps and entered a building where the darkness was as impenetrable as the black.

  Sherise could see nothing. No outline. No shadowy forms. Amazing how he kept his footing as he hastened across what sounded like a tiled floor.

  ‘You will need to walk now.’

  As if she insisted he carry her!

  ‘Hold tight to my belt. Do not let go. These steps are old and treacherous.’ He guided her hand to his hips and hooked her fingers over the leather.

  She heard the rusty whine of a door opening. Air as frigid as outer space brushed over her face. She sniffed; dampness, stale urine and a dusty stink that scratched at the back of her nose. She forced back a sneeze and hesitated, ignoring his impatient hiss. Wind whirled through the building. From outside erupted an ear shattering noise, like the high-pitched scream of a star voyager’s power source winding up to explode.

  Sherise gripped his belt so tight her fingers cramped with pain. After taking a deep breath she followed the stranger down into unknown depths.

  ***

  Maaka’s prize followed scant inches from his back as he led the way down the narrow steps into the basement. He remembered the legend of the prophesy and scowled. Nay, she was more than his prize. This woman was his. He’d known that the moment he’d first seen her in the Fortress.

  Some of his race, the Lycaneans, lived and died without ever finding their fated half. But he had known as soon as he inhaled her scent; the way it had reached down deep within him … she was his.<
br />
  He had traced her essence on the breeze, recognising her immediately, until he came upon her pacing around the flying craft. The sight of her graceful stride and lush feminine body draped in a soft cloth that moulded to her curves had caused his body to howl for release. When she had raced off, following the flight of the tikka, he had been surprised at the depth of dread he experienced at her hasty actions. He had long since caught the scent of the Half-dead and knew they were trickling out of their holes. The notion that his mate could be taken from him had released the beast within. He had called in his men and were-dogs and sent them to intercept his enemy.

  At his next sight of her, his resolve forged into implacable determination.

  A worthy mate.

  He doubted he would ever forget the way she had stood her ground when faced with an attack from a tikka looking for blood. Her hair of glistening blue-black tumbling down her straight back, her eyes and hands steady as she aimed her weapon.

  Her steadfast stance, even though he smelt her fear, had caused him to feel such pride he could not help but relish the image of the valiant sons she would bear him.

  Something which he resolved would occur soon.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Maaka paused and took a moment to scan the yawning space of the basement. The warmth from her body so close behind flowed over him, like the beams of the morning sun of summer. With savage satisfaction he acknowledged the insistent greed of an arousal that made him glad for the shrouding darkness. It also made walking awkward.

  He gave a wry grimace. In an attempt to cool the raging call of his primitive side to stake his claim over his life mate, he reiterated the myriad dangers which could yet threaten them before he had her safe in his lair. It failed to cool the urgency racing through his blood. He reached behind to grasp her small hand in his and led her across the uneven concrete floor, kicking empty tins from his path.

  ‘There is a ledge here where we will be dry should the room flood from the storm.’ Maaka closed his hands about her waist and lifted her. He hoisted himself up after her and slung his arm about her shoulders.

  She immediately tried to pull out of his embrace.

  ‘Best to stay close. I would not want to lose you in the darkness. If the storm frightens the rodents out from the drains you will be glad of my protection.’

  She shuddered but stopped struggling. She leaned to the right in an attempt to avoid contact, her body as stiff as an iron bar.

  He grinned, aware she could not see his smug amusement.

  Outside, the noise of falling masonry, tiles and bricks added to the fury of the wind as it lashed the city. A wall crashed to the ground and the roof above them vibrated from the impact. Dust drifted down.

  The woman jumped with surprise and grabbed his thigh, her nails digging into his flesh.

  Maaka hauled her closer, sliding his hand along the length of her arm, enjoying the smoothness of her skin. The way her body trembled in response pleased him, glad that this time she did not argue. Her scent was rich in his nostrils. It made him think of sunshine, flowers and tumbling her beneath him in his nest of furs. Blood rushed to his swollen balls. He winced and carefully rearranged the leather pouch covering his engorged manhood.

  Keep your mind on more serious matters or we’ll both end up as fodder.

  He cleared his throat, reluctantly shelving his fantasies.

  ‘What are you called?’

  ‘Sherise.’ Her tones slid like droplets of morning dew over his senses. His need roared once more into life. ‘Sherise El Rajan.’

  Fear and wariness lingered beneath her composure. He drifted his hand, ever so slowly, up and down her arm. When he made contact with the metal band about her lower arm, he fingered it through the cloth with interest. He had not missed the amount of data such a small item had revealed when she’d appeared to be scanning her surroundings earlier.

  Another weapon to use against our enemies. With luck there will be many more to aid my people.

  ‘Sherise.’ He rolled her name around his tongue, thinking the feminine sound fit her perfectly. ‘Where are you from, my sweet Sherise?’

  Suddenly, she drew her knees up and curled her arms about her legs, burying her face in her thighs. ‘A planet called Darkos, a long, long way from here.’

  The misery in her now gruff voice made him frown and shuffle closer. He lifted a strand of silken hair from beside her face and wound it in between his fingers, enjoying the softness. Maaka peered through the semi-darkness and saw the glimmer of tear tracks on her cheeks.

  ‘Humph.’ His gut shifted uncomfortably at this evidence of her unhappiness. Best to divert her attention onto more pleasant matters. ‘I am Maaka, leader of the Lycanean clan. You will soon forget this Darkos and become one with us. I will keep you busy bearing my sons.’

  ‘What!’ Her voice echoed loudly through the basement.

  ‘Shush! Do not make such noise.’ Maaka scowled towards the far corner where the deepest shadows lay. Was that a glint of a rodent’s eyes?

  Beside him, his woman muttered under her breath and pounded her upper legs with her clenched hands. He turned back, fingered the smooth strands of her hair and considered her. Was she chanting?

  ‘What is this, that you do?’

  ‘I pray to the goddess Cercis for patience. I pray for deliverance from every living male in all the universes.’

  ‘There is no need to shout. I can hear you well.’ He snorted. ‘By all means pray to your goddess, if it makes you happy.’

  She made an odd sound, much like the muffled squeal of a were-cub denied its longed for meal.

  ‘Thank you, oh great one, for your permission.’ Sherise yanked her hair out of his hand and tossed her head. Her eyes were furious as she glared in his direction.

  ‘’Tis good that you have a sense of humour. It will make our life together much more enjoyable.’ He tightened his hold and placed his hand over her belly. Her muscles rippled beneath his touch. He cast a regretful glance around the basement and longed for his lair, where he would spend many hours showing his woman how enjoyable their life would be.

  ‘Enough! It is obvious I am in the presence of a person not in full possession of his senses.’ She dug a sharp elbow into his ribs. She brushed his hands aside before scrambling to her feet. ‘I can no longer hear the wind. The storm has passed and I must continue my search.’

  ‘Nay, the eye of the storm is above us and that is why it is so quiet. We must remain here.’

  Sherise folded her arms across her chest and scowled. ‘Are you certain?’

  Irritated at her lack of respect for his authority, Maaka did not bother to respond.

  For several long minutes she stood and fidgeted with her gown before she sat down, ensuring she was as far from him as she dared.

  Maaka fingered his chin and stared at her. His woman had compressed her plump lips into one thin line. Her posture was brittle and her gaze flickered about the room constantly, although he knew she could see little in the darkness.

  She pulsed with fear and distrust, much like an untamed were-dog.

  It appeared it would take some effort on his part to rid her of such notions. The making of sons would have to wait.

  His shoulders slumped and he glumly focused his attention on the storm beginning to rage once more above the thick ceiling of the basement. ‘We will leave soon. Here, take back your weapon. I would not leave you unprotected.’ He slipped the metal object from the waistband of his pants and handed it over.

  The woman, after placing her weapon inside her bag, fussed and patted at her clothes again, picking off pieces of dirt. He leaned over and touched the material, ignoring her flinch. He wondered at the glide of such softness against his skin. It reminded him of the resources and technology that continually taunted him with their inaccessibility.

  Not for much longer.

  Savage satisfaction pumped adrenaline through his veins, creating energy as great as the fossil fuel that had once been the sourc
e of power on old Earth. Soon his people would be equal with the Purideans. Hope and strength would light the path of their future. He would cast down the Corporation and all who sided with them.

  And sitting beside him was the key to his success.

  ‘I cannot imagine that one such as you has no warrior to protect her. Where is your mate? Has he abandoned you?’

  ‘I have no mate. I have no need of one.’ She sat up straighter and narrowed her eyes in his direction.

  He snorted. ‘’The men of your race must be foolish indeed, to allow such a prize to slip through their fingers. ’Tis of no importance as I have claimed you.’ He puffed out his chest. ‘You have no need to fear. Never will I leave you unguarded.’

  ‘You have not claimed me!’ Her voice rose again. ‘The matter of my safety is nought to do with you.’

  ‘As your mate, it is my duty to protect you at any cost.’ In the darkness, he grinned as she ground her teeth together, her irritation with his bold assertion bouncing off her in waves. He prodded her unmercifully, ‘Since you have no need to spend your time serving your mate, what is it that you do on this ship? Do you have the protection of kin?’

  ‘My family remained behind. I chose to go on this voyage alone.’

  What memories lay behind the guilt he heard in her troubled voice? Maaka passed a hand over his head while he assessed the shadows haunting her exotic slanted eyes of the richest brown. Now was not the time to press any further. Soon, she would trust him enough to share her secrets. For secrets she had. He sensed with every fibre of his being that this woman, his mate, was also tormented by the past. ‘You have not answered me.’

  She fiddled with her gown. ‘I have knowledge of many languages and work as a translator.’

  She lies. Or she’s not telling me the entire truth.

  ‘I am surprised. I understood you worked with the sick and injured.’ For a moment he considered questioning her further about her motives for visiting the Fortress. He longed to know what had occurred during the Star People’s meeting with the Board, but he sensed she would prevaricate. He changed the subject smoothly, ignoring her sharp intake of air. ‘I saw the lights of your ship passing across the stars. It looked much larger than the vehicle where you waited for your friends. Tell me, Sherise, where is the other ship?’