In His Alien Hands (13 page)

“I remember her marks when I examined her aboard our vessel after we escaped Earth,” Finn said. “I also remember seeing old scars, a lot of them.”

“She was covered in numerous scars, old and not so old, but she was dying,” Arax said. “Her bones were protruding when I found her. She lost too much blood. Finn, you remember how deadly the shuttle ride was entering into our world. Bethany would have died without your protection. Through no fault of the Zargonnii, Bertha didn’t have that same protection.”

“I think she must have been abused on Earth,” Finn said.

“You have no idea of the atrocities done to the human female.” Arax shuddered knowing what the poor woman suffered through. “No one would dare harm her here. I swear I’d give my own life to protect her.”

“So would I,” Meadow said.

Neola studied Finn. When Arax came close she immediately reached for her father. Arax took her and cuddled her to his chest. Only then did she smile at Finn. Meadow wrapped her arms around Arax. Neola chortled with delight and buried her face into Meadow’s neck.

“Dada, Mama.”

“I think the baby has already picked her parents,” Bethany said.

“So do I,” Finn said.

“She mentioned once she was allergic to strawberries, not sure if they grow on your planet,” Bethany said.

“We will keep her safe.” Meadow swiped repeatedly at her flowing eyes. Arax had never seen her cry so much.

“Meadow, it’s okay, our baby will stay,” Arax said. “Please don’t cry anymore.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong,” Meadow gasped in a huge breath, trying to calm herself, but Arax could see it didn’t help.

Finn smiled and smacked Arax on the back. “Neola will be good practice. Meadow will be fine in about nine months.”

“Excuse me?” Arax said.

“It’ll be interesting to see if humans can give birth to babies here,” Bethany replied.

“I don’t see why not.” Finn shrugged.

“Excuse me?” Arax said again.

“Either way, it will be interesting to see this baby’s abilities since its mother met up with the Angano,” Finn said.

“True.” Bethany nodded.

“Excuse me?” Arax squeaked. He could feel the blood drain from his face.

Finn laughed. “I do believe your mate is expecting.”

“Expecting? A boy or a girl?” Arax asked. His gaze shot to Meadow’s belly, almost expecting it to move.

“Yes,” Finn said. Bethany laughed.

“We need to go,” Bethany said. “Thane, the Dalanee warrior who helped us get here, will be curious as to what occurred. He will be relieved to know we found what we were looking for, if not who.”

“We need a portal opened to the Dalanee,” Finn said. “But we brought Bethany her own breathing device. You can keep your leeches.”

Chagrined, Arax remembered the last time he’d sent Bethany through a portal. All he had was a breathing leech to seal over her mouth and nose. It was the breathing leeches that saved her from Arax’s stupidity. Arax handed Neola to her mother. Meadow cuddled her close. He then started to reach to take the baby back. Finn stopped him.

“It’s fine, Arax. Meadow can hold the baby.”

“But, but, but, she shouldn’t be lifting,” Arax stammered.

“She won’t have the baby now,” Bethany said.

Arax was in a panic. “But the baby is half mine. It needs water to survive. What’ll we do,
what’ll we do
?”

“Arax,” Meadow said and placed a hand on his arm. “Human babies are surrounded in amniotic fluid, water. Arax, the baby is already in water.”

Arax thought he would pass out with relief. He then grew curious. “Humans live in water for nine months?”

“Yes,” Meadow said.

“Then why can’t they survive more than a few minutes under water?”

Meadow shook her head. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“The birth,” Arax howled. “What happens then? Air breather or water breather?”

“We’ll figure it out,” Meadow said.

“But we have no healer.”

“Actually we do.” Trax walked in with Reef on his arm. “Reef is a fine healer.”

Arax took a long, hard look at the confident, young female and relaxed. A combination of shark and water warrior would make the perfect healer. Plus, she would be aunt to this new baby.

“I also understand how the healing machine works. Though ours may be a little different than yours,” Reef said.

“The baby Meadow carries?” Arax asked. “Is that why the machine wouldn’t regress her back to her first injury?”

“That’s exactly why,” Reef replied. “The machine won’t take a life, it’ll just evaluate what’s best for the patient.”

Trax gazed at Reef with pride. Arax was right, the baby was why Meadow had stayed the same age. Arax had another idea.

“Do you think Thane could be convinced to take a slave? A healer run amok.”

Finn looked grim but nodded. “Maybe you and I should talk.”

“That would be a good idea.”

* * * *

Inside Arax’s room was a beautiful water-filled rock pond that was waist deep. Meadow was waiting for him when he returned after sending Finn, Bethany, and the healer on their way. Finn promised Neola’s old identity would be kept secret. It was for her safety as well. She never needed to know of her past tragic life.

When Arax slipped in beside her Meadow drifted into his arms. She lay her head against his chest. Arax pulled her onto his lap.

“I’m sorry about your healer,” Meadow said.

“He’s not banished forever. The Dalanee will have him work at healing humans so he can see all are different. I can’t have a judgmental healer. At least we know if a female is pregnant the machine will not take her back to the time of injury but fix her while allowing the pregnancy to progress. I’m happy that mystery is solved. I never thought saving the life of a human would lead to so many amazing things,” Arax said. “I have a daughter and a baby on the way. I have a mate. My planet is no longer divided, and the megalodon, long a thorn in my side, are vanquished. You and Neola brought so much in a rapid change of events.”

“No more war?”

“Unfortunately, the Angano know of us. They are enemy to the dark winged warriors so we have allies. I’m surprised to find out the Zargonnii are also allies and the Castians. We all have the same cause. Peace.”

“For now we’re safe?”

“For now.”

“Thank you for coming after me. I watched you battle. I didn’t realize how bad ass you really are.”

Arax chuckled. “That’s right, the machine allowed you to retain all of your memories. You were given a strange gift, you know. Normally going back wipes your memories.”

“Reef said I needed to remember everything. Nothing could be wiped for the sake of the baby. If my memories were gone, my body might forget I was pregnant.”

“That healing machine is more than just a machine, I think. It seems to understand what is needed.”

Meadow grinned at him and traced his cheek with her finger. “Can you guess what I need?”

Arax lifted her to taste her lips. His were full and warm, his breath sweet. When he lifted his hands to cup each breast she arched her back into him. He was already hard and Meadow didn’t want to wait. She squirmed and settled over his cock. His penetration was easy. She placed her feet on either side of him for leverage and rose and fell with each stroke.

“You aren’t the only one who has gained so much,” Meadow said.

Arax grunted and continued to squeeze her breasts. His lips nuzzled her neck. She exposed her throat to him, knowing he loved that act of trust.

“I was floating endlessly in an abyss. The ship smelled of death, disease, and decay. A little like your swamp area.”

“The swamps are being cleaned. With no fighting we can concentrate on what really matters.”

“Like making love?”

Arax shifted her until she turned to face him. Buried inside her, she rested her head against his chest and panted. Even slow love making could be torturous. Arax wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her. He was so painstakingly slow she grit her teeth.

“Are you trying to drive me nuts? Because it’s working,” she ground out.

“You want me to stop?”

“No, you dolt, move faster.”

“Bethany said you may not mind accepting me. Our females are stationary while carrying. They enter a quiet cave and spend their time making the baby. Creating life is the hardest job on the planet.”

“Agreed, but don’t expect me to be stationary. If you stick me in a cave alone, you best approach with caution.”

Arax laughed. “No cave.”

With a flurry he flipped her on her back under the water. She gazed up at him and he met her glance. As his head descended the bubbles formed to allow her to breathe. His pace increased tenfold. This was what she wanted. She gave in to her needs and wrapped her arm around his head to draw his lips to hers. She was pleased when he devoured her.

Who knew the ship from hell would end up taking her to paradise? After all, with Sitnalta being the alternate Atlantis it was no wonder she ended up on a mysterious journey. As she watched Arax smile, and gasped as he moved within her, she decided the two years of hell to travel here was worth it.

About C. L. Scholey

I love to write about everything and can’t wait for an idea that gripes me and sends me to a new place. Between worlds keeps me busy, that and chasing after my children and grandchildren. Plus one ornery 116 pound mastiff who thinks he’s a lap dog. Welcome to my adventures, and hang on!

C. L. Scholey’s Website:

www.clscholey.com

Reader eMail:

[email protected]

Trace of Humanity

by Juliet Cardin

The fate of humanity rests with him.

Alien sleeper cells on Earth are awakened when invaders threaten the planet. For thousands of years Sentinels have walked among us, awaiting the moment they would be called into action. Josie’s boyfriend Bane is a Sentinel. Instantly, he becomes a cold-hearted, single-focused machine, bent on ensuring humanity’s survival. Josie barely recognizes the man she once knew. Though Bane is determined to protect Josie and secure the small town they escaped to, she can’t help but look upon him with trepidation and suspicion. She wonders if Bane is really intent on keeping her and the others alive, or if he’s actually the real threat they face.

Dedication

For Brad & Taylor. May your love last forever.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Beachwalk Press and all their amazing staff for making this book possible.

Chapter 1

The sun shone through the window of the sixth floor, glinting off the CD in Bane’s hand. He reflected the light against the wall, and Markley saw a shimmering, dancing orb that he began to stalk. The sleek black cat crouched low on his haunches, tail swishing back and forth, then he sprung like a panther, leaping up, claws extended, intent on catching his prey.

“Holy shit, you should see this cat go,” he said into the phone.

“Bane, did you hear what I said?” Josie asked.

“Yeah, I heard, baby. Steaks are marinating, wine’s chilling, and I already tossed a salad,” he said. She was still pissed he hadn’t made reservations, but that had been intentional on his part. He wasn’t about to propose in a room full of people. What if she said no?

“I said I’d be a little late. Jenko called a last-minute meeting, so don’t start barbequing ’til seven. I don’t want a cold dinner.”

“Sure, no problem. Now see, if I’d made a reservation we’d have been late. It all worked out for the best.”

“I suppose,” Josie agreed.

“See you when you get home.” He hung up the phone. From the pocket of his pants he pulled out a ring box. Putting down the CD, he flipped up the lid of the box and removed the one-carat diamond ring. Catching it in the light, he shone the reflection against the wall and watched the cat go nuts again.

* * * *

Josie squirmed in her seat at work. Six others sat around the table, not including Jenko. He rambled on and Josie noticed she wasn’t the only one fidgeting. Behind her boss’s balding head was a huge picture window looking out over downtown. Being twenty stories up, it provided a dazzling view. Not that she could see much of it since he blocked it with his bulk.

Under the conference table she stretched out her legs and tried to wiggle her toes in her tight, spiked heels. Her ass was cramping up from sitting so long. Boring meetings were a part of the job, but being salaried meant she couldn’t clock any overtime. Not that she was hurting for money. Bane’s income combined with hers—now that he’d finally moved in—allowed them to lead a decent life.

“Spring line-up is huge,” Jenko reminded them. “Last quarter left us flat, and we need to vamp things up if we want to stay on top.”

He’d said the same thing this time last year. What did he expect when they designed beachwear? Winter had been mild, so no one was in a hurry to leave town for vacation. Plus, people just didn’t have the money to take off somewhere warm at a moment’s notice. Especially when the economy was still recovering.

Josie stifled a yawn and focused on the blue sky over Jenko’s head. These meetings always made her mind wander.
God, my feet! Why does it always smell like burgers in here? I wonder if Bane fed Markley?
She tried to refocus and concentrate on her boss’s words.

Half-past six and the light was still good. The longer days were nice. No more going to work and coming home in the dark; talk about depressing. Now she could look forward to hanging out at the beach after work which was just a short ride from their apartment.

Tonight would be special. Two years was a long time for a relationship. A turning point. After two years you’d know if you were gonna make it, or fall flat. Josie hoped it was the former. Bane was the best thing that’d happened—

“What the hell is that?” Kevin demanded. He stood up and pointed over Jenko’s head.

Josie’s rumination broke as she stared with her co-workers out the window where Kevin pointed. Even Jenko turned around, though he wore a look of annoyance on his face. She barely became aware she was up on her feet and darting across the room like everyone else.