Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (6 page)

“No, it’s too slick to run now. I’m afraid I may fall. I don’t want to fall with you on my back. So I’ll have to walk fast for now. I believe we’re almost there.”

“How did you remember the way?”

“I paid attention.”

“I’m glad you did.” She hugged him tighter. He continued to walk at a quick tempo. Zalora closed her eyes. It was just easier to block out everything. Her anxiety ate at her stomach.

“We’ve arrived. It looks like others have been here, too. But I can’t sense anyone now.” Zalora opened her eyes.

“Have they messed with your ship?”

“No or they would have been shocked, literally.” Val tapped his communicator button. A low electronic buzz hummed. “Now we can touch it. I want you to hang my rifle over your shoulder.” He handed it to her.

“You do?”

“Don’t be afraid. It’s on safety.” He waited for her to do as instructed. He walked around to the other side of his ship. He was all business in every stride. His ship was black, sleek, and about two stories high. An electronic ladder came down to greet them. Before she realized, they were almost to the top of his ship. Again, he moved with inhuman speed and skill. Out of fear for heights, she gripped him tighter, and her nails dug into him. The cockpit opened. He helped her off his back then took his weapon from her. “Get into your seat and buckle in.” His tone was brisk as he pointed to her passenger seat.

Carefully she stretched her leg out toward the cockpit to get into her area. He held her arm to help her. Overcome with emotions, she paused just before she climbed in. Impulsively, she leaned into him, kissing him. Amazingly, he tasted delicious, scrumptious, making her want more. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed herself against him as if offering herself. All common sense fled her brain.

Val astonished her with his intense response. He growled in her mouth. She felt dizzy. She’d intended her kiss to be brief and sweet, a nice thank-you of sorts. It had not come off sweet. Val had not reacted to it as a sweet thank-you either. Instantly, his business-like demeanor evaporated. It seemed to fall off him, kissing her harder, passionately. His large hands cupped her soft bottom, squeezing it. He pressed her into his hardness. She offered no resistance. Sharp teeth accidently nicked her bottom lip. He hesitated for a second. Until Zalora ran her hand through the back of his hair, feeling its silky texture.

Strangely, his nipping her thrilled her, encouraging her to want to bite him back. His tongue pushed into her mouth, inviting her into his mouth. The taste of him made her head feel like it was swirling with emotions. She sighed against him, and a different kind of shiver passed through her. She felt his reaction to her shivering. He gripped her closer. Again, she wondered at his alluring taste as she kissed him deeper. He pulled back to stare at her. His eyes were extremely bright, wild. His pupils were slits. He was stunning and feral-looking. Feeling wild, she pressed against him to initiate another kiss. This time her kiss was more subdued. It took all her effort to regain her composure. His mouth disconnected from hers.

“We have to go.” His voice was gravelly. It did not sound normal at all. Gently he touched her hair as if examining her curls. He brought a strand to his nose and rubbed it on his face. Then he inhaled deeply. The look he gave her made her core throb with need. Her panties felt damp between her legs. Truly, their kiss had been short-lived for the wake of emotions it left. Its pleasure had been immeasurable. Her head buzzed. She ached for more. In all her twenty-four annums, she’d never been kissed like he kissed her. At least she’d never felt any thrill. This thrill circulated like her blood in her body, nearly causing her to beg for more. She’d forgotten all else.

Val released her, helped her into her seat. Then he jumped into his pilot seat with exceptional grace. He hit a button to close the hatch over their heads. His ship came alive around her, humming, buzzing with lights flashing. Zalora buckled herself in and closed her eyes, saying a soft prayer.

Dear Creator, I hate to fly. I hate heights, too.
She gripped her armrest with all of her might.
Help him do a good job. He is a captain. It must mean he’s good.
When she finished her silent prayer, she touched her lips. Slowly she ran her finger over her bottom lip. Her lips tingled, triggering shivers of sensual anticipation spiraling down her body. She could smell the dampness of her desire. Emotions warred. Desire, fear, anger, anxiety raced through her, resting in her gut.
Val, whatever your last name is, we’re not done kissing. I think it helps me forget the horror.
The ship rose straight up, turning in midair. They were airborne.

“Black Beast, this is SD721.”

“We have you SD721.” The communication could be heard throughout the cockpit. Zalora could hear him talking to his battleship as if they were talking right into her ear.

“I’m headed in.”

“Caution enemies on ground with AA weaponry.”

“Copy that. Will cruise low in atmosphere with caution until over west hem and rendezvous at WHK290.”

“Will be waiting.”

“Out.”

“What’s AA weaponry?”

“Antiair.”

“Like shoot-us-down type?”

“Yes.”

“Oh sweet Creator, I hate heights. Worse, I hate falling from them.”

“Well I’m hoping to avoid any AA.” They continued to fly in silence for some time. She dozed off. A buzz woke her as it passed through their ship. The vibration moved through her body, too, stunning her, making her tingle all over.

“Fuck, fuck! A fucking pulse.” He growled wildly. His angry words further roused her. Blood rushed to her head. Their ship dramatically slowed, almost as if it were stopping in midair. Zalora anxiously looked around, desperate to find what to do. The ship’s lighting was dimming. The lights were going out on the gauges. “Black Beast, come in, I’ve been hit by low pulse, electronics failing.”

“We have you SD721. Acknowledge hit by electronic pulse.”

“Ship on minimal power. Power’s failing.”

“Copy that.”

“We’re going down.”

“Copy that SD…lose…com…” Their transmission terminated.

“Down.” She sat straight up in her seat. Her heart raced, pounding hard in her chest. So hard it hurt her. “Going down?” Zalora grabbed hold of her armrest so hard it hurt her hands. “Oh my benevolent Creator, we’re going down. Save us great Creator.” Zalora screamed at the top of her lungs. Panic took hold of her, making her feel irrational. Horror of their inevitable fate took away every ounce of her rational thought.

“Zalora, do not scream in my ear. It hurts. I have to concentrate.” Val’s response was extremely curt. His irritation gave her pause.

“Help, we’re going to crash,” Zalora repeated more softly, unable to stop herself.

“Zalora…Zalora.”

“Yes.”

“Listen, I need quiet. Understand me?” He was firm. “I’m going to land this ship. I need you to be calm. Do not scream again.”

“Oh sweet Creator.” His warnings of being quiet did not truly register in her mind. Her stomach was in her mouth. “Okay, we’re going to die, too. I’m ready.”

“Zalora, trust me, be calm.” His voice was cool, but his tone more compassionate. “We’re going to survive.”

“I trust you. But you’re not the ship or the ones shooting us.” Their ship dropped lower. Now they were gliding fast at a descent. Gravity was pushing her back in her seat.

“Zalora, when I tell you, tuck your head between your knees. Do it. I’m aiming for a clearing I’ve identified. These ships are the envy of other worlds, and they can stand heavy impact. We’re going to make it.”

“Okay.”
There are so many things I want to do.
Hot tears rolled down her face.
I wanted to be a mother some day.
This nightmare, her existence was about to end in an even more horrific way.

Val maneuvered his ship with incredible expertise. Gravity let up on her, allowing her to breathe again. She could tell he had control over their descent. Working up the nerve, she looked out her cockpit window. Land was fast approaching. In front of them was a clearing he had obviously identified. “Head down,” he ordered. Their ship slowed again, causing her to strain against her belt. They hit the ground. It bounced, bounced again, hitting hard. Then they went into an endless slide. A loud noise caused by their ship straining under the impact was deafening, making her cringe. The ship screamed louder than she had. Unable to keep her head down anymore, she sat up. They continued to slide now at an angle. Brownish water washed up over their cockpit.
Now we’re going to drown. I hate drowning. Falling and drowning are two of my least favorite ways to go.
She sighed as dread made her chest heavy. The heaviness silenced her as she anticipated her death. Finally, they stopped abruptly. She was hurled her against her restraints, hurting her breasts and shoulders. Her belt hurt her waist, too, as it held her. She cried out in pain.

“Zalora.” Their amplified communication was gone. Val yelled her name. “Zalora, you okay?”

“Yes, my belt hurt me. But I’m in one piece.” Her body ached, and her head spun. She wanted to throw up.

“We’re in a swamp. But we’re above water. The ship’s resting on the bottom. We may need to swim to shore. Are you able to unbuckle your belt, to move?”

“Yes.” She unsnapped it then moved slowly to the edge of her seat. She was going to jump out of her skin. Her hands shook, and she was sweating profusely.

“Grab your bag as well as the other bag under your seat. We have two survival bags onboard.” Manually he unsnapped the cockpit, opening it. Mustiness of the swamp floated into the cockpit. Val turned, looking back at her. His face was bloody. He had a huge cut over his right eye. It was badly swollen. His bottom lip was busted open. Bright red blood dripped down his jaw onto his uniform. He’d been beaten up quite badly by the dash of his ship.

“Val, you’re hurt.” She stood up.

“I’m fine. It seems the dashboard hits hard.”

I’m surprised he’s conscious.
His right cheek looked bruised. He wiped his mouth with his hand then grinned.

“It’ll heal.”

Despite your injuries, you still look great.
The air was humid but chilly. It was truly uncomfortably cool.
Forgive me Creator for thinking about how good this man looks. I must be irrational with fear.
Zalora put her hands on both sides of her head as if to regain her sanity. She could see her breath on the frigid air. It smelled musty, wild.
I am not a wilderness girl. I hate this. But I’m grateful to be alive.
Zalora gazed up as if to heaven, then looked out, taking in her unpleasant surroundings. It looked like they weren’t too far from shore. Vegetation stood out of the water, making it look less deep. This swampy area was surrounded by a large foreboding forest.

“This is our Tallaria Forest.” Zalora moaned.

“Is there something wrong with the Tallaria forest? Besides our ship crashing into it.” He carefully looked her over. “How do you know what forest this is?”

“There are trees here with amber leaves. See.” She pointed toward the forest’s edge. “They’re called Tallaria trees.”

“So the amber leaves tell you it is your Tallaria forest?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “These trees only grow here. Good news, their leaves are edible. I’m told they’re very good for you. They can be delicious.”

“So we have a food source.” He looked out toward the forest.

“Yes, they’re a great food source. But this forest has so many predators like saraguys.”

“Are they in the water?” He frowned.

“No, we don’t have aquatic predators.”

“Good news to me.” He looked over the side into the murky water. “What are saraguys?” The wind picked up, blowing her hair about her head. She brushed it back, wishing for her hair band. “Put your hood up.” He pointed to her coat. “Can we eat the saraguys?”

“They’re four-legged medium-sized animals. They run in packs.” She closed her hood. “They eat meat. They may eat us. They’re known to be vicious. They’ll probably find us delicious.”

“Well, I’m a bigger predator. Plus, I have weapons. I’m vicious, too.” Val smiled revealing sharp canines, which magically seemed to appear. “At least when I have to be.” He put his gun on his back. “Stay here.” He climbed up onto the side of the ship then jumped down. He landed loudly in the water. It splashed all around him, stirring up an unpleasant musty scent.

“Val.” Zalora looked further over the side. He looked up at her. He was standing waist-deep in the stinky water.

“Zalora, throw me down the two red bags. They’re our survival bags.”

“Okay.” She tossed one over. He caught it. Then she tossed the second one.

“Now, climb up onto the side of the ship to slide down. I’ll catch you.”

“No.” She shook her head. Defiance filled her with resolution. “No. I’m not going to slide down.” She shook her head again. “I’m not coming down from this height into swamp water.”

“No?” He stared up at her. “You have to. I can’t leave you here. I won’t.”

“I can’t come down.”

“Why the f—” He paused. “Why not, Zalora?”

“I’m scared.” She leaned over the side, trying to estimate her situation. “I’ll just stay here. I’ll be okay.”

“Hmm, I understand.” He shook his head as he put his hands on his hips. He looked up at her. She could see his irritation. “Unfortunately I can’t let you stay here. There isn’t much choice for you. You have to overcome your fear. Quickly! I don’t like water. I can’t see what’s in it with me. Plus it smells like shit. Now listen up. All will be well. Slide down. I’m here.” He motioned to her to come down. Zalora hesitated. “It’s safe. I’m here.” Zalora stared down at him for several moments.

“I guess so.” After fighting with her inner fears, she eased her way onto the outside of the ship.

“You can slide down the ship. It’s smooth. I’ll be at the bottom to catch you. I promise.” He hung his weapon on his back. He held his arms up.