Impenetrable [New World#3]

NEW WORLD BOOK 3: IMPENETRABLE by C.L. Scholey TORRID BOOKS www.torridbooks.com Published by TORRID BOOKS www.torri...

Author: C.L. Scholey

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NEW WORLD BOOK 3: IMPENETRABLE by

C.L. Scholey

TORRID BOOKS www.torridbooks.com

Published by TORRID BOOKS www.torridbooks.com An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 Copyright  2012 by C.L. Scholey Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-61160-415-3

Credits Cover Artist: Gemini Judson Editor: Melanie Billings Printed in the United States of America

Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books: www.torridbooks.com New World Book 1: Shield New World Book 2: Armor

Dedication For Sean

Chapter 1 It was too dark to see her hand in front of her face. Piper was awake. She wasn’t certain when she woke but she sat motionless. Listening. She tilted her head ever so slightly from side-to-side straining to catch even a meager strain of light. Nothingness greeted her. In her hell there was no concept of time: no day, no night. Piper wondered if she existed anymore. Was she really alive? It was sometimes hard to tell in her coffin-like tomb. She stifled a groan whenever she so gently tried to straighten her knees out before her. The fetal position was agonizing when she positioned herself in it for too long. Involuntarily, Piper cried out when her hair was roughly grabbed and her head pulled back, exposing her throat. Cool liquid was poured into her mouth and she gulped at it greedily. She was so thirsty. Piper knew by now to swallow as much as she could, because the man-creature wouldn’t be back again with more for some time. Piper could feel the brackish water dribble from the corners of her mouth. She couldn’t breathe and still she continued to guzzle as much as she could in so short a time. The liquid was taken away far too soon. Piper made no protest, knowing she would be beaten for her insolence if she dared. 1

New World Book 3: Impenetrable

Next a piece of some kind of food was thrust past her lips. Her hair was released and she was left to chew and savor the morsel at her leisure. Piper had no idea what it was. Perhaps some kind of fruit. It had an odd salty taste and a somewhat leathery texture on the outside. It was chewy and it took a great deal of saliva to soften it enough to swallow without choking. Piper had no doubt the food wasn’t from Earth. Regardless, it was nice to have something to occupy her time, at least for a little while. She made the slight ration last as long as she could. Pronounced clicking sounds echoed in her small chamber as the being moved away. Long talons slid across the wall sending flying sparks that allowed frightening images of the creature’s massive body. Piper knew the creature wanted her to hear it, hear how heavy it sounded, how deadly. She shuddered; the being could also be very stealthy and so quiet it could be in front of her and she would never know. Its cold face could be mere inches from her nose. Its fangs a hairsbreadth from her throat. For fun, it sometimes snuck up on her like that and then breathed in her face to ruffle her hair. Piper swallowed hard, with it went the last of her food causing a lump in her throat. Piper heard the swishing sound she associated with a door sliding open then closed. The being came and went through a door without ever allowing any light in. The gray beings that had captured Piper from her dying world were hideous. Their bodies were complete colossal muscle and they stood near six and a half feet tall. They had an odd steely skin. Protruding bulbs were in place of eyes and had no color. A strange black pulsating tattoo shone on their cheeks. They sounded like men, their voices deep and harsh, 2


but she had seen no sex on them. They were devoid of clothing and hairless. Long gray tails hung from their hindquarters and could twist around her legs tripping her. The night the beings had come Piper had honestly thought things on Earth couldn’t get any worse. She had been sadly mistaken. Eight women and ten men had been living, or rather existing, together in a small cave while their planet burnt around them. Meteors crashed with a vengeance, desecrating the soil and trees with explosions and craters. Geomagnetic storms disrupted global communication rendering the entire planet without contact. The sun was almost nonexistent. The air had been frigid and a constant drab gray hung in the skies with the occasional eerie orange brilliance to indicate yet another fire. Ash billowed often in the sky. The ground trembled beneath her feet more frequently. Food was becoming scarcer by the second. With most trees dead or dying, the air quality was pitiful. Piper realized now at least the people in her cave had one another, even as bad as it was. There was suffering, but it was bearable when it was shared. Piper and the others had consoled one another, encouraged each other through the roughest parts. Now she had nothing and no one. Loneliness ate at her soul. The beings called themselves Tonans. Long, razor-sharp talons on their hands had made short work of the human men. Piper had watched in horror as her friends were slit in half, gutted and disemboweled. Running had been useless, laughable really. The beings moved so quickly they had captured the women in seconds. Two older women were killed. Piper had pleaded for her life when she had hung upside down by the creature’s tail, then lifted to his eye level and 3


turned for inspection. The being had sniffed at her then laughed cruelly and told her he wasn’t going to kill her—he had other plans for such a young tasty morsel. Piper had shaken with terror. Piper blinked, she did it with exaggeration just to prove her eyes were in fact open. She then cocked her head and listened carefully. She did it often. There was no sound in the darkness. Sometimes her jailer would torment her with his claws clicking on the hard surface where she had been dumped into hell. The spaceship they had boarded was massive and gray like the creatures. There were higher levels, but she had seen no way to reach them. The interior floor of the vessel was spongy and it felt as though she were walking on moss. That was until a door had slid open and she had been shoved into a room all alone. For the first little while Piper had cried out, demanded to be released, begged to be released. No one came, and no one had answered, not even to tell her to shut up. Fear had turned to terror as she had waved her hands before her in the nothingness, searching. Under her hands she felt hard-ascement cold walls and floors. The room was small. She had been given no blanket, no food, not even water for the longest time. Finally she had dropped to her knees, then side. Piper had cried until there were no tears left. Gingerly Piper stretched her legs further. She groaned in agony. For awhile she listened to herself breathe. She tucked one hand into the other and squeezed, pretending someone was giving her comfort. It was easy enough when she saw nothing—it really could have been someone else holding her hand…maybe. Her head rested back against the wall and she hummed just to hear a human voice. When something touched 4


her cheek she squealed and jumped. Her right hand reached up and she tugged at the offending object and almost ripped her own hair out. Piper howled in pain. From the darkness came a cruel chuckle. Piper turned her head in the direction. It hadn’t really left; she should have known. She had come to the conclusion these creatures could see in the dark. The sharp tapping of a thick claw made her want to curl back into a ball and shut the noise out. “Why are you doing this to me?” she whispered instead. Piper cringed at the defeat in her tone. She had always been so strong, even when the world was going to shit she had kept her head up. But after days—was it days—of seeing nothing and talking to no one she felt isolated and alone. “Human females are so weak it amuses me. I like it best when your eyes make water. Our Castian prisoners will take one whiff of your female scent and tell me anything I want to know. I’m sure there will be many who will be panting to take you. It will be entertaining to see you struggle to survive the warriors’ lust—many are in must. Their control is tenacious at best, others have none at all. Some women linger for months—others a few days. Part of the sport is betting. How long will you last, female?” Piper swallowed hard. Her thoughts raced. She couldn’t die like that. It took only seconds to come to what would no doubt be the final decision of her life. Piper jumped to her feet. Her body shook in protest after days of inactivity. She launched herself at where the voice had come from. Piper connected with the creature; he felt like a mass of muscle. She struck hard and pummeled the creature. She cried out over and over as her fisted hands hit at what felt like steel. The creature roared with laughter. 5


Something gripped Piper’s legs and snapped her ankles tightly together. Piper would have fallen if the creature hadn’t grabbed her arms and held her up. It lifted her off her feet. Piper knew the being had raised her to his height. She felt its breath slide over her face and she gagged at the noxious odor. She tossed her head back when the creature licked her throat and inhaled her scent. The creature’s raspy tongue dragged its way up her cheek and Piper shuddered when she felt the cold hardness of its two long fangs against her warm skin. “Make your eyes water for me,” it whispered. “I smell your terror, and it’s intoxicating. I feel your heart pounding.” The being’s fangs were once more at her throat. Piper could hear her teeth chatter. She didn’t want to cry because it amused him to demean her. The hands gripping her tightened painfully and it growled low in its throat at her defiance. To her horror she felt the creature’s tail slide slowly up between her legs. Piper’s breath caught and held. Higher it went, like a thick snake. Slithering around her like a demented lover. Piper began shaking. The fine hairs on the nape of her neck stood tall. When it reached her tattered jean-covered mound and fondled her intimately Piper couldn’t contain her hysteria. Back and forth it rubbed against her trying to part her legs, until it succeeded. “Noo!” The word was torn from her mouth. A floodgate opened and her tears ran like a river down her cheeks soaking them in seconds. She was certain she was about to die of fright. Her breath caught and held as her heart hammered in her chest. Again the being chuckled. The vice-like grip on her arms loosened. The tail retreated. The being made a calming sound, like a growling purr. Piper felt fangs sink into her neck for an 6


instant. Cool liquid invaded her body and Piper slumped forward. She was unable to move. Her body pressed against the cold solid creature feeling each powerful muscle. Her eyes fluttered closed and she heard him speak before she succumbed to oblivion. “Good little female,” the being crooned. “Very good.”

7


Chapter 2 Piper once again woke to complete darkness. She could feel her eyes blinking. Cautiously she lifted her hand to move the hair from her face. She had accidently hit herself too often or poked at an eye when she moved with haste. Piper moved her joints, testing her body for hurts and instinctively knew the being hadn’t raped her. It seemed content to torment her but it didn’t want her dead—it was having too much fun with her. Piper knew her tears fascinated the being. Why, she had no idea. It was a cruel species. Piper traced her throat where the creature had bit her. She wondered if it had drugged her with something or if she had passed out. Either way she supposed it didn’t matter, as the end result was the same—an escape from him for at least a little while. If only she could sleep forever. When Piper dreamed it was of home. Before the tsunamis hit and the earthquakes rocked Earth’s foundation, Piper had been happy. When Piper’s father had returned from his tour of Afghanistan, he had packed her mother and her up and headed north. Her dad had been sick of the heat and wanted the refreshing scent of the snowy mountains for a while. Piper had loved to run through the hills in her youth. She spent as much time as possible outside with her father. There was an ancientness to her father’s gaze, as though he had lived 8


too many lives or seen too much. He had patiently taught her all about living off the land. Hours they spent together tracking and talking. They had been such a loving family. Piper could have lived like that forever. It wasn’t meant to be. All too soon her father had been called into action again, only this time it was to battle the weather. Unfortunately Mother Nature took no prisoners—not even her dad. He had died in an avalanche. Piper and her mother had helped the battle too and stayed behind. But how could she stop an insurgent of tsunamis turned terrorists? Not with an arsenal of sandbags. How could she battle a tornado? Not with shields or bombs. The elements can’t be threatened—they were fearless. The foe was too strong and in the end the entire world was under siege. Earth had lost the war, its casualties of humans collateral damage. And Piper lost her mother to a sinkhole. By then it was too late for Piper to board a shuttlecraft. They had stopped returning to Earth. Like her father, she had never abandoned her post. Daddy would say she was a fine little soldier. Being kidnapped by a new enemy was the only way she had failed. But even her father would understand that. He too had been a prisoner of war for a short time. It happens to the best of us, sweetheart, he would say. Thinking of her father made her feel better. If he had been alive he would have come for her. Piper pictured him battering the door down and taking her home to her mother. Piper wrapped her arms around her chest in a hug. Piper was jarred from her thoughts when the floor beneath her shifted; she was suddenly airborne. It had happened so unexpectedly she barely had time to throw her arms around her head for protection. She screamed when she 9


hit a wall. When the door to her hell opened Piper was blinded. The light she had craved so desperately burned her eyes and she was in agony. Her arm slid over her eyes to shield them. On one hand and her knees Piper crawled to the open door and out into the hallway wanting freedom. The feel of the floor changed dramatically from steel hard to spongy. Piper staggered to her feet. She banged into a wall—again spongy. Peeking every so often, Piper moved ahead while waving the air before her. She couldn’t see anything. Her eyes still stung and watered profusely. Her head pounded with the shock of each flash of stabbing light. She stopped abruptly when she hit something solid. A large hand grabbed her and she tugged back. It was useless; she knew how strong these creatures were. She was tossed over a broad shoulder— captive yet again. “The female is mine!” her captor bellowed far to her right. She was surprised. His words were more guttural, distorted. But Piper would know his voice anywhere no matter how hard he tried to change it or disguise it. “Not anymore, you filthy Tonan!” was the reply. This being sounded male as well. Piper slid one hand down the creature’s back. Cracking her eyes open to slits and trying to protect them from the glare, she created a darker pocket under an arm. The beast beneath her was solid ebony and had no tail. The creature’s rounded smooth behind and tree-trunk thighs looked sculpted. Her eyes snapped closed again. Muscles rippled under her fingers and she felt more than saw that this being was even larger than her captor. Oh God what is this thing? 10


Piper heard a phenomenal roar that made her hair stand on end. “Give her to me!” her gray captor howled in rage. Piper felt the muscles beneath her ripple and with a quick leap, they were on the move. An arm tightened across her behind locking her in place. The next peek of light Piper got she wished she hadn’t. The creature that had her had scaled the high ship walls. Now she understood why there were no stairs to the higher level. They had no need of elevators or escalators. The creature’s long, sharp talons and shorter but thicker claws on its feet sank into the soft surface and it moved like lightning. Piper was out of breath. The creature made quick precise maneuvers to elude her gray captor. One minute they were up high, the next on the ground. It reminded her of the damned squirrels in her backyard. The gray ones chasing the black and vice versa around and around the tree trunks. Then on the ground then back up the tree. Only these creatures weren’t cute and cuddly soft. They were hard as steel and massively built like man-machines. Piper thought she might vomit when she again felt the sensation of ‘losing’ her stomach. Her belly rolled like it did whenever she was on a roller coaster. Again her eyes peeked open. The Tonan was right behind them. She closed her eyes just as a long deadly talon was raised and swiped at her back. Piper heard a loud roar and a crash. It sounded like two rams smashing into one another. Her ebony captor spun upside down, stopping fast and just hung there. Piper was pitched forward and for a second felt like she was suspended in midair by an ankle, her arms and hands dangling. When Piper 11


chanced a glance down at the ground it looked like it was hundreds of feet away. Before she could scream, the black creature had her pulled to its chest. It held her with one massive arm. Piper hid her face against its shoulder. Her arms clung around his thick neck. Her eyes were squeezed tightly closed and still they hurt when the brightness of the ship’s interior breached her eyelids. Piper was certain she was about to die. “Easy, little female,” the creature said. “I won’t let you fall.” Piper was gasping in air not knowing whether to continue to cling to this new creature or shove it away. But to release him would be certain death. This captor’s voice was different from the cruel chuckling of the Tonan beast. This creature’s words were deep and comforting. It was so long since someone had sounded compassionate and she ached to feel humanity—even from a creature. The steel band holding her wasn’t painful but firm. The creature was slick and smooth; it was like hugging a polished moving marble statue—a very big statue. “I won’t hurt you,” the being crooned. “Who are you?” Piper asked, her voice muffled because her face was buried so far into the creature. “My name is Jago. I’m a Castian warrior from the House of Cobra from the planet Bagron. The Tonans are our mortal enemies.” “Where is the Tonan?” Piper asked fearfully. They were no longer in a race for their lives. She wondered what had happened to the other creature. A new thought occurred. The Tonan had said she would be given to Castian warrior prisoners. Was this being escaping? 12


“See far over there? My warrior mate, Calix, has distracted it so I can take you to the portal,” Jago said. He then shifted her and bumped her head up with his shoulder. “Why won’t you look at me, little female? I can sense your pain. I smell no blood. Where are you injured?” “My eyes,” Piper muttered. Her shirt sleeve was damp from moisture as her eyes continued to leak. “I was kept in complete darkness for days and my eyes hurt when I see light. They are burning.” “Filthy bastards.” She heard him growl in disgust. Jago continued to hold her against his chest as they descended. Another peek and Piper could see an oval black hole ahead of them shimmering. The creature stood upright and strode into it. Within seconds Piper could feel a change in the air. It was warmer on this vessel. The Tonan ship had a foul smell to it not unlike the Tonan’s breath. This air was cleaner, making her dizzy for a moment. Piper wished she could see. It was terrifying to be kept in darkness, but even now in the light, she still couldn’t see. It hurt so much, she shuddered. Tremors wracked her body. Jago continued to hold her. Piper felt the darkness increase and when she cracked a lid open, she could see the creature’s claw aiding to shield her eyes. There was shouting all around them and Piper felt the breeze as creatures whizzed past her. “Calix is through!” someone bellowed. “He has another.” “This is the last; close the portal!” another voice shouted. “We will fight in the air now.” “Will we be blown up?” Piper whispered. 13


“No,” Jago said and then chuckled. “My eyes. Please I can’t take anymore,” Piper said and pressed her arm to her eyes even harder. She felt the hand cup the side of her face trying to darken the pocket she created further. “Easy now, we’re almost there,” Jago said. “Where are you taking me?” she whispered. They were climbing swiftly again. When Jago stopped ascending and began walking, Piper could feel the change in his body. He was so warm. The steel muscles were still hard as rocks but tempered with satiny skin. She heard a door slide open. “No, please don’t lock me away in the dark all alone.” She clutched him tighter. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t lock you away,” he replied. “What are you going to do with me?” Piper could hear water—a waterfall. Inside? Jago was moving down steps. Piper jumped and buried her face deeper into his neck when she felt herself suddenly immersed in warm water. It had been months since Piper had felt such wonderful warmth. Bathing on Earth had been a rare and swift occurrence. The water had been filthy. It took forever to wash when all they had were a few tin cans to boil water in. It hadn’t mattered if they were clean when the Earth was so dirty. “Take a breath,” Jago commanded. Piper had only seconds before both of them went under. The water seemed to come to life. It swirled her matted hair around on her head; it attacked her filthy tattered clothing. Piper’s eyelids fluttered eerily. Piper opened her eyes and to her surprise she could see millions of tiny bubbles. Round and 14


around they whipped moving so fast she could see nothing else. The bubbles weaved around her sliding up her arms and legs, invading her body making her squeal in protest. She snorted out into the water as it slid up her nose. It swirled in her ears. Her legs clenched together and she squeezed her butt cheeks to no avail. She felt oddly violated by water. When finally Piper thought her lungs would burst, Jago surfaced with her. The bubbles ceased their assault. Piper gasped in air. Then just gasped. There was no more pain. She could see. She could see everything. She could see she had no clothes on!

15


Chapter 3 Piper shoved at Jago’s chest with one hand while trying to cover her breasts with her other arm. The ebony being was no longer ebony but a very tanned and very big male body. Shoulder-length dark-as-night wet hair dripped water in zigzags down his stunningly broad chest. His teeth were perfect and a beautiful white contrast to his tanned complexion. His nostrils flared a bit too much but added to his distinct look. To say the man was simply gorgeous would do him an injustice. But nevertheless he was an alien; he was huge and no doubt just as naked as she was. “Put me down,” Piper demanded. Jago complied but didn’t release her. “What happened to my clothes?” “The healing water looks at dirt like a disease and expunges it. Your apparel was filthy. You should be feeling much better. I sense no hurt.” Piper blinked. Healing water? He was right. She could see and there was no more pain. There had been horrible bruises days ago on her arms and chest from when she had fallen into a pond. She had almost drowned. Floating debris had pummeled her body until she had wearily climbed onto shore. The bruises were gone. There wasn’t a single part of her that ached or begged to be stretched out and rubbed. 16


Piper stood on her tiptoes and was still just barely under his shoulders. God, he’s big. He was grinning down on her making her feel self-conscious. She was right; he was nude. His cock was pressed against her belly. She could feel his thighs. Every ounce of the being was muscle. When he leaned down, Piper tensed. Jago deeply inhaled her scent near her throat. “He did that too, the Tonan,” Piper whispered. Her eyes widened in fear. Jago lifted his face from her neck and looked deeply into her eyes. “Castians and Tonans have certain things in common.” That statement made her blanch; she could feel the blood drain from her face. Jago traced a line down her cheek with his thumb. His touch was warm and strangely soothing. Piper thought his fingers were wet from the pool they were in because his thumb felt moist. “I smell emotion, as did your Tonan captor. A Castian warrior has a high sense of not only our awareness but others’. I can tell if you are afraid, lonely, confused. I can also scent out a lie.” “He liked it when I cried,” Piper muttered. She saw his jaw twitch. “Tell me your name?” “Piper.” “Piper, your Earth is destroyed. Taking you back would mean a death sentence. Before long your Earth will be a wasteland if not gone completely from the solar system. You could end up a Tonan captive again if we take you back.” “What do I do?” “Stay with me.” 17


“What about Ulsy?” she asked. “Can you take me to the planet Ulsy?” “I’m afraid that planet is where the Tonans live.” “Oh no. Are all humans captives?” Jago nodded slowly. “If not they soon will be. Do you have family on Ulsy?” “No, everyone I loved is gone; they died.” With a gentle finger Jago lifted her chin when her head dropped. “Were you fed at all? You are very weak. Your body trembles.” Piper frowned in thought. His close proximity had something to do with her trembling, but yes she did feel weak. “Yes. I was given something once a day. A little water and a piece of fruit maybe. At least I think it might have been fruit.” “Leathery texture?” Piper nodded. “It’s condensed. It contains the salt a human needs to consume each day as well as vitamins. One piece a day will sustain you for a long time except it only gives you just enough to survive the one day. It’s how the Tonans keep you compliant.” Jago took her hand and began to pull her from the water. “Wait! I’m naked,” she cried out. Jago nodded as if he didn’t see what the problem was. Then looked enlightened. “Ah yes, human females are shy with their mate until they are marked and claimed.” “Mate?” Piper squealed. “You have told me yourself you are alone and unclaimed. I saved you; you are mine now.” “But, but,” she sputtered. 18


Jago scooped her up under her knees and exited the pool of water. Instead of hiding her face against him, Piper looked around wanting to see. She had seen nothing for so long and thought they would keep her blind forever. She never really knew how much she would miss her sight—even if she had been stuck on earth with only gray colors. At a fast glance around the room, Piper could see ferns and a small waterfall and miniature trees. The entire room was lush with thick vegetation. The water was such a bright blue it seemed to glow. She would have liked to stay and linger as Jago took her from the area. Everything on Earth was so dead. The brilliance of this room was stunning. It looked like something out of a page of a living story book with its vibrancy. Piper almost reached back for it. “You may return later. Right now you need to eat,” Jago said. Piper had been squirming in his arms to see over his shoulder and now held still. “Do you read minds?” “I sensed your disappointment and marvel. I’ve seen your planet; it’s no wonder you crave beauty. But I hear your belly grumbling. You need to fill your stomach before your eyes. My senses are strong and right now are centered only on your health.” That was good. Because they were both nude and she had caught a fast glance of his dick. Piper had never been in the arms of such a large man. It had been a while since she had sex; she had been busy—what with the world dying all around her. Her last meal was pretty much the only thing on her mind from day-to-day. Death had been like a trailing enthusiastic lover waiting to embrace her. 19


Jago strode into a huge room. One entire wall was a window showing her an extensive view of the galaxy. It was beautiful and breathtaking. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. Dozens of planets and stars filled the mass. Each had a life of its own. Stars brightened and dimmed with a pulsing action. A white meteor shower flowered like a rainbow of fireworks. It was a river of aurora borealis. It was like deep sea diving in the universe with all new discoveries at each glance. Piper wanted to race to the window and press her face against it, feeling as though she were at Sea World only this was space world. When Jago plopped her onto a soft high bed, she wrapped a blanket around herself. The material felt warm, like it had just been removed from a dryer and seemed to envelop her. She had to be imagining it. The bed was huge. It had been so long since Piper had sat on a real bed. For the longest time she had curled up to others in the cave for warmth, on mounds of musty filthy blankets, all of them so decrepit the color was undetectable. Piper brought a corner of Jago’s bedding to her nose and inhaled. It smelt like nothing she had ever smelled before. She rubbed the smooth texture against her cheek. It was so soft and velvety, so incredibly white like marshmallows and heavenly clean. How wonderful it was to be warm and fresh again. Piper looked again at her pale white skin. It was unmarred. Next to Jago she had looked so wishy-washy and unhealthy. She felt all gangly and ugly and unconsciously touched her hair. It must be a sight. It had grown so long and matted she had taken a knife to it and chopped it shoulderlength. Oddly the tips seemed trimmed and void of split ends. 20


Curiously she looked at a lock. Jago said the water attacked dirt. It appeared it also attacked hair. Jago went to a black square box on the wall and waved his hand across a panel without saying a word. Items of all shapes appeared. He carried the odd-looking items to her on a round black platter, then settled himself beside her. Though it was obviously food and smelled wonderful, nothing looked familiar. Piper wasn’t certain what to do with it. She remembered a tale of a young lad eating a banana for lunch in a strange new home. He had been given a banana and had no idea he was supposed to peel it. The other children had laughed at him. She now understood exactly how the poor boy had felt—lost. Piper’s belly grumbled and she realized just how hungry she was. It took everything in her not to pounce upon the plate. “I know it’s strange to you but trust me when I say it is something you need,” Jago said. “But you didn’t seem to order anything, or make anything. It just materialized out of nowhere,” Piper said, gazing with longing and hesitance at the hearty fare before her. “Our system isn’t as complicated as you think,” Jago said and smiled at her confusion. “We are creatures of high understanding. With a wave of my hand the computer replicator sensed my needs—or in fact what I felt you needed most.” “That machine understands emotion?” Piper was incredulous. Jago shrugged his shoulders. “Something like that. It sensed my/your need for high nutrients and placed the muchneeded chemical mixture into an appetizing selection. Like the blanket you have a death grip on. It’s replicated and chipped to 21


regulate temperature and warmth. Go ahead and try something. We have been working on Earth cuisine with some success; we were able to extract data from your existing satellites before the rest were destroyed and we incorporated our own taste and textures for variety. Humans have a good sense of taste; it is almost comparable to our way of scenting.” Skeptical but hungry, Piper picked up a red round object she assumed was fruit. When Jago made no move to stop her as she pressed it against her lips, she guessed it could be eaten whole without any preparation. It was fruit. The skin broke and her teeth sank into a cool moist fleshy substance that made her tongue dance in delight. Her body was starving for real fruits and vegetables and red meats. The item was delicious and sweet causing a riot of saliva. Juices dribbled down her chin and she greedily wiped at the wetness and sucked her fingers wanting every drop. Next her teeth sank into a rounded, seeded bread-like substance that was filled with a thick white sauce. Her tongue dipped into the mixture and she lapped some into her mouth testing its texture. It was as though the gravy-like substance was included in a type of Yorkshire pudding and was heavenly. Though she saw no meat, there was a rounded brown flatbread. Piper rolled it like a burrito and when she took a bite she could have sworn she was eating medium rare prime rib. Piper cast an appreciative gaze at Jago. He had saved her life from that hell the Tonans had created. Jago hadn’t been cruel. He hadn’t mocked her or tormented her. His was the first kind act she had experienced in a while and she was so grateful. Piper once more studied his stunning features. For an alien, Jago was attractive. The thought made her cheeks flame 22


as she felt herself blush. This was no bald-headed little freak she had always associated with aliens. Jago’s beautiful dark brown eyes were filled with encouragement. He had no facial hair except for pencil-thin eyebrows and tiny almost nonexistent eyelashes. With her hunger slowly sated, she observed more of him. He was bare-chested and Piper noted he had no nipples. For some reason it looked perfectly normal on him. As her gaze drifted lower Piper quickly ducked her head to hide her embarrassment. Jago hadn’t dressed. His thick cock was huge even at rest. When she lifted her head and met his gaze for a second she saw him smile. Piper remembered he was a creature that sensed emotion. Immediately she could tell from his expression that he was pleased with her assessment of him. A funny-sounding blip filled the air and she heard Jago’s heavy sigh. Once again, he strolled to the wall where the strange black replicator was. Jago waved his hand in front of it and then slipped into the tight black pants it produced. The spandex material hugged him low on his hips to just above his ankles. He remained barefoot. His ass was a work of sculpted art. Piper had to admit he was stunning. Finally with her belly full and her eyes filled with him, Jago returned and handed her a thin tall clear glass of water. With her first taste Piper realized it wasn’t water at all. The taste was pleasant and it was very satisfying. She downed every drop and at last her thirst was sated. She hadn’t thought it ever would be again. Jago seemed to be watching her carefully. Piper grew tired quickly. Outside the window the shapes became exaggerated, the colors surreal. Within moments, she struggled to keep her eyes open. 23


“You drugged me,” she accused sleepily, her words slurred as though drunk. “You need to sleep. I can sense your exhaustion,” Jago said. Jago pulled the covers up to her chin and tucked her in as though she were a child. The blanket she was wrapped in was dry, even though she had been wet when Jago put her on the bed. The pillow beneath her head felt warm and Piper could have sworn it was drying her hair. How odd. Jago’s warm moist thumb slid against her skin and she wondered why he felt damp. Then she didn’t care. Jago’s touch was so calming. She suddenly wished he would climb in beside her. “Jago,” she whispered. The exquisite laziness she was feeling kept her from being afraid. “The drug will keep you from wandering and harming yourself. I’ve been summoned to report of my battle with the Tonans. By the time I return, you will be well rested and we can talk. You are safe, my little female. No one will ever harm you again.” Piper’s eyes blinked once, twice. She was asleep. **** “I hear you acquired a human female?” Jago looked at his leader. They had managed to make off with only a few females from the Tonan vessel. Many of their holds were empty and it was a skeleton crew that had ran the vessel. It led Jago to wonder if there had been many females to begin with, though he doubted it. Human females were few and far between as Earth died. The few who were left, barring unforeseen circumstances, were old or missing limbs or had virtually incurable diseases. Many more had lost their minds 24


from fear or were close to it. Tonans would only take the ‘barring unforeseen circumstances’ females. Perhaps half a dozen females in all were found. All young, virtually healthy with a sad story to tell. The Castian vessel had taken the Tonans by surprise and decloaked. Once the portal on the Castian ship had been closed aboard their ship, they were in hyperspeed and through a wormhole, leaving the filthy Tonans to wonder what the hell hit them. “Yes, Cobra. The little female is resting in my quarters. I felt it necessary to administer a sleep aid. She is quite weak and malnourished.” “I realize with her being captured by the Tonans she will be battle shy. I hear their care of females is deplorable and harsh. She must be feeling a great deal of fear.” Jago nodded somewhat hesitantly. Jago knew Piper was frightened but he was positive he sensed something else from her. She had fallen asleep before he was certain. Once his nose had filled with the scent of her, he remembered females. The memory was long in coming but once it took hold, Jago could feel new senses associated with females awakening. He hadn’t had enough time with her to explore the sensations. But he could hear the agitation in Cobra’s words. Jago sensed his leader’s need to hurry the conversation. Jago wondered why he had been summoned, since they had been successful. No one had been left behind and there had been no problems. Perhaps Cobra wanted to hear of his new female; it was his right, since the ship was his. Cobra took immediate responsibility for anything aboard his vessel. “She was blinded,” Jago told him. “Light deprivation, unusually cruel and very painful. Our healing waters helped 25


her. She had been starved and threatened and brutalized. Her body had been covered in bruises. She is well now.” “Jago,” Cobra began. “I understand you have no experience with females. Her body may be healed but her mind may not be. These females have been on the dying planet the longest. The sorrow and loss they have suffered is great. A gentle understanding hand is needed. I thought perhaps you might be willing—” “No,” Jago ground out. “I would not be willing to hand her over to an older warrior.” Now he understood; he sensed Cobra’s intention and Jago didn’t like it one bit. The female was his. “Jago, time is of the essence. Our window of opportunity to conceive female offspring is running out. Soon our warriors will no longer be in must. The cycle will be over and the waiting period will start until the little ones are weaned. You know it will then be all male children born to us. Our males heavily outnumber our females.” Agitated Jago paced. “I understand this. You think because I’m inexperienced I won’t be able to mate with my female and conceive. You feel she is too traumatized. I saved her life; I sense a wary trust from her, but it’s there. Surely that must count for something?” “Does she speak to you?” Cobra’s words were anxious. “Yes,” Jago exclaimed. “I have bathed her and fed her and made her comfortable.” Cobra sighed. “She isn’t a pet.” Jago was appalled. “I know that. I also know I can’t just jump on her and mate with her; it would be cruel. I’m certain an older more experienced warrior would understand that as well. If given time I’m positive I could—” 26


“A more experienced warrior will be able to coax her sooner. He would know how to touch and where. His secretions would respond quicker in a way you have yet to be reminded of,” Cobra said. Jago stubbornly shook his head. “What if an older warrior impregnates her but doesn’t mate with her?” Cobra offered in way of a compromise. “Who would be willing to hand her back over? As you said the ratio of males to females is huge. And we both know her baby shield will be impenetrable to me for almost four years after.” Jago knew enough about females to know a warrior gave a piece of essence—his shield—to his babe when the child was created. It was a father’s gift of protection. A male’s shield remained with him for life, but a female’s stopped working when her child was weaned. It was nature’s way of making sure a female would seek a mate when the time came to procreate. Any male could shield a female child in his armor until she went into her first heat. After she mated she had the protection of her mate’s shield. She could be enveloped against harm. She was also gifted with her mate’s immortality when they joined and she was marked with his tattoo high on her shoulder. The babe’s shield was so powerful no one could penetrate it, not even the babe’s own father if the babe or mother was ever startled into defense. The babe’s need for survival and familiar warmth would allow only the father near its mother or other male relatives or warrior mate. Any other male was repelled. All Castian children were self-aware on conception. They could sense emotion and relationships through familiar scents when inhaled by their mother. 27


“An already mated warrior would hand her back,” Cobra said quietly. Jago was stunned. He straightened and stood taller. “You wish to impregnate her.” “I have my own female child due in a few moons and two other young daughters from my human mate as well as her son who is now my warrior mate. I have no need of another child and would be willing to part with her as long as I know you would care for the child as your own.” Jago knew that Cobra had gone from having his one son, Rask, to having a whole family. Cobra’s warrior mate was the talk of the ship. In trying to ease the boy of Cobra’s mate’s pain when he had been attacked by Tonan filth, Cobra had bit the human boy to inject a calming venom. Their blood had mingled and Cobra turned him into a Castian warrior by giving him a piece of his shield through his blood. It was uncanny but true. The boy was turning into a fine warrior with Cobra’s help. “What if she’s unwilling?” “I will not force myself onto a female.” Cobra gave him a hard stare. Jago looked up sharply. “You think I would?” “A few of the men have been talking about the Tonan prisoners. The Castian males who have been caught are without control. They have never encountered females before and are being driven half-mad. It has been hard enough on my own followers, even though we have been able to share information about the females. “Our captured warriors are tempted with the females to talk treason and give secrets away. You may be four-hundredyears old, but that is still quite young for a warrior. Females 28


have a scent that is like an aphrodisiac and will trigger must. If you elicit the scent with flowing secretions into her, you may assume she is ready and willing. Human females are decidedly more fragile than our Castian females had been. There is no way for a human female to fight a Castian warrior—she exudes no repelling scent. Human females do not have the ability to generate glands of repugnance. A Castian female could, at will, release a hormone so vile a warrior had no choice but to leave. Even shielded, the foul odor couldn’t be filtered. “Thankfully human females have no repelling glands. It works in our favor but not theirs. There is still much you have to learn about females. ” It was true Jago had never had a female. All of the females on his planet had died by the time Jago was four, including his mother. The moment Jago was weaned, both his mother and father died. Castians mated for life—when one died so too did the other. Their blood mixed when they mated, so emotionally and physically they were joined. A male Castian could raise his shield to ward off impending death, but most mates chose to die with their females. The blow was devastating. The love they shared when alive was believed to be continued in death. Many young Castian males were left without parents and some without any relative at all. If it hadn’t been for the older warriors who had yet to mate, the young boys would have been vulnerable to a Tonan attack. Hard as it was to kill a Castian male, untrained four-year-old males couldn’t have battled twenty Tonan warriors at a time and lived. Their armor would need to regenerate too often. Eventually they 29


would have succumbed. The older warriors had been able to keep the planet’s shield and raise the boys to adulthood. Losing the females had been a tragedy. Jago had been told once his parents had loved one another for over three thousand years. Jago’s two older brothers had also died with their mates. His father and brothers just couldn’t live without them. Their mates would have taken too much of their being for them to continue. Jago could sense the concept but had never experienced it. Castians valued honor above all else. To their mates and to their leader. Was the female scent so potent to a male that one would consider treason? It must be if the warriors not only considered death but chose it. Jago gave his head a shake. Cobra would know, he knew of females, his leader was threethousand-years old. Even if Jago had never had a female, if it was a Castian female and she released a repelling scent, Jago would ‘remember’ the scent. Any scent any Castian ever had was remembered for future generations, their emotional link was that connected. If human females had no such repellant, Jago could understand the confusion. “Calix has found a female. Will you take his from him too?” Jago asked quietly. “Your warrior mate has unfortunately captured an impregnated female,” Cobra said, his body stiffened. There was deep sadness and regret in his words. “A full-blooded human child will not be so bad,” Jago said in confusion. “A boy can be bitten and turned warrior and a female will be welcome. The pregnant female should be fine around our warriors. It’s the mating scent it receives from its sire that causes the high chemical attraction of the female. 30


Human males have no such chemical. Their sense of scent isn’t near what a Castian’s is.” “The babe is of Tonan blood.” Jago stumbled back, stunned. “Tonan blood?” he whispered. “The poor little female was attacked by a Tonan?” “I’m afraid so,” Cobra said grimly. “The babe?” “She is female. The babe was given no protective shield. Both are vulnerable to attack. The Tonan musk scent is high in the mother. Every male on the ship will be aware of her.” “But how can they do that to their own offspring?” Jago asked in disgust. A human female impregnated by a Castian or Tonan was filled with so much intoxicating pheromones, she was irresistible to males. Without the protective shield, she would be a target and would spend the next nine months in terrible danger. “No doubt she was impregnated on purpose to sway even the strongest of our warriors. The Tonans will know their window of opportunity is coming to an end as the must cycle comes to a close. If mother and babe survive, a more important issue will be what will the babe be like?” Cobra said in contemplation. “We won’t know of its abilities. The babe will be aware of the danger she and her mother are in and could be born fearful of Castians. There could be grave repercussions.” “There must be a safe place for her and her mother. Can we not teach the child to be Castian?” “Only time will tell,” Cobra mussed. Jago picked up Cobra’s thought scent immediately. “You wonder if we should kill the babe.” 31


“The babe has no shield; her mother will be vulnerable. Castian warriors are not cruel, but with the heightened scent, well it acts like a drug when there is too much and we are not responsible for our actions. It could be a small mercy to the human female. I have her in seclusion for now for her safety. And though there is light and food, she is still locked away as though she is at fault. The entire situation infuriates me. I can only allow the oldest of our warriors near her; they are the only ones with any control. She can’t be withheld from some type of contact or comfort. “Think about it, Jago, if Calix actually claims them both, you will need to help protect them. I am uncertain you and Calix are ready for so much responsibility. You will both need to curb your own lust which will not happen unless Calix mates with her. That is hard for someone of your age. Right now we need our own females. We need Castian females to rebuild our line.” “Doesn’t Calix want the female?” “Of course he does. But the babe is another matter. Females are harmless, and even Tonans, yet extraordinarily beautiful. You and Calix would need to watch for certain things. A Tonan female is rare, thankfully. I am just grateful it’s not male and a mixture of Castian and Tonan. Perhaps human and Tonan will be easier to tame in a female. A male hybrid mixture of both our kinds is exceedingly dangerous. I am told they possess the power to kill either Tonan or Castian. A female mix is called a Castonan. A male is a Tonian.” “Have you seen either?” “Yes, once, but just the female. And her mother was Castian. The little Castonan was born out of season and was poisoned along with the other females. She was a real beauty 32


and a handful. But like this female babe, we wondered if she would ever find a mate. Who wants to mate a hybrid? Who will want to mate a human Tonan mixture?” Jago felt his leader’s worry. Cobra wasn’t a cruel man. Each male and female under his care was fiercely protected. Jago could see he warred within himself arguing pros and cons. If the babe was to die, Cobra would do it. He would ask no other. If the woman wanted the child, Cobra would leave it be and find a way to protect it. “I will stand with any decision you and my warrior mate choose,” Jago said. Cobra nodded. “There will be time for that later. For now we have a more pressing issue to discuss.” “Come and meet my female. Her name is Piper. She has been traumatized but I’m certain she isn’t broken. She’s strong; I sense it,” Jago said with deep conviction.

33


Chapter 4 Jago looked down at his sleeping female. The covers had slipped to her slender waist exposing beautiful high rounded breasts. Her short dark hair was a contrast to the white pillow beneath her head. All of the women taken from Earth were far too slender. Depravation had taken its toll on many. Piper’s cheeks were a bit gaunt and dark lavender smudges were prominent under her eyes, but in Jago’s opinion she looked healthier than many others. Even after having suffered time with the Tonans. Jago pulled more of the covers down to expose her. He had seen her nude briefly in the water and in his arms but hadn’t been able to fill his eyes with her. His curiosity was almost killing him. Jago’s gaze settled back onto her high firm round breasts. They were a curious sight but seemed to be fitting on females. Jago had seen images of naked human females but this was his first up-close experience. Dusty rose-colored nipples puckered in the air and Jago was very tempted to touch one. He held back, remembering Calix’s little female. Piper’s waist narrowed to gently rounded hips. Jago lifted his hand to feel his own taut belly; he was much broader. Jago ran a finger down Piper’s slim arm from shoulder to wrist. She’s so soft. A warm feeling of protectiveness washed over him. Jago had never seen anyone 34


so small that was considered adult. He was used to massively muscled warriors. Males. This was a living, breathing female. Piper stirred and stretched. Her legs pulled up to her chest and straightened out, pointing with her toes. She had pale long slender legs. Her feet looked so delicate. Her toenails were a clear color whereas Jago’s were solid white. Jago looked higher and saw pink folds where her womanhood was tucked safely inside. Jago smiled at the word, ‘womanhood,’ it was Cobra’s word. A female’s only shield was the armor of her insides. It seemed far too fragile. Jago wondered how his little female would react when she saw she was bare of any pubic hair. The healing waters attacked foreign maladies. It seemed since Castians were virtually hairless except for their heads the waters attacked females’ hair. Ridding them of it. “Piper?” Piper’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at him without any recognition until her confusion cleared and then she smiled. “I thought you were a dream.” “I’m real, Piper. I want you to put these clothes on. There is someone you need to meet.” Piper seemed to notice she was nude. She snatched at the covers. Jago was glad he had asked Cobra to wait outside. He remembered she was skittish about her body. Piper tented the covers overhead and struggled into the clothing he had replicated for her. Jago chuckled; she looked like she was battling. When dressed she emerged, her hair askew. Skintight but flexible brown knee-high pants hugged her slender hips and thighs. Her thin white shirt exposed both shoulder blades and molded 35


to her breasts and slender ribs, leaving her midriff bare. A Castian female was expected to show her exposed mate markings, though Piper had none. Jago hoped to change that, soon. Jago went to his door and waved his hand before the panel allowing Cobra entry. Jago watched Piper’s reaction anxiously. Cobra was a huge seasoned warrior. Thick black hair hung to his shoulders. He was bare-chested as were all Castians. They all remained barefoot. There was no need of the funny protective coverings humans wore. Black tightfitting flexible pants hugged Cobra’s hips low and went to his ankles. Jago was within scent range of Piper. He sensed she had no fear of Cobra, just wariness and thankfully no attraction. Jago was pleased when his little female sidled up closer to him, seeking comfort. Jago draped his arm across her shoulders. He wanted to mate with Piper and he wanted the babe she would conceive to be his. If it wasn’t, he wouldn’t be able to get close to Piper until the child was weaned or if the babe allowed it. Only the babe’s father would be allowed near the babe’s impenetrable shield, especially during the time she carried. “Piper, this is Cobra. He is leader of the Castian warriors. He is the House of Cobra,” Jago said. “Hello,” Piper said shyly. Jago could feel her deep apprehension build and Jago’s response was immediate and inherited through thousands of years of breeding. Secretions from his skin formed and penetrated Piper’s flesh from his arm to her shoulders. Jago had never experienced the feeling so strongly. He’d had a small taste of the sense in the pool and before she slumbered 36


when his thumb had caressed her cheek, but the memory was too fleeting. It had been his priority and instinct to meet her needs first when she had been injured and starving. She was no longer in danger and he realized a female was pressed against him. This new memory now roared into his thoughts and settled. Her emotions caused a chemical reaction in Jago’s skin. Jago could feel her inside of him as their secretions mixed. The need to calm her was also instinct, almost desperation. Jago knew immediately the sensation would double when they mated. Piper calmed under him. Her body shifted until she was pressed to his side. Every spot of bare skin received his calming drug and Jago’s senses heightened with the touch of her. Her welcome aroused him internally. He could feel his heart begin to pound. Jago’s arms tightened around her. Jago’s blood took on a life of its own and pulled her moisture into his veins as he flooded his into her. Each second brought him closer to his desire that they would do something together that would bind them for eternal life. He searched for the memory. Jago needed to lay Piper beneath him. He needed to be inside her. Though Jago had never taken a female, Cobra had explained some things to his men. His explanations took hold now and deep within his mind, Jago remembered the need to thrust deeply and retreat with care. Jago was hundreds of pounds with his armor. The need to temper his weight flashed within his thoughts and remained there. His armor would control the amount of weight the female could take, Jago was positive. But first he must fill her with himself. Jago turned her in his arms; control over his body had all but vanished in the heady sense of sexual arousal. 37


Piper felt so welcoming, so willing. She didn’t struggle, instead she seemed dazed in his arms and it encouraged him further. She wanted him. When Piper looked up at him she screamed and jerked from his arms. She moved backwards so quickly she fell onto the bed. Jago felt drugged. His breath was coming in quick panting gasps. He moved towards her but was confused as she continued to retreat. He smelt her fear. She shouldn’t fear him, that wasn’t right. Maybe if he touched her again—maybe if he bit her, she would settle. Piper howled again when Jago reached to take her in his arms. “Jago.” Cobra’s command was sharp. For a split second Jago thought to put his shield up and battle. Nothing was to come between him and mating. Nothing, but…but… He gave his head a shake. Battle his leader? Battle the one man he admired most? That is treason. What was wrong with him? Jago was one of Cobra’s most loyal followers. Jago ran his hand over his face and discovered immediately why Piper was terrified. His fangs had grown. How was that possible? His fangs only showed when his armor was up. Try as he might, they wouldn’t recede. What was wrong with him? “Cobra?” Jago asked. “You see now why I worry for the female Calix found?” Cobra said and sighed. “This is your body’s way of claiming a mate. Think, Jago—remember the emotion. You have it. Search for it. Don’t fight it.” Jago did have the emotional memory; it was linked to scent. Deep within he could feel it bubble to the surface of his 38


thoughts. He needed to bite the female to mark her but he must release his venom into her body first or he would hurt her. His organ would grow too big with his seed during must and the female needed to be completely relaxed and receptive. Jago shuddered suddenly. Had the Tonan relaxed Calix’s female? Jago hoped so—poor little female. Jago clenched his hands into hard fists. He was angry, angry with himself. He wasn’t a filthy Tonan. Piper was sitting on his bed looking afraid of him, smelling afraid. Jago didn’t like the scent one bit. Cobra remained expressionless, but Jago sensed his leader was allowing him some time to gain composure. Jago took a deep breath and guessed more than felt when his fangs retreated. “They have fangs,” Piper whispered. Jago saw her tremble. “Were you bitten?” Cobra asked. “Once. I was frightened so badly I thought I would die. My captor bit me then, but he didn’t touch me afterwards; I fainted or was drugged,” Piper said. “Are they men like you? Under whatever it is they wear.” “They are male, but not like us,” Cobra ground out. Jago knew his leader wasn’t annoyed by her question. Cobra hated the Tonans. The Tonans had killed the love of Cobra’s life with the poisoned water they used to kill every living female on their planet. Cobra had been left to raise a motherless child—his son. Thankfully Cobra had found a human female to fill the dark void. But perhaps it wasn’t just the female, but her tenacity and her other offspring that kept him too busy to dwell on the past. “They are cruel creatures,” Piper said. She was still watching Jago warily. 39


Jago felt horrible. He had frightened his female. Her sad dark eyes weren’t accusing or condemning just lonely and lost. Cobra was right; it was hard to control must. “I’m sorry, Piper. That was the first time I’ve ever experienced that feeling.” “What feeling?” she asked. “Many of the men on my world are of age,” Cobra explained. “All are in must or have yet to be and have never taken a female. We have a deep sexual desire that’s been driven by an age-old instinct to continue our line. Now it’s stronger by tenfold. Our females were killed by Tonans. Human females are receptive to our seed. We need to breed, but our timeframe is running out. Shortly, the time for female conception will be at an end and in four years’ time it will begin again with the need for males. We need to breed as many females as we can. Human females have given us hope.” Piper’s scent was that of understanding and she narrowed her eyes. “Do I look like a brood mare to you?” “No, not an animal. Before you begin ranting, there are a few ‘perks’ as humans would say,” Cobra said, smiling wryly at her. “I’m listening,” Piper said, still glaring with her arms crossed over her chest. “As I said our women are dead,” Cobra began. “Human women are extremely coveted.” “The Tonans wanted to use us for sex with Castians,” Piper blurted out. Cobra nodded. “Many of the warriors the Tonans have captured only recently hit their prime. They are vulnerable young males. I realize to a human that four-hundred-years is old.” 40


Piper’s eyes widened and Jago sensed some disbelief. “But to a Castian, it is a mere drop in the bucket. By mating with a Castian, you will be given eternal life.” “But you just said your women were killed.” “Our women were poisoned. Our armor couldn’t cure the females. The healing waters we have now were created after our women died and were a fluke of chemicals originally mixed as a repellant to ward off annoying little creatures on Dargon. The Tonans came up with a deadly chemical over thousands of years that killed our females. It was placed in our water supply. Only pregnant females survived with their baby shield until the babes were weaned. Then the females died too leaving our planet with only young male offspring to be raised by a few older Castians. Castians mate for life. When their females died, the warriors died leaving us devastated. Many of the couples murdered were thousands of years old. The young males now find themselves with little to no family except their warrior mates who are also virtually alone. You can see how family life can be very tempting to a warrior who had thought to spend eternity all alone.” Piper’s head lowered when Cobra said that. Jago felt her immediate despair. Yes, she knew aloneness. She looked back up at Cobra without answering when he began speaking again. “The ratio of Tonans to Castians grew but still wasn’t enough to defeat us even after that crushing blow. The Tonans have been surprised at our tenacity. It is almost impossible to kill a Castian warrior.” “So you want me to mate and get pregnant and I get eternal life?” Piper said. To Jago she didn’t sound impressed. 41


“My entire family is gone. Why would I want to raise a baby virtually alone forever?” “You would have a mate,” Cobra reminded her. “What if I don’t want one?” she said. “Will you give me to the Tonans? Dump me back on Earth? Beat me?” Cobra was thoughtful for a second. Jago sensed him thinking. “Regardless of your choice, you will be taken to our home planet. A Castian would rather die than beat a woman. We are honorable men. Will you breed with a Castian warrior? That alone will not give you eternal life but it will give you protection. A Tonan would not be able to get near you until the babe’s shield is gone.” “Will my baby be taken away?” she asked. “Never,” Cobra replied. “A babe needs its mother to survive for the first four years. A Castian gives the babe a piece of his shield as a gift to aid with the mother and child’s survival.” “What about after?” “Any male Castian can shield a child until her first heat when she is twenty-one. Regardless, a child would still never be taken from its mother unless the female was abusive— nonexistent in a Castian, sadly not so in a human. Although with the human females mating Castians again, I highly doubt a female would injure a child. Her mate would be well aware of her emotions and have the ability to intercede and calm her and any hormone sending her mixed signals. After a female grows to adulthood, it will be up to her mate to protect her. If you have a babe, you will be impenetrable for four years, except by the father of the child and only if you want to,” Cobra said. 42


“After that?” “Perhaps you will find a mate you feel is acceptable if given time. When alive, there were Castian women who mated after must. They were unready for children, but were still desirable to the warriors,” Cobra said. Piper seemed to think about it. She was thinking very hard. Jago sensed her emotions. She was fearful, intrigued, wary. Jago shook his head. Too many emotions at once were giving him a head pain. Jago blinked at the thought. He never felt pain, because his shield wouldn’t allow it. What an odd sensation. Why did his shield not go up? Jago cocked his head to the side—the emotional scent memory slammed him like a meteor. His shield had already become aware of the female, his Piper, through their secretions. It was preparing him for the mating ritual by making him feel her needs. Piper needed him to understand her. “But how will I take care of a baby? I have no job. No money, no home.” Piper was distressed. Jago clenched his fists bombarded with the scent emotion. “The only job you will have will be caring for your baby,” Cobra said and frowned. “But how will I feed her? Me? Us?” Fear now, Jago sensed it, Piper was afraid. As her distress rose, so did Jago’s. “Our places of residence, cities you might say are unique and adapted for our needs,” Cobra said. “A home will be provided for you. Anything you need can be replicated: food, clothes, even entertainment.” “Friends?” 43


Loneliness, his female was afraid of loneliness and Jago wanted to scoop her into his arm. “I promise you there are other human females you can talk to,” Cobra said, his words gentle and understanding. “But the shield?” Her worry made Jago curl his lips into a snarl. Damn! His senses were flying faster than a winged beast. How the hell did human males keep up with this mad flow of female emotions? Perhaps they were stronger than he had thought. Jago wanted to roar in frustration. “The shield will not repel other women. Unless of course the babe senses danger and the shield is triggered,” Cobra explained. “When do I have to decide?” Piper asked. Indecision and confusion—that was it, he might just go crazy—Jago ran a quick shaky hand over his face. “Soon. Our window of opportunity is closing. We have perhaps a month or two at most.” “Who will the father be?” “Me,” both Cobra and Jago said at the same time.

44


Chapter 5 Piper sat looking from one man to the other. Cobra looked stern, and Jago looked defiant. Jago had saved her life, but this was Cobra’s vessel, and he was leader. Both men were very handsome, but Jago had seen to her needs. She realized it was just a matter of picking which man. Piper had no doubt she would be willing to conceive. Cobra had had her at ‘protected against the Tonans.’ Piper was terrified of the gray beasts and their cruelty. The shield they spoke of sounded so strange. Did they wear it somehow? How could a warrior give away a piece of his shield? It sounded so natural for them to speak of it. If a baby’s shield was as strong as they said, she would be protected. Piper doubted they were lying. With what she had seen with the rescue and vortex and healing waters, not to mention magically appearing food from thought alone and selfdrying blankets. Hell, why not a weird shield? “Why do you want to father my child?” Piper asked Cobra. “We need females. I’m older and am able to curb my lust. I will not mate with you by accident. I have a mate and children. Castians are a monogamous breed. We mate for life. I wouldn’t even suggest such a thing but pending circumstances have made females critical.” 45


“Strictly business?” Piper said. “Any child you have will be welcomed with open arms and you would have more than just our gratitude. I will allow no one to harm you if you carry my child. Not that you would need my protection. Even after the babe is weaned, you would be safe. I will make certain your residence is near mine,” Cobra informed her. “Your mate would agree? Human females are very jealous. How would you like it if your mate chose another— pending circumstances?” Cobra blinked, opened his mouth then just as quickly snapped it shut. Jago looked a bit too smug. Piper looked at Jago. “Why do you want a baby so bad? Is it business?” “I want you.” Jago’s eyes burned into her. Piper shivered. It wasn’t business with Jago. He wanted to mate with her. The question was what did she want? Piper looked at Cobra; she didn’t want a business arrangement. She also wasn’t ready for a mate. “If you choose Jago I can remain and make certain he doesn’t mate with you,” Cobra suggested. What? Piper felt the red hue creep over her throat and face. Have someone watch her have sex? Uh, no. It was amazing these creatures could tell what she was thinking just by her smell. It made her feel self-conscious and she stopped herself from sniffing her underarm. When she chanced a glance at Jago she wondered what it would feel like to have such a powerful man on top of her. Piper stiffened. Good god the man is solid. She wondered how much he weighed. When she had first felt him, he was so solid. But there was something 46


else about him and the shield they spoke of. Would he have sex with her in a suit of armor? It was confusing. He might accidently crush her to death. That would be horribly painful. “You suddenly fear me. Why?” Jago asked with concern. “You’re so big. So heavy,” she muttered, again unnerved. If the Tonans were similar to the Castians with scent it was no wonder the cruel beast in her cell knew exactly how to manipulate her. “Piper,” Cobra said. She looked at him. “Castian males are very heavy. It’s our armor. The armor also regulates our core temperature, heals us, calms us. It also controls our actions during sex to an extent. A Castian cannot envelop within his armor even during danger if he will crush a female—unless it’s his mate and he can envelop her too. We can no sooner kill a female than we can tell ourselves to stop breathing. It’s why the Tonans need the females.” Envelop in his armor? “What about this baby shield you talk about? Will the child be as heavy?” Good God what a horrible thought. It sounded as though this shield of theirs was almost a part of them. Would she give birth to a fifty-pound baby in armor? “A babe’s shield is different. It surrounds you like an impenetrable blanket as well as the babe even after its birth. Because you will carry the babe’s milk—a piece of the child really—the shield will protect you even if the babe is away from your side. It will be the same with a male. A Castian male keeps his shield but when he is weaned the shield forms into armor. After that happens I’m afraid you will no longer be able to pick your son up. But he will have no need of any protection, not even from his father. The transformation is not 47


unlike any other stage a child goes through, such as crawling or walking, new teeth. Speech. A female’s shield disappears. She will have the protection of any male warrior after that. It’s our way of encouraging a female to seek the safety of a warrior by mating when they come of age. Once the babe is weaned your impenetrable shield will be gone,” Cobra said. “That’s how your females died,” Piper whispered. It all sounded so odd. A surrounding shield. “Exactly,” Cobra said. “It was heartbreaking to lose our little ones and then their mothers. It would have been impossible to shield the children or women forever. Eventually even our armor would have faltered under the strain of two lives.” Piper couldn’t begin to imagine the heartbreak. No wonder the Tonans were loathed. What vile filth to kill children and their mothers. Piper shuddered with the thought of what they would have done to her if Jago hadn’t saved her. “Jago, if you will swear to at least try not to mate with me, I will choose you,” Piper said. “This is so sudden. I’ve been through too much. You saved me. If providing you with a human female who will be loved and wanted and accepted is what you request, I will do it. But to expect me to spend eternity with someone I don’t know is too much to ask yet.” “I will try,” Jago said. “So be it. But you haven’t much time. I suggest you start now and if too much time passes you may need to reconsider,” Cobra said and strode from the room. “You feel you owe us,” Jago said. Once again Piper was amazed at his canny perception. Piper nodded. “I know it’s strange to you that I would have a baby before being mated, but in actuality it happens 48


often enough on Earth. A child is loved; it’s yours as long as you are alive. But on Earth, men and women get married, and then divorce and it’s over. A child is never over. My baby will have immortality and protection. I never have to lose anyone else again.” “A Castian warrior mates for life, Piper.” Piper rose from the bed and looked warily up at Jago. A lifetime of memories of her parents’ death would plague her. Memories of the dead haunted her enough. “I know. To me, at this moment, the idea is inconceivable. I need time to really think about that. What do you look like, Jago?” “I look like me,” he sounded confused. “No, what does your armor look like? Tonans are gray but I remember catching a glimpse of yours, and it was solid ebony.” “You want to see my armor?” “Yes.” Piper watched with amazement as a solid black shield enveloped Jago. Piper had been confused with their talk of armor surrounding them. She knew they would be heavy in it but it was in them. It did envelop him. No wonder they were so invincible. The armor molded to his body showing off each muscle. Protruding bulbs covered his eyes. He had a large bump where his sex would be. The pure white fangs gleamed in a sinister fashion. He looked terrifying. Long razor-like talons were on his huge hands. Shorted rounded claws were on his big wide feet. He looked like the boogeyman. No he looked like something that would scare the boogeyman. Piper shuddered. It was hard to believe that such a handsome man was underneath all that terror. No wonder he seemed so heavy 49


if the armor was an actual part of him. It was uncanny and spooky. “Jago? The baby won’t be born looking like that ,will it?” She’d be shredded. “From what Cobra says the baby has a shield or force field, not armor. Not even the males develop their armor until weaned. I am told a Castian female felt no pain giving birth. If she were in pain the shield would go up as protection and the babe couldn’t come. Because the shield is a gift of the father, it would be the same for a human female—no pain. Cobra’s own son Rask has a mate, Grace, who gave birth. We were told it was an easy delivery.” “A painless birth? Now that is a perk.” Jago absorbed his armor back into his body and waited while Piper composed herself. She remembered his fangs had grown when he looked normal. “Will your fangs grow again?” “Yes.” “Will you bite me?” “Yes.” “Will it hurt?” “Did the Tonan hurt you?” Piper had been so terrified she hadn’t really thought about it before. The Tonan had razor-sharp fangs that could have ripped her soft skin to pieces. Unconsciously her fingers rose to where the beast had sunk his teeth into her. The fangs had been so sharp they had slid right into her. “It—wasn’t—agonizing,” she finally decided. When Piper felt Jago cup her face and tilt her head up to look at him she felt his damp moist hand against her skin. The reaction was immediate. Her breathing slowed instead of 50


speeding up. Her heart which had been thumping erratically calmed. She was strangely drawn to him like she had been before. It was as though his skin asked a question her body was compelled to answer yes to. “How do you do that?” she whispered. “Watch.” Jago took his hand from her face and leaned closer. He inhaled her scent making her shudder. Jago made a fist. Curiously Piper watched as a single drop of sweat dripped from his fisted hand onto her open palm he now held. Her eyes widened. The wetness seeped into her skin. It was absorbed right before her eyes. Again the response was immediate. Piper calmed. It was thrilling and yet oddly disturbing at the same time. “Don’t be afraid,” Jago said. Piper watched with amazement. Jago’s fangs were growing, stretching to sharp points over an inch long. He looked like a sexy vampire with tanned skin. The idea was amusing—somewhat. Only these fangs wouldn’t suck her dry, they would inject a substance meant to calm her when he claimed her. Piper reached to touch one but Jago stopped her. “They are very sharp.” Of that she was certain. “If there aren’t many females aboard have you ever, um, had sex?” “No.” “Do you know how?” “Not exactly.” Piper felt a bit of concern. Jago opened his fisted hand and ran his palm down her arm. 51


“Are you trying to control my emotions?” she asked. “I’m trying to ease your fears. When we flew through Earth’s surrounding atmosphere and space, gamma rays bounced old satellite signals back to our control panels to help us learn about you. It’s how we know what you eat, the way you play. We understand you don’t want your emotions taken or guided. But think of it like this, I saw a beast in your waters, a shark I think it was called. What a fascinating and cute creature. A man was in a cage. Though he was a bit fearful and excited, the cage surrounded him. He experienced the feelings, but with safety.” “You cage my emotions?” Piper asked dryly. It figured with fangs like his he would think a shark cute and with his armor he wouldn’t need any cage. Jago sighed. “Is this what you humans call foreplay? It’s not as exciting as I thought it would be. Can’t we move on? Please?” Piper chuckled. “It would seem all male creatures think foreplay is a half-hour of begging.” “I want to look at your luscious boobies,” Jago said and grinned. “My what?” she squealed. “These rounded globes,” Jago said. Without any preamble, he reached to squeeze her breasts. “Why do these things have so many names? Is it because they are so interesting?” “It’s because all males find them fascinating.” “What an odd culture to create so many different words for one body part,” Jago mused as he slipped her shirt lower to look at the objects of his desire. “Boobs is plural and yet so is boobies. Tits, titties. Breasts, jugs, tah tahs…. On a male it’s 52


his cock or his penis, his dick, shlong, sausage. Crotch, pussy, vagina. Ass, butt, behind, bottom, bum. Your foot is merely your foot. Your leg is a leg. Yet your head is on your shoulders or the tip of a man’s cock. Humans are obsessed with sexual organs. And your sex toys are intriguing. So are the words you use when initiating sex. Mmm, baby, you feel so good; you’re so hot.” “Good grief, what satellites have you been watching? Porn?” Jago ran the pads of his thumbs across her nipples making them harden. “These bud-like things come to life. Or do you make them harden like this? It’s as though they reach for me.” “They’re not beacons aimed in your direction,” Piper ground out. “Like a divining rod in search of a dick.” “Why do they do this?” Piper sighed in exasperation. “They are stimulated so when they are sucked into a mouth…” Jago dipped his head and latched onto a nipple. Piper jumped, but both of Jago’s huge hands were pressed against her back, lifting her higher onto her tiptoes and keeping her in place while he ravished first one breast then the other. Piper’s breath quickened. She felt the moisture on his palms and could feel it absorb into her skin. It was an odd sensation. The wetness tingled its way down her back under her flesh, no doubt mingling with the blood that pumped to her heart and brain. A heady feeling went from her head to her toes and she melted against Jago. His warm wet mouth laved and sucked each nipple sending jolts through her, right down to her pussy. Was she being drugged? 53


Jago stopped his assault. Piper saw his fangs return. Her mouth was panting in shallow puffs of air. “I’m not drugging you, Piper,” Jago said. “The secretions are just enough to stimulate and arouse, not force surrender.” Piper didn’t feel forced. She thought of the shark and the cage, but the analysis wasn’t quite right either. A massage! She felt like she just had the most fantastic massage in the world. Internal massage oils. As Jago touched her outer flesh, her insides experienced the same pleasure. She was literally pleasured from the inside out. Oh my god, it is incredible. Piper made no protest when Jago lowered her pants. They were like the world’s softest spandex. So comfortable she could forget she was wearing anything. Until a huge handsome alien slid them off her. Piper was lifted and placed onto the bed. Jago’s breathing was ragged and Piper could tell he was becoming aroused. With a loud tear he ripped his own pants off and was on top of her. His weight was on his knees and elbows. Jago again sucked her breasts into his mouth one at a time. “Jago,” Piper said with some concern. The second he looked up at her, his fangs grew. Jago grinned mischievously at her. “Look what I can do,” he said. When his head lowered and he touched her flesh, his fangs were gone. His head lifted and his fangs grew. Head down, fangs gone. Head up, fangs back. Piper didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. “That’s more than a wee bit creepy,” Piper said. Jago seemed fascinated with her body and his own as he learned new discoveries. He pulled away from her and examined her feet. 54


She giggled when he played with her toes and then kissed her instep. Jago spread her legs and groaned. He inhaled. Piper was shocked; his fangs looked even longer. His cock was growing huge. Jago looked down at his erection and stroked it. “Fascinating,” he declared. Piper had to agree, he was fascinating. It was obvious this was his first erection and Piper felt a little strange that she was with a virgin. A very powerful and sexy virgin. When Jago slid his body up hers, she was surprised when his finger slipped into her wet heat. And she was wet. The moment she had seen the size of him, she felt saturated. That had never happened to her before. She supposed it had something to do with Jago’s secretions. They mixed with hers to prepare her for him. Another internal lubricant. Jago pumped his finger deeper and Piper moaned. His fingers were long and thick. He cupped the back of her head with his other hand and gripped her hair. In and out he stroked her adding another finger. For a man who had never had sex before he was doing a very good job of arousing her. Piper’s insides squeezed and relaxed around him. Jago’s thumb found her clit and he rubbed it in circles making her squirm and cry out. She felt his lips at her throat and he sucked her then nipped without using his fangs. Just knowing the deadly weapons were right there on her vulnerable jugular made her gasp. Jago rubbed her clit harder. Piper wanted to squirm but with his teeth at her throat she couldn’t move. It was like being tied to the bed and he spread her legs farther with a knee. Piper cried out her release and Jago groaned when he inhaled. 55


“Where does my cock go?” Jago asked her. Huh? “Don’t you know?” “This porn thing you called it. It was so confusing. The woman had a man in her mouth and she has two holes. Which one conceives?” Oh. “Where your finger is, but be very—” Jago removed his finger and shoved his cock up into her. Piper screamed. Jago rocked against her harder. His panting increased until he was gasping for air. More of his weight settled onto her and she felt pinned by a giant wild animal intent on devouring her. Piper felt a moment of sheer terror until her insides, slick with him, absorbed his secretions. She could feel the moisture released from his cock as it warmed her insides. Every inch of him was wet and hot with his desire. It washed its way up her belly flowing through her blood and muscle. She knew he was responding to her fear. Jago’s body calmed her even as he lost control. “I don’t want to mate yet, Jago,” Piper implored him. “Remain on your back,” he gasped. “Do not expose your shoulder blade to me.” It sounded so odd but she did as he said. The power behind Jago’s thrusts was phenomenal. His hand buried in her hair kept her in place and Piper began to meet his thrusts. Secretion drug or not, the man was incredible. Solid muscle was incased in satiny skin. His ass was rock-hard when she touched him. His entire body was damp with sweat and Piper molded herself to him. Jago was like an aphrodisiac. Her legs spread wider to accept every inch of him. “Kiss me,” Piper demanded. 56


“How?” “Put your mouth on mine and I’ll show you.” Jago lowered his head. He looked drunk. His eyes were glazed pools of desire. Piper ran her tongue over his lips wary of his fangs. The fangs receded the second Jago understood the concept of a new delight. His mouth crushed over hers. A big alien tongue dominated her own and Piper groaned into his mouth. Jago’s hands tightened on her. He explored every inch of this new sensation. He sucked her tongue into his mouth and still he wanted more. Jago tasted the inside of each cheek. His lips fastened over hers until she was breathless. The entire time his hand kneaded and squeezed a breast. Piper was so aroused now, her legs wrapped around Jago’s waist and held tight. Jago bucked harder. When his mouth released hers, they both dragged in huge gasps of air. The hand that had been ravishing her breast moved lower to cup an ass cheek then squeeze thrusting her up hard against him. Piper buried her face into Jago’s throat and came hard. Piper’s entire body shuddered with her release. Jago continued to plunge hard. Piper’s legs grew weak. She couldn’t hold onto him. Jago had such incredible stamina. Piper could hear him growling deep within his throat. When she looked at him his nostrils were flaring. His secretions still poured into her making her dizzy with desire but she couldn’t keep up. “Jago?” she whispered. “Your scent is too much.” The words were dragged from him. “I need more but I smell your exhaustion.” Jago shook his head. His eyes were wide. Piper realized he was slowing down. She thought maybe he had come but she 57


wasn’t certain. He looked tortured. Piper moaned when the pressure between her legs increased. More of him began filling her. She was slick from both of their moisture but it wasn’t enough and she began to tense. Jago continued to grow. “Jago, what’s happening?” “My seed is filling my cock. I need to do something. I need to make you mine.” “Jago, I don’t want to mate.” Jago licked her neck. His cock was so huge Piper thought she would split in half. Jago moved in and out with excruciating slowness. She gasped and cried out his name again with a soft plea. He shushed her with gentle words. His head dipped and Piper felt his fangs slide into her throat. Coolness washed into her veins. Piper went limp. Jago was no longer hurting her. Her arms languished at her sides as Jago continued to rock within her. Piper’s breath was slow and easy, accepting. He felt so good as his cock claimed every millimeter. When he came, his body shuddered and Piper knew his seed had gone directly to the targeted area. There would be no swimming for his babies. The force of his release shocked her insides, but Piper was ready for him. When she felt her insides begin to slacken, she knew Jago’s seed was spent. She wondered if she was pregnant. Jago rolled to his side with her in his arms. Piper was so tired. Jago sniffed at her neck. Her throat was exposed. With a great deal of tenderness Jago picked her up and took her to the healing pool. Piper fell asleep in his arms as he held her while the water washed her and healed her wounds.

58


Chapter 6 Piper stared at the massive mound-style apartment building. It was incredible. It looked like a beaver dam for an eighty-foot beaver, minus the water. Inside, trees the likes she had never seen were woven together on level after level to create the most spectacular living spaces. Like the ship, there were no stairs. The spongy ground was soft under her bare feet. The walls were smooth and just as spongy. On the main level, Piper could see open rooms where people had gathered together. She smiled when she heard a woman’s laughter. Panels of glowing buttons were situated on each level and Piper guessed it was a type of intercom. Huge rectangular windows allowed massive amounts of sunlight from the two suns outside to brighten even the farthest corners. When Piper touched a window it was like touching water. It shimmered. Her hand disappeared within for a second until she touched hardness beyond and could reach no further. “I didn’t see windows from outside,” Piper mused aloud. From outside the structure looked like a massive bump of woven colossal trees. “They don’t show from outside. There’s a cloaking device around the entire structure at night, but during the day only the windows remain cloaked. Our species needs the suns to regenerate our shields. The suns’ light can penetrate the 59


windows and it’s absorbed through the semipermeable mass you felt. The rays are filtered and only the richest sources are gathered and distributed throughout the structure,” Jago explained. “When we landed I didn’t see these structures,” Piper said. Her head fell back as she looked way up toward the roof. “The planet is shielded at all times. The shield acts like a solar panel to gather energy. It’s how our replicators can run so efficiently; I believe your people call it photosynthesis. The cycle never stops. Creations are endless in the form of food and clothes. It’s how we provide for everyone. With the amount of vegetation surrounding us outside even with the shields down, it’s impossible to see the structures,” Jago replied. True enough. Piper had never seen such lush plant life. Trees higher than skyscrapers reached toward the heavens. “Is it always this temperature?” Piper asked. It felt as warm as the ship. Not unbearable, just a pleasant warmth and there was the rare ruffling of wind when she had been outside. “Yes.” No wonder these beings were so tanned. Given time, she imagined she would be as well. From the window in front of her, Piper saw butterflies that stood a foot high. Their colors were brilliant. She watched one flutter to a beautiful white flower the size of a basketball. The flower dipped under the butterfly’s weight. Piper blinked and gasped. A massive wooly creature lumbered in the distance. Its trunk raised and water cascaded down across its back. Her gaze shot to Jago. “Is that a mammoth?” she asked stunned. Jago chuckled. “It would seem Cobra has a fond liking of your prehistoric and Jurassic era. Look,” he said, pointing. 60


A long-winged pterodactyl flew low. As it flapped its wings, the breeze it created stirred ferns and long grass. She could see its shadow beneath it as it glided. “How?” Piper asked. “Those are strictly innocuous holograms. If you touch one it has no substance, unlike those beautiful butterflies. Cobra would never allow anything on the planet to harm a human female. You are safe enough.” Jago led her to the base of the first level of the structure. His armor encased him and Piper was thrown over a broad shoulder. Piper watched as the ground all but disappeared as Jago climbed higher and higher. It was too hard for her to feel fear when she was amazed. Long talons on his hands sank into the surface. His huge claws gripped and released as he jumped. Muscles rippled under her and a strong arm across her hips held her firmly. When he stepped onto a platform, his armor dropped and he placed Piper onto her bare feet. Rows of widely spaced doors stretched and rounded a corner like a horseshoe. Jago led her to one of the doors and waved his hand in front of it. The door slid open and he guided Piper inside. The room was massive. The domed ceiling was at least fifteen feet high. Another window ran the entire side of the wall near the rounded high bed. The view from the window was spectacular. They were almost as high up as the trees. The sky was somewhat darker than Earth’s sky on a sunny day, more like an indigo, but the suns were so bright Piper shielded her eyes until she grew accustomed to the glare. The leaves on the trees were the size of truck tires and the undersides looked fuzzy. Farther away Piper thought she saw a man and a woman sharing a picnic on a treetop. 61


“Oh, Jago,” she said on an expelled breath, loving every second of this moment. “This is my chamber,” Jago told her. “I hope you don’t mind, but Cobra wants you to remain with me until you conceive. I will keep you safe. Once the babe is inside you, her shield will protect you; it will be impenetrable except to me, and my warrior mate Calix. After that you will have a place on the main floor where you won’t be expected to do any climbing. I won’t be able to toss you over my shoulder once your belly expands—at least that’s what Cobra has said.” That made sense, but Piper was still confused about warrior mates. “Why do you need a warrior mate?” “It’s how we fight. Back-to-back. We move so fast nothing can come between us. If you and Calix’s female were between us we would keep you safe. We can fight for hours like that.” “Do Tonans have warrior mates?” “No, they are too selfish to share a warrior mate. They can only think of themselves.” Jago walked to a far door and with another wave of his hand Piper could see the healing pool. Like on the ship, it was surrounded by a ten-foot waterfall and lush plants. Tiny birds of all colors chirped and fluttered. Piper reached to touch one of a pastel blue, the shade of which she had never seen before, but her hand went through it. The bird cocked its head and began to whistle a sweet melody. Curious, she looked at Jago. “I know these will not harm you, but holograms can be temperamental when planets battle. One shift of the geomagnetic, or a few short blasts of gamma rays and suddenly there are thousands of squawking birds running amok in the bath water—don’t ask me how I know.” 62


Piper smiled. It was endearing that such a massive creature would like such dainty beautiful things. Jago slipped his hand in hers. Piper wondered if he caught a scent of what she was feeling. After their first sexual encounter Piper had been taken to Cobra. One whiff and he had shaken his head. Jago had no idea what scent he searched for. Piper had seen his confusion. Cobra told Jago when Piper became pregnant Jago would only need to search for the scent memory. But at this early stage it could be too tricky for him. Cobra had dismissed them both and said to try again soon. “I would like to wash and change before we eat,” Piper said. She pulled her shirt off and tossed it onto Jago’s feet. Jago was bare-chested as were all male Castians. Piper had learned the less that interfered with their armor the better. She peeled her hip-hugging short pants off next and stood before him nude. She winked and strode toward the water. As she stepped down into the pool she looked back at Jago. “Aren’t you coming?” Jago had been standing there with his mouth open. He snapped it shut and yanked at his pants while rushing toward the water. The material caught at his ankles and he went head first into the water. Piper was laughing when Jago surfaced, his face a mask of surprise and he sputtered. His pants were totaled as the water attacked the cloth like an undesirable offensive foreign object. Nothing of the garment remained seconds later. Piper slipped lower into the pool. The water was a bit warmer than the air. She felt the pleasing action of the bubbles as they tickled their way over her skin giving her a quick wash. Secretly, Piper was delighted she never had to look at a razor 63


or wax again. Not that she had for the last year; still it was one ritual she wouldn’t miss. When Piper had noticed her pubic hair was gone as well, she had shrugged. No more bikini line. Oddly enough, the strange water left her eyebrows and lashes alone. As well as the hair on her head. But she noted the fine blond hairs on her face were also gone. Jago had no explanation. All Castians were void of any facial hair except tiny eyelashes and a very fine line where eyebrows normally sat. Jago took Piper into his arms when she was submerged up to her chest. Piper chuckled when his hands latched onto her breasts. “What’s your favorite word for these?” she teased. “Mine.” “I’m afraid they’ll belong to the baby when she’s born.” “Why would a baby want to fondle your breasts?” “You really don’t know much about females, do you? When the baby comes, my breasts will produce milk for her to drink.” “Ah, I get it now. That’s why they call it a milk shield in her first year. I always wondered how we would get our replicators to create milk and why it came with a shield.” “Doesn’t anyone know about females? Cobra seemed to have an understanding.” “Cobra is three-thousand-years old. He has tried to explain some things. When females were killed on our planet, they were never spoken of again. Why torment the males with something they would never have? I mean, we were aware at one time they existed because we had to be born somehow. I had no idea until it happened that my cock would grow or even expand with my seed. Very impressive. 64


“When Cobra spoke into the intercom before you were rescued, I knew human females existed though I had never seen one in person. Many are on a planet called Dargon. All Cobra explained was basic necessity. He said you were a pretty species but would no doubt be filthy. He told us to search for the scent. When you bumped into me, your shoulders weren’t bare to expose any markings or lack thereof. I was a bit confused at first. We came across the Tonan vessel unexpectedly and were headed to Earth originally. “There wasn’t much time for Cobra to address his troops; as we raced to the portal, we heard our orders bellowed out fast. Cobra only mentioned small things quickly. Like, don’t squeeze females too tight. You don’t have shields and are helpless. You would be frightened of our armor. He didn’t mention how beautiful you would be or how soft and small.” Jago squeezed her breasts lightly. His hands and fingers went around and around over them, lifting them. Piper felt devoured by his intense gaze. His thumb and forefinger rolled her nipples into buds making her groan. “Do you know when you feel pleasure your scent is intoxicating? I’m flooded with endorphins. Every inch of me responds,” Jago said, his words already a heady pant. Jago released one breast to cup the side of her face. His warm moisture seeped its way into her skin and Piper relaxed. She liked the feeling. It wasn’t submissive; it was as though her body was awakened to desire. A step forward and she was in Jago’s arms. He had more control this time. He had told her the more sex they had the more control he would gain. His secretions 65


would learn her vital receptive areas. The moisture he created would center on her pleasure points in time. Piper gasped when his finger slipped into her heat. In and out he stroked. She closed around him, squeezing and relaxing. A tingling sensation began and moved higher and Piper knew her fluids and his had mixed inside her. Jago was right, already she could feel herself build. How was that even possible? “Jago,” she whispered with some concern. She was lightheaded and panting. “Shh, it’s all right,” he soothed. “I remember things through scent. My body was reminded last time when you came and I absorbed you into me. My secretions have adapted to what you need to be stimulated. I suggest you conceive soon, Piper. I will have control over my fluids within our next few encounters and you may end up begging me to mate you. It’s inbred or inherent. A Castian female has a scent to repulse a male. You do not. A male of my species becomes fluent in the art of sex quickly. We must to procreate during the time of our must. It’s our defense against the unpleasant scent—to make a female want us so badly she will allow us anything.” “Anything?” “Anything at all. Including marking them as our own,” Jago explained. “A female is exceptionally choosy when it comes to a male. He has to be the best at arousing her. After all, she will be with him for thousands of years.” Jago removed his finger and pressed her against the pool wall. It was soft inside, like the floors. Until Jago uttered a command into the air. Piper felt the walls change behind her. Jago turned her in his arms and pressed her against the wall again. The foamy 66


material molded against her breasts. Jago pushed her deeper into the wall. Soft but thick foam pressed against her clit and surprised, Piper struggled. “It won’t hurt you,” Jago soothed then chuckled. “Think of it as a sex toy.” His hand lowered to push her ass deeper forward. “But, Jago,” she said with concern. She could feel the foam grow larger and begin to work its way into her vaginally. “Oh.” It went deeper. Piper had the sensation of her breasts being massaged by the wall. Further the foam went up inside her while another part stroked her clit in rounded circles, pulsating. Jago was massaging her shoulders and back with his other hand. He trailed small kisses across her throat. He inhaled her deeply. It wasn’t exactly the feel of a man’s cock inside her. It was softer with more give. It expanded then deflated a small amount then expanded. The water made it warm and slick and Piper wondered for a second what it would feel like if he turned her around and both pool and man took her. She shuddered with the thought and was so curious she was tempted to ask him. “If we were mated I would know your desire,” Jago said coaxingly. Piper realized she was exposing her shoulders to him. His fangs were getting awfully close. She was so tempted. The feel of the pool foam inside her and his large hands secreting accepting moisture into her was hard to refuse. But Piper knew she still wasn’t ready to mate. The thought of those horrible memories for thousands of years was too much. Piper pushed back, the pool cock released her and she turned in his arms. “Jago,” she whispered. 67


Jago uttered another command. When he pressed her back against the pool wall it was soft and smooth. Piper spread her legs, eager for Jago to take her. With a single thrust he was buried inside her. Piper laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Like last time, his power was phenomenal. His thrusts were so eager she was lifted off her feet. Jago’s arms held her firmly against him. His hands cupped her bottom and her legs lifted to clasp around his waist. Jago wrapped one arm around her behind and pushed at her chest taking a breast into his hand. He squeezed and released. Piper let her head fall back. When she gazed into his face she could see his fangs. Tiny droplets of moisture were dripping from them. Piper felt herself building with each long stroke of his thick cock. Jago was moving so swiftly her cry of release came out in broken gasps. “Beg me to mate you,” Jago demanded. Piper thought she should be surprised, but she wasn’t. Intense eyes willed her to obey. Jago’s hungry look was meant to dominate. But Piper wasn’t dominated. To mate would mean she would be his for thousands of years. Piper wasn’t ready for that yet. She shook her head no. Jago growled low in his throat and his arm and hands tightened their hold on her. He was hurting her. For a second she felt fear and confusion. Her wild gaze flew to his and immediately his hold loosened. Jago dipped his head and bit her. The cool flow of his venom invading her body relaxed her. Jago’s thrusting was calming. “Never fear me,” he implored and sounded contrite. 68


Piper could feel him filling with his seed. Inch-by-inch he stretched and expanded. Piper came again. Jago had cupped the healing water over where he had bitten and bit her again. More fluid sliced like lightning in her veins with her rushing blood and Piper groaned when she came once more. Jago was softly whispering sweet words of endearment into her ear as he moved within her. Piper felt drunk. Even if she could have lifted her arms around him, Jago had his wrapped around her pinning them to her sides. She was enveloped in his embrace. Piper could understand why she might beg him to mate her. The absolute safety she was experiencing at this very moment made her eyes water. How many nights had she dreamed of being safe? To have such a formidable man as a mate protecting her because he wanted her was so tempting. But could she live for thousands of years? Jago tossed back his head and roared a release that could have shattered windows. The tiny fluttering birds around them took wing and huddled as one behind a hunter-green bush. Piper could see them peeking out at her. None chirped to draw attention to them. She chuckled. Yes Jago was a force to be reckoned with. Jago ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing gesture. “I’m sorry I frightened you.” “I’ll live.” “I won’t do that again,” Jago promised. “I’m afraid it was another learning experience. To try and dominate my female into submission and see if I could get away with it. I’m afraid in my history there is dominance like that. A male could frighten a female into mating.” “I thought a Castian warrior would never harm a female?” 69


“We wouldn’t. The memory is fleeting and very ancient but I’m afraid it surfaced in my frustration. I wouldn’t want you like that regardless. The choice has to be yours. Vaguely do I remember the scent of a frightened mated female; your reaction triggered it. It takes longer to connect to her mate if she is under duress. “The male is spurned by other warriors and is viewed as lacking if he has to force a female. He is also eventually sorry and must spend a great deal of time coaxing his mate into forgiveness. After all they will be together forever. No male wants to feel his mate’s fear each time they join, as it’s a constant reminder of his failings. Our senses heighten once mated. We feel everything our mates do. If she hurts, we hurt. No male wants to see his mate cringe when he touches her. Females are so much smaller it’s appalling a male should act that way. Thank you for your courage.” “My father was a warrior. I don’t scare easily.” “I’m glad.” Piper could see the self-loathing in his face. She was finally able to wrap her arms around his neck. She pressed her face to his warm chest. “I like you very much, Jago. But I’ve lost so much. Show me your world. It’s new to me. Show me why I should mate with you. A human female wants to mate for so much more than just sex.” “Just sex?” He sounded appalled. Piper giggled at his wide eyes and astonishment. “Yes, just sex. You are beyond fantastic at it, by the way. And that pool trick of yours was amazing.” That made him smile and stroked his ego. 70


“But I want to know you. Teach me about not only your touch but about who and what you are.” “Then will you mate me?” “Maybe.” “What do you want to see?” A smile curled Piper’s lips. “Everything.”

71


Chapter 7 Piper was amazed with this new world. At least it was new to her. The planet was so vibrant and alive. Smells and textures were heightened and Piper thought if a rainbow had a taste this would be it. ‘Enchanting’ was such a dull word when experiencing the magnitude of endless discoveries. The plant life was like nothing she had ever seen before. Endless beauty as far as the eye could see gripped her heart and squeezed it tight until she was breathless and drunk. Piper had heard the word ‘giddy’ but to experience the emotion in the true sense was exhilarating. She was in love with her new home and Jago was picking up on her emotions. Every new plant he showed her, every new eye-catching wonder she experienced, Jago experienced it with her. He was falling over himself to show her everything. He was an endearing man and Piper wondered why she was so hesitant to mate with him. Both Piper and Jago looked to the sky when a Castian vessel hovered. Beyond, a black vortex opened and six men appeared. Cobra was one of them. Piper felt Jago stiffen. They had been unsuccessful at reproducing and Piper knew Cobra was pressuring Jago to let him try to impregnate her. Piper wasn’t certain why Cobra felt he would be more successful. It certainly wasn’t from lack of trying. 72


“He’s back,” Jago said. “I don’t want to sleep with him,” Piper said. “You would not need to sleep with him; he wants to have sex.” “Never mind,” Piper said and then sighed. “I need to take you back,” Jago said though he looked reluctant. “Cobra will have much news for his warriors. A Tonan has infiltrated our ranks and there is a great deal of concern.” “How is that possible?” Piper asked with surprise. “A Tonan can lie,” Jago said with a snarl of disgust. “But I thought you sensed lies.” “We do. To a degree. A Castian cannot lie—or if we did we couldn’t lie well. A human female gives off a certain scent when she lies or is evasive. The Tonan has perfected lies over the millennia to such a degree he believes them therefore it isn’t a true lie if he thinks it real. Also, because many of our warriors lost a warrior mate when our females died it isn’t unusual for a Castian male not to have a warrior mate. Though rare, some of the warriors, like Cobra, impregnated a female who chose not to mate them.” “That’s complicated. What about a Tonan’s gray armor?” “A hologram is easy enough. You’ve seen that, felt it. I’m not sure what Cobra can do. He may be leader, but each individual Castian is known to him. The intruder could have been among us for hundreds of years. How else could our females have been poisoned? Come with me. I want to make certain you are safe in my room.” Piper turned to Jago and clasped his hand tight. “Jago, I don’t want to have sex, do the horizontal mamba, couple, sleep with or do the funky chicken with Cobra.” 73


Jago grinned with her multiple uses of words regarding sex. “I want you. Only you. Will you still want me if I can’t have a child with you?” “Well, hell yes!” “Good. I don’t ever want to be impenetrable to you.” **** Jago was surprised to see both his warrior mate and Cobra waiting for him when he took Piper home. Even more surprising was the fact Calix remained shielded. All entered the domicile. Jago sensed Calix’s apprehension and wondered at it. “Calix has chosen to mate his little female,” Cobra informed him. Jago nodded. He guessed as much. He wondered what had happened to the babe she carried. Had Cobra chanced it by allowing it life? Jago got his answer when Calix’s armor absorbed back into his skin. The female was clutched to his chest. Her arms were wrapped snug around his neck with her face buried against him. Her legs were around his waist. Jago heard Piper gasp. “That’s incredible,” she whispered. “Can we do that?” “Not until Jago mates you,” Cobra answered. “I never would have known she was under there with you,” Piper continued, her eyes wide as saucers. “That’s the idea,” Cobra said. Jago noticed Cobra hadn’t taken his eyes off him and Jago knew why. The scent of his warrior mate’s female was so pleasantly overwhelming it was almost impossible for him to concentrate. Jago felt his fangs grow. She was a beauty. Jago could smell the child she carried. The female could breed. The 74


female was receptive to a male. The babe proved she would allow a male to have her. He balled his fists. I want that female. “I know this is hard, Jago, but you’re going to have reach for a scent memory so far back it may hurt. It’s in there. I know it is because I found it. Calix found it. You may not harm this female. She is your warrior mate’s.” “Jago?” Piper whispered. When Jago looked down at Piper he could tell she was afraid. He didn’t blame her—he was afraid. The urge to take the female was so overpowering Jago wanted to roar his frustration. He could feel his heart pounding. His armor remained lowered by instinct. If he were to pounce on the woman in his armor she would be crushed. Jago started shaking. Back went his memories. Back to a primitive ancient time when a woman had no shield until the first Castian discovered he could keep his mate safe by giving her a piece of his armor. It was dangerous. The warrior was weakened by the action for a long time and mated with his female in a secret place. They didn’t emerge until he had regenerated. The scent of Calix’s female was mixed with her fear. Long ago warriors fought to keep their females safe, as it was their only defense. Calix was his warrior mate. The memory crashed into his mind. Cobra was right, it hurt like hell and Jago recoiled. Warrior mates fought together. Back-to-back with the females between them. It was Jago’s duty to protect this female. If she died, Calix would die. Jago would have no one to cover his back putting him and his own mate in danger. Though Piper wasn’t his mate, he determined she would be. Calix would be just as protective of Piper if necessary. Jago sucked in deep jagged breaths feeling as though his mind had been assaulted. He blinked his eyes a few times and 75


studied the female. Her scent was still overwhelming but not enough to overpower his protective feelings toward her. Calix set the female down and Jago knew his warrior mate knew he had nothing to fear from him. The female was small. Her hair was as blond as Calix’s. She was also green-eyed like Calix. They were a good match. Jago moved forward slowly. He lifted a gentle hand and ran his fingertips across her cheek allowing his moisture to learn her. He calmed her fear with his touch. Like he knew she would she stepped into his arms and placed her face against his chest, her body seeking more of the calming secretions. Jago held her for a few seconds, their moisture mingled and he knew her. His armor reacted to her immediately and Jago knew if he were to pick her up he could shield her without thought. “Emily,” Cobra began sternly. “This is Jago. He is your mate’s warrior mate and is the only other male besides myself allowed near you. Only Calix and Jago can shield you from danger. Do you understand?” “Yes.” Her voice was soft and with reluctance Jago let Calix take her back. “You will remain in here with Piper until Calix returns for you.” Emily looked up in awe at Cobra and Jago sensed Cobra’s gruff exterior melt like a puddle when her big green eyes rested on him. Calix turned her in his arms and kissed her forehead. Jago cupped the side of Piper’s face and smiled at her. She looked bewildered. “I won’t be long. You have time to get to know each other. Do you remember how to get food?” Jago asked. 76


Piper nodded. Jago grinned at her and the three men left the women alone. They were safe enough. Each separate domicile was private. No one could be sensed from the other side of the door. Only a wave of Jago’s hand could open it. **** “What the hell was that all about?” Piper mused. “I’m pregnant and I have no shield,” Emily replied a bit shyly. “I’m told my scent drives Castian men wild.” “But I thought Castians had to give a piece of their shield to protect their females.” “The baby is a Tonan.” Piper was stunned. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “When I was captured by the Tonans I was put in a dark room all alone. I was so scared. I thought I would go crazy after awhile if I didn’t have human companionship. I’m afraid I started to talk to myself. I wouldn’t eat the food they gave me and started throwing up the water.” “That’s understandable,” Piper said. “I was in one of those rooms. They’re torture chambers.” Piper led her to a low table. The tabletop was smooth; the underside and the legs were intricately woven pieces of wood. Piper waved her hand at the console on the wall and brought tea to the table. “I think the Tonans realized I was going crazy with my loneliness and suddenly there was a man in with me. I was afraid at first. I couldn’t see him; I just heard his voice. When he touched me and I felt no armor I thought he was human and a captive like me. He was all I had. He told me he would take care of me. He even yelled at a Tonan and made them give me food I understood. 77


“I trusted him. I fell in love with him fast. He was so big and he made me feel safe. We had sex. It was odd. I was a virgin but I was positive men weren’t that big down there. He hadn’t been when we first started. I was in pain until I felt something slide into my neck and I guess I blacked out. “He stayed with me for a long time. He held me and said he loved me. I never refused him. Maybe I knew something wasn’t right. But the loneliness was so terrible. Each time he grew and I blacked out, until the last time he took me. He didn’t get so big at the end and I didn’t black out. He chuckled afterwards and called me his good little female. He left and I didn’t see him again,” Emily said. Piper shuddered. Her Tonan captor called her the same thing. Could it have been the same Tonan? “He took advantage of your fear.” “It doesn’t matter. From what I’ve heard of the Tonans, he could have forced me. I think I really would have lost my mind then.” “That shield of Calix’s. I think that will be good protection,” Piper said wistfully. Mating Jago was looking better and better. “It was hard for Calix,” Emily said. Once more she looked shy. “He said my scent was enough to drive him through a wall. The first time we met on the ship he had me over his shoulder and a Tonan was freaking out trying to get me back. After we ended up on the Castian ship he took me to Cobra. Cobra took one whiff of me and his armor went up and he battled three of his men, including Calix, to get them out of the room. “I had been so scared he would hurt me. Their armor is terrifying. I’ve never seen anyone move so fast or so viciously. 78


When Cobra came to me as I huddled in a corner his armor dropped. His thumb slid down my cheek and I couldn’t resist crawling into his arms. He promised to protect me. Cobra said he was mated, and leader of the vessel and it was his job to protect everyone. He made sure I had good food and lots to drink.” Piper hid a smile. Hero worship was all over Emily. “Cobra explained to me that I was pregnant and once his men realized what my scent was they would all want me. He explained everything to me. Even that my suspicion was correct and the baby is part Tonan and female. Cobra told me the choice of having the baby would be mine. He warned me the birth might be difficult without a shield. He said it would be easier if I gave birth in the healing waters. They have no doctors here. I said I wanted to keep her even if it meant being in a room virtually alone for nine months and never having a mate. “Calix demanded me back. He said baby or not I was his. At first it was just the fear of not having any protection that was the deciding factor in why I agreed to mate him, but he’s so wonderful. The first time he and I had sex he mated with me. Cobra was there. He said he had to make sure Calix didn’t lose control. I think he was impressed with Calix’s restraint. I know I was. “Cobra told me if I allowed Calix to mate with me I would have his shield as protection. I would still have to be kept away from other men, but Calix takes me outside in his armor. He saved me from being alone. He took me high onto a treetop and we made love. I do love him. Calix told me all about Jago and that I shouldn’t be afraid to meet him. He said Jago is a fine warrior and would help keep me safe.” 79


“What’s it like to mate?” Piper asked. It was her turn to feel a bit shy. “Incredible,” Emily said and grinned. “Jago said he would mark me as his own.” Emily turned slightly and Piper could see a beautiful glowing green tattoo on Emily’s upper right shoulder blade. Now she understood why women were expected to keep their shoulders bare. She couldn’t miss that mark. “Did it hurt?” Piper asked. “At first, but Cobra told Calix to bite me. Once he released his venom into my blood I couldn’t move. It didn’t hurt anymore. Afterward was so strange. I can tell when Calix is in a room with me. I can feel his presence. He comes to me in my dreams. I don’t have bad dreams anymore about the black hell I was in. Calix can take me to places while I sleep. He’s wonderful.” “Are you scared about the baby?” “A little. I don’t want her viewed as public enemy number one. It’s not her fault who fathered her. The Tonan who got me pregnant had a very nasty reason to do this to me. I can’t believe anyone would be so vile as to place their own child into a position where her hormones have driven all males to want her mother. If the Tonans used me to make even the strongest Castian tell their secrets I would have been hurt.” Piper could hear the pain of betrayal in the woman’s words. How sad. Piper realized it could have been her in this position. Spontaneously, she hugged Emily. “Calix and Jago will keep you safe. And you can always come talk to me.” “Thanks, Piper. It will be nice to have a friend in my seclusion. Cobra said I can’t be around other men until she is 80


born. Apparently after a woman has a baby the hormones change again and the Castian males are protective instead of predatory. These beings are so strange.” “Yes they are. They sure are hot too,” Piper said. Emily agreed.

81


Chapter 8 Piper was hiding. She slapped her hand over her mouth when she giggled. While outside, she and Jago had been caught in a deluge of rain. Every day for half an hour areas of the planet had a downpour of water. Piper found it fascinating. The rain was controlled by the Castians and was just enough to soak the heavy vegetation leaving it so lush. Jago had been amused at her surprise when he explained the clouds were Castian made. There were only a handful and at different times of the day the clouds gathered moisture from the lakes and rivers then moved off to soak different parts of the planet. The clouds were ground-controlled and the controller made certain they didn’t stay in one place for too long, or deprive other areas. Piper learned too many clouds would be disastrous to the Castians who needed the two suns to regenerate their shields. Now she understood why the Tonans had those awful rooms. Piper wondered what poor Castian had been enclosed and deprived of the vital sunlight. During the short nights, sunlight stored throughout the day in foothigh capsules gave off bursts of light through beams of energy. When sleeping, the devices provided adequate light to feed their armor. Piper was also aware that like the Tonans, Castians had the ability to see in the dark. 82


Piper peeked around a small bush. She could see Jago cock his head to the side listening for her. If she were too close, he would sense her. Piper moved farther away but kept him in her sight. She learned Calix and Emily couldn’t play hide-and-seek. Calix was always aware of Emily, no matter the distance. It was like Emily was an extension of Calix, like another limb. Piper was fond of Calix. He was a sweet man who obviously adored Emily. When Piper had asked Emily how Calix felt about the baby, she had told her he loved the child. Emily had giggled when she had told her. It seemed because Emily loved the child so did Calix, as he literally had no choice except to channel his mate’s feelings. Piper had been amazed when Calix had squatted down and spoke to the baby—then listened intently. Like Castians, Tonan babies were born self-aware. The child could sense the adults around her. The babe was already aware Calix would be the main male in her life—her father. But the babe could sense unease throughout the Castian home complex. She could smell the emotions through her mother when she inhaled. Piper had shaken her head at the thought with utter amazement. “Gotcha,” Jago growled and grabbed Piper from behind. Piper collapsed against him laughing. “You always find me.” “It’s not hard,” Jago said and winked at her. “Females are always thinking of something. The more passionate the thought the easier it is for males to center on her emotions, especially when they are so strong. It’s a heady aroma.” “So, politely put—I stink when I think,” she said dryly. 83


“I wouldn’t say you stink, not exactly.” Piper swatted at him. They were standing under a small overhang of trees and branches. The rain continued to fall so heavily Piper couldn’t see beyond the structure. “Mate with me,” Jago asked. He asked her every day six times a day. After three weeks it was growing harder to say no. Jago had showed her his world. She loved the planet. Piper worried over the fact she still hadn’t conceived. By Cobra’s concern she realized it normally didn’t take a Castian this long to impregnate a female. What was wrong with her? Because of stress on Earth, she hadn’t experienced her period in months. Maybe the malnutrition and constant threat of danger had taken its toll. Piper was feeling a little pressure from Cobra. He had sought her out more often as time went by and stressed the importance of her procreating. “Piper?” “What if I can’t have children?” Piper said. She knew enough by now to just say what she was feeling. Jago always eventually sensed the problem. There was no use in being evasive. “Perhaps right now it isn’t meant to be. In four years there will be another chance to conceive a male babe.” “And if I don’t?” “Then I am hopeful you will be my mate and we can try again for a daughter in another four hundred years.” Piper drifted over to a mound of soft leaves. She sat with her chin on her knees. “In twenty-one years you could take a new mate when the females are of age.” “I would still need to wait until we reach must again. The females born now are for the males who have hit their prime. 84


Finding human females has sent us into must a bit too soon. That’s why Cobra is worried. Almost all of the Castains are young warriors. We haven’t had the time to seek out females who can fight us off and teach us how to win a mate. Normally it’s the eight-hundred or twelve-hundred-year-olds who are able to snag a female. Not all of my species goes into must each time. “Simply being in must is not enough either, Cobra says. I am told Castian females were few and far between. That’s why our venom is so intense as well as our secretions. It’s for survival. When the next set of females is ready to be born, the next generation of males will be four hundred years old and ready to mate. Mates of my age will be more mature and ready to reproduce. Human females mature much faster than males. Besides, I want you.” Piper let Jago take her into his arms. The sound of the rain hammering the ground was thrilling when she could watch it while safe and warm. On Earth, a deluge of this sort usually meant a flash flood and violent death. Piper shivered involuntarily at the memory. Piper rested her head onto Jago’s shoulder. To never grow old had been a scary thought. For too long she had wished she was dead. Everything had changed now. Before, she didn’t have Jago. Before, she was on a dying planet. Children were supposed to outlive their parents; it was the circle of life. Piper missed her mom and dad, but she wasn’t alone anymore. All she had to do was let Jago in. Piper looked into his eyes. It was easy to love him. Would it be easy to watch him take a mate? Would it be easy to grow old and then die and be without him forever? The memories she had of Earth were so bad. Piper stroked a lock of hair from his eyes. They could make new memories. Already she woke 85


wondering what delights a new day would hold. Jago was insatiable when it came to sex and trying new ways. That would keep her busy for, oh, a few centuries. Then over the next thousand years they could perfect their technique. Then suddenly she realized her dilemma was stupid. She loved him, was in love with him. The choice was so easy after that. “Will you love me forever?” Piper whispered up at him. “Yes.” Piper smiled. “You told me once you would be able to make me beg to mate with you.” Jago grinned back. “It’s a challenge you want, huh?” “Show me why you are the best mate for me. Dazzle me with sex.” “Sex, couple, funky chicken, horizontal mambo, doin’ the nasty,” Jago listed off. until Piper was laughing uncontrollably. “Have you been watching more porn?” “Maybe. But tell me something, why would your Earth males stick his cock in a woman’s behind? What purpose could it serve? She can’t conceive that way.” Once more Piper laughed until tears ran from her eyes. “Some women like it.” “Do you?” “Oh no you don’t. Not the way your cock grows. I’d need a new ass.” Jago pinned her beneath him, his look thoughtful. “My cock will stop becoming engorged when my must stops. We could try it then.” “Maybe,” Piper said, her tone playful. “What else have you learned from your addiction to porn?” “Bondage,” he replied cheekily. 86


“Oh really?” “There is also something called sadism and masochism, but that isn’t something a Castian can do.” “Thank heaven for small favors,” Piper mumbled. Jago captured her wrists in one of his hands placing them high over her head. He was watching her carefully. Piper smiled at him. Encouraged, his grip tightened and she squirmed. “Submit, female,” Jago growled. He was so sexy when his dark eyes were intense. Liquid pools of desire she could swim in. “If I submit, what do I get?” That stumped him. “What do you want?” “How much of that porn did you watch?” “She was gagged,” he replied sheepishly. “Well now that’s a dilemma,” Piper said, her words a purr. “I want to see Cobra’s control room.” “Why?” “Emily told me it’s fascinating. She met Cobra’s mate and two little girls. She was allowed to meet his warrior mate because he is too young for must. It’s hard to picture Cobra as a family man. He’s so gruff.” Jago released her wrists. “I’m sorry he pressures you.” “If we mate, Cobra can no longer suggest having sex with me, can he?” “No. I wouldn’t allow it. I couldn’t be expected to stay away from my mate if he impregnates you.” “If you can’t, I doubt he can either.” “We can try more often,” Jago suggested. “Like now?” Jago’s lips met hers in a fiery kiss. Once more he captured her wrists and pulled them high over her head. His 87


hand fisted the material of her shirt and he ripped it off. When their kiss broke Jago released her wrists and struggled out of his pants. His hand clasped the material at her waist. “Wait. I’m already without a shirt,” Piper squealed. “If we mate you won’t need clothes,” he said and winked at her. The fabric succumbed to his strength and lay useless in a pile. Jago lifted himself over her until he was balanced over her chest. Piper wondered what he would do. Again he gathered her wrists over her head. “I saw a man take a woman’s behind very roughly, but she didn’t scream,” Jago said, he was panting. Piper was confused. “Another man was in front of her doing this.” Jago pressed his cock to her lips and Piper understood he had seen a threesome. She knew he wouldn’t be able to come in her mouth, because no matter how relaxed she was, his cock would grow too big. But for now she was game. The second her lips closed around his head she could tell Jago was hooked. He was careful not to choke her, but was eagerly seeing just how much of him she could take. Jago was rock-hard. His eyes were closed as he pumped into her. He was making little grunting noises of pleasure. For a second his hands tightened too hard around her wrists and Piper whimpered. His grip loosened and he mumbled an apology. His cock was velvety soft and she sucked him hard, relaxing under him and allowing him to set the pace. She knew if she felt distressed he would sense it immediately. Jago’s cock was moist with secretions and Piper could taste him. Her saliva mixed with his moisture and she felt it right down to her lower appendages. She was growing wet 88


between her thighs. Her legs spread. Piper knew Jago’s secretions would remember her emotions and pleasure her vital areas to ready her. Again she felt massaged from the inside out. Piper sucked him harder wanting more. There was something so stimulating about having a powerful warrior have his way with her. She wasn’t surprised when she came. Jago inhaled deeply, his cock grew even harder. “When my must is over I want to do this again and have you taste me,” Jago said gruffly. He removed his cock from her mouth and hungrily kissed and nipped at her neck and shoulders as he slid down her body. Piper was more than ready when he thrust himself into her high and hard. She strained against the hand pinning her wrist, but he wouldn’t release her. Piper cried out when Jago’s pelvis slapped hers repeatedly. She lifted her legs to clasp them around his waist. When Jago squeezed her ass hard, Piper came. He was being just brutal enough to excite her but not frighten her. “What else did you see the couple do?” Piper said and gasped. “This.” Jago released her wrists and tossed one of her clasped legs to the ground. He spun her sharply and Piper was face down. Once more he gathered her wrists only this time up behind her back. Piper was helpless. Jago held her in place as he rammed himself against her. He was so forceful her behind was lifted with each brutal thrust. Piper came again and screamed. Jago began to slow. Piper felt him enlarging. Every inch of her filled with his huge cock and Piper grit her teeth. “Jago,” she begged. Oh God he was so big she couldn’t take anymore. 89


“Not yet,” he ground out. Slower he moved in and out. Piper was panting and gasping, her groaning intensified. Jago bent over her. He locked a huge arm around her elbows and pulled her higher releasing her wrists. His other hand gripped a breast and kneaded it until she moaned. Round and round his hand rubbed her breast hard. She screamed when she felt his fangs on her shoulder. Between his cock and his fangs Piper felt ready to faint. I thought he wasn’t into sadism. “Beg me to mate with you,” Jago growled. “I beg you,” she whispered. She would have begged him for anything by this point. Mercifully when she was positive she could take no more Jago bit her and released his venom to relax her completely. Piper slumped in his arms. She could feel his mouth on her shoulder blade doing something. Piper felt a wave of orgasms rush through her. Because she was helpless and immobile all she could do was make little noises of pleasure deep in her throat. Piper heard Jago inhale her scent again and again and she wondered if he had lost control when his grip tightened further. It didn’t matter; she wanted him to do whatever he wanted with her. Piper felt him come. Her insides weren’t as stretched as his seed exploded right to where it needed to be. He roared his release just as the rain began to stop. All Piper could hear was his heavy breathing. Gently he lay her down and remained protectively over her keeping his great weight from crushing her. His nose nuzzled her throat, but Piper was exhausted and unable to move. Jago gathered her into his arms. Both were nude. Jago’s intense gaze settled onto her and somehow he seemed different. More in control of his emotions. Wait! She 90


felt him in control of his emotions. Piper could feel his possessiveness toward her, his need to protect her. “I know you’re tired,” Jago whispered into her ear. “But wrap your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist.” Piper complied. She imagined the venom was more potent than the other times. It would need to be to mark her. The next thing she knew she was stuck to him like glue. Piper couldn’t move. Jago began moving. Faster and faster he picked up speed until the ground flew by. Tree to ground to tree he raced with a pace so fast she felt dizzy. Piper knew she was enveloped in his armor; it was impenetrable. She was safe and warm with the man she loved—her mate! Piper was mated. It was a wonderful feeling.

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Chapter 9 Piper gazed wide-eyed at Cobra’s control chamber. Flashing lights of all colors blipped and bleeped. Strange gadgets he had ordered her not to touch caught her attention. The entire world was run from this place. Amazing. Piper knew Cobra was none too pleased with her being there. He was also none too pleased she had mated with Jago. She also wasn’t pregnant. Piper knew Jago sensed Cobra’s displeasure and hovered around her. “Jago, I need you to take Emily to my quarters,” Calix said. “Why can’t you?” Jago asked and frowned. “I need him to do something for me,” Cobra replied. “All right,” Jago said. “Sorry, Piper, maybe you can come back another time.” “Leave her here with me; she’ll be fine,” Cobra said. Jago cocked his head at his leader; he was capable of enclosing both females. Their combined weight was trivial, Jago had told her. Piper smiled at him. She knew Cobra would never hurt her. She knew Jago knew that as well. If Piper died so would Jago and Cobra was very fond of his men. It was apparent Cobra wanted to speak to her alone. Reluctantly Jago lifted Emily into his arms. His armor enveloped them both and Emily was undetectable. Both Calix and Jago left, each going 92


in different directions. Piper wandered around the room with Cobra trailing after her. Piper could feel his eyes burning holes into her back as she pretended not to notice. After a while, Piper realized he would sense exactly how uncomfortable he was making her feel. Piper spun to face him and ran into his chest. “Just say it,” she demanded. Cobra had her by the arms to steady her. “Say what?” “You’re pissed at me.” “I suppose I am.” “It’s not like I’m purposely trying not to get pregnant.” “That is known to me.” Piper sighed heavily. “Then what?” “You should have let me try.” “What makes you so certain I could conceive with you but not Jago?” Cobra shook his head. “I am older and more experienced. I was very surprised when the four-hundred-year-olds were able to reproduce. They hit their first must, but with our Castian women wanting older males as mates the younger ones have rarely mated, let alone produced viable seed. Our need for survival is a memory all species can claim. Such as amphibians changing sexes in an all-female environment. For us that is impossible, but producing seed when a rare opportunity presents itself is not altogether a new concept for a Castian. It happened once over one hundred thousand years ago. “But that’s not all of it. There is something about you that I sense but can’t scent. Because the scent isn’t there, I can’t recall the memory, but I am old enough to know when something isn’t there.” 93


Piper was confused. “I’m not bad or anything.” “Of course you’re not bad. What I mean is I don’t believe you are sterile. For all Jago’s age he is still a young warrior. I’m uncertain his seed is ready. Perhaps next must.” “Oh.” Now she was even more confused. “There are more human females on Ulsy.” “I am planning on heading there next. The females are being abused, but the Tonans aren’t killing them. The women of Earth were a top priority—they are dying.” “I wonder if there will be more Tonan offspring.” “No doubt. There may even be a few with shields to protect them depending on their captor, though I doubt the females were given eternal life,” Cobra said, then looked musingly at her. “You have no fear of me at all.” It was a statement. “Why would I?” “Most females find me intimidating, but I sense nothing at all from you except extreme awareness.” “I was an army brat for awhile. My father was a warrior.” “Ah I see. That makes sense. But I still can’t put my finger on the sense.” Cobra’s face screwed into intense concentration. Piper giggled when he sniffed her neck. She shoved at him, but he continued to hold her tight. It was impossible to feel panic when Cobra’s moist fingers invaded her arms through her skin. She relaxed against him. The warrior was raw power; she felt no urge to resist. But in her thoughts, she wished Jago would come back. Cobra was pressing his entire body against her. Every bare inch of their flesh connected. Piper felt a slight wave of attraction, after all, he was very handsome. But his secretions 94


weren’t meant to stimulate arousal. Just settle her so she would remain calm under his scrutiny. It was no wonder it was impossible for a female to lie to a Castian warrior. Even if Piper had a secret she would be singing it to him like a bird. But she had no secrets. Cobra must be looking inside her for something. It was a creepy thought. “Am I interrupting something?” asked a deep voice from behind her. Piper stiffened. She felt the blood drain from her face. Cobra looked down at her confused. She glanced up at Cobra and saw her terror reflected back at her in his dark eyes. Piper turned slowly in Cobra’s arms. A powerful-looking man was standing not ten feet from them. He was dark-haired and darkeyed and very handsome. Piper swallowed hard. She gripped Cobra tighter trying to hide from the man. “It’s all right, Piper. Kail will not hurt you,” Cobra soothed. “Pissed or not, Jago left me in charge of you.” His voice had lightened trying to ease her fear. But Piper was terrified. The man, Kail, was watching her closely. “You haven’t been near many Castian warriors, have you, female?” he asked. Piper started shaking. She felt transported to a dark hell within her mind. She was alone and afraid. She whimpered. Her teeth began to chatter. She felt a tear slide slowly down her cheek. Was she wrong? Did Cobra really want her dead? No he wouldn’t, she was mated. Jago. “Please,” she wept and looked up at Cobra. He gazed back in confusion. “Piper?” “He’s not a Castian warrior; he’s a Tonan. He was the Tonan who brought me water and food, the one who terrified 95


me every chance he got.” The words tumbled from her mouth so fast she stumbled over them. Cobra narrowed his eyes onto Kail, his grip on Piper tightened. Kail was smiling. “Obviously she’s confused,” Kail said. “You should be a good little female and go back to your domicile and relax.” “Good little female?” Piper suddenly snarled with fury as her terror dissipated at his condescending tone. Secretions from Cobra had reacted to her fear and were seeping into her as she pressed against his broad bare chest. Cobra wouldn’t let this thing hurt her. “Good little female? Isn’t that what you called Emily? Cobra, he is the one. I will never forget his voice. If you don’t believe me, get Emily. Can’t her baby sense her father?” “Cobra, I don’t have time for this. The ship leaves soon,” Kail said. “It will wait,” Cobra said calmly. “You can’t possibly take the female’s word over mine?” Kail was angry. Piper didn’t need to be a Castian to sense it. “It will only take a few seconds,” Cobra said. “What would be the harm? I don’t want this female terrified of you every time she sees you. We can put her fears to rest.” “This is ridiculous,” Kail snapped. “I won’t be persecuted on my own planet.” Kail spun around to leave. The door slid open and twenty warriors were standing in front of Kail. One was in armor. When his armor dropped there stood Jago holding Emily. Cobra must have summoned them back somehow. Kail stood tight-lipped. “Speak,” Cobra demanded. 96


“What would you have me say?” Kail ground out. Emily gasped. “You,” she accused. “You were the man in my cell with me.” Jago’s armor encased both him and Emily again. Piper knew the woman would be in danger if Jago had not. As frightened as Piper was, she was still half-hidden by Cobra and from the look on his thunderous face no one would get past him in a tank. Calix immediately strode into the room. “Where is Emily? She’s terrified for our baby.” “I have her,” Jago said. He then looked at Cobra. “Kail is the father of Emily’s babe. She knew him the second his scent reached her. The babe is terrified of him—of us. She can sense her mother’s fear of Kail and our anger toward him. She’s confused as to why her father isn’t calming her or her mother.” “He may have sired the babe, but I’m her father.” Calix was glowering at Kail. Kail spun on Piper. “Damn you. Damn you,” he spat out. “A thousand years of hard work gone because of you. I’ll kill you yet, female.” Kail’s armor went up, but it was useless. Twenty Castians were on him slicing and tearing at his armor. The hologram went first and Kail battled in his real shield of gray. His tail was snapped off and he howled. Pieces of his shield faltered and Piper saw bloody streaks appear. Finally Kail lay curled on the ground in a heap, his armor gone. Cobra strode over and snapped a collar around his neck.

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“I can’t heal if you won’t allow me my shield,” Kail wailed in agony. “It needs to regenerate. Twenty warriors to one is unfair.” “I’d say fitting for a thousand years of deception. It was you who murdered our females. I smell it on you now. You’re lucky a hundred enraged Castian warriors haven’t ripped you to shreds,” Cobra snapped. “We called you friend and comrade, you filthy lying Tonan. How could you place your own child in danger? There is no one I can think of more loathsome than you.” “Calix,” Jago said, motioning with his taloned hand. Both went to stand with Piper. It took only seconds for Jago to hand Emily over to her mate. Piper could see the tears in the woman’s eyes. Though Jago would have tried to calm her, it was apparent she needed Calix. Jago wasted no time in gripping Piper. He pulled her into his arms and surrounded her in his armor. Piper clung to him. Kail’s words were ringing in her ears. She could see Kail through the group of warriors. His wounds were bad and he had lost a lot of blood. “Put him in a depravation chamber,” Cobra ordered. “No!” Kail shouted. Piper knew he wasn’t afraid to be in the dark—he could still see. Without light his armor would never regenerate. It would be a slow and painful death. “You are charged with treason, which alone is a death sentence. You are charged with the annihilation of an entire sex. Death. You are also charged with failing to provide a vital necessity of life for your babe. Deliberately placing her in harm’s way—premeditated murder of two innocent lives, another death sentence. You are charged with uttering death 98


threats to a helpless human female and forcible confinement. Get him out of my sight,” Cobra ground out. Kail was dragged under the arms by two men and followed by ten more. Cobra took a long deep breath and ordered the other warriors from the room. When the other males had left Jago and Calix lowered their shields. Emily was still sobbing. Cobra came and stood before her, then he cupped Emily’s chin for a moment and knelt down. “Your sire was a bad man, little one,” Cobra said speaking to Emily’s belly. “That doesn’t make you bad. From now on, you are a Castian with a Castian father.” Cobra cocked his head to the side and Piper stood shaking her head in utter amazement. She knew Cobra couldn’t hear the child, but she knew he could understand her emotions; it was fascinating. Cobra looked up at Calix. “Poor little frightened babe. We’re going to create a new scent. Something tells me we might need it for when we bring other human females who have been captured.” Calix looked surprised. Piper was astounded. She knew once the scent emotion was created, any Castian warrior could search for it in his memories. Next Calix was on his knees in front of Emily. His hand touched her belly. Piper saw droplets of sweat forming on Calix’s hand. The moisture seeped into Emily’s skin. Cobra did the same. It was then Jago’s turn. “You have been claimed, little one,” Cobra said tenderly. “Let go of Kail’s scent and remember ours. Your father’s, 99


your leader’s and your mate’s warrior mate’s. We will keep you safe. You can scent our emotions.” All men remained motionless for a moment. Jago rose and looked at Piper, smiling. “The babe is sleeping now. She released Kail’s scent and knows him no more. The power of three full-blooded Castian warriors is too difficult to resist for one so tiny. But I sensed she was willing—happy. Without the scent, no one will know she isn’t Castian. She accepted Calix. She still has no shield, but I don’t think she will have to worry about finding a mate.” “You are a very complicated race,” Piper said. “And you are a very welcome member of the House of Cobra,” Cobra said to Piper, grinning. He was now standing before her and he embraced her. “I knew you were telling the truth. Not the truth as you might believe, but the real truth. While searching for that elusive scent my secretions were so full of your memories and needs it came as a shock. At first I thought you were frightened of me until I realized it was impossible. You share Jago’s respect of me. It’s been mated into you. You may have doubted for a second, but Jago’s fealty is too strong. It would be too strong in you now.” Piper realized he was right. Her heightened sense toward Calix and Emily was stronger as well. It was odd. She felt wrapped in family—mentally, physically and emotionally. It was a wonderful feeling of love and stability. She realized it would surround her forever.

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Chapter 10 Piper was running. The rain came in heavy sheets soaking her frigid body. Lightning crashed and thunder boomed overhead in the gray lifeless sky, but when she looked up, the heavens were gone. The world was a surreal wave pool. Piper tripped over the dead sodden vegetation and fell head first into a filthy pond. The water was over her head. She was disorientated. Which way is up? The water was moving too fast; her hands were flailing, and her feet kicking. Overhead, she caught a glimpse of floating debris and struck out after it. Piper surfaced screaming. The mass mound of sticks and garbage was too far to reach. Piper was already exhausted. The water dragged her under. Images of light teased her. She screamed, but the sound was foreign to her ears, muffled and far away. She closed her eyes and listened instead. Piper heard nothing—no thunder, no voices. It felt as though her ears were filled with cotton. The urge to breathe was desperate now and Piper struggled to the surface. She cried out for help and heard the panic in her voice. She sobbed for someone to hear her. Please? Thunder crashed as if in answer and scared her half to death. This world with air wasn’t quiet, it was terrifying. A noisy brigade of nature’s wrath when she was an innocent. Again the water dragged her under and Piper heard nothing: not her 101


voice, not her breath. It was dark emptiness. Frightening and yet calming, this was a strange new world. No startling loud sounds to make her jump and quiver. Water engulfed her, wrapped her in an eerie embrace and she remembered at one time she had been safe in water. Humans spent their first nine months in a womb of warm safety. Is that what drowning is like? Returning to Earth’s womb? Once more the urge to breathe was strong. Piper kicked her legs and surfaced. She gasped in huge amounts of air. No one was going to help her and she remained silent. A log floated by as the water twirled her around like a rag doll. Piper was tired. She was so cold. At least submerged she didn’t feel as alone. It was quiet below, peaceful. Piper stopped kicking. Her hands rose over her head as she went under again. Piper felt herself lifted from below. Strong arms enveloped her. She lay over a broad shoulder when she next surfaced. She could hear someone calling her name. It was Jago. Piper would have thought his armor too heavy to allow him to swim, but he was a powerful swimmer. He sliced through the water and demanded she close her eyes. Piper complied. The water swirled in waves for a brief moment slapping at her body then settled. The pond was deliciously warm. Piper was nude when she opened her eyes. Jago had her cuddled to his chest. He kissed her eyelids, her cheeks. He was no longer in his armor. His heated flesh was a warm blanket that she snuggled into. Piper ran her fingers through Jago’s hair. It was dry and silky soft. The fear of her nightmare began to fade. “Jago?” “It’s all right, you’re safe now.” “What happened?” 102


“You were dreaming. What a horrible nightmare. Please don’t go there again,” Jago said. “I can’t control my dreams.” “Piper, you can’t go there again.” He sounded frantic. “Jago, I can’t help it,” Piper said, becoming just as frantic. Jago walked with her out of the pool. He took her to bed. Both of them were dry and Piper was so confused. “Piper, it was hard to get to you. I had to go through the pool in my dream and find you underwater. I searched and searched. It was so awful. I heard you calling—and then you stopped. I thought I lost you. Never stop calling me when you’re afraid.” “Is that how you knew to come back to Cobra’s control room?” “Yes. The second I felt your fear, I knew something bad was terrifying you. I had been moving so quickly and when the thought stormed my mind, I was jerked almost off my claws. As it was, I hung for a second by only my talons. I’m certain that was when Calix felt my concern. And when Emily saw Kail, I felt Calix panic with her fearful scent.” Jago lay her beneath him. Piper reached up to stroke his face. “Are we still dreaming?” “Yes.” “But—how?” “I sense you everywhere. If you were on another planet, I could still sense you.” Piper smiled. “Well this sure takes stalking to a whole new level.” “Piper, it’s up to me to protect you.” “Jago,” she said, starting to become annoyed. He invaded her dream, albeit she was happy to see him, but his macho 103


crap was getting on her nerves. And how they hell could they be having this conversation in her dream? “Can we not do this awake?” “What does it matter?” He sounded surprised. “You’re freaking me out.” “Fine. But we are going to continue this conversation.” Jago made an undistinguishable noise in the back of his throat and vanished. Piper sat up and looked around. Now where the hell did he go? She had walked out of a few unpleasant conversations herself, but this was a bit extreme. Piper felt her arms gripped. She saw no hands on her and her hair stood on end. What the hell? She heard Jago calling her name. The next thing Piper knew she was on her back in the bed and the room was dark except for one ray beam. Jago was on top of her again. Piper felt her eyes widen. “I just had the oddest dream.” “I know, I was there,” Jago grouched. “You really were, weren’t you? Jago, I have no control over what I dream.” “You almost drowned.” “Jago it was a dream. A nightmare. I wouldn’t have died.” “You don’t understand. I would have looked for you forever. If I drown in your dream I could die, which means you will die.” “Oh.” “That’s all you have to say?” He sounded livid. “This togetherness is highly overrated.” Jago groaned and flopped himself onto his side. 104


Piper climbed over the top of him pushing him onto his back. Her legs straddled his waist. She could immediately feel him spring to life. Leaning forward Piper trailed hot wet kisses from his belly to his throat. As she crawled over him, she felt his hands slide down her behind. “Now isn’t this better than a dream?” she purred. “Maybe.” His voice was petulant. Piper turned and gave him a good view of her derrière. Jago groaned when her mouth settled over his cock. She sucked on the head then trailed her tongue down its long length. She loved fondling his balls. They were swan eggs; the man was hung like a horse. Piper gasped when she was pulled down and Jago did some teasing of his own. His tongue invaded her and he sucked her clit. Piper gripped his cock within her fist and pumped him. Between his tongue and teeth and secretions, Piper was soon writhing. Jago had a firm grip on her. When she came, Jago flipped her over. His entire body settled over her and Piper groaned. He was allowing more weight than he ever had onto her. “Jago,” she groaned and sucked in a breath. When his moist finger reached under her and slipped into her behind Piper squealed. Jago lifted himself higher and seemed content to play with her. Piper couldn’t move. He was a curious man and delved higher. Piper groaned. Jago looked down at her. “I know I’m not hurting you,” he said. “No, not hurting.” What was he doing? “You’re just as curious as I am. I seem to recall an odd emotion when you were in the healing pool being pleasured.” 105


“You’re hijacking my emotions, mister!” Jago chuckled and probed deeper. Piper was slick from his sweat that made a lubricant. She could feel Jago’s hard erection pressed against her. She had to admit she was curious. Each time they had sex he gained more control which allowed him to experiment. Piper knew he was intrigued about what he had watched other humans do on TV. Jago removed his finger, shifted and rolled her over beneath him. He pulled her knees up and once again pushed a finger deep into her behind. This time Jago groaned when she gasped. His body moved to imitate the motion of sex. Piper was pinned in position by his body. She rested her cheek onto the pillow. Piper whispered his name when a second finger was inserted. “You’re helpless but there’s no fear. You trust me. The sensation is strange, but I’m not hurting you,” Jago was muttering. “Can you feel what you are doing to me?” Piper whispered. “In a sense. If I were hurting you, I wouldn’t like it any more than you would. Your blood flows with mine. I know you sense some of what I feel, but for me it’s a thousand times stronger.” Jago began fondling her breast. He rolled the nipple and she could feel him kiss her back down her spine. Piper relaxed and let him explore. Each touch was new to him, now that they had mated and he could feel her emotions so strongly. Jago nipped at her then soothed the bite. Round and round his hand went over her breast kneading it harder. “Jago?” “I want to feel your passion now.” 106


His tone was gruff. Jago removed his fingers and flipped her back over. His thick cock plunged deep into her heat and Piper cried out. Jago growled and his intense gaze settled onto her. His grip tightened almost painfully, but he seemed to know how much was too much. Like a battering ram, his thrusts intensified making Piper cry out over and over. Both pleasure and pain mixed and from the look on Jago’s face, she knew he felt everything he was doing to her. Piper could feel Jago growing inside her. His pace slowed. In and out with excruciating slowness he slid. It was exquisite. Piper arched her back to accept more of him. He was even larger now. She knew she couldn’t take much more and bit her lip to keep from begging him to bite her. When Jago slid his finger back up into her behind Piper began shaking. Jago’s fangs were dripping in preparation. Piper felt the droplets as they hit her skin. The moisture was absorbed giving her a modicum of relief. Her imagination kept returning to the healing pool. She wondered if it would feel like this. Like two men pleasuring her. Piper came the second Jago’s fangs penetrated her throat. Again the sensation of multiple orgasms crashed over her and Jago bellowed though he had yet to release his seed. Piper closed her eyes and concentrated on his movements. Jago almost removed himself completely then thrust hard up into her. Piper gasped in surprise. Both of them came together. Piper could feel his heat explode up inside her, before Jago collapsed on top of her. His head rested on the pillow above hers and he wasn’t moving. He was crushing her. Oh God it hurts! Piper couldn’t breathe or scream. Why was he doing this to her? Piper was passing out. She felt Jago stir and try to move. Something was wrong with him. 107


Piper could hear a bone snap. A feeling in her belly overwhelmed her. There should be pain but there wasn’t. Then suddenly Jago was off her. Piper gasped in huge amounts of air. Cobra was there. He had pulled Jago off of her. How? How did Cobra know what was happening? Piper passed out. **** Jago felt his shield go up as light flooded the room. Sun rays swamped into him. He had never been so tired in his life. What had happened? One minute he was making love to Piper—Piper. He had been crushing her. Had he broken her bones? Jago struggled to rise, but his shield remained stubbornly up and held him motionless. He needed to enclose Piper in his shield; he had to get her to the healing waters at least. It was then he noticed Cobra sitting calmly in a chair. “Cobra?” “You gave me a scare,” Cobra said. “But how? How did you” “Get in? Know you needed help?” “Yes to both those things.” Jago was finally able to roll toward Piper—that’s when he was flung across the room. Stunned Jago lay on the floor. He could hear Cobra chuckling. “Piper’s fine, Jago. Just very tired. Let her sleep and we can talk,” Cobra said and assisted him to his feet. Cobra led him to one of the chairs at the table. “What the hell just happened?” Jago said. “I finally put my finger on the elusive scent I was experiencing from Piper,” Cobra began. “First let me start by saying I’m leader here. No door is barred to me. I respect everyone’s privacy unless they are in danger. I sensed your danger.” 108


“Piper’s dream.” “Ah yes, they have some bad ones, huh? My own mate has had her share. I recommend waiting for them to fall asleep then take them into your dream where you can watch them. At three-thousand-years-old, I have a few more emotional strengths. I need to be aware of all of my men. Piper’s nightmare saved her from a few more broken bones.” “What happened to me?” Jago asked. “When a warrior impregnates a female he gives her a piece of his shield. In one week I gave two pieces of my shield away. One to my babe and one to my warrior mate. I was exhausted, so much so I collapsed. So I can imagine giving away two pieces of your shield at your age at once would be beyond tiring. I entered your home just as you two were finishing. I’m afraid I was on the other side of the farther complex.” Jago was amazed Cobra had gotten here so fast if he had been so far away. But wait—“Two pieces of my shield?” Jago asked. “Piper would have gotten you off eventually but would have suffered for a bit longer. Just enough time for the babies’ awareness to grow stronger.” “Babies?” “Twins. It is very rare. I’ve never seen twins. That was why I was finding it so hard to place the scent which was more of a sense. I can scent them now. It’s time you lowered your armor and met your little females.” Jago rose to his feet, shield down, and approached Piper with caution. He sniffed at her from a distance. A memory jolted into his mind. She was pregnant. They had done it. Jago smiled in delight when the two scents reached him. Cautiously 109


he went to sit beside Piper. The shield was down and Jago could tell his little ones were asleep. Having to use their shield almost on conception must have been tiring even for two of them working together. Jago inhaled Piper’s sweet scent; it was no wonder warriors would find her irresistible. But Jago’s lust for her was far overweighed by his feelings of protectiveness. Thankfully, Piper was tired but nothing was squished or broken. With some worry, Jago looked over at Cobra. “Will this happen the next time we conceive?” he asked. “It is entirely possible you will have twin sons,” Cobra replied, but he was smiling. “I think some supervision will be required.” Jago was grinning at Cobra. “They have the most entertaining shows on the Earth site we saved. Humans have all sorts of ways to have sex. If you’re going to have to watch us during next must, we may as well try a few of their ideas.” “What do you think Piper will say?” Jago chuckled. “My little female doesn’t seem to mind trying new things.” Jago didn’t mind trying new things either, as long as he was the babies’ father. He gathered Piper into his arms, thanked Cobra for his help and sat quietly getting used to his childrens’ scents.

110


Chapter 11 Piper’s eyes fluttered open. She saw Jago watching her quietly. She flinched remembering the feel and sound of her bones crushing. When he leaned toward her, she couldn’t help her involuntary recoil with the thought of him almost smothering her to death. The next thing she knew Jago was sent flying and sprawled across the floor. Piper jumped to her feet in a panic and raced to him, only when she got close he was propelled backwards. He crashed into the table and groaned. Piper had never heard him groan in pain and she once more moved closer anxiously. “Wait,” Jago said, holding out his one hand while rubbing his ass with the other. “Damn, Piper. You’re going to send me out a window next. I don’t want to have to put my armor up. They’re upset enough.” “What’s happening? Why can’t I get near you? Who’s they?” she howled, glancing around and wondering if some kind of weird entity had entered their room and was beating on him. Was that why he had crushed her? Oh God what’s happening? Jago rose and took a small step toward her. “Calm down, Piper, it’s fine. The babies sense your fear of me and what happened and won’t drop the shield until they feel you are safe.” 111


“Babies?” Piper was stunned. Jago nodded and smiled. She was then overwhelmed with excitement. “We’re pregnant? We did it? We’re going to be parents.” Overjoyed she raced to him and Jago was sent flying into the door, which opened and there stood Calix in his armor. “What the hell?” he shouted as Jago rolled past him groaning. Both men were flung backwards into the corridor when Piper rushed forward. She didn’t know what to do. Huge massively muscled Castian warriors didn’t go flying from rooms. Piper noticed Cobra; he stood off to the side in the hall howling with laughter. Grouchily, Jago got to his feet. Calix, dazed, rose to his. Piper was too afraid to move so she held perfectly still. “Cobra?” she asked, filled with uncertainty. “Twice the shield,” Cobra said and smiled. He then eyed her nude body up and down making her aware she was out in the hall buck-naked, before she remembered Castian warriors were irresistibly drawn to pregnant females. Piper rushed into the room and wrapped a blanket around herself. Warily the three men approached, Cobra still chuckling. “They’re tag teaming us,” Jago said astounded. “Damn they’re strong.” “Two?” Calix asked with amazement. Cobra clapped Calix heartily on the back. “It would seem your little one will have the protection of its mate-siblings. Because there are two there is twice the shield. All Emily has to do is wrap her arms around Piper and if the babies’ shield goes up, it will protect both mothers. The twins will sense 112


their mate-sibling as no threat and sense any threat to their sibling. “All three are Castian now, as Castian secretion flows through Calix’s babe and he has scent claimed her. Jago has scent claimed her as well. It’s as important as mixing blood. The shield is an inherent memory to both Castian and Tonan males, all females born to us know that’s where their protection lies. It’s a shame my mate and our babe can’t offer her human sibling sisters the same shield. They are fullblooded human females, but it doesn’t matter, as they have the warriors for protection. Once the babies are born all we need to do is make certain your little one will be close to Piper’s little ones. The bond will be formed; we’ll make certain of it. “Emily can now roam with her little one wherever they choose with not only Jago and Calix, but she’ll get more protection by staying at Piper’s side. This is wonderful. I have the perfect domicile for the four of you on the main deck.” Piper was stunned and relieved. The babies were siblings after all by warrior mates. If Jago and Calix could protect either of them, why couldn’t the babies protect each other? “This is amazing. But two girls? Are you certain?” “It will take some getting used to, and yes I’m certain that both are female. A babe alone has awesome power, times two is beyond invincible,” Cobra said then sobered a bit. “They can also be extremely dangerous. Piper, you’re going to have to approach everyone with caution until your little mighty mites get to know everyone’s scent or I’ll have everyone flying across rooms. If that happens, they may trigger every pregnant female’s shield. My poor defenseless warriors. I should sic you on the Tonans.” Cobra was chuckling. 113


Jago went to Piper with his hands splayed, as he crept forward slowly. Piper tried hard not to laugh. “Don’t try and kill your father, little ones,” he coaxed. Piper sighed with relief when Jago was able to hold her. Calix came next. He dropped his shield like Cobra commanded. When he was close, Cobra commanded Piper to inhale deeply. She complied. Calix was allowed near her as the scent of the father and warrior mate mixed and was learned and accepted. As an afterthought Cobra approached. “Cobra,” Jago warned. “They’re tough little females.” Piper detected pride in his tone. Cobra just smiled. When he too came close, Piper was relieved he wasn’t sent flying through a wall. “Hello again, little ones,” Cobra said. “But how?” Calix asked. “You have no blood bond with Jago.” “I saved their mother from being crushed before they could respond. It took a great deal in the early seconds of their beginnings just to fix the damage caused to her. It’s normally a time when the self-aware babes are learning their father’s scent through their mother; poor Piper couldn’t breathe. The bond with me was formed the second they were self-aware; they caught my scent first when Piper gasped for air.” “Imprinting?” Piper asked. “Something like that. Besides, Piper’s veins still remember my secretions. The little ones will remember it, as they will scent it from inside her,” Cobra said. “Do they know I’m their father?” Jago said and frowned.

114


Jago looked so distressed Piper kissed him hard. When their kiss broke, they were both panting. “Oh, they know all right,” she said and smiled. Jago settled his hand onto her belly. He cocked his head. Next he crouched to the ground before her. Delighted he looked up at Piper. “You’re right, they do know,” he said in awe. He looked back at Piper’s belly. “That’s right, little ones. We’re a family.” Piper knelt down before him and they embraced. Looking around, Piper had the most wonderful feeling. She was immortal and she was surrounded with an immortal family. They had lifetimes to fulfill every dream and every desire. Her face flamed for a moment thinking of desire. It flamed even further when both Jago and Cobra laughed. She wasn’t certain what they were laughing about, but she was certain she was going to find out.

115

ABOUT THE AUTHOR C. L. Scholey lives in her Ontario home with her family and bearded dragon, Crunchy. She is currently working on a new novel. She loves to hear from her readers so drop her an email at [email protected] and check out her web page at www.clscholey.com

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