Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“When they arrived, I was terrified,” she admits, her nog bowing as she looks down at her dirty shoes. “I thought they would hurt us. Hurt Henry.”
The very idea of Hadrian hurting anyone is comical. He and Theron are the silliest morts I know, but harmless.
Reaching forward with one finger, I nudge the bottom of her chin so her eyes will meet mine. “You were protecting your mortling. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s quite admirable.”
Her cheeks burn pink and a smile tugs at her lips. “I told him we were on an adventure like the stories I always told to him at bedtime.”
“On Mortuus, the adventure never ends.” I walk over to a bush with long, green pods. “These are nutritious but sweet. You split them down the middle and eat the nodules inside. If you could get Henry to eat a handful of these each solar, his ability to resist illnesses would increase.”
She plucks a few pods and shoves them into her pockets. “You know a lot about the plant life here. What about out there?”
“What I don’t know, I study and learn. Like the lemonade leaves. I’ll find a use for them. All plant life has use, even if it’s only to provide the air we breathe.”
“You know about the beasts too.” She shivers as though remembering the sabrevipes. “Those things were terrifying.”
“While I enjoy learning of plants most, Breccan made sure that we all could do whatever it took to survive. I can fight, cook, build weapons, heal the sick, hunt, and much more.” I straighten, hoping she understands I could be a protective mate who could provide for our family. “And, one day, I hope to be a good father and mate.”
Her eyes narrow. “I think it’s time we part ways—”
“Shh,” I snarl, covering her mouth with my palm and crowding her against the cave wall.
Wild, terrified eyes meet mine.
“Something’s coming,” I whisper. “Take Henry. I need to investigate.”
A mixture of worry and relief flashes over her features as I pass Henry to her. She hugs him to her and keeps her back pressed to the cave wall. I retrieve a magknife from my belt and prowl toward the larger opening in the cavern.
Voices.
I can hear them.
At first, I think it’s Breccan or Draven, but as it grows nearer, dread consumes me.
Turning on my heel, I rush back over to Stella. “Kevins. They’re close. We have to move. Now.”
“W-What? What’s a Kevin?”
“Human males,” I hiss, roughly dragging her over to the small crack. “Stella, take Henry and go.”
Grabbing Henry from her arms, I motion for the crack. “I’ll pass him to you. Quickly.”
She whimpers as she scrambles to shimmy through the crevasse. I’m just passing Henry to her when the voices echo loudly behind me.
“Don’t move, alien,” a Kevin barks out, “or I’ll blast your fucking head off.”
Turning my nog, I scowl to discover two Kevins aiming weapons our way. One poorly aimed shot could hit Henry or Stella.
Rekk!
“Ma’am,” the Kevin who appears to be the leader croons. “Come out. You’re safe now. We won’t let the alien hurt you.”
Stella lets out a choked, terrified sound. She’s afraid of these Kevins. I can scent the fear that’s overpowering the lemonade leaves’ aroma. My instinct to protect flares through me, hot and wild. Each one of my sub-bones pops loudly and echoes in the cavern. I bare my double fangs at them.
“Stay back,” I growl.
“Holy shit,” a Kevin with red hair hollers. “He talks. Can I kill him, Nate?”
Kevin Nate shakes his nog as an evil grin splits his face. “We’re not killing him, AJ. We’re going to use him to lure out the other monsters who have the other prisoners.” He slowly approaches. “Woman, climb your ass out of that crevasse if you value the child’s life.”
Stella, to my horror, crawls back out and stands beside me. “Please,” she begs. “Don’t hurt my son.”
“No one’s gonna hurt either of you,” Kevin Nate vows, though the deception in his dark eyes says otherwise. “You’re both coming with us. Come without resistance and no one gets hurt.”
Stella’s nog turns toward me. “Do as they say, Galen. Please.”
Everything in me begs to rip Kevin Nate’s face off, but his men could destroy the three of us in an instant if I tried.
Against my better judgment, I hand Henry back to Stella. Kevin AJ pounces on her, dragging her and Henry away from me. My furious roar is deafening as I turn my aggression on Kevin Nate.
“Hit him with the juice,” Kevin Nate orders, keeping his weapon pointed at my chest.
A split second later, something pierces my arm. My knees buckle and the cave spins around me. I fall to a heap on the rock-hard floor, fading into unconsciousness as Stella’s sobs grow farther and farther away.