Zaureth_A SciFi Alien Romance Read online

  Mallory grabbed onto Amy’s arm. “What? I can’t let you go down there.”

  Another round of gunfire erupted, and Amy found herself on the floor with Mallory shielding her.

  “Let me go,” Amy shouted, pushing at her sister’s immovable weight. “Zaureth is hurt.”

  Mallory didn’t budge. “I’m not letting you go, damn it. Now stay down.”

  Tears of panic sprang to Amy’s eyes. “He’ll die, Mallory. We have to help him.”

  The gunfire suddenly stopped, and an eerie silence fell over the room.

  “Is it over?” Amy whispered, straining to hear above the ringing in her ears.

  Mallory rolled to the side, her breathing overly loud in the otherwise quiet room. “I don’t hear anything.”

  Amy sat up and ran her hands down Mallory’s body. “Are you okay? Is the baby all right?”

  “We’re both fine,” Mallory assured her. “What about you?”

  Amy pushed to her feet. “I’m not hurt, but Zaureth is. Please, Mal. You gotta help me find him.”

  Voices, raised in anger could be heard coming down the hall. Amy staggered forward. “Open the door. I hear Glenn.”

  Amy wrung her hands as she waited for the crowd of voices to reach them.

  “In here,” Mallory demanded, moving Amy aside to make room for the crowd.

  Vaulcron’s deep voice rang out above the anxious-sounding murmurs. “Clear off the bed.”

  Amy didn’t need to see to know that Zaureth was among the new arrivals. She could sense him. “Zaureth?”

  “He has been shot,” Vaulcron growled, striding past Amy. “Someone get Abbie.”

  Amy stumbled toward the bed in a panic. “Is he going to be all right? Somebody please talk to me.”

  Glenn was suddenly at her side. He took hold of her elbow and guided her toward the couch. “He’s alive. We need to assess his injuries to see how bad it is. Stay right here so you won’t be in the way.”

  Amy shook her head, the tears she’d managed to hold back now falling freely down her cheeks. “I need to be with him, Glenn. I won’t get in the way.”

  “Let her go,” Vaulcron ordered. “It will help him to have her near.”

  Amy lifted her arms and felt her way toward the bed, dragging her fingers over the covers until she came in contact with Zaureth’s hand. She sat on the edge of the bed and kissed his palm.

  “What have you gone and done?” Amy whispered, running her thumb over his knuckles. “If you were trying to get out of our talk, you sure picked a hell of a way to do it.”

  A moan slipped from Zaureth’s throat.

  “Keep talking to him,” Vaulcron insisted. “He can hear you.”

  Amy slid up higher onto the bed and arranged herself against the headboard. She ran her fingers through Zaureth’s hair while continuing to speak. “I really need you to wake up. I have yet to see the gulf. How can I go the rest of my life and not know what the gulf looks like?”

  Another sound escaped the healer.

  “You can’t do this to me,” Amy choked out, trying to think of anything to say that would awaken him. “I’ll be left at the mercy of Glenn and Oz.”

  Glenn chuckled.

  Zaureth growled.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Amy’s voice penetrated Zaureth’s unconscious mind. It called to him, coaxed him up from the darkness…and straight into the pain.

  White-hot agony seared his chest, tormenting him with every breath he took.

  His eyes fluttered open to find Amy’s normally beautiful face, pale and drawn, hovering above him.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but the effort sent unbearable fire burning through his chest.

  Memory came flooding back with a vengeance. The scene in the bathroom with Amy. The sweet taste of her kiss. The explosion. The invasion. The bullet that entered his chest, taking him to the floor.

  Zaureth shifted his gaze around the room, taking in all the anxious faces surrounding the bed he lay on. “My parents?”

  “They’re here,” Abbie announced, jogging into the room with Klause and Laurel on her heels. “Your parents are both fine.”

  Relief poured through Zaureth. Everyone he loved was accounted for.

  Abbie came around to the side of the bed and set a black bag on the nightstand. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with here.”

  Grabbing a few items from her bag, she took a bottle of clear liquid and poured some onto a washcloth. “This is going to burn like hell.”

  Zaureth clenched his teeth as the cold cloth touched his wound, sending a fresh round of fire racing through his insides.

  Pulling a syringe from the bag, Abbie loaded it with liquid from a small vial and moved toward Zaureth’s hip.

  “No drugs,” Zaureth rasped, clamping a hand around Abbie’s wrist.

  Abbie narrowed her eyes. “It’ll help with your pain. And I’m not having you flailing around while I try to dig a bullet out of your chest.”

  “I will not flail. No drugs. They will only slow the healing process.”

  “Fine,” Abbie snapped, putting the syringe on the table. “But the first time you move or take a swing at me, I’ll dose you with enough drugs to fell a horse. And then some.”

  Zaureth would have smiled at his brother’s sassy mate if it wouldn’t have pained him to do so. Every muscle in his body hurt. Including his lips.

  “Zaureth?” Amy’s soft voice inside his head was a balm to his soul.

  “I cannot tell you how relieved I am to know that you are unharmed,” Zaureth sent back. The feel of her hand in his hair was the only drug he needed.

  “I’ve never been so scared in all my life, Zaureth. I saw you get shot. And then the blackness returned. I thought I’d lost you.”

  He wanted to wipe away the tears he saw swimming in her light blue eyes. “I am not so easily killed. And you cannot get rid of me that quickly.

  Amy smiled and lightly coasted her fingertips over his mouth. He kissed the digits, wanting nothing more than to hold her close, to assure her that everything would be fine.

  “Excuse me,” Naura announced, sailing into the room. “Let me through.”

  Zaureth shifted his gaze to the Bracadyte female. “No, Naura. I will not allow you to take my pain.”

  “I can help you, Zaureth. It will not kill me to remove some of your discomfort.”

  Abbie abruptly spoke. “I need everyone out but Naura. She can assist me if need be.”

  Zaureth took hold of Amy’s hand. “Amy stays.”

  “Fine,” Abbie relented. “Everyone else, please wait outside.”

  Once the room cleared, Abbie laid some shiny tools out on a cloth on the table before leaning in to probe Zaureth’s wound. “Are you sure I can’t give you something for pain?”

  “I am sure,” Zaureth rasped, mentally preparing for the onslaught of torment.

  Taking a sharp blade, Abbie touched it to the edge of the opening. “Brace yourself.”

  Zaureth inwardly groaned at the fresh round of pain, but nothing prepared him for what she did next.

  “I see it,” Abbie confessed, grabbing another tool and dipping it into the open wound. “There.”

  Excruciating agony tore through Zaureth’s injury. His eyes slid shut, and sweat popped out all over his body.

  A pair of warm hands cupped his face, bringing with them comfort and taking the severity of his pain.

  Zaureth exhaled a shuddering breath and opened his eyes.

  Naura loomed over him, holding his face in her hands, taking his pain into herself. Suffering lined her sweet face.

  Zaureth jerked away, forcing her to lose her grip. “No,” he snarled, “Do not touch me.”

  “Hauke?” Abbie barked, reaching for another of her tools. “Get in here and hold him down,” she demanded as Hauke came barreling into the room with Oz tight on his heels.

  “It’s a good thing I have a master key,” Oz snapped. “Hauke was about to kick in the door.”

&nb
sp; Oz moved to the opposite side of the bed and took hold of Zaureth’s arm. Hauke grabbed the other.

  Abbie leaned in once again and pressed the small instrument into the opening on Zaureth’s chest.

  A strangled sound rose up in Zaureth’s throat. His back bowed off the bed, and the corded muscles of his neck felt as if they would snap at any moment.

  “I got it,” Abbie breathed, clamping onto the embedded metal and tugging it free.

  Relief was instant the second Abbie pulled the bullet out of the wound.

  Zaureth shuddered, his gaze zeroing in on Hauke’s mate. “Thank you,” he whispered, barely able to form words. “I owe you a great debt.”

  “You might change your mind after this.” Without warning, she poured more of the clear liquid over the opening.

  Another round of overwhelming torment entered the wound and spread through his body like lava.

  Abbie grabbed some bandages and went to work covering the injury. “I’m sorry, Zaureth. It had to be done. Besides, you should have taken the pain medicine.”

  “Will he be all right?” Amy asked with a catch in her voice.

  Abbie spoke without looking up. “The bullet didn’t clip any major arteries. So unless infection sets in, he should have a full recovery.”

  “Infection will not set in,” Zaureth assured Amy while staring at Abbie.

  A crease formed on Abbie’s brow. “Do you know something I don’t?”

  “Zaureth will heal,” Naura interjected. “It is part of his gift.”

  Abbie straightened. “I’ll check on you as soon as I can, Zaureth. In the meantime, if you need anything more from me, just pick up the phone and call me.”

  Zaureth watched Hauke’s mate go with a mixture of respect and admiration. Oz and Hauke followed behind her.

  “I will go as well. You need to rest.” Naura swayed on her feet as she stood to leave.

  Zaureth grabbed her by the wrist, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You cannot take such risks with the babe, Naura. No matter how much you wish to help.”

  Naura paled, her hand automatically going to her stomach. “A babe?”

  Zaureth gently squeezed her hand before letting his own fall away. “I assumed that you knew.”

  Tears sparkled in Naura’s eyes. “I did not. Are you certain?”

  Zaureth nodded. “I am certain.”

  Please do not say anything to anyone until after I have told Tony,” Naura breathed. “I am not sure how he will react.”

  “I will not divulge your news,” Zaureth assured her. “But you should not wait too long to tell him. He has a right to know.”

  Naura nodded and fled the room.

  Zaureth blew out a breath, relieved to be alone with Amy. “Come, lie down next to me.”

  Amy positioned herself along Zaureth’s side and snuggled in close. “How did you know that Naura was pregnant?”

  Zaureth kissed the top of Amy’s head. “I sensed the change in her energy, her essence.”

  “You’re amazing, Zaureth. But I hope to never have to experience that kind of fear again. When I saw you get shot…”

  “Shhhhh,” Zaureth shushed her. “I will be as good as new before long.”

  Closing his eyes, Zaureth reached deep inside himself and called upon the healing powers he’d been born with. The warm, soothing energy pulsed to life to center on the throbbing wound in his chest.

  Zaureth could feel the ripped tissue soaking up the energy needed to mend his injury.

  “What is that?” Amy murmured, her warm breath fanning out over his shoulder.

  It surprised Zaureth that she could feel the energy inside him. “My body is healing itself.”

  “Are you capable of mending all injuries?”

  The feel of Amy’s palm resting on his stomach distracted Zaureth from his pain. Just being in her presence was more soothing than the heat now coursing through his veins. “Not all. I cannot repair damaged nerves or certain defects a body is born with.”

  “Like mine.” She slid her palm lower as if to avoid his injury, and Zaureth’s breath caught. Another couple of inches, and she would encounter his manhood.

  “No. I cannot repair the defect of your eyes,” he regretfully whispered.

  Amy wasn’t deterred by his sad tone. “It still amazes me that you are capable of such incredible things.”

  Zaureth found it hard to pay attention with her fingers caressing his skin. He covered her hand with his own. “You are the amazing one, sweet Amy. You have somehow managed to overcome the darkness.”

  Zaureth opened his mind to her, allowing her to see through his eyes.

  A small gasp escaped her. She lifted her head and jerked her hand back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”

  “Do not stop,” Zaureth interjected, wrapping his fingers around her wrist and returning her hand to his stomach. “Your touch is more incredible than any power I have ever possessed.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  A knock sounded, and the door opened before Amy had a chance to move.

  Oz stepped into the room. “The grounds have been secured. How are you feeling, Zaureth?”

  Amy felt a shift in Zaureth’s emotions. A soft groan escaped him as he shifted himself higher up on the bed. “How is it that the door opens for you and no other?”

  Amy nearly laughed at the amused look on Oz’s face. He held up a small square card. “I have the master key to all the rooms.”

  Zaureth made a soft noise in his throat. “I must apologize for my earlier actions. I do not know what came over me.”

  Oz grinned. “I could point it out while you lie there incapacitated.” He trailed over to the bed. “But I’ll save it for another time.”

  Zaureth’s lips twitched. “You are too kind.”

  It felt amazing to Amy, seeing through Zaureth’s eyes. Though instinct told her to turn her head in the direction of Oz’s voice, she could see him with her eyes closed.

  Oz grabbed a chair and positioned it close to the bed before taking a seat. He rested his elbows on his knees and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “I feel that I owe you an explanation for what happened in the lobby.”

  Amy attempted to remove her hand from Zaureth’s stomach, but he tightened his hold on her wrist. She gave up and laid her head against his shoulder, listening as Oz launched into a story of the Cuban cartel.

  Several minutes passed without interruption before Zaureth lifted a hand. “This Carlito Acosta; you ended his life when you were a child and took his diamonds?”

  Oz nodded. “An eye for an eye. He killed my mother.”

  “I understand,” Zaureth murmured. “Tell me about this man’s son.”

  Oz ran a hand down his face. “He carries the same name as his father. From what I hear, he is more ruthless than his old man had ever been.”

  “How did he find you here?” Amy asked, studying Oz’s face through Zaureth’s eyes. She couldn’t get enough of watching the different expressions he made as he spoke.

  Jealously, swift and sure, traveled from Zaureth’s mind and into hers. “You find his face desirable?”

  “No, of course not,” Amy sent back. “I am only taking in the many expressions he makes. Sight is new to me, Zaureth.”

  Zaureth gently squeezed her hand. “I am sorry, sweet Amy. I do not have control of my emotions when it comes to you.”

  Amy’s stomach fluttered at his words. “I feel the same about you.”

  “Are you two even listening?” Oz quipped, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.

  Heat rushed to Amy’s face. She prayed Oz couldn’t read their thoughts as the other Bracadytes could. “I’m sorry. I—”

  “I’m only teasing,” Oz interrupted, saving Amy from the embarrassment of explaining her silent conversation with Zaureth. “I came here to let you know that Carlito escaped during the chaos. I have no doubt that he will return, and as long as you remain here, you are at risk of being caught in the crossfire.
”

  Amy’s heart began to pound. She quickly sat up, pulling her hand free of Zaureth’s hold. “First our government, now the cartel. Where will we go? We can’t go back to the States. Not until things settle down there.”

  Oz pinched the bridge of his nose. “Klause plans on returning to Aukrabah.”

  “What?” Amy gasped, clutching at Zaureth’s hand once more. “How am I supposed to get there?”

  “The same way Abbie, Tony, and Mallory are getting there. With special dive equipment,” Oz pointed out.

  Amy moved to get up, but Zaureth locked onto her arm. “Where are you going?”

  “To find my sister. She’s pregnant, Zaureth. She can’t dive in her condition.”

  Zaureth tugged Amy back to his side. “I will call for Vaulcron to bring your sister to us. I do not want you to leave my side. Not as long as Carlito Acosta is out there.”

  “I hadn’t thought about Mallory’s condition,” Oz admitted. “Diving to that depth is definitely out of the question.”

  Oz suddenly stood. “I have a place at the other end of the island. It’s secluded, and very few people know of its location. Your sister and Vaulcron can stay there until Acosta has been found.”

  “What about Amy?” Zaureth questioned. “Will there be room for her as well?”

  “Do not talk about me as if I’m not here,” Amy muttered. “I’ve had to deal with that type of behavior all my life. I’m not staying behind like some poor child in need of babysitting. I will go to Aukrabah along with everyone else.”

  Oz quietly crept toward the door. “I’ll just let you two hash that out.”

  Amy waited until the door closed behind him before continuing. “I may be blind, but—”

  Zaureth’s mouth slanting over hers cut off the rest of her argument.

  Amy forgot about everything but the feel of his lips moving against hers.

  Long moments passed before Zaureth broke off the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “I want you to go to Aukrabah, more than anything. I want you to appreciate its raw beauty in the same sense that I do. But Aukrabah is very different from the surface. There are none of the luxuries that humans are used to, such as television, radio, or even electricity. What if…”