Ysam woke outside the cave to the rising sun turning clouds pink, purple, and orange. A gentle breeze blew the tops of the trees. Today he would climb the towering rocky cliff to try and tear down the shield generator. His shoulder ached just thinking about it, and his stomach quivered. He ran his hand down his flat gut over the stitches that were still tender. He needed a few more days to recover, but they didn’t have a few more days.

Time was running out. According to the Arians, the Gogs attacked every seven days and they only had one more day before the Gogs invaded again. If they didn’t get off this cursed planet, they’d all be dead. How long could one dragon hold off an army of Gogs?

He stretched his arms wide and arched his back. He winced as his shoulder protested loudly.

“You’re still not up to this, are you?”

He turned to look into Kathy’s concerned eyes.

“I’ll manage,” he said. “Don’t have a choice.”

She stood next to him and neither of them spoke as the sun took its sweet time climbing higher and higher. He clasped her hand, not sure whether she would jerk it out of his. She gently squeezed his and laid her head on his shoulder. “Please don’t die today.”

Her soft plea gave him hope that she cared…a little. Or maybe she only wanted him to live so he could take her back to Earth. Either way, he enjoyed the warm moment.

“I won’t.” His bravado was a lie. He could die today. They all could die today. “I’m sorry about yesterday. You said when you ignored the auras something bad happened.”

“I don’t like to talk about it.”

He lift her chin. “Please. I want to know.”

The crease between her brows furrowed, and she searched his face as if she were trying to determine whether she should trust him.

“Does it have to do with your sister?” he asked softly.

A tear slid down one side of her cheek. “Yes, it does.” She took a deep quivering breath. “Her aura had turned to a beautiful, very, very, fuzzy pale-blue with white sparks. I had never seen anything like it before. I immediately thought of the death auras, which are supposed to be a pale-blue, but I didn’t think Lisa could be nearing death.” She paused as if going over and over a mistake. “People can have pale-blue auras if they’re standing in the full sunlight and Lisa was standing in front of the balcony. I blinked and it changed back to green.”

Curiosity got the best of him. “What does green mean?”

“Lisa was very creative, especially in gardening. She loved to plant flowers and trim trees. Definitely an outdoor person.”

Daidhl was anything but outdoorsy. He preferred the indoors, doing research, and inventing ways to protect their race, but according to the Fates, they were supposed to be mated. Perhaps, they saw something he didn’t, but it wasn’t the Fates he worried about. It was Kathy. He couldn’t for the life of him think of way to tell her about Daidhl and Lisa.

The minute he did, any chance of budding happiness they had would die.

Her face had fallen. Her whole body slumped. He brushed away another tear, desperate to bring her some happiness.

“Lisa’s death wasn’t your fault.”

“People keep telling me that, but…”

He rubbed her back, wishing he could take away her pain. “You don’t believe them?”

“No.” She sighed. “If only I had said something to her, maybe asked her to come with me to get the damn coffee.”

“Would she have?”

“No.” She wiped away the wetness on her cheeks. “She’d just gotten done doing yoga outside on the balcony and wanted to rest. She said she was tired, which was unusual for her. I thought maybe she was coming down with something, and she needed energy. That’s why I went out for coffee.”

“So, you did trust your auras.”

She frowned. “No, it was a death aura. I ignored it.”

He put his hands on her shoulders. “You thought something was wrong, Kathy, and thought your sister was ill. How could you have known she was going to be murdered?”

Her argument died as if she was trying to sort out what he said. Doubt and truth seemed to battle through her eyes. Second guesses would drive anyone crazy and they were slowly tearing away at her.

He smiled. “Could we have one more dance?”

Confusion then realization flickered in her eyes. She bit her lip. He held his breath, waiting for her to respond.

A morning bird burst into a sorrowful song. Not a good omen.

She stared at the jungle. “Yes.”

His heart beat so loud and her voice was so low he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly, but she put her palms on his chest. “A slow one.”

She slowly raised her hands, then locked them around his neck, her warm breath brushing over his skin. He held her close, her body molding next to his. Her full breasts pressed against his chest. The only music was the drumming of their beating hearts. They moved slowly to the music, their feet shuffling.

He inhaled the freshness of her hair and skin, wanting to imprint them on his memory. Her lips softly parted, and he didn’t wait to ask. This could be the only time he could indulge in her secrets. He kissed her, branding and dominating her in a way that bordered on desperation. Sweetness and spice filled him, fueling his desire. His lustful dragon roared, demanding more. He moved off her lips, planting kisses down her throat, licking her flesh. She arched her back and pressed her body against his. The moons of her breasts peeked from her shirt.

“Ysam,” she panted. Her fingers threaded through his hair, her nails grazing his scalp.

He shuddered, not believing how this woman stirred a passion he never knew he had. He kissed the narrow valley between her breasts. She moaned softly. He pushed down her shirt and bra to take a nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. Fates, his flesh turned rock hard and pressed her body against the wall.

“Stop,” she gasped.

He lifted his head, sucking in quick, shallow breaths. “What?”

“The Arians…they’re awake.”

Behind them, the shuffling of Arians getting up and the smell of frying greens meant breakfast had started.

“I’m sorry.” He fought to gather his control and not ravish his mate in front of the sleepy bears.

Her cheeks reddened into a dark hue. She quickly straightened her shirt, but the scratches on her cheeks and rustled hair screamed of their quick indulgence. “I better go help the women.”

He nodded, cursing himself for practically taking her out in the open. She deserved better. His body turned quickly cold where warmth had been. He ran his hand down his sensitive chest. If the Gogs fired their weapon again, he wasn’t sure he’d survive. At least he would have Kathy’s taste on his lips. He’d find a way to make sure she’d lived.

With the new dawn, the air had turned crisper and chiller. Purple, pink, and yellow stripped birds chirped and flew between the branches of the swaying blue trees.

Kathy, two other women, and Nucl, brushed past him.

“Where are you going?”

“Ollae said there’s not enough greens for breakfast, so we’re going to gather some more plants.”

Nulc looked at him. “Tash sent me to guard the women. They’ll be safe.” He quickly transformed into a brown bear and lumbered in front of the women.

For all of Ysam’s protesting of Nucl’s innocence, dread nestled on the back of his neck, sending chills down his back. He stood at attention, watching the waking forest for the slightest movement of the Gogs.

He transformed into a dragon and lurched onto his back legs if there was the slightest movement. He might not be able to fly, but he could leap into the air.

Nucl turned around and hesitated, but then quickly moved down the ridge. He sat with his back to the jungle, which Ysam thought was strange. He should be facing the thick trees. In this form, the Gogs could attack him from behind and drag him into the darkness. Why would anyone sit like this––unless they weren’t afraid.

Kathy and the other women were yanking up purple, pink, and green plants and stuffing them into a bag that they wore around their hips. They stayed several feet away from the thick vines that draped the trees.

The colorful birds had stopped singing. He stood perfectly still. Twigs broke. Plants groaned. Leaves crunched. His heartbeat grew louder and blood whizzed through him, but he concentrated on the forest. Heavy footsteps squished in mud.

He lifted his nose into the air and sniffed. The stench of rotting meat nearly gagged him.

He released a loud shriek that sent the colorful birds flying into the morning sky. Nulc whirled around and growled at the jungle. Glowing orange eyes peered through the dark jungle and the outline of hairy beasts drew closer. Women rushed up the ridge, clawing at the dirt and sending dust flying into the air, like a herd of terrified meel.

Arian bears rushed toward the women, snarling and growling.

Shrieking, Ysam hurried down the embankment, never taking his eyes off the jungle. Gogs burst through the trees. Two of them rushed after Kathy. She wasn’t as fast as the Arians and was lugging behind.

He blew a stream of fire at them, and they screamed as their hair caught on fire. A fiery blaze and black smoke zigged-zagged over their hairy bodies. The stench of burning hair and flesh made Ysam’s eyes blurry. They flapped their arms over their burning bodies in vain, trying to put out the fire, running in circles.

Having no mercy, Ysam swung his tail and sent the two screeching Gogs hurling through the jungle like two fiery asteroids.

The remaining Gogs drew their weapons and fired at Ysam. Searing pain hit his scales. He let loose a stream of fire that sent the Gogs scrambling back to the jungle.

Kathy climbed and crawled up the ledge, but one foot slipped on a rock. She skidded down the deep cleft then rolled down. She fell on her knees. Ysam’s heart stopped, and he hurried toward her.

Three Gogs grabbed and dragged her into the forest.

He shrieked and pumped his legs as fast as he could, but the throbbing pain slowed him down. Wetness dripped from his left flank, and he gasped for breath but he wouldn’t stop.

He crashed into the brush, wishing he could burn those bastards to a crisp, but if he blew out fire, he’d burn Kathy. Trees bent backward and vines snapped as he followed their trail. He gasped for breath, and the jungle trees, flowers, and shrubbery spun around him as he fought not to pass out.

“Ysam!” Kathy screamed. One of them had thrown her over his shoulder, and she beat his broad, hairy back with her angry fists.

He couldn’t believe such huge beasts could run through the forests so fast.

Suddenly, a brown bear blocked his trail. His vision went in and out of focus, but he slowly recognized Nulc and snarled bearing his teeth.

“Put me down! Ysam, help me!” Kathy’s voice grew distant.

He had to follow her and moved, but Null blocked his path. His chest warmed as he was ready to spew more fire and burn him alive.

Nulc transformed back into humanoid form. “Ysam.” He put out his hand and tilted his head. “You can’t follow them. It’s a trap. They’re using her as bait and trying to draw you out into the open. Gogs are hiding in the bushes ready to fire their weapons on you. Your left flank is ripped wide open. You’ll die if you follow her.”

Ysam snarled and bared his upper teeth. His tail switched behind him.

“Ysam!” Kathy’s terrified screech tore out his thumping heart.

Another bear crashed along side them. Vaughn quickly transformed. He went around to Ysam’s back side and his hand gently touched his flank. “Ysam, you left a trail of blood. You’re bleeding profusely.”

“I scouted ahead,” Nucl said. “More Gogs are hiding on either side of the path the Gogs took, ready to open fire on Ysam. He can’t follow them. It’s a trap.”

Ysam stretched his neck to look over the trees to get a better advantage, but if the Gogs were there, they were well hidden.

Nucl pointed in the direction where he had come. “You can’t move forward with thousands of Gogs attacking on either side.”

His suspicious voice made Ysam curse himself for not believing Kathy.

“I transformed into a humanoid and crawled along the forest floor, following them. I was nearly discovered, but the Gogs were busy escaping Ysam’s fire.”

The jungle floor was muddy and covered with twigs, leaves, and flowers, but Nulc didn’t have a single smear of dirt on his shirt.

“Really?” Vaughn walked around Nulc. “How is it that you managed to keep your shirt and trousers clean?”

Nulc opened his mouth and then shut it. He glanced between Vaughn and Ysam. A glisten of sweat reflected off his forehead. He licked his lips.

“You’re lying.” Vaughn edged closer to Nulc and growled. His eyes turned to brilliant green.

Nulc whipped out a Gog’s weapon. “I suggest you stay right there. Change into a humanoid, Ysam, or I’ll burn Vaughn.”

Ysam reluctantly transformed back into a humanoid and narrowed his eyes. “So, Kathy was right. You are a traitor.”

Nulc shrugged. “I had to do what I needed to do to survive. As long as I provide the Gogs with fresh meat, they’ve allowed me to work on the Intrepid.”

“Why?” Vaughn demanded. His eyes widen, showing the whites, and his nostrils flared.

“Because of my father,” Nucl growled.

Vaughn glanced at Ysam bewildered. “What are you talking about?”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Nucl sneered. “Your family’s dark secret.”

“You’re talking in riddles.” Vaughn’s voice shook with frustration.

“Not so. Your father murdered mine.” Hate glistened in his eyes. “I see your father kept his dirty little secret from all of his sons.”

His scorn bated Ysam’s patience. “You’re a liar.” Smoke puffed out of Ysam’s nostrils.

“You turn back into a dragon, Zalarian…” Nucl pointed the weapon at Vaughn. “And I swear I’ll put a fiery hole in the middle of his chest.”

Ysam raised his hands. “All right. Leave him alone.”

“And for your information, Vaughn, I’m not lying.” His eyes glowed darker. “Your father was the previous captain of the Intrepid and his job was to protect his crew.”

“He did.” Vaughn crossed his arms over his chest.

“On this blasted planet, he allowed the Kamtrinians to take my father in order to save his own skin.”

“That’s a lie.” Vaughn unwound his arms and clenched his fists. “My father would never abandon a crew member.”

Ysam struggled to control the anger threatening to burst through. “This banter isn’t getting us anywhere, and in the mean time, my mate is about to become lunch. How do you know this is true, Nucl?”

“Because the Kamtrinians showed me my father’s remains on their planet Ocrion.”

Vaughn and Ysam glanced at each other. No one ever came out of Ocrion alive.

Ysam narrowed his eyes. “How can this be true?”

Nucl puffed out his chest. “Because I am a spy.”

Shock, anger, and hurt raced through Vaughn’s eyes. “How could you turn on your own people?”

Nucl spat on the ground. “Because the Confederation, our government, would do nothing.” He jammed his thumb into his chest. “And I wanted revenge.”

“So, Ryruc was right,” Vaughn said slowly. “You did sabotage the engines.”

Nucl smiled triumphantly. “Of course, I did. But I outsmarted your hot-headed brother.”

“No, you didn’t,” Vaughn insisted. “He never believed you.”

Nucl shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll all be dead soon. And I will be the lone survivor who barely escaped.”

“What about your woman––Ollae?”

“She’ll die, too.”

Ysam couldn’t fathom the coldness in his voice. “But she’s your mate.”

“No, she’s just warming my bed. Women are easy-come, easy-go.”

Another scream jerked Ysam to attention. He had to get to Kathy. “Let me get to my mate.”

“No,” Nucl said simply. His eyes glistened with laughter. “I promised the Gogs they could taste human meat.”

Ysam had had enough. He drew on his dragon powers. Nucl still had the weapon pointed at Vaughn.

“Now, stay where you are.” Nucl looked at Ysam uneasily, as if he knew he taunted him too far. His hand shook that held the weapon. He stepped back into the jungle.

“Vaughn!” Tash yelled. He was getting closer. “Where are you?”

Sweat trickled over Nucl’s upper lip. The trashing of the jungle got louder. In a split second, he ran, which was his big mistake.

Ysam transformed into a dragon and lunged. Nucl fired the weapon and a hot ray whizzed past Ysam, singeing the tip of his wing. He shrieked angrily.

Nucl bolted into the jungle as fast as he could. Even in bear form, he was no match for a dragon.

“Ysam, don’t kill him!” Vaughn shouted behind him. “We need him.”

Nucl wound through the jungle dodging trees, hurling over puddles, knocking away vines. Ysam crashed through bushes and knocking down trees. Vines tangled in his wings, but he didn’t care and pushed on, tearing them out of the falling trees. He couldn’t fly, but his brute strength could tear apart the forest.

Voices yelled behind him, but they grew dimmer. He didn’t care. All that mattered was Nucl. He cursed himself for not trusting Kathy. Her auras hadn’t been wrong. He’d never doubt her again. By the Fates, if he had to burn the jungle to the ground, he would find her.

Nucl dove behind a grove of thick trees. Hiding beneath the leaves and vines wouldn’t protect him. Ysam released a stream of fire. The trees burst into flames. He waited for Nucl’s screams or the stench of burning hair, but only the sound of crackling flames echoed in the jungle.

Ysam barged through the flames. Bits of burning leaves and twigs flew into the air. He looked around, but there was no trace of Nucl.

He was gone.

And so was the trail to Kathy.