Ysam stopped and sniffed again, inhaling a fresh womanly scent. Even mixed with the smoky fire and sweet-smelling flowers, he could detect her. Kathy was nearby.

Blood had dried on his backside and a pulsing ache throbbed every time he moved, but he didn’t care. He had to find Kathy.

Hate burned in his chest. He curled back his lower lip and snorted smoke out his nostrils. She was still alive, but if those things hurt one hair on her head, he’d burn them alive–slowly.

Tash and the others were tracking his trail. He’d left them behind. They were only delaying his progress. If only he could fly….

But his damn wing was still on the mend.

He scanned the jungle for signs of any structures, but so far, he hadn’t seen any. Where the Fates was their stronghold? Unfortunately, the one who described their encampment had been Nucl, so anything he said couldn’t be trusted.

Unease settled in his gut. Ysam wasn’t a fool. This smelled like a trap. The key was still knocking out their shield generator, but he had to assume that Nucl had told the Gogs their plan.

He hurried along, following the scent. Something dangled from a branch, glittering in the sunlight. He slowly approached and sucked in his breath. It was Kathy’s silver bracelet! She had come this way.

Without hesitating, he transformed back into a humanoid and broke out in a wide grin. The pain intensified ten-times and his vision blurred, the bracelet swirling around him. He shook his head and the dizziness cleared. He was on the right trail. He quickly stuffed the delicate chain into his back pocket, then in a flash, returned to his dragon form.

He proceeded slower, looking for other signs that she’d been this way. Brown curly stands of hair tangled on a branch caught his attention. In a few more steps, clumps of coarse, tan hair laid on the jungle floor. He sniffed and grimaced. Definitely, not Kathy’s–a Gog’s.

The trees thinned, revealing a clearing, and he smiled. Five rows of grass huts and several Gogs meandered around, as if they had nothing to worry about. A cut down trail wound into the forest that led toward the cliff where their shield generator was located. He could see the towering satellite dish, carefully out of reached of the Arians. A fire pit burned and flickered. His nose wrinkled as he inhaled barbecuing meat and couldn’t help but wonder what crew member had met their end over a roasting fire.

Kathy must be tied up in one of the huts. He inhaled, ready to fry them alive, but then he froze. Something was wrong. Kathy’s scent wasn’t coming from the huts. All he could smell was the foul stench of the Gogs and the sizzling meat.

This didn’t feel right. Rather than giving into his adrenaline, he forced himself to lay low and trust his dragon instincts. He closed his eyes, not wanting to rely on what he wanted to see, but what he felt, heard, and smelled. He took deep breaths and concentrated.

Every instinct told him he was being watched. The Gogs knew he was here and were planning some kind of attack. The sound of rustling trees, crackling leaves, and crying birds thumped in his ears, but he ignored those obvious noises. Far away voices caught his attention. Some of them were Arians, but these didn’t come from behind him. They rung from the right of him.

He didn’t move and opened his right eye, searching for something out of place, something he hadn’t noticed, something hiding from a dragon.

The tips of the jungle trees rustled and a rock rolled down the mountain. His heart beat quickened. Where had that come from? But then he froze. On a jagged ledge, a slab of rock slowly moved, but as he watched. It wasn’t a rock. The Gogs had a damn hologram!

He looked down at the grass huts. Maybe those things weren’t real, either. What if they were hiding something inside the huts? Tash and his men could be walking into a trap.

Ysam hesitated, but up on the cave, a fire fight broke out. Gogs spun out of the cave and dove to the side. Some came out screaming, their fur on fire. Whatever was inside the cave was giving the Gogs a hard time. He made his decision and raced toward the jagged rocks.

The sound of a twig breaking made him skid to a stop. He inhaled, then narrowed his eyes. He burst out of the jungle, letting loose a stream of fire. Two Gogs hiding behind a thicket of trees howled in agony. He smashed them with his tail, sending them flying into the air. They crashed into the huts, but no grass or logs caved in. Just as he expected, another damn hologram.

The Gogs weren’t mindless-eating flesh monsters. They had intelligence and technology, or else someone was supplying them with it. The instruments on the Stellar hadn’t detected any civilizations, but then he’d only programmed it for the surface. What if there was a community below ground? How could he have made such a fatal error?

Gogs fired their weapon at him. He leaped into the air, exhaling. Two of them fell off the ledge shrieking. Fire crackled and sparkled all over their hairy bodies. Not one ounce of sympathy slipped into Ysam’s conscience. As he made his way up the trail, Kathy’s scent grew stronger. She was here. And she was alive.

A huge white bear burst out of the cave, snarling and growling, and a leathery creature followed with eight arms, flailing all around. Death reflected in its eight blood-shot eyes. They both rammed into the Gogs, sending them flying off the cliff. More angry creatures that he’d never seen before, streamed out of the cave. Some were hairy, others feathery, still others leathery, and were all sizes, but they’d all been tortured or half starved. Fresh wounds, bruises, and dried blood marred their bodies. There was no mercy in their eyes. They wanted revenge.

The bear transformed into an Arian with white hair. Anger flickered in his green eyes.

Below, the Gogs opened fire, killing the leathery creature that tumbled off the ledge. The rest of the creatures retreated into the cage.

The white-haired Arian bolted over to Ysam. His hair was tangled, and he’d a cut on his left cheek. His eyes were sunken in and he’d a scruffy beard. “I’m Walfea. Listen to me. Your woman set us free, but she’s in danger.”

Ysam moved, but the great Arian stood in front of him.

“Ysam, this planet. The Kamtrinians are using it as a prison. They’re the ones backing the Gogs. She’s in the back of cave and has one of their weapons, but it won’t last for long. I’m sorry. I couldn’t get to her.”

Rage racked through Ysam. He transformed back into a humanoid form and gripped Walfea’s shoulder. “She’s mine to protect. But Tash and the rest of the men are planning to attack the huts.”

“They’ll be killed immediately. It’s not Gogs hiding in there. It’s Kamtrinians.”

“Go. Save your people.”

Walfea transformed back into the great white bear and raced down the mountain, then disappeared into the bush. Ysam hoped he’d make it out alive. He owed him for trying to save Kathy.

Once again, he transformed into a dragon and bolted up the rocky trail to the cave, cursing his throbbing shoulder and backside. The stench of death, burnt fur, and blood smacked him in the face. Worry and anger knotted into a ball in his gut. His throat welled up as he edged one foot into the multicolored cave, but it grew gloomier and murkier as he moved. His dragon’s eyes immediately adjusted to the darkness. Huge holes were line against one wall, and he assumed those must have led to the dungeon.

Dead Gogs were on the ground. Some had gaping holes in the middle of their gut, while others looked like they’d been trampled to death. They sorely overestimated their defenses–––a mistake that Taog would never have had made. He was a shrewd captain and never underestimated an enemy.

But then the Gogs were backed up by the Kamtrinians, the deadliest creatures in the galaxy.

He crunched over the dead Gogs and knocked them into their smelly holes. He came across a live one who looked at him pitifully. Ysam shoved it into the pit, groaning and moaning. They would be the lucky ones if Kathy had as much as a broken fingernail.

Gogs were huddled behind a cracked and burned metal wall that rose from the top to the ceiling.

“It’s the dragon!” One them pointed at him.

“Move! We’re trapped!”

Ysam drew on the fire in his chest. Rather than firing, another hidden wall opened, and they all rushed inside like cowards.

“Ysam,” a small voice called.

He smashed the door and it crumbled into a ball. Pride swelled through him. Kathy stood against the back of the cave with one of the Gog’s weapons in her hand. More of them were scattered on the floor. He looked around. Phasers, long ugly spears, telicators, ultra bombs, and firing banks were stacked neatly. The little minx had discovered their weapons hold. No wonder they were all dead.

She lowered her weapon. “Ysam.” Her arms shook and she collapsed onto her knees. He transformed back into a humanoid.

He pulled her into his arms. “Kathy. Thank the Fates, you’re alive.”

She clung to him. “I couldn’t die. I had to get to you. They were leading you into a trap.” She put her hands on his cheeks. “You came for me.”

“I’ll always come for you.” He kissed her hard, needing to draw in her essence now that she was alive. He speared his tongue in her mouth, marking her as his. He could taste her fear and courage, but he hadn’t anticipated anything so arousing or so seductive as the tiny, low moans that came on each twirling of his tongue. He hadn’t anticipated himself nearly coming out of his skin, thinking of her other areas of her lush body that would be soft and silky, waiting to be worshiped. He’d never met a woman like her. Raw, carnal fire flamed his senses and made him dwell even deeper, driving him to turn his mouth this way and that so there was no part of her left unraveled, untouched. Fates, what if he couldn’t have gotten here in time?

“Please,” she gasped. “The others…we have to…get out of here.”

He cursed his loss of control and poor timing.

“You’re right.” He clasped her hand. “Before I change back, I have something for you.”

She frowned. “What?”

He pulled out the silver chain and it dangled, glistening in the dim light.

“My bracelet! You found it. I never thought I’d see it again.” She gasped and touched her throat.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, then planting kisses all over his face. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

He laughed and hugged her close. “If I knew I’d get this response from you, I’d always bring you jewelry.”

She rested her hands on his shoulders. “Not any jewelry. This one means so much to me because you understood what it represents. I’ll never forget this.”

His throat swelled up, and he gazed into the tears, glinting in her eyes. Her cheeks glowed, and she parted her bruised lips. He couldn’t resist and took what she offered, indulging in her womanly taste. He crushed her, not ever wanting to let her go. Her heart pounded as fierce as his and her fervor matched his. She was softening toward him, but what would happen when he told her about Daidhl? A sharp pain swelled in his chest. Would he lose her forever? Never see her again? Never argue?

She slowly backed off. “Sorry.” She smiled shyly. “We should go before end up doing something extremely foolish.”

He nodded, gasping for breath. “I’m…going to change…back into a dragon. I want you to climb on top of my back, then wrap your arms around my neck. Will you do this?”

Having her ride him, was the only way he knew he could keep her safe. For once, let her stubborn streak bend.

“Wait.” She grabbed half-a-dozen weapons and stashed them in a bag, then slung it her over her shoulder. “Before we leave, you need to destroy their stronghold.”

He smiled. “With pleasure.” He changed back into a dragon.

She grinned back and immediately climbed up on his back and dug her heels into his side. It was as if she was meant to be there and fit like a snug glove.

He headed for the entrance of the cave to make sure Kathy would be safe from the fiery blaze. Once dragon fire hit their arsenal, it would explode into a fiery blaze. He just wished he could fly. His timing would have to be exact because the explosion could take half the mountain-side.

He inhaled a deep breath, his chest burning hot with violent vengeance. He blew a wide burst of fire. Without waiting for the explosion, he bolted out of the cave with Kathy holding on tight to his neck. Her heart beat frantically against him. He thought of taking her down to safety, but he had to get to the damn shield generator.

A loud explosion shook the side of the mountain as he raced up the rugged trail. Rocks and dirt flew into the air and rained on top of them, pelting their flesh.

“Oh, shit!” Kathy clutched him tight.

Alarm ricochet through him. He hyperventilated. She could be hurt or even killed. In one swift movement, he turned, forcing Kathy to release him. She screamed, her eyes wide. Bits of ash covered her head and shoulders. Black soot stained her beautiful face. He shrouded her in his wings, cocooning her against his chest, then tucked his head down, protecting his mate.

A tornado of heat and fire swarmed around him. Burning ash and hard rubble pounded the top of his head and his tough hide again and again. He drew on his dragon power, sucking in the fieriness, not feeling any pain and using everything he had to pull debris and fire away from his mate.

Screams and screeches echoed around him. He inhaled the stench of burning fur and flesh. He hardened his pounding heart to their pitiful cries. The Gogs had tried to hurt his mate––something he could never forgive.

The crackling of wood and leaves surrounded him. The pelting of rocks and ash slowly ceased. He slowly opened his eyes. Broken trees and brush burned in the jungle below. Where the grass huts had been, laid dead Gogs. A metal hologram machine was twisted and bent, obviously destroyed.

He frowned. Where were the Kamtrinians who were supposed to be hiding in the grass huts? Had they changed their plans at the last minute?

Luckily, he didn’t see any Arians next to the Gog’s badly burned and crushed bodies. He unwound his wings. Kathy stumbled into his chest.

A sudden giddiness flushed through him. She was alive! Her dark curls were plastered to her head, and her shirt stuck to her sweltering skin. He wanted to change back to kiss every inch of her, but there wasn’t time.

They had to get to the shield generator. With the Gogs almost destroyed, it could draw out the Kamtrinians. Their weapons wouldn’t stand a chance against the Kamtrinians’.

“Oh, my God.” She put her shaking hand on her sleek forehead, smearing black ash across her . “What happened?”

He gently nudged her toward his back.

“Okay, okay,” she mumbled. “I get it.” She jerked her hand back and wiped it on her pant leg. “Your back’s red hot.”

He snorted angrily.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t know if I can sit on your back.”

Damn, his scales would be too hot for a human. He glanced up the mountain. The path was treacherously now that some of the mountainside had broken away. Unfortunately, the shield generator hadn’t been damaged.

He couldn’t leave her. Reluctantly, he transformed. “Come on!” He snatched her hand and dragged her up the ragged path.

“Ysam, wait.” She fell on her knee.

His chest tightened, imprisoning his thundering heart. Not to be deterred, he scooped her up in his arms and pumped his legs hard. Kathy weighed next to nothing. She wrapped her shaking arms tight around his neck and buried her face in his chest.

The trail snaked up the mountain. As a dragon, it would have been easy to climb, but wounded and in humanoid form, his pace slowed. His legs cramped, and he panted hard, his lungs screaming for relief, but he couldn’t stop, wouldn’t stop. And he couldn’t leave his mate behind, not after almost losing her.

He slipped on a ash covered rock and landed hard on one knee. Kathy screamed and tightened her grip around his neck. Sweat dripped down his temples, and he licked the salt off his lips. The pulsing pain in his backside made him groan. He gasped for breath as he continued up the daunting mountain that was covered with ash and deep crevices. One false move, and he and Kathy would tumble to their death.

“Ysam, you need to put me down.” Her voice trembled.

He shook his head. “No.”

“I’m weighing you down.”

He laughed harshly and held her closer, afraid she’d try to escape. “No, you’re not.”

“You have to get to the shield generator.” She tilted her head. “Something’s there. I can see a black aura around it. I’ve never felt anything so evil, so full of hate.”

He sighed and unwound his arms. “The Kamtrinians are here. I can’t defeat them as a humanoid.”

“I know.” She stepped aside. “Go.”

“I can’t leave you.”

“Yes, you can.” She pulled out the Gog’s weapon. “I’m not unarmed. Go, before it’s too late. I’ll be all right.”

He hesitated, hearing the fear in her voice. “No matter what you hear, don’t follow me.”

She crossed her finger over her chest. “I promise. I’ll stay here.”

He shook his head, not believing a word she said. But he didn’t have a choice. He quickly transformed into a dragon, then drew on his fire. His chest burned. He leapt up the path, his talons digging into dirt and rocks.

The mountain turned, then opened onto a plateau. A slight shiver went down his spine. He stopped. A two-Kamtrinian space ship hid behind some burning and blackened trees, but he didn’t see any sign of them. He sniffed and couldn’t detect their foul stench. He turned around, not sure if he should leave Kathy alone. Afraid the Kamtrinians may be trying to capture her, he crept toward her sniffing, but only smelled ash and fire and her fresh scent. Heaviness swelled in his gut. He forced himself to turn away from running back down to her and raced over to the shield generator.

The tower sat on top of a black building with double doors. He pursed his lips together. No guards were around, but he suspected they were inside. He’d be damn lucky if they were just Gogs.

He leaned back on his haunches, jumped, and easily landed on edge of the building, but his backside screamed in protest. Ignoring the agony, he pulled himself up and squeezed underneath a metal bar––a stupid mistake.

The shield generator blasted a yellow laser. Barbs of energy shot over his body. Agony gripped him as if ten thousands bolts of lightning shocked him repeatedly. He screeched, trembling helplessly.

A bottom trap door opened and a Kamtrinian emerged. The light shone off his marble skin that looked almost transparent. He stared at Ysam with three shiny black eyes.

“Foolish, Zalarian. I am Yagok, Captain of the Executor.” He raised his arms. “Did you actually think you could single-handedly destroy our shield generator?” He tilted his head back and laughed.

Ysam’s belly knotted. He cursed himself for not trusting his instincts. This had been too easy, way too easy.

Yagok knelt next to him. “Did you think the Gogs were the only guards we employed at our prison? I have an army of new bounty hunters coming here––smarter, stronger, and swifter than the Gogs.” He pulled his eruptor out of his belt. “Prepare to die, Zalarian. Don’t worry. Your pretty little mate will soon be joining you.”

Tingling sensations of increasing strength pumped through him. Ysam growled. His muscles and veins strained against his scales.

“Die!” Yagok sneered.

A beam of light shot into Yagok. He arched his back screaming and the weapon flung out of his hand into the laser. Sparks flew into the air and the laser flickered, losing some of its power.

Ysam gritted his teeth and drawing all of his strength, swung his tail. Yagok crashed into a beam of the tower and his body convulsed. His alabaster skin turned black. His eyes bulged.

“Ysam! They’re coming!”

He cringed––Kathy. She’d broken her promise.