Dominance Fury Page 5

  And then she saw it, a large creature bursting through the skies.

  Jardia recoiled, her heart pounding fiercely with alarm, her eyes widening. "A great spirit bird!"

  Fearfully she watched as it tore across the horizon, its body casting a great shadow on the ground, the scream bellowing from it so painfully deafening that Jardia was sure her ears would burst open.

  "Ayn, ayn!" She cried out in pain, her fear escalating to sheer terror.

  It vanished into the horizon as swiftly as it appeared, the thunderous wail fading so quickly that Jardia had to question if she'd really seen it at all. Blinking, she stared at the point in the sky were the spirit had gone.

  Why had it come in the first place? Jardia felt her vision sharpen as she searched the skies, her body readying itself to fight, her chest tight, her breath heavy with trepidation. Perhaps it was a warning about her near fall to sleep. Perhaps she'd angered the ….

  What was that? A sound--something…where? Jardia shrieked. From nowhere as before, the bird thundered forth, this time lower in the horizon, much, much lower. It was swooping in on her! Instinctively Jardia covered her head with her arms, preparing for its angry claws to clench onto her. But it didn't. Instead the spirit bird scaled the skies over her head. It roared angrily and caused the ground to shudder more violently than before. Peeking from beneath her sheltering arms, Jardia saw that this time the spirit bird didn't disappear. It soared upward and then curved back around, descending, more slowly than before, though its speed was still quite fast, it's horrible shrieks still piercing her ears, its body casting a mighty shadow all around her as it passed overhead. It continued to fly, circling, scrutinizing perhaps, Jardia thought. Does it see me?

  Curiosity overshadowed Jardia's fear. Straightening to a full upright position, she cupped a hand over her brow to shelter her eyes from the mid-dawning sun and studied the creature. It took only moments for her to realize that there seemed to be something wrong with the bird. It was injured or ill. The wings were stiff and unmoving, lifeless, as if dead, and a fire spewed from its tale! Thunderous, pained cries boomed from it, growing louder and louder until Jardia once again was forced to press her palms to her ears. Fret seized her. The spirit bird was coming down from the skies! Lower and lower it glided, approaching the ground until it was sliding on its belly across the field at an incomprehensible speed. In that same instant the top of its skull blew off and it spit something from its brains. Whatever it was shot straight upward and disappeared into the heavens.

  "Ka!" Jardia shouted, gnashing her teeth in horror as it spun and smashed against a cluster of boulders that were blocking its path. "Woe, woe!"

  Frozen in place, Jardia could do nothing but watch, her heart pounding in terrified beats the spirit bird's screeches increasing, fire combusting and consuming it as the tail was torn apart!

  "Great spirits, I beseech you!" Jardia lifted her arms and focused on the rosy skies above. "Show mercy on the creature and end the pain it suffers quickly."

  Grimacing at the horrid burning smell permeating the air, she continued to stare upward wondering if what went up would come down. And then Jardia glimpsed movement. It appeared as a tiny dot at first but grew larger as it drifted downward. She stared, her gaze transfixed, scrutinizing the object, tracking the thing as it floated gently toward the ground. Briefly she worried it would come to rest within the flaming carcass, but soon realized the gentle breeze was carrying it further into the field and away from the fiery danger. Grasping her talon arc, Jardia leapt from the boulder, landing on the turf in a squatted position.

  A thunderous burst shattered the air, and jolted Jardia to the bone. In an instant she was flattened on the dirt, taking cover. Pieces ruptured from the blistering inferno and torches of fire were hurled everywhere. The burst of flame was so massive it lit the already bright dawning, sending heat across the field that was so intense, sweat immediately consumed her body. The spirit bird was no more.

  For a moment Jardia stared. And then grief over the sacred destruction struck her. Standing, she brushed the dirt from her loin cloth, her sight still fixated toward the fiery death that once was life. She quietly recited a bereavement prayer before her interest returned to the drifting castaway.

  "Ka!" She whispered a curse, frozen momentarily where she stood, hesitating, unsure if approaching the thing when it landed would be wise.

  Finally deciding she needed to investigate, Jardia moved across the open field vigilantly, almost noiselessly, the knee-high foliage brushing her legs, making only wispy sounds that were barely audible. In the distance, hunt forgotten, she heard the cry of a crobas, but her interest was now elsewhere. With visual acuity as keen as a stalking raptor, Jardia studied the descending creature, noting the long tentacles that came from its back and spread outward in a circular pattern where they attached to a single, domed wing that appeared to be the reason for its floating descent.

  Jardia winced when the creature thudded to the ground, the impact much harder than she would've expected, though not forceful enough to cause significant damage. With her eyes riveted to its landing spot, she waited for movement--a reaction of any sort from the thing, but there was only silence as the large, round wing whipped and spread in gentle waves as it came to rest atop the thing, covering it, concealing it from her probing eyes, as if it were constructed for such an intentional purpose--camouflage.

  Raising her talon arc overhead, poised to strike, sight, smell, sound, every one of her senses honed, her body tense ready to defend. She crossed one leg over the other, half crouched, stepping closer and closer until she was near enough to touch it. With trepidation Jardia leaned slightly forward and stretched out her weapon, poking at the lump under the wing with the blunted end. There was no sound, no response from the creature beneath, the only movement coming from the rounded wing, the edges curling slightly as the breeze caught and lifted it.

  "Greetings spirit creature." She poked the lump again. No sense in being unfriendly.

  There was a low moan. It lives.

  Unsure if the thing would attack, Jardia's muscles bunched in protective preparation, her talon raised again, her elbow reared back and ready to strike. When nothing happened, Jardia stooped. Reaching with her empty hand she skimmed a heedful palm over the top of the wing, mulling over the pliable, smooth surface and how it felt more like cloth than supple, living flesh. It was thinner than she expected but supposed it was necessary to catch the air and bring the creature safely to the ground. Was it really safe? The stillness of the creature was unnerving, perhaps a defensive ploy or tactile maneuver to catch her unaware? Yet Jardia couldn't abandon the thing. It was of the spirit bird that now lay burning across the field, death now its keeper.

  Still clinging to her weapon, Jardia gently peeled away the wing, careful not to damage it. No blood was apparent as of yet, but there still might be injuries to what lay beneath.

  It looked like a bug.

  Tipping her head askew, Jardia stared at it inquisitively. What she had uncovered was the oddest looking insect she'd ever seen. The creature's head was a rounded, shiny, white ball with one big, foggy eye in front.

  She leaned in for a better look.

  "Eyaka!" Jardia shrieked as she recoiled.

  There was a face below its surface! She froze, staring at the face and then blinked, leaning in once again to study it. She then snorted, realizing it was her own reflection she saw in it, albeit a distorted, curved image. She examined the creature further. A black shell covered its back. The rest of its body was white as were its hands, but the feet were thick and black with no toes or claws to speak of. It was big, too! By far it was the biggest and strangest bug Jardia had ever seen.

  It moaned again--a muffled sound that came from a mouth unseen. A slight jerk of its body had Jardia sucking in a gasp as she reflexively sprang back once more, her breath hitching.

  She waited.

  Nothing--nothing happened so she stepped closer but stiffened offensively when t
he insect began to squirm. One of its arms reached for the other and tugged on the end the claw there. Jardia's eyes widened. She thought it had just lost a piece of its limb but soon realized it had merely shed an outer skin revealing flesh beneath. Fingers like her own clenched and unclenched as if testing their strength and dexterity. It was a hand! What was happening here? She watched as the now bared fingers curled around the tips of the opposite appendage and yanked. A second hand appeared from beneath the outer covering, it too stretching and flexing.

  Was it molting?

  One of the hands came up and gripped at straps crossing its chest. It gave Jardia pause, and she raised her talon arc, prepared to defend should the creature become wicked or be concealing a weapon. With her empty hand she fingered the cord that crossed her own chest, the strap attached to her own weapon's sheath which rested against her back. There was an odd sound that came from the strap when the creature pulled on it. The strap loosened and then came apart, and the creature rolled, the movement causing Jardia to gasp and spring backwards. She watched as it separated itself from the shell on its back. She frowned. Curiously the shell looked much like something one would sit in. There was another muffled groan that once again came from an unseen mouth somewhere on its head.

  Correction--its now removed head!

  "Gehu a Mahatma!" Jardia fell to her knees as she cried out to the divinities.

  She was witnessing a metamorphosis. A spiritual birthing!

  Awestruck, Jardia admired the exotic appearance of the soft feminine face that hatched from the harder looking shell that covered it just moments before. Long, dark lashes graced the curved edges of her closed lids. The jaw line smoothly angled, framed supple, pink lips that pursed tightly. A petite and pretty nose turned up slightly gave the birthling an almost child-like, innocent appearance as did its skin, unmarred and appearing as smooth as the cloths woven from the siaa leaves. Slightly darker than hers, it had a natural tone unlike skin that was bathed in sunlight as was Jardia's own flesh. Her hair was cut short in even lengths at her neckline…oh what a silky, dark tress it appeared to be!

  Jardia craved to touch it. The creature, she was beautiful!

  There was another groan, and it was then that Jardia noticed the trickle of blood oozing from one ear. Now more awestruck than afraid, she moved closer and reached, turning the face of the goddess to inspect the other ear. Indeed blood filled the crevice of that one, as well.

  "Ka! Eviata!" Jardia breathed out, the words a heavy whisper. Compassion seized her heart. "Setfa!"

  The creature was hurt. A sensation, struck Jardia's insides, and immediately she knew.

  The dawnings of fasting and sleeplessness, of the sacred prayer had finally brought her the answer. And it was in this creature. Brought to the Tertian soil, spewed by its mother who came from the heavens, a divinity was delivered to her in the flesh!

  Jardia exhaled an awestruck breath. They would seek her endlessly, driven by their lusts! No male would be sane enough to resist her charms. This was the divinity bird's virgin offspring and Jardia had to protect her.

  This was her destiny!

  ?

  Chapter Six

  "We wish no harm to the clans of Cu'cjani." Tren stepped forward, speaking in the Tertian vernacular that had survived from the dawnings of old. With his arms extended forward he presented the delta to indicate their spiritual unity and to express that their intentions toward the tribe was peaceful. "We look for an intruder who seeks to harm us all."

  Calem shifted uncomfortably, watching silently as the Commander interacted with the indigenous Tribunal leader. The ancient tribe of Esotar might be agitated by their presence, but he was suffering from some agitation, as well, in the form of a raging erection that wouldn't retreat no matter where his thoughts went.

  Our Tina is close, Arjim slid into his brethren's head. His balls were swollen with lack of release, and he had a torturous hard-on of his own to deal with.

  Amongst the direct descendants of the ancients? Calem questioned. How can that be? Our Tina is from a faraway planet. That much we have determined. He indicated the primitive tribe with a nod in their direction.

  Arjim thought about that for a moment. My cock and my senses tell me otherwise. She's here.

  Your cock would sense a ruk jobbin hole for a mate if you were horny enough, brethren. A growl pierced inside of Calem's head, but he couldn't deny the physical and instinctive mating reactions stirring within. They both felt their female's presence. But where was she--who was she? They scanned the tribe gathered before them a near desperate search for the female who caused their brethren bonding.

  She cannot be amongst those who accompany the Tribunal, Arjim returned. His gaze dropped to the chain of interlocking circles the females wore on each ankle. Look at them. They are all mated triples. She would not be with them here. It was true. Each female present wore the fetter charms that confirmed they indeed were already bonded in a Trigon.

  Their worst fears were realized, but it was Arjim who mentally gulped the words. She is the intruder we hunt.

  From what we perceived during our transdelta linking it would seem so, Calem silently responded. But where is she? There was no sign of her near the wreckage we found, and we know she is hurt or at least in some kind of distress.

  Arjim had no answer. Mentally he sighed, the angst of his frustration matching Calem's. So near, and yet still unreachable.

  We need to keep linking with her to find out more.

  If she's with any of the Tribes in Esotar, Calem paled. They might kill her…

  The She'amatina might have found her first.

  They would likely protect her. The thought of their Tina running with the virgin, female tribe gave Calem only a margin of relief. If she was with them, finding and retrieving her would be a challenge since the highly nomadic women were elusive and exceptionally practiced at hiding, particularly when a Triconjugal hunt was occurring. Still, they would have to find her.

  It is high moon, brethren. Arjim reminded his cousin. The males called to the Trigon are beginning the hunt.

  It is a sacred event. The tribes will be disturbed by an outsider's presence.

  Returning their attention to Commander Tren, Calem and Arjim listened to the exchange he was having with Cu'cjani tribe's Mahatma leader, Pontiff Gre'aecha. They struggled to comprehend the ancient Tertian language he was speaking, a language the modern civilization used little but was learned by all, though fluid interpretation proved difficult.

  "You tread on sacred ground, stranger," the Pontiff spoke, his feral warning to keep away clearly apparent in his expression. Identifiable by the maroon hooded cape draping his body, he was one of four tribunal members who accompanied what was estimated to be about sixty or so clansmen from Cu'cjani, an ancient Trigon tribe--mated triples that packed together in Esotar. They'd been the first to intercept the sentry who assaulted their sacred grounds. Better them than the more aggressive tribes of Sh'emati, the unmated male packs who had a tendency to attack without question.

  "We seek an enemy who travels in your lands, Pontiff Gre'aecha." Commander Tren ot Alea took a step forward. "A dangerous enemy."

  He spread his arms, his modern, metal talon arc gripped in one hand, the blade facing backward. The stance was a long-understood gesture of amity. The twenty-five sentries, including Calem and Arjim assumed a similar stance, though their weapons were sheathed. Traditionally only the leader of a tribe or group held his weapon when war was questionable.

  "You demean us by suggesting we know not of an intruder in our own lands?" Gre'aecha narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the outsiders standing before him. He rolled his shoulders with indignation as he returned his gaze to the Commander. "Be gone with you!"

  He waved his hands to shoo them, but the Commander did not heed him. Instead he crouched and set his weapon on the ground, an indication of his deference for the Tribunal superior. Standing, he bowed his head before beginning to explain that their lives, that all of the
ir lives might be in danger. The exchange of words that continued between them was lost to Calem and Arjim. Both were quietly moving to the outside of the group, desperate to locate their Tina.

  We're under active orders, brethren, Arjim responded when he realized they were both contemplating deserting their own regimen. First and foremost they were sworn to their military duties. Such an action was a certain invitation to severe reproof. Aside from that reprimanding would delay finding our Tina.

  This is fated by the divinities, Calem argued. Our presence here in the lands beyond Esotar, a place where we have never been permitted to tread is a certain indication.

  Arjim couldn't deny the truth. Forty and some primitive tribes dwelled in the massive and unspoiled territories. Protected and heavily guarded, life remained unmarred by contemporary times. Trespassing was strictly prohibited with violators facing harsh penalties.

  If we remain with our regimen cousin, Arjim attempted to be the voice of reason. And apprehend the intruder, and our Tina is the intruder, then we will have her.

  But what if our Tina is not the intruder? Calem chuckled silently at Arjim's conveyed logic. Besides my brethren, if she is the intruder, I have issue as you should have with standing by while watching our Tina arrested. We must find her, make her our She'mana and mate with her as quickly as possible.

  Beneath his brethren's sense of duty he heard in his mind the primal growl, felt the shudder of feral anticipation running the course of Arjim's spine and the way his shaft now stood rigid and unbidden. Calem's cousin was no more immune to the potent yearning to hunt their Tina than he was. Thoughts of his hard erection sinking into their woman's wetness, taking her body, the sweet smell of her, the taste of her stirred every primal Tertian instinct inside of him. Groan … Arjim tightened his thoughts, focusing on his warrior pride. The mastery of one's own spirit is measured by his self-control, cousin.