Zaureth: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 4) Page 2

  “We did. She is all right. Mallory is in with her now.”

  “What happened?”

  Vaulcron hesitated.

  “I will find out once I arrive,” Zaureth practically growled through their mental link. “Tell me!”

  “She drowned,” came Vaulcron’s quiet response.

  Zaureth’s stomach tightened in regret. He should have known that Amy was in the water, should have sensed it somehow. But he’d been so worried about pushing her away… He couldn’t finish the thought.

  “Are you certain that she is unharmed?” Zaureth pressed, needing the reassurance. “I can no longer feel her presence. She—”

  “Zaureth,” Vaulcron interrupted. “I assure you that she is fine. Abbie gave her something to help her heal, to relax and sleep. That is why her thoughts are unreachable.”

  Relief poured through Zaureth, strong enough that he shuddered from the power of it. “Hopefully, I will arrive before she wakes.”

  “It will be good to see you, my friend,” Vaulcron confessed. “Safe travels.”

  Not trusting his emotions not to bleed through, Zaureth severed his link with Vaulcron.

  Amy had drowned, he thought in a daze, picking up his pace once more. How could he have not known she’d gone into the gulf? He should have realized it during their brief conversation.

  Zaureth had no idea how to handle the emotions that he experienced when in the presence of Amy Brighton. They were foreign to him, unstable feelings with an urgency that puzzled him.

  Zaureth knew enough to realize he had some kind of an attraction for the human girl. He’d felt it in his gut the first time he’d looked into her sightless eyes. The pale blue innocence shining from their depths had pulled at his heartstrings, and he hadn’t been able to bring himself to leave her side.

  She had a soft, clean scent that Zaureth found intoxicating to the point where he stole one of her shirts and used it as a pillowcase to sleep on at night.

  Zaureth understood the obsession that had been growing inside him, robbing him of thought, of common sense. He also knew that he could never act on it.

  For as long as Zaureth could remember, he’d had certain gifts: the power to heal within reason, the ability to move objects through space with merely a thought. He was a healer. And the human girl? Forbidden.

  Zaureth had noticed the changes happening inside him after only a few days in Amy’s presence. He’d chalked it up to the attraction, the fixation he seemed to have on her. But how? And why her?

  Since learning of his gifts growing up, Zaureth spent the majority of his time alone, meditating, praying, as the humans referred to it. He’d understood at an early age that a being more powerful than himself had created the earth and every living thing in it.

  After years of strange looks, being shunned by his peers, and the unknown origin of his birth, Zaureth had remained in the catacombs of Aukrabah, seeking knowledge.

  He’d studied everything their extensive library had to offer, from herbs and human medicines to the aquatic world and everything that lived within it.

  Zaureth had never understood the need to be in the presence of a female at all times, until he’d met Amy Brighton.

  He’d seen Hauke fall in love, as well as Vaulcron, Naura, and many more before them. But Zaureth had never experienced it for himself, had no desire to. Until Amy.

  The small human with the golden hair and sightless eyes had somehow bewitched him, drained him of common sense, and brought out certain physical reactions that were foreign to him.

  And she had no idea what he looked like. His pointed ears, fangs, and barbs would be enough to frighten even the strongest of humans. If Amy could see him with his great height and size, she’d no doubt run away screaming and never look back.

  If he were honest with himself, he’d take his own advice, turn around right then and never look back.

  Zaureth continued on to Cuba.

  Chapter Four

  “Amy?”

  The sound of Zaureth’s voice whispering her name brought Amy out of her drug-induced slumber.

  Her eyelids fluttered open, and she stared into the darkness, unable to see what her heart told her to be true.

  “Zaureth?” she croaked, blindly lifting a hand in search of his touch.

  “I am here.” He clasped her smaller hand in his larger one.

  A warm current of energy passed from his palm into hers.

  He pulled away. “How are you feeling?”

  Amy missed his touch immediately. “Much better. When did you get here?”

  “I arrived not long ago. You gave me quite a scare.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how far out in the water I had gone.”

  The bed dipped with his weight. “Why would you go into the gulf alone when you cannot swim?”

  “I thought…”

  “You thought what?”

  “I was hoping it would make me feel closer to you,” she shyly admitted. “I missed you, Zaureth.”

  Sounds from the door caught Amy’s attention. Her sister’s voice rang out in excitement. “You’re awake!”

  Mallory’s footsteps could be heard coming across the room. She took a seat on the other side of the bed, opposite of Zaureth. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine,” Amy admitted, wanting to be alone with Zaureth but unable to voice her desire to her sister.

  “You scared the living shit out of me, Amy. Why on earth would you go into the gulf by yourself? You know you can’t swim.”

  Amy took a contrite breath. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to feel the waves on my legs. I didn’t realize I’d gotten so far out. I got turned around and couldn’t find my way back,” she hedged.

  “Don’t ever do that to me again,” Mallory gently scolded. “I couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to you.”

  Amy accepted her sister’s hug, patting her back to assure her that she was fine. “I really am sorry.”

  Mallory straightened. “Thank God for Glenn. If he hadn’t been there…” Her voice trailed off.

  Amy felt Zaureth stiffen beside her. The calming energy he normally exuded changed to something dark and dangerous.

  “Anderson was with you?” Zaureth quietly asked, an underlying emotion lingering in his tone.

  “No.” Amy inched her fingers closer to Zaureth’s leg. “I don’t know how he found me. One minute I was under the water, running out of air, and the next thing I remember was Glenn saving my life.”

  “I think Mr. Anderson has a crush on our Amy,” Mallory teased, tucking some stray hair behind Amy’s ear.

  Amy was mortified that her sister had revealed such a thing in front of Zaureth.

  Zaureth suddenly stood. “I have some things to attend to. I will return to check on you later.” And with that, he left the room.

  Amy wanted to call him back, to tell him that Mallory hadn’t meant what she’d said. But she couldn’t. Besides, her sister spoke the truth. Amy had picked up on Glenn’s feelings on more than one occasion.

  “I’d like to take a shower and get something to eat,” Amy admitted. She needed to be alone to process the feelings she’d experienced upon Zaureth’s return.

  Mallory kissed her on the forehead and got to her feet. “Do you need any help?”

  “No, but thank you for asking. I’ll call room service after I get out of the shower.”

  “Okay,” Mallory conceded. “I’m just a phone call away.”

  Amy waited for the door to close behind her sister before she climbed from the bed and felt her way to the bathroom. She stripped out of her clothes and turned on the water.

  Thoughts of Zaureth plagued her as she washed her hair and cleansed the remnants of the gulf from her body.

  What did she really know about the Bracadyte healer, other than the fact he sent her heart racing? Nothing. She had no clue how old he even was. All Amy knew for certain was how she felt when in his presence.

  After drying off and brushing her
teeth, she slipped on the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and made her way slowly back toward her bed to snatch up the phone.

  “Front desk,” a female voice quipped.

  Amy recognized the voice belonging to the woman who’d given Glenn Amy’s room key earlier.

  “Hi,” Amy greeted her. “I’d like to order some room service, please. I’m in room 308.”

  “Sure thing, Miss. Brighton. What can I get you?”

  Famished beyond words, Amy ordered a burger and fries. “Do you offer milkshakes as well?”

  “We sure do,” the woman affirmed. “What flavor would you like?”

  Amy wanted them all, but decided on vanilla.

  With her arms stretched out in front of her, Amy trailed across the room to the couch. Taking a seat, she felt around on the coffee table until she located the remote control.

  The television came on with a flourish with news from the States.

  “The mortality rate continues to rise as the Incola virus sweeps across the country. A spokesman for the CDC has confirmed that signs of mutation are imminent, and the virus could become airborne at any time.

  “President William Pratt has called for a meeting with the leader of the Bracadytes, in hopes of establishing peace and possibly gaining information that could help in aiding with a vaccine. Stay tuned to Channel 8 for up-to-date information as we have it.”

  A soft knock on the door startled Amy. Her heart fluttered in excitement as she switched off the television and stood. Had Zaureth returned? “Just a second.”

  Feeling her way around the coffee table, Amy stopped in front of the door. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Glenn,” came the gruff reply.

  Amy shoulders slumped with the realization that her guest was not Zaureth. She opened the door and stepped back.

  “You look better,” Glenn remarked, his arm brushing hers as he slipped past her. “I ran into room service in the hall. Did you order a burger and fries?”

  Amy’s stomach growled in answer.

  Glenn laughed. “Have a seat, and I’ll get you fixed right up.”

  Amy tugged her robe together at the top and cinched the belt tighter before making her way back in the direction of the couch.

  Carefully skirting the coffee table, she sat in her previous position as Glenn readied her food in front of her.

  “I was just listening to the news from the States. From what I heard, President Pratt has called a meeting with Klause.”

  “Yeah,” Glenn murmured. “I heard the same thing.”

  Amy felt around and picked up her milkshake, holding back a groan as she sucked the creamy vanilla heaven up through the straw. “Do you think it would be safe for Klause to go to the States? I mean, after what happened with my sister and even Hauke and Abbie before that. I wouldn’t trust Pratt.”

  “It’s not Pratt that concerns me,” Glenn admitted, taking a seat next to Amy. “It’s people like Doug Jefferies and Gerald Kerik.”

  “Kerik? The secretary of defense?”

  Amy could hear Glenn chewing on one of her fries. She resisted a grin.

  “The very one,” Glenn quipped, leaning back against the couch cushions. “I don’t trust either one of them.”

  Amy ate her burger while Glenn filled her in on some of the horror stories of his time with Jefferies, ending with, “Jefferies was just as responsible for what happened to your sister and Vaulcron at that lab as President Howell was.”

  “But Howell has been impeached,” Amy pointed out, taking another long pull on her straw.

  “Yes, and Jefferies went unpunished. There are no legal ramifications for following the president’s orders.”

  “Great,” Amy muttered, feeling around for a napkin to wipe off her mouth. “That means he’s still in charge of homeland security.”

  Chapter Five

  Zaureth paced his room, fighting feelings he shouldn’t have. He’d run his hand through his hair enough times, it stood on end.

  Seeing Amy lying on that bed, small and pale, had torn at his heart. But nothing had prepared him for the jealousy he’d experienced after hearing of Anderson’s part in saving her life.

  On the one hand, Zaureth was grateful for Glenn’s timely arrival on that beach. Had the guy not been there, Amy wouldn’t be alive today.

  Had Glenn just happened upon Amy in the water? Zaureth wandered, making another pass across the carpet. Or had he been watching her all along?

  A growl rumbled in Zaureth’s chest before he could stop it. He told himself that it was nothing more than protective feelings he had for the tiny human. He was a healer, after all. But deep in his heart, he knew it to be a lie.

  With a sigh of frustration, Zaureth took a calming breath and turned toward the door. He would go check on Amy once more and then head back to Aukrabah, where he belonged.

  Zaureth stepped into the hall, noticing a cart sitting outside Amy’s room. He recognized the contraption as something the humans used to deliver meals.

  Amy must be up and eating, he assumed, striding to her door.

  He lifted his hand to knock, pausing when he heard laughter coming from inside.

  Glenn’s muffled voice reached Zaureth’s ears. “Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

  Zaureth lowered his hand and stepped closer, listening for Amy’s response.

  “I— Can I get back to you on that? It depends on how I’m feeling.”

  A brief silence ensued before Glenn answered. “Of course. I completely understand. I’m going to get out of here and let you rest. Call me if you need anything.”

  Zaureth moved to the side and propped his shoulder against the wall to wait for Anderson’s departure. He didn’t have long to wait.

  The door opened, and Glenn stepped out into the hall. He didn’t look surprised to find Zaureth standing there. “Any particular reason why you’re lurking out here?”

  Zaureth waited for the door to close behind Glenn before answering. “I am not lurking. I am here to check on Amy.”

  Glenn crossed his arms over his chest, a move meant to intimidate. “She needs to rest. Maybe you should come back later.”

  Zaureth raised an eyebrow, not intimidated in the slightest. He could disable the soldier without laying a hand on him. “I have not had a chance to thank you for saving her life.”

  Glenn appeared surprised and more than a little uncomfortable by Zaureth’s words. “Anyone would have done the same thing. I’m just relieved that I happened to be on the beach when she went under.”

  “Did you?” Zaureth questioned, staring into Anderson’s eyes.

  Glenn cocked his head to the side. “Did I what?”

  “Happen to be there.”

  “If you have something to say, then say it,” Glenn bit out, uncrossing his arms.

  Zaureth straightened away from the wall. “I believe I did.”

  The door opened, and Amy’s beautiful face appeared in the opening. “Zaureth? Is that you?”

  “It is,” Zaureth replied, his entire body reacting to her presence. “I came by to see how you are doing.”

  Amy stepped back to allow Zaureth entrance. “Please, come in.”

  The first thing Zaureth noticed upon entry was that Amy wore a bathrobe and that said bathrobe was gaped open at the top, exposing the swell of her breasts. Breasts that Glenn had no doubt been ogling without Amy’s knowledge.

  Zaureth found himself hard-pressed to keep his eyes off them as well. He shut the door and touched his forearm to her hand, a move he’d perfected during the previous time they’d spent together. “Come. Sit.”

  She accepted his help, allowing him to lead her to the couch. “I’m really glad you came by.”

  “As am I,” Zaureth admitted, averting his gaze from her chest before taking a seat next to her. “How are you feeling?”

  Amy shrugged, causing the robe to slip another inch.

  Zaureth had seen many breasts in his lifetime. He’d dealt with the sick, the mothe
rs giving birth, and had even happened upon some of the nude Bracadyte women returning to their rooms from the bathhouse.

  He’d always prided himself in his ability to remain aloof, professional. But Amy affected him in ways he seemed to have no control over.

  The mere hint of breast she unconsciously showed had him squirming in his sharkskin shorts.

  He took a deep, calming breath and looked away. Big mistake, he silently groaned as Amy’s clean, sweet scent drifted up his nose. His eyes rolled closed in bliss. He could sit and inhale her all day.

  It took him a second to realize she’d asked him a question. “I am sorry. What did you say?”

  “I asked if you would like to watch a movie with me. Not that I can actually see it.” She laughed, resting her palm on his thigh. “But you can brush my hair while you watch it.”

  Zaureth’s heart skipped a beat. “You would like for me to brush your hair?”

  Amy nodded, staring somewhere just over his right shoulder. “It’s my favorite thing in the world. My sister used to do it for me when I was a little girl.”

  “If that is what you wish,” Zaureth found himself saying. If he lived to be a thousand, he’d never understand what possessed him to agree to such madness. It was wrong on so many levels.

  It’s only hair, he reminded himself. It wasn’t as if she’d asked him for a massage.

  The thought of running his palms over her shoulders and caressing her flesh sent heat spreading through his body with lightning speed.

  Blood began to pool in his sex, leaving him with an erection that throbbed in time with his heartbeat.

  “The brush is in the bathroom, next to the sink.”

  Zaureth surged to his feet, fighting the urge to run from the room and sail headlong into the crashing waves of the gulf.

  He was a healer, a deep spiritual being who had dedicated his life to being pure of body and mind. Yet there he stood, aching for even the smallest of touches from a tiny human asking him for help.

  Confusion over his reaction to her washed through Zaureth in a tidal wave of emotion that left him weak.