For direct download of your Digest go to one of our retail outlets -

FICTIONWISE

EBOOKWISE

For the Print version go to: READ THE SAMPLES and GO TO THE LULU SHOPPING CART

Libraries can also purchase the Digests for their readers at LIBWISE

Jaded Beasts I, Rat & OX - July 2006     
ISSN 1555-5496 Vol. 06-15

Rat – This clever and assertive sign is often apprehensive and sometimes hot tempered. However, the Rat is also bighearted and loves intensely. They can be methodical in their habitual traits, but they are also inventive and resourceful.

Ox – Strong and obstinate, willful but influential in their behavior, these laid-back creatures are stimulating to be around. The Oxen are highly accomplished in whatever endeavor they undertake, and have a very compassionate heart.

The Rat of Fury – Anna Fallon
Highly trained Kung Fu artist Sunshine Li, wants to seek vengeance, but the man she'd once seduced would fight her, for love and more.

Forbidden Ways – K. Melton
Turmoil hit Samantha until she met Stefan Keese. Can her love withstand knowing he is part of a mythical race known as the Rat People?

Chasing The Ox Moon – Waterfall Nagamoon
Shannice must work with the stubborn and sexy Jardor Vannox to save the Agradorian people. Will they manage to do so without killing each other?

Ox-Heart – Mae Powers
Lavera Tallys wants Zareth Okshart, but he’s part of a spoilt alien princess’ endowment. Now if only she can barter for his heart and body.


 

READ THE REVIEWS

Back to the Top

EXCERPTS

The Rat Of Fury

 By

Anna Fallon

CHAPTER ONE

“Miss Brightman?” Sunshine turned toward the unfamiliar voice questioning her.

In the corridor of her office building, Sunshine faced a medium built man. Dressed in full police uniform, the officer looked directly into her eyes. She’d never seen him before, never really seen any officer up close and personal.  Sadness lingered in his copper brown eyes. Sunshine's sharp sense of intuition told her he didn't want directions to the nearest donut shop. Something bad must have happened, very bad.

“You are Miss Sunshine Brightman, correct?”

“Yes?” she answered and noted he looked a little lost as to what to say next. With her heart striking up a faster pace, Sunshine pressed him for more detail. “What can I do for you, Officer?”

“Just a moment, Miss.” He turned toward a suited man following about ten paces behind. This man quickly closed the distance between them, quite frosty in his expression. His tailored eyebrows touched together with a frown. Large build, trim, tailored suit – looking like he had a purpose, not just to get to her, for his whole existence.

“This is Miss Brightman, Sir,” the officer stated simply.

“Very good, Harris. I'll take it from here,” the suited man replied.

“Miss Brightman, is there a place we can talk…privately?” his mouth smiled, his eyes didn't reflect humor. Sunshine felt under examination, the way she thought a lab rat would feel. Despite his cool looking demeanor, she knew he instantly assessed everything about her on the spot.

“Yes, of course. Just go into my office.” Sunshine extended her arm to indicating the wide oak door across the hall. The pace of her heart slipped into a higher gear, her moist palms clinging to her fingers, now curled into a tight bunch. Closing the door behind her, and walking past him to flick a switch, which blocked all calls. Sunshine made eye contact with him once more. His steely blue eyes never blinked. His square jaw set firmly, he spoke very deliberately.

“My name is Larson...Detective Sergeant Larson, Hollowbrook City Police Department. Miss Brightman, I’m afraid there has been an accident. A very tragic accident.”

“Just tell me,” Sunshine replied, bluntly. The look in his eyes softened a little. If Sunshine wasn't mistaken, she recognized a hint of admiration in them.

“Would you like to sit down?” he offered, running his hand through his floppy dark fringe.

“Just tell me...please.” Sitting down not an option in these situations, Sunshine remained upright. Lord knew she stood too short now, the last thing she needed was a surly, suited up cop standing over her. No, on second thought, he is anything but surly. Still, she wanted to feel in control. Pulling herself up to her full five foot four height, Sunshine squared her petite shoulders. Her Chinese genes did nothing to help her look formidable, but her attitude projection could stop a bus. Having learned how to harness her inner-self, from years of Kung-Fu and Tai Chi Chuan study, would hold her in good stead now.

“Miss Brightman…your family…has been murdered,” he exhaled slowly and audibly. Sunshine knew his eyes watched carefully, gleaning every scrap of reaction he could from her face. She tried to hold her expression poker-face straight.

The trembling started deep inside, but she fought back the tears stinging her eyes. This shocking news stunned Sunshine, maybe a heart attack or traffic accident, but murder? Who would do such a thing, and why? Aunt Viv and Uncle Tom, arguably, the gentlest people she’d ever known. They wouldn’t even kill a spider; they just scooped it up with some newspaper and popped it outside. The garden reeked of Tansy, Basil, and Chamomile, to name a few of the herbs grown to repel flies and other pesky insects. So why would anyone kill her family?

 Now she sat down abruptly, but not stooped or slouched over the desk racked with sobs. Sunshine kept her shoulders squared and sat upright, fighting her urge to lose control.

“How?” Not knowing if she could even handle this information, but the question begged asking anyway. Noting the way his eye contact dropped and the definite fidget he displayed, not good, she thought, not good at all.  Her intuition never failed her.

“How?” her voice showed the signs of the smouldering anger bubbling deep inside.

“Extremely bad, I’m afraid. Your Aunt and Uncle had been held and beaten, but it seems a sword made the fatal blow. According to the neighbours, the daughter-in-law and two grandchildren visited at the time. They recognised the car but heard nothing,” he added, studying her as he stated that piece of information.

This exact moment, something inside Sunshine snapped. A force of anger, greater than any she had ever felt, seethed in her veins. Although she knew this feeling went against all the teachings of her Sifu and Grandmaster, the fury steadily built inside her. Sunshine remained determined not to lose her cool outwardly.

 Her training taught her the ways of honor. It also gave her a level of strength and independence seldom seen in women. Family business stayed within the family. It was a matter of honor. Inside she quaked, outside she sat as still as stillness itself.

“Go on” she requested quietly.

“All dead, I’m sorry to say. Those poor kiddies. It’s enough to break a man. At least the assassin murdered them and their mother swiftly. It seems they died first. Your Aunt and Uncle fought for their lives. Whoever did this would not have come out of it unscathed. The bloodied swords found at the scene only had your Aunt and Uncle's prints on them.” Detective Sergeant Larson stared at the floor as he relayed the morbid information.

“Swords? Aunt and Uncle used swords? Do you know who could have done this, or why?” None of this made sense to Sunshine, no sense at all.

“No idea, at this stage, Miss. All we can ascertain is that whoever did this was looking for something. The contents of the house have been turned upside down, even cushions and mattresses have been slashed and the insides torn out. Do you have any idea what they could have wanted, Miss Brightman?” The detective asked it as if the answer had a great importance to him. “Can you think of anything at all?”

Her thoughts whirred over to no avail. She’d been raised by her Chinese born Aunt and Uncle, in America, upholding many Chinese traditions. Peace, love and self-worth, Sunshine learned it all from them. She had no other family, not in America anyway. Sunshine attended Chinese lessons, to learn of traditions and the language, but for the most part she was raised American.

China would be the only place to find relatives now and she didn't know them from a bar of soap. That her family should meet with such a violent end felt abhorrent to her. Sunshine vowed to avenge them, there and then, and promised herself she would find the responsible people and kill them.

A voice in her head reminded her of the ten laws she vowed to uphold in her martial art training. Before her family had been murdered, everything seemed straightforward

“No, nothing. And their son...Frank?” Sunshine and Frank agreed to disagree and avoided each other when younger. After he married, they’d shared a closer relationship. He would be devastated at his family’s demise.

“He’s missing. I was hoping you may know where he is. Seems he never made work this morning, which by all accounts is extremely unusual,” he said.

“Yes, it is unheard of. Frank would go to work even if he were on his deathbed,” Sunshine observed, thinking aloud. Her mind searched for a possible connection to the murderers search.

“So you don’t know where he might be?” he asked.

“No Detective. I have no idea, I can only hope he is safe.”

“We thought about the idea of him being kidnapped for information, or murdered elsewhere. These people aren’t playing around, Miss Brightman. We feel you may need protection until we apprehend the perpetrators.”

The thought of police in her everyday life did not appeal to her at all. Sunshine valued privacy. Her past a veritable mystery, she certainly did not want to sacrifice her quiet life for close police surveillance. Not unless it became absolutely necessary. How to  find these disgusting murderers she did not know. Yet, something deep inside the anger told her help would be at hand when needed.

“No, Detective Larson, that will not be necessary. I will be fine,” Sunshine adamantly said.

“Your life could be in danger, Miss,” he added.

“Nothing in my life will ever be the same, Detective, and I’m damned sure I will not live in fear of these monsters. If they are to come for me, then let them. I will die honourably, not hiding in fear like a coward. Thank you for coming. I think I need some time alone now.” Sunshine’s tone dismissed him.

She could defend herself from attack, having attained the highest order in Kung Fu. Self defence was not her primary motivation for practising martial arts. Inner peace became the major factor. Lately, her interest lies in Tai Chi Chuan. The health and spiritual aspects proved of greatest benefit. It was said immortality could be achieved, a warrior status to guide and teach. The road to spiritual attainment may be a little rockier now. Sunshine battled her thoughts of revenge versus forgiveness. “Yes, of course. We may need to ask you further questions, so let us know where you are staying.”

“I will be at home, Detective.”

“I very much doubt that, Miss Brightman. That place is out of bounds for now and not the prettiest sight. I would strongly advise you to stay away from there altogether. There are firms who do that sort of clean-up. Anyhow, forensics will want it for the next week or so, maybe more,” he closed his notepad and slid it into his top pocket inside the suit coat.

“I will take care of my own accommodation, Detective. Where can I reach you?” Sunshine decided it may be better for her to lay low at a motel for a while. Nothing would get solved if she made herself a sitting duck.

Detective Larson pulled a card from his wallet, “this is my private line, otherwise you’ll be all over the precinct before you reach me. Call me anytime, day or night. Take care,” he handed her the card. His sky blue eyes in a fixed gaze, trying to penetrate her resolve. Sunshine made sure her brick wall expression remained untouched, but in his eyes she saw something beyond the police training. She experienced a sensation that he knew she would not stand still on this matter.

“Thank you, Detective Larson. You can be assured I will be careful.”

Forbidden Ways

By

 K. Melton

CHAPTER ONE

“Bloody hell, you can’t be serious!” Samantha growled as she stood starring in disbelief at the man in front of her.

She wanted to reach over the counter, grab the man by his collar and shake the dickens out of him, but all she could seem to do was turn away and go find an empty seat in the terminal. Sitting, she placed her elbows on her knees, face in her hands, and exhaled fighting the turmoil that wanted to grip her.  How the hell could he leave her here, in another country like this? In Romania nonetheless! Her thoughts turned to ways to torture the bastard. She smiled when a vision of him being staked to the ground and pouring honey over him over a fire ant hill. To hear the sounds of his screams as the ants feast brought a tiny smile to her face.

The day started off badly; she awoke to find a dear Samantha letter stating that her fiancé was leaving her and taking the first flight back to America. Not only did he leave her, but he had also taken her money and passport.

“Fu…”  She screamed out. Samantha jumped slightly, placing her hand over her chest, when she felt a hand tap her shoulder and saw a royal blue handkerchief appear before her. She looked up. “Thanks, but no thanks.”  She tried to smile at the tall, lean man standing before her. His eyes catching hers, her pulse quickened.

Samantha watched as he stepped back with a confused puzzled look upon his striking features. The look he gave her and the jerky movement he used as he stepped back caused her to laugh. She couldn’t think of anything funnier than seeing this man step back from her. “I don’t bite.” She sniffled out as she reached for the handkerchief, that he still held in his hand. “I’m just having one of those days.” She finished and dabbed at the tears that started to flow freely down her cheeks.

“You see, my fiancé deserted me and is on the flight that just left.” She started to laugh again, almost hysterically “And all I got was a Dear John note,” hiccupping as she laughed. “And to top that off, he took my damn passport, money and today was our last day at the hotel we were staying in.”

 Gathering herself, Samantha looked over as the man took a seat next to her. Taking a deep breath she sighed and straightened her back. She’d get through this. She always got through the little speed bumps that life seemed to throw her way. This was just another bump to ride over. Or in her case, such as now, stomp over. Her father always told her to hold her chin up and fight back. Don’t let anything get you down girl. If you see something worth fighting for, then reach out and fight for it. The thing is she didn’t think her now ex- fiancé worth fighting for.

“Thanks for the hanky and your concern.” she eyed him, holding the soiled linen out to him. Geesh, he hadn’t said one damn word since he sat next to her. She wondered if he was a mute.

“It’s my pleasure madam.” He replied in a heavy accent.

“My god,” she whispered, then blinked. Did she just say that out loud?  That voice seemed to glide caressingly across her flesh. She looked down at her arms and sure enough, goose bumps had formed. Something in her blossomed in awareness. Need coursed throughout her being. Licking her lips she looked at him through widened eyes.

“I’m sorry, did I just say something wrong?”  he asked.

“Umm, no,” she murmured distractedly and stood. “I’m Samantha. Well it was nice meeting you. Samantha stopped held out her hand, though she felt the need to get away. This was just too soon.

“Stephan,” he murmured and stood also, taking her hand within his and letting his thumb rub soothingly across her palm.

“Stephan,” Samantha repeated his name quickly removing her hand. Feeling a tingling sensation race up her arm she looked up at him in slight confusion. Nodding to him, she turned to walk away.

* * * *

Stephan came to Romania to meet his fiancée for the first time. His father looked forward to this union, perhaps more than he did.

However, his thoughts weren’t on meeting his future wife; the angelic Violeta as her father would call her. His thoughts, instead, were centered on Samantha. He watched as she weaved her way through the terminal. Her steps spoke of agitation, but he could see how she walked with her back straight and head held high. She had a lot of pride and Stephan could tell that she was a fighter.

He started after Samantha when he lost view of her parting back and flipped out his cell. “Get an adjoining suite to mine.” He ordered and flipped the phone shut.

Stephan wasn’t known for his generosity; in fact he was shrewd in his business dealings. He wouldn’t be where he is today if he made impulsive decisions. But his instincts told him that there was something special about Samantha and he trusted his intuition

Stephan turned his head, looking for Samantha. Searching through the crowd, he couldn’t see her. His pulse started to race, he needed to find her. Inhaling the air around him, he sorted through the scents until he found hers and went in search for her.

* * * *

 Samantha sat back in the cab seat next to Stephen, but kept looking at him out of the corner of her eye. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. I just don’t know what else to do.” She sighed letting her eyes wander up his lean thigh, his chest, over his long fingers and back down to his outstretched legs in front of him. She felt safe in his presence, and something pulled her to him. She did admit though, that she was extremely attracted to the man.

“I will reimburse you as soon as I can get my father to wire me some money. I also need to stop at customs or I won’t be able to go back to America.” She let her eyes drift upwards again, whispering huskily and looked directly into black eyes with what looked like red specks in them. Quickly she turned her head and glanced out the window. She could feel her face flush in slight embarrassment. “I really do appreciate this.”

Stephan didn’t say anything until he got out of the cab and stood next to Samantha. When he did speak, he placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her into the Hilton. He nodded to the manager who came up holding out two sets of keys.

Samantha studied him momentarily, with a brow raised, and then she turned to look around in awe at the luxurious hotel. She’d never stepped foot into anyplace like this.  As she followed Stephan and the manager to the elevator, she felt a tingling sensation at the base of her neck. She stopped and looked around. The hairs on her arms stood on end. Something was not right. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she always sensed when danger came about.

Then she saw it above, and gun shots echoed also. She jumped and dove for Stephan, tackling him and knocking the manager off balance as she saw the falling debris. A spray of plaster fell, bombarding Samantha’s and Stephen’s heads. The sound of screams surrounded them.

Samantha opened her eyes and looked directly into Stephan’s narrowed gaze. “Are you alright?” she whispered.

Stephan blinked. This creature just saved his life by tackling him and she just asked him if he is all right. He felt like every bone in his body had been crushed from the tackle. Yet, the soft, feminine, lush feel of this amazing female’s body against his, had his cock aching hard.

Samantha felt his body stiffen with desire and wanted to melt against him. But as reality set in, she reluctantly pushed away and sat up. No matter how the man affected her, she couldn’t take advantage of him in the middle of this luxurious hotel foyer. The strange accident was a mood breaker for sure. She felt herself laugh inwardly. She couldn’t believe that thought just occurred to her. Samantha couldn’t take advantage of someone. Oh, this was so going into her diary for a much later laugh.

Stephan growled inwardly when the warm contact of Samantha’s body left his. As much as he enjoyed Samantha’s company, this was a mistake, he endangered her. Even though his people were on the verge of being extinct, the renegades seemingly wanted to control what remained. The union he was about to form would help his alliance, and his offspring would be pure.

Stephan looked over at Samantha who was in discussion with the guard. Her lively hand gestures had his groin instantly tightening. The inner beast in him began to growl with need.

* * * *

Samantha sat into the depths of her luxurious hotel room bed, towel drying her hair, when she heard a light tap on the door.  Standing, she went to open the door.

“I’ve decided to order in tonight.” Stephan murmured huskily as he looked down, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled her fresh scent and pushed a food cart before him into the room.

“So tell me, why would someone want to shoot at you?” Samantha asked. “Are you a drug lord or something?” She went to the cart and lifted the tops from the silver dishes.

 Stephan began to chuckle, speaking in Romanian. “No, foc unul, I am not a drug lord, just a simple business man.”
       Samantha snorted. “Simple my ass, I’ve never known a ‘simple’ businessman to dress as you, or who could afford a 5-star hotel.”

Stephan shrugged his shoulders and reached out to run the back of his hand down Samantha’s cheek. “You are beautiful.”

Samantha huffed, but leaned into the caress, she reached up and placed her hand over his and closed her eyes. His touch seemed to sooth her; turning her head Samantha placed a lingering kiss in his palm. Her eyes shot open when she heard a growl.

Stephan leaned down, leaning forward he replace brushed his lips teasingly over Samantha’s before reaching up and cupping the back of her head to deepen the kiss, causing her toes to curl. Dropping her towel, she leaned into Stephan, melting against him. A warm hand came down and cupped her rounded bottom and pulled her against him.

Samantha’s head fell back, her eyes closed and she moaned as Stephan’s lips moved along her jaw and down her neck. His fingers kneaded her buttocks. When his hand released her head, he slid his hand into her robe, cupped her breast, and with feather like caresses he ran his thumb over her nipple.

“Ohh god…” Samantha whimpered out in pure desire as her body turned to putty from this man’s slightest touches. A brief sense of awareness came over her that she had just met this man.

Stephan breathed into Samantha’s ear, before he moved his head down to capture one dusky nipple into his mouth “I voinþã a voi a face tu al meu foc unul, cel puþin pentru this zi.”

Samantha’s mind went blank. So enthralled by him, she barely remembered being laid upon the bed. She opened her eyes and watched as his luscious mouth went from one breast to the other, paying equal attention to both. A warm hand laid at the juncture of her curls, pressing lightly.

Samantha’s hands went up. She ran them over his bare back. Somehow, he’d shed his clothing. A pulsing member beat against her leg. She gasped when fingers slid into her curls and within her wet folds. He caressed her nub before delving two fingers into her wetness. Samantha’s opened her thighs wider and moved into the touch. She moaned when she felt his head move down her stomach; her hips arched up when his warm breath fanned over her jewel, followed by a flicking tongue.

Samantha’s mind was fully focused on how he made her feel, hot with desire, while his fingers slid in and out of her. The combination of his lips and fingers seemed to work in union with one another. Her moans and purrs echoed within the room. Stephan began applying suction to her sensitive bud.

“Ohh god.” she whimpered out, thrashing her head back and forth, her hips rocking into his magical touch. 

Her taste was heady, and her open responses to him drove Stephan on. He placed his shoulders on her thighs, pinning them down and added a third finger, curved them up and pressed as he flicked, suckled and nibbled her.

Samantha’s body bowed up as an intense release streaked through her. She screamed out as her body shook.

Stephan drank in her juices before he slid up and quickly placed her legs over his shoulders. In a flex of his hips he entered her. Samantha’s still pulsing inner muscles gripped his cock as he filled her with deep sure thrusts, grinding a bit as he dipped deeply.

Samantha laughed in pleasure, moaned out in awe. He filled her, made her body hum. Stephan sent pulsing pleasure through her body with each thrust. Her next release  rose to a high peak, when she came down she couldn’t focus, but she knew when she opened her eyes that Stephan was still in her, his hungry eyes  running across her face, his thick, ready again.

Samantha pushed him backwards and both growled when his thickness left her. She quickly mounted him and turned backwards. Grasped his cock, she slid down him in reverse cowboy fashion.

Strong hands grasped her hips to help guide Samantha as she rode and ground on his cock. She was being pulled back, with her back against his chest, one hand on her breast, the other between her thighs, caressing her as she felt lips against the back of her neck. Rumbling murmurs came from Stephan. Hips thrust up and ground into her, fingers teased her jewel, and nibbling kisses ran across her neck. Lights passed through her closed lids, and Samantha’s release rocketed throughout her body.

Chasing The Ox Moon

By

 Waterfall Nagamoon

CHAPTER ONE

Glancing around the astro-shuttle, Shannice Morgan examined her surroundings. This being the first time she left her home world, she wanted to drink in every nuance of the experience. In some ways, it looked exactly like she had expected, and in other ways it seemed totally different. At one time, this particular craft would have been considered top of the line, but now it began to show some wear and tear around the edges. Reaching her destination as quickly as possible sounded like a good idea, the sooner the better. She was determined that on the trip back she would use some of her hard earned credits to upgrade her transportation home to Earth. Home. Shannice missed some things about it already. Soon, her introspective thoughts, combined with the smooth quiet glide of the ship, lulled her into a dream like state. She closed her eyes and settled into the seat, letting her mind take her back to the conversation that led to this trip into the outer reaches of space.

* * * *

“You ok, Shani?” Her friend and co-worker Marina looked at her with concern.

Shannice ran a hand through her tousled reddish brown hair as she surveyed the holo-board listing all of  the day's patients. After deleting the latest two who had been treated and released, she slapped her mediscan down on the desk next to Marina then dropped into the spare chair behind the medical center's command station.

“Yeah I'm fine. Just damn sick and tired of all these gang bangers trying to kill each other. In this day and age, you would think we’d be past all that and living peacefully. Instead, the younger ones especially, are still into turf wars and all that other macho crap, even the females.” She pulled up the day’s records and reviewed them as she spoke.

“You know how it goes, no matter how much time passes, teenagers are still teenagers and boys will be boys.”

Shannice knew Mari indirectly referred to the group of older men who fancied themselves old fashioned bikers and did their best to defy the laws that had been put into place by the world government for the protection of all of its citizens. Led by the wild and unruly Rocker Javman, they lived fast and hard in a way that few did now. Rocker was also one of the sexiest things on two feet, but Marina usually avoided discussing him, so neither Shannice nor her friend ever mentioned his name directly.

“Yeah, well I wish they would all just get a life and a brain and stop trying to annihilate each other.” Shannice rubbed the back of her neck where the muscles pulled tight and hard, rocking her head slowly from side to side to release the tension.

“You need a vacation.” Marina stated the obvious. They both knew she bordered on a burnout stage and could crash and burn soon if Shanice wasn't careful.

“Not going to happen anytime soon.” Shannice answered as she kept massaging her tired muscles. “I don't have the creds needed to take one, besides where am I going to go?”

The pretty brunette slid a D-screen in front of her and said. “I have an idea.” She booted up the screen and they both watched as an ad-vid played for med-tech assistance needed on the planet Agrador, one of the twelve moons of Avanese in the Vandian star system. The surface of the planet was lush and pollution free if the ad was to be believed. It looked absolutely gorgeous and the details given made the assignment seem like a dream job. All it needed was some Earther expertise in the area of disease control and prevention. There would be plenty of free time, plus room and board would be provided. Her accounts would also get quite a boost, considering the level of pay they were offering. A working vacation. It did seem like a dream come true.

* * * *

A sudden blaring noise interrupted her memories. “Landing will commence in ten minutes.” A hollow voice sounded throughout the passenger lounge of the star freighter Be Mine. Shannice rested her head against the back of her seat. This had been a long trip and she would be glad to get there. Maybe taking this assignment might be a mistake, but it was too late to change her mind. They already passed into the planet's atmosphere. Besides, her trip had been paid for by the Agradorian Office of Medical Relief. She couldn’t turn back now. All they had to do was land, but she would definitely not be taking this particular ship home again.

Suddenly, the shuttle rocked as if struck by something. It resettled into an almost smooth path but then it lurched again, leaving many of the passengers looking around nervously.

“Shit, damn sonofa...” Peterson, one of the ship's crew who had continually hit on Shannice since her arrival aboard ship, appeared on the screen that relayed messages to the passengers. Obviously, he hit the send button just a little too soon. His manner changed as soon as he realized his words were being broadcast. “Hit the decks! If you're hearing this transmission, everyone on board! Hit the decks. We are under attack and going to...” The screen went black, the lights went out, and the last thing Shannice heard were screams of terror as the spacecraft plummeted at a dizzying speed. The impact was almost anticlimactic¼and then her world disappeared.

Ox-Heart

By

 Mae Powers

CHAPTER ONE       

When Zareth saw the astonishing woman enter the large, crowded room, his heart accelerated to an almost impossible rate. His eyes widened, his breathing halted, and his groins ached heatedly. Then his big hands shook nervously, tingling with alarm that soon spread throughout his body.

His sixth senses told him to beware. Then an elated awareness, both mentally and physically, shot through his entire system, telling him that this woman would influence his life in many ways.

He put a hand to his chest, feeling a sudden warmth in the middle of it. Beneath his tunic he felt the warming of the Okshart, his family’s symbol medallion passed down to each son of the king, its center imprinted with the great Okshen Beast, the icon of royalty on his home-world. He kept it hidden as was necessary amongst strangers, but still it heightened his extra senses, making him know that it too agreed with his previous thoughts – that the uniquely beautiful alien woman would indeed play havoc with his destiny.

He had to be careful. No matter that  no other but he could understand or use the guidance of his own Okshart medallion, its rare metal properties would be worth a small fortune on the dark-market, or worse, Princess Orla would covet the ornate necklace. He couldn't have his intended, Princess Orla, find out he had it in his possession. Nor that he wanted some woman other than her. The princess was a selfish bitch who wielded some power that could crush his life and his world.

Still, the strange woman's sensual magnetism, drew him to find out what he could about her. With almost no caution, his eyes never left the alien beauty’s form as she intermingled with the crowds of people amassed into the small reception room.

He kept properly one-step behind his future bride-mistress, Princess Orla, hoping she had not seen his reaction to the unusual woman across the room, who presently intermingled with other world dignitaries. He took a quick glance at the dainty, golden haired royal princess, noting she was doing her usual norm of letting other men and women ogle and compliment her. Thankfully, she looked too engrossed in her own whims to pay much attention to him. He hoped she kept up her daily fixation of needing attention.

He snuck another look at the woman, who’d nearly taken his breath away; and shot his libido aching to release long suppressed desires. From his stance, he could tell she stood tall, perhaps coming to his eyebrows if they were in close proximity. He couldn’t help wishing that she stood naked next to him.

She wore a tight evening gown of sapphire, which sparkled whenever she moved those lusciously rounded hips and long legs. It split up the left side, showing her dark, lovely limbs when she moved. Her auburn hair looked lovely piled up in wavy circlets on top of her head, complimenting the toasty brown coloring of her skin. She was exotic to look at, with her powerful charisma and full-figured curves. Looking at her strong and oval face, he could make out her softly contoured nose, and a determined chin.

She bore an aura of confidence that emanated to him from amongst those surrounding her. When she tilted her head up and glanced, what seemed to be in his direction, he quickly stifled an automatically induced a sharp intake of air. By the stars, he thought of her as the most gorgeous woman he ever beheld, and definitely, the sexiest he ever came across. She filled out that one-strapped gown as if she were melted into the outfit. Her eyes remained mesmerizing, like a grayish mist upon the purple seas of his homeworld.

Then the princess moved. He did his expected duty and turned as Orla did, still keeping the proper step behind and beside her. Orla laughed at some anecdote someone in her throng of admirers said, and Zareth did all he could not to look back at the woman he admired. If Orla knew, she would be highly piqued.

No, she would be furiously ticked. She did not like any of her chosen intendeds to admire other women or men. He hoped when the time came, she would not make him one of her final choices of being one of her two husbands.

Had his world Urlda not needed the grains from her world, Idus, he would not have allowed his father King Guitan to make him part of her endowment in exchange for the grains and other priceless products his planet considered necessary. Though he honored his sibling, Zareth knew his father didn’t feel too beleaguered to bestow—no, trade him to another world for material wealth and other gains. Not the heir, but fourth in a line of six children, four males, two females, Zareth knew he was expendable. Though he sometimes missed his family, other than feeling bereft of friendship with his empathic twin Natia, he learned to deal with the loneliness and ostracism.

A soft sigh escaped his lips. His time of independence was long over with now. He’d been endowed to Orla for nearly six months. Yet, he did not want to ever touch her intimately or be touched by her in the same fashion. Though not because of formalities, he hadn't been able to bring himself to do so.

He experienced no desire to fall under her charm, or to fall in love with her, or to even enjoy sex with her in her large royal bed. He felt thankful she gave up trying to entice him into her bed, despite her expectancy of having him wait on her and cater to most of her whims. Though she practically owned him, he was not her slave, so she could not command him to have sex with her.

For a moment, he felt sadness within himself. During his more youthful days, he once believed that he might find a chance of gaining a compatible life-mate that would bring a freedom of joy to his life, and more. During the thirty-one years of his existence, he didn’t even feel a minute of interest come his way. His father played upon this as most of his brothers were married by Zareth’s age. That, and he knew his affliction bothered some of his relatives.

Though they cared for him and found him help and guidance, most of his family pitied him. He’d never gotten use to pity. He hated it in fact. Especially, from women like Orla, who let him know that he should be grateful she chose him to be considered for marriage by any woman, especially herself. He knew she wanted him, but he gave her only the necessary attention he had to give her. He hoped she would send him back to Urlda. Still, she kept stringing him along until she made up her mind which of her endowed partners she wanted for a husband at the end of the prerequisite two years in which the endowment contract made the men legally her fiancées.

Like other women he’d known, including Orla, they did not hesitate to show him they wanted sex from him, and only that. He knew his powerful good looks and other attributes were what drew them. Several, like Orla didn’t hesitate to tell him this factor. He never let it go to his head that women found him excessively handsome and physically desirable. Yet, very few had stirred his physical, emotional, or mental needs. Most, in fact, took pity upon him when they found out his affliction of being bereft of a voice.

Comments he read on the lips of women made him glad sometimes of his inability to speak orally. Women were fickle. The lovely beings incessantly expected to be shown how much a man could love them. Not only that, but from what he gathered in life, they wanted a man to endlessly tell them so.

He was not a man of words, but emotions. Oral conversation had been denied him since birth. Too many others knew that. When people looked upon him, especially females, he could see the pity in their eyes no matter how hard they tried to hide the fact they knew. He grew to think, that his inability to speak, and his slight difficulty to hear were at times a blessing.

He may have to see and feel their sympathy, but at least he did not have to hear it also. Except in his mind. More often than not, his ability to read the open minds of average people was as much a curse as his muteness and deafness. However hard he tried psychically to tune out their mental pity, he would sometimes pick up stray thoughts. Perhaps, if life hadn’t made him aware of his handicaps, he wouldn’t have to endure the pity thought about him.

His mood altered as he sensed laughter vibrations coming from his nearby area. Orla turned again. This time Zareth could have thanked her for her curiosity. The alien woman he noticed earlier, now stood close by Orla’s entourage, but in a different group of people gossiping with each other.

He could easily see, from his position, that the woman indeed looked even more staggeringly beautiful than when he first glimpsed her. He took note as the men, and a few women, in the stranger’s group ogled her with genuine pleasure. Several of the men's faces were flush, some by laughter or embarrassment, or desire. When a gap in the array of bodies allowed him to see the newcomer, he finely understood what talkers meant by being left speechless.

Beautiful became too mild a word for the woman, as he thought the first time he saw her. The words – dazzling, exotic, and erotic – came to his mind. Even here, in Veteas, a city full of a mixture of intergalactic species and Idussians, he’d never seen such an enchantress. Granted, he felt some physical stirrings when looking at lovely women, yet he didn’t feel too inclined to give in to most of those occasions. Until now that is. Now, he wanted nothing more than to stride over to her and grasp her up in his arms and taste her cherry colored lips. They reminded him of the jewel in the eye of the Okshart medallion all the male siblings of his family wore.

What he wouldn’t give to be stripped naked and lying down with her on a bed with just the two of them making love for hours on end. He knew that this feeling to want to be nestled deeply in a woman’s creamy depths never hit him so hard before. He pressed his thighs tightly together, in hopes of  keeping his cock from showing his burning interest in the alien woman. He also clasped his hands together and nonchalantly let them reside in front of his hips.

The medallion warmed with a warning against his chest. His empathic senses were near overload, but Zareth quickly hid his emotions as he felt Orla turn her head to glance up at him. He glanced down at her, seeing her study him for a moment. Then she smiled up at him as if she were very satisfied. He knew then and there she wanted to make sure that he had not been affected by the stranger’s beauty, as it seemed, he noted, the other men in her group were stimulate by. They too tried hard to compose themselves, but some were not that great at hiding their interests in the alien female.

Orla didn’t like competition. She would crush the rival if she knew any of her male partners took an interest in another female, while belonging in her entourage. The woman thought all of Idus should bow before her every whim. One day, he knew, or hoped, some one would pull that feeling of imperial self-indulgence out from under her dainty feet.

Though she seemed a bit content, he did not show any emotions towards the stranger, Orla still looked a little disturbed by something. He hoped he’d find out soon what perturbed the princess, so that she wouldn’t make his life any more miserable than she did already. Though he did pick up on a few frustrating emotions from Orla, she was not always easy to read mentally. She often took guard of her thoughts if she knew someone with mind reading capabilities came near her. Glad he could sense her feelings most of the time, Zareth felt thankful he learned to read lips and sign language long ago as a child. Orla was aware of this, but often tried to play unkind pranks on him to frustrate him, just because she liked doing those irascible things.

She motioned her hands and mouthed a few words to him. “You may leave me now and go for a walk or something.”

He hated her irritating way of dismissing him as if he were a nobody. He kept circumspect and his emotions to himself. He nodded formally to her wish and swiftly turned away from her group, thankful to be away from the bothersome creatures. Still, it left a bad taste in his mouth that she tried to embarrass him in public. He knew she didn’t want him to be near the alien woman. He did not hang onto Orla's every word and brown nose the bitch as her other would-be lovers were wont to do. This irritated her to no end, and gave him a bit of the only pleasure he knew in her company.

He made his way to the refreshment stand along a wall not too far from her and got himself a glass of cool wine. He sipped it slowly, letting its icy sweetness sooth his fraught nerves. He glanced back to Orla’s group, making sure she wasn’t watching him, before he turned his attention on the temptress’ group.

Within his abilities, he also held the talent of filtering voices into his mind, which in a sense did allow him to hear things on occasion. He never let anyone know this ability though. It came to his aid on many occasions, since he first discovered he possessed it as a young teen. However, it took a lot of concentration. He kept his focus on the alien woman as she slowly made her way to Orla’s group. Zareth tuned in intently. He wanted to know what the confrontation of the two women’s meeting would bring. From the looks of the friction between Orla and the newcomer, it would prove to be very enlightening, if not bordering on explosive.

PDF Ebook 

HTML Ebook