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“Will you be all right if we head deeper?”

“Yeah. My frickin’ cell’s probably a paperweight now,” she grumbled as she stared at her soaked purse. It was probably for the best. “Wait, how is your translator thingy not waterlogged?”

“Our technology is more advance than yours,” he said, matter-of-fact.

“Of course it is. Stupid me. You’ve got a space ship.”

“Your people aren’t stupid. Your communicator is very similar to our handheld. I’ve also noticed you use a variety of technology in everyday life. In your home I was amazed to see several display screens. Many homes on Cadi do not have such. And you do not heat with fire, like we do.”

“Really?” Abby knew there would be differences, but she assumed any alien to visit her planet in a space ship would have technology oozing out their pores.

“Our civil war made it so we did without all but the necessities.”

“You guys are at war with each other?” she asked, suddenly worried for her sister.

“No longer,” Ash said proudly. “And we’ve resumed our trade with other races. It is a time of great change on Cadi, and you humans have ushered it along. Come on.”

She wanted to ask what he meant, since it sounded like more humans than her sister were on his planet, but Ash swam into deeper water, effectively ending their conversation.

We’re looking for his spaceship, not socializing. Remember the men in black.

She paddled after Ash. Surprisingly she did feel safe as they tread through the lazy dark current. Granted the things brushing against her ankles were creepy as hell, but for some reason she trusted Ash when he said he’d keep the alligators at bay. He was built like a tank. If any man could wrangle a gator, he could.

They passed alongside one of the many Thousand Islands as they continued further into the open river. She was not a badass like her sister, who made Olympic swimmers look like fish out of water. Soon Abby found herself floundering. Ash kept casting concerned looks her way, one dark brow cocked up. She didn’t dare complain, just pushed through, ignoring the cramp in her side. It was downright embarrassing how out of shape she was.

Please tell me we’re not heading out to sea. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, she silently chanted in her most cheerful inner voice.

Ashtoret de Origa

I should’ve dropped her off at the last little island we passed. He dismissed the notion as soon as he remembered the reptiles. They would have no trouble making a snack out of her.

Ashtoret glanced again at Abby. Her breath was heaving out harder the farther they went. He slowed his strokes, so she could keep up.

“Almost there,” he encouraged after glancing at the handheld strapped to his wrist.

He grimaced when Abby nodded and nearly sucked in a mouthful of water. There was a sudden roar that came to life, and his head swung toward it. In the dark he saw the silhouette of a boat, speeding toward them. Another joined from the opposite side of where his vessel was hidden in the murky depths. He could just barely make out figures in the water where his cruiser should be.

“Son of a metcor,” he snarled.

He didn’t know how it was possible, but the Earth warriors located his cruiser. Ashtoret wanted to kick himself. His concern for Abby distracted him from his surroundings. He should’ve known the human warriors weren’t going to give up.

“What?”

“Wrap your arms around me now.” He grabbed Abby. There was no time to explain, the boat was rapidly closing in on them.

Abby did as he commanded, his authoritative growl making her move fast. Her delicate arms encircled his neck, her legs wrapping around his waist. Swiftly he dove and headed away from their pursuers, kicking his legs to get to the bottom of the river. He would’ve attempted to reach his cruiser underwater, but it looked like the dark-suited swimmers already located it. He headed down the river as fast as his limbs could take him.

Soon Abby’s grip loosened. He wrapped his arms around her, to hold her in place, and kicked his legs harder to compensate. She started thrashing and attempted to break free, her small hands gripping his arms. He groaned, knowing she was out of air. He couldn’t possibly surface yet; he could still hear the growl of the boat engines echoing through the water. Ashtoret grabbed the back of Abby’s head and brought her mouth to his, making a seal around her supple lips. He forced his tongue into her mouth, to get her to part her jaws. When she relented with a gasp, he breathed a lungful of air into her, then kept swimming. She sucked in hard, taking all that he had to offer. Momentarily, he was distracted by the way her mouth tasted watery and sweet. His tongue lingered, testing the firmness of her full bottom lip. Abby pulled away bringing him back to their predicament, and he pushed himself faster.

When Abby again struggled, he surfaced for a brief moment. She sucked in several gasping breaths and made a dismayed sound, just before he went under again. He repeated this for several rounds, till he no longer heard the boats, and was certain they were far enough away.

“Please, not again,” Abby panted, looking paler than before, if that was possible.

“No, not again. I’m sorry, Peanut.”

Ashtoret looked toward the numerous islands with their branchy trees. They needed to find a place to take refuge. Abby physically didn’t look good. No female should be subjected to the harrowing events that occurred this evening. That she was taking this so well was further proof she was Providence’s sister.

He flipped onto his back, taking Abby with him. In this position her head was out of the water. Abby relaxed against his submerged chest, as he did the backstroke toward the islands. He too relaxed as her breathing eased. He never had to care for a female, much less one so small and delicate. The daunting honor and the way Abby embraced him had him entirely riled.