Page 6 of His Fierce Fugitive

“And you will.” He gives the hatch one final kick with one of his long legs and it gives way to the jungle outside.

“Stay behind me,” he says, helping me climb out of the wreckage.

We emerge into the jungle under a canopy of long-vined trees.

I feel like I just stepped into Jurassic Park…in space.

It smells moist and rich. Almost too pure. Exotic flora glows around us under the fading light of the twin suns in the sky. Everything is so much different than I’m used to. Leaves aremuted, bark is vibrant, and flowers are a wide range of colors from green to blue to black. Nothing makes much sense, but I’ve already learned to let go of my preconceived notions.

Tak pulls some booties from the pack he grabbed in the warehouse. “Put these on.”

I take them and slide them on, thankful for the protection againstwho knows whaton the ground here.

“Thanks,” I grumble.

He smiles and gives me a small bow.

This guy is ridiculous.

But what choice do I have. He’s my only hope to get back to Gwen.

As we trek through the alien jungle, the sheer danger of our surroundings forces me to rely on Tak. His knowledge of this strange world is impressive, and he guides us through eerie primordial landscapes with ease. Despite my better judgment, I find myself beginning to trust his lead.

But it’s notfate.

After we eat a couple of protein cubes, I hear a soft buzzing… that’s getting louder.

“Tak, what is that?”

He stops and listens, then grabs my hand.

“Run!” he says, pulling me along with him.

I stupidly look behind us and see a swarm of giant…insects—that look more like horses with huge wings—beating in a thunderous rhythm.

Jesus Christ!

Tak's powerful strides keep us ahead, and his skill with the blade I found in the warehouse, clearing a path for us is admirable. I can't help but appreciate the graceful way he moves, a fearsome fighter with a dancer's precision.

When I don’t think I can run any more, he pulls me hard off to the side and we slam up against a massive pink tree. He holds me tight against him as the giant horse-flies fly past us.

“Shhhh,” he whispers, as our bodies heave, our breath wild from the chase. I close my eyes and curl into his broad chest.

I’m panting as he covers my head with his palm.

Soon, all I hear is our breathing—the buzzing long gone.

“It’s safe now,” Tak says, and I tilt my head back to look up at him. Damn, that jaw is chiseled.

He gazes down at me, those eyes becoming a deep forest green. I feel something hard and thick against my belly and I hold back a moan.

Is that?—?

“We better keep moving,” he says, interrupting my thoughts. His voice is husky. I’ve got goosebumps. But it’s probably just the air getting colder as the suns get lower. Totally.

"This planet is pure madness," I mutter, as we get back to walking. "Where are we going?"

He points forward. “That way…”

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