IsabelleIsabelle’s heart leaped into her throat at the demon's presence—an eight foot tall black beast with rows of jagged teeth and glowing red eyes. What was the creature going to do to her...to Kohl? Its black claws clicked as it clapped its paws together. Leathery wings were small on its back and she doubted the monster could fly. Kohl stepped in between them, blocking the demon from her view.“I congratulate you on escaping the tower, but your freedom is short-lived. My legion has you flanked. Surrender now and no harm will come to the human.”Kohl’s tail flopped against the ground in front of her, sending up dirt and shards of grass. “I know Tryns’ vows are as worthless as weed-seeds. All that comes from it is misery and remorse.”The demon grinned and its three rows of jagged teeth showed. Along the trees and bushes, hundreds of Tryns crawled forward resembling nightmares of monsters and devils. Is
KohlThe side of Kohl's face pulsed with each beat of his racing heart. His vision blurred as the Tryn stepped closer with the thick branch in his hand. Why did the beast want Isabelle? Or was this a trick to torment him? And shit, had the creature heard his comment about the silver mountain range? His breath lodged in his throat. All of his family, what was left of them, would be there. Taken unaware and slaughtered. Panic wedged underneath his breastbone and nothing except eliminating the enemy would dislodge it.“You know nothing, Tryn. Take your minions…your foot soldiers who have plagued our land and be gone before I rip you to shreds.”The Tryn bellowed a laugh that rang through the valley. “This is why we haven't crushed your planet. Spunk. Humans have it too. But until recently, we didn't know their worth in bringing our species into a new age. Procreation and gaining dragon abilities of fight and s
Isabelle“Kohl?” Isabelle waded in a circle in the river. No response. Even the travois was gone. Her breath hitched as fear crashed against her insides. Had a river monster taken him? Unconscious, he wouldn't be able to fight back. Along the riverbank, bushes sprouted bright violet flowers. A flock of birds with long necks and a brownish color flew overhead. A goat-like beast with three horns dipped its head to drink, but bounded off when it spotted her. She swam downstream in hopes of finding him. A shadow darkened the sky for a moment. What was that?Ahead of her, a massive emerald dragon swooped low. Its wings spanning as wide as the river's edge. Her heart hammered, and she couldn’t breathe. The creature looked twice the size of Kohl in his dragon form. And its tail was different with spikes on the end and longer. Did that mean it wasn’t part of his species…family?Wings that spanned the edge of either side of the river stirred up the water and gusts of air had her falling backwa
KholKohl felt something heavy on his arm. He blinked, raising his head to see Isabelle laying across his arm and chest. They'd made it to his family's hideout, but how? One of his siblings must have found them. The last thing he remembered was getting attacked, and his mind fell blank after that. “Don't wake her yet,” his sister, Desmonda said from the doorway. “She's been tending you nonstop for over a day.” Kohl nodded. “You're not surprised I'm in human form?” She brushed aside a tear. “I pick up on a lot of things, brother, just don't tell anyone unless I think they should know. Doesn't matter to me if you are half-human or half-Valiruc, you are still my brother.” “Thanks. Why are you crying?” He rubbed a shaky hand over his face. “Where is everyone? It's too quiet.” Even though they were in hiding, he would sense his family near or even hear the snores of his father or one of his brothers. Due to the Tryns, his family took turns sleeping and keeping watch. “Desmonda, the Tr
Isabelle“W-what?” Kohl's voice boomed through the chamber and made Isabelle cringe. His anger rolled off him in waves.She hadn't expected to blurt out that she was expecting a baby, but her nerves had been clawing on thin ice since she arrived on this planet.“That's not possible.” He turned a split-pea shade of green.Damn, she'd known he'd be shocked and surprised, but didn't think he'd have this reaction. “Actually it only takes one time.” Especially in our case.He met her stare and pain filled his gaze. “We have to get you back to Earth. Now.”“Why?” Was he ashamed that she was pregnant? Maybe it was taboo or something. “I'm sure your family and mine will accept our child. He or she won't be an outcast or unloved.” Not if I have anything to say about it.Without a word, he snatched her hand and led her out of the chamber down the corridor of caves.“Too tight, you're hurting me.” Why was he reacting this way? This was the worst scenario she’d thought of…he wanted
KohlKohl's heart hurt as if it had been raked with burning tongs until nothing remained. As protest, his body refused to shift into his dragon-form and he remained human. Probably because his wing had been torn and was healing. He hurled aside the larva delicacy with blood-wine sauce. The metal bowl hit the wall, then rattled against the cave floor. Inside his chamber, he paced. Was Isabelle all right? Had she had the abortion yet? His human mother had died while giving birth to him and he wouldn't sentence Isabelle to that fate. As a human, she wouldn’t survive the ordeal. He couldn’t live with himself if that happened. Guilty paraded in his mind. This was all his fault. He had been stupid by having unprotected sex with her. And he’d not have his child grow up without a mother. He would do anything to make sure that didn’t happen. His chest tightened at the memory of Isabelle’s hurt and angry gaze wh
Isabelle Isabelle took the time to read the last student's paper, then leaned back in her desk chair. She wrote the grade at the top with a smiley face and laid it on top of the pile of finished ones on her desk.Even though it was early release day and nearly dinner time, she was still at the school. Julia had called in sick and Isabelle told the substitute teacher she'd grade both classes’ papers.Everyone thought she was being nice and considerate, which she was, and normally she would have offered to help in any way she could. But this week she had an ulterior motive...to keep as busy as possible so she wouldn't dwell on Kohl and what a jerk he’d been when she was on his planet nearly a week ago.Vivid memories of him forcing her to leave plagued her mind. His harsh words. The way he'd looked like he couldn't stand her. Why was she so upset at his actions? Wasn't like they had even dated. And he lived in
Kohl Kohl barreled outside into the night. His dragon vision allowed him to make out shapes and a few colors despite the overcast sky. He scanned his surroundings, searching for the enemy.Through the darkness, he spotted a figure in the middle and he advanced cautiously, ready to fight.The Tryn had a human man by the throat, dragging the body behind him.Inhaling, Kohl detected his brother's scent of cedarwood and smoke. His heart hammered against his ribcage as he shook his head to process what he was seeing. His brother was a dragon, not a human. Dragons couldn't shift. This man couldn't be Taurian. It wasn't possible.A blunt force hit him in the back and the air left his lungs in a rush and pain burst across his shoulder blade, then another finger of agony twisted into his back, missing his heart by inches. Kohl groaned and twisted around, spotting another Tryn who held a piece of wood fence in