Stallion of Ash and Flame (Siren Publishing Classic) (20 page)

“Human progeny?”

“Our married copulation with the Daughters of Epona.”

Trail flared inside, a savage jolt throughout his body. His Seneca’s bloodline went back to Epona, worshiper of horses, as he knew her status on Earth. Known as the Celtic Goddess of Horses in current-day history, Epona had been responsible for bringing the equine bloodlines that now lived in his veins.

She whirled inside his arms. “What’s wrong?” Her gaze raked over his face with concern.

“I believe the V’Trailuc has just discovered why you knew him, or smelled him as other humans do not.”

“True.” He spoke to the astonished expression on her face. “Did you speak falsely before, Hjorior?” he formally addressed.

“As a personal confession, no. I had not followed the logical line of thought. Your ancestral heritage to your mate’s ancestral heritage. Inefficient of me, indeed.”

She shivered in reaction, though, he felt her quickly suppress her emotions. Still, she gazed at him for long moments, her eyes enormous and shadowed. Not moving from him, she looked over her shoulder at the Hjorior. “How do I know you’ll use this gene in a good way?”

“There is no method of convincing you. I ask because it would defile the good we wish to accomplish if I simply seize the gene.”

Trail stroked her shoulder. “The Hjorior showed me where the amulets were taken. In return I was to ask you for the gene.”

She nodded her understanding. “I don’t know the right answer. But somehow, it feels right. So, yes. As long as it’s not painful.”

“One drop of blood is preferable. I promise the extraction is painless, little red hair.”

“Make it fast. I’m not fond of losing blood, any blood.”

“Present your palm, Ma’Blechiunna. It will be over swiftly.”

Half-turning, she buried her face in Trail’s shoulder and held out her palm.

With complete gentleness, the Hjorior cradled her hand in his, then placed one end of a small crystal tube in the center of her palm. Instantly, a drop of her blood, still blue, was captured in the container. Trail recognized the tube as a medical device with multi-uses, including the ability to replicate her blood as a hologram.

“My gratitude, little red hair.” Releasing her hand as gently as he’d held it, the Hjorior walked a distance from them, placing the tube in what was known as a lock-hold box. Impervious to being opened by enemies, it acted like a loyal pet. “Perhaps, I can offer a token of my gratitude. What are your plans for the Anunnaki amulets?”

“I have no clue.” She stared at her palm for any sign of a wound. Finding none, she lifted her gaze to Trail. “Any plans?” she asked.

“Only for you,” he rasped. At her scowl, he looked above her head toward the contemplative visage of the Hjorior. “It would be dangerous to return the amulets to the cave, too many prying eyes on us.”

“Yeah, how dangerous is it to keep them at the house?” She whirled around. “What’s your solution...do you have a name?”

The Hjorior tilted his lips in a momentary grin. “Lhestasus,” he answered. “I can offer a containment box similar to the one that now holds your blood gift. It will only open at your command. I will create it to be undetectable by most. Thus, if your destiny requires it, the amulets will be in your possession.”

She pondered a few moments, then shrugged her shoulder. “I have no other good solution. Mr. Flaming Horse Man is right. Taking them back to the cave won’t work.”

“Flaming Horse Man,” he growled near her ear. Possessively stroking over her belly, he watched Lhestasus wave his hand in a spiraling motion while he concentrated.

“Blazing Horse Man?” she drily taunted, keeping her gaze fastened on the purple mist now forming into a ball the size of a fist.

“I like Stallion of Flame. Especially the way you said it earlier.”

“You do, do you?”

Using both hands now, the Hjorior seemed to sculpt the air instead of the gleaming deep purple box that took shape between the precise sweeps of his palms.

“I do, my mare.” He subtly lipped the rim of her ear.

She let her head rest on his shoulder, her gaze trained on the forming box. “You can’t go home,” she sadly whispered.

“It’s not a lost cause, Seneca. I’ll explain why later.”

“Is it even safe to go back to the house? Not that I could ever leave my horses and dogs.”

“I’ll make it safe.”

“Even with all your alien stallion prowess, how?”

“You haven’t seen all my prowess talents yet.”

“I imagine not,” she drily cut. Still, he heard the desire in her tone, and the uncertainty about her future. It was all there in her voice, her deepest feelings. He hugged her closer.

Gently capturing the newly formed lock-box he’d designed for Seneca, the Hjorior closed his eyes and sent his thoughts into the living energy. He had shaped it to resemble a modernistic cosmetics case. Once he’d finished, he reverently held the box toward her, opening the lid.

“What a beautiful shade of purple,” she complimented. Leaving Trail’s arms, she dug into her pockets, pulling out the two amulets. After gazing down at them for a long moment, she kissed each one. “They did help save me earlier,” she explained. Stepping forward, she placed them inside. The amulets seemed to settle themselves with good grace.

“Close the lid,” Lhestasus encouraged. “Once you do, it will only be your touch which will open it again.”

She somberly nodded, then shut the box, a delicate flowing of her hand. Lhestasus released the lock-box. Floating, it became splendidly radiant for an instant, then entered her grip.

“Until we meet once again.” The Hjorior grandly waved his arm.

Trail craned his neck, making certain. Yep, they were inside the pickup and parked at her house. He whipped around to her. Seneca’s face and body remained frozen from the time-warp jump, the purple lock-box on her lap.

Emerging, she shook her head a little. “Where are we?” Reflexively, she picked up the
gleaming case, hugging it against her chest.

“Home, sweet, home.”

She swung her face back and forth from the front windshield to the side window. “Dang, you’re right. This is the fastest trip home I’ve ever made. That’s for certain.”

“Are you okay?” Trail gently grasped her irresistible thigh.

“You tell me. Since we’re connected
mates
.” Her tone carved him up, but good. He grinned inside.

“Do I have your permission?” he countered. “Seneca, the connection between us is mostly for protection.”

“Mostly,” she voice-clawed. “Never mind now. Have you remote-viewed the horses, the whole place yet?”

“Promise me you’ll stay put, and I’ll do a mind reconnoiter.”

She gave him a quick glance, her eyes fiery turquoise. “Go.”

He hesitated, tenderly stroking her knee.

“I promise, bossy stud. Go.”

He did, releasing her knee and soaring his awareness toward the stable. Chief stood quietly, but alertly inside his stall. He whinnied a greeting, and Trail sent him an overview of what had occurred as he could understand it. Expanding his psi-senses, he checked on all the horses, then zoomed over the land. Another Alien Buster’s van was parked near the perimeter, hidden by a rise of ground. He swept though their electronics, discovering they’d become suspicious of him and remained on the lookout for the Fire Starters.

Seconds later, he sent a frequency bolt that caused a screeching noise. The four people inside covered their ears while their computers groaned and went haywire. Shooting upwards, he tested the vibrational winds and sensed no direct danger to them. There was only the residue of the sheriff and the black-ops team. Flashing toward the house, he hovered over Luke and Spook first. They were frightened, yet sensed her presence, and eagerly waiting for her to appear.

Touring inside the house, he found several advanced devices designed to record a person’s every move and word. Sheriff Colgan had returned in their absence. Trail sensed his foul vibration everywhere. Disabling the covert tech, he watched all of it spark into useless particles. The last place he entered was her bedroom, knowing who waited.

V’Trailuc
, the commander greeted. His hologram projection rose up from reclining on her bed. The careless arrogant smile he presented only made him appear sinister.

Get out. You defile her room.
Trail summoned his force to whirlwind status.

A warning. I am not through with you or your mate.
The commander’s malevolent grin mocked him.

A warning,
Trail imitated.
We were sent by the ancient ones to defeat you and your greed-despicable money masters.

Shock briefly flickered in the commander’s opaque black eyes. Baring his pointed row of teeth, he glared his hatred.
Do not think I am so easily defeated. You are not invincible, V’Trailuc. I will discover your secrets and know the most brutal retaliation.

Trail laughed, guffawing as if he held his stomach. Once his grand amusement ended, he summoned his tornadic force again.
You are a fool to believe gold is superior to the paradise of Earth. What would your race do without this planet as a port for your ships?

The commander’s face hardened with menace. He sneered slowly.
A fool, am I? What man turns his back on his own world to mate with an Earth female?

Trail didn’t bother answering his enemy’s utter ignorance, but stared back with his own savage power.

After returning the stare for moments, the commander’s holo image vanished. Trail instantly spun throughout the room erasing every trace of his foul presence. Continuing into the front room, he wiped out Sheriff Pork Belly’s molecules.

Seneca stared out the front windshield, her impatience a force of nature. She’d put the amulet box on the dashboard. Her legs were drawn up, her arms wrapped around them. “You’re back.”

“Yes.” Trail swiveled in his seat to face her.

“I felt your return. We are connected.” Her voice had been soft with thought and uncertainty. “What did you find?”

Trail debated with himself about what to tell her, and how.

“There are tire tracks that don’t belong,” she added when he didn’t answer immediately. “I can see them from here.” She nodded toward the passenger window.

“The sheriff. He bugged the house. I destroyed them all.”

“He couldn’t have found any of the camcorder evidence. None is in the house. But God knows what the bastard stole or planted on me. Good thing Luke and Spook were in their area and not loose.” She heaved a long sigh. “At least I know they’re okay. They started barking on and off,” she explained. “They know I’m here.”

“The sheriff only stayed long enough to place the spy devices,” Trail reassured. “There was an Alien Busters van watching the place. I screwed up their computers.”

“What else?” she asked, her expression stony.

Trail glanced away. God, he didn’t want to scare her farther.

“I always know when Rory is holding out on me. Besides, you’re the one who connected us. By the way, alien stud, just how does that work?”

“Want a demonstration of how that works?” He suggestively eyed her, and grinned.

“Oh for—” She scowled formidably. “No, I want a clinical explanation. Only, after you tell me the rest of the story.” Her tone brooked no nonsense.

“The Fire Starter commander sent his holo image
.
”

“Commander?” she interrupted.

“The one who held you and made the demands.”

“Yeah, of course.” Her pupils dilated in fear as she remembered. “I assume we’re safe.”

“We’re safe. The horses are safe.”

“What did the giant tapeworm want, besides the amulets and the mica device?”

Trail let a chuckle escape.

Her face lit up with her brief smile. “Yeah, it is kinda funny.”

“The usual bad guy threats. I chased him out. If it comes to it, I’ll eliminate him.”

“You’ve done that before, haven’t you?”

Trail didn’t speak until the look in her eyes compelled him. “Yes, Seneca, I have when necessary.”

She gave one nod and set her chin on top of her knees. “To protect your portal?”

“To protect myself or someone else from Earth’s shadow government. So far.”

“Yeah, the shadow government.”

Trail never wanted to hear his name on her lips the way she’d just spoken, with utter loathing.

“I was thinking while you were remote viewing,” she continued. “Who could help it, right?” She shifted her gaze to him, laying her cheek on top of her knees. “About everything I’ve now seen with my own eyes, and about what I just experienced. I know it to be true. Yet, if I tell most people...hey, take her to the looney bin, throw away the key.”

Trail nodded, feeling her pain and mental struggle.

“All those things the government never admits to and never tells you about. All those things that people are constantly ridiculed over...like seeing a flying saucer or being abducted. I’m angry. I hate all the lies. More than that, I’m just damned tired of all the lies. Lie stacked upon lie, for how long now?”

Trail could have told her for ‘how long’, but that wouldn’t have eased her any. It certainly didn’t ease him.

“Practically everything I thought was true about life, over time it’s been proven to be untrue. It’s been one rug after another pulled out from underneath me.”

He watched the glisten of her tiny teardrops touch her cheek. She sniffled. “What? Does the tower of lies stack all the way to the moon?”

“It might,” he quietly offered.

She gave him a teary-eyed glance. “Do you know what I’ve come to believe?” She sniffled again and looked as fragile as a young girl. “There will never be disclosure.”

“Disclosure?”

“What some UFO groups want from the government, the truth, all the secret files released. It will never happen. No matter how many people demand it, and write to their Congress people, or flood them with faxes and e-mails. There’s only a couple of ways it will ever happen. One, if it’s a pre-emptive strike. A group of extraterrestrials themselves demand it with the threat that they’ll make themselves known if it isn’t revealed. Two, if they need a way to stay in control of the population because nothing else is working. Then, they’ll make nasty noises about an Independence Day style attack.”