MINE! [New World Book 8] by C.L. Scholey Page B

waved his hand; she was to leave. The first step was the hardest, but she ventured forth into daylight.
    Her bare feet hit the semi-hard ground. Dark earth was cool beneath her skin. The air was pure and warm, sweet. Each new planet was a gift of existence in a world and life gone to hell. Earth was dead and yet other planets were fueled with abundance. Becky gazed around in awe. Colors were vibrant, deep shades of greens, purples, and blues. Plant life was lavish. For a moment she froze and resisted the urge to press against Huck who stood a hand’s reach beside her. Mystical creatures coming into view were dark shadow figures breezing in and around and through the foliage. Everything appeared to be without substance.
    What the hell?
    Her gaze was intense. Animals were mist. Creatures a haze. When she touched an animal her hand went through it, scattering particles of silver to dance in the sunlight. Swirling beads of mist circled in a small and slow tornado of movement to recreate the form. The plant she reached for next was smooth and warm, real. The animal mist she touched again, her fingers went through it, and once again scattered. The silver beads floated, swirled and went back to rest as a whole. Huck was standing, watching her, his shield down, he remained within arm’s reach. His blue eyes fixated on her.
    “What is this place?” Becky’s voice was barely above a whisper she was so entranced.
    “Humans would call it purgatory.”
    “Purgatory? Do you know what that means to a human?”
    “Not hell. Not what Earth became. I’m not that cruel to bring you to a place suffering what Earth has gone through. Which surprises me. This is more a place of reckoning and ending, and a beginning and in between. Do you see the beings?”
    “Yes.”
    “Don’t be afraid. I wasn’t certain you could see these things.”
    “I’m not afraid.”
    Huck sighed. “Yes, I know. But I sense a small hesitance.”
    Startled, Becky stepped back as an alien creature, obviously male and an alien female came into her sight. They were arguing but no sound was heard. The female was furious, her motion erratic. Becky moved closer. Huck went to stand beside her. She waved her hand between the two. Neither alien noticed her and continued their heated motion. The male was her height, the female a head smaller. Their bodies were thin, elfin. Their clothing was soft fluttering material exposing various body parts in a way a theatre performance would deem enchanting, alluring and provocative.
    “What are they?” Becky asked.
    “LoCanns. They are from a galaxy too far for my shuttle to reach. A strange being, but harmless. If Tonans were to invade their planet the little aliens would all die.”
    “Why can I see their images?”
    “They’re dead on their planet. There are creatures who come here after their life expires and wait to join with their counterparts on different worlds. Once all counterparts are dead they reabsorb into the universe and some are recreated.”
    Becky gazed up at him. “Great, I see dead people. Everything here is dead?”
    “Not everything. There is nothing on this planet I can’t protect you from. I need some time to think. I believe we established that. Look at death, Becky. It’s right in front of your face. Scream at it, no matter what you do, it won’t see you. You don’t exist in death because you can’t see life. The loneliness, the oblivion. It’s how I feel and I hate the feeling. I exist and no one sees me unless they want me dead. It’s how I’ve lived my life for the last four hundred years.”
    There was a change in Huck when she woke; it was more than apparent now. He mentioned nothing of mating. Becky wondered if he brought her here to kill her or mate her. Neither was a happy thought. He said he needed her but could change his mind. Huck strode off a few feet, and Becky caught sight of two little animals playing. They were shadows, dead. They looked happy but at a closer glance there