Defender (New World Book 7) by C.L. Scholey Read Free Book Online Page A

glanced around. He heard a woman screaming, he peeked around the jumbled mess of cars, motorcycles and debris; it was the female he had seen. He exhaled the breath he was holding. Taz picked the girl up and climbed onto a settled truck. He sat the child down.
    “When you see your mother, call to her. Do not stand up because if you fall on your head I’ll be ticked, kid. Understand?”
    She offered him a lopsided grin, removed her thumb from her mouth and kissed his cheek. Taz was startled. He hadn’t felt a female’s lips on him since his mother kissed him for the last time. The feeling was unnerving. Protective paternal bells and whistles were raging in his shield. The urge to shield her and return her to her mother was strong.
    Damn. Even this tiny they’re dangerous.
    Taz left the child where he knew her mother would find her; he could see the woman scrambling over car parts, hoods and around fireballs. Only a mother would jump into an insane foray. Taz jumped to the ground; as he ran, he changed. His mind was screaming at him to get away. The nightmare of the skies was only the beginning in this part of the world. Krish should have compensated for human frailty. The storms were too fierce and too much for humans to be battered repeatedly. Taz would need to report to let up. If the Tonans weren’t careful, everyone would die. There would be no re-harvest. Taz wanted to see more of Earth. He wanted to leave the tiny, vulnerable, female child far behind.
    * * * *
    Haven was curled in Macey’s arms while she read her a story in an oversized easy chair. The child could read, but it was a comfort thing for them both. Macey cuddled Haven close having formed an attachment with both girls. Skylar was more a little sister, but Haven craved a mother figure. Macey’s mother insisted Macey was a mother hen to all creatures. It was true, and this child was no different, Macey’s heart softened every time the girl spoke her name. Macey wished her parents were alive at times like these; she could use her own cuddles of support. There was a deep rumbling in the skies and Macey heard Skylar sigh.
    “Sounds like it’s coming again. Third storm in over a week,” Greta said.
    “They’re getting worse,” Skylar said.
    “I’m sure this will blow over, sweetheart. But why don’t we grab our emergency overnight bags as a precaution and head to the cellar instead of the basement. Haven, honey, take your story; we can finish it later.” Macey kissed the girl’s forehead as she slipped from her embrace.
    They all began to shuffle around getting what was needed, in no real hurry. The storms this way were more a nuisance than anything. There was an increase in storms in larger cities. Macey and her aunt tracked what they could on the radio; TV reception was minimal. It was worrisome when other countries became shut off from the world. Macey thought it might be the aliens playing with the satellites and airwaves. Unsubstantiated claims that countries were crippled had to be exaggerated.
    Macey watched Haven pick through a few more stories to take; they had a generator and plenty of gas. They slept with a light on at night; both Haven and Skylar had nightmares. Macey looked through the contents of a cupboard, gathering an armful of tins. Dinner would be a small affair of canned meat, peas and round potatoes. The pudding cups would do for dessert. Juice boxes and a small bottle of wine were last. Her mind wandered, thinking she would need to go to the corner store in the morning. The pickings were slim, but the owner was all smiles the day before saying they expected a small truck load from farmers. It should last if they rationed what they had.
    The grocer carried a huge rifle. You got what you were given, and he made certain those with kids were taken care of first. He also had five grown sons, who were no nonsense. With his own little army, no one gave him any grief. None of the huge men were able to buy a shuttle ride—none seemed