Harden My Heart (Club Release 3) Science Fiction Abduction Romance by Pixie Moon Read Free Book Online

is another reminder that I'm not on earth anymore.
     
    My stomach knots at that reminder. When Din Tairin nudges me forward, I glance down and see that I'm on a massive stone landing. The tan, rust, and black stones form a piece of art. I take a step to the side and stare at it in wonder. My eyes taking in the constellation of stars and planets. It's the perfect landing for a spaceport.
     
    "It's getting late. Let's get you home," Din Tairin says as he starts leading me down the stairs and toward one of several huge stone paths.
     
    A little way down the path a gust of wind comes from nowhere. It pushes me into Din Tairin. Instead of getting mad, he studies me and keeps on walking. I'm glad to know that he doesn't seem to anger quickly.
     
    A few steps farther down the path, I hear the flutter of wings. I look up and see a beautiful bird. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. It flies around us and comes in close for a look at me. I smile at it. Its long thick purple beak opens and chirps a little song.
     
    Its yellow feathers flap loudly as it flies up higher in circles around us. Maybe this planet won't be so bad. I'm already making friends.
     
    As the pretty purple and yellow bird flies around us, I look up at Din Tairin. "What kind of bird is that?"
     
    "It's an ardop."
     
    "It's beautiful." I smile as I watch it start to fly higher and higher. Yes, this planet is looking good.
     
    A loud squawk comes from the ardop. I look up and shriek in surprise. In horror I watch as a massive dark blue bird with a purple belly opens its huge ridged beak and then snaps it shut on my little friend.
     
    Yellow feathers float down around us. I shake my head, this is not a nice place to be. Tears welled in my eyes as I watch the huge bird chomp a few times and then swallow my little friend.
     
    Din Tairin wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in close to him as he starts walking. "I'm sorry you had to see that, little human."
     
    Guilt starts eating at me. "If I haven't been here the ardop would probably still be alive."
     
    Din Tairin stops and catches my gaze. "You are not responsible for others' actions."
     
    When he continues to stare deeply into my eyes I realize that he's waiting for a response. Even though I don't like it, I nod my understanding. He dips his chin and then starts leading me on down the path.
     
    "What was that huge mean bird? How could something with a good five feet wingspan be so quiet?" I shake my head in wonder. I never even heard the massive bird’s wings. My little friend didn't stand a chance.
     
    "That was a crowdoc. They are the largest birds on this planet. Their stealth makes them deadly." He stops beside a sleek dark blue vehicle. He touches his thumb to my chin, gaining my full attention. "Crowdocs don't go after people, so they are no threat to you. Let's get you home."
     
    I nod in agreement even though my heart feels heavier than ever. His attention goes to the cuff around my wrist. I watch as he rubs across the metal and then says, "Open." I watch in wonder as the metal opens, releasing me.
     
    He takes the cut off his own wrist and then pockets them before opening the vehicle door, guiding me in, and then buckling me in. As I watch him walk around the sleek vehicle, I think of the cuffs he has. I've never seen anything like them. I am a long way from home.
     
    I watch him get in and then use a strangely shaped key to start the vehicle. He looks over at me and grins. "Hang on, little seema. We will be home before you know it."
     
    My heart leaps at the sight of his dimples. They make him seem more free-spirited and happy instead of the tough warrior I know he is.
     
    My nerves jump when the vehicle vibrates and then rises up. What kind of vehicle is this? I only wonder that for a moment. In no time he is pulling out of the lot and heading down a path that has been cut through the lush jungle environment.
     
    This is so different from the roads on Earth. Only a few