Eden's Creatures Read Free

fury, but she didn’t stop. She dragged him through the sky with uneven, jerky movements, struggling with his weight. At least thirty feet in the air now, Cal held his breath, not wanting to do anything that might cause her to drop him.
    Instead, he closed his eyes and tried not to think about the fact that he was in the clutches of a being that had no business existing in this world. Where was she taking him? What would she do to him once she got him there? He hoped to God she didn’t think of him as her next meal.
    When his feet brushed the top of the trees in the forest, he opened his eyes — just as she let go.
    He screamed, flailing his arms and legs, but the drop was short and he plopped into a massive nest, the sides of which were at least seven feet high. He scrambled back against the wall and glanced around warily at the crude space. Wooden shelves had been built into one side of the nest and held a variety of bowls, cups and eating utensils. A bow and a quiver of arrows hung from a makeshift hook. Several wicker baskets on the floor bulged with fur and leather clothing.
    The bird woman settled down next to him and he noticed two things right away. First, she had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Second, like the men, she wore no shirt.
    A red hot flush stung his ears at sight of her bare chest.
    She held her hands out toward him. “Do not be afraid. I am not going to hurt you.”
    He twisted his lips in a show of bravado as he stood. “I… I’m not afraid. Much.”
    “You are shaking like a frightened rabbit. Why are you looking at me like that?”
    He swallowed and his eyes flicked downward.
    She looked down at her breasts. “These?”
    He nodded.
    “What? They are just appendages.”
    “No, they’re… boobs.”
    “Boobs.” She played the word around her tongue, repeating it several times. “What is wrong with boobs?”
    “Er… nothing.”
    “Do you like boobs?”
    “Yeah, a lot. That’s why you need to put them away.”
    “Put them away? How ridiculous, Rupa! Only joined females cover their appen…boobs. How else am I to attract a mate if I cover myself?”
    He just shook his head, unsure how to respond.
    After a lengthy stare, she exhaled noisily and turned to rummage through one of the baskets. When she spun back around with her hands on her hips, an animal skin had been tied in place over her small breasts. “Satisfied?”
    Yeah, probably not my smartest move.
    He nodded, his mind whirling as he tried to think of a way to distract her so he could escape somehow. He wondered how high they were at the moment and whether there was a chance of his getting down without any broken bones.
    “What is your name?” she asked him.
    “Cal.”
    “Cal?” She said his name with a hint of accent, making the simple pronunciation sound exotic.
    “Yes.”
    “My name is Perstassia, but mostly I am called Stassi.”
    Cal studied the lovely creature in front of him. She was petite and thin with long, silver hair that hung straight down her back. Iridescent amber eyes marked her as something foreign yet intriguing. She wore a loin cloth around her waist and fur-lined boots. Her wings were dark and sinewy, not at all like the white feathers of the men.
    This can’t be happening. She can’t be real.
    He asked the burning question on his mind.“What… what are you, Stassi?”
    “The only thing keeping you humans alive.”
    I’m in the hands of a mad woman. Just keep her calm and talking.
    He bowed his head. “Well, thank you for that. We do want to stay alive. Tell me, Stassi. Do other people know of your existence?”
    “Do you mean the sons and daughters of Adam?” At his look of confusion, she asked, “Humans?”
    Broken bones, here I come.
    “Yes, humans.”
    “No, you are the first son of Adam that I have seen up close.” She reached out to run her hands over his face and he flinched. “You have seen battle.”
    His face reddened under her touch and he pulled away. “It’s