Free Enigma:What Lies Beneath (Enigma Series Book 1) by Ditter Kellen

feelings for her, but the evidence of his lust propelled him forward.
    The last thing she needed at the moment was a giant, injured Bracadyte standing over her, wielding an erection.
    Hauke understood how sex worked with the humans. He knew it to be similar to the mating ritual of the Bracadyte. Only, the human sexual connection ended with a physical climax, whereas the Bracadyte had a dual release—mind as well as body.
    He shook off his thoughts and reached for the odd-looking glass perched in front of him.
    “It’s a sliding glass door. Let me show you.” Abbie moved to his side and touched something to the right of the door. It slid open with barely a sound. “I’ll be waiting right here for you. Please hurry back.”
    With a short nod, Hauke stepped through the opening as quickly and quietly as possible.
    The smell of salt hit him long before he arrived at the water’s edge. One word played over and over inside his mind as he stepped into the soothing waves of the gulf.
    Home.
    Hauke engaged his protective lenses and dove beneath the surface, swimming with the speed of a dolphin until he reached the second sandbar.
    He could feel his body soaking up the necessary nutrients it needed for healing as he gazed longingly toward home.
    But he couldn’t go home. Not yet. He had to locate his sister, Naura; his second in command, Braum; and the other three members of the team he had been with before the explosion happened.
    Hauke feasted off various fish, pleased with the feeling of his strength rapidly returning. He would need every ounce of it to find his team members and keep Abbie safe until he could make arrangements to have her brought to Aukrabah.
    Moving her to Aukrabah was not going to be an easy task. Hauke knew she would not be received well by the Bracadytes. Especially the elders.
    Bringing a human below meant a risk of exposure for Hauke’s kind, but what choice did he have?
    He could remain on land with her, he reasoned, biting into a delicious red snapper. But it would only be a matter of time before they were caught and ultimately destroyed. No, he refused to risk Abbie’s life.
    Another thought struck as he finished his meal and turned toward shore. Abbie’s body would not tolerate the altitude of Aukrabah’s entrance, even with him breathing for her. The pressure would kill her.
    The second his feet touched the gulf floor, Hauke stood and strode from the water toward the safety of the house. If he could not find a way to take Abbie below, he had no choice but to remain above.
    He ran a hand through his wet hair in an attempt to expel some of the saltwater dripping from the ends.
    Now that his strength had returned, it was time to talk to Abbie about his sister and the other group members that had been with him during the explosion. If they yet live.
    Pain nearly doubled him over at the possibility they did not make it out alive. Or worse, were found and transported to the place Abbie’s father had mentioned. Area 51.
    From Abbie’s reaction to Area 51, Hauke had no doubt that torture would somehow be involved before death. If Naura had been abused or… He couldn’t finish the thought.
    Abbie stood at the big glass door as Hauke rushed across the sandy beach into her waiting arms.
    She quickly wrapped a soft, colorful cloth around his waist. “Oh, thank God you’re all right. I’ve been worried sick.”
    He stepped over the threshold. “Humans have strange expressions.”
    “What do you mean?” She slid the door closed and took hold of his elbow, guiding him toward a brightly lit room to his left.
    “Words such as thank God and worried sick . I understand the meaning, only not the reasoning.”
    “Humans pray to God. It’s a simple statement of thanking him for bringing you back safely. And some people worry until they become sick.”
    “Yes, but your God did not bring me from the water, Abbie. I walked out on my own limbs.”
    “I know that. I just… Never mind. I suppose we do use