Free C.L. Scholey - Zuri's Zargonnii Warrior (Unearthly World # 2) by C.L. Scholey Page B

planet?”
    “We have designated an area that will be well guarded.”
    “When will we be set free?”
    “It’s too dangerous for you to walk around our planet, you’re all too defenseless.”
    “So, Cash, Leo and I will be stuck like zoo animals forever.”
    “Zoo animals?”
    “Where I come from, it’s the only way some people can see exotic animals, or even animals on their continent we would never originally get to see up close, without danger to us or them. They are placed in an environment such as their own, but restricted for safety reasons.”
    “I’m afraid that’s exactly how it would be.”
    “Why can’t I just roam around? I wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
    “Zuri, on your planet did you have any creatures that roamed free? All sorts of animals on my planet roam free.”
    “Of course, lots.”
    “They had a means of protection, fight or flight?”
    “Yes, I suppose, but mostly no one bothered with squirrels or chipmunks. They’re harmless.”
    “There would be creatures on my world that would be harmless to even a human, but not all. Like your harmful creatures, a Zargonnii knows how to avoid the dangerous ones. But what would be no threat to me would kill you. We have a place of learning for our male offspring, but their fathers walk them to this place until they reach the age of thirteen. By the time a male Zargonnii is thirteen, he can defend himself against a bangor. A Zargonnii offspring is a favored food of the bangor. They have been known to climb the walls of backyards during the Holiday. It’s rare, but sometimes these creatures get past our female Zargonnii who normally keep the creatures contained, except around the Holiday.”
    “Could I fight off a bangor?”
    “Not even when you’re pissed. You would always need supervision in our jungle. Plus there are swamp holes you never can go near. Our children play near them because the pond scum is kept minimal, but with your skin you would be injured, or eaten.”
    Zuri shuddered. “How do you survive?”
    “Touch me,” Kobe said.
    “Pardon?”
    Kobe took her hand and placed it on his rounded oval belly. She felt the hard wrinkles and when he stood he took her with him. He grew to battle mode and towered over her. “I am virtually indestructible.”
    “Are your male children as hard as you?”
    “Not in the beginning. A father watches his male offspring closely for the first twelve years. Normally, a father has made a safe environment in his backyard for his child to play. I helped my friend to make an area for Mrac, his son.”
    “All you mention are fathers and sons. What about female offspring?”
    “The mothers keep the females. When sons are born, they are left near the fathers’ homes.”
    “Alone?” She looked appalled. “With child-eating bangors around?”
    “The mother watches until he is safe.”
    “So you don’t cohabitate, at all. Not even the children. How sad. No wonder you don’t want me to go home with you. I don’t understand. You wanted to Holiday with me, but do you even like females?”
    “Of course,” he said spluttering. “What an odd question. I loved my mother. Even though females aren’t nearly as intelligent as males, females are formidable opponents, regal and majestic. They have my respect. I enjoyed the four times I Holidayed with different females who found me acceptable.”
    “Acceptable?”
    “To battle with.”
    “You battle females?”
    Zuri looked like she was about to run for her life. It was his own fault for asking her to Holiday with him; now she thought he wanted to hurt her.
    “Our cultures are different. I wouldn’t battle you, you’re too small. I won’t ask you to Holiday again.”
    “My new life sounds so lonely. Kept in the same place day after day. Doing the same thing day in day out.”
    “Can you not Holiday with your males?”
    “Not my type.”
    “Ah see, our females have certain types as well, you’re not so different in that respect.”
    “Then why not