TirzahsAllure by Gabriella Bradley

We have had a good life here in this wild region, but we, especially those of us who remember our world, long for a normal life.”
    “Life among people on Earth is very different from your world. Do you think you can adjust?”
    “We adjusted to primitive living. We can adjust to anything. We can teach the younger generations the language by using the translators. We are mastering your language as we speak. So will they.”
    “Knowledge of English isn’t enough. Tirzah and I will have to bring you books so you can learn about Earth and its customs, its countries. I will have to do a lot of research on how I can get you all papers. It won’t be easy. And there is the problem of money.”
    “Money? Please explain.”
    “Money is used for payment of goods, food, houses, cars, and in this case, false papers. False papers are illegal and cost a fortune. A fortune I don’t have.”
    “Does Earth accept jewels?”
    “Jewels?”
    “We have found several caves that have many beautiful stones in the walls. We make jewelry for our women from them. Like this.” Opek pointed at a strand of beads around one of the female elders’ neck.
    At least Cain had thought they were beads, at first. When he looked closer, he knew they weren’t just beads. “Those look like diamonds. Yes, they can be worth a lot of money. And some of those stones look like emeralds.”
    “We can give you many of these stones to take with you.”
    “And what do I say when I try to sell them and they ask where I got them?”
    “We don’t know. Maybe you found them but you don’t remember where exactly?”
    “I will do everything I can to help you, but you must promise me not to punish Tirzah.”
    “Tirzah disobeyed us.”
    “But because she disobeyed you, I am standing before you. If you had not given up your explorations and gone further, you would have found civilization, like she did.”
    “You are right and you are wise. We will reprimand Tirzah only. We have decided. You may mate with Tirzah at the Festival of Flames one day hence.”

Chapter Eight
    Cain’s head spun. My God, I’ve taken on some task. How the fuck am I going to get all these people out of here? And how do I get them settled in the city? Damn, but I love that woman. I’ll do anything for her. But this is a bit much. I still think this is all a dream. I’m going to wake up soon and laugh about my science fiction fantasy. So in my dreams, I go for a bite to eat and meet a shifter like me. Is it my deep down wish to meet others like me causing this dream? Or is it becoming a nightmare?
    “Cain. I understand some, but not all. Mother will give translator. Then I understand everything.”
    He startled out of his thoughts and turned to his mate, the woman of his dreams, his blonde, blue-eyed angel. She’s real. This isn’t a dream. What have I gotten myself into? “Baby, they’re not going to punish you.”
    “I heard the words.”
    Calira joined them. “That went well, Cain. Daughter, come here.” She pointed an instrument at Tirzah’s temple and he heard a hissing noise. When she withdrew the instrument, Tirzah had a tiny round disc implanted in her temple. It resembled a silver stud with a tiny red stone in it.
    Tirzah tilted her head and showed off her implant proudly. “Now I will learn your language very fast.”
    Cain nodded. It was all too much to take in. He’d finally found his mate, a shifter just like him, but not quite like him. They were from another planet and now they suspected he originated from the same planet. He’d wake up soon in his hotel room. It couldn’t be anything else but his deepest desire for a mate causing his dreams.
    “We have to go. There’s no time for our walk. The elders want to see us,” Tirzah told him.
    It was strange to suddenly hear Tirzah speak perfect English after he had so painstakingly taught her what little she knew. That was why none of it could be real. Impossible. Crazy . Maybe that’s what it was. He was