Bronto's Revenge (Barbarian Lust, #2)(2)
At least they knew exactly what they were dealing with now. If the species already knew how to shift to conceal their identity, it was only a matter of time before they mastered the dinosaur shift—the aliens’ so-called weapons of mass destruction. According to the commander they needed human DNA to combine with dinosaur chromosomes to master said experiment. Yeah, that would cause a few hairs to stand on the back of Bronto’s neck.
“It could get interesting,” Vulcan said. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” That unsettled him somewhat because eventually, hopefully later than sooner, they’d have to act against Vulcan’s wishes and destroy all dinosaurs to prevent the extraction of their genes. And until the unit discovered how to identify the true-blooded aliens from the imposters, they’d have to obliterate all animals as well.
“If we can’t destroy the aliens in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll get rid of the eggs. Our unit wants to go home,” Vulcan stated. “Let’s beef up security around the camps.” He peered at the mountaintops where they merged with the moonlit sky. “Bring it on, you bastards.”
“No need to personally invite them. They’re doing a fine job of making their own way.”
Vulcan turned slowly, assessing the forest border. “We need a man outside each woman’s dwelling in case the species breaks through the guards.”
Bronto nodded. “Agreed.”
“Come morning, we’ll gather wood and reinforce the huts, starting with the mothers and children. We should’ve jumped on that after the last invasion. Stay here while I increase the security around their camp. Kill anything that moves.”
“Got it.” Bronto patted the sheathed knife beneath his arm for reassurance as Vulcan lit a hand torch, then trotted across the yard in the direction of the parallel camp where the children resided with their families.
At least he and Vulcan had insight now. The commander said the species might shift into animals as a way to approach their victims. Until this point the tribe had no proof of his theory. It at least gave them a clue what to look for. Not that it was going to be easy by any means to identify who was who.
He unsheathed his knife and ambled down the row of huts, stopping outside Jade’s, where Ivy slept inside. He inhaled sharply, imagining her sweet scent.
“Vulcan?” Wisteria called.
Bronto spun around just as she stepped from Vulcan’s hut. Before she drew unwanted attention to herself from any abnormal creatures lurking in the trees, he rushed forward. “He’ll be right back,” Bronto replied, lowering his voice to a notch above a whisper as he closed the distance between them to a few feet. “He’s tightening security around the secondary camp.”
“Is there a problem?” she asked, folding her arms across her tummy.
“He’s being proactive.” If Bronto wasn’t studying her features he would’ve sworn she was Ivy. They shared many physical attributes and mannerisms. Though she topped Ivy by a couple of inches, standing with her long black hair concealing her breasts and arms crossed at her belly, she projected a striking image of her younger sister. Yeah, he knew why Vulcan had fallen for her because Bronto was falling just as easily for Ivy.
“I don’t understand,” Wisteria said softly.
Bronto smiled. Why couldn’t he remember these women weren’t familiar with many words from his vocabulary? “He’s working to prevent any disruptions.”
“From the aliens?”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
Her eyes rounded. “Have they started causing trouble?”
“Not yet but they’re becoming braver. Vulcan wants to make sure everyone is safely tucked away in case they do.”
Her gaze lowered to the ground and she chewed the inside corner of her bottom lip. “Wouldn’t it be easier to combine both camps? I mean,” she blinked and glanced into his eyes, “it’s none of my business but I think it makes more sense.”
“Your customs from the Peaceful Clan are much different than ours. The Barbarians have always separated the combatants from the families. Their daily functions consist of raising children and harvesting crops. In this camp we train to fight. While they produce the food and clothing, it’s our duty to protect them.”
She nodded as if his explanation pacified her enough to drop the subject. “Don’t worry, Wisteria,” Bronto assured her, rubbing the outside of her arm. “Vulcan is also going to increase security around this camp.”
“I’m not worried about me but please protect my sister.”
“I promise I’ll guard her with my life.”
“And please,” Wisteria pleaded, “don’t break her heart. She knows you’ll be leaving Helixis soon. Don’t give her false hope.”
“I would never hurt Ivy.” Not in this lifetime. He shook his head and grinned. “I’m not leaving, Wisteria. I’ve decided to stay behind with Vulcan.”
Her face brightened with a smile. “You have?”
“Yes. I belong here. Besides, there are so many complicated things happening, I can’t leave knowing the dangers to the people.” Aliens. Mutants. Dinosaurs. What the f*ck?
He watched as another deer emerged from the trees into the clearing. Very slowly it began to approach. Bronto scooted Wisteria behind his back and squeezed the knife in his fist. “Don’t move, Wisteria,” he warned in a low voice.