Chapter Three

By the time they arrived at the Isle of Atros, Protan and Aluride were arguing in the human gutturals about who was more proficient at steering the boat. Protan seemed to act on instinct and guided Aluride to a spot to dock the vessel. He tied the lines expertly even as Aluride stopped the loud roar of the engines.

Thera stared about her, wide-eyed and anxious, at so many unfamiliar sights. "It is..." Her mind could furnish no words which her mouth would say. "Humans, there are many humans over there," she offered and pointed to a gathering under a large structure.

"Then we must go there. We will take several at a time with us and bring back more or our own kind. Perhaps we will make this place our New Atlantis until our home can be recovered." Aluride wasted no time in leaving the boat and turning toward the humans.

"Wait," Protan cautioned. "Perhaps they will not wish to go. What will we do then? Should we not devise a plan? Mayhap take one at a time, stealthily, as the flounder lies in wait for the shrimp?"

"We will see. Come, Thera. We shall observe and listen, then decide."

Thera preferred to remain on the vessel, but scrambled onto the dock with Aluride. She didn't feel well as she followed along behind the male forms. The middle section of this body felt as if it were gnawing at her from the inside. Then she almost drooled as an aroma unlike anything she remembered assailed her senses. The gnawing sensation worsened.

"Aluride, stop. I must have something... Food... I want food," she insisted as she realized the cause of the problem.

"I know, I share the need. In there," Aluride agreed and pointed to the end of the structure nearest them.

Whistles and cat-calls welcomed them as they approached the male humans gathered around several tables. "Whoa baby... Come to papa!" One bold male leaped up and walked to Thera, looking her up and down as she stood there in her figure-hugging, yellow swimsuit. "You sure are a beauty. Where have you been all my life?"

Thera glanced at Aluride and at his nod replied politely, "I have been beneath the waters. Would you like to go there with me?"

"Honey, I'll go anywhere as long as you're leading the way," the human told her and put his arm about her shoulders.

Not sure if she liked his touch, Thera ignored it and requested, "I need food. May I have food?

"Sure, darling. Sit yourself right down. I'll get you a plate full right now." He urged her to a chair.

"My friends... They need food also."

"Whatever it takes to make you happy, sugar. Get some plates of that 'boil' over here," the male called out before stroking his hand down Thera's glorious red hair and onto her upper arms.

Plates full of cooked seafood were hastily placed before Thera, Protan, and Aluride. They watched the humans around them crack the shells on crab and peel shrimp then copied them.

Thera moaned with pleasure at the first bite of succulent crab.

Every male stopped at the husky, sensual sound to stare at her.

"Here baby, this will make it even better," insisted the male who persisted in touching her. He dipped a large shrimp in butter and held it to her mouth. He stroked her lips as she accepted the morsel from him.

A fiery longing shot through Thera's lower regions. She closed her eyes and licked her lips before making small sounds of delight deep in her throat. The male was right. It was exquisite. As were these new feelings coursing through her body.

Thera! Aluride spoke sharply within her mind. Stop! The male wishes to mate with you, as does every human here. You are to lure as many as possible to accompany us. We will make them pay for their lust.