[Phantom Warriors 01] Bacchus by Jordan Summers Page B

their home planet of Zaron, Phantom males outnumbered
    females, but the disparity was far greater. Unless the Phantom people discovered a
    compatible female race capable of meeting all their unique needs and bearing their
    children, they as a people would eventually die out. Since Atlantean women were scarce
    and not a biological match, a Phantom warrior’s options were few.
    Unbeknownst to outsiders, four distinct groups made up the Phantom people. Each
    group or clan had very different abilities and selective breeding habits, but all held the
    title of warrior. The Blood Clan, which Bacchus called family, resembled Earth’s
    mythical vampires and present-day vipers. His reptilian group constituted the largest
    percentage of their population, followed closely by the Winged Clan, pterodactyl-like
    shifters, the Claw Clan, which resembled saber-tooth tigers, and the Tooth Clan,
    wolf-bear hybrids that walked on two legs.
    It wasn’t Bacchus’ intention to disregard his Commander’s direct orders to remain on
    Planet Zaron. He had no choice but to stow away. Desperation permeated his people.
    Earth remained their last great hope, due to its humanoid population. There the male
    Phantom warriors would try to find mates. Bacchus had volunteered to be the first
    warrior to attempt such an enormous undertaking.
    The Phantom people had given him very little time, a few days at most. If he was
    successful, word would spread and more warriors would come. If he failed, he feared
    mass genocide or rebellion.
    Success and failure weighed heavily on his three hearts as he plunged under the
    water and began to swim. He surfaced on the other side, relishing the feel of the warmth
    sloshing over his body. Tomorrow, he’d leave for Earth.
    * * * * *
    Days later…in Los Angeles
    Bacchus slipped off the craft as it landed on Earth to gather supplies for the queen of
    the Atlantean people. The warrior flying the craft would probably notice a weight
    discrepancy, but would otherwise remain blissfully unaware of his presence.
    He’d studied as much as he could about the planet before departure. Although he
    didn’t feel comfortable on this new world, Bacchus knew he’d get by long enough to
    complete his mission. He turned his face toward the California sun, soaking in the heat.
    The crisp ocean air tickled his nostrils and gently caressed his hair, leaving the taste of
    salt upon his forked tongue. This planet was so much like Zaron, but different, more
    exotic in flavor. Earthlings began to arrive on the beach, shattering the tranquility of the
    morning.
    Many ran in tight formation, wearing loose gray clothing that sagged on their
    bodies. Bacchus watched in fascination. There seemed to be no ritual behind their
    actions. They neither trained for combat nor executed stealth moves.
    Strange, even for a primitive species.
    Several people passed. He followed one of the women down the wave-swept beach,
    taking care to blur his image in order to blend in with the environment. To the untrained
    eye, he would appear as a glimmer of light, a flash of sun on the sand, invisible to all
    until he deemed otherwise. The woman’s ass sashayed with each step she took. Bacchus
    considered approaching, but decided against it when a male nearby called out her
    name. She stopped and waited, kissing the man when he neared, then they continued
    down the beach.
    Bacchus needed to learn more about this planet and its people. The vidlink had
    been helpful, but left out much information. The only way he could make up for the
    discrepancy was if he absorbed the knowledge. He searched the sands for another Earth
    male. He couldn’t take the chance with a female. The possibility of passing on his
    genetic coding was too great and far too important to squander indiscriminately. The
    code was for his future mate. Bacchus refused to think that he might not find her on this
    planet.
    Minutes passed without new encounters. Bacchus stared down the beach,
    wondering if