by Ella Maven
The warrior in the back—a young quiet one named Ruvo—twitched as if he heard her. His hand, resting on a blade strapped to his waist, tightened. He let out a low whistle, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed the sound until I heard it. It was our alert system, and I knew Sherif heard him, when the muscles in his neck tensed.
“I’m not hungry,” Sherif announced loudly. “So, I think I’ll pass on that meal and conversation, and look for my warrior instead.”
“Stupid,” Drukil hissed.
The next sound I heard was even better—because it was the voices of a dozen Kaluma warriors screaming our war cry.
Twelve
Bloom
I’d never heard a sound quite like the rising cries of the Kaluma as they all blanked in unison. It was the eeriest thing I’d ever seen. I could hear them holler, feel the thud of their boots down the dock stairs, practically smell their aggression, but I couldn’t see a damn thing.
“Stay here,” Cravus whispered in my ear, and then I felt a rush of air as he sped past me, surely entering the battle fray. His voice joined the others.
The Kulks seemed frozen in terror, unsure where to look as they blindly punched the air and aimed uselessly with their laser guns. Drukil let out a screech and in a blur—way too fast for my liking—she dove behind the wheel of a hover vehicle. The Ubilques rushed to join their leader, but only one made it inside before the hover vehicle sped off, leaving the Kulks and one Ubilque to face the oncoming mob of Kaluma.
Suddenly, a Kulk’s body jerked, and his throat opened—spraying blood as he gurgled a few last breaths. The rest panicked, turning and running, but it was too late. One after another was taken down. The fight wasn’t even fair, but I didn’t care. I wanted every one of them gone for what they did to me—and what they tried to do to the Kaluma.
When the Kulks lay dead and dying, only one Ubilque remained, one long arm twisted behind his back while he squirmed on the ground, bleeding from a head wound.
Sherif appeared in front of him, and a chorus of clicks followed as the rest of the Kaluma appeared as well. Cravus stood behind the Ubilque, holding his arm tightly. Sherif didn’t seem surprised, and I’d have to ask Cravus later how they were able to fight in battle without accidentally killing each other.
Sherif nodded solemnly at Cravus, who raised his hand to his chest with his thumb and forefinger out, the rest curled into a fist. Sherif took a step toward the Ubilque before crouching down on the balls of his feet. “If you answer me honestly, I’ll let you go.”
The Ubilque quivered his large lower lip. “I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t care. Tell me what Drukil’s plan is.”
The Ubilque sniffed before darting his eyes to the large gathered of Kaluma behind Sherif, all standing at attention with blood-soaked weapons. He sniffed. “The ambush of the transport vehicle was planned.”
Sherif’s gaze darted to Cravus before once again focusing on the Ubilque. “What?”
“Drukil wanted a Kaluma. The plan was to injure him, and we’d arrive to collect him. We’d tell you he died doing his duties. But when we came to the scene—he wasn’t there.”
I clapped my hand over my mouth. Cravus’s gaze flicked to my hiding spot, and I could see the realization dawn. If I hadn’t dragged him away… if I hadn’t saved him…
Cravus’s grip tightened on the Ubilque, who let out a whine, but other than that he didn’t react.
“Dr-Drukil the vizpek wants a better army.” The Ubilque stuttered.
“What for?” Sherif asked.
The furred council member swallowed. “I don’t know.”
“You’re a Council member and you voted them in, but you don’t know?” Sherif growled.
“I’m not a high-ranking member!” He cried. “I’m not privy to all the information.”
“But yet you vote,” Sherif sneered.
“My elders said it was the right choice—”
Sherif snorted. “Your elders are yerking jokes.”
“Drukil isn’t the only vizpek. They’ve been growing and they aren’t what they used to be. You don’t understand the kind of choices we are being forced to make.”
“Then explain it!”
“I don’t know it all!” The Ubilque shouted back. “But the vizpek have something over us. That’s all I know!”
Sherif stood up and flicked a finger at Cravus, who let go of the Ubilque with a shove. He landed flat on his hands before peering up at the pardux. “C-can I leave?”
“Sure.” Sherif said, taking a step back.
The Ubilque stumbled to his feet, swaying slightly before shuffling away. He had reached the farthest enemy body when a stone-faced Kaluma stepped out from the back of the line. He notched a bow in his arrow, held it high, and sent it flying right into the back of the Ubilque. The point drove straight through his chest, and he let out a cry before falling to the ground. His body twitched a few times before he fell silent.
“I let you go,” Sherif murmured. “I didn’t say you’d get far.”
He turned to Cravus and pulled him against his chest. He palmed the back of Cravus’s head, and they conversed in low tones before Sherif stepped back. “Where is she?”
“Bloom.” Cravus’s voice called.
I stepped out from behind the stairs and let go of the blank I’d been holding all this time. I was dizzy for a moment, and when I came to, I found that all the Kaluma were making the same gesture Cravus had when he’d greeted Sherif—with their hands on their chests and only their thumbs and first fingers splayed. Even Sherif held the gesture.
I stared at them all with an open mouth until Sherif dropped his hand. “Thank you for rescuing my warrior, Bloom.”
My mouth went dry as I stared at the faces of the Kaluma who watched me with what could only be reverence. I nodded and swallowed around the lump in my throat. “H-he saved me first.”
“Come here, Bloom,” Cravus urged. I rushed to him and let him press me to his side.
Sherif watched us carefully. “I need a full briefing on everything that happened, but we first we have to leave before Drukil sends another army. We need time to research what she’s up to.”
“It’s time to contact the Drix,” Cravus said.
Sherif sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, yes, it is.” He turned to the Kaluma at his back. “Search the bodies and gather anything we can use. We leave in one yora to return to Torin.”
Every Kaluma let out a grunting sound in unison before scattering to pick over the dead bodies, efficiently gathering armor and weapons.
Sherif gestured toward the cruiser. “We have a healer on board. I want you checked out, fed, and rested.”
He turned without waiting for an answer to stomp up the stairs. Everything about him exuded leadership, and there was an undercurrent of genuine like and respect for his fellow warriors. I understood why Cravus liked him so much. As we followed his pardux, I looked over, catching Cravus with a slight smile on his face as he settled his gaze on Sherif’s back.
The Kaluma twins, who I learned were named Grego and Uthor, sat on either side of me, staring. They wore their hair long on one side and shaved on the other in mirror images of each other. They were shirtless, covered in blood, and still gripping their weapons.
In a chair a few feet away, Cravus sat talking to Sherif. He’d asked the twins to watch me, and they’d taken the instruction so damn literal. I tried to pretend like they weren’t staring, but it was just so… obvious. I cleared my throat. “So, uh, you guys had fun back there?” I cringed as soon as I said the words. Clearly, I needed to work on my small talk.
It didn’t really matter though, because they both nodded with a simultaneous, “Yes.”
I hadn’t expected such a quick and enthusiastic answer. “Oh, uh, okay.”
The Kaluma archer who’d taken down the Ubilque stood along the wall, staring straight ahead like a soldier. He hadn’t looked at me once. Now that I saw him a bit closer, he seemed to be younger—le
ss lines on his face, and his body was still slimmer and less bulked with muscle. But he was tall, and I was sure he’d be a mammoth like Cravus once he filled out. His gaze flickered to me for a brief second, and he hitched his shoulders before resuming his concentrated wall studying.
At my side, Uthor—I was pretty sure that one was Uthor—seemed to shift closer. I eyed him, and he shrank back with his head bent like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. What was with these two?
“Grego. Uthor.” Cravus barked. The two immediately straightened. “Give her some space. You’re crowding her.”
They reluctantly moved their chairs back an inch each. In inch being generous. “Sorry, Cravus,” they murmured.
He rolled his eyes. “They do this to Karina, too. I promise they won’t harm you. They’re just a little fascinated with humans. And females.”
A door opened from a small annex on the cruiser and an alien stepped through that took my breath away. A female Kaluma—she had to be—with long white hair, golden bronze skin, and piercing blue eyes. I’d never seen cheekbones that high, and her figure was stunning, large breasts and hips with a rounded belly. My jaw dropped as she stepped closer to Cravus and gave him a small smile.
This was what he had at home, and he chose… me? I let out a panicked squeak, and everyone in the room turned to me. Skags, who was in the corner munching on a small rodent he had caught lurking around the docks, looked up with alarm.
I swallowed. “Uh, sorry. Just… felt a draft.” I faked a shiver. Cravus’s brow furrowed. “Come here, kotche.”
“No, it’s…” I couldn’t stop looking at the female, who only watched me with a pleasant expression. Nothing about her was outwardly threatening except for her gorgeous appearance and cheekbones that could cut glass. I’d never seen anything quite like her.
Sherif gestured to her. “Hara is one of our healer trainees. She was tending to another wounded and will now check Cravus.”
I nodded, still unable to take my eyes off her. I was a little bit jealous but maybe more than anything, I was fascinated. I hadn’t actually thought of the female Kaluma, as I’d been so focused on the excitement of another human there. Would they accept me? I had to be nice to this one so she didn’t go home and tell everyone what a pain I was. I cleared my throat and smiled, although it felt shaky. “Hi, I’m Bloom.”
“Nice to meet you.” She even had a gorgeous smile, because of course she did.
Her hands were gentle as she touched Cravus. My mate. My boyfriend. My future. But he didn’t seem to react other than to obey when she instructed him to tilt his head and keep his eyes open and do various physical tests like lift his arms. She didn’t talk much, and when she did, her voice was low and soft. I would have listened to her read a bedtime story, that was for sure.
Finally, she glided over to me—yes, she seemed to glide with perfect posture—and pulled a chair in front of me. She smiled. “And how do you feel?”
I felt like I wanted to bite Cravus to claim him, or maybe scratch her eyes out, and almost ask if she would be my best friend. I glanced around the cruiser, at Cravus and Sherif who were watching me expectantly, at the archer who remained facing the wall, and on Grego and Uthor who had seemed to shift closer again.
It was a lot. Maybe too much. And before I could help it, the tears began to flow, dripping down my cheeks as I sniffed and answered honestly, “I don’t know.”
Hara’s expression faltered as Cravus stood up to rush to my side, but she quickly lifted a hand. “Males, leave.”
The archer, as well as the twins, scurried from the room instantly. Cravus stopped short and stared at her. “What did you say?”
She turned and glanced at him over her shoulder with a level glare. “I said leave. You all are overwhelming her.”
Cravus jaw ticked. “I have taken care—”
“It’s okay,” I swiped at my eyes. “I think… I’d like some time with Hara.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but a flash of hurt crossed Cravus’s face. I smiled at him. “It’s not you. I just want to talk to another female for a bit.”
Sherif clapped a hand on Cravus’s back. “Let’s give them some time.”
Cravus blinked at me, and when I gave him a nod, he slowly turned and walked down a hallway with his pardux. He glanced back at me one last time before entering a room. When the door shut behind them, we were alone.
She took my hands in hers and squeezed them. “You can tell me anything or nothing. Just get out what you need to.”
So, I did. I sobbed into her shoulder and soft white hair, telling her how many emotions I’d gone through since arriving in this galaxy. From the lowest of lows in the cage to the highest of highs meeting Cravus.
“It’s hard to believe that we are safe,” I said after I stopped blubbering. “That we’re going to his home planet.” I blinked at her. “But now I have a whole other worry.”
She cocked her head. “What’s that?”
I waved my hands at her. “You!”
The poor thing was very confused. “Me?”
“Look at you! You’re beautiful! Do all Kaluma females look like you? I don’t understand why Cravus would want to mate outside the species...” I let my voice trail off as Hara smiled. It wasn’t a cocky smile, but one of knowing.
“Did he explain a little about our recent history?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“For a long time, the Kaluma females had no choices and no options. Now that Sherif is our pardux, the galaxy is…” her eyes went a bit distant as her smile grew. “Now it’s wide open. We can learn new skills. I was forced for a long time to mate…” she ducked her head and inhaled deeply. “I don’t want to choose a male just to procreate. I will find someone I feel a bond with, or I will remain unmated. This is my choice. As far as Cravus… he has chosen you as much as you have chosen him. Please be confident in your linyx bond, because that is the most solid and sacred relationship to the Kaluma.”
Now I felt a little stupid. “I’m sorry, I whispered
“Don’t be.” Her smile widened.
“You’re very kind. Thank you so much for letting me cry on your shoulder and be insecure for a moment.”
“I have learned we are powerful when we lift each other up.” Her voice was like a balm to my soul. “So, is there anything else I can do for you?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “Can you tell me what to expect when we get to Torin?”
She laughed and relaxed as if we were two girls having a drink. “I’d be happy to.”
Cravus
Sherif and I stood near the back of the cruiser as the crew readied the craft for launch. Bloom was back to her smiling self, talking to Hara in delighted tones. I was worried after her earlier display of emotion, but she’d assured me it was just a release of stress. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but if she said she was okay, then I had to believe her.
Sherif was staring out of one of the small port windows to watch for any oncoming attacks. “I think they will let us go,” he said. “They aren’t prepared for this. They thought they’d separate me from the crew and wipe us all out. So we might get to go home now, but if what the Ubilque said is true, then they aren’t done with us. Not even close.” He turned to me. “That human you met know anything about what’s going on?”
I’d told him as much as I could remember since I started this mission, including our run-in with Zuri. His eyes had glittered when I told him that she shot me, and I wasn’t sure if it was anger for me, or amusement.
“She didn’t seem aware, and when I mentioned seeking sanctuary with the Council, she didn’t protest.” I propped my hands on my hips. “Although she did mention one thing you should be aware of.”
Sherif crossed his arms over his chest and jutted out his pelvis in what I called his pardux stance. He hated it when I said that. “Oh?”
“She’s seen a Kaluma before.” Sherif went still, so still that I didn’t think he was breathing. I r
ushed to explain. “Look, I don’t think… I don’t think it’s him. There are other Kaluma settlements who we don’t often communication with.”
I could tell Sherif didn’t care about any of that. His mind was going, recalling the single even that changed his entire life and that of our settlement. If Kazel had never disappeared, if Varnex hadn’t lost his eldest son, then his wife, he might not have gone mad. He might have valued Sherif—the one son he had left. He might have been a great leader. So many what ifs.
“Where did she see him?”
“She couldn’t remember much of anything, just that she met him—”
Sherif turned and grabbed his blades off the table before strapped them to his back.
I gripped his chest harness. “Wait. Sherif—”
“I need to talk to her. I’ll make her remember.”
I gritted my teeth. “It doesn’t work like that.”
He whirled around, his eyes wild and turbulent. “Tell me all you know about her now while I pack my things.”
He stomped off down the hallway to his room, drawing attention from the crew, as well as Bloom, who watched me with wide eyes. I gave her a helpless look and she hopped up from her seat to follow me. “What’s going on?” she asked as we took off after Sherif.
“I told him what Zuri said, about meeting a Kaluma once, and he thinks it could be his missing brother.”
She frowned. “Aren’t there other Kalumas?”
“Yes,” I said in a low voice. “But Sherif will not leave any lead unexplored.”
When I entered his room, he was shoving items into a pack with jerky, efficient movements.
“This human isn’t like Bloom. She’s not like Karina either. She’ll probably shoot you on sight,” I warned.
He glanced up at me with a glare. “She can try.”
Bloom made a face. “Yikes. That’s a first meet I’d love to witness.”
“What’s her name?” he barked.
I told him everything I could—that her name was Zuri but she went by Hack, that she moved often. “She might be gone already.”
