by M. K. Eidem
Mac couldn't argue with that because she didn't know. "If I find out they can, will you, at least, let them do that?"
Jen was silent for so long that Mac didn't think she was going to answer. "I will," she finally said.
"That still doesn't explain why you were kissing that man!" Craig said.
"Male," Mac corrected.
"What?" Craig frowned at her.
"They don't use the term man; they say male. You'll learn that after you use their educator. And it's a much better experience than what we had with the Ganglians."
"You keep dodging the question," Craig snarled.
"I don't mean to, it's just hard to explain... you see Kaliszians wear these beads in their hair and...” The doors of the area slamming against the wall cut her off.
Chapter Nine
Parlan ignored Onp and Nroa as he shoved open the doors to the survivors’ wing, uncaring that it sounded like a blaster shot as they slammed against the walls, causing all the traumatized beings inside to jump. His anger and disbelief had grown as he cleansed and every step it took him to get here. How could the Goddess have blessed one like Nikhil with a True Mate, even if she was one from another species? Nikhil was a large, blundering male with no connections to power except for the fact that his manno worked for a Minister.
He was an Elite Warrior.
He descended from a powerful bloodline.
He had access to more credits than any Squad Leader.
He was Parlan Spada.
If anyone deserved a True Mate, it was him.
His gaze scanned the area, searching for the humans, until he found them huddled in a corner like the insignificant beings they were. They didn't look any better to him cleansed than they had filthy. Could the Goddess really have chosen one of these creatures as a True Mate for a Kaliszian? Maybe she was punishing them, the way she had because of General Rayner's ancestor, with the Great Infection.
"I will speak with the female," he announced in Kaliszian, as he walked toward the group.
"What's he saying?" Jen asked, pulling her hood down lower.
"He wants to talk to me. Stay here." Rising, Mac weaved her way through the guys that were closing ranks around them, not knowing what was going on. "It's okay, guys," she spoke in English, knowing only they would understand. "He wants to talk to me and no, he can't understand anything you say in English."
"He's an asshole, Mac," Paul informed her from the back.
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied, then stepped out and faced the Kaliszian Warrior that had stopped in front of them.
Parlan didn't know what he expected, but it wasn't the beautiful creature that stepped out from behind the gray wall of capes. She was exquisite, if slightly strange looking. Waves of dark, multicolored hair flowed loosely around her face. He'd never seen a female's hair loose before, as Kaliszian females always restrained theirs with a clip and it was braided. She wore what appeared to be a storm covering, and it conformed to a body that while thinner than what he liked, still had his shaft stirring with interest.
"Who are you?" Mac demanded.
Her question had him pulling his gaze from where her covering ended, to find brown eyes staring at him defiantly. Good, he liked a female that fought. He enjoyed making her submit to his wishes. "I am Elite Warrior Parlan Spada. I am the warrior General Rayner felt most trustworthy to see to you and your people."
Mac just stared at the male speaking to her in an oily voice. She didn't like the way his gaze traveled over her. It made her feel like she needed another shower.
When she didn't immediately respond, he frowned. "You do understand Kaliszian, don't you?" Parlan demanded. "Aren't you able to speak it?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Then give me your name!" he demanded.
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why? Your species does have individual names, don't they?" he asked snidely.
"Yes."
"Then what is yours?" Parlan demanded again.
"Why do you want to know?" Mac continued to question.
"Because I have been put in charge of you," he told her smugly.
"You think you are in charge of me?" Mac raised an expressive eyebrow at him.
"Yes."
"That is an untruth, Parlan!" Nikhil roared, storming into the area followed by Onp and Nroa. He'd been enraged when Onp had contacted him to say Parlan was demanding to speak to the Earth female. He hadn't even taken the time to explain himself to Treyvon as he rushed to his Mackenzie's side. He did not trust why Parlan was demanding to see her. "How dare you try to deceive my True Mate!"
"Nikhil," Mac cried out, gratefully taking the hand he held out to her. She hadn't realized how truly uneasy Parlan had made her, not until she felt the security of Nikhil's embrace.
"You are safe, Little One, as I vowed you would be," Nikhil reassured her, pulling her close.
"True Mate?" Parlan, as far as Mac was concerned, gave a bad impersonation of confusion.
"You are saying you did not see this?" Nikhil lifted the strand of her hair that held his True Mate bead.
"Of course I didn't, Squad Leader," Parlan denied. "Had I seen it, I never would have approached her. As your... True Mate is not Kaliszian, perhaps you should instruct her on what is the proper conduct for one. Obviously she isn't intelligent enough to know."
"Why you...” Nikhil moved her behind him, stopping her from saying more, as did the sound of him pulling out the sword strapped to his back. Onp and Nroa moved in to flank her, silently letting Nikhil know that they would protect her.
"You dare to insult my True Mate, Warrior Parlan?!!" Nikhil growled lowly, pointing his sword at Parlan.
Parlan took a startled step back, unable to believe Nikhil had reacted so strongly to his words, and frantically reached behind him searching for the hilt of his sword. There was no way he could not respond to Nikhil's challenge, for Elite Warriors did not back down.
"Squad Leader! What in the name of the Goddess is going on?!!" Treyvon's question echoed in the room full of silent observers, having followed Nikhil from the training field.
"Warrior Parlan has not only insulted my True Mate but has tried to deceive her," Nikhil replied lowly, never taking his gaze off of Parlan.
"Warrior Parlan, is this truth?" Treyvon demanded.
"I merely stated that perhaps she should be instructed on the proper conduct of a True Mate."
"Sheath your sword, Squad Leader," Treyvon only addressed Nikhil as Parlan was never able to draw his, and waited until Nikhil did before turning his attention to Parlan. "Now tell me, Parlan, how would you know what the proper conduct is for a True Mate? Do you have one no one knows about?" Treyvon questioned.
"I... Well, no," Parlan reluctantly answered.
"Does your manno?"
"No."
"Do you know any other True Mates?"
"Of course not, General! There hasn't been one in nearly five-hundred years."
"Then perhaps Squad Leader Nikhil's True Mate is conducting herself properly."
"General! She never presented herself as his True Mate. If she truly were, she would wear his bead proudly for all to see, not hide it in all that... hair."
"How dare you!" Moving quicker than any of them could have anticipated, Mac was around Nikhil, slapping Parlan across the face before anyone could stop her. Her small hand left angry, red slashes across one cheek. "You know nothing about me or my feelings for my True Mate! I wear my hair the way I wish, and Nikhil's bead hangs where it wishes! You have no right to criticize something you know nothing about, and from what I've heard and witnessed, never will, as the Goddess would never bless a self absorbent prick such as you with a True Mate!"
Silence reigned in the room, as everyone including Mac's friends, were shocked at her bare-handed attack on the much larger Parlan. Few attacked an Elite Warrior and lived, especially not a female.
Nikhil was the first to react as Parlan's face swung back to his Mackenzie, pulling her away from
the enraged male who this time managed to find the hilt of his sword.
"Parlan! You will stand down!" Treyvon ordered, drawing his own sword as he stepped between Parlan and the couple.
"She had no right!" Parlan sputtered.
"She had every right! You insulted not only her but her bond with her mate. Something you would never do with a male." Treyvon's gaze trailed over the group behind him, frowning when one figure ducked away fearfully. This would not do. "I placed you in charge here because I thought you would treat these survivors with respect. I see now that is untrue." He looked over his shoulder. "Warrior Onp."
"Yes, General." Onp immediately presented himself to his General.
"The care of the survivors is now your responsibility."
"Yes, General. I will not fail you." Onp gave him a slight bow.
"I know you won't, Onp." Treyvon's gaze returned to Parlan. "Parlan, you will now stand the wall."
"But, General...” Parlan started to argue.
"Silence!" Treyvon ordered. "You have dishonored not only your fellow Elite Warriors but also your people as a whole. A True Mate is always honored. I will make sure Minister Stepney knows of this."
"But...”
"Report to Warrior Marr. I will inform him you are coming and why."
Parlan glared at Mackenzie as he released the hilt of his sword, then giving Nikhil wide berth, walked out of the area.
Nikhil gazed down at his Mackenzie. He couldn't believe that she had attacked Parlan, couldn't believe her words or how she defended their bond. Not after what he'd said to her that morning. His Mackenzie might be tiny, but she was fierce.
"Mackenzie." His softly spoken word had her turning to gaze up at him, and he saw her beautiful, brown eyes were still filled with anger.
"He's an ass, Nikhil, and he's wrong. I am proud to be your True Mate." She turned to face him, and the hand that had slapped Parlan rose to rest over his heart. "I know we still have a lot to work out, but if you believe nothing else, believe that."
Nikhil found he could only cover her hand with his and nod, as his throat was too tight to allow words to pass.
"Mac?" The question from Craig had her looking back to her friends. She saw the confusion and worry in their gazes. "Are you alright? What's going on?"
Giving Nikhil's chest a soft caress, she turned and went to them. "Everything is fine. Have you met General Treyvon Rayner?" she asked gesturing to the General.
"Yes. Once. In the mines," Craig said, and Mac nodded.
"He has removed Parlan from being in charge. Now this warrior will be." She gestured to the other male. "Warrior Onp."
Nikhil listened as his Mackenzie spoke to the male that seemed to be the leader of their group, and while he didn't understand her words, he could tell she was explaining what had happened, and that Onp was in charge now from her gestures. He could also tell she was tiring. It was in the way she was starting to lock her knees to keep from swaying, it was in the slightest tremble in her hand as she pointed at Onp, and it was in the slight paling of her skin.
"Mackenzie." He stepped close, offering her his strength and support. ""Come, Little One."
"Just a minute," she said in Kaliszian, then switched back to English. "Jen, it might be best if you stay hidden for a while longer. I'll be back as soon as I can." With that, she smiled up at Nikhil and let him lead her away
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"I am taking you to Luol, Mackenzie. I want him to examine you before you rest. You have been through a great deal," Nikhil said leading her to medical.
"I'm fine, Nikhil."
"You have paled, and do not think I haven't notice how your hands are trembling. Luol will reexamine you."
"I can't believe you only have one deep-repair unit on this entire planet."
"That is because we did not think that we would need one when we first arrived," Treyvon told her, quietly moving up behind her. "When we began to discover survivors, I had the one from my ship sent down."
"You have them on your ships?"
"Several, yes."
"Then why not send down the another one?!!" Mac rounded on the General, forcing him to stop or knock her over.
"That would leave my warriors without one, should they need it."
"Aren't they all down here?"
"No. There are those that patrol the area around Pontus, intercepting any ship that might be Ganglian or Zaludian. Our intervention is not always... appreciated."
"Have any of them needed the unit?"
"I... no."
"Then it needs to be brought down," Mac told him. "My friends need treatment."
"They will receive...”
"No! We've been through more than you can imagine, and I won't allow others to be treated first just because you have never encountered us before."
"The others were there longer than you."
"You don't know that for sure! And even if that was true, how long did it take Luol to treat those three Jerboaians?"
"I...”
"Three hours. An hour for each one," Luol said, walking out of medical when he heard the argument going on in the corridor.
"And how long did it take you to treat me?" She turned to face Luol.
"Seven total," Luol admitted.
"So doesn't that tell you something?!!" Mac demanded, swinging back around to Treyvon. "I'm still not sure how long ago we were taken, but I'm starting to get an idea, because of this." She lifted the strand of her hair that held Nikhil's bead.
"What does my bead have to do with how long ago you were taken, Mackenzie?"
"It's not the bead." She turned toward Nikhil. "It's the length of hair it's on."
"I don't understand," Nikhil frowned down at her.
"It's longer."
"Your hair? It continues to grow?"
"Of course!" It was her turn to frown, and she reached out to touch his. "Doesn't yours?"
"No."
"But..."
"Perhaps this would be better not discussed in a corridor," Luol stated as warriors paused around them.
"Agreed," Treyvon said.
"Yes, then you can reexamine Mackenzie."
"Reexamine?" Luol's concerned gaze shot to Mackenzie and he took a step closer to her. "What is wrong, Mackenzie?"
"Nothing. Nikhil is over-reacting. I'm just a little tired."
"Come," Luol gestured to the still open door. "She can lay down on an exam bed, and I will use the portable unit as the deep-repair unit is currently in use."
"I want her in the deep-repair unit!" Nikhil growled, guiding Mackenzie into the room.
"Hard to do when there is only one, and after all... I wasn't held any longer than my friends, now was I?" Her question had all three males looking uncomfortable.
"Mackenzie...” Nikhil growled.
"What?" She turned to gaze up at Nikhil and was surprised to find tears were making him blurry. "I'm not supposed to speak the truth? If the Zaludians hadn't discovered and beaten me, I wouldn't even be here now, would I? You wouldn't even know about me. I wouldn't be your True Mate. I could have died before you thought me worthy of treatment."
Nikhil couldn't stand seeing his True Mate so upset, couldn't stand that he was unable to prevent it, and what he really couldn't stand was that her words were true. Again. Immediately at her side, he swept her up into his arms.
"I don't believe that! I will never believe that! The Goddess guided me to you, and while I will never agree with how she brought you into my life, I'll never regret that you are in it." His words had her sobbing, and he looked to Luol in a panic.
"I could give her a calmer, but her system is already trying to adjust to so much...”
"No...” Mac's voice was muffled against Nikhil's chest. "Just give me a minute."
"You can have all the minutes you need, my Mackenzie," Nikhil reassured her, his arms tightening around her, giving her what comfort he could.
"Nikhil, if you sit, I can scan her while she’s still in your arms," L
uol murmured.
Nikhil immediately scooped Mackenzie up in his arms and moved to sit on the exam bed. "Do it," he ordered.
Mac couldn't believe she was falling apart like this. Again. What was wrong with her? She'd never been like this before.
"It is understandable, Little One," Nikhil murmured in her hair, making her realize she'd spoken out loud. "You have been through a great deal, and handled it all with grace and strength. Let me be your strength now. I have more than enough."
Mac found herself chuckling as she rubbed her forehead against his chest before gazing up, giving him a wobbly smile. "You are rather strong, aren't you?"
"I am," he agreed.
"That's one of the things I like about you," she said and found herself sinking into her True Mate's warm, glowing gaze.
"Do you?" he quizzed quietly.
"Yes."
"Ahem," the sound of Luol clearing his throat had Mac pulling her gaze from Nikhil. "I believe you just need rest, Mackenzie. Your system just hasn't had the time to absorb everything it has been given."
"Then that is what she shall have." Nikhil rose with her still in his arms.
"Wait!" Treyvon's exclamation had everyone freezing. "I need to know why the length of your hair tells you how long ago you were taken."
"Does your hair really not grow at all?" Mac asked, reaching out to touch one of Nikhil's braids. "Is that why you were so upset when I suggested cutting mine?"
"You did what?!!" Both Luol and Treyvon exclaimed, drawing Mac's gaze.
"On Earth, hair comes in varying lengths. Some even prefer to have it all removed."
"What?!!" This had all three males exclaiming.
"I know for you that is a sign of disgrace, but it's not that way on Earth."
"Your hair continues to grow even after you mature?" Luol asked carefully.
"Yes. I take it yours doesn't."
"No. Our hair reaches its final length around our sixteenth year. From then on, it only grows enough to maintain that length."
"And if it is intentionally cut?" she asked.
"It will eventually grow back, but very slowly. How fast does yours grow?"
"I'm not exactly sure. I was hoping one of the guys knew, but didn't have time to ask."
