by Erin Raegan
Colt fell over from hacking laughter. He shouted sarcastic advice and encouragements but didn’t move to help. Though neither did I. It was just too fun to watch.
When Noodle became too much to handle, and it was clear I wouldn’t step in, my face wet from gleeful tears and my body hunching holding my sore stomach, Tahk grinned wickedly and charged for the rooster. Once there, he pointed at Noodle and growled threateningly. Noodle squawked back in offence but surprisingly allowed Tahk to grab him. Ending our fun.
I had a few pens, but most of the chickens had no choice but to run free on the ship. Frederick was reluctant to leave and pulled heavily along his leash. It was then that I cried. Begging him to go, promising I would see him soon. Tahk took him from me with a kiss and loaded him up.
Viv and I hugged as the ship left. “I wish I could see them try and round them up off the ship,” she giggled. I nodded and laughed with her. “He’s really sweet, Pey. I’m happy for you.”
“Yeah,” I sighed and watched Tahk as he patted his Dahk on the shoulders, congratulating them on a feat well accomplished.
Hector had left a message for his uncle. It was a long shot it would reach him, but we had to try. When the ship returned we would fly to Maryland and pray that he was at the meeting spot. After that, he disappeared with Gryo. Him and his men came back with translator implants. They seemed a little shaken up and were silent after having briefly conversed with Tahk to make sure they operated properly. Viv and I left them alone. I knew it was a lot to process, and they were handling the shock and amazement better than we did. Having the implant sort of brought home how wholly undeveloped our advances in modern technology really were.
Bryan refused the procedure. It would take a lot to get that man anywhere near normal technology, let alone that from another planet.
Viv and I went through my house, gathering clothes and toiletries, and any mementos I wanted to bring with us. I think I knew even then I wouldn’t be back.
I had several bags of clothes and one giant suitcase of my favorite books. My pottery wheel was too big to bring, but Tahk insisted it could be stowed in the back of the ship. After one last walk through the house, I used markers to write a giant note on the front door for Mom in case she happened to come back. I told her to hide and we would stop back here to look for her one more time. It was a fool’s hope, but I left it anyway.
Hector had sent his men to look for Mr. Lake and convince him to come with us. When they got back without him they said the old man was leaving, but he was going to find his sons. I hoped he would be okay. I wanted to go with them to see him, but both Tahk and Hector adamantly denied me. It was a miracle we had gone nearly a whole day without seeing the Vitat. They felt it was better to stay and get ready to leave before our luck ran out.
And it did. Minutes after loading up the ship, high shrieks sent birds scattering from the trees. The Vitat had found us.
Chapter 25
Tahk
My spine prickled. The Vitat were coming in fast. And there were many. Pulling my sword from its sheath, I turned to my mate. “Go inside.” I did not wait for her answer, instead I pushed her to the dwelling door. She grabbed Veeveen’s hand and ran.
Hyctoor sighed in relief when the door closed behind them. “How do you want to handle this?”
He was deferring to my leadership. It was a good sign for future battles. I was not arrogant in my belief the Dahk were the greatest defense for the human’s. They had their strange weapons, but they would not do much damage. The weapons were long range, and the Vitat were very quick. One needed to meet them in battle up close, and the humans were too weak for such a feat. The Vitat would slaughter them.
“You and the other humans will guard our mate’s. Keep the older human male’s inside with them. Pick off any you can from the side’s but leave the center enemy for the Dahk.” I nodded for Yilt to stay behind with the humans. “Yilt will guard with you.”
Hyctoor chuckled. “Alright, man, let’s see what you guys are made of.” His human companions exchanged wry grins. Yes, they would see.
My Dahk spread out in the center of my mate’s front field. The space was vast, the tree line bordering her land. The Vitat were coming from the center, but a few had broken off to come from the sides. “A dozen will break through there and there,” I pointed the areas out to the human’s and they lifted their weapons. “Hold,” I called and lifted my arm. I would wait for the leader to breach the trees before charging. The Vitat would die swiftly. I would not take any chance of them reaching my mate. The back of the dwelling was open, but I did not sense any of the enemy coming from there. Still, I sent Fihk out to the far side, so he would be able to pick off any that past my senses.
“Do not aim for me,” Fihk grinned at the humans. They huffed nervous chuckles. The humans did not relish in the battle as the Dahk did. Fihk, as my second, was my best warrior. Met only by Olynth. Fihk was taught by the art of battle by his First Father, but Olynth had a dark past. Olynth was raised a slave on the Juldo planet. After his escape he was wild and untamed. I took him under my wing, for the only place he could exorcise his demons was on the battlefield. Where Fihk was intelligent and focused, Olynth was fierce and cunning. Had Olynth not been so quick to rage, I would have given him position as my third. But I could not trust him to keep his head in delicate situations. But in this? Battle? There was no other I would rather fight beside.
Yilt, Dao, Ryt, and Tohn fought wing to wing with me against the Juldo and earned their battle glory, but Gryo was no warrior. Still, I could trust his skill enough to bring him to Earth. We needed a healer in battle, but I was more concerned for my mate’s safety when ordering him on the crew. Gryo stood beside Tohn now. He would use the upcoming battle to hone his skill. I would not deny him this, and Tohn would watch out for the smaller healer.
“Hold,” I called again. My Dahk had not moved a muscle but to spread their wing’s wide, readying for flight, but the human’s shifted anxiously. Listening intently for the right moment, I slid down my protective eye lenses. The sun was bright. I had fought in much worse conditions, but I still needed the extra layer of film over my iris to catch the flash of white Vitat hide. Seeing the leader of the group sprint through the second layer of trees, I roared, “Now!”
My Dahk took to the air, hovering a few feet and flew for the tree line. I held back, guarding their backs, but lifted my sword just as the first few of the enemy darted out of the trees. They slammed into the line of Dahk, the leader evading Ryt at the last moment. I bent my legs and flew straight for him.
The human’s bullets pounded through the air, barely drowning out the Vitat’s screams. I slammed into the leader and took him to the ground. His mouth split through his skull, razor sharp teeth reaching for my shoulder. I swung back my sword arm and impaled him through the chest. His scream shattered glass nearby along with my hima. I felt wet trickle down my neck. Evading his snapping jaws, I grabbed his slick bulbous head and twisted. The crack of his broken neck cut off his wails and he fell limp from my grasp.
Pushing from the ground I took on two more Vitat that charged me from the sides. One lost his head from my sword, the other from my claws. Olynth had a pile of eviscerated remains around him, his grin feral and bloody. Ryt and Dao fought back to back. Tohn blocked many from reaching Gryo, allowing the healer to take on no more than two at a time.
Fihk shouted for the humans, ordering them back into formation. Hyctoor repeated the very same. I could not blame the humans for their fear, this group of Vitat was large for their normal hunting party. They must have scouted us the eve before. However, the humans would need to strengthen their will and do away with any fright if they were to defend their planet.
My sword met flesh as I battled my way through the Vitat. There were very few left. My wings prickled in agitation. It was too easy.
A scream charged the air.
Pehytohn!
I flew for the dwelling door. Hyctoor met me there and we burst thr
ough. Pehytohn and Veeveen’s cries for help burned my hima. I tucked my wings and barreled through the small doorway to the back of the dwelling. Fihk was outside hurling Vitat away from the back door, but there were too many of them. How had they hidden their presence from us?
“Through there!” He shouted and pointed to the back room. Charging through I halted from the horrifying sight. A Vitat had pinned my mate to the floor. She had a broken wooded object wedged between his teeth as his claws scraped down, tearing through the vulnerable flesh of her arms. Veeveen was on its back, her small hands holding its bulbous head back with all her might. Cohlt and Booboo were latched onto its legs attempting to pull it free, and the male Bryahn bashed its back with a metal object.
Hyctoor shouted and grabbed Veeveen from the Vitat as I reached for its neck, wrapping my forearm around it. My arm claw dug into its flesh, wrenching a cry my mate repeated. It would die more slowly than any other, I thought, watching the blood trickle from her wounds. It would die very slowly screaming from the pain I would inflict.
I threw the vile thing from my mate. With my sword in hand, I pinned it through the shoulder to the floor. Then grasping a dagger from my thigh, I sliced through its monstrous jaw―severing it. White fluid leaked from the grievous wound. The teeth of its top jaw quivered as it tried uselessly to chomp free.
I roared down at the abhorrent creature that thought to attack my mate. The mistake would be its last. I would make sure the Vitat regretted every last miserable second of its life.
“Jesus,” Hyctoor muttered over Veeveen’s purging. I relished in the following kill. The Vitat gurgled and shook as I lacerated its gangly form.
“Alright batman, I think it’s dead as a door nail.” Cohlt held the booboo back, it’s loud howls straining its furry body.
“My lord,” Fihk called from the doorway. I gritted my teeth and looked from the dead Vitat. “Your Pythen needs you.”
My rage was all consuming. I wished the despicable creature new life, so I may slaughter it once more. But Fihk’s words drove another instinct through me. My Pythen, my precious yula was injured. I growled in renewed rage and stood from my crouch.
She was lying on the floor, the other male Bryahn cradling her head. She watched me come to her with fear filled eyes. Shame crept in through my wrath slowly. Not enough to drive it from me completely, but enough to know I frightened her. I never wished to frighten my mate. I approached her cautiously. Her pain was apparent. “Call for Tohn,” I spat at my second.
The battle would have been over by now. I had every confidence Fihk would not be inside now if there were more Vitat lurking about, but my anger towards him was still fresh. He had allowed one of them to get through to my mate. Fihk knew this for he flushed in shame and left.
I knelt next to my mate’s prone form, her blood pulling around my knees. Her arms were torn in long gauges. I stayed my wrath and reached for her small hand. “Allow me to lift you, my Pehytohn.”
I gasped in relief as she squeezed my clawed fingers. Gathering her in my arms with the utmost care, I took her from the room, so she would not have to gaze upon the offending remains of the dead Vitat.
Gryo met me in the front room, the humans trailing in behind me. Veeveen was crying beside my mate as I laid her on the soft seating. Gryo tutted, “They are deep and will scar, but they will heal.”
I stood gazing out the window as he cleaned and bandaged her wounds. I was ashamed I could not protect my mate. Her human fragility was most apparent to me in that moment. How would I keep her safe in the upcoming war? She would need to stay on Dahk One, but I could not trust the council and their games. The only other option was for her to stay on my battleship, but it would be near danger, engaging the Vitat on earth. No matter where I placed her she would be at risk. War was no place for my mate.
I needed her on Home World. She would be safe amongst my First Father and his House, but I could not leave to escort her there.
“Injuries?” I asked Fihk from where he stood at my back. My second would feel compelled to ask my forgiveness, but I was in no forgiving mood now. Fihk took the command and relayed the end of the battle to me. The Dahk were victorious, and without injury, but one of the humans had perished. He had run for the back of the house where he met his end at the hands of the cluster Fihk fought back.
Fleeing. I flashed my teeth. A coward then.
Fihk had tried to save the human. It was that act that allowed a Vitat past his defensives and attack my mate. It was good he was dead for I would have slaughtered the human then and there, no matter the eyes surrounding me.
“She needs rest now.” Gryo glared at the crowd surrounding my mate until they filed out of the room. Hyctoor pulled his mate from the room, her weeping following her. Bryahn followed reluctantly at Yilt’s urging.
With one last shameful look to my injured mate, Fihk left. It was just she and I now. How would I face my mate? I had been given the greatest of gifts. Unable to protect her, I was stricken. I did not deserve her.
“Tahk?” Her sweet pain-filled voice called to me. I could not deny the honied request. I turned reluctantly from the window. The sight of her paleness nearly brought me to my knees. The lines of her eyes were scrunched in agony, her mouth pinched. I gnashed my teeth.
“My mate, I cannot bear your pain.” I slumped to the floor beside her and clutched her palm.
“It’s not so bad,” She smiled valiantly. But I could see how much she hurt. “Besides, Gryo gave me some fun drugs that should kick in soon.”
I shuttered at the stained blood on her palms. It could have been so much worse.
“Hey,” She squeezed my fingers weakly, “I’m okay.”
“You are not,” I growled irate. She bled. Her life still coated my knees. The scent of it sickened me.
“Maybe not,” she sighed and shifted, wincing. “But I will be.”
“I have dishonored you, my mate. My second put your life in grave peril.” I bent and nipped lightly at her fleshy palm.
“Hey, this isn’t yours or Fihk’s fault,” she growled fiercely. I chuckled at her ferocity, but she could not convince me of this. “Fihk had his hands full out back, and you weren’t even there. And when you heard me, you saved me.” She pulled me closer, but her pain was too much, and she whimpered.
“Do not injure yourself further, my mate,” I admonished, carefully releasing her hand.
“Come here then.” She tilted her chin. She wished for a kyss. I was a weak male, for I did not deserve her kysses, though I was hopeless to deny her. I bent to her upturned lips and caressed them with the utmost care. She made a frustrated noise and pushed closer. Chuckling, I gave in and returned her ardent kyss with zeal.
She sighed into my mouth, lifting her palms to cup my shoulder. I hissed at her gasp of pain. Growling curses, I stood and lifted her from her seat and clutched her to my chest. But my mate was determined. She groaned but wrapped her injured arms around my neck. I went to admonish her, but she relaxed into my cradle contentedly. My mate had gone from terrified of me, to giggling and teasing just this sunrise. I had feared my show of murderous rage would have pushed her from me again. And I found myself strangely wishing it had, but simultaneously awash with relief she seemed unbothered by it. This sunrise was bliss, I prayed for every morn with her be filled with as much teasing and joy.
I trembled as she kissed along my neck. “We must go. The Vitat spotted us last eve. The attack was a planned one. There will be more.”
She bit me quickly and my knees weakened. “As long as you promise not to yell at Fihk,” she sucked along my neck. I groaned in both frustration and hunger. Her sweet mouth was a temptation I could not afford in her state.
“You will not bother yourself with the concerns of my Dahk.”
“Fihk was outnumbered, if he hadn’t been there Viv and I would be dead,” she nipped at my chin. My wing’s quivered along with my abdomen.
“You seek to manipulate me,” I chastised, urging my mating in
stincts stay dormant. My mate was cunning. If I caved this day, she would use such wicked devices in the future.
“Is it working?” She hummed and sucked the hide beneath my hima. My wings shot around cocooning her. She giggled, “I think it is.”
I growled from frustration. Her delicate fingers coasted along the edge of ridges at the base of my crown. Her hot tongue tracing the curve of my jaw. She squirmed. I grinned. Yes, my mate sought to save Fihk from my wrath, but she was not unaffected. “It will not work. Fihk must answer to me.”
She growled and shifted in my arms. Alarmed she would fall, I helped her until she was able to wrap her legs around my waist. Gritting her teeth, she cupped my jaw. I clutched her tightly and scowled. She had no care for her wounds.
“It wasn’t his fault,” she glared and bared her blunt teeth. Squeezing her thighs tightly against my sides, she shifted her hot center along my toned abdomen. Her voice turned husky, “I like Fihk, I don’t want you to be mad at him.”
“You like him?” I flashed my teeth, the Dahk would die.
“Not like that,” she huffed in frustration. She shifted again her center dipping down to cradle my growing member. I scowled down in accusation at my member’s betrayal. My mate used her wiles against me, and my body responded without my command. “I like Fihk as a friend, but the way I like you is totally different.”
“Different?”
Her eyes twinkled beautifully. “I like you, Tahk.” She nipped at my chin.
“Yes, you like me.” I turned my chin from her wicked mouth.
“I like Fihk the way you do.” She nipped along my throat. “But, I really, really like you,” she whispered sucking away her little stings. “I like your brain, the way you think. I like how protective you are of me. How sweet you are. I like the things you call me.” She punctuated each statement with a hard suck of her mouth. My body trembled. I could barely keep my feet. “I like your body,” she gasped as she shifted along my lap. Her breathing growing erratic. “I like you.” She grasped my long horn and pulled my head down to suck at my mouth. I groaned again, I was mindless as she humped against me. Her body bouncing lightly as I held her.
