Warrior's Paradox (Cadi Warriors Book 3)

by Stephanie West

  The Toufik fought the deranged birds with zeal, and the trio made quick work of the beasts.

  “My mate is this way,” Tytus yelled, as the last raptor fell.

  The hairy warriors followed him towards the back of the salvage yard. Tytus stopped cold, fear and despair filling him. On the ground lay a bloody scrap of fabric.

  “June,” her name came out as a desperate plea.

  June

  June wedged herself further into the crevice of twisted metal and debris. She ignored the burning in her back and the sharp metal stabbing at her arm, as the three creatures took turns ramming their heads into her hiding spot. Razor-sharp beaks lunged and snapped, attempting to reach their quarry.

  This is like a twisted version of that Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds.

  The pile jostled, making June cry out, as the debris shifted precariously around her. She tugged free a piece of scrap, and used it to jab at the creatures. It was a poor weapon, but she had to do something. It was only a matter of time before the rabid birds widened the hole enough to reach her, or made everything collapse.

  One of the beasts caught the weapon, tearing in from her hand.

  “Fuck,” June cried out in pain and despair, when the metal sliced across her palm. “Please, God, Kali, whoever, I need your help,” she begged.

  June’s eyes widened when the creatures abruptly halted their assault, in answer to her prayer.

  What the…?

  Numerous shadows moved swiftly in front of the entrance. June listened to the sound of angry hissing, as a violent scuffle ensued. She didn’t know if the beasts had turned on each other or someone had come to her rescue.

  Please be the cavalry.

  After several minutes, everything went quiet. At least June thought so. It was hard to tell over the roar of her heartbeat, pounding in her ears. June hesitantly crept forward, ready to retreat at any moment. The light blinded her when she peeked out of her hiding spot. A large shape darkened her view and June scrambled back.

  “June!”

  June stopped, her retreat. She stared up at the silhouette of Tytus. He was larger than life, from where she crouched on the ground. The sun filtered around his giant frame, adding to his ethereal appearance. He was her savior.

  “Tytus,” June sobbed in relief.

  She glanced at the dead raptors while Tytus scooped her up.

  He killed them. Oh, thank god, June shuddered.

  Two Toufik joined Tytus, as he ran with her cradled against his chest. Nasty feathered bodies littered the salvage yard here and there. June wretched at the sight of bird guts and blood. It only got worse the closer they got to the cruiser and cottage. June pushed down the bile in her throat, but try as she might, she couldn’t repress the violent tremors wracking her body.

  “Oh, thank the Goddess you found her,” Rark huffed, looking exhausted and worried.

  “I think we got them all,” Cyprian informed Tytus, as he stared worriedly at June.

  “Thank Kali, Thunder returned with the others when he did,” Vintor sighed.

  June looked appreciatively at the dozen Toufik and the handful of Cadi, as Tytus passed them by. She couldn’t fathom fighting off dozens of the violent behemoths.

  Tytus banged impatiently on the cottage door.

  “Open up, Vivina. The danger is passed. June needs help,” Rark bellowed.

  “Blessed mother,” Vivina cried when she unbarred the door.

  “I don’t know how bad her injuries are. Three of the gallinacus had her cornered in the scrap heap,” Tytus told the woman.

  “I am fine,” June mouthed, but her response wasn’t audible over her chattering teeth.

  “This way,” Vivina led them to the bedroom. “Lay her on the bed.”

  “She’s lost so much blood,” Tytus whispered to Vivina as he gently put her down.

  “She will be fine, son,” Vivina encouraged as she fetched water and bandages from the bathroom.

  June glanced at herself and grimaced. She didn’t like the sight of her blood, but she’d been in worse shape before. June barked out a laugh, when she recalled jumping out of the swing set as a child, thinking she should try flying like superman. That hadn’t ended well.

  Tytus and Vivina looked at her in concern, as she continued to laugh. June knew she looked like a crazy person. She couldn’t help it. The waning adrenalin was doing a number on her.

  “I’ve got the med kit Jorg sent,” Ashtoret said from the door.

  “Thank you,” Tytus replied, grabbed the kit, then shut the bedroom door.

  “Come on child, let go of the cloak,” Vivina insisted.

  June forgot she was tightly gripping her robe to staunch the bleeding in her hand.

  “That’s a nasty gash,” Tytus frowned.

  With all the dried blood, her hand looked worse than what it was. It was the harrowing event that was throwing her for a loop, more than her injuries. She’d never be able to think of Big Bird fondly again.

  June closed her eyes as Vivina and Tytus cleaned her up, and bandaged her cuts. She took deep calming breaths to get her staccato pulse under control.

  It’s over. It’s over.

  June’s eyes opened when the bed dipped.

  “How are you, beautiful?” Tytus asked as he knelt on the bed.

  “Better now.” June reached for him. “Lay with me.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  That was Tytus’ go to excuse. It was starting to wear on her. After what she’d been through, she was stretched thin emotionally. June just wanted Tytus to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. She didn’t want to have to convince, or cajole him. She didn’t have the energy for it.

  “Tytus, I’m not made of glass,” she snapped, then instantly felt awful.

  He had rescued her and deeply cared. He didn’t deserve her ire.

  “Please,” June’s chin quivered as she spoke.

  Tytus nodded and stretched out beside her. Gingerly he wrapped his arms around her back. June snuggled into him, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, then let loose the tears she’d been holding at bay.

  “I’ve got you. You are safe now,” Tytus crooned as he kissed the top of her head.

  “I’m sorry. I freaked out. I’ll be fine,” she said as she stared up him.

  Tytus brow was contorted in concern, despite her assurance. She then noticed the scrapes, cuts and bruises on his face and torso. June frantically looked him over, suddenly worried that her warrior was hiding his own injuries, which needed tending.

  “Oh, handsome. We need to wash these cuts, before they get infected.”

  “It’s nothing. This is causing me more pain than anything else.” Tytus wiped a tear from her cheek. “I thought I lost you.” There was a catch in his voice as he spoke.

  “You came just in time. Thank you.” He was her hero, but it felt too foolish to say, so she squeezed him tight instead.

  “You did good, hiding like that.” He tenderly stroked her back.

  “What the hell were those awful things?”

  “Gallinacus. We usually purge them from populated areas. This was not a common occurrence.”

  “Nasty things,” she yawned. “You aren’t going to insist I go back to Sargon again, are you?” June asked sleepily.

  “No,” Tytus replied with a wane smile. “After today, I don’t think I can bring myself to part from you.”

  “Good, cause who’d save me next time I get into trouble.”

  June smiled in relief as her eyes drifted closed, and she gave in to the overwhelming exhaustion.

  Tytus quo Munitor

  Tytus paused while fitting the last coupler in place, and stared at June for the dozenth time. The light cascading through a break in the clouds, gave her skin a honey kissed glow. It was almost as if the sun were spot lighting her.

  June was distracted by a rainbow winged volucris, that fluttered onto a nearby thruster. Its antennae reached out towards her, as its petal-like win
gs lazily waved in the breeze. The wondrous smile on June’s face entranced him.

  She amazed him. This morning she’d gotten up, and was ready to get back to work, as if nothing happened at all. He was probably more shaken up by the bizarre event. How June had gotten away from three full-grown raptors was a miracle.

  “What?” June asked with a smile, when she saw him staring at her.

  “I was thinking how amazing life is.”

  “It is. Isn’t it?” June beamed at him.

  “How’s it looking up there?” Cyprian asked from down on the ground.

  “We should be able to leave soon.” Tytus informed his fellow warrior.

  “That’s good news. I think everything is loaded.”

  “I need to show you all how to implant the tracking plates. I’d prefer it be done before we hit the southern continent,” Tytus said as he tightened the last connection.

  “I’m going to sit that lesson out. Blech,” June gagged. “I’ve seen enough blood and guts for a life time. I work on machines, not fleshy things.”

  “Thank Kali for that. Vital body parts might go missing,” Cyprian teased, alluding to the parts June stole from his rota.

  “Ah gross, Cyprian. That created a really awful mental picture,” June blanched.

  Tytus smiled at their banter. Despite how things started out, everyone was getting along. The incident yesterday had drawn them all closer together.

  “Tytus, I want to discuss a few things with you, if you have a moment,” Cyprian requested.

  “Alright.”

  Tytus lowered the maintenance lift and followed Cyprian into the ship’s loading bay.

  “Here.” Cyprian handed Tytus a small vial with a chip in it.

  Tytus studied the micro-circuit, which was smaller than a legume, and covered in blood.

  “What is this?” he asked.

  “I was hoping you could tell me,” the general frowned. “Some of Thunder’s clan were butchering the gallinacus for their meat, when they found this little surprise at the base of one’s skull.”

  “What in Kali’s name?” Tytus turned the vial over. “There’s no logical reason for it being there.”

  “From how organized and clean this salvage yard is, I assumed Rark was taking care of such vermin,” Cyprian growled.

  “He said he’d just done a sweep last month,” Tytus informed the general.

  “That’s hard to believe, considering the size of that clutch.”

  “I don’t think Rark was being dishonest. When I was wandering the yard the night before, there wasn’t a single one of the raptors.”

  “Perhaps something flushed the clutch from the forest,” Cyprian mused.

  Perhaps.

  Tytus pocketed the vial, to study later.

  “We were incredibly lucky Thunder’s clan showed up when they did. I was outnumbered trying to reach June,” Tytus growled as the horrific possibilities crossed his mind.

  “You’re telling me. Those damn birds nearly had us overwhelmed. And the disrupters only seemed to make them mad. I was worried about June. She didn’t look good last night. But she certainly bounced back.” The general looked impressed.

  “Don’t remind me, please. Thankfully, her injuries weren’t as bad as I feared. June said she was in shock more than anything.”

  The image of June shaking, covered in blood, would haunt him for the rest of his days.

  “You mean the tiny warrior was shaken?” Cyprian was joking, as he often did in harrowing situations. “This reminds me. Have you named a Second for June yet?” Cyprian asked.

  “Yes,” June announced as she walked into the cruiser loading bay. “We picked you, Cyprian, since we get along so well.”

  Cyprian’s eyes widened in surprise, and he stepped back. There was a mischievous twinkle in June’s eyes. She loved teasing the general.

  “I, uh,” Cyprian stumbled over his words.

  Tytus’ brow rose, waiting for Cyprian to say something foolish.

  “I don’t mean this as an insult, but there must be someone better. You’re fine, as far as humans go. But it should be someone not on this mission,” Cyprian quickly added.

  It was entertaining to watch Cyprian squirm. Being asked to be Second was an honor, to refuse an insult. But Tytus wasn’t offended. He knew Cyprian wasn’t quite able to rectify human mannerisms with how he was used to females behaving. Tytus smiled at his friend. Despite Cyprian’s stiff and often abrasive personality, the general did care.

  Tytus looked to June. She nodded at him.

  “Actually, we contacted Madhava before we arrived here.” Tytus let the warrior off the hook.

  “I enjoyed meeting Providence, and even got to see that brand-new baby,” June smiled.

  “Madhava is a good choice.” Cyprian nodded in agreement, his stance relaxing considerably. “Are we ready to get going?”

  “I got my coupler tightened and resealed the hatch. I think that should do it,” June reported.

  “I think we’re good, if you want to gather the troops,” Tytus replied to Cyprian.

  June held Tytus’ hand as the other warriors, and a dozen Toufik gathered in the cruiser. Tytus patted the backs of the two hairy males who assisted him the day before.

  “It’s hard to imagine their world was dying,” June frowned.

  “Their sun was entering its death phase, growing larger and hotter, baking the poor planet. I’m glad we arrived to rescue them when we did.”

  “That sounds horrific. No wonder the Toufik look happy, even though they’re about to be used as pawns.”

  “Thunder said his clan is eager to help their fellow Toufik. They like their new home, even with the prejudices they face from some Cadi.”

  “I hope we figure out what’s happening to all of them,” June grimaced.

  Tytus squeezed her hand sympathetically. He hoped they found the Toufik, Exo and Riley too. The thought that June narrowly missed falling into the wrong hands disturbed him. When Providence was taken by the Jurou Biljana, they abused her. But he wasn’t about to tell June that.

  “Cyprian, are you ready to get your tracker?” Tytus asked.

  “Let’s do this,” the general replied.

  “I’m outta here,” June declared. “I’m going to say goodbye to Vivina and Rark.”

  Tytus laughed as June hustled out of the cruiser lightning fast.

  “Gather round,” Cyprian called to the others. “While Tytus puts in my tracker, you all watch, and we’ll make quick work of this,” Cyprian instructed as everyone moved in. “We’ll set down a half day’s ride from the Chekil province refugee camp. That’s where we separate. Ashtoret, Tytus and June will head to the Toufik camp. Feroze, the Chekil regent should be expecting us. He’s the only one aware of our plan,” Cyprian relayed as Tytus prepped the general’s leg for the implant. “As far as the warriors guarding the camp know, you’re there to interview the Toufik about the abduction. They don’t know we suspect involvement by the Jurou Biljana.”

  Tytus nodded as he made the incision in Cyprian’s numb thigh.

  “Are you going to be able to monitor the skies for any activity, as discussed?”

  “Yes,” Tytus replied. “I’ve written down the locations I need you to jettison a few triangulation sensors,” Tytus informed the group. “They’ll help me monitor everything on the ground. Also, I’ll still be getting feed from the satellites, should any of you go off-world.”

  “Good. After you’re out, Vintor, the Toufik, and I will head for Bremin, where we assume the smugglers are based.”

  “My kin, who own the large salvage yard near the city, expressed how business has picked up recently,” Vintor added. “My uncle will know what traders have been servicing larger space worthy ships. If not, he knows who would.”

  “You Toufik, will need to remain hidden. The idea is, that I have you locked up in the ship, while I’m searching for a way to get rid of you,” Cyprian nodded towards the hairy people.

  “We have
enough food with yesterday’s kill and the supplies we brought. We can stay inside the ship for quite a while.” Thunder gestured and the rest agreed. “Do you plan on selling us?”

  “No. I want to show you off, as proof of my intent to provide more of your clansmen from the north. I’m going to attempt to convince my contact to take me to whoever is at the top of all this. I’d prefer to never let you out of sights. I don’t want to test Tytus’ trackers,” Cyprian informed Thunder.

  “We’ll give you disruptors. If anyone, at any time, boards this ship without either of us, you defend yourselves,” Vintor added.

  “Agreed. We’ll be the only ones to escort, or show you off. If the smugglers come alone, it means they’re trying to steal the merchandise.”

  “I understand,” Thunder gestured.

  Woe to the smuggler who tried to sneak on the ship without Cyprian or Vintor. The Toufik weren’t the docile people most of Cadi them to believed. Tytus was particularly glad for that fact, after last night.

  “That’s all we can plan for, at this time,” Cyprian commented, as Tytus finished stitching him up.

  Everyone partnered up and the distasteful work of implanting the tracking plates was dealt with. That done, Tytus went in search of June. He found her near the cottage, hugging Vivina, with tears in her eyes. It always killed him when she cried.

  “You know,” Tytus began.

  “Don’t say it. I’m going with you.” June insisted.

  “Alright, alright,” Tytus chuckled. “Rark, Vivina, thank you for your hospitality.” He clapped Rark on the back.

  “I know you’ll take care of my new daughter, son,” Rark stated soberly.

  “Yes, sire.” Tytus placed his fist on his chest as he bowed to the old warrior.

  “I expect a mating ceremony when you return,” Vivina insisted as she hugged June again. “I’ll make sure to have a whole new wardrobe for you. Not these cut up warrior’s vestments.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to miss you,” June swallowed.

  “It’s time to load up,” Tytus encouraged June.

  “Okay.”

  June waved goodbye as they entered the cruiser. Tytus carefully strapped her into a seat at the rear of the control room, between Vintor and himself.