by Celia Kyle
Old, familiar pain crept into his heart at the thought of mourning. Ivoth had mourned many, including his own dam and young sister.
A tinkling laugh pushed away the grief that threatened to rush forward and overtake him. Now was not the time to wallow in the past. He must deal with the present—with a now homeless Elle who still refused to relocate from Preor Tower. Ivoth had a home for her—one that was beside his quarters on the ship. Unfortunately, Elle continued to act as a stubborn molem.
Another laugh, and Elle’s head was thrown back to expose the pale line of her long, delicate neck and profile. She giggled and toyed with Zadri and Delaney’s dragonlet, Lilet. The young was human, not Preor, but they still used the native term and gave Lilet a Preor name. As far as the Preor were concerned, Delaney and the bay-bee were now one of their own.
He traced her features with his gaze, noting the careful slope of her nose and the plumpness of her lips. Lips he wished to taste. No, in truth, he wished to do more than merely taste Elle’s lips. He wished to taste all of her. He’d viewed human vids, seen how males joined with females, and he wished to do it all with her—even if he could not keep her as mate. Another jolt of grief—unrelated to the pain of his past—speared him. If only mating was by choice and not biology. If only he could sire young with any female and not just his mate.
“You are staring at her as if she was your favorite maor.” Zadri’s gruff voice intruded on his thoughts. “And not as a female under your protection.”
Ivoth could not deny the Defense Master’s words. He did stare at Elle as if she was Ivoth’s favorite dessert and he was a starving male.
“I do not care for it.” The rumble in Zadri’s tone coupled with the gust of smoke told Ivoth that the Defense Master more than did not care for Ivoth gazing at Elle. “Delaney has decided Officer Elle is a beloved friend.”
“Understood, Defense Master.” Ivoth nearly corrected the male.
Elle did not care for the title other Preor gave her. Delaney hired Elle as the Chief Operating Officer of Cole Pharma even though the female called Daven Bio family. Elle explained that she had “gone to work for the enemy” in her sire’s eyes and was no longer a Davenport. It was why the Preor did not call her Officer Davenport and instead, Officer Elle.
Was her new position the reason her sire sought to eject her from her aerie and end her life? Ivoth could not imagine such a thing, but he was not human. Perhaps that was their way.
He wondered if she would still call them family after the day’s events.
“You say the words but still stare at her.” Zadri’s voice darkened, another tendril of smoke escaping him.
Ivoth could not tear his gaze from Elle. He was drawn to the human female like no other he’d ever known. He acknowledged that she was not his and yet…
He craved her.
Another wave of smoke came from the Defense Master, followed by a puff of heat that told him the male truly did not like Ivoth staring at Elle.
Ivoth wrenched his attention from Elle, mourning the loss of the sight the moment his stare met Zadri’s. “I merely search for any damage.”
Zadri narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, peach wings spreading slightly as the breadth of his shoulders grew. If the male sought to intimidate Ivoth, he should not have bothered. Ivoth was too lost to his need for Elle to show any good sense.
The Defense Master grunted. “Syh does not care for liars.”
Ivoth did not appreciate having his own words turned against him. Another tinkling laugh—one immediately followed by that of the dragonlet—drew Ivoth back to Elle. “I…” He sighed. “I wish for what cannot be.”
“Elle is not one to be bought, Ivoth.” Zadri’s heavy stare settled on Ivoth’s shoulders, the invisible weight nearly crushing him, but he continued to stand strong and tall. He would not cower beneath the male’s accusatory glare.
“You think I do not know this?” Ivoth snarled the words, his tone harsh but low. He did not want to draw the attention of Elle and Delaney. He enjoyed observing their joy too much. He would respond, though. “I do not wish for my death. I would never dishonor her in that way.”
No, he would not offer payment to enter her bed, but that did not end his prayers to Syh that their situation could be different.
Zadri grunted, his disbelief plain in that sound, but Ivoth’s attention was wholly on Elle. On Elle, Lilet, and… the invisible toy they shared? He furrowed his brow, mouth turned down, and kept his gaze on the pair. The young’s stare mirrored Elle’s, their attention flitting from her hands to the dragonlet and back again.
Lilet reached, small fingers wiggling as if she sought to grasp something, and Elle carefully blocked her lurching reach. “Easy, we have to be easy with him,” she whispered and changed her grip on the young’s hand. “Like this… gently…”
More laughs from Lilet, and Ivoth tilted his head to the side, attempting to puzzle out their game. It did not appear to be one from Preor. “What game do they play?”
Zadri snorted. “If only it was a game. It would not turn my hair gray if it was simply a game.”
“Preor hair does not turn gray.” Their kind aged, but their coloring did not alter. “That is a human trait.”
“I am aware. It is an expression Delaney often uses.” He shook his head. “It means they are doing something that ages me greatly even if only moments pass.”
Ivoth jolted. “Humans are capable of such a thing? I had not heard…”
The Defense Master chuckled and shook his head once more. Zadri relaxed his hostile position and slammed his hand down on Ivoth’s shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. “No, I only worry for my young and my mate.”
“Not Elle? She is not worth your—”
The male rolled his eyes. “Your Elle is the cause of my worry.”
Ivoth did not address Zadri’s “your” and instead focused on the rest of the male’s words. “She would never harm—”
“Ivoth, cease defending her and listen. It is a wonder you ever made it through warrior training if you constantly interrupted the masters.” Ivoth had heard that same message more than once in his life, but he did not tell Zadri. “Come, I will show you, and then you can have your hair turned gray as well.” They took two steps and then paused, Zadri pulling them to a stop. “Do not attempt to touch. Do not stare. Pretend he does not exist until you have been properly instructed. Do you understand?”
“No.” Ivoth could not lie. He did not understand the Defense Master’s words.
Zadri sighed. “Then simply do as I say.” Zadri lowered to a crouch near the two females. “Elle, Lilet, Uncle Ivoth wishes to see what game you play.”
With that, Zadri and his small fam-ill-ee scared Ivoth so badly he thought he had died and now stood before Syh.
Elle grinned and lifted her flat hand to nearly her eye level. “What do you say, sweet boy?” Her hair ruffled, as if a delicate wind pulled at the strands. “Do you want to show yourself?”
A tiny sneeze, barely audible, yet there. Ivoth glanced around the room, searching for any other occupant. The sound came from within the room—it was too close—but he found no one.
Not until he gave Elle his attention once more as she said a few additional words in her cajoling tone. “Come on, it’s okay to come out now.”
And… and whoever—whatever—she spoke to revealed itself. Slowly at first, a tiny claw appearing on Elle’s nose, the little nails clinging to her skin as more and more came into view. A gray furred claw followed by one leg and then more of the fur-covered body and a back claw. That was followed by a long tail with its midnight black tip. He retraced the path of his gaze, returning to those nails on Elle’s flesh. The… thing still did not have a head.
Then it did.
Ivoth went into action before he even registered the sight before him. His arms and hands moved of their own volition, reaching behind him and grasping the hilts of his war blades. One worn handle filled each palm, the katoth hide
smooth after centuries of use. He balanced his weight on the balls of his feet, wings spread to assist in his movements. His dragon rushed forward, intent on protecting the female it considered theirs and young Lilet.
“Release the beast slowly, Elle, and I will kill it swiftly.” He tightened his grip on his blades and prepared himself for the animal’s attack. He only prayed he could live long enough to see the creature dead.
Elle did not move.
Zadri sighed.
Lilet sniffled, and her tiny lower lip trembled in what he knew would turn into a loud cry—a cry that would enrage the beast. The beast that would then kill them all. “Lilet, you must stop your tears. The quasti will not like the sound, and they are very, very dangerous.”
Ivoth remained tense, watching and waiting for the deadly creature’s next move. He was not sure how he could save them all should it choose to attack, but he would sacrifice himself if needed. Anything to keep Elle safe.
A door on the opposite side of the room opened, a panel sliding into the wall to reveal Delaney. Now there was another female he had to save. He quickly glanced at Zadri, wondering when the male would unsheathe his blades as well. But…
But the Defense Master simply tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling, shaking his head back and forth. “Syh save me from warriors who do not listen.”
“What’s going on?” Delaney stepped into the room.
“You should leave, Delaney joi Zadri. Your mate and I will save Elle and Lilet from the beast.” Ivoth was sure Zadri would assist him after he finished his prayers to Syh.
“Beast?” The female frowned, attention drifting over the room until her gaze landed on the quasti resting on Elle’s palm. “Oh, Charlie! You decided to come out.” The woman smiled wide and…
He could not believe…
Did females have no sense?
Delaney simply…
“The beast is dangerous!” Ivoth attempted to temper his shout, but based on the glare he received from the females, he failed. “It can kill—”
Elle rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Delaney. “Do you see why I can’t go to the ship, now?”
“I thought it was just Zadri overreacting…” Delaney’s attention bounced between the animal and Ivoth.
“No.” Elle shook her head. “There’s a lot of prejudice. It’s why he usually stays hidden.” She lifted the thing until it was eye level and kissed its nose. “But you’re not dangerous, are you? No you’re not.” She even rubbed her nose against it. “You’re just a little misunderstood, aren’t you?”
“Misunder…” Ivoth whispered. “It can destroy an entire ship.” He had never seen such a thing, but he’d read the accounts of more than one fleet being lost to the quasti. “It can kill…”
“Can.” Elle’s voice was still light, but her eyes were like cold steel. “But he won’t. Even when they came at him with treilium nets, he only hid and cried out for help. He didn’t attack.” She rubbed her cheek atop the quasti’s head. “Charlie didn’t make a peep until I was threatened, and even then, he targeted my father’s men.”
“You gave the thing a name?” Disbelief crowded his every thought, a combination of concern—Preor warriors did not experience fear—and surprise delving into him. “It should be—”
It interrupted Ivoth with a series of snips and snarls, a black-eyed glare in place before it spun on Elle’s hand and curled its tail around its body, back to Ivoth.
Another sigh came from Ivoth’s left, Zadri stepping around Ivoth’s wing. “You are in trouble now.”
“I? I am in trouble? Zadri, that is…” He gestured at the animal, its back still to Ivoth as if it didn’t fear him—or his war blades—in the slightest.
“A quasti named Charlie, friend to Elle and Preor.” Though Zadri’s glare told him that Ivoth was perhaps not included. “Elle gained him as a friend when she was no more than a hatchling. They have spent many turnings together.”
“But…” Did no one understand the damage it could cause? Had they all lost their senses?
“And the reaction of the Preor is exactly why Elle will remain on Earth within Preor Tower.” Zadri’s voice was grim, his distaste obvious. Ivoth did not like the idea either. Not with her sire’s threat still hanging above her. If she were on the ship, he could better protect her. He could… An idea formed in Ivoth’s mind, one that was not entirely honorable, but he found he did not care.
“She will need protection from her sire.” He stared at Zadri, daring the Defense Master to disagree.
“Wait a minute,” Elle called out, but Ivoth ignored her.
Zadri did not oppose. “That is true.”
The Defense Master ignored her as well.
“She will need a strong wing to shelter her should he attack,” Ivoth pointed out.
“Another truth.” The corners of Zadri’s lips curled.
“I don’t need—” Elle still tried. Ivoth still ignored her.
“A quintet with many turnings together would be best.”
“Are you listening to me?” Elle called out once more.
They were not.
“A third truth.” Zadri tipped his head in acknowledgement. “Do we know of such a quint who would be willing to protect a female who calls a quasti friend?”
Ivoth turned his attention to Elle—her face flushed with frustration, eyes shooting flames at him, and anger in every line of her alluring body. Then he looked to the quasti, its own eyes narrowed as it glared at him over its shoulder.
Did Zadri know of such a quintet?
“We do.” He looked to the Defense Master. “Mine.”
5
Just because Elle agreed to move to Preor Tower didn’t mean she agreed to be followed by her own team of bodyguards. The only bright spot was that the Preor warriors didn’t expect her to lie.
And really, she hadn’t even lied. It’d merely been a shaded version of the truth she twisted to her benefit. That was all. Even then, had it been a lie? She’d only answered a question with a question. It was Ivoth’s fault if he didn’t ask for clarification.
“We have the unit across the hall. You will not leave this condo without escort.” Followed by one of his typical grunts.
“Why would I leave without escort?” Followed by one of the wide, stiff smiles she usually flashed for the press when she stood at William Davenport’s side during a press conference.
See? Not a lie within earshot.
So why did a twinge of guilt keep prodding her in the stomach? Why did her gut clench and twist when she thought of Ivoth’s worry and subsequent anger?
Well, it wasn’t something she was willing to address quite yet. She’d allow Penelope—the Preor ship’s computer system that kept the Earthbound and orbital stations connected—to contact Ivoth later.
Elle’s high heels clicked against the smooth floor, the precise steps echoing in the long hallway. She turned left followed by a right and finally reached the last stretch of hall. Half-way to her destination, a tingle of electricity skated over her skin, every hair rising to stand on end. Charlie, clinging to her shoulder while she walked, squeaked in protest and then released an annoyed huff.
She tilted her head to the side and rubbed her cheek on his soft fur. “Hush, you know Penelope is just saying ‘hello.’” The ship did not like being ignored and Elle hadn’t greeted her yet. A stroke of static electricity reminded her. “Good morning, Penelope. How are you?”
“I’m fine as frog hair.” The old southern twang was followed by the distinct sound of someone spitting.
Elle grinned. “Digging into archives, Pen? When did the Preor negotiate access?”
Penelope was quiet for a moment. “Liquid indicated that permission from one human was all that was necessary.”
“Uh-huh.” She snorted. “One specific human, maybe.”
Like the leader of their country.
“I cannot confirm nor deny operational details without the permission…”
�
�Yeah, yeah, yeah. Into movies too, it seems. That’s a quote from a Mission Impossible film?” She laughed and took the last few steps until she stood before her destination. One press of her thumb to the identipad and the door slid aside, giving her access to the office she shared with Delaney within Preor Tower—the new operational center for Cole Pharma. “How about you tell me what’s on the schedule today?”
“Which would you prefer first? Annoyances, aggravations, or raging fires of hell?” The voice, so sweet with its lilting feminine cadence despite the words used, brought a grin to her lips.
Elle reached to her shoulder and carefully lifted Charlie from his perch, gently placing him on a nearby desk. It was a perfect quasti play place that’d been crafted specifically to keep him occupied throughout the day. Holes and burrows had been hidden throughout the piece of furniture. Normal desk on the outside, quasti heaven on the inside.
“I like your new programming and ranking system.” Elle went to her own desk, slid into her seat, and kicked off her shoes in one smooth move. She clung to the corporate dress code like she clung to other aspects of her former life at Daven Bio. The clothes, the hair, the makeup… It was a uniform she still hadn’t been able to shed, no matter Delaney’s urging.
“I believe accuracy eliminates any opportunity for confusion.”
“Plus it made Liquid snicker.”
If computers could smile, Penelope would have at that moment. “And it made Liquid Knot snicker.”
Liquid Knot—friend of Preor and amazing hacker. The one person the Preor could thank for naming the ship as well as adding a new and improved personality. New and improved according to Liquid, anyway.
Elle tapped her desktop, bringing the datapad to life so she could begin work. It was still early, the sun just peeking over the horizon, so she wanted to take advantage of the quiet before Delaney arrived with Lilet in tow.
“Give me the annoyances then. I’m not ready for aggravations.” She wasn’t sure when she’d be prepared for the raging fires of hell. A corner of her mind tried to poke and prod her, warning her that the cause of those problems was probably her father.
