by A. G. Wilde
“Ajos…”
“Eh?”
“How did you find me?”
He stiffened suddenly.
“Nobody knew where I was. Nobody knew I was taken…how did you know where to look?”
“You are my mate…I just…” He paused and raised his eyes to hers. “I cannot explain it. I followed my instincts.”
Kerena frowned a little. “How did you know I was taken though?”
“Something felt…wrong.”
He rested his head against her again and left it at that.
But she was still confused.
“You came after me because something felt wrong?”
“You are my mate, Keh-reh-nah. I will always be there for you. It is my oath.”
Kerena frowned some more.
“You keep saying I’m your mate.”
He lifted his head then, his golden eyes calm. “Because you are.”
“When did that happen?”
“Don’t you feel it?”
She blinked because, for some strange reason, she knew exactly what he was talking about.
Something felt…right with Ajos.
Just then, a loud bang ricocheted off the walls as the door to the bedroom was flung in.
A scream left her lips as Ajos dived over her, covering her completely.
There was a pause and then someone said, “Qeffing qrak!”
“He’s fine and the human looks…safe.” She recognized that voice.
It was V’Alen.
“V’Alen?” she asked, trying to see around the minty-teal hulk that was covering her.
“Brother, you must learn to control yourself,” said the other voice.
It sounded just like Ajos.
Realization dawned.
“GET OUT!” Ajos roared so close to her ears, she was almost deafened.
“Happily,” V’Alen said. “I, for one, do not wish to see any more of your nether regions.”
Ajos growled and Kerena couldn’t help but giggle.
He’d covered her but his ass was in view of their visitors.
Moving her head a little so she could see around him, she realized his brother was still standing there.
It was so strange looking at him. The exact image of the man lying on top of her.
“Akur,” Ajos growled. “I know you’re still there. Get. Out.”
“Unlike V’Alen, I see that ass every day. Doesn’t faze me. I have the same one.”
Ajos let out a growl of annoyance.
Kerena stared at his brother.
The entire time he talked to Ajos, Akur had his eyes on her, a strange look in his eyes.
“Qef you. Get out.”
Akur’s eyes finally moved to his brother. “You are needed in the conference hall.” His eyes slid back to her. “You too, suini.”
Ajos stiffened against her, his head raising a little as he turned to look at his brother.
They locked eyes and something passed between them that she couldn’t see before Akur left the room.
As soon as Ajos was sure his brother was gone, he relaxed against her a little, muttering something underneath his breath.
“Qef…”
“What…what did he just call me? What does ‘sweeney’ mean?”
Ajos raised his head to look at her. “You heard that?”
Kerena nodded.
“Sister.” Ajos’ gaze studied her face. “He called you sister.”
Kerena slipped into the new tunic Ajos had gotten for her. A sort of knee-length dress with a band she could tie around the waist to make it fit better.
There was still the issue of having no panties, but she was getting used to going commando.
When they finally dressed and exited their new apartment, Kerena was surprised to find V’Alen and Akur waiting outside.
Akur had his arms crossed as he leaned against the balcony, his hard eyes on his brother—eyes that turned curious when his gaze slid to her.
“Ready?” Akur asked.
She swore Ajos rolled his eyes.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he took her hand in his and began walking toward the elevator.
“You could have knocked. Or called. You know, like a civilized being.”
“Civilized?” Akur chuckled. “I’m not the one who’s been throwing people around, attacking innocent sky tower technicians like a maniac, bashing doors in, and, wait, not to mention KILLING two refugees and destroying their dwelling in the process. So don’t talk to me about civilized, brother.” Akur looked at her. “Although, I do understand now why you’ve been such a pain in the ass.”
Ajos frowned at V’Alen. “You told him all of that?”
For the first time since she’d known him, V’Alen looked surprised.
His eyes opened a little farther than usual in shock.
“Why on earth do you think I would do such a thing?”
Kerena’s head snapped to the robot man.
“Why on earth?” she repeated.
V’Alen blinked at her. “I have been learning human terms.”
She chuckled then. “Don’t mind Ajos, he’s just mad you saw his ass.”
“It was not a pleasurable experience.”
Kerena chuckled again and Akur joined in.
Ajos narrowed his eyes and pulled her toward him as they stepped into the lift.
Akur and V’Alen piled in behind them, causing a tight fit.
Ajos leaned down as the lift descended, his lips brushing against her ear.
“If I recall, you didn’t think my ass was so funny a few minutes ago.” He nibbled her ear and her breath hitched in her throat. “You were too busy screaming my name to laugh.”
Kerena’s eyes widened and she glanced at the other two males in the small space with them, sure they heard Ajos’ words.
Akur was frowning at nothing but V’Alen’s eyes darted from her and she was sure, with his enhanced everything, he’d heard every word.
As they exited the lift to the street below and began walking, she turned to glance at the two males walking behind them.
“A meeting? For what happened last night?”
“More or less.” Akur held her gaze and again she felt that uncanny feeling. It was like staring into Ajos’ eyes, but not.
How did she not realize that before?
They took another direction she didn’t know and Kerena looked around.
This part of the base seemed more developed. More buildings were here and not as many people were walking on the streets.
As a matter of fact, it felt like they were on the business side of the base.
“This is the central hub. Most of the decisions are made here.” It was as if Ajos read her mind.
The buildings all had that brown color, formed out of the earth itself, but the streets weren’t just made of mud hardened by many years of footsteps. These streets were lined with what looked like bricks.
They were walking for a few more minutes before they came upon a singular cylindrical building and stepped inside.
It was a huge lift, but instead of going upward, it went down.
Darkness enveloped them and the lights came on.
The ride was short, lasting only a few seconds and soon they were on their feet again, walking down a corridor to a singular set of large doors.
The doors opened and Kerena blinked a little.
She had expected a meeting, but she hadn’t expected this.
In front of them, were rows and rows of seats all forming a circle. Several dozen aliens were already sitting inside and as her eyes moved over the group, they landed on a familiar face.
Athena sat there with Alaina on one side and her husband, mate, Xul, on the other.
Around them were those same aliens and the other women who’d led the rescue of the stasis hold.
There were a host of other aliens that she was sure she’d never seen before, too.
Alaina waved at her and Kerena smiled but when her gaze met Athena’s she was
sure there was some tension there.
Something was wrong.
Ajos led them to some free seats and then silence enveloped the room.
“What is this?” She leaned into Ajos and whispered.
“Annoyance,” he said, albeit unhelpfully.
Movement caught her eye and she watched a tall alien that looked like Jack Skellington minus the nightmare pumpkin head effect walk down toward the center of the room.
There was a raised platform there, and the alien stood on it.
The alien took a breath.
“Now that the commander has graced us with his presence,” the alien shot an eye in their direction, “we may begin.”
He took another breath. “It has been brought to the council’s attention that two Krinqrids were killed in their home in the last dark cycle.”
Murmurs went through the group of seated participants and Kerena glanced Ajos’ way.
His frown deepened.
“It is needless for me to remind you all that this is a serious crime. Not only is there unrest within the population of refugees from the explosions, but I am afraid these killings have caused quite a stir, and understandably so.” More murmurs and he paused. “The refugees are losing trust in us.”
“Who killed the Krinqrids and why?” someone asked.
“Well, they’re a bit of a nuisance and a dishonest species. I am not surprised someone has killed two of them,” someone else said. “More will probably come.”
More murmurs and she felt Ajos stiffen beside her.
Kerena bit her lip.
“It doesn’t matter who did it or why. You know the law. No one. And I mean, no one, can deliver their own justice. That is what the council is for.”
Kerena glanced at Ajos.
His jaw was clenching and unclenching and only when she touched him did some of his tension ease.
There was worry in his eyes though, and she had to admit, that scared her a little.
“We ask that the guilty one reveal themselves,” the tall alien said. “Punishment will be light.”
“Punishment?” she whispered.
“It depends on the species, but they will probably do something that hurts a lot,” V’Alen whispered beside her.
“Reveal yourself now,” the tall alien said. “We know who you are. Have some dignity and come forward.” The alien turned and looked directly at Ajos.
Kerena’s eyes widened a little.
They knew it was him.
They were going to punish him for something he did to save her?
Were they dumb?
Before she even considered it, Kerena stood.
There was a gasp and Ajos grabbed her arm.
“Keh-reh-nah,” he hissed. “Sit.”
“I did it,” she said.
The tall alien looked shocked.
“Impossible,” he said, but something in the way he glanced around made her believe he wasn’t entirely sure.
“Why? Did you see who did it?” she asked.
The tall alien frowned a little. “No, but we have reports from bystanders that Commander Ajos,” he stressed on the name, “was seen leaving the vicinity with a human female.”
“That’s me,” she said. “I’m the human female. I did it.”
The tall alien opened his mouth but Kerena cut him off.
“And before you continue, let me speak.”
The tall alien’s mouth slammed shut and he glanced behind him, she assumed, at his other council colleagues.
A murmur went through the group of seated beings.
“Keh-reh-nah, what are you doing?” Ajos hissed once more.
“Saving your ass like you saved mine,” she hissed back.
“Okay,” the tall alien caught her attention. “Approach. You may speak.”
Fuck.
Her knees suddenly felt weak but holding her head high, Kerena walked down to the center of the room.
Even though the platform was raised, she felt small standing on top of it.
The tall alien moved out of her way to give her some space.
Kerena took a deep breath.
“There is no way she took out two Krinqrids,” someone said.
“Silence!” the tall alien shouted. “Let the human speak.”
Nodding at the tall alien, Kerena began.
“Last night, I was walking alone.” She looked around and made eye contact with as many beings as she could. That would make her story seem more believable. It would inspire trust that she was speaking the truth. “I was hit over the head and lost consciousness.”
There was a growl and her eyes darted to Ajos.
She gave him a hard look and his brother rested his hand on his shoulder.
If she was going to do this, Ajos needed to keep his shit together.
“When I woke up, two purple guys with four arms—”
“Krinqrids,” the tall alien corrected.
“I’d rather call them assholes.” Kerena frowned and someone chuckled. “When I woke up, I heard them talking about meeting someone who was to take me away to the Tasqals as a sort of peace offering.”
There were loud murmurs at that, and through all that noise, she heard another growl. Ajos was probably starting to see red again, and she tried not to look at him.
“What did you just say?” the tall alien said.
Kerena repeated and there were more murmurs.
“How do we know she speaks the truth? The Krinqrids are dead. There is no one to question.”
The tall alien cocked his head at her, willing her to answer.
“I have no reason to lie.” And she hadn’t lied…yet. She’d told them the truth.
There were a few more murmurs before someone asked something. “They attacked you?”
“They would have. Whoever they were to meet was late and I was beginning to think they didn’t know what to do with me. They had communicated that their plan was a secret and that the commanders, and the council,” she added, “didn’t know about it.”
Eyes darted around the council members.
“If their friend didn’t turn up, they didn’t know what to do with me.” She’d surmised that on her own. “I did what I had to do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here right now. I passed out again after I, uh, killed them. Commander Ajos found me.”
The tall alien frowned.
“Passed out?”
“Yes.”
“I can confirm that.” A voice rang out and she turned to see Aker in the crowd. She hadn’t noticed him there before. “This is the human who has gone through extensive physical strain to have made it even possible for us to have something that reacts to the Tasqal’s disease. It was this same human who helped retrieve the strange device from the fallen Tasqal vessel.”
More murmuring and Kerena smiled a little at the doctor.
“This human?” The tall alien beside her asked, eyeing her with disbelief.
“Yes,” Aker answered.
“And you can confirm that this…feeble-looking being has the propensity to kill two grown Krinqrids?”
Aker’s nose moved. “The humans have cells within themselves that attack each other. I am sure that is enough proof that they are a vicious species.”
Kerena choked on a laugh and cleared her throat instead.
The tall alien blinked.
Someone stood up. Another tall alien like the one beside her.
“This is a farce of a trial. We don’t care about the qrakking Krinqrids. If the human is telling the truth, which we can assume she is judging from the character of most Krinqrids, then we can forgive her for the basic instinct of defending herself. Now,” he said, “tell us more about what happened to you and tell us more about this…weapon.”
Murmurs of agreement rang out and Kerena glanced back in Ajos’ direction.
He settled back in his seat, his eyes on her, and she smiled a little.
It had worked better than she had planned.
32
For what
felt like the next three hours, she and Aker were drilled for information.
It turned out that this new development with the flower she had accidentally found was like a ray of hope to all the commanders.
Akur joined in, saying that he had managed to harvest more of the flowers using her blood and that brought more conversation.
Judging from her background, or probably because she was the discoverer of this new plant, she was tasked formally with leading the research with Aker.
She was exhausted by the end of the three hours and suddenly she felt herself being lifted off her feet.
“Wait, what are you doing? We aren’t finished discussing this,” the tall councilor said.
“It will have to wait. You have exhausted my mate and that is not your job. It is mine.” Ajos settled her over his shoulder.
The councilor’s mouth opened and shut.
“Your mate?” Xul stood from the seats, his eyebrows rising on his forehead.
“Do you have a problem with that, Commander?” Ajos asked.
Xul’s face split into a grin. “No. It’s about time you got some—”
Athena’s hand flew over his mouth and she looked mortified.
If blood wasn’t rushing to her head from the way Ajos was holding her, Kerena would have laughed.
“Go, Brother,” Akur touched Ajos’ shoulder. “I will stay here and help Aker as much as I can with these ongoing questions.” He stared pointedly at the councilor. “Rest well, suini,” he leaned down so she could see his face and she saw a smile in his eyes.
Kerena nodded and then she was moving.
Ajos didn’t speak and neither did she as he took her back to the lift and it began to rise, taking them above ground.
The dirt bricks that paved the road were her view as he headed back to their apartment.
Their apartment. It still didn’t feel real.
“You know, you have to stop doing this Tarzan and Jane thing.” She chuckled. “I can walk.”
“I don’t want you to walk.” He squeezed her ass. “I like your ass right here. I can smell your sugar even now.”
Kerena’s mouth opened in shock and she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“You can smell me?!”
“And you smell so, so good, Keh-reh-nah. My tongue and cock are both twitching. They want your sweetness.”
Kerena blushed harder. “Put me down right now, Ajos Khattull!”
