Daughter Of Ethos: Divine Justice Book 4

by L M Lacee

  Rayvan had settled into life with her and his new family with ease. He and Draykin had formed a tight bond which was probably understandable. Darby had come up with a better download for the children, which they used on Rayvan and Draykin first. Apart from languages, this new one could be programmed with pics of their new family and friends. Malchol assured them it would make the transition easier. The only side effect seemed to be, the bonding time was halved, therefore the young adapted far quicker. As a side effect everyone agreed it was not a bad one for all concerned. Once it tested out well for Draykin and Rayvan, it was then administered to all the children who had trouble bonding or were in new families. It went amazingly well.

  Penny entered and smiled at Draykin and Rayvan, nodded to Honor and Salmah and said to Peyton.

  ‘Someone is trying to comm you.’

  ‘The same person as before?’ Peyton asked as she looked up from Rayvan’s block tower. Penny looked like she had a glow which seemed weird. She was going to mention it when Penny said. ‘Yes. Why is he calling again?’

  ‘Because I disconnected from him.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He tried to mind-warp me.’

  Penny stood there for a full min looking at her. When she realized Peyton was not going to say anything else, asked. ‘Well, how did he do that?’

  Peyton handed the block back to Rayvan who smiled, causing her to smile in return before she said. ‘Simply put, he tried to push his will on to me.’

  ‘Can he do that to me?’ Penny asked worriedly, ‘maybe that is why I am in here talking to you about him, he mind warped me too.’

  Peyton’s eyes filled with laughter as she shook her head. ‘No, the Star Child placed a shield around our solar system to prevent that happening. Which probably has annoyed him.’

  ‘Well thank the stars for that, so why did he try?’

  ‘He may not have realized he was doing it.’

  ‘Did I hear tone?’

  Bewildered by her question Peyton asked. ‘No, what tone, Penny, are you alright?’

  Penny growled. ‘Of course I am. He sounded nice too. The rude asshole.’

  Rayvan said. ‘sasshole.’

  ‘Oh stars.’ Penny moaned as Peyton collapsed onto her couch she was laughing so hard. Penny’s face went pink especially when Rayvan clapped his hands and said. ‘sasshole, sasshole.’

  ‘Make him stop.’ Begged Penny but Peyton just laughed harder.

  Helen came in and asked. ‘What is the matter?’

  ‘Sasshole sasshole.’ Rayvan yelled.

  By now Peyton had her face jammed into a pillow as she howled with laughter.

  ‘Oh my.’ Helen said, trying not to laugh as well.

  Penny whined. ‘It slipped out, now he won’t stop saying it. Really Peyton, stop laughing your son is cussing. You know he will teach Draykin it, and then Darby will be all growly at me.’

  Rayvan held his hands up for Helen. ‘Grammie Helen, sasshole Auniee Darby sasshole.’

  Helen let a giggle slip as she held her hands out for the boys, they both scrambled to their feet. If Grammie Helen was here, it meant cookie time. They took hold of her hands, and she said. ‘Warrior boy, don’t say that, now come with Grammie and we will get you and Draykin a cookie.’

  ‘Cookie, Daykin.’

  ‘Cookie, yes sweetie and for Draykin.’ Before she broke into laughter again Helen swiftly exited the room with both boys, followed by Honor and Salmah.

  Penny stamped her foot. ‘Peyton stop laughing.’ She did a quick scan of the office, checking the boys had not snuck back in, then hissed. ‘That olesho is still waiting.’

  Peyton nodded her head. ‘Okay, I can do this.’ She smoothed her hair down. ‘Okay.’ She giggled once more as Penny grinned. ‘You know he will teach Draykin that, right?’

  ‘I know at least one of them will know how to cuss, cause his Mama sure can’t.’

  Penny laughed as she pressed buttons on Peyton’s desk, one to record the conversation and the other to bring up the wall screen. Before she connected the Ambassador again.

  Peyton said. ‘Penny comm Jarrod please and Lukkas, I will need them here quickly.’

  ‘Will do.’ She nodded her head to let Peyton know she was connecting, and the image of the round faced male, with yellow hair appeared on the wall. Peyton thought, he looked worse for being on the larger screen. His hair she saw was really more a dandelion color which conflicted with his large round pink eyes. Tragically the male had a pointed nose which matched his pointed chin and neither seemed to go with his round face. He had no eyebrows or lashes and seemed to have double eyelids, which was a little disconcerting as was his light orange skin color. She could not see his clothes, but he looked fussy, so she bet he was well dressed. She could hear Penny talking on her comm as he demanded to know. ‘Why did you disconnect Star Daughter?’

  ‘I do not appreciate being forced to the will of someone else, so refrain from trying Ambassador. I am more than willing to speak to you, but only if you stop trying to control my mind.’

  He said nothing for a moment. ‘I apologize, I was unaware I was doing so.’

  ‘I find that hard to believe Ambassador?’

  He smiled, which did little to change her opinion of him. He looked more like a shark, a yellow-haired, dusty peach skinned shark. ‘I think it was a reaction with no intent Star Daughter.’

  ‘If you say so Ambassador.’

  Jarrod walked in with Lukkas who stumbled, causing Scout to falter next to him. Jarrod’s bonded Midnight snarled as the kit slumped to the floor in fear. Looking over at the Warrior and Kit, Peyton hurriedly said.

  ‘Hold Ambassador.’

  Penny tapped a button, placing the male on hold as Peyton rushed over to Lukkas. ‘I am so sorry. I didn’t realize and should have, forgive me Lukkas.’ She led him to the small couch while Jarrod scooped the kit up into his arms as he and Midnight administered some therapy. When the kit started to snore softly, he placed him next to Lukkas and touched his shoulder.

  ‘Lukkas, you need to face this, remember we are here and you are safe. I told you of the shield as has my father.’

  It had come to pass that the Master who had helped Lukkas and the other Warriors so many yentas ago, had been a brother to Jarrod’s father. He was missing, but they were searching for him.

  Lukkas said. ‘I know, I apologize it was a surprise, is Scout well?’

  ‘He is.’ Jarrod told him.

  Penny rushed over and hugged him. ‘Lukkas you can do this. You are stronger than you were back then and you have all of us with you. We will never allow you to be hurt, trust us.’

  Lukkas nodded. ‘I do Penny, you and Jarrod are right.’

  Kerol walked in. ‘Brother, what has happened?’

  Jade rushed to Scout. Scout, he is unwell?

  Midnight told her. No, he is asleep. He feared the male on the screen.

  Jade said. We should bite him for scaring Scout; he is a kit.

  Midnight smiled as Jade was not much older than Scout. We will, if my Jarrod says we can.

  Good. Jade nudged him a little.

  Hero worship at play, Peyton thought as Midnight looked at her saying. She is mine.

  She is too young.

  I realize but she is mine, all know this.

  Does she?

  His grin was slippery as he stated. She is too young.

  ‘Eww, burned.’ Trina said as she entered.

  Peyton grinned. ‘Good stars Trina, are you meant to be that big?’

  Trina was about four luneras along in her pregnancy and as it was the first Mystic and Terran pregnancy on record. She and her baby were being carefully monitored. No one was sure how long her gestation period would last. Even though Jarrod’s mother had assured Trina she was doing nicely. That lady had told Trina she had been pregnant with her sons for twelve luneras, which equated in human terms to around eighteen months. Heather was pleased to have some data on the gestation time. Trina not so much, but as
Peyton looked at her now, she thought maybe they had it wrong. She had more than a slight baby bump already.

  ‘Yes, I am almost four luneras along now, so looking good so far. We think maybe seven or eight more and we are cooked.’

  As the males all opened their mouths to exclaim over the term. She hurriedly said. ‘It is an expression. I mean full term.’ Then laughed as she said. ‘You gotta be fast for these ones, huh?’

  Peyton agreed. ‘That is true, they can be literal.’

  ‘Madam.’

  ‘Yeah, Penny.’

  ‘The comm.’

  ‘Okay, so Trina are you well?’

  Trina laughed as she hugged her and replied. ‘Who knows, Heather says we are well. Mama Kenera says we are progressing along nicely. Avana says we still have a way to go. I am not pleased with that. Sene or not, what does she know?’

  Peyton shrugged, ‘I know right, Senes pfft!’

  Jarrod placed an arm around his mate. ‘She is the Sene, she knows.’ They looked at him until he cleared his throat. ‘Or maybe not.’

  Trina smiled. ‘Exactly, Night baby, what’s up?’

  Midnight walked over and rubbed just under her baby bump. All is well, Scout was upset.

  Penny said. ‘Madam Peyton, did you forget something?’

  Peyton, her eyes on Trina’s bump said. ‘No. Trina did it just move?’

  Trina growled. ‘My baby is not an it.’

  ‘Well… What am I meant to say?’

  Trina frowned at her and her voice had a growl in its depths as she said. ‘Baby, we call it a baby.’

  Peyton was going to point out she just said it, when she looked at her friend’s face. ‘Umm, well okay then, did the baby just move?’

  ‘Why no Peyton, the baby cannot, it is way too early or so I was told.’ Trina said and her voice carried so much sweetness, Peyton imagined it dripping onto the floor. Carefully she stepped away from her as she mumbled. ‘Okay, that is good.’

  Jarrod slipped a cookie from his pocket. ‘Trina my heart, come and sit, I have your favorite cookie for you and I will get you the tea you like.’

  ‘Oh, thank you Jarrod, you take such wonderful care of me.’

  Peyton had backed up to stand next to Kerol and whispered. ‘Is she crying?’

  ‘Yes, Healer Heather said it was something called, horwamoans. We tried to exterminate them. They seem to plaque Trina and follow her around. Midnight looked in his dwelling but he could not find them. Mystic Jarrod says she has them more now. It is a shame we could not kill them for her, they make her cry.’

  Peyton stood with her mouth opening and closing, looking at the sad expressions of the males as they all nodded in confirmation of what Kerol had said. Penny came over and placed a finger under her chin, holding her mouth closed, saying. ‘Yes well.’

  Brenda arrived and saved the need for any more comments, which were beyond Peyton or Penny at that moment. It took all of Penny’s self-control to keep herself from laughing, she was unsure if it was from the look on Peyton’s face or the fact the males were so very earnest.

  ‘Trina, darling girl, have you come to visit. I just made tea. Oh, lovey don’t eat that. I have fresh ginger ones in the kitchen, Esther just baked.’ She looked around the room and smiled saying. ‘Everyone is welcome.’ She took the cookie gently from the crying Trina and eased her from the room.

  Jarrod smiled at her in relief. ‘Thank you, Lady Brenda. I will be there soon.’

  ‘Night, you come with me?’ Trina said in a voice muffled with tears.

  He sighed if a Prowler could, and Jarrod looked at his bonded. My friend, you know it is the babe that asks for you.

  I know, we will go. He nudged Jade. Scout needs to stay with his bonded and you need to come with me.

  Kerol said. ‘Jade go with Midnight please. Chef Helen will have something nice for you.’

  Alright my Kerol, I will go, Love you my Peenny.

  ‘Love you back Jade.’

  Happy now, Trina kissed Jarrod and whispered. ‘Love you.’

  Brenda told Jarrod. ‘Your Ma’ is here. Oh look, here is your Da.’

  Cemeru walked in and Trina fell into his arms and hugged him. ‘Greetings, Papa.’

  Cemeru loved this strange, delightful female, who was mated to his eldest son. She gave freely of her love and without realizing it, she gave hope to his two other sons as she had to himself and his mate Kenera. He would forever love Trina for the way she had saved his son from being swallowed by his power. Now he was loved and bonded and as he looked at Jarrod and saw the happiness within, he smiled and kissed Trina’s cheek. It was a gesture Jarrod, and the ladies had taught him, in fact they had shared many wonderful things with him and Kenera. Which they had tried every night since arriving on Maikonia Prime.

  ‘Greetings Trina. Mama is in the kitchen with Esther.’

  ‘I know, Brenda came to get me.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Bye Jarrod. Bye Papa, bye everyone else’ She said sweetly as she, Brenda and the Prowlers left with her.

  Penny said. ‘Madam Peyton.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘The comm.’

  ‘Alright.’

  Cemeru nodded to Peyton. ‘Madam Peyton, you have a need of me?’

  ‘I do!?’

  He smiled, making him look as young as any of his sons. ‘Yes you do, the Ambassador is an old adversary. I would appreciate it if I could witness your exchange.’

  ‘Is it going to piss him off, if you are here?’

  ‘I am sure it will.’

  ‘Lukkas, are you doing okay now?’

  He sighed. ‘I am well Madam, it was the surprise.’

  ‘I apologize again, I should have warned you.’

  He smiled as he said. ‘Madam, it is alright.’

  ‘Well, if you are sure?’

  ‘PEYTON!’ Penny yelled. ‘The Ambassador.’

  Peyton turned to her and said. ‘So excitable, are you sure you are ready for this job?’

  Penny snarled. ‘I will kill you, I swear.’

  Kerol assured Peyton, ‘She does not mean that.’

  Penny growled. ‘Yeah, I furin do, answer the basterad comm now.’

  ‘Astaad.’ Rayvan repeated, as Helen holding him in her arms, stood just inside the door.

  ‘Oh stars.’ Helen said as Penny whirled around and wailed. ‘Noooo.’

  ‘Arstaad Gammie Helen.’ Rayvan repeated as Peyton, trying not to laugh, said disapprovingly to Penny. ‘Please stop teaching my child to cuss. Really Penny, I do not know what comes over you at times.’

  Helen backed from the room and they all heard her say to Rayvan. ‘Yes dearle I know, shall we go take a nap?’

  Penny put her head on Kerol’s chest. ‘She will kill me?’

  ‘Who will?’ Kerol asked, confused as to what had been happening with his mate.

  ‘Darby.’ Penny replied. ‘Rayvan will teach Draykin that too.’

  ‘Too?’ Kerol said, sounding a little stunned and very confused.

  She growled at him. ‘Do not judge me?’

  Peyton said. ‘Penny no time for dramatics. I have an Ambassador to talk to, or do you not care anymore?’

  Penny’s muffled scream made her grin widely, which she wiped from her face when Penny lifted her head from Kerol’s chest. Smoothing down her hair, she walked over and pushed a few buttons on the desk, all the time glaring at the unrepentant Peyton.

  Cemeru sent to Jarrod. They are amusing, are they not?

  You like them, Papa?

  Very much, we are so very pleased to be here with our family and these wonderful people. He laid his hand on Jarrod’s arm and squeezed. Jarrod stilled, it was the first time since he was young his father had touched him. Papa?

  We have much to say to each other, things that should have been discussed before now. When we are finished here. Would you and your siblings attend a family second- meal with your Mama and myself. So we may talk?

  Jarrod eyed the uncomfortab
le male who was trying so hard to connect with him and asked. This was Trina’s idea?

  Cemeru looked at his son. It is, but an excellent one and something we should have already done.

  It is a splendid idea, and I agree it is long overdue. He smiled, something he did more now as he sent comms to his brothers and sister and said. ‘They will all meet in our apartment.’

  ‘Thank you my son.’

  TWENTY-EIGHT:

  Everyone turned their attention to Peyton, who was staring at the Ambassador on screen. Cemeru and Jarrod waited to see what would happen. It was always a crap shoot, Trina would say when faced with Peyton’s brand of politics.

  The Ambassador finally asked. ‘Was there a technical difficulty?’

  ‘No.’

  He waited, and when he realized she was not going to explain, he said. ‘I see.’

  Peyton smiled, it did not reach her eyes. ‘I do not think you do, Ambassador. So let me speak plainly, I will not now or in any future be returning Warriors to your world. In fact, I will do all I can to have your world sanctioned.’

  He stared at her as she stared at him. Peyton felt no need to speak, so she waited for him to talk. Eventually he asked. ‘May I inquire why you would feel this way, Star Daughter?’

  Cemeru raised an eyebrow and asked Jarrod. Star Daughter?

  Jarrod replied with a smile. She does not allow her opponents to know she is addressed as anything other than the Star Daughter. Only people she likes can call her Madam Peyton or Peyton. Also, Hawk refers to it as insurance. They cannot claim friendship, if they do not know her name.

  Cemeru nodded. An excellent policy. We were asked to address her as either, when we arrived.

  She likes you, she loves us, but she has known us longer.

  Are you boasting, my son?