by Cree Storm
“You’re not going,” Throg practically growled.
Whipping his head towards Throg, he hissed, “You stay out of this. Your opinion is biased and you know it. I swear to you both, I need to go. We don’t know if those flash drives are holding real information or not, but that Zeus guy was adamant about Tumm keeping it safe. He threatened his life for god’s sake. I can get in that computer. I can get past the encryption.”
Hron nodded, “You will do as you’re told, Spencer.”
“Hron!” Throg snarled.
However, the Caliph ignored him and continued, “If things seem too dangerous, and we tell you to stand down, that is exactly what you’re going to do. Do you understand me? No heroics. No hesitation. We say the word, and you back the fuck off.”
“Deal,” Spencer said, before Throg could jump in, “But I also have a stipulation on my compliance.”
“Go on,” Hron said firmly.
“I don’t get pulled out because of your fear or Throg’s. If there’s a threat, fine, but if it’s because you changed your mind, because of the baby, no. I have the right to refuse your request,” Spencer stated, just as firmly as Hron had.
Hron thought a moment then said, “Deal.”
Spencer turned to Throg, “I know you want me and our child safe. I do too, Throg. I have too much to live for, and I want to hold our little one as much as you do. But, I’m honestly the only one that can do this. If I thought for a moment you or any of the others could get that information off that computer, I’d let them. The information on that computer might change everything for us. We might learn who’s behind all this shit and why. It could make us all safer.”
Throg’s jaw was tight as stone. He hated what Spencer was saying, but Spencer could also see he couldn’t argue the logic.
Taking a tentative step closer to Throg, Spencer softly said, “I promise I’ll be careful. I’ll just need you to have my back.”
Throg held still when Spencer wrapped his arms around Throg’s waist, and after a moment, Throg finally wrapped his own around Spencer. “I’ll always have your back.”
Spencer snorted, “Well I hope not. One day I hope to tap that ass.”
CHAPTER 15
“Throg, baby. You need to relax, or they’re going to know we’re here on false pretenses if you continue to be so tense.” Spencer whispered in his ear.
Unable to do more than nod, Throg clasped his Viata’s hand tightly in his grip. He hated that he had allowed Spencer to talk him into letting him come to Brais, but he had no argument when it came to gathering information that could help his clutch and other Nakaka survive, whatever the hell was happening. It was the only way to ensure the safety of his mate and unborn chickpea.
Drawing in a deep breath, Throg began to relax, and once he could speak again, Throg cupped his Viata’s cheeks, and looked him in the eyes. “Promise me, Salvator. Promise me that if things go to shit, you’ll get the fuck out of there, and keep you and our chickpea safe.”
Spencer leaned into Throg’s caress, whispering, “I promise, my warrior, and you have to promise you’ll come back to me alive.”
Throg knew he couldn’t make that promise. His duty was to protect the ancients and their families. This meant that his job would be to get Hron out of there if things went bad. However, he could promise his Viata one thing. “I promise to do all I can to come home to you, Spencer. You are my Salvator and I love you. I will do all I can to return to you and our chickpea.”
The understanding in Spencer’s eyes, told Throg that his Viata got what he was saying.
“We’re here,” Nas said, as he pulled up to the gate.
The fact that they were expected was clear when the guard opened up, and indicated for them to continue forward.
Spencer stiffened next to Throg.
“What is it Salvator?” Throg asked.
“How did they know who we are? Even if they’ve seen you before, it’s been a long time, from what Hron told me.” Spencer said tensely.
Throg tightened his hold on his Viata, “Maybe we’re the only guests they’re expecting.”
Shaking his head, Spencer whispered, “But even so, if you had two elders within your clutch house and you’re charged with their safety, wouldn’t you want to know who exactly is here, and how many are in the party?”
Throg thought about his Viata’s words, and had to agree. He would want to know who was in attendance, and how many were accompanying them, if only he could ensure he had enough guards in attendance. “Nas, Torro, stay alert.”
“Yes, Throg,” Both men said in unison.
“What’s wrong?” Petree asked Spencer.
Spencer shook his head, “I don’t know. My sloth isn’t happy right now. Maybe I’m just nervous, because we’re entering the vipers’ nest.”
Throg heard his Viata’s words, and instead of interrupting his conversation with Petree, he pressed his com link. “Nas, Mennen, stay on alert. Under no circumstances is the Caliph or his Viata to have eyes off of them. If I catch them alone at any point, you will be working the cells for the next three months, and that’s only if you live long enough to do it.”
“Yes, Throg,” all three men said at once.
“Torro, you will not leave my Viata’s side for any reason. I don’t care if it is with the ancients themselves, Spencer is not to be alone in the room with them,” Throg stated just as firmly.
“I shall guard him with my life, sir,” Torro stated, just as firmly.
Spencer’s soft touch had Throg looking at his mate, “Yes, my Salvator?”
“It’s going to be alright, Throg. We need to focus on why we’re here. I have a job to do here. It’s the reason I was brought with you here to begin with,” Spencer softly said.
Throg cupped his Viata’s cheek, “Salvator, I know our goal, but I will not allow us to achieve it if it means your life. I was taught long ago about a shifter and his animal. If your sloth is telling you there is trouble around you, then I believe him. Please, Salvator, I know you must do what you need to do, but never forget I cannot and will not live without you, and besides...” Throg placed his hand on Spencer’s still flat stomach, “...we have a chickpea to protect as well.”
“I swear to you, I won’t purposefully place our child in danger, Throg. However, I won’t sit back and allow these hateful pricks to continue forward with whatever they plan to do to us, either. Our child will be born in a happy and healthy environment, not one filled with hate, fear, and ugliness. I would rather our baby not be born at all, if that’s the life he’ll have to live,” Spencer said, with so much conviction.
Throg felt his cock twitch at the ferocity of it all. Although, he hated the words to a point that his Viata spoke, he also understood what the man was saying. He wanted to scream that life for their child was of the utmost importance, but he agreed that the kind of life his and Spencer’s child would lead, would be one so much better than his own. However, it was up to them to make sure that was a possibility.
The car moved through the large area the clutch was living in, and noticed many small homes surrounding a massive mansion-style home that they were driving towards. There was something odd, and it took a moment for Throg to figure out what it was, and then it hit him. “Where are all the Nakaka?”
“I was wondering the same, my friend,” Hron muttered, then pressed his own com link he had insisted he be given. “Groth, you and I will step out with Throg. I want everyone else to stay in the vehicles.”
“You feel it too?” Groth asked.
“Yes. Something isn’t right. I would think that with the news of a Caliph that has found his Viata would bring the people out in droves. We told the Caliph this was a mission to bring hope to his people, not having any around is disconcerting,” Hron stated in aggravation.
Throg exited his vehicle and looked around. He didn’t notice anything out of order, except the fact that there were no other Nakaka in sight, other than the three men standing in front of the mansio
n-style home. “Anything, Nas?”
“No. All seems clear to me.” Nas answered, exiting his vehicle that held Groth and a few other guards.
“Mennen?” Throg asked.
“Nothing, all clear.” Mennen stated, but continued to look around as he exited the vehicle and opened the door for Hron.
“Torro, keep Spencer and Petree here, until we give you the all clear. If anything goes down, I want you to get them the fuck out of here, and get back to the clutch house,” Throg ordered.
Hron started up towards the house, “Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Caliph Hron of the Loihi clutch house.”
“Caliph Redmen of the Brais clutch, and this is ancient Urr and Blinn. We are pleased, if not a bit confused to meet you.”
Hron looked around, “Odd, I understood that you were informed that my Viata and I were coming, to bring hope to the Nakaka of the Brais clutch house, as we are going to do with the Nakima, Dorson and Mur clutch houses, and any others we can gain an audience with.”
Caliph Redmen snorted, “Viata. We have not had a Viata in over two hundred years. Why would the gods start gracing us with one now? I did not want you coming to our lands and spreading such nonsense.”
Hron’s brows rose. “Is that right? Ancient Urr, Ancient Blinn, have you not been in contact with my fathers.”
“We have,” both men replied.
“Did they not tell you our glorious news months ago?” Hron asked, knowing the answer, since he and Throg had been there when the call was made.
Urr nodded, “They did. However—”
“They do not run my clutch, Caliph Hron. I am the leader, and I am the one to decide what is true and what is not. I have met with my advisors, and we believe that proof is what is needed, not just to blindly trust words thrown about. Tell me Caliph Hron, why would the gods bless you? Why would they choose the youngest son of the ancients to be blessed with a Viata, and not someone like myself, eldest son of Jacot and Izu, gods rest their souls.”
“I do not know, Caliph Redmen. All I can say is with sacrifice came blessings,” Hron stated, with that regal tone and pride Throg loved hearing from him.
“Blessings? That is plural, not singular. What other blessings were you granted that the rest of us have not been?” Caliph Redmen asked rudely.
Throg had to give it to Hron. Redmen was a rude prick that needed to be taught lessons in manners and respect, for not just another Caliph, but for the ancients themselves. However, Hron smiled, and acted as if Caliph Redmen was anything but an ass. “Oh, yes, blessings for sure. We are expecting our first chickpea.”
Redmen’s eyes widened. “You lie.”
Those words brought out the anger in Hron. He might look past the rudeness to him, but he would not stand by and allow another to outright call him a liar. “I’m going to consider the shock I just gave you, Redmen, but do not push me. I do not now—nor have I ever—lied. I didn’t lie about my Viata, and I damn sure am not lying about a chickpea being born to my clutch. I thought, as the Caliph of Brais, you would want to show your people that we now have a chance... a real chance to live again. That love will find us all once again, and life will reproduce as it should. Our people will grow in numbers once more. The Nakaka shall thrive, and live as we once did so long ago. However, if you’re going to be rude and disrespectful to not only the ancients of our kind, but to myself as well... you can go fuck yourself.”
With those words Hron turned, snapping, “Throg, we are returning to Loihi.”
“Caliph Hron, please wait!” Urr said, rushing from the doorstep to Throg’s Caliph.
Before the man could actually get to him, Throg stepped in front of Urr. “Do not touch him. I respect your position, Ancient Urr, but he is under my protection, and although I respect who you are, I will defend Caliph Hron against any and all. It is my duty to the gods.”
Hron had stopped and turned to Urr, “What is it, Ancient Urr. As Throg said, I respect who you are, but I do not have time for games.”
Urr shook his head, “This is no game. I have no doubt you have found your Viata. We have said as much to Caliph Redmen, but you must understand, it has been so long. So many have lost hope... they fear hope and then to be let down... it’s not easy... and now to hear that a chickpea will be born to us once more... it’s glorious news and... to some... well, to some... they will be wary. You can’t blame them for that, Hron. Hope and loss brings destruction. Maybe not physically, but mentally... well, mentally is a completely different thing.”
Caliph Redmen approached, “I did not mean to disrespect you, Caliph Hron. Please, we wish to meet your Viata, and have the Nakaka prepared to have our first chickpea.”
“Spencer is not Nakaka. He is shifter and the Viata of Throg,” Hron stated.
Redmen’s eyes widened, “Shifter? Viata? I thought the Viata was yours?”
“I have a Viata, and two of my clutch have been blessed with their own as well. That’s why we are here, Caliph Redmen. We wanted to show... to prove to the Nakaka from all around the country, that our Viatas are being returned to our people,” Hron stated.
“And this... shifter... the one you say is pregnant? You have brought him as well?” Caliph Redmen asked curiously.
Nodding, Hron replied, “We did... well, in truth, he insisted on coming.”
“I had no idea our Viatas could be anything other than other Nakaka,” Redmen muttered thoughtfully.
Hron nodded, “I understand. I felt the same way. And maybe in the beginning that is how it was, but now... well, now the gods have changed things. Maybe it’s because they feel we needed to have diversity amongst us. Maybe it’s because they felt that the anger towards us was because we were too isolated. Whatever the reason, one of my men has a human for a Viata, and like I said, Throg’s is a shifter.”
Redmen nodded, saying, “Please, Caliph Hron, accept my apologies for my rudeness. My advisor was just trying to assist in keeping our clutch safe. The Nakaka numbers are far fewer than they used to be since the attack so long ago, but with no new life, we have not been able to flourish as we once were, and it is imperative we do all we can to make our people safe... even if it’s from each other.”
Hron seemed to think about what Redmen was saying, but Throg knew Hron never had any intention of leaving. However, to stand idly by and allow anyone to show him disrespect, would have brought suspicion to them all. It was a calculated risk to step away, but one that had to be done. Now, they were being asked to go inside, and this time it was by the request of them.
Urr whispered, “Please, Hron. You will come and we will dine with the clutch. This will allow us to bring life back into our people... together.”
Hron was quiet a moment longer, and then he gave a sharp nod. “We will come, but if anyone...” Hron looked directly at Redmen, “...and I do mean anyone, disrespects my Viata, Throg’s or my men, we are leaving. I will not tolerate it.”
“You have my word as Caliph. You, your mate and all the others are safe under my roof,” Caliph Redmen said.
Throg felt a chill run over him and looked around. Something or someone was out there, and Throg couldn’t help but think, they might be safe inside that mansion, but outside... well, outside was an entirely different thing all together.
CHAPTER 16
Spencer hated crowds under normal circumstances, and with what he needed to do, things were anything but normal.
It was hard not to stare at his target, but with the fucker constantly touching on his mate, Spencer was about ready to say fuck the mission and kick the bastard’s ass. What pissed him off even more, was that Throg didn’t seem to even notice... and was that a fucking smile? What the hell? Was that flirting? Throg better watch his step, or Spencer was going to make the man a eunuch.
“Stop growling, Spencer. You know Throg is just playing a part,” Hron muttered next to him.
Spencer ground his teeth. “He doesn’t have to be so convincing. Right about now, I don’t know if I want to rip Tumm’s ar
m from his body and beat Throg with it, or if I want to rip Throg’s cock off, and beat the both of them with it.”
Petree laughed, as if Spencer had made a joke, but Spencer was not trying to be funny. He realized Petree was pretending with his laughter, as he whispered, “I know it’s hard to watch, Spenc, but Throg loves you. Any idiot can see it. You said you needed the man’s thumbprint, and Throg is trying to get that for you. So, tone it down, and at least try and look like you’re having a good time.”
Spencer watched as Throg made a move that had the glass of wine in Tumm’s hand slosh all over the floor. Throg said something, and took the glass, apparently offering to get him a new one.
“Excuse me,” a prim voice said from behind Spencer and Petree. Both men turned to see a Nakaka standing there. He was about six feet tall and muscular, his green-and-white dragon wings firmly wrapped around his body. He looked tense, and Spencer felt his body tense as did Petree.
Petree asked, “Can we help you?”
The man gave a sneer as he looked at Petree, “How does a Nakaka go about losing his wings?”
Petree stiffened even more and said nothing. The man continued as if he hadn’t noticed Petree’s agitation, “Why would any god bless you with a Viata, when you don’t represent who we are?”
“Maybe, because there would be no blessing if he hadn’t given up his wings?” Spencer said sarcastically.
When the man looked at him in confusion, Spencer snarled, “You have no idea what Petree had to go through in order for your people to be blessed once more, with not only a life partner to spend your very long life with, but so you can once again discover the joys of a tiny chickpea brought into it, and allow your people to prosper once more.”
