Page 5 of Claimed By the Krijese

I hear the woman’s voice, but it’s not doing anything to quell the flight-or-fight instinct. A blurry figure steps directly in front of me, and some part of me screams that it’s time to fight.

Using strength I didn’t know I possessed, I throw a wild punch that doesn’t connect. My arm is stuck in mid-air and the lavender alien holds my fist within his directly in front of the face of a tall, slender human woman with thick, black hair tied up in a messy bun at the top of her head.

What tells me that I’m already dead, or dying, and this is just some death dream I’m having is the wide grin on her face.

“Fuck yeah. You’re a fighter. I like you already.” She takes a step back and holds out her hand like she wants me to shake it. “I’m Remi. And you are?”

Chapter 3

Kala

Before King Armik’s death I was never a leader. I did what I was born to do—kill—and this is all. Soon though, I grew tired of all the death. I only wanted peace for myself and for my kit. That is still all I want. Somehow, because of this, I have become the one our tribe members come to for leadership.

I have been tasked with making sure the few of us that are left continue to live and thrive. Although I did not choose this role, I perform it to the best of my abilities. The responsibility of twenty-nine Krijese falls upon my shoulders. A weight that is often heavy, but I bear it anyway.

I sit near the fire and skin the kills Sorin and I brought back from our hunt. The first moon has crested the horizon and is halfway to its zenith. It will not be long before the second moon rises as well. Two of our elders, Moshi and Ashrif, tend the flames and prepare the meal for the evening, although the former does most of the work.

While he will never admit to it, Ashrif is not well and has not been since last warm season. There is a sickness within him that is slowly taking his strength. I do not believe he will make it through the next cold season.I keep watch in case they need assistance lifting anything. Until then, I will work by the light provided by the first moon as well as the setting sun.

“You had a successful hunt today,” Moshi praises.

“Sorin’s skill with his war axe is improving.” He was able to bring down two dhibani as well as several leburin.

He dips his head and goes quiet. I toss the fat I finish scraping off the back of the hide into a large vessel to be used later to make cleansing bars as well as fire sticks to burn in our tents at night.

“More humans arrived today,” Ashrif breaks the silence.

I should have expected the newcomers would be the topic on everyone’s tongues. This ship is the first to have arrived on our planet that we did not attack.

“Yes, I saw it descend.” I do not look up from my task.

“Will you greet them and welcome their stay on Tavikh?” Moshi asks.

“There is no reason to do so. I have instructed all the hunting males to keep their distance from the settlement. Unless they come in search of us, we will never cross paths with them.” It is better that way.

“What if they fear us as much as the rest of them do? Although the Tavikhi have accepted us as allies, the humans still very much have hatred for our people,” Ashrif notes, not untruthfully either.

I set down my blade and meet the elders’ gazes. “Fear and hatred are two different things. Their fear of us will keep them away. It is only their hatred that will lead them to make poor decisions, but if they do not know us, then they can only be ruled by fear.”

Moshi’s mouth claws shift. “The line between fear and hatred is often blurred, and many begin to hate what they fear.”

Ashrif nods, and they both return to tending to the meal preparation. My elders have given me something to think about. I am not so stuck in my hopes and beliefs that I will ignore sound words from those who have lived far longer than me. For the moment, we will remain on the path of avoiding the humans and giving them no cause to fear or hate us.

Our tribe sits on the ground around the fire finishing our meal. Like I often have, I catch Moshi slipping extra food to Ashrif. I am sure Ashrif knows it is happening as well, and as prideful as he is about asking for help, he says nothing. My hearts ache with the knowledge that with each passing season, more of our people will move on to the other side.

Unlike meals in the Tavikhi village, we are mostly quiet. They have nearly four times the number of tribespeople than we do and with the several births of the Tavikhi-human halflings, they have something we do not: hope.

“Talek said Healer Sage’s kit is the tiniest of the three that have been born.” Sorin has spoken of nothing but the newest member of the Tavikhi tribe since he learned the news.He has told the same story to almost every tribe member since our return to thevillage. Moshi and Ashrif are his latest recipients. “He said it is female, like the shefir and shefira’s.”

The two elders appear to be listening intently to his tale.

“Dasha was the first Tavikhi-human kit to be born. She is already many moons old. Of course, Benham and Maeve’s kit was the biggest.” Sorin sounds as proud of the fact as the Tavikhi no doubt is. He turns to me. “Gogo, I would like to go meet Healer Sage’s kit when we are able.”

I dip my head. “We shall, but we must first give the healer time to recover and get some rest. Having a kit is a lot of work, and I am sure the female is not only worn out, but she and Jodah will most likely want to spend time alone with their new young.”

Sorin’s shoulders sag in defeat, but he nods in understanding.

“That does not mean we cannot still go to the Tavikhi village for you, Talek, and Cecily to practice your axe throwing.”

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