Page 69 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

Except that Aurelians can’t have children unless they’re bonded to human females – and the Bond is incredibly rare; so rare that the Aurelians from my part of the universe are on the brink of dying out.

If that’s true, how in the hell are there so many children and pregnant women inthisAurelian society?

I think analytically. One possibility is that the Bond is notactuallyas rare as we have been led to believe; or that since Aurelians have only one bonded female, their Orb-God brings them together with that match; ensuring they find a mate in manner that the Aurelians of the Empire back where I’m from can’t.

But then why are some warriors attended by multiple women, like the Aurelian harems on their homeworld of Collosus?

I know what my brain is doing. The moment that Chief Rattler said that I would be judged by the Orb-God, I’d felt panic gripping my heart. My mind is trying to think analytically; as though this is a math problem and not my life hanging in the balance.

If I let myself think too hard about what Chief Rattler just said, I might break down and run for my life – not that there’s anywhere to run on this wild, jungle world.

“There is no need for that,” growls Forn. “She was brought through a portal, like all the others. She has medical knowledge, too.”

Chief Rattler coughs, and waves his other man forward to speak. He has a telepathic bond with the other two men, and I know that whatever words come out of his mouth, it will be as though the leader is speaking directly to us.

The second warrior has only one ear. His face is rough and brutal. He opens his mouth and his voice is surprisingly soft for such a big, beastly man.

“Your triad was to go east and search for a new home, far from the sickness. Instead, you bring back an unknown woman, through unknown means. The Orb-God must decide whether you live or you die. I will not pass judgement myself.”

I shiver, and Forn reaches out, gently stroking my arm. He looks at me with his green eyes. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll go first.” We walk together towards the end of the cavern.

“Halt!” It’s a strong, booming voice. I turn and see three more huge Aurelians at the entrance to the cavern. They are older than Forn and his triad, broader at the chest and with brows furrowed by sun squints. There are no smile lines on their faces.

“Cornal. Ton. Renak. I have business. No man may stop another from consulting with his God.”

“And where is Hadone?” Growls the one addressed as Ton.

“He is outside.”

The huge Aurelian named Ton snorts. “Stealing someone else’s woman?”

Forn’s hand inches towards his dagger hilt. “He never stole your woman. She left you, Ton, because she had no love for you.”

Ton reaches down, grabbing the hilt of his Orb-Weapon.

There’s a racking cough from behind me. Chief Rattler stands slowly, and it takes all his might. “There are to be no fights in the home of our tribe,” he growls. He’s so close to me that I can see the flecks of blood and black in his beard.

I want Forn to back down, but he takes another step towards the three men. “Fish-eaters, back away from me. I must bring my mate to the Orb-God.”

Fish-eaters?

The leader of the other triad, Cornal, licks his lips as he stares at me. It’s as if he can tell my surprise at the name, and feels that I have inadequate respect for it.

“You’ve never seen a man wrestle a ten-foot pike in the waters, have you gorgeous? This man here is not worthy of a beauty like you. He did not earn you.”

“I am not a possession,” I snort, my chin up high. The three Aurelians laugh. Forn is silent, brooding. He knows that he’s outnumbered, and only Chief Rattler’s proclamation of peace is keeping us safe. The two other leaders of the Scorp-Blood tribe look ready to tussle as well, though, and I feel that they would come to our aid if needed.

“Youarea possession,” Cornal growls, “and you were not earned through sacrifice. The Orb-God will smite you if you go to it, woman. Come to us instead. We will kill a Scorp Queen in your honor and appease the God. If you go with Forn, you will surely die.”

Cornal speaks the words slowly and with menace. I have the horrible feeling that he’s not lying. I look up at Forn, feeling betrayed.

“Does he speak the truth?”

Forn looks shaken, but his voice does not waver. “If the Orb-God does not accept you, he will take me first. You will stand back and watch, and then run.”

“No! I won’t let you go then! We don’t have to. We don’t need to live here. I just want to help these people!” I open my hands and motioning to the wretched, huddled masses of sick Aurelians and humans.

“Wemustgo,” Forn growls. “I must show the tribe that you are my fated mate, or else I will have no claim to you. If the Orb-God accepts you, all must admit that you are mine.Ours,” he adds, and I know that he’s thinking of his two battle brothers. “No more words. It’s time for action.”

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