She inched away from him so she could stand by his side and fisted her hands.

Zar peered at her from the corner of his eye.

She nodded encouragingly. “I’m ready for anything.”

A shuffling sound drew her eyes forward. A slim woman with curly hair and a wide smile slipped through the door of the cabin and Simone gasped.

She was wrong.

She hadn’t been ready for that.

Twenty-Two

Zar

Was that a human?

Zar stared at the female with dark skin like Si-Moon’s. The only difference was Korben’s female did not have her hair plaited away from her face. She wore it wild and curly like a helmet. Her dark brown eyes sparkled, and she smiled in welcome.

Korben’s lips broke out into a smile as well.

Zar stiffened with confusion.

Just then, a streak of brown and white flew from behind him. To his surprise, Si-Moon launched herself at the other human female. The women collided in a pair of tangled arms and excited shrieks.

How strange. Were they acquainted on earth?

As if summoned, three other humans flew out of the hideout. They surrounded Si-Moon, locking her into a tribal sort of embrace.

They are squeezing her!

Jaw clenching, he took a threatening step forward when Korben stopped him with a hand to his chest. “They are celebrating.”

“She is being squeezed to death,” Zar growled, his eyes on his mate. She stood in the middle of the throng, more liquid falling down her face. “She is hurt.”

“Neh, Zar.” Korben smirked. “She is being reunited with her kind. Sah-ah did the same when she saw the others.”

Zar stepped back. “Very well.”

Korben frowned when he saw Chozo. “Is that a Heronas?”

“Yes.”

Korben’s spine dagger emerged. He broke it off and started running at the zapten. Chozo trembled like a reed, scrambling off the machine and skittering to his feet.

“Noooo!” Si-Moon shrieked.

The females hurried over in a group, crowding around Chozo to keep him safe. Zar marveled at their instant camaraderie. It was as if they had formed their own tribas on sight.

Si-Moon rattled a scolding at Korben, finger wagging and eyes sparking flames.

Korben’s female translated for her. “Simone says he is only a brood and that he is not going to harm anyone.”

“My heras,thisis not a child but a killer.”

“I don’t want to hear it. You can’t just go around murdering kids on sight. What did this poor child ever do to you?”

Zar wanted to snort.Poor child?