Page 43 of Grulen

“We?”

Her vision wavered for a moment.

“There were two other women with me.”She glanced away and whispered, “They didn’t make it out.”

“I’m sorry, Morgan.”His tail gently wound around her ankle and stroked softly.

Sighing, she said, “Thank you.But to go back to what I was doing on Costonia.I agreed to medical tests.”She patted his arm when his tail tightened on her ankle.She registered the shocked look on his face.“No, nothing like the Zuvgran did.Every exam or test received my consent beforehand.”

“But why?”

“To see if humans and Svesti are biologically compatible and can have babies together.”

His eyes widened.

“And?”

“Yes, we are and should be able to.I think King Sovex was planning to open up negotiations with Earth to bring humans to Costonia.”

“Svesti might be able to have younglings again?”A sheen of tears coated his eyes.“It’s been so long.Our females died thirty years ago.”He rubbed his chest.

“I know.The virus the Zuvgran released did a lot of damage.”Lowering her voice, she asked, “Do you think your mother was one of those lost?I know some females survived.”

“Probably.When I think of my mother, all I can recall is a scent.No name or face.”His lips twisted.“Talking about the virus makes my heart hurt, but there are no memories to go with the emotion.”

“I’m sorry, Stalad.Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it at all.”

“Please, always speak your true thoughts with me.”His expression softened.

Oh, my, he’s a heartbreaker.

“Okay.Want to help me carry everything to the table?”

“As you wish.”

“What time do we arrive at Arona tomorrow?”Morgan wiped the sweat from her brow.

“Rain said not long after breakfast.”Pink suffused Kara’s face from her exertions.“Damn, girl, how can you make me perspire so much with stretches?It’s not even hot yoga.”

Abby’s laugh mixed with Morgan’s at Kara’s complaint.

“Don’t you get sweaty with your mate?”

“Of course, but at least I get orgasms in trade.Yoga’s never done that for me.”Kara’s eyebrows wiggled and she tapped the ashes off an imaginary cigar.

Morgan shook her head with a grin.

“It’s official.You’re insane.”She picked up some water pouches to hand to the women.

“Damn straight.”

All three of them straightened and their eyes darted to each other in alarm when loud yells sounded from down the hall.Morgan still had the water pouches in her hands as they ran out of the cargo bay in the direction of the noise.

They veered into the hangar bay and wrinkled their noses.

“What the fuck is that awful smell?”Kara wheezed as she made a beeline for the open transport.

Running up the ramp, the women headed for the loud cursing.They turned a corner and stopped dead at the sight of three large garbage-covered beings and a wall panel lying on the floor.Abby pinched her nose.

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