Page 21 of Koha'vek
There was a time when I didn’t see things this way, especially after we helped take downthe Mesaarkan base in Montana. What one Mesaarkan had done to my friend Steele’s mate made me seriously doubt their species had any redeeming qualities. Now, after learning about Koha’vek and his mate, and meeting these asylum-seeking Mesaarkans, I began to see things in a different light.
Admittedly, more humans were hampering our efforts to rebuild communities than the number of Mesaarkans who were taking refuge in our wilderness. I’d seen it quite clearly on my first day in Brislow. After what Koha’vek did for Hannah and me when I went to rescue her from Jenkins, I felt like I owed them the chance to live in peace.
Before I left, I passed out the few com tablets I had with me so that I could easily contact them when I had news. Or they could reach out if they needed help. I saved one for Koha’vek so that he could contact them or me if he needed anything.
As I left, I considered that my life might have just gotten a bit more difficult. I just couldn’t help feeling that they deserved my protection as much as the people of Brislow did and still do.
Before I left, I turned to Veklan and said, “I can’t make any promises, but I will present your case andget back to you when I have news. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any supplies or medication. I’ll stop by again next time I’m down this way.”
I decided to stop and see Koha’vek on my way back to the ranch. I owed him a thanks at the very least, and I wanted to tell him about the Mesaarkan colony I’d found. I didn’t bother to land in a remote location and walk in as I had in the past. I landed my sky cycle in the meadow beside his cabin. I found him in his front yard splitting wood.
“You were at that mansion in Wexley the night I got Hannah out.”
Koha’vek didn’t say anything, but he didn’t look surprised either.
“I thought I imagined things at first when I found a couple of guards unconscious before I even got there. Clean and quiet, there were no scorch marks, and I doubt anyone heard a sound.” I glanced sideways, wondering why he had done it. “Hannah saw you, then said it was nothing.
Koha’vek picked up another log, set it on the bigger one, and raised the splitting maul, breaking the log apart with one blow.
“I just wanted to say thanks. I appreciated the help, and I got to Hannah before anyone really hurt her.
Silence hung between us, and I wasn’t sure Koha’vek would respond. Then he said quietly, “Jenkins hurt Ava and many other people from what she told me. I couldn’t let him hurt anyone else, especially not a female.”
I nodded, completely understanding. “My friend, Steele Nova, found his genetic mate held prisoner at the Mesaarkan base in Montana by one of your officers, Gar’hako.”
Koha’vek met my gaze, the dark emotion burning in his eyes. “I hope he killed him.”
“He did. Unfortunately, his death came far too easily for the suffering he caused Zara. But he won’t hurt anyone else.”
“Thank you for telling me. Were you able to rescue most of the humans, too?”
I nodded. “We did, except for a few, who were too far gone to help.”
“I am glad for the ones you were able to save. That eases some of my guilt for leaving them behind.”
I looked at Koha’vek, considering whether I should tell him what Velkan said.
Chapter Thirteen
Koha’vek
As I looked at him, I wondered what he was not telling me. He clearly had something on his mind besides thanking me for my help.
“As I was patrolling south of here, I came upon a group of your fellow Mesaarkans. Apparently, they have created a small community deep in the mountains. If it weren’t for the faint energy reading in my CPU, I might have missed them altogether.”
“More deserters? We never had any bases in this mountain range,” I told him.
“Yes, they left some time before you did. Their leader, Velkan, said that Gar’hako was planning your execution.” Raven frowned. “It’s a good thing you left when you did.”
I swore in my tongue. “He was a coward and a bully who liked to hurt people, both yours and mine. I suspected for some time that he was searching for an excuse to kill me because I wanted better treatment for the humans. I didn’t think any of what we weredoing was right. Velkan never mentioned it to me. But he is alive?”
Raven nodded. “Alive and well, and he has a human mate. He has asked for asylum for his group, and he has asked me to extend an invitation for you to join them if you wish.”
I was stunned to learn Velkan lived. He had disappeared sometime before I left the Mesaarkan base. “I thought Gar’hako had him killed, which only made me hate him more.” I hardly realized I had said the words aloud until I saw Raven's eyebrows raise.
“It doesn’t sound like this Gar’hako was much of a leader. There were at least 40 Mesaarkans in their camp. I don’t know how things were with your military, but men don’t just desert like that from a strong, fair-minded leader.”
I laughed bitterly. “Gar’hako was neither. He deserved a slow, painful death,” I hissed.
