Page 8 of Songbird
I knew this male. I’d heard his name mentioned often in spy circles. Kayzon. Rumored to be one of Ambassador Yaard’s cronies, although as yet, the Alliance nor my brother Siemba had gathered enough evidence to use against him.
Another whimper of fear escaped Izzy’s trembling lips as she cowered behind me, seeking protection from the approaching males. The realization hit me like a punch in the gut.
Kayzon was her owner.
Kayzon was the one who had hurt and abused her.
Two distinct feelings surged through me. First was a feeling of protectiveness towards Izzy, like nothing I had felt before. And secondly—and the strongest of the two—the desire to kill Kayzon with my bare hands.
I took a step back, keeping Izzy and Priemba solidly behind me. We stood on the side of the street in the restaurant district, surrounded by a throng of beings—not the ideal location for a brawl, with buildings and bodies packed tightly together. I knew I could hold my own in close combat, if necessary, but the haven ofSpace Pearlsloomed too far in the distance for the females to reach safely, and I would not put them in harm’s way.
Kayzon stomped forward, scowling and waving at me with a hand tipped with long, black claws inherited from his Kerzak lineage.
“Step aside, Stranac. I need to collect my property.”
As Kayzon stepped forward, his hand outstretched to grab Izzy, a low warning growl erupted from my throat. The crowd, especially those close around us, stared and waited, most with wide-eyed curiosity—some with fear. The tension in the air felt palpable.
Thankfully, none of the Kerzak carried weapons, a practice strictly forbidden on the station except for the guards. Of course, the merchant level stayed mostly peaceful, which meant the guard’s presence here was scarce. My brother ran security on this space station with an iron hand. Hopefully, Praxxan would hear of this confrontation and come to our aid, but I couldn’t count on that. I needed to figure out a way to get Izzy and Priemba away from Kayzon without risking their safety.
“You dare interfere with a merchant attempting to regain his chattel?” Kayzon growled at me, casting a glance at his two comrades. Both were well over seven feet, as broad-shouldered as me, and seemed itching for a fight.
The crowd around us grew, and I used it to my full advantage.
“You must not be abreast of the latest in Alliance law,” I announced, raising my voice to a tenor well heard. “The Alliance gave Earth protectorate status. It is now illegal to hold humans as slaves.”
Kayzon rolled his eyes as though he considered my words the stupidest idea in the universe, yet his thick lips curved in a smug smile.
“Izzy is not my slave. She and I… we have an employment agreement.”
“He’s lying,” Izzy wailed, terrified as though she considered there existed a real possibility that I would turn her over to Kayzon.
Her fear made my blood boil with a mix of anger and protectiveness. I wanted to kill Kayzon for making her fear. I wanted to take Izzy in my arms and hold her until she stopped trembling and promise to keep her safe. Of course, my little niece needed no comfort. She held tight to Izzy’s hand, scowling at Kayzon and his guards with every bit of the fury possessed of a full-fledged Stranac warrior. I would die to protect them both.
A distinct possibility if Praxxan didn’t show up.
I could handle one Kerzak, maybe two… but all three of them? Not to mention, Izzy and Priemba might get hurt in the scuffle. I couldn’t risk it.
“Give over my property, mutt.”
The crowd gasped at the insult. I shot Kayzon a scowl as I glanced about, sizing up the situation. The throng held a few males who might have warrior training. Still, I knew better than to expect assistance, especially in a fight with a Kerzak. Plus, with all these people about, if I showed myself a true warrior, it would destroy the lazy playboy facade I’d spent so long developing, which could put my brother’s entire spy network at risk. I had to figure another way out of this.
If the crowd wasn’t so thick, running might be an option. Kerzak were big and strong but known to be clumsy and much slower than a Stranac. I didn’t know if humans moved fast, but Izzy was so small I could carry her and Priemba both. My eyes darted about, looking for an exit strategy when my gaze flickered over a tall Romvesian male holding tight to his mate. The sight of them reminded me of something—an old barely used Alliance law that just might get us out of this mess.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” I drawled, watching as Kayzon bristled at my suddenly calm demeanor.
“You stand against a lawful agreement?” Kayzon growled, his gaze narrowing on Izzy.
“Not exactly.” I reached back, letting my arm slip around Izzy’s waist. She trembled so violently it made her teeth chatter. Priemba stayed close to her side, still scowling. I forced myself to swallow down my fury. I would find a way to kill Kayzon for this, but not now. I plastered a smug smile on my face. “I just know that Alliance law is on my side in this matter.”
“Lies,” Kayzon grunted, folding enormous arms across his chest.
“No lies,” I countered, pulling Izzy even tighter against my side. “Your agreement is null and void.”
I raised my voice, wanting the witness of those around us.
“Izzy is my fated mate.”
Chapter 5 – Izzy
