Page 69 of Master
Mei rolled her eyes. "Atkins is a hypochondriac. If he thinks there's an opening for him to act sick and gain sympathy... he will."
I gnawed my lip, trying to tamp the gnawing sense of responsibility. "I could get Tarook to come with me. We can just say we're checking on everyone."
Mei's expression plainly said she expected my effort was not worth the trouble.
"I won't be long," I promised.
"Don't you dare go alone," she warned. "Go find Tarook and tell Bartholomeus…." Her cheeks burned brighter as she added. "Tell Bartholomeus I'll make supper for all of us."
I gave her a quick hug before rushing up the stairs and out of the cottage. Tarook lingered at the gym. I could snatch him and backtrack to where Mayor Parlow's house lay a few blocks east. My feet halted at the intersection. To the right would take me to the gym… to the left, to Mayor Parlow's house.
The sun was high in a pure blue sky, dotted here and there by the flapping wings of birds serenading pale pink and white fuffy clouds. People meandered along the streets, gathering their bearings after days of being the equivalent to comatose. It turned out to be a beautiful day.
My feet turned right, then paused as a wash of shame tickled at the edges of my psyche. Sure, Mei didn't want me to go alone, but based her hesitation on the mayor's lecherousbehavior at the harvest potluck, no doubt. I'd been a stripper, for heaven's sake. I knew how to deal with a leach. Honestly, I was just the tiniest bit afraid Tarook might see Parlow leer at me and punch him.
It was just a wellness check, no different from checking up on a truant student. I'd just pop my head in long enough to make sure he hadn't coughed himself to death. If Parlow still coughed, or I discovered him face down in the dirt, I'd get the doctor. Then I'd collect Tarook from the gym, and we wouldn't have a visit to the mayor casting a cloud on what I planned to be a wonderfully romantic evening.
I turned left, practically skipping, intending to check on the mayor as soon as possible and return to the man I loved.
Chapter 16
Tarook
Despite the darkening sky, the golden glow of lights peeking through pulled curtains brightened the village. Merry voices and laughter, faint despite my advanced hearing, told of people moving forward, putting the mumje incident behind them.
Humans were an exceptionally resilient species.
My footsteps slowed, reveling in the evidence that the cure worked. I felt my mouth curl into a smile of pride and affection. Clara had no clue the magnitude of what she'd accomplished.
With Bartholomeus' communication equipment, I'd contacted the Bardaga with the news. While the ship remained a few days away from Tau Ceti, my Chieftain planned to notify the Alliance promptly of this discovery and cautiously issue a warning. We still didn't know who committed the attack. Peacekeeper Munroe was of a like mind to my Chieftain and found me at the general store, asking for a detailed recap of everything I recalled up until the time the mumje deployed. Everything that might point to a guilty party seemed purelycircumstantial. We knew the Aljani ran the mumje mining on the Gilese moon. There wasn't an Aljani on Tau Ceti, except Sarbin, who'd lived here for the last ten years after escaping indenture by Duke Ako's armies.
I raised my eyes to the heavens, greeted by faint twinkling stars. If the enemy orbited, the Bardaga would take care of them upon arrival. My only worry lay in thoughts that the danger may already be planet-side. Tau Ceti was half the size of Earth but still big enough for an enemy to hide. Once the Bardaga arrived, they could deep scan the planet. Until then, I would remain vigilant.
What would Clara think of the Bardaga?
Of course, she'd be happy to see her friends, but would she be amenable to calling the warship her home?
My heart hammered in response, almost fearful at the thought. She'd settled in my bones. Settled so deeply, I didn't consider any folly of leaving her side... ever. I didn't know what a weapons master might do on a peaceable planet. After the mumje attack, shoring up the planet's defenses would definitely be one thing. My life and career centered around being aboard the Bardaga, but I'd walk away without a second thought if she asked.
Although I claimed her as my mate in pretense, they were the truest words I'd ever uttered.
The scent of succulent braised meat hit my nostrils when I stepped through the garden gate. I'd tried to get Bartholomeus to come with me to Mei's, but he'd hesitated without an invitation. I suspected the male needed to understand what happened to him and Mei during the mumje attack. It wasapparent the Romvesian had formed a mate bond with the small human. Still, no male wanted a woman to come to him out of fear or gratitude, and even I worried Mei's recent change might be owing to that.
I stepped into the cottage, the fragrance making my mouth water.
"That smells delicious," I said, following my nose to the kitchen at the back of the house. Mei stood alone, stirring a large steaming pot. I suspected Clara to be in the lab, but a fissure of worry traveled up my spine at noticing her absence.
Mei glanced past me, the upward curve of her lips turning down. "Why didn't Bartholomeus come back with you?"
“Bartholomeus is proud. He did not want to come without a proper invitation." Perhaps Mei's recent behavior towards Bartholomeus suggested deeper feelings after all.
"I issued an invitation. Clara was supposed to invite him for dinner when she came to meet you." Mei gave an aggravated huff, forlornly staring the steaming pot.
The fissure turned into a flame.
Clara? I haven't seen Clara since Bartholomeus and I returned to the gymnasium." A tingle raced over my skin, akin to the feeling I got amid battle, signifying something had gone amiss. My heart began beating so fast I wondered if Mei heard it hammering, even with her delicate human ears.
The small female turned from the stove, her dark eyes wide and worried.
