Page 60 of Her Alien Cyborgs
Even without augmented hearing, she caught the wordabominationmuttered several times.
Kalan and Fyr’enth had moved to flank her as they entered, and now they spread their wings protectively, forming a shield across all their backs.
Neha ignored the outburst and rose to her feet. Her smile was as perfect as the rest of her, but it also seemed genuine, if a little uncertain.
Phaedra was right. This empress lacked confidence. Never a good thing in a leader.
“You are welcome,” Neha said. “I am Neha, your empress.”
Both of her escorts came to a halt. “I am Kalan. This is Fyr’enth. We appreciate your welcome, but we want to make something clear. We are not your subjects.”
This time, the masks slipped, and several of the courtiers shot hermahoyenugly, hate-filled looks.
“What?” Neha stammered but then composed herself. “Explain yourselves.”
As much as it pained her, Hezza stayed quiet. This was something that her mates had to do themselves. If she spoke for them, she’d rob them of their chance to speak their truth and set the terms for everything that came after.
Fyr’enth spoke next. “Our genetics may be Vardarian, but we are not from your empire. We were not raised there, and we have no understanding of your culture or values. We are cyborgs, and we claim that as our lineage. While some of us may wish to become your subjects in the future, my brother and I do not.”
“This is unexpected.” Neha’s eyes were narrowed and her lips were pressed thin, but she seemed more confused than anything else.
Barrios spoke next. “You heard them. They denied that they were Vardarian. Therefore, they cannot claim the empire’s protection. That means my claim for custody should be acknowledged.”
“No,” Kalan and Fyr’enth spoke together.
Hezza couldn’t tell if they were addressing the empress, the colonel, or both at once.
A female Hezza had never seen before stood up from the table. She’d been seated by the leadership council, but she wasn’t one of the members. She was tall for a human, but then Hezza caught the glint of something metal beneath the fall of her chestnut hair. Was she a cyborg?
“I think you all need to hear what I’ve got to say. First, I should introduce myself. My name is Chance, and I’m a cyborg with a specific skill set. Unlike my brethren, I wasn’t made to fight wars.” She smiled sadly. “I was made to predict who would win them.”
Chance. Hezza knew the name and the story of the cyborg it belonged to. She’d left Haven early, fleeing back to a space station where her agoraphobia wouldn’t be triggered every time she stepped outside her door. Chance had found her way to The Drift and Astek Station, where she’d joined with other members of the cyborg resistance.
“I know who you are.” Barrios sneered. “And what you are. Why are you here?”
“I was invited.” She indicated the group from Haven. “They know me and my abilities. They asked me to come here and help them with this situation. I can do calculations that no one else can, and I’ve finished my analysis.” She looked at Hezza, and hersmile widened. “I really think you should listen to what I have to say.”
“Speak,” Neha said. Then she looked chagrined. “Sorry, brother. I forgot my place. This is your domain, not mine.”
Tyran waved her apology off. “I’d like to hear what Chance has to say, too.”
“As you all know, DNA samples were taken from the Vardarian cyborgs still in cryo-pods. Upon their arrival, Kalan and Fyr’enth were also asked to provide samples. I have the results, and they match my predictions. All the cyborgs recovered from Orio Station carry DNA from multiple Vardarian sources. However, one of them is relevant to the several parties present today. Every cyborg removed from the station carries genetic material from the Varosa family line. Tyran and Neha, I would like to introduce you to the newest members of your family.”
Family? Hezza had expected things to get complicated over the course of this meeting, but she’d never imaginedthis.
“We have family?” Fyr’enth’s question was more whisper than sound.
Around them, questions were shouted, and several Vardarians protested in obvious outrage.
It was hard to hear through the chaos, but she heard words liketravesty,abomination, and others just as vile.
Finally, Tyran had had enough. “This is a family matter!” His voice boomed like thunder. “Everyone else leave!”
He quickly turned to Chance and added, “Thank you, Chance. We’ll talk soon.”
“Of course.” The cyborg moved away, shadowed by a blond, dangerous-looking human male.
“I’m not leaving until I get some answers!” Barrios’s voice had risen to something uncomfortably close to a toddler’s wail when they didn’t get the cookie they wanted.
