Page 59 of Taken to Lemora
“I’m not saying anything!”
She shrieks and grabs hold of my arm so tight that her blunt little claws form half moons on my thick skin. “Oh my stars oh my stars oh my stars, is it true? Is it?”
“Is what true?”
“That he’s truly taken a half-Drakesh, half-human female for a mate? A female who is the same hybrid as me?”
“Perhaps,” I offer. It’s all that I’ll offer. I’m not going to ruin the surprise any more than Bebette already has. She opens her mouth, but I clap my palm over her soft, tantalizing lips. “Now, enough of that talk! I’ll not say any more about human hybrids!”
Her jumping stills and her hands fall off my arm. I release her mouth and she licks her lips. Now, it’s her turn to give me a funny look. “But what about the meeting scheduled for later this solar? I won’t be permitted to attend? I thought it might have something to do with Raku and his mate. At least, that’s what Bebette thought. That’s the only reason she told me…”
“What? What meeting?”
“There is an Egama battleship in need of repairs. It had just docked at clan Bebette when I left to come find you. They have a hybrid-human on board.”
My gut sours immediately. Immediately. I don’t even question the foul sensations my mate’s revelation stirs. This isn’t right. I know it. And my instincts are never wrong. Never. I’m clan chief for a reason.
A protective flare grips me and I immediately step closer to Essmira while shouting out for Gorman. “Gorman, I need you.”
The male must be alerted to something in my tone because he looks up with a frown and immediately abandons the cluster of Rekkaru he’d been helping unload supplies from their cart. He stops in front of us, gaze focusing on my hand as it slides around Essmira’s waist.
“Is everything alright Raingar? Miriga?” All four of the fins sticking out of the sides of his head simultaneously twitch.
“Do you know of the Egama battleship that docked on Lemora? Essmira says it docked with Bebette.”
“Nob, I… Do you want me to check the holo screens and see if Bebette or the other clan chiefs are available?” I hate using the holo screens and almost never do, preferring to send a messenger or go directly to the other keeps myself, if urgent.
“Maybe, it’s best if you go…”
“Are you speaking of the Egama?” It’s one of the Rekkaru. He’s newer to our planet, a recent addition to my clan after he relocated from Kor, and he hasn’t fully picked up Lemoran yet. “I come from there now. Bebette entertain two Egama while kintarr…” He searches for a word, wings flapping animatedly behind him. Many other villagers in my great hall have stopped moving and are listening in. “Fuel. Kintarr for ship.”
I frown, gut hardening along with my grip on Essmira’s waist. I think back to the Egama warriors I fought for her, not liking their presence on our planet, even though stopping by for a refuel is not an uncommon occurrence.Something isn’t right with this.
“Did you hear anything about a human on board?”
“Hoomayn? What is hoomayn?”
Essmira waves her hand and offers the Rekkaru a bright, bright smile. “I am. I am half human-half Drakesh.”
The Rekkaru male stares at her with globes for eyes. “Apologies! I nob offense meaning.”
“Nob! Not at all.” Essmira offers him a Lemoran greeting, catching the air and bringing it to her chest. “You did not offend me. Humans are not a known species in the Quadrants. I just hoped to be able to travel to Bebette’s keep and find out for myself if the rumors circulating the village are true.”
For the first time in my life, I regret that we have not adopted the life drives of the Voraxians or the yeeyar tokens of the pirates. Even the Eshmiri use outdated yamar to communicate with one another among the stars, but we do most of our talking in person. Only when we need to barter transactions do we go to our holo screens and I know that Bebette won’t be at hers if she’s entertaining off-world guests at present. I rub my chin and look down into my mates hopeful face.How can I tell her nob?
Something is wrong.
The thought penetrates again and I do something I haven’t done in the past nineteen solars that we’ve been getting along. I deny her. “Essmira, I need you to…” I choke, start over. “Could I ask you to wait here while I go to Bebette and see about our recent arrivals?”
She blinks, looking confused, and then frowns, looking heartbroken and frustrated. “I thought Gorman was going? Can’t I go along? I’m just as respected…” she winces. “Aren’t I?”
“Nob! Nob, Essmira.” And then I realize what I’ve said and grab either side of my face and wrench down. “Nob, that isn’t what I meant. Of course, you’re respected, I’m just…There’s just…I don’t have a good feeling about this. That’s why I’m not sending either of you. I’m going myself. I’m worried that it could be related to the Egama I slighted in Quadrant One. If they have another human, maybe he was desperate. Maybe they still are. Maybe…I…I don’t know! I just don’t know. But I don’t feel good.”
Her eyes widen a fraction and her face gets deathly pale. “Tyto,” she whispers and the horror on her face is enough for me to feel her fear.
“It isn’t Tyto. Our sensors check for life forms. They would have detected him early and Bebette would know never to let him touch down onto Lemoran soil. You’re safe from him.”
She nods, but her eyes are distant. She shakes her head. “Al…alright. I’ll stay here. But could you send a messenger for me if the human is available to speak to me?”
