Page 5 of Retribution
His throat burned.
“I will find theummkkawho did this to you, wife,” he promised, “and I will make them suffer.” Video images had been captured of the human male who’d killed her, and it was only a matter of time before he was spotted again on a surveillance camera. Kall authorities were under orders to contact Zamek the moment they got a lead.
He straightened and continued gazing down at Shessema. They’d been married for but nine moon cycles. She was his second wife, and he could scarcely fathom that he’d been widowed yet again. Had the ancient gods cursed him?
A thick black sheet covered her body, concealing her wounds. He drew the cover down to get a better look, even though the sight made him sick to his stomach. He took note of each stab wound, resolving to make the human male who’d killed her suffer tenfold this amount.
Shessema. I’m sorry.
The words clogged in his throat. He should’ve been there to protect her. He should’ve known the area where they lived still wasn’t safe enough to enjoy a walk during the daytime.
As the post-war reconstruction efforts in DC had gotten underway, he had permitted her to walk to and from a nearby park, where she liked to gather with other Kall wives who’d come to Earth—wives of commanders and generals and ambassadors.
Fluxx. But it hadn’t been safe, even though Kall forces maintained a heavy presence on the streets. He ought to have hired a personal guard for her. Guilt ravaged him. Heartache pierced straight to his soul.
He covered Shessema back up and took several steps away, his hands clenching into fists. His wrist comm buzzed several times. When he finally checked the message, rage swelled within him.
SUSPECT HUMAN MICHAEL DENNIS FOUND DEAD
No. No no no.
A growl ripped from Zamek’s throat.
How cruel were the ancient gods, that he would be denied his revenge?
“I’m sorry, Shessema,” he said. “I am so sorry.” He said a prayer for her soul before finally departing the morgue. He would take her body back to planet Kall and bury her on the mountainside near their home.
In a daze, he walked the darkened streets, to the house on the outskirts of DC that he’d briefly shared with his new wife.
Knowing that he would likely stay on Earth for several moon cycles, even once the humans surrendered, he had opted to bring Shessema with him. Many high-ranking officers in the Kall army had brought their wives and children with them. Unable to bear parting with her, he had done the same, believing that she would be safe, believing that the humans’ inferior weapons would pose no threat even while the battle still raged.
But now she was gone, her life taken by a dishonorable human male. A male Zamek couldn’t even torture since he was already dead.
He arrived home to find Ambassador Merokk waiting on his doorstep. The former Kall commander looked subdued and nodded deeply in Zamek’s direction.
“General Zamek, I am very sorry for your loss, and I am also sorry that the human scum who took your wife’s life has died before you could exact your vengeance, as is your right.” Merokk, who was an old friend of Zamek’s, stood underneath the porchlights.
“Do you know how Michael Dennis died? Did someone else kill him?”
“I regret to inform you that he took his own life. His body was found in a river not far from here. A surveillance video was discovered that showed him jumping off a bridge and into the water.” Merokk frowned and shook his head. “Every Kall I’ve spoken to is deeply shocked by the events of today. We had no idea anyone involved in the rebel cause would strike out at one of our females. It was a cowardly act.” The ambassador looked as though he wanted to say more but was holding back.
“What else do you know?” Zamek demanded, coming face to face with his friend. At this hour, there was no one else on the street. Their conversation would remain private.
“May I come in?” Merokk asked. “I have more information, but I also have a favor to ask of you, General.”
Zamek scoffed. “A favor? I’ve just lost my wife to a murderous human and you wish to ask a favor of me? Have you no honor?”
“It is honor that has brought me to your doorstep,” Merokk replied. “Please, let us talk inside. I will explain everything.”
With a growl of frustration, Zamek entered the code to unlock his door, then he burst inside and gestured for Merokk to follow. If any other male had shown up on his doorstep, he would have sent them away. But Merokk had saved his life in battle once, over ten years ago in the war against the Terussaks, and Zamek could not rightfully turn his trusted comrade away. Zamek was also curious about Merokk’s presence here and wished to learn the information the former warrior possessed.
Once they reached the sitting room, Zamek went straight for the liquor, even passing the strong Kall wine he usually favored. He poured himself a generous glass and lifted it to his lips, downing the contents in one quick but large swallow. He refilled his glass and finally turned to face Merokk.
“What? What information do you have, Ambassador? You claim honor has brought you to my doorstep, but you are remaining infuriatingly silent and if you do not speak soon, I will throw you out on the street.”
“Michael Dennis had a wife.”
Bloodlust surged through Zamek. He emitted a growl of satisfaction as dark, savage impulses rose within him. The murderer had a wife, someone else who might quench his need for vengeance. “This is fortunate news,” he replied, contemplating a hundred different ways he might make the human female suffer before eventually granting her the merciful release of death.
