Page 94 of Lorran
“Understood,” Lorran answered.
Paax faced Lorran. “And how is your huntress?”
That surprised him. He had kept from mentioning Wyn during his report, yet Paax somehow had heard the story of Wyn’s hunt. “Remarkable. She created a distraction which allowed us to board the ship to leave Etes 3.”
“Mylomon seemed impressed.”
Lorran wanted to crow with delight. He knew it. All the warriors were jealous, and Mylomon was his friend. Probably. “Sir, my mate’s presence during the mission—”
“Was a technical mix-up. Yes. We figured out on our end. Or did you believe so many females randomly appear that we cannot keep track?”
“I think she will be glad when the mission is complete,” Lorran said. Wyn had not complained once during their stay on the Etes 3 base, but he could tell how much she appreciated the comforts of a modern station.
“I expect your parents will want to meet her. You should take that trip.”
A cold chill washed over him. His mother would be delighted to have another daughter. Of that, he had no doubt, but Paax was not interested in Lorran’s mother’s happiness. “Ah, I wondered when you would hint at my father’s involvement.”
“Learn what you can. Make no accusations. You have a brother on the Council too.”
“Mene is the enforcer, not a member,” Lorran said. Mene was little more than the Council’s mercenary, but the position exposed him to sensitive information.
Damn it all to the darks of space. Lorran rubbed the base of his horns, tired down to his soul. This was meant to be a simple rescue mission, but it had changed. He could not be expected to casually ask his father or brother over family dinner if they were part of a conspiracy to fund illegal research because the Suhlik were encroaching and would attack again, possibly launching a full-scale invasion, and it was rather inconvenient to have the Council fighting itself. “This will be…complicated.”
“Figure it out, warrior,” the warlord said.
He didn’t want much, did he?
“Sir,” Mylomon interrupted again. His hubris in interrupting the warlord astounded Lorran, but Paax waited, head cocked to one side and listening. “Lorran is emotionally compromised for this mission. He will be unable to give an unbiased assessment of his father and brother.”
“That is true. I am full of bias,” Lorran said. Paax tossed him a sharp look, and Lorran felt the disapproval despite the light years separating them.
“He will naturally want to believe in the innocence of his father, and I do not trust that he has the strength of character to resist that temptation,” Mylomon said. “It would be better to send another. Perhaps Ren. It is not yet known that he joined theJudgment.”
“Very well,” Paax said, then ended the call.
Lorran turned to Mylomon. “Strength of character?”
The male glanced down, as if uncomfortable, which was ridiculous because clearly they were the best of friends. “You want to believe the best of your father. That is natural.”
“You saw that the warlord gave me an impossible task, and you fixed it. For me.” Lorran beamed.
Mylomon’s eyes went wide. “I want the mission to succeed. For the clan.”
“For me, because we are friends and friends help each other.”
Mylomon grumbled a reply that was not a denial.
* * *
He foundhis mate in Saavi’s room. The medical facility stank of disinfectant and death, but the odor seemed to be concentrated in the room. His mate’s natural fresh, clean scent vanished beneath a chemical smell.
She and the youth, Mikah, sat on the floor, drawing colors and shapes onto pieces of paper. He had a glimpse of their future, of Wyn with their son—sons, if he had his way—and the quiet peace of their home. He wanted that. More than anything. The warlord’s words echoed in his memory.
How far would a male go to protect his mate, his sons, and family?
Lorran suspected there was no distance too far. He needed to speak with his father, but Mylomon had been correct. Lorran could not be objective. He would have to patiently wait for Ren to complete his investigation.
Wyn looked up, a smile spreading across her face. Then it vanished, replaced with concern. “Long day?”
