Page 34 of Alien Haven

Mitag directed his interest to Jennifer, Ilid, and Detodev. “That leaves us, my fine friends. It got rave reviews in the neighboring districts. It’s supposed to be hilarious. I can get tickets if we decide to go. Dinner first, maybe drinks after the show?”

“It sounds like a laugh. I’m in,” Ilid said.

“Is it really what passes as culture here?” Jennifer groused. “What I wouldn’t do for an actual dance club. Except you spoilsport Kalquorians don’t dance.”

Mitag’s brilliant smile fell an octave. “The show’s a chance at some new entertainment. I thought it might be fun.”

Detodev noted Jennifer, who had struck him as empathetic to others’ feelings if not alwayssympathetic, wasn’t picking up on the Imdiko’s disappointment. She was too shaken from what had happened, he guessed.

Her reticence was shared by Sara, who eyed her worriedly. “Maybe going out isn’t such a wise idea. Sticking close to home might be better.”

As Ilid and Mitag registered surprise, Groteg at last updated them on the situation. “Someone got up to mischief on the farm today. Jennifer surprised him while he was messing around in the barn. It was apparently someone who shouldn’t have beenthere. Possibly a thief, I suppose. He attacked her. She fought him and got free.”

At the Dramok’s and Imdiko’s shocked exclamations, Groteg shot Detodev a glance. Maybe he suspected the younger Nobek had suspicions about the story of a would-be robber. Detodev guessed Groteg was warning him to keep such concerns to himself.

Definitely something weird going on where Jennifer’s concerned.

“Detodev was in the vicinity when he heard her call for help, and he came to the rescue,” Groteg continued smoothly. “The person ran off, and Jennifer wasn’t harmed. She’s a little rattled, nonetheless.”

“Good for you, Detodev.” Ilid praised.

“Too bad you didn’t catch him,” Mitag snarled. “Imagine attacking a woman. He deserved the full measure of a Nobek’s wrath for such an act.”

Detodev’s stomach twisted. He ignored Groteg’s regard and the elder man’s uplifted brow. “At least she’s okay,” he muttered.

“A night out and a silly show, whether it’s good or not, is an excellent idea,” Utber suddenly opined. “In my view, the last thing you should do once something bad happens is let it stop you from normal activities.”

“I agree,” Groteg said. “Jennifer, if you want to see the show, who better to be in the company of than three strong Kalquorian men? I can’t imagine what happened today repeating in public, especially if your friends don’t let you out of their sight.”

Again, his gaze swung to Detodev. His stare was challenging.

It was the elder Nobek’s assertion no trouble was apt to happen in public that offered the younger man the space to nod. “If Jennifer wishes to attend the play and it’ll help her feel safer, I’ll go along as well.”

“The same goes for me,” Ilid quickly added. “We’ll see to it no jerk keeps you from enjoying yourself, Jennifer.”

The strain she’d worn like a mask evaporated in the face of their protectiveness. Her smile was nearly its usual brightness. “The show does sound worth checking out. I guess you’d better make good on those tickets, Mitag.”

“Done.” The Imdiko grinned. “I might be categorized as a caregiver, but you have my promise of protection too…after the Nobek and Dramok soften up our enemies.”

Detodev’s laugh joining the rest had a hoarse quality. Thank the ancestors it was doubtful anyone would try to harm Jennifer at the theater. The last thing he wanted to do was show how ill-suited he was when it came to fending off adversaries.

* * * *

Wilkes couldn’t sit still in the aftermath of his failed attempt to grab the Nath woman. Despite the ache of his groin where she’d managed her lucky shot, he paced his casual but nicely furnished living room, snarling at his bad luck.

On top of it all, he’d run from Nobek Detodev, a known coward. He hadn’t realized who’d raced to Charity’s rescue until he’d already fled into the trees, where he’d hidden to see if he’d been identified. Detodev’s face in the barn’s rear window, peering to see where the quarry had escaped to, had nearly incited him to emerge and issue a challenge. Had it not been for the rising excited voices telling him others had arrived on the scene, he might have. Despite the Nobek’s furious expression, Wilkes hadn’t been impressed. He was as big and strong as the young Kalquorian farmer…and he didn’t slink from confrontations like a beaten cur as Detodev was notorious for.

“I had her,” he snarled to the room, kept clean and tidy by a woman he’d hired to make it so once a week. “My first real chance to do something worthwhile against the Kalqs and Kalqlovers, and I blew it. I had the traitor’s bitch daughter, and she got away!”

He’d ranted and raged for nearly an hour, and he could feel the passion of his anger depleting. It was a letdown and a gift: the part of him rarely allowed to vent wanted nothing more than to continue to wallow in ire. Yet Wilkes knew it would take a clearer head to cut his losses and begin anew.

At least no one had identified him. If they had, Groteg would have broken down his door already. Perhaps Nath thought she’d been accosted by a Kalquorian. A few local human men were near Wilkes’ size and strength, but they were a scant minority. It stood to reason she’d surmise some lusty Kalquorian man had been lying in wait for her, eager to rape yet another degenerate human woman. It was what they were infamous for, after all.

It would have served her right if I had been one of those beasts.Wilkes thought of her lying helpless under him, of her cries and tears as he taught her the error of her sinful ways. He enjoyed the idea of just payment for her and her father’s transgressions, though his aching groin found no sensual thrill in it.

The vision of Charity Nath suffering what she deserved at his hands leeched the last of Wilkes’ blinding rage. He eased into his favorite overstuffed chair. He shifted until he found a comfortable position, ready to contemplate the next step.

“They may suspect she’s been found out,” he told the room with its cozy seating arrangement in front of a top-of-the-line entertainment system, on which he enjoyed football games and movies. Talking out loud had always helped him think matters through better. “I’ve lost the element of surprise, perhaps. Groteg will be on the alert for further attempts in the immediate future.”

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