Page 14 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“Do not pay that worthless male any attention. He will no longer bother you.”

“Lewis isn’t one to forgive or forget.” No one has accused him outright, for fear of retribution, but bad things have happened to those he believes have wronged him.

“Then he will regret anything he might do.”

I study Rojtar. He’s actually serious. For maybe the first time since Lewis put me in his sights, I relax. I’ve seen what the Tavikhi warriors can do, and if anyone can stand up to that jerk, it’s one of them.

I still can’t help but feel like there’s some catch.

“Why are you doing this?” I gesture in a vague way. “Following me? Protecting me? Helping me? What do you get out of it?”

Those bones above his eyes shift downward at the corners. “I am only doing what an honorable male would do. There is nothing I ‘get out of it’ except knowing I have done a good thing that has hopefully made someone else’s life a little easier.”

We head through the gate and walk across the field outside of the settlement into the trees. The sun is directly overhead and rays of light sneak through the canopy above us warming the air. Carter has remained a few steps behind Rojtar and me, but a quick glance back confirms he’s lagged a bit farther behind. I stop and wait for him to catch up. He’s breathing heavier than normal.

“Give me that.” I reach out and take his duffel from him. He must be more tired than he appears, because he gives it up without any fuss.

When Rojtar opens his mouth, I hold up my palm. “You’ve got enough to carry with my trunk. I can handle this. But thanks,” I tack on begrudgingly.

“As you say.”

Since I lightened his load, Carter keeps pace with us as we trek through the trees. Most of the path is obvious, as it’s been worn from travel, but there are a few trails that veer off in a different direction that are just as bare. I’m not sure where they lead—if anywhere—or if they’re meant to throw people off and redirect them away from the Tavikhi village.

“Have you met Talek, yet?” Rojtar breaks the silence and speaks to Carter.

“No, but the one lady—London, I think—mentioned him last night.”

The Tavikhi nods. “He, Bazel, and Cecily are near to your age, I believe.”

“Cecily? That sounds like a human name.”

Rojtar grins. “It is. She is one of several human kits who live in our village. Talek and she are good friends. I am sure they are happy to have another. Beware in the sparring arena though. Cecily may be a female, but she has been learning and is quite skilled.”

“Carter won’t be sparring.” He’s too young.

We step over a large root lying across the path, and several small chipmunk like animals chitter in anger and scurry away.

“Abby,” my brother whines.

I turn my head toward him. “Don’t Abby me. You don’t need to be fighting. What happens if you get hurt?”

He stomps ahead of us with a glare. I sigh in frustration.

“At the risk of making you angrier, sparring is not always the same as fighting,” Rojtar points out. “It is often done for fun, and all of the kits do it. Carter is a young male who will soon be a grown one. I understand how difficult that might be for you, but it is happening no matter how much we might wish otherwise.”

I hate that he’s right. I can’t keep treating my brother like a child, but I also don’t want him to grow up. If only he could stay young longer. “Do you have kids?”

Rojtar shakes his head, his expression flat and solemn. “Deeka has not blessed me with a mate or kits yet. But I look forward to the day she does.”

“Deeka?”

“She is our goddess. The one who provides for us and blesses us with all that we need.”

I’ve never been a religious person. In fact, I don’t even believe there is any higher power or being. It’s something people make up so they can feel better about the choices they do or don’t make. So they can take comfort in thinking there’s a greater world out there that’s bigger than them and there’s some magical land they get to go to when they die.

“You have the look of someone who does not believe such a being could exist,” Rojtar says.

I startle at his perception and the lack of judgment in his tone. I’m a bit surprised by the fact. I figured he’d be all holier than thou and offended by the fact I don’t have the same beliefs. “Let’s just say life has taught me to be a realist and only believe in things I can see, touch, and smell.”

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