Page 49 of Forbidden

Kiril spoke next. “Taber also says you feel that by not trying to stop the incident, you have committed a crime. Is this also true?”

Confused, Akahana blinked several times. “Of course. It is my responsibility to defend my mate if at all possible.” Tears formed in her eyes, and she brushed them aside angrily. “I was able to help. I simply didn’t.”

Mara stood and expelled an angry breath. “That’s just one more thing about the great Gothe’maran society you two need to change.”

Akahana was totally confused. What was she talking about?

Mikkarn crossed his arms over his lean torso. “Gamin Di’Var was a respected officer. I find it difficult to believe there isn’t more to the story than meets the eye. I seriously doubt he would intentionally hurt a member of his family, especially his mate.”

At the mention of “family,” Akahana remembered the little girl. “The child!” Her exclamation drew everyone’s attention back to her. “Did you find the girl child Gamin was…” she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence, suddenly ashamed.

Mara moved back to the bed and sat once again, taking Akahana’s hand and bringing it to her lips tenderly. “Yes. She’s fine. General Khan and his wife took her in, and she’s doing wonderfully.”

Akahana blanched. “General Khan.” The very name sent chills down her spine. Gamin had worked closely with the general in the past. If he was involved, her death might well be as bad as her life. “Gamin served with him. The general will not be pleased to hear of my role in Gamin’s death.”

“We will have to see. Khan is nothing if not fair.”

Taber stood then. “Perhaps there is more to the incident, but what I saw was not an honorable warrior.”

“I still find it hard to believe.” Kiril shook his head.

Taber took a threatening step toward Kiril, but Mara defused the situation with a snort. “Men are such pains in the ass sometimes, don’t you think?” Akahana didn’t know how to respond. In her reality, she would never have made such a remark. “What’s your name, dear?”

“Akahana.”

“Well, Akahana, let’s worry about all that later. Right now, I’d like to put you into a healing tube for a well patient scan.” She smiled. “Do you mind?”

“I --”

“You will release Senior First Lieutenant Gamin Di’Var’s mate immediately!” The booming, angry voice coming from the doorway across the room belonged to her mate’s first underofficer and closest friend, Davin Bakah. Akahana almost blanched, but managed to keep her expression neutral. This man wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. In fact, he’d probably consider it Gamin’s last wish if he found out she could have stopped his death.

Mara faced the huge warrior and looked like she would have advanced on him if Kiril had not held her back. “Wanna make me?”

“Mara,” Mikkarn hissed as he moved in front of the pair and addressed Davin. “Welcome to Earthside Medical Command. Is there something we can help you with?”

“I will take the woman back to Gothe’mar where Gamin has made arrangements for her care.”

“She has experienced severe trauma and is not well enough for travel. I regret she will have to remain in our care a while longer.” While Mikkarn was talking, the others were moving around Akahana. Especially Taber. The way the man clenched and unclenched his fists screamed violence, and the image of Taber beating the life from Gamin flashed through her mind. She whimpered.

“I must insist.” Davin’s gaze fixed on Akahana, and her insides froze. What had Gamin done? “She has been through the healing tube. She is ready to leave.”

“I’m afraid it isn’t that simple.” Mara shouldered her way to Mikkarn’s side. “It took three weeks in the tube to get her to this condition, and she still has a lot of healing to do. I’m not sure why, but she is rejecting the grafts and tissue regeneration. She’ll have to stay until we can figure out why.”

“It is not your concern, human.” Davin’s face contorted to an evil, hate-filled sneer. Akahana thought he would surely strike the small woman, but when the three warriors moved forward, Akahana began to realize that perhaps she needed to ask some questions. Mara was obviously protected zealously by her mates. But why would Taber rush to her rescue?

“She is the concern of Medical Command.” Mikkarn’s softly spoken voice held a wealth of menace. No one went against Medical Command. Only the highest officials in Military Command would evenquestionan order given by one in Medical.

“And as such,” Kiril spoke, clenching and unclenching his fists, “she is the concern of Military Command. I know you don’t want to go against both infrastructures.”

At first, Akahana thought Davin would argue the point and try to take her anyway. She could see the hatred in his eyes, which was something for a Gothe’maran. They were taught from childhood to suppress emotions -- especially the boys. Surprisingly, he backed down.

“Then I must insist on taking charge of her. You will do nothing without my permission, and she will go nowhere I am not allowed to follow.”

“She is not property,” Taber said softly. “Least of all yours.”

“She is the mate of my commanding officer and best friend. It is my responsibility anddutyto see to her safety now that he is gone.” To the casual observer, Davin’s face was probably an impeccable mask of non-emotion once again, but she saw the underlying menace. Davin would kill this human if he got the chance.

“Kiril.” Akahana’s head snapped toward the door and the new voice.

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