Page 52 of Alien Engineer's Mate

Eira's hand trembled as she reached for the door control. The knock came again, more insistent.

The door slid open to reveal a massive warrior filling the entrance, and for one heart-stopping moment, she thought security had come back. He didn't push into the room, and his expression was filled with concern, his hands open at his sides. She might only be human and not up on the ways of the many species in the intergalactic community, but she recognized a gesture of peace when she saw one.

"Can I help you?" she asked, curiosity filling her as she looked up at him.

He wasn't like any Latharian warrior she'd seen before. He didn't have long hair for a start; instead, it was flaming orange and cut high into a quiff. Eyes the same color studied her steadily.

"Lady Coleman." He inclined his head. "May I enter? My name is Kirr. I'm here to help."

"He's Papa's friend," Emily piped up from the couch. "He brings me treats sometimes."

"Indeed, hello poppet," the big warrior's fierce expression split into a smile as he spotted Emily. He offered Eira his hand. "Formally, I am War-Commander Kirr M'Aab. I'm a friend of Maax's. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Coleman. I only wish it was under better circumstances."

"Me too," she replied, shaking his hand. "Please, come in."

"Thank you," Kirr stepped inside, his movements measured. "I wanted to come personally rather than sending a message. What they're doing to Maax... it's wrong, and I have information that might help."

The door slid shut behind him with a soft hiss. In the domestic setting of Eira's quarters, his warrior's frame seemed even more imposing. There was something in his expression—concern, maybe even fear—that made her stomach clench.

"How bad is it?" she asked quietly.

His jaw worked for a moment. "They're saying he hid his purist father and used training from his B'Kaar grandmother to manipulate the genetic records of the mate program to gain access to a human mate. Since the B'Kaar created the matching system, Security thinks he's a purist plant."

"That's ridiculous." The words burst from her before she could stop them. "He would never?—"

"There's more," Kirr said. "Maax has been investigating irregularities in the mate program algorithms. Off the books." He paused, running a hand through his orange hair. "Vaarn, the station's chief engineer, knew about the investigation. But it looks bad. They're going to make it look like he's investigating or even using his investigation to bring down the program."

Tisshel and Sheenara exchanged glances.

"Don't worry," Kirr said, his gaze locking onto Eira. "This will work out. We won't let them take him from you."

"Kirr!" Emily reached for him with the hand not holding Red Dragon. The huge warrior crouched down in front of where she sat on the sofa. Reaching out, his hand engulfed the little girl's completely, and Eira saw his expression soften.

"Promise you'll bring Papa back?" Emily asked in a small voice.

"Warrior's oath, little one." Kirr smiled as he squeezed her hand. "Your papa is too stubborn to go down without a fight, and so are we."

Tisshel and Sheena returned to the table, working in focused silence, their talons clicking against datapads as they murmured to each other in rapid-fire legal terms that made her head spin. She caught fragments about precedents and statutes, but her attention was on Emily's drooping eyelids and Grace's poorly hidden yawns.

"I think it's bedtime for these two," she said softly, leaning in to gather both girls closer.

Emily's head shot up in panic. "No! I want to stay up. I want to help Papa!"

"The best way to help your papa is to be rested for tomorrow." Tisshel looked up from her work, her expression gentle. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, little star."

"She's right," Kirr added. "All warriors need their rest before battle."

Emily's lower lip trembled. "What if they take him away while I'm sleeping?"

The question hit Eira right in the gut. She pulled Emily into her lap, wrapping her arms around both girls. "That's not going to happen, sweetheart.We're going to make sure of it."

Grace pressed closer, her small hand finding Emily's. "You can sleep in my room. Like a sleepover."

Eira's heart squeezed at her daughter's attempt to comfort her friend. Emily hesitated, then nodded, though her grip on Red Dragon remained white-knuckled.

"Come on then." Eira stood, keeping both girls close. "Let's get you settled."

Grace's room felt like a sanctuary after the tension in the living area. The girls climbed into bed together, Emily still clutching Red Dragon while Grace arranged her stuffed bear just so. She tucked the blankets around them both, trying to project a calm she didn't feel.

---