Page 23 of Chieftain
Why did that delicious little shiver dance up my spine at the idea of someone thinking I was Khaion's mate?
Get a grip, Emmy!
I glanced up at Khaion. His eyes swept over my face, the curve of his lips tilting upward in a smile that made him devilishly handsome.
There goes that tingle up my spine again.
When the lift doors slid open, my tingle fizzled with the sight of thousands of aliens milling around an area that reminded me of Underground Atlanta. The miasma of thousands of creatures with different body odors crammed into an enclosed space was overwhelming. I slapped my hand over my mouth and nose, but not before gagging.
"I would tell you to hold your breath, but I don't want you fainting at an inopportune moment," Khaion murmured.
“Can I put my nose in your armpit?” I quipped, breathing through my mouth. The miasma became a taste that was so much worse.
Khaion was laughing when he pulled me out into the fray.
Traipsing through the alien horde was easier than I expected. For starters, Khaion stood head and shoulders above most of them. Other aliens moved out of our path after one glance, whispers ofVaktaireorVakdripping with respect and awe audible as we passed. A few trembled with fear, especially those unlucky enough to step too close to me and be on the receiving end of Khaion's warning growl. I didn't blame anyone for their reaction. Khaion exuded masculinity, strength, and an air of dangerousness that was as enticing as intimidating. Dressed in a sleeveless vest and tightly fitted pants in the alien version of leather, he looked every bit the warrior, right down to the sharp point of his silver-toed black boots.
It took less than fifteen minutes to reach Dixa's. The place reminded me of one of those diners from the fifties or sixties—all bright colors and flashing neon signs. Inside was more somber, with low tables, booths for seating, and a long bar taking up the far wall. Most of the seating looked like chairs from Earth, but scattered about were oddly shaped contraptions possibly meant to accommodate aliens without butts. Music played that, despite the strange twang of alien instruments, was appealing, and the stench of unwashed bodies gave way to something I would swear smelled like a strawberry daiquiri.
Eyes flickered in our direction when the door creaked open, heralding our entrance. Like outside, most of the attention went to Khaion, save for the table of grizzly bears that only had eyes for me.
Well, they looked like grizzly bears. Even seated, I could tell they were massive creatures. The bodies were human-shaped with two legs and two arms, except for a long thick furry tail. The face was bear-like, with a snout that held the shape of a bear while being pushed flush to the face as though someone had punched their nose flat. Short dark brown fur covered every part of the body, save for the center of the face. The skin around the dark eyes, black nose, and black lips was as pale as mine. Six of them sat at one table, and the screech of every chair turning in my direction was unnerving. Black eyes narrowed, and broad nostrils twitched—there would be no hiding I was a human from this bunch.
“Kerzak,” Khaion’s lips were so close to my ear it gave me a start. “Stay far away from them.”
My hand clutched tighter to his, and I wrapped my other hand around his bicep, scooting closer.
Khaion led us to the other side of the room, making our way toward the bar occupied by a conglomeration of odd-looking aliens—a blob of jelly with arms, legs, eyes, and mouth. Something resembling a cross between a honeybee and a hedgehog sat next to a salamander in a three-piece suit. Pale skinny things with gray skin, long arms, hands, and inverted triangle heads holding huge dark eyes. They nodded in greeting to Khaion as we approached, giving me a polite incline of thehead. I thought they were our contacts until the lion at the end of the bar looked up and smiled.
The Wizard of Oz was my favorite childhood movie; this creature looked like the cowardly lion made flesh. The face was an amalgamation of lion and human with sharp lines and a mouthful of wickedly pointed teeth. He was as big and broad as Khaion, with a long lion-esque tail ending with a tawny puff of fur. Despite having five fingers, his hands were lion shaped, only with elongated digits tipped with sharp black claws. The mane flowing back from his forehead brought a rush of jealousy. It was a tawny blonde rolling in perfect waves over his shoulders. I thought of the mess of curls stuffed under my hood with an aggravated grunt. The lion-man was dressed in a long leather jacket, leather pants, and brightly embroidered brocade vest—rather prissy duds for a lion.
“Khaion!” He greeted, throwing muscular arms around Khaion's shoulders and receiving a resounding thump on the back.
"Siemba." A smile curved Khaion's lips. "It has been much too long, my friend."
“Much too long,” the lion echoed before his attention turned to me. Wide black lips curved back from sharp teeth in a predatory smile. "I know this scent."
“I’m sure you do.” Khaion didn’t seem upset at the revelation while I tried not to shrink away. "Siemba, this is Emmy."
"Welcome, Emmy," Siemba said with a flourish of his arm, and my apprehension faded. The expression in his amber eyes was friendly; there was no hint this creature wanted toharm me. I watched pleasure lay over his features as I managed to smile.
"Come," Siemba said, rising to his feet. "Dixa is in the back. We will take your human to meet my human, and you and I can talk."
His human?
What did that mean? Foreboding skittered down my spine at the images gushing through my mind. Would she be his sex slave or his maid? I knew she couldn't be mistreated; Khaion would not stand for that. What if she wanted me to help her escape? I could never refuse to help another abducted human.
The lion-man led us through a small door at the left end of the bar, down a dark hallway that opened onto a spacious area. The space had a large window looking out onto twinkling stars covering one wall, and comfortable over-stuffed seating sat about. It was a bright, airy space littered with vibrant art, including some that looked done by a child's hand.
“Khaion!” A female voice preceded a human woman running into the room and straight into his arms.
A human woman. An utterly breathtaking human woman.
A pale heart-shaped face held arched brown brows over almond-shaped deep brown eyes and full pouty lips. Her hair was blonde and wavy, hanging to the center of her back. She was so voluptuous it couldn't be hidden under the loose-fitting pants and sleeveless tunic she wore.
Her arms encircled Khaion's middle since she wasn't tall enough to wrap her arms around his shoulders. I wasn't too keen on the tight squeeze she gave him or how he laughedand wrapped his arms around her. There was something oddly familiar about her that I couldn't place, which only added to my aggravation.
I wasn't jealous. That would be ridiculous.
