Page 74 of Warrior
“Why do you think Nasar wants that drug?” Emmy was a curious sort, an offshoot of her career as a prosecutor.
“Mumje?” Khaion’s brows drew together in a fierce frown. “There could be hundreds of reasons. Mumje is potent. Even a tiny quantity can lead to complete submission to another's will. Depending on how much they mined… it could be enough to control an entire planet… or at least an army.”
"It's all about control," Daicon muttered.
The temperature in the room dropped at least ten degrees. Even Orzon, who'd quietly sidled into the room to gather the dishes, shivered.
“We need to find out what Nansar’s long game is… and whether Duke Ako is involved.” Daicon had waited until Orzon cleared the table and disappeared through the door before speaking again. I didn’t believe for a minute he thought the dark blue cherub-looking alien was a spy. Likely, Daicon stilled his tongue to keep from imparting anything that might worry Orzon.
“Agreed,” Khaion grunted.
Daicon’s eyes danced between his chieftain and Emmy before darting to me. “I have dealt with Kerzak. The creature that claimed offense from Emmy may be dead, but others in his clan will not forget. They will still come for her.”
Khaion gave a long, slow nod, eyes narrowing. He slipped a muscled arm along the back of Emmy’s chair, his hand curving over her shoulder. “They will not touch Emmy again." My friend's gaze at the Vaktaire chieftain held such love and devotion.
“Nansar knows by now he is a suspect,” Daicon continued. “That will make him dangerous. All the guards on Giezo were Aljani — the two I led into the belief they captured me claimed loyalty to Nansar. The Duke's son is up to something much bigger than your friend's abduction." The thrum of hisfingers against the tabletop increased in tempo… a sign he was deep in thought. Daicon in warrior mode was impressive, but as a strategist, he was thorough and detailed. Watching his mind work was fascinating... and arousing.
"We will report our findings to the Alliance Council. We remain on furlough, but until we reach Seartaun, the Bardaga will function on alert,” Khaion announced.
“What does that mean?” I glanced between Khaion and Daicon.Alien highlandersEmmy called them, specifically naming the Chieftain heralien Jamie Fraser. Highlanders were often described as the strongest and most fearsome warriors—fearless, brutal, savage, and unstoppable. Words I would definitely use to define what I knew of the Vaktaire. They'd taken a much-deserved furlough from guarding Earth only to help Emmy find us.
Like Jamie Fraser behaved with his wife Claire, my warrior was gentle and loving when it came to me. His fingers captured mine, raising them to his lips.
“It means we will function as battle-ready, sweetling.”
“Do you think it will come to that? Would the Kerzak or Nansar attack the Bardaga?” Emmy's voice held not fear but a level of aggravation bordering on anger.
“I don’t think either is that brave,” Khaion answered his mate. “But I will take no chances with your safety, my love.” Emmy sighed, leaning against him. I don't think I'd ever seen her so happy and in love in all our twenty years of friendship. If anyone deserves this happiness, it's Emmy—her ex-husband Rick was an absolute turd. She wasn't the only one who deserved happiness, though.
“What about the children?” Twenty little faces flashed before my eyes. “They’ve been through so much. I don’t want them in any more danger.”
Khaion glanced at Emmy before answering. “I’ve spoken with the administrator at Tau Ceti. There are many settled there happy to care for the younglings.”
“Tau Ceti?” I recalled Daicon mentioning the name.
“It’s the human settlement that Siemba and Dixa founded," Emmy explained, reaching across the table to grab my hand in a comforting squeeze. "Once humans are de-aged like we were, it's against Alliance law to return them to Earth. Those the Vaktaire rescue are resettled on Tau Ceti. The population isn’t all human, but it’s a peaceful settlement. Some Tau Ceti citizens have even asked about adopting the children."
I forced a pitiful excuse for a smile to my face. It should thrill me that others wanted to care the children for… the idea shouldn’t cause my heart to feel so hollow. I glanced at Daicon. His smile was supportive, but there was a shadow in his eyes I completely understood.
“What about the other girls? Is there any word about them?" I wanted to talk about something other than the idea of leaving the children on Tau Ceti. It made my stomach hurt.
“We heard from Tarook the day the Bardaga rendezvoused with your escape ship. He arrived at the Hartouk Lenai hedonism ship but had not located your friend yet. Hakkar landed on the research planet Vestra, but no sign of…" Khaion paused, glancing at Emmy at a loss for words.
“Agnes.” Emmy supplied and continued. "I'm sure she's on the planet somewhere. Hakkar located the ship with the tracker. Pearl is on theArdeese Valoutspace station. Jutuk is there too but said he's having difficulty getting close to her. They apparently sold Pearl to royalty.”
“Royalty?” I bit back the smile playing with my lips at the absurdity of my bawdy, loud-mouthed friend conforming to royal protocol… alien royal protocol at that. Then, an idea slapped my humor into dread. “Do you that… could she be a…?”
“Sex slave?” Emmy snorted and grinned. “Pearl would probably enjoy that. When have we ever had an Outlander discussion that didn’t end with her speculating on the size of Jamie Fraser’s cock?”
"Never," I admitted, amused by the shock playing on Daicon's face.
“She isn’t a sex slave,” Emmy assured me. "Jutuk doesn't know what she’s doing, but he’s certain she isn’t a part of the Baron’s harem.”
“Harem,” I repeated with a shiver of relief. Pearl was the lewdest of us all, always trying to shock me. A grin turned my lips upward when I imagined her discovering my mating to Daicon… and how much I enjoyed our sex life.
“Clara’s the one I worry about.” Emmy’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. “Let’s face it, there’s only one reason she’s on a pleasure ship.”
“Tarook will take great care in liberating her, my love,” Khaion promised.
