Page 73 of Tribute
Rehz stood as Price approached him. “I’m Rehz Akran and this is Anna Lee.”
Price sat on the couch. “I heard a lot about both of you from Palk.”
Rehz’s eyebrow went up. “Palk’s a sadistic bastard.”
“Agreed. He seemed to have a thing for you two, though.”
“Not anymore. He already knows that I’m willing to kill him.” Rehz’s smile was lethal. “He doesn’t get to fuck with me or my mate.”
Kai handed Price akvasand sat on the couch next to him. “You’d better listen to what Price has to say, because you might want to consider whether you’re willing to carry out your threat.”
“Why?” Anna stared at him and then at Price. “What happened?”
“Price was asked by theUngrichabout males and females.”
“They didn’t seem to understand that they needed both to procreate,” Price said quietly. “They seemed to think that stuffing us full of seed and emotionally screwing with our pheromones would make us pregnant.”
Rehz leaned forward with a scowl. “So what the fuck did you tell them?”
“That we weren’t like them.” Price sighed. “They were also really interested in the difference between my human and Mitan DNA.”
“Human?” Anna grabbed Rehz’s hand. “Oh, fuck.”
“Yeah.” Kai held up hiskvasbottle. “Exactly. If Price reports this conversation to Palk or the authorities, they’ll have you and him right back in there. You know it.”
“Anna is not fucking going back in there.” Rehz drew Anna tight against his side. “Palk will have to go through me to make that happen.”
“And he will.” Kai stared at his friend. “You know he’ll do anything to cause you pain and to promote the Tribute program.”
Price pointed at Anna. “Hold up. You have human DNA?”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. “I was actually born on Earth.”
“Greez,” Price muttered and shoved a hand through his thick red hair. “I think I remember them mentioning you by name.”
“Then we’re fucked,” Kai said grimly.
Price looked at him. “Not if I don’t tell them.”
“You’re prepared to lie to your military superiors?”
“I don’t give a fuck about the military. If it means I don’t have to go back in there, then yes, I’ll lie through my teeth.” He gestured at Anna. “I’m fairly certain Anna doesn’t want a return trip either.”
Rehz had remained silent, his expression blank. “Don’t you think it is strange that two trainees with human DNA turned up in the last two Tribute groups?”
“It is something of a coincidence,” Kai agreed, “seeing as I’d never heard of Earth before I met Anna. Is it possible that theUngrichhad already identified DNA they wanted to see more of?”
“It’s possible,” Rehz said slowly.
Aled’s mouth twisted as he mulled over the new information. “They certainly recruited heavily to get me into the program.”
Rehz looked straight at him. “Are you really willing to conceal this information?”
“Yes, I am.”
Kai reached over to put his hand on Price’s shoulder. “He’s one hundred percent trustworthy.”
“Good to know,” Rehz said. “Now how about morekvas?”
