Page 47 of Double Cut

“We don’t have castes or breeds of humans,” Evangeline dared reply. “I’m a trained and certified horticulturist.”

“Then you’ll be of interest to the science master general.”

She nodded, although she wasn’t sure he could see the nonverbal response behind the thickly muscled barrier of her mates. “I will be honored to speak with him.”

The general superior shrugged. “We eat little in the way of plants.”

“No, but the animals you use for meat are probably herbivores,” she retorted. “I can help with creating better environments for raising livestock. The more land and better grazing livestock have, the less meat Ahkn’hudin must import.”

She could feel both pride and anxiety emanate from Horas and Sarus.

“Your mate is bold, Colonel.”

“Our mate is our joy, General Superior.”

“And you, Commander? What is this female to you?”

“Everything.She is everything,” Sarus replied.

The General Superior exhaled, a sound that seemed a lot like a sigh to Evangeline. However, she dared not comment.

“Farewell, little hybrid. We shall not meet again.” The general superior turned toward the door. “Colonel, Commander, temporary quarters have been assigned to you. You’ll find your new orders waiting there.”

“Yes, sir,” the two males replied in unison.

“Are all human females so lacking in submission?”

“Most are,” Evangeline dared respond. “We’re intelligent and we know our own worth.”

The general superior laughed as he exited the room. “An intelligent female submits.”

The door slid closed.

“Asshole,” she muttered. “I donotlike him.”

Horas and Sarus relaxed, grateful that they had survived the encounter unscathed. Few males did, especially those who challenged the dominant, powerful male.

Chapter15

A petty functionary soon led them from the room down a series of corridors to a spacious suite where they were greeted with their luggage and a basket of delicacies. This time, Horas carried the carrier which he set down in a corner near a small area where the robots had left a tray of sand and small bowls of meat and water for Poppet. The palace staff, as always, operated efficiently.

“Ew, what is that?” Evangeline asked, peering at a jar filled with wriggling worm-like things.

“Palpas!” Sarus grinned with pleasure. He plucked the jar from the basket and held it up. “I haven’t had these in ages.”

After opening the carrier’s small door, Horas looked at the jar and his eyes widened with interest. He glanced at their mate, “Would you like to try one, little flame?”

Evangeline’s expression twisted with disgust and she backed away, shaking her head. “No, thank you. I’ll let you enjoy them.”

Sarus unscrewed the lid, speared a wriggling worm on a claw, and plopped it into his mouth. A sweet, musty odor wafted from the open jar. Evangeline cringed at the initial crunching sound and looked away.

“Ugh.”

“Delicious,” he said, screwing the lid back on then holding the jar out to Horas. “We’ll need to eat these quickly. They’re best alive.”

Horas opened the jar, picked out a nice, fat worm, and dropped it into his mouth.

Evangeline made a gagging sound and bolted toward what she hoped was the bathroom. The two males looked at each other, puzzled by her reaction. Horas closed the jar and set it down, following Sarus in pursuit of their mate who had found the lavatory and hung her head over the waste receptacle.

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