“Denied!” All four announced in unison.
My legs weakened beneath me. A quick glance showed that my three Vepar showed no emotions or reactions.
“This is new territory for us,” the man with a devil’s tail spoke up, his voice gravelly and harsh. “You brought a human to our home under the pretense that she could be the key to our fertility issues, then you announce she’s your mate and want to disregard rituals in our race since the beginning of time. This isn’t going to work.”
Words pressed to the front of my mind about how I’d be their perfect mate… anything to convince them to approve this.
The first Council member stole my moment. “We cannot let you disregard our ceremonial customs. So, we decree this human will join the other suitors to win you three over during the mating ritual.”
I stood there, unsure what exactly they were saying. What in the world was a mating ritual? But when I glanced up at Derrial, he smiled and nodded. “Agree.”
The fourth Council member with only one horn the color of mahogany cleared his throat. “This isn’t your decision to make,” he snapped, and the harshness of his voice had me trembling.
“Procreation is an uncharted area with a human, but…” He sighed heavily. “With the current state of our race, maybe this is something we need to explore. So, Ella, you will join the other suitable females, undergo compatibility tests, and then the right female will be selected to bond with the three Vepar.”
Dread washed over me. “Tests,” I mumbled, my mind conjuring up me having to fight someone to win the hand of these Vepar, or maybe they meant laboratory tests? If that was the case, I’d run and take my chance in space as I’d had enough of being poked and prodded and things inserted into me.
“Thank you,” Derrial stated, his voice loud. The three of them now had grins on their faces. I guessed this was a favorable outcome.
“Not so fast,” One-horn retorted. “As these are unusual circumstances, there are three new conditions you must adhere to. You will complete all mating ritual tests within two weeks. The final decision of compatible female will no longer rest with the males, but us as the Council.”
Thane groaned loudly, while Corran shifted on his feet, both disagreeing with the decision. Derrial just stood silent, but if his gaze could hurl daggers at the Council Vepar, he’d have stabbed them several times over.
“Is that--”
“Silence,” the Vepar snarled. “You have not been permitted to speak.” He turned to the three men. “And thirdly, should this human fail in the compatibility tests, she will no longer be under your guard, but fall under our command. And we will do with her as we find most suitable.” Their stares lingered over my body, and I felt them studying me for purposes other than someone willing to help me. I shivered under their gazes.
“You can’t change the rules,” Thane barked, but Derrial stuck a hand out in front of his friend from taking another step forward.
“Boy, we are the Council and what isn’t right is you trying to circumvent the rules we’d put into place.”
“My sincerest apology.” Derrial gave a slight deferential nod of his head.
“The new rules will be applied,” One horn declared and turned his attention to the guard. “Put her back into prison until Derrial arranges the commencement of their mating ritual.” All four council members clapped at once, and their projected images faded.
“Fuck! That went shit,” Thane thundered.
I reached out to them, worry biting along my flesh, needing them to really explain this to me in layman's terms, but the guard snatched my arm and yanked me toward the door. “Hey stop,” I yelled, pulling against his hold, crying out and driving my fist into his arm.
“You heard the Council,” he barked.
Corran jumped into the make-shift arena, landing with a thud, and stormed after us. His gaze drilling into the guard who shoved me behind him.
The two Vepar faced off, both staring, neither backing down.
“Nothing you can say or do will change what’s about to happen. I’m following the Council’s directions. Obstruct me and you’ll be the one locked up.”
“All I ask is a few minutes with Ella. And then she’ll go with you.”
I stared at Corran, pleading with my eyes that he whisk me away that very moment, away from the cell, from Veon, from everything.
The guard’s eyes narrowed, having no intention of relenting.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Derrial and Thane strolling toward us, also in the middle of the room.
“I can make your life very easy,” Derrial addressed him. “A new job with double the pay, for you to leave us alone with Ella for a few moments.”