“Kaylar,” Veral returned in greeting, though he made no attempt to approach.
The male, Kaylar, tilted his head in acknowledgement before flicking his eyes to the remains of the experiment. “Is that it?”
“Yes,” Veral replied. “The pirates in our company are dead, and that was the only land-mobile experiment within the remains of the ship, although I make no guarantee what that blast might have attracted from the outer areas.”
The other male shrugged. “I required a quick entrance. I loaded the virus into the pirate ship and set my ship into auto-hover mode so that I could lower myself down to the wreckage. I did not expect to encounter flying beasts that attempted to chew on me midair. Blasting my way through the hull seemed to be an expedient solution to get away from them once I became bored with their games.” His eyes flicked to Azan, who immediately held her hands up in reaction to his hard gaze. “What of the Blaithari?”
“An ally. She poses no threat.”
“I see. And the coordinates?”
Veral nodded. What did their rescue have to do with coordinates? Terri stared in confusion at Veral as he initiated the data transfer. “Wait—what?”
The ghost of a smile widened on the male’s face as he accepted the transfer and nodded in approval as he no doubt reviewed the information. “Your mate did not tell you? I am not surprised. It is in his nature to protect, whereas it is not in mine. Another flaw in his systems. You should know that the council is very interested in your species. That you are biologically compatible with Argurmas could have interesting implications when it comes to usefulness for organ harvesting and organic replacement tissue for our species, among other uses in testing. It is believed that a female would be preferable to keep for initial testing.”
Terri’s mouth dropped open, and she leaned back so she could adequately turn her head and stare at her mate in shock. “You didn’t…”
“It was necessary. It was all that he would accept for his aid. He has the virus codes that are temporarily disabling the pirate ship orbiting the planet. It was the only way to save you,” he growled.
Terri swallowed back her dismay and the many rebukes that had been ready to fly off the tip of her tongue. She hated that he gave up that information without even consulting her, but perhaps he had known that she wouldn’t have agreed. He wouldn’t sit back and let harm come to her. He would sacrifice anything for her.
She couldn’t say that she wouldn’t have done the same.
She leaned into him, worrying about the fate of the women she had left behind on Earth who wouldn’t even know that anyone was coming after them.
“Interesting,” Kaylar said quietly. “Even after your betrayal, she still cleaves to you.”
She shot him an annoyed glare. “I’m not so stupid that I don’t recognize he did it for me and our child. As much as I hate you right now for what you’re about to do, I can’t be angry at him for making that choice. I would have done the same for him.”
A heavy brow rose in her direction, and he hummed thoughtfully to himself. “Interesting.” He gave them a long, considering look before he shrugged and drew an enormous blaster from his back, leveling it on Veral. “I am truly in awe, cousin, that you have had the good fortune to find a worthy mate. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change anything for you. I do believe it is time for you to surrender.”
“Betrayal, Kaylar?”
One corner of the male’s mouth pulled up in a genuine smile. “Business only. Truly, I will regret it, but when the council learned of where I was going, they commanded it. There is no keeping anything from them for long—as you should know.”
Veral nodded and very slowly lowered Terri to her feet. His fingers flexed as he glared at the male he called cousin. “You will understand if I insist that I must decline.”
Kaylar’s smile widened, and he chuffed again. “Of course, naturally! Not that I think it will do you much good when you have lost a quarter of your vibrissae. It is a good look for you, however,” he said, with another laugh echoing around him.
Veral smiled in reply, his body loose as he faced off with the other male. Terri didn’t even see the attack coming. Veral rushed from her side, his claws out as he struck out with fury at the Argurma before him. She choked in surprise even as everything within her prayed for victory.
27
Azan watched dispassionately as Veral charged the newcomer. She really did not have a stake in this personal disagreement, but a life debt would be difficult to settle if the male she owed was locked up or dissected somewhere. With the Argurma, it was difficult to judge what the punishment may be.
Besides, she liked Terri. Azan was still of the opinion that the little female would fare better with her, but she was not one to try to take choices away. In any case, she had taken the opportunity to intercept the coordinates. She could always find a small, soft human of her own. It would seem like bad manners to accept or steal such a fine gift without even attempting to even the field of engagement between the Argurmas.
Sighing, she pulled out her modified blaster. It had one grenade capsule implant left in the attachment. She hated to waste it, but she did not wish to appear ungrateful either. It was difficult dancing on the right side of morality. Absolutely disgusting.
She squinted at the males as they tore into each other, metal-enhanced claws slashing at each other. Raising one hand, she glanced down at her own simple claws with a pang of envy. Perhaps once Veral straightened out the reason for being hunted down she could talk him into assisting her with acquiring the modification. He would have to be alive to do that.
Yes. That settles it.
Leaning down, she gently unwound Garswal’s arms from around her shoulders and gave his arm a firm pat. He was a good kid. She would watch out for him.
“Stay here, and stay low,” she whispered.
He nodded and ducked down behind the nearby pile of fallen rock. Azan nodded with approval before turning away to face the fray. Terri leaned heavily against a wall, her arm raised, the creepy symbiont flaring uselessly as she tried to work it beyond her available resources. The idea of tech that drew metals from blood so casually made her skin crawl, but she could not deny it was good defense for the human, so long as she did not exhaust herself.