Chapter 7
I have always felt different from my kind, even though I grew up among them, because I was the only one who was abandoned as an egg.
I know now, I wasn’t left behind; I was sent as a message from a sister colony.
I think about our conversations to keep my mind off the Abr bands squeezing my wings as I ride the transport to Earth’s moon with hundreds of other males.
“Jorusk, DIA. I am following the others from the males’ complex and will arrive at the Lunar compound in approximately ten minutes,” DIA says in my earcom.
She is like a typical female Drath. She loves to talk about everything, except she’s much calmer.
As we flew to Earth, I learned about Aura rescuing her from Talhuskin territory with the help of Rogues under the cover of night during one of our former masters’ drunken celebrations, a trick she says that he says he learned from me.
DIA has records of traditional foods, drum music, and mating rituals, which we have had to modify over the centuries due to our captivity.
Now that we are free, I hope my kind can return home and rediscover our old ways again.
And, apparently, my Inferno must open the celestial gates.
After Talhuskins broke the Drathis’ trust, my kind launched a Hellfire shield that only reacts to an original Drathis Inferno.
It is part of why they sent me to seek out our lost colony.
DIA has the location of our system, but my impulsive Inferno is in no condition to lead anyone anywhere.
At least Eluni’s spark arrestor is helping. For now.
A passing Fenjuri with yellow-green scales and black eyes bares his fangs at me and softly hisses in his language, one I’ve learned thanks to my time serving with Earth’s forces. We traded Talhuskins for Drath. You’re all the same trash.
I don’t respond, but I memorize his face.
It is one among many who glare at me like I am a villain here.
It is why I stick to the corner of the cargo bay.
Many species feel the way these soldiers and royalty and delegates feel.
I am the embodiment of death, of the fire they use to send the bodies of the lost to the afterlife.
Some know what the Talhuskins did to my kind. Many only know we served Talhuskins.
A shimmering brown male in leather battle armor glares at me with lightless gold eyes and spits on the floor. My cheek twitches as I repress the urge to snarl back. Fuck you too.
I’m just glad they let us wear our traditional attire again, because I’m certain the Abr male race suit won’t last long with the heat rising to the surface of my skin.
But I have to go topless because of my spark arrestor.
Abr wants to monitor it for the initial race.
And as the status bar rises in the center from my growing tension, a Nytheralian Abr guard looks over.
“Cool it, Drathious.” He adjusts his grip on the rifle across his chest. “It’s not worth it.”
He’s right, but I’m still defensive. I don’t like the prospect of any of these males catching Brynna.
If they judge me, I cannot believe they will not find some reason to judge her for something, too.
She has risked everything to help many survive in dangerous territory.
She deserves a mate that will do anything to keep her safe.
“Jorusk, DIA. I am docked at the Abr race complex. But they won’t give me door access because my environment is incompatible.” DIA sounds frustrated as she communicates with me through my earcom. “How can that be?”
I tap my com. “Humans need more oxygen than we do. You’ll need to match the facility.”
“I’ll fix her,” a familiar voice cuts in.
DIA responds, “I await your arrival.”
I glance out the nearest window and see a Drathious StarEmber transport whiz by. “Vryskas?”
“You didn’t think we’d leave you to endure this alone, did you? Gory hell, brother, you’ve waited three years. And we know others might cause trouble because of what you are,” Vryskas snorts. “We do not leave brothers behind.”
I adjust my ear com. “Who all is with you?”
“Rykarn wouldn’t shut up about it. He’s spent the last three days watching every episode he can find. Osiris and Sidius are in the back, prepping.”
“They don’t allow munitions.”
“They let you in,” Rykarn replies. “And we’re basically munitions.”
“Eluni gave me a spark arrestor,” I tell them.
Vryskas grumbles. “We got them too, after Eluni told us about Brynna.”
“What is the status of the Tusks?” I ask.
“Retreated,” Osiris cuts in. “Amphirans helped us move our colony into allied space. Our kind are safe, among others who have welcomed us.”
Relief spreads through me. “How are you healing?”
“I’m fine.”
“Osiris.”
“He’s healed.” Sidius’ voice takes over the feed.
Sidius just lost his whole crew, and he’s here with my team. “Sid, what are you doing here?”
“I had nothing else to do. Cinuska removed me from service, temporarily. But…I could not bear the silence.”
Losing brothers is never easy, but an entire squad is not something I’ve had to endure. “I am glad you are with us.”
Someone stops before me. “Jorusk?”
I look up to see a huge blue Thorian in animal skins and armored plating, the uniform of his kind. He cracks a smile.
Three years is a long time, but I still remember his face and the long scar down his neck. “Hatchet, right?”
He smirks. “Hal’ta’chet, but most just say Hatchet. You helped us get the females back from Denarso. I have been meaning to thank you. My brother’s mate was among them. They now have two younglings. Purebred, not Denarso tainted.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Hatchet is my size and draws me in for a hard pat to my shoulder. “You need anything, you ask. We have not forgotten our blood pact. All Thorians know your name.”
Several of the other males who have had their eyes on me for the entire trip finally look away. Perhaps they realize now, I am not evil.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” I say. “Humans won’t keep your people pure.”
Hatchet looks away at the Abr attendant who announces our upcoming arrival: the race grounds.
“We may be strong in muscle mass and bone density. But we do not have the adaptability of human immune systems. So as we venture out into the galaxy, we need many vaccinations. We are trying to improve our stock with selective cross-breeding. I applied because my Hunter wants a human. Since my brother is staying pure, I am permitted a human mate.”
“You want a human?”
“Jovie helped save Aura’s people. He told us during an economic summit last year. I hear you protected her as well. So it is an honor to race alongside you.” Hatchet grins. “Unless you want the same female. Then I will destroy you.”
I chuckle. “Not before I send you to Magmium with your ass on fire, my friend.”
Hatchet pauses like he’s pondering it, then extends a fist to me, which I tap with my own. “Hunting for anything in particular?”
“Someone, yes.”
“Really? Knew she’d be here and got signed up?”
“You could say that.”
He studies me for a moment. “But you don’t like the situation.”
“She’s the one helping us rebuild our farms in space. I didn’t anticipate my Inferno reacting how it did. What about you?”
“I hope you catch her.” He waggles his brows. “I’m here for anything thick, curvy, and feisty. If she does not fight me, she is not strong enough to bear the hunters I want to raise.”
“Entering lunar shield,” an automated system announces over the coms.
The other males get up and make their way toward the opening cargo doors.
“Hey, don’t look so pissed, blood brother,” Hatchet remarks, playfully backhanding me in the shoulder.
“My people have been at war with Talhuskins for many years.” I fume a hot breath of embers. “I feel like I am betraying them by running away to this race while they suffer in hospitals, but I heal because I have powerful friends. It is not fair. But I was pushed into this by them.”
Hatchet’s playful side vanishes as he loops an arm over my shoulders and guides me toward the doors.
“They need to know good things are still possible, that there is hope in the universe. Remind the Federation allies that you are not extinct, that you are strong, and your kind are not done fighting.”
I wish I felt like a beacon of hope instead of a match setting fire to another world. “Have the Denarso been any more of a problem for Alpha Prime?”
“Not nearly as often since you fucked some shit up.” Hatchet pats my back and looks out the window as other males jump to the race grounds below. “Thank you for teaching us the distraction tactics that you did.”
“Denarso are not very intelligent, but they are resilient.”
“True. They do not like to die.” Hatchet releases me. “But right now, our mission is to find mates. Don’t let yours get away.”
My body heats from the core, outward, thrusting angry light into my veins. He’s right. I cannot let anyone else take Brynna. I don’t trust anyone else with her.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Hatchet punches me lightly in the chest, walks to the edge, and looks back. “See you in Valethi, brother!”
He yells a battle cry as he jumps out of the transport. I do not want to be last. I must find Brynna before someone else does. But I hesitate at the edge because my instinct is to fly. My wings twitch inside the Abr bands.
“You going or what?” a young, pale gold Vinym asks.
I snarl back at him. Shut up!
He backs up and lifts his hands.
I fully expect Brynna to turn me away because of our recent interaction. We’re just work friends. Not even. But I must get to her, protect her. She deserves that much at least.
If she doesn’t want me, I will just protect her until she picks a mate I approve of.