Chapter 3
Zalik
Until Stella, I would never have known how hard nenes and babas work in order to care for a kit.
My tribe brothers and sisters have been more than generous with their knowledge.
Evren taught me how to feed her with the special milk the Bohnari left with them.
Jodah showed me the proper way to not only bathe and clean Stella, but also how to fit her with what Sage calls a diaper.
The nenes have been just as helpful with their various tips on how to calm her when she cries and by supplying us with old coverings their kits have grown out of.
“Our shefir has been understanding with my need to remain here in the village with you.” I adjust the fur around Stella and scoop her up from the table in our new tent.
Since bringing her back to the village three turns ago, I left the one formerly shared with Daveel ever since we both reached maturity. This current one will be big enough for us and my mate once I have found her.
“Let us go check on the elders and get ready to get the central fire going in preparation for the midday meal.” I step outside the tent and into the bright sunlight.
The sky is clear but soon the cold season will arrive and bring with it cold dust. One good thing to come from the change in weather is that I suffer from less guilt by not going hunting with the others.“Greetings, Zalik and Stella,” Zander calls out.
He strides toward us with his own kit, Dasha, in his arms. She has been a frequent visitor to our tent since I brought Stella here.
She is fascinated with the human kit. All the others carry strong Tavikhi traits.
Stella is the only full human this small in the village.
The rest know how to walk and are speaking even if their words are gibberish.
“Behbeh,” Dasha says, squirming in the shefir’s arms.
Because the Tavikhi-human kits do not have translators, they are learning the Tavikhi language as well as the Earth language.
Zander sets Dasha on her feet, and I kneel to her level.
She gently pats my kit on the cheek and leans forward to kiss her on the forehead.
Stella stares up at the older kit with unblinking eyes.
I find it fascinating how she appears to take everything in so intently.
“Sella, behbeh,” Dasha coos.
“Aye, this is Stella.” I adjust the fur.
“I hope she enjoys her own forthcoming sister as much as she enjoys your kit,” Zander notes.
I glance up at him. “The shefira is going to have another kit?”
“We believe so.” Zander nods. Rising, I clap his shoulder. “Blessings to you on such wonderful news. The tribe will be joyous at another birth.”
“You have my thanks. We do not know for sure and are not ready to tell anyone so if you would keep—”
“Your secret is safe with me, Shefir. On my honor.” I fist my chest and bow my head.
Zander does the same.
I shift Stella in my grasp. “Come, little one, let us go visit the elders.”
We leave the shefir and Dasha. Ever since my nene and baba traveled to the lands of the goddess nearly three sun cycles ago, I have made sure to look after our eldest tribe brothers and sisters.
I made a vow to my baba right before his soul light extinguished that I would ensure all the elders were taken care of.
That none would go hungry. That if any of them grew ill, I would sit with them as they passed onto the lands of Deeka.
I suspect I will be joining Jodah soon in watching first his baba and then his nene as their soul lights go out.
Gitesh’s time is nearing and has been for many moons now.
The elders’ tents come into view. Most are already gathered around their fire.
Although I know they won’t be there, I still seek out my nene and baba.
Both went to be with our ancestors right after Zander and London became mates.
Nene grew sicker and sicker with each turn, and Kyler was unable to determine what was wrong.
Finally, after several turns, her soul light extinguished.
My baba did not last a full turn before joining her.
The ache in my chest from missing them never goes away.
“Greetings, Zalik,” Wakiel greets me. “And Stella.”
He holds out his hands and I pass her over to him. She makes indistinguishable sounds as he speaks to her, but she is content. The elders all love holding the kits. They say it gives them hope and joy knowing our people are thriving. It does not matter Stella is human. She is still one of us.
Just then a rumbling noise fills the air.
One so powerful the ground beneath our feet trembles.
More elders emerge from their tents and we scan the area in search of the source.
Moments later, a large shadow falls over the village.
We all glance up. A ship hovers over the far border near the open bari field.
It is neither Bohnari nor like the human ones that have arrived.
“Take Stella inside, and do not come out until we are sure it is safe.” I nearly shove Wakiel back toward his and Alesha’s tent before racing to the weapons stores.
I arm myself with one of the things the Bohnari call a blaster. Zander, Evren, Benham, and several more of the unmated males who are still not quite past maturity—Carter, included—rush inside as well to grab additional weapons. We leave the tent and assemble together outside it.
“Everyone use caution. We will see who this is and only use force if they become hostile,” Zander instructs.
All of us take off at a fast clip toward where the ship has touched down in the field outside of the grove of trees beyond the village.
With silent feet, we reach our destination.
Zander stops us with a hand in the air. We wait just at the edge of the trees until, at last, a ramp descends from the back of the ship.
One male leads a small contingent of armed males, although their weapons are not drawn.
Carefully, Zander steps out of the protection of the trees. The ten human males come to a stop and the armed males place their hands on their blasters. I take aim with mine, but do nothing more. Yet.
“Greetings. I am Zander of the Tavikhi.” He does not fist his chest, but rather outstretches his hand in the human way. The unarmed male at the front stares at Zander for several beats before he finally shakes it.
“Dane Winslow of the New St. Louis Winslows.”
“Welcome to Tavikh.”
This Dane glances around, taking the area in. It is more than obvious he is not impressed by what he sees.
“I’m looking for the humans that live on this planet,” he says.
“Are you the newest members of their settlement?” Zander asks.
My gut is sending me a warning. I have learned to listen to it throughout my life and it is telling me this male is dangerous. Dane laughs, but it is ugly.
“Not hardly. I’m here for my wife and the brat she probably already gave birth to.”
A buzzing starts up in my ears.
“What is your mate’s name? Perhaps we know her,” the shefir says.
“Lara. She’s probably with that bitch, Riley.”
There are no humans tribe brothers and sisters in our village with those names. Which means, if they are on Tavikh, they must belong at the settlement.
“Neither of those names are familiar to us. Are you sure they are on Tavikh?” Zander asks.
This Dane male nods. “It’s where I tracked them.”
He uses the word tracked as though these females are his prey. There is nothing about him that makes me think he is here because he worries for them.
“Please allow my warriors to escort you to the human settlement, then. Perhaps it is there you will find them.”
Dane hesitates and shares a glance with one of the armed males he travels with. The older male nods. Dane turns back to the shefir. “Fine.”
Zander shifts his gaze behind him and calls out like a mellenje. Benham, Evren, the younger males, and I move out from behind the trees and stride out into the open. We equal them in number. Wide eyes take us in. As the eldest, Benham assumes lead.
“Come,” he commands in a tone we all know to obey and starts off in the direction of the human settlement.
We wait until the humans fall in behind him before the rest of us take up the rear.
Evren and I share a look with Zander who nods but says nothing.
As we escort Dane and the others, there is silence and tension throughout the dense forest. Even the mellenje and other creatures who call it home are quiet.
Almost as if they can sense the danger and unease that flows through us.
At last the trees thin and in front of us is the open bari field that leads to the human settlement. Its gates are closed, which is not unusual.
“That’s where they live?” Dane laughs. “Reminds me of the bottom tier. What about all the land and houses the Initiative promised? Guess they were lying. Serves these people right for trying to better themselves. They’re nothing more than bottom tier trash.”
I grit my teeth from speaking out. We know all about the bottom tier and how the people there live. They are better off here on Tavikh than they were back on Earth.
We reach the gated entrance and Benham pounds on it. Many beats pass before the lock disengages and the wooden barrier creaks as it opens. Gary, one of the self-proclaimed leaders of the humans, appears.
“Benham, is everything okay?” he asks, scanning the group of us.
The large weapons maker—and head warrior—moves to the side to expose the new visitors. Gary’s eyes widen at the sight of the other humans.
“These males are here for this one’s mate and kit,” Benham says.
Dane pushes forward. “I’m Dane Winslow and I’m looking for Lara Winslow or Riley Sanders.”
Gary’s face loses its color and he shifts side to side. “Come in.”
We all enter the settlement and sweep past him as he swipes his palms along his hips. I have seen some of the humans in our village do this when they are nervous.
“Follow me,” Gary instructs.
We trail him toward the far corner of the settlement.
People stop what they are doing and stare as we walk by.
Their whispered words are indistinguishable.
They are used to our presence after all this time, so it must be the newcomers who have so much of their attention.
I keep my hand on my blaster. Not that I think the current villagers will do anything.
It is these new arrivals I do not trust.
Gary glances over his shoulder several times and swallows.
Up ahead a person stands and crosses their arms. Upon closer inspection, I can tell she is female.
I study her, attempting to find Stella in her features, but I can see no resemblance between her and my kit. Perhaps I am worried for nothing.
Dane spots her. His face grows thunderous and anger transforms him.
“You fucking bitch. I knew I’d find you here. Where’s Lara? Where’s the kid?” He rushes forward and grabs the female’s upper arms. His fingers bite into her flesh, and she flinches in pain.
An unfamiliar rage burns through my veins. I have no explanation for why, but I do not like the male’s hands on the female.
“Release her.” I step forward in a threatening manner.
Dane glares at me and his armed males shift nervously.
“Stay out of this, alien. It doesn’t concern you.”
“Zalik,” Benham cautions.
I hesitate, but finally—slowly—back away. The human male turns his focus once more onto the scared female although she holds her head high.
“I asked you a question, bitch. Where’s my wife and her brat?”
She sneers, but I can sense the grief radiating off her. “They’re both dead.”
Dane shoves her away. “What do you mean they’re dead? You’re lying.”
The female laughs but it is a hollow sound. “If you don’t believe me, ask everyone in the settlement. Lara died giving birth.”
“And the kid?”
“You’re too late. Four days ago, wild animals dragged Stella away while we were down by the river washing. All I could find of her body was a bloodied blanket,” the female tells him.
My body jerked when she said Stella’s name, but I keep my face expressionless.
I have so many questions, but none I can ask.
Not with Dane here. I stare at this female with her unruly red hair and dark brown eyes.
I cannot count the number of dots—freckles they are called—that cover her face. She is stunning, even when fearful.
“Perhaps we can discuss this elsewhere?” Evren says, and I finally notice all the people who have gathered around.
“You can use the community building,” Gary suggests.
“Lead the way,” Benham commands.