5. Chapter 5
There was no logical explanation why I grabbed the gallis too. Instinct had ruled me from the moment I gave in and allowed my fingers to curl around Carl's throat. I couldn't kill him yet, but holding him like that felt oh so fucking good.
Now, my ears were screaming from the loud bangs, but all my other senses were focused on the gallis I was pressed against. I used my body to shield her from the blast. I was very aware of the press of her tits against my chest, the side of her face, and the rapid beating of her heart. Her fast, hard breaths teased against my skin, and despite the tense situation, my cock stiffened at her presence.
Carl's last statement had been enough to shove me over the edge. I was going back to Vandruk, and he was going to accompany me. I had more questions for him, questions I was certain he wouldn't answer when asked the polite way.
I hadn't known that the gallis was still in the hall, but the moment I saw her, instinct had driven me to take her too. Putting her in danger hadn't been my intention, but I was a khadahr for a reason, and thinking in a crisis had been trained in me. I calculated that I could use her and Carl to ensure the security guards wouldn't shoot me. Normally, I would have never put a gallis in danger, but the idea that I would never see her again if I left her there hadn't sat right with me. Plus, I was confident that the guards wouldn't risk harming their leader. I was wrong. Moments later, all dagghar broke lose, as humans poured through the portal. I watched Than-Rhod and Rhon-Dhar drag Carl away. They would make sure he was safe. Turning my head, I kept an eye on the fighting that broke out around us. Vandruk warriors and human guards were battling it out. I should be there with them, fighting by their side, but the idea of leaving Rachel unprotected by herself didn't sit right with me.
It was strange watching the battle without hearing a sound. Not even the faintest noise broke through the barrier of shrill screaming in my ears. Soon, the battle was over, and the bodies of dead humans littered the ground. A few of my warriors were bruised or injured, but thanks to Vorag, none were seriously hurt or dead.
I had seen video footage of bombs and missiles, but no footage can prepare one for the real thing. These weapons were dangerous and the humans were wielding them without prejudice. They could have killed Weidenhof or Rachel as well as us. I wasn't worried about the humans sending more of their warriors—let them come, more revenge for us—but I was worried about what other weapons they might bring.
I eased off Rachel, who stared up at me through large, black pupils.
I shook my head to try to get the screaming to stop, but it was of no use. Rachel plugged her nose with her fingers and blew out her cheeks. Curiously, I imitated her, and surprisingly, that lessened the screaming. I repeated it a few times until I could finally make out voices again.
"Khadahr, are you all right?" Than-Rhod approached me, and I liked how Rachel instinctively pressed herself closer to me.
"The human?"
"He's unharmed," Than-Rhod assured me, giving Rachel curious glances. "What do you want to do with the—him?" He corrected himself.
"He is one of the human leaders responsible for our gallies' deaths. He will have to answer for that." I pressed out. "I'll take five warriors and the humans to the Temple. The khadahrs should still be there. I want you to stay with the rest of the warriors and guard the red fog. Nobody is to come through."
"Sa, khadahr"." Than-Rhod bowed his head to acknowledge the order.
"There's still enough sunlight left to lessen the distance to the Temple. Get five warriors ready for me with everything we need."
"Sa, khadahr." He acknowledged again.
Rachel moved away from me, far enough to peek around the boulder and have a look at the red fog, which was once again in place after the human's retreat. A soft whimper escaped her when she saw the dead bodies littering the ground.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you," I assured her.
She stared up at me, and I noticed that her black pupils weren't as large anymore. Her red-brown eye color was back surrounding it. It was curious how her body did that.
"Whatthehell? You can'tjust take me likethat!" She pushed her fists into her mesmerizing hips, challenging me with the tone of her voice. That I only understood a few of them reminded me that Carl's translator was gone, that my English wasn't that good yet, and that Rachel hadn't understood a word I said.
"You are safe," I repeated in English. "With me," I added.
"Right!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but the hint of fear in it was unmistakable. Whoever she was, she was brave.
A soft breeze blew the hint of a norrak flower my way and I took a deep inhale. The air on Vandruk was so much better than the recycled air on Earth. I closed my eyes for a moment just to relish standing on Vandruk again. Far away from the humans. Well, except Rachel and Weidenhof. The difference was that I liked Rachel's presence.
"Just let mego, please"," Rachel pleaded, glancing longingly at the red fog.
For a moment, I was tempted. I had no right taking her like this. None. Yet, at the mere thought of never seeing her again, my chest constricted. I couldn't have said why, but I wanted her near me.
"Nek," I said, gruffer than I had intended. "Let's go."
With a deep sigh, she bent over and pulled her horrendous shoe off her foot, making me realize that she had lost the other when I dragged her through the corridors. "Fine."
I shook my head. I couldn't let her walk through Vandruk barefoot. Within moments, her feet would be bleeding. Without another choice, I picked her up. I would carry her until we made camp and I could fashion a pair of boots for her.
"Whatareyou doing?" she screeched, squirming against my chest.
"Hold still, gallis, I'm carrying you," I replied in Vandruk. She didn't understand what I said and glared at me but settled down. I took that as a win.