29. Chapter 29
I saw the look of dismay on Rachel's face, reflected on Jenna's and Amber's, but like me, Dzur-Khan and Dzar-Ghan wouldn't flinch in this. Vandruk's didn't kneel. Not for anybody. Ever!
I would have rather died than do that, despite my traitorous heart begging me to, for Rachel's sake, but there were some things that couldn't be changed. It helped that the choice wasn't to kneel or forfeit Rachel's life because that I would have done. For myself, never.
For her, I raised my hands up, though, but only to spare her the visual of my death.
Men wearing black vests with three white letters painted on them emerged from large vehicles. Their long guns were trained on us, making it hard for me to contain a growl, seeing those weapons directed at my Rachel. A movement to my right caught my attention, and I caught Dzur-Khan's arm before he was about to throw himself forward. I shook my head at him, whispering, "Patience."
"Ma'am, Trevor Hanson, Special Agent in charge with the FBI," a tall man approached Kensington. "'What's going on here?" His eyes scanned us but lingered a little bit too long on Rachel, who winked at him. Did she know him?
"The Vandruk have attacked the portal. That's what's going on. Arrest them immediately." Kensington snarled.
"Special Agent Sven Grammer, NSA"." The man who had stood with Kensington approached. "This is a national security threat, and I need to take command of your agents, Special Agent Hanson."
"May I remind you that you are still being broadcast live, Sven?" Amber's voice was dangerously low. I noticed a glint in her eyes I had only seen on a male's face bent on revenge and right before they killed. I pulled Rachel behind me. This might yet turn bloody.
Just then, the main doors to the IC building flung open. Out strutted Tzar-Than, with several gallies in tow, of which I only recognized Gwyn. The other gallies looked lost. Their clothes were tattered, their eyes haunted. Two human males, their appearances just as pitiful, walked behind them.
"Oh my God, are you getting this?" Evvie turned momentarily to her cameraman before she rushed forward. "I'm sure you all remember Gwyn Perez, ladies and gentlemen, the first woman to make contact with the Vandruk. How are you, Gwyn?"
"Miss Sanders, you need to come back," Hanson yelled.
She waved him off, holding the microphone under Gwyn's nose.
"This is not about me. These women, Sandra Denunzio, Michaela Troy, Kenley Langton, and Erika Hauser, returned to Earth weeks ago. Tell them what happened when you stepped through the portal, Sandra."
"They took us prisoner," the gallis named Sandra said, her voice barely audible.
"Who is they ?" Evvie's voice in contrast was strong, but to her credit, filled with empathy.
"Doctor Weidenhof and… her." She stretched her arm out, pointing at Kensington.
"What? That is outrageous"." Sven stepped away from her.
"Oh, don't play dumb, Sven," Kensington sneered, but visibly paling.
"They were going to kill us and blame the Vandruk." Sandra's head lifted, and her chin moved defiantly forward.
"Sir?… Yes, sir… I will get it arranged. Thank you, sir." A visibly flustered Hanson held his phone to his ear as all eyes turned to him. "That, ladies and gentlemen, was the President of the United States, who will arrive here shortly. In the meantime, I am to be in charge"." He gave Sven a meaningful glance. "Until all this is sorted out, you are all… guests of the United States. My men will secure a hotel for your stay." He waved to his agents to lower their weapons.
"What about my building? It's still being occupied by the Vandruks."
"And will remain that way"." Tzar-Than moved forward, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Are there any humans inside?" Hanson asked.
"We will bring them out, but until my friends are back"—he nodded at me—"we will keep the portal secured."
Hanson looked out of his element but nodded. "Send the humans out unharmed, and we will go from there."
"You should go with them, Rachel," I whispered to her.
"Hell no. I'm not leaving you, Ghan-Zahr. Ever."
"Uhm"." Hanson looked very uneasy now as he approached. "Rachel."
"Trevor." Rachel greeted him back with a slight smile.
He held out his phone, looking sheepish. "Your mother."
Rachel looked as if he had hit her with the phone. I placed an arm around her waist, having given up on keeping them in the air like the other Vandruks, who were slowly turning in circles, taking in the alien world for the first time now that the imminent threat seemed to have passed.
It was a beautiful world despite the ugly building we had left, the parked cars, and the paved road. The sky was a brilliant blue without a sign of a cloud, and tall mountains stood in the distance, their peaks capped in white.
Despite having been to Earth before, I had never been outside. Even the air was different. Heavier, as if I was inhaling small particles that tickled my lungs. So many new scents, not many of them pleasant, assaulted my nose, and I couldn't place one. Nek, that wasn't true. I could place one, Rachel. Her scent of home grounded me.
"Hi, Mom," she said into the phone, with a wide smile on her face. "I know… I'm sorry. I'm good." I stepped to the side to give her privacy, but her hand grasped my forearm in a vise-like grip, so I stayed.
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and I pulled her closer. "Really?" she asked, hiccupping.
"Hmm, no, no… let's talk about this when you get here… yes. Mom, I've got to give Trevor his phone back. It's ringing… I love you too."
She handed Trevor the phone and buried her face in my chest. I felt like the biggest brute in the universe. She had a mom and a family. She had told me about her brother and sisters. Her mom and dad, of course. But somehow, with everything that had been happening, they had been abstract to me. Now, a rush of even more guilt for taking her away from them swept over me, making it hard to breathe.
Trevor stared me down as he took his phone back, tapping on it to answer another call. "We're not done, buddy," he warned.
Rachel straightened and got herself back under control again, aware of the cameras pointed at us. It was a hard concept for me to grasp, but I knew that the entire world was watching us right now on their little and big screens. On TVs, phones, computers, and whatever other devices the humans had. Their technology outmatched ours by incredible odds.
Trevor hung up the phone and barked orders at his agents before his eyes moved back to Rachel. "I need to talk to you."
Rachel stiffened. "Whatever it is needs to wait."
"Are you okay? This man abducted you"." He pointed at me, and it was my turn to stiffen. What kind of claim did this male have on her? At the same time, I got his point; if Rachel were Mynarra, I would demand answers as well, and probably not in such a civilized manner as him.
"It's complicated, but I'm fine, Trevor. I really am." She sent a smile at him that grated at my nerves and set me on edge, but I kept my temper under control. In any other situation, I would have ripped this male's head off; Rachel was mine.
But was she?
She had been mine on Vandruk, but we were back on Earth. She had just talked to her mom and handled the situation and the reporters like a pro. I saw her in her own element, and she was magnificent. How could I take that away from her?