Chapter 5 #2
The nanites immediately kicked into action, deploying over us almost like an oil spill, covering each centimeter of our bodies with one of the most impenetrable armor in the galaxy made of celesium.
It was a metal engineered by the Veredians which had the entire universe drooling with envy.
Our army, the Tuureans, used to be the only one to enjoy this amazing technology.
But now that my father led the Sentinels—who were bound to Veredia—this new peacekeeping force also got to benefit from it.
The intelligent suit was truly a marvel.
It interfaced with our brain waves to anticipate many of our needs and actions.
If we were about to punch something extremely hard, it would reinforce the support around our bones and articulations, creating a dampening effect to reduce the risk of injury to ourselves.
If our environment got too hot or too cold, it would regulate the temperature inside the suit to keep us comfortable.
If we sustained any injury or became poisoned, the medical nanites would kick into action to promptly start mending us or use mitigating measures until we were able to be properly tended to.
We didn’t close the helmet over our faces just yet.
Once we did, to the whole world, it would look as if we had a tinted glass visor covering our faces.
While they couldn’t see us, we could still see each other through the visor.
It also served as an overhead display with various tactical information about our environment, nearby targets, and our own status.
In the case of the females, closing our helmet would also deploy the armor around our braid, tipping it with a delightfully vicious blade.
Like all my Sisters, I loved using my braid in combat.
There was something primal and raw about it.
Strangely enough, although our males also tended to grow their hair fairly long to the small of their backs, they didn’t use the armored braid.
When I questioned Aunt Lee about it, she explained that at the time the Tuurean army was formed, we no longer had any surviving Veredian males.
Our species had been on the verge of extinction, and the complete armor with tainted visor had been devised to give the illusion that the Tuureans were a mysterious species with both traditional genders.
At the time, had people realized that the powerful army they believed to be cyborgs was actually just a handful of female Veredian survivors, they would have wiped us out.
After Vahl’s birth—the first Veredian male in over one hundred and fifty years—they didn’t adjust the male armor to now accommodate the armored braid. I suspected that would not change in the future.
I was attaching my weapons to my belt when I noticed Vahl discreetly gesturing with his head for the others to get out. I frowned, instantly annoyed when they quickly complied. Before I could make a swift exit of my own, Vahleryon stood in my path.
“Now is not the time,” I said sternly with a glare before attempting to circle around him.
He sidestepped and raised his arm to prevent my escape.
“I’m sorry for my part in it,” he said.
I froze and gaped at him. Of all the things he might have said, I never expected this sincere apology. Although he had no qualms recognizing when he was in the wrong, in this instance, I genuinely thought he believed they were right to act the way they did.
“We are all sorry,” he repeated in an apologetic tone. “After you left, Tharek gave us an earful. I won’t lie, it was quite distressing watching our fathers getting a dressing down from that little brat and then me having to sit there getting berated by him as well.”
I couldn’t help but snort as my vivid imagination replayed that scene in my mind’s eye. My mischievous little brother was usually the one getting a stern talking to for constantly getting in trouble or pulling stunts he shouldn’t. Seeing a role reversal would have been epically entertaining.
“Just so you know, we meant no disrespect to you. We’re just overbearingly protective, and we hate the thought of losing you.”
I rolled my eyes with exasperation. “You’re not losing me, you dummies!”
“He’ll take you from us and become the most important male in your life,” Vahl said stubbornly. “We get it. It’s the normal cycle of life. Knowing that doesn’t make us hate it any less.”
“You guys are thinking this all wrong. Love isn’t finite. It doesn’t come in limited quantities. Does mother love Dad less because of Papa? Does she love them less because of us?”
“It’s not the same,” he argued in a self-evident manner.
“It’s exactly the same!” I countered in an imperious tone.
“Me falling in love with my soulmate will not make me stop loving you, our siblings, or our parents. You’re my twin, for crying out loud!
No one can ever take your place in my heart.
Keep in mind that we’re not leaving for Braxia.
Gavin left his family and everything he has ever known to move here to be with me.
He’s joining the Sentinels. That should be a major relief to all of you.
But even if we did move to his Quadrant, that still should not be a reason for you guys interfering.
If you say you love me this much, you should support my happiness, not attempt to destroy it for your selfish reasons. ”
He heaved a sigh, and his shoulders slouched. I hated the defeated look on his face.
“I know all of that. Believe me, I’ve told myself as much for weeks—months even—as the day of his arrival drew closer.
I can’t help that I’m a jealous moron. I resent that he’ll become your priority and that he’ll have all of your time.
But I do love you and want you to be happy.
As much as I hate it, the fact that he’s your soulmate cannot be denied. ”
I stiffened, and my eyes flicked between his, searching. “What makes you say that?” I asked, an ugly suspicion blossoming deep within.
He gave me a sheepish look and shifted uneasily on his feet. “You and he are perfectly attuned.”
“You saw him?! You talked to him?!” I exclaimed, outraged.
He grimaced and nodded. “Yeah. It was only for a few seconds. He was pretty pissed at us for whisking you away and hurt that he didn’t get to see you. But your man is no pushover. He also accurately predicted that you would be mad.”
“I can’t believe Rhad took you there without me!” I growled.
“We shouldn’t have been there,” he countered in a defensive tone.
“If we had brought you, you wouldn’t have wanted to leave until enough time passed that we all got in trouble.
Yeah, I was curious. But I also wanted to let him know what was happening.
I knew Father wouldn’t have told him, and I was right. ”
Despite my annoyance, I was grateful he had at least given Gavin that peace of mind.
“We should head out,” I grumbled. “Sohr will kick our butts if we’re late.”
Once again, when I tried to circle around him, Vahl blocked my path. I gave him a ‘What the fuck?’ look. He didn’t speak a word but simply raised his index finger next to my right cheek. I swatted his hand away, giving him a disbelieving look that he would even think I would let him poke my dimple.
Ever since we were toddlers, Vahl had made it a habit of poking the dimples Rhadames and I inherited from our sire, Lhor.
It was his way of saying I love you or of displaying affection.
Whenever we had a fight, us allowing him to poke our dimples was proof that he was forgiven, and that we were ready to bury the hatchet.
I swatted his hand again and glared at him some more only for him to make the cutest, most pathetic pitiful face, like a wounded animal.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to burst out laughing more than I wanted to punch him in the throat.
The wretch even had the nerve to make the most heart wrenching whining sound as he once more brought his index finger next to my cheek.
I almost slapped his hand again but remained still with my eyes shooting daggers at him.
He shamelessly batted his eyelashes at me while carefully bringing his finger closer until it settled in my dimple.
The widest smile illuminated his face, then the look of pure love in his eyes messed me up.
As much as he pissed me off sometimes. I truly loved my brother.
The Goddess had blessed me with the best siblings in the universe.
I scrunched my face, unwilling to fully let him off the hook.
“You’re annoying as fuck,” I muttered.
He beamed at me while dropping his hand. “Wrong brother. I’m obnoxious. Tharek is the annoying one.”
I burst out laughing and nodded. Tharek was indeed the king of all brats.
“I love you, Zha,” Vahl said affectionately once we both sobered.
“I love you, too,” I said semi-begrudgingly.
He smiled and drew me into his embrace. I returned his hug, my lingering aggravation with him melting away. We could never stay mad at each other for long.
“Now, can we go do that freaking mission already?” I mumbled when he released me.
He chuckled, nodded, and waved his hand in a dramatic gesture inviting me to lead the way. I made a face at him and walked out of the room.
“By the way, that mate of yours is quite the beast,” Vahl said teasingly as he shadowed me.
I immediately perked up and gave him a sideways glance burning with curiosity. “He’s tall and massive, right?”
My brother nodded. “He’s not as gigantic as Uncle Ravik, but he sure puts Ghan to shame.”
My stomach fluttered, and I beamed at him. “He did look impressive in all his videos and photos. I can’t wait to see him. I bet he gives the best hugs, too.”
Vahl groaned and made a retching sound that had me elbowing him.
“Cut it out. You may be making faces now, but you just wait and see. Before long, my Gavin will become your Ghan.”
“Pfft!” he replied, looking at me as if I’d said something outrageous. “I don’t need him. I have my Gem, Lenora, the twins—”