CHAPTER 7 #2
Rafa frowned. “It will take too long to reach Earth. Kiernan doesn’t have that kind of time.”
“Laizahlian ships are more advanced than yours. We carry the ability to fold space, cutting the journey by ninety percent. We can arrive at Earth in less than two days from Raiden.”
“But your ship isn’t even here.”
“If we leave right away, we can reach Raiden in less than a day. Arrangements have already been made. If the Sabula king agrees to meet with me, we won’t need to go through Nicolai or the House of Nekbet. I understand you are in trouble with your king and it would be unwise to return there.”
“I am, yes. The old kings like Babatondé and Caelium demand absolute obedience. It is doubtful my king will ever forgive me for disobeying his commands. Aaliyah and I will not be invited back to Raiden until after Nicolai takes over as king.”
“The Laizahlian council is planning to open communication with Earth’s leaders. It’s time for them to learn about life outside their own world. It might not happen overnight, but it’s possible you and Aaliyah can make your home there.”
“I’m not sure Liyah wants to live on a world where she was treated so badly, but we can discuss this once we deal with Caelium. I’m not sure he’ll agree to give up Lena for a weaker human.”
“He will if he believes he can find one as strong as your Aaliyah.”
Rafa stilled, his expression closing off. “Do you think that wise? I trust Aaliyah. I’m not sure we can trust someone of her strength in one of the other Houses. King Caelium is even worse than Babatondé. He could try to use Kiernan’s mate to seize power over the other Houses.”
Gauge turned his full attention to Rafa, narrowing his eyes. “What would make you think the female would have that kind of power, Rafa? Could it be because you know Aaliyah carries Djinn DNA?”
“Why would you think that? Aaliyah is not Djinn,” Rafa snapped. He paused before adding, “But we did recently face one.”
“Because I learned through Abby what Aaliyah did to help rescue her sister. She used a power only my kind and Djinn carry to stop Kiernan from claiming Samantha. This tells me Aaliyah carries either Laizahlian or Djinn blood. Possibly both.” Gauge glanced over at Rafa’s mate, finding her expression wary.
“Aaliyah is Raiden now,” Rafa growled. “She is not human, Laizahlian or Djinn. Perhaps it was a mistake to get you involved in this, Gauge. Seraphym and Samantha will arrive soon. I think you can return to your own body. We’ll handle this on our own.”
“There is no need to become defensive, Rafa. I’m no threat to your mate, but there is more going on here than you realize, and your mate is, unfortunately, right in the middle of it.
Contact the Sabula king and arrange a meeting.
Tell him I will bring Lena with me. You should be safe here with Seraphym and Samantha until I arrive. ”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Rafa said as he opened his communicator. “You Hunters think you’re invincible, but I know for a fact you are not.”
The conversation between Rafa and the Sabula palace went back and forth for nearly twenty minutes. It wasn’t easy for him to convince the king that Gauge wouldn’t betray them.
Finally, the three ships broke formation and left. Gauge was relieved, still not sure he could have worked his power through Lena. Agreeing to meet with the Sabula king wasn’t without risks, but Gauge felt sure he could keep control over the situation, especially if he were there in person.
“You promise you won’t allow Kiernan to claim an unwilling woman?” Aaliyah said. She’d been quiet up to this point, allowing Rafa to speak for them. Gauge sensed great strength in the female, both physical and mental.
“I promise.” Gauge offered the beautiful, dark-skinned female a shallow bow, crossing his fist over his chest, or in this case over Lena’s.
The beads in Aaliyah’s long, braided hair made a soft clacking sound as she bowed back.
“There are human females on Earth who will be open to a possible union with an alien.”
“Are they like me? Do you suspect they might carry a connection with Djinn?” Aaliyah asked. “Not that I’m saying I do. Frankly, I’m not sure about anything right now.”
“It’s possible. We suspect there might be many on Earth who are like you. Hybrids who carry dormant Djinn DNA. These dormant genes are being activated when the females are mated to our ancient Hunters. Or in your case, to a Raiden warrior.”
“How many are like me?” Aaliyah asked. “Do you think I can meet them?”
“Two that I know of. I can try to arrange for you to meet them. One was sent to Earth with her mate to try to locate her mother. The other one is living in another dimension.”
Aaliyah smiled. “I’d like to meet them. Thank you. But what about Lena? What are you planning to do with Lena?”
“We’ll deal with the threat of the Sabula king first, then I’ll find a way to set her permanently free of Ngozi’s influence. She’ll be able to decide for herself what she wants to do with her life.”
“What if you can’t?” Aaliyah pressed. “Some pain can’t be fixed with a bandage, Gauge. Isn’t that what you tried to do when you set a memory block in her mind?”
Gauge could sense Lena’s unease with the direction of this conversation and knew he needed to change the subject. “I did what I thought was best at the time.”
A high-pitched screech drew all their attention to the sky.
Circling high above them, Gauge noticed one greenish-blue Leviathan male, who he assumed was Lena’s Uncle Seraphym, and six smaller multi-colored Catalan serpents.
He suspected the smallest one might be Abby’s sister, Samantha.
“The Raiden warriors are gone, and Seraphym and Samantha are here to help you. You should be safe, but don’t hesitate to have Lena call me if this changes.
Keep your communicator open, Rafa. I’ll contact you as soon as my ship goes into orbit around Raiden. We’ll meet at the Sabula palace.”
Gauge focused his attention on Lena, slowly backing out as he returned control to her.
“You are safe now, child. I won’t let anyone hurt you.
Try to remain calm. I can be there by sundown tonight.
You will remain with Rafa and Aaliyah in their ship until then.
Your uncle and his mate will guard you.”
“Maybe you should let Kiernan claim me, Gauge.”
“I won’t let you sacrifice yourself. Try not to worry. I’ll convince the prince to accept a human female.”
“Will this female know about Raiden warriors? Will she understand what will be involved in a claiming?”
“Our council has opened communications with Earth’s governments, though I doubt the general population has been informed.
We will allow Kiernan to choose a female, but she will be given a choice before we allow him to sting her.
Try to relax, Lena. I would never allow a female to be forced.
If she says no, Kiernan will have to choose another one.
Earth is full of willing young females. It won’t take him long to find one who is suitable to be the mate of a prince. ”
Gauge waited until Lena calmed, then slowly backed out. He felt a moment of disorientation as he came forward into his own body.
“Is Lena okay?” Teo asked, looking worried.
“She is, at least for now. But we need to leave for Raiden immediately. Contact Jax and tell him to meet us on the ship.”
“I already did. He’ll be waiting there for us.”
Gauge fell into step beside his tracker. He wished there was time to go to Earth first to see how negotiations were going, but Kiernan couldn’t wait. The Sabula prince would die if he didn’t choose a female to claim soon.