Quest For Earth (21 page)

‘It will not change our course. Once our mission has been completed, we will leave this planet and return to our home.'

So his Sherise was unaware he knew of the damage to their ship.
It infuriated him how she continued to lie. He reared back, clenching his jaw so hard his teeth ached. Why was she so determined to keep the knowledge of their difficulties from him? Why could she not trust him? His people looked to him for leadership and guidance. All these long, hard years, did he not deliver? Again and again?

Maaka glared.
On the blood of Leon, she will come to me freely and share her troubles and pain.

Like a true mate.

‘We will not aid you in your battle lust.' Sherise spun on her heel and stepped forward, no doubt to follow in Kondo's footsteps.

Maaka caught her by her upper arm and, when she tried to wrench free, he tightened his hold, unhappily aware his firm grip would leave marks on her tender skin. ‘'Tis not lust that drives us, foolish woman.'

She turned back and surged to her toes to meet him glare for glare. ‘Do not dare to call me foolish. I am not the one willing, no, eager to allow the blood of my people flow freely over the land.' She sucked in a breath. ‘Why can you not sue for peace with your enemies? Have you even attempted a treaty?'

‘What use is a treaty with one you know will not honour the agreement?'

‘If you have not tried, than how do you know a treaty will not be honoured?' She snorted. ‘I can have no interest in a man who thinks killing is the only answer.'

‘My interest in a woman who is so wilfully determined to dismiss the truth diminishes by the minute.'

‘You have no idea how happy that makes me.' Sherise tugged at her sleeves. Head high, she stared into the shadowy cavern. ‘Perhaps, instead of chasing after women, your time would be better spent in sourcing alternate solutions to your problems. As a leader, you have a responsibility to keep your people safe, not to lead them on a path to death.'

Maaka released her arm before he gave into the urge to shake her until her bones rattled inside her skin. He took a careful step backwards. ‘Tell me, Sherise, the tikka you shot the day we met, did you kill it?'

‘Of course not.'

‘So, you allowed the creature to live so that it could attack and kill my people instead.'

‘No! I was armed with a stunner only.'

‘You could have used your knife while it lay immobile on the ground. Even the youngest child can see the danger of such a predator. Surely you knew leaving the tikka alive could well mean the death of one of us.'

‘You gave me no chance to do so when you attacked me.'

‘I was saving you.'

Sherise rolled her eyes. ‘Is that what you call it?'

‘Would you have killed it?'

‘Honestly? I do not know. I did want to examine it more closely. The feathers appeared to be made of a kind of metal; I have never seen anything like it before.' She paused. ‘I wondered if it was a type of robot.'

Maaka frowned. ‘What is a robot?'

‘Not living or breathing, like you and me.'

‘Aah. The tikka is a living creature. It feeds on flesh; our flesh.'

Sherise grimaced. ‘Does everything here do nothing but kill?'

‘When your back is against the wall, my Sherise, there is no other way.'

Their eyes met.

‘You're talking about going to war again, aren't you? I have seen the devastation that fighting brings. I have seen women and children, fading away from lack of food and medical attention. Friends, family.' Her voice shook. ‘Will you not try to live in peace with your enemy?'

He fisted his hands at the pleading in her glowing eyes, framed so effectively by her dark golden skin. ‘When you see the true extent of the horrors we face, you will realise there is no other option.'

‘Bargain for what you need. Approach the Board.'

He shook his head. ‘The Board will not listen. Their minds are clouded by the scriptures of the Teacher. Any who are not considered pure are not worthy of saving.'

‘Who?' she asked sharply.

‘Their spiritual adviser.' Maaka hesitated. If he told her what he feared, would she believe him?

‘There was no holy man at our meeting. The members of the Board were the ones making the decisions. You will be a fool, Maaka, if you continue on this journey. It will lead your people into oblivion.' She brushed past him, lips pursed into a tight, tempting pucker that played havoc with his resolve to wait until he'd gained her trust.

In two easy strides, he reached her side and wound his fingers through hers. She shot a quick glance at his face and then away, as they heard a commotion at the opposite side of the cavern.

One sweep of his arm and Maaka positioned his mate behind him. Emerging from the tunnel above and beginning to descend the long flight of steps was a contingent of armoured soldiers with Liu in the lead, flapping his hands and tripping a little on the steps in his haste. At the bottom of the stone steps, the Relic warlord waited, his men formed into regimented lines to his rear.

Aah, the extraction team.
Maaka had wondered how long it would be before Sherise's people arrived to retrieve her and her friend. Their over-protective attitude towards females had not gone unnoticed. Lycanean women were warriors and respected as such. They had fought often at his side.

And his Sherise had the soul of a warrior.

Was there a reason for the aliens' attitude? Stemming from their recent war? Could the safety of their women be a weakness? If so, then he could well have a bargaining chip in his hands. If he dared use it.

The newcomers approached. The one he guessed must be their leader strode in front, Kondo by his side. His gut tightened as he noticed the weapon platforms adorning both sides of the soldiers' shoulders.

He transmitted a telepathic message to his men, well pleased when they surged to their feet and assumed battle ready stances. From various tunnels surrounding the cave, more of his men entered to assume casual positions against the rock walls. He cast a quick look around the cavern, examining the movements in the shadows and noted how some men had taken station in windows higher up, their bows aimed and ready. He well knew their basic weapons would be no match against the aliens' technology. But showing courage and steadfast determination to a potential enemy could be just as important.

The women, children and the Freebers, coverings clutched to their chests, scurried away from the newcomers and disappeared into the many tunnels.

Sherise tried to move past, but he pushed her back.

‘No, stay where you are.'

‘Please, there is no need to fight. These soldiers are not here to do you any harm. They are here with a replenished medie tube.'

Maaka snorted. ‘I do not fear them.'

She smacked his back and muttered something about fools and arrogant men. He said, ‘'Tis strange how you have forgotten you are both my prisoner and my chosen mate.'

‘Oh! I am neither.'

‘Hush. Your leader approaches.'

Maaka placed a hand on his chest and inclined his head towards the approaching soldiers. He noted their suspicious glances as they examined the settlement. It would take little for these warriors to draw their weapons and release their blood lust. The expression on the warrior who halted before him was taut. This man gave the impression of one well-seasoned in battle. The world they had left behind must have been fraught with many dangers, one where war had raged.

Despite their armour and advanced technology, these men were like him. He thinned his lips into a grim smile.

And his sweet Sherise dared to proclaim
his
penchant for fighting!

His opponent nodded a curt greeting, eyes steady but reserved.

‘Commander Dyrke. Maaka, leader of the Lycaneans,' Kondo said.

Interesting how the Relic warlord now stood at neither side but apart, as if unwilling to reveal his true allegiance. Interesting also how Kondo had positioned Liu behind him, as if protecting the gentle Freeber leader.

Maaka waited, keeping his expression impassive, his hands open and in full sight.

The Commander glanced toward Sherise. ‘Are you hurt? And Bree?'

‘We are both fine, Dyrke. We've been helping the injured. Did you receive my message?'

‘The damaged shuttle is being repaired. Our engineers advise half a day and she will be operational.' He studied Maaka again. A slight rounding of the leader's square shoulders signalled an easing in his demeanour.

Aah, an intelligent and reasonable man, this one.

‘You have my thanks for giving shelter to our people,' said Dyrke.

And a diplomat.

‘I have my reasons.'

The Commander raised his brows, as if unused to such a blunt response. He continued slowly, obviously choosing his words with care, ‘Still, I am grateful they are safe.'

‘We are the ones who are grateful. We had wounded from a recent battle and your technology has helped many to survive.'

‘Dyrke, I had not expected you to come in person,' Sherise said.

‘The Board has offered a full tour of the city and I have accepted on our behalf. We will return to the Fortress as soon as we are done here.'

‘Did you bring another medie tube with you?'

‘Affirmative, although I have not given the order for it to be offloaded.'

Maaka heard Sherise draw in a sharp breath but, much to his surprise, she remained silent.

Dyrke's gaze left Maaka and scrutinised his surroundings again. ‘Your camp impresses me. As do your defence systems.' He indicated Maaka's men.

Maaka spread his hands wide. ‘An enemy may appear in many guises.'

‘Too true.'

‘Since you have met with the Board, I now wonder whether you are friend or foe.'

‘We remain neutral. It is not our place, or our intention, to be embroiled in your war.'

‘Curious. The same response Sherise has given. I believe you will need to choose a side sooner rather than later. I would suggest, Commander, you choose wisely.'

‘A threat?'

‘Consider it a friendly warning.' Maaka smiled. ‘Come, will you not share a repast with us?'

‘Negative. We will retrieve our people and leave.'

Maaka ran a finger along the line of his jaw, absorbing the sudden tension in his Sherise, standing so quiet behind. Too quiet. Was she waiting to hear whether he would hand her over with nary a protest? ‘There may be a problem acceding to your request. What would you say were I to advise not all may leave?'

‘I had not taken you for a fool, Maaka.' The Commander rocked back on his heels, eyes narrowed into cold slits.

‘This gratitude of which you speak, how far does it extend? I have claimed the woman, Sherise, as my mate. She will remain with me.'

Sherise pushed past. ‘Enough. We are wasting time. Commander, if you can arrange for the medie tube to be brought inside the caves, I will run through its operating systems with Liu and their healers. Did you also bring the medical supplies I requested?'

Dyrke nodded.

‘Good. Then, I see no reason for us to delay any longer.'

Maaka gripped her upper arm, holding her immobile. ‘You are to stay here.'

‘Then the medie tube and supplies will not be unloaded.' The Commander reached for his side weapon.

The rustle of clothing, the creak of bows bending, the scrape of weapons against leather filled the cave with ominous sounds as men prepared to do battle.

‘Hold your fire, Commander.' Sherise tugged at Maaka's hold.

Maaka tightened his grip. ‘I could be prepared to barter for her release.'

Sherise gasped.

He spared her a quick glance, taking in the flushed cheeks and the sudden downward droop to her lush lips. The disappointment he sensed in her heart caused his gut to twist with regret. But he must take this opportunity. If he could sneak on board their ship before they left, perhaps with Kondo's assistance, he could blend in with their soldiers and be part of that tour. There were many areas within the city he had never been able to gain access to. He needed answers.

Later, he would explain all to his sweet Sherise and she would forgive him.

‘Well, Dyrke? A barter or a battle. Your choice,' said Maaka, his voice harsh with resolve. He slid his thumb over the soft flesh of Sherise's inner arm, the only comfort he dared to give.

She shoved him, her elbow digging between the bones of his ribcage.

He sucked in a breath.

She stomped down hard onto the arch of his foot and ground her weight down.

By Leon's little finger, that hurt.
Still he maintained his hold.

Dyrke looked from him to Sherise then back again. ‘Hold weapons,' said Dyrke. One eyebrow lifted in query, he added, ‘You are in no position to bargain.'

‘Are you willing to take that chance?'

‘Present your demand.' The smile left the Darkon warlord's face. ‘I have no desire to shed blood over a matter which can be readily resolved.' He flicked a quick glance towards his men who promptly slid their weapons back into their holsters.

‘Agreed. Weapons, armour, intel devices, medical supplies and medie tubes to begin with. Naturally, an allegiance between us would also be most welcome.'

‘You rate the woman's value high.'

Maaka shrugged, his gaze not leaving the other soldier's face. One twitch of muscle, one flicker of the Commander's eyelids and Maaka would give the order for his men to commence firing.

‘So you can begin your war,' hissed Sherise, her face flushed with anger.

He gave her arm a little shake.

‘Remove your hand from my person.'

What a magnificent mate she will make me.

He drawled, not missing the infinitesimal movement of Dyrke's brows, ‘We both know her worth to be immeasurable. But I am prepared to accept a lower value in the spirit of friendship.'