Alien Redemption [Clans of Kalquor 06] (13 page)

Rachel nodded. She’d heard, all right. Govi, Conyod, and even Kivokan had gone to great lengths to warn her not to open her door to strange men and to not go out to isolated places unchaperoned. Damn it, she wished Erybet would let go of his caution and simply clan her.

Then she could move in with the clan and live safe and sound in their home. She was already reassured by Sletran’s Nobek protectiveness, having gone on little walks outside the hospital with the clan while waiting for her official release. His eyes were forever scanning their surroundings. The man was as alert as a guard dog.

Sletran and Erybet were both considerate to a fault when it came to her. She sensed a desire from them both to get close to her, to gain her confidence. Solicitous at every turn, Rachel found herself truly liking her beloved’s clanmates. But would she find love with them like she had with Conyod?

She noticed the flat rectangle on the table. She looked at the men with surprise
. I thought
computers weren’t provided? That I’d have to buy my own with my government allowance?

Erybet offered a cautious smile. “We thought you might like to spend more of your money on clothing, since you have so little to wear. Consider the computer the introductory gift we didn’t present you upon our first meeting.”

Her heart warmed at his thoughtfulness.
That’s too generous, Erybet.

He gave her a firm voice, but his smile grew. “You’ll have to accept it, or I’ll spend the same amount on a wardrobe for you. And you may not particularly care for my taste in clothing since all I’m used to are military issued formsuits.”

She shook her head but took his hand.
“Gutuk ze,”
she said, giving in with good grace.

Erybet seemed delighted at her touch. He squeezed gently. “Perhaps Sletran and I can take you to some shops while Conyod works today?”

Rachel nodded and blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes. The man never stopped trying to take care of her now that his clan officially courted her. She couldn’t figure out why Conyod had hinted he was at odds with his Dramok.

Conyod moved to stand close to her as well. He wasn’t as tall as the other two men, but he still loomed over her. Looking up at him, Rachel was reminded of how overwhelming he’d been covering her body with his. They hadn’t had another opportunity to make love since the one time, and she hoped that now she was out of the hospital that would soon change. Rachel wasn’t quite sure how that would work with Erybet and Sletran added to the mix. She was always in the company of more than one man these days. Not even having to go into the hospital for outpatient therapy was going to give her and Conyod a chance to be alone; her case had been turned over to another psychologist.

She gazed now into his big, beautiful eyes, thinking she’d be happy to drown in their blue-purple depths. He smiled at her. “Sletran has loaded a Kalquorian language program into your computer. It’s highly recommended for Earthers.”

Sletran added, “Everyone learns differently, though. If you don’t like it, let me know and I’ll find you another instruction.”

“
Gutuk ze
,” Rachel said again. She’d been thanking the three men a lot lately. They did so much for her, often anticipating her needs before she even realized what they were.

Conyod turned and led the way into the next room. While Rachel and the other two paused in the small kitchenette, the Imdiko continued on through another doorway. “I’ll put your things in the sleeping room. Don’t have too much fun without me.”

Rachel wandered the tiny room, made smaller still by the two massive Kalquorians who remained with her. She opened doors and drawers, familiarizing herself with her new surroundings. One door opened into a cooling unit filled with ready-made meals along with fresh fruits, beverages, and snacks.

Erybet opened another door. To Rachel, it looked like a cabinet. However the Dramok said,

“For the meals, just put them in this warmer. The machine will scan and heat them properly for you.”

Okay. Simple enough. From the looks of the packages, labeled in both Kalquorian and English, she had quite a few familiar entrees to enjoy.

She showed Sletran the package that apparently contained teriyaki chicken. He nodded.

“The farms of the Earther colony Mercy have done well enough that you’ll find a decent selection of food you’re familiar with.”

Conyod returned to the room. “She’s had a taste of that in the hospital. Lasagna seems to be her favorite.”

The Nobek offered, “I could learn to make it. The market gets fresh daily shipments of Earther produce and meats.”

Rachel looked at him in surprise. Sletran was handsome, but he also looked almost primitive with his heavy, uber-masculine features. He was the biggest of the three, with at least a foot in height and over one hundred pounds on her. She couldn’t imagine the massive warrior doing something so domestic as cooking a meal.

Erybet seemed amused at her reaction. “Sletran is a decent cook. I enjoy it when he prepares our meals.”

The Nobek snorted. “I had no choice but to learn. Otherwise, we’d eat only rations or take the chance on being poisoned by these two.”

Conyod’s grin was unguarded, lighting his whole face. Rachel’s heart skipped a beat at the sight.

He asked his clanmates, “Do you remember the time Erybet tried to roast half a ronka in our first home’s tiny cooker?”

Chuckles rumbled from Sletran’s chest, and Erybet snickered unselfconsciously. They laughed a lot more than when Rachel had first met them. “Most of it was still raw after eight hours of cooking,” the Dramok confessed. He cocked an eyebrow at Conyod. “At least I didn’t nearly burn the entire place down making a stew.”

All three men laughed at that, Conyod flushing dark with embarrassment even as he joined in the hilarity. Rachel enjoyed seeing them sharing a moment of ease. In the last two weeks, the reticent Sletran had come more and more out of his shell, Erybet had become relaxed around her, and Conyod’s haunted expressions had nearly ceased. She liked to think she was doing the clan good.

Conyod said, “It’s true. I did destroy the kitchen of our first home. What made it worse was that I was still in training for my advanced therapy certificate and not making an income. These two had to pay to replace the entire kitchen.”

Sletran nudged him with goodnatured indulgence. “On my basic foot soldier and Erybet’s group commander salaries. That was the most expensive meal any of us ever made!”

Rachel cocked her head in confusion.
But you get income from the Empire’s ores, right?

Those from Kalquor itself and its moons and colonies?

Conyod answered that one. “Oh of course, but that covers only the basics: shelter no bigger than this apartment, food staples, functional clothing, schooling, and maybe a small bit left over to buy a couple of drinks at a club. The Empire’s infrastructure and services like the military, medical care, and police force also come from those resources.”

Erybet added, “Most is placed in a fund for Kalquor’s future needs and emergencies, such as natural disasters. What each Kalquorian receives is not enough for any real luxury, but no one starves.”

“Unless you two are cooking,” Sletran deadpanned, which earned more laughter.

After he stopped snickering, Erybet told Rachel, “Now that you’re a permanent resident of Kalquor designated to join a clan, you get a share as well. It pays for this apartment, the food, and the allowance in your account.”

Rachel nodded her understanding with no small relief. Now she didn’t feel so much like a charity case for having her home and food provided for. She was being treated like everyone else in the Empire, Kalquorian and Earther alike.

They peeked in the sleeping room, which contained a thick mat like the one she’d slept on in the hospital, a seating cushion and low table, plus a closet which disappeared into the wall. Then it was time to say goodbye to Conyod for a few hours.

He sighed unhappily, gazing into her face. “I suppose I should get back to the hospital.

Some of us have to work these days.”

Erybet placed his hand on the back of Conyod’s neck and squeezed gently. “Ray-Ray is in good hands, my Imdiko.”

Conyod searched the Dramok’s face. His smile returned. “Yes. I think she is.”

He kissed Rachel goodbye right there in front of his clanmates. It wasn’t a chaste kiss either; it made the center of Rachel’s stomach heat with need. Then Conyod left with another wistful sigh.

Rachel’s sigh matched his. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face even though the other two looked terribly amused at the display. Feeling sassy, she stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry at the pair.

You think that’s funny? Just wait until I get my hands on you both. Then we’ll see who’s
smirking.

The thought had her grinning. After all, even if she wasn’t in love with the Dramok and Nobek yet, they were still delicious-looking enough to enjoy carnal fantasies.

* * * *

Global Security officers Breft and Raxstad arrived in the city’s underground market, carefully navigating their small shuttle right to its central square. It was early yet, but the market was already bustling with many Kalquorian and Earther Mataras alike, all on foot. Only emergency vehicles were allowed in the heart of the market where the bulk of the capital’s business and entertainment took place.

The Kalquorian love for keeping their planet’s landscape as untouched as possible was the reason the hub of the activity was kept underground, in a former mine. One would rarely realize they were not outdoors once they reached the market area. The ceiling above was one great vid receiver, showing a live transmission of the sky overhead. The day was filled with sunshine, and no one, not even the best engineer or tech, could discern that the sun wasn’t actually beaming down on the streets of Kalquor.

The central square, like many of the other squares of the market, was lined on either side with shops and eateries. In the wide open space between the shops, entertainers played music for the enjoyment of those wandering the area. Artists invited passersby to sit for portraits. There were scenes enacted from favorite plays. Seats and tables scattered around beneath the shade of trees for those who wished to rest or simply visit with friends. There were even play areas for the few children, mostly toddlers, to enjoy. Breft’s clan had brought their twins out just yesterday to shop. He had supervised his little ones as they happily climbed rocks with carved handholds and slid down chutes. Their shrieks of laughter had pealed joyously enough to make even tough Nobeks grin.

There was to be no laughter today. Not considering the report they’d received.

At the very center of the square was a large statue, depicting the First Clan of Kalquor. The virus that had decimated the female population had spurred then-Crown Prince Shev to adopt the clan system with his friends Nobek Mekyi and Imdiko Hartob. Matara Dalic had joined them.

They ascended to the throne together, becoming the first Imperial Clan.

As Breft and Raxstad neared, they saw the statue was hidden behind an opaque shield. A crowd clustered around it, no doubt curious as to what had happened. Other Global Security officers noted their first and second superiors’ approach.

“One side, citizens! One side to let officers pass,” came the call, and everyone drew back to create a path. Breft and Raxstad walked through the crowd without a problem, both activating their identification signals via small boxes on their belts. The opaque shield allowed them to walk right through.

The huge bronze visage of Nobek Emperor Mekyi stared down at Breft, his blades drawn as he coldly dared anyone to harm his clan. Dramok Emperor Shev stood at his side, one hand over his heart in a symbol of his devotion to Kalquor. On the opposite side of Shev stood Imdiko Emperor Hartob, one hand on Shev’s shoulder, the other on the shoulder of Empress Dalic, who knelt on one knee before Shev, facing away from her men. Her hands were held out, palms up, as if to offer peace to all.

Breft swallowed to see what had been placed in one of her outstretched hands. It wasn’t peace the beloved empress offered today.

Officer Lidon approached, his usual limp not as obvious today. The turn of warm weather was offering him a little relief from the horrific injury that had nearly destroyed one of his legs long ago when he was a fighter pilot. He nodded a quick bow of respect. “My commanders.”

Breft thanked the ancestors Lidon had retired from his military spaceflight career to join Global Security. The man’s quick mind had been a boon to the precinct since joining.

Now he asked the elder Nobek, “How intact is the scene?”

“I believe nothing has been disturbed.” Lidon gestured to a man who was talking to one of Breft’s investigators. The man’s face was pale, his eyes wide, and he kept the statue at his back so he wouldn’t look at it. “That Imdiko over there owns the herbal shop just across the square.

He saw this when he arrived to open and called security.” Lidon pointed to two regular peacekeepers. “Those two officers zoned off the area right away and called regional enforcement, who called us upon their arrival.”

Raxstad had stood silently by, his lips pressed tightly together as he surveyed the scene.

When he spoke, his growling words were nearly indecipherable. “By the ancestors, this is the worst one yet. What kind of monster would do such a thing?”

Breft looked at Matara Maria’s face, recognizable from the pictures he’d viewed. The killer hadn’t marred her now-pale features. With her closed eyes, she almost looked serene. Or would have, had the rest of her body still been attached. It was her head that the statue of Empress Dalic held out like a gift.

The Matara’s naked torso had been skewered at the end of Emperor Mekyi’s uplifted blade.

Her arms and legs draped over the First Clan’s necks like macabre stoles. The effect was hideous. A young, innocent woman, perhaps as sweet and gentle as Breft’s own Matara, had been made into a demented joke. The thought that Breft’s mate Amelia could have suffered such a fate made him want to shred the killer.