The Tigrens' Glory (45 page)

“In our time, male children were born in threes, with each of them sharing a single soul, as they do now,” Kyerion explained.  “Female children were also born in threes, with their own individual souls, again as now.  Males were born as the clan they were born into.  Tigren males were born Tigren.  Dracon males were born Dracon, and so on.  Females, on the other hand, were not born shifters at all.  There was no telling which clan a female would eventually become part of.  So, when a male-set found their Arima, they used their mating fangs to inject serum into her two times.  The first injection altered her DNA to match that of their clan, and increased her ability to regenerate, or self-heal, which is required for shifting.  The second injection allowed the four of them to become soul-linked.”  Kyerion paused to refill their coffee cups from the carafe. 

“You following so far?” Cade asked.

“Yes, I think so,” Glory said. 

“Until Lariah was converted, there were no Jasani females, and hadn’t been since the destruction of Ugaztun,” Kyerion continued.  “When the Dracons were forced to convert her, they discovered that the process was going differently than they’d been taught it should.  They also discovered that their mating fangs did not shed after the second injection.  Instead of two, they gave her three injections of serum, after which their fangs shed.”

“That’s kind of amazing.”

“It is,” Kyerion agreed.  “Unfortunately, as I said, our fangs will shed after two injections.  Not enough to convert a human woman.”

“But since I have Tigren blood, you think you might be able to do it in two injections,” Glory said.

“We hope it’s possible,” Kyerion said carefully.  “We do not know for certain.  Don’t forget, females of Ugaztun had no traits of any clan until they were converted.  Your Tigren traits give us hope, don’t get me wrong, but there are concerns as well.”

“Such as?”

“Before the final injection the female goes into a mating fever in preparation for the soul-linking stage,” Kirk said.  “If the final injection is not given after that stage begins, the female will die.  So, if two injections are not enough, that is the stage you will be caught in.”

“Yes, well, I can see how that would be bad,” Glory said, surprising herself.  She’d always kept her somewhat sharp sense of humor to herself, but since the Tigren didn’t seem to mind it, she relaxed.  “Is there no way around that part?”

“No,” Kyerion said.  “The Falcorans theorized that the female could be placed in a deep sleep until the mating fever passed, allowing them to skip the final injection, thereby preventing the woman from undergoing full conversion.  It is a good thing they didn’t try it because they were wrong.  The mating fever requires the serum of the final injection to abate.  Without the serum, the woman will die.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, we’re sure,” Kyerion replied. 

“I thought you would be,” Glory said.  “There are human women who’re mated to Jasani male-sets.  Can’t we do that?”

“No,” Kyerion said.  “Since our mating fangs have already descended, there can be children only if we convert you.”

Glory suddenly felt as though her heart was being squeezed by a gigantic fist.  She remained still until the pain eased, then forced herself to say what had to be said.  “Setting my personal feelings aside, I know as well as you three that without Clan Tigren, your people will not survive.  You must have children.  If you can’t have them with me, you’ll need to find another woman to have them with.  Too much is at stake for too many people.”

“We agree that the matter of children is a far more important consideration for us than it would otherwise be,” Kyerion said.  “But Glory, you still don’t fully understand.  It’s
impossible
for us to mate with another woman.  This is not about choice.  This is a fact that cannot be changed.”

Glory frowned as she struggled to accept what he was saying.  It was, in its way, even stranger than the whole three men, one soul divided aspect of what they’d told her.  After a few minutes she gasped with sudden hope.  “I’ve done a lot of reading on the vid-terminal the last couple of weeks, and I’ve learned that there are ways of conceiving children that have nothing to do with sex.”

The expressions of surprise on their faces were almost comical.  “Please explain,” Kirk said.

“An egg is taken from a female, sperm is taken from a male, and the two are combined and placed in either a female’s womb, or an artificial womb.”

Kyerion thought about that for a few moments, then shrugged.  “We find that interesting from a healer’s point of view, but such a method would never work for us.”

“Why not?”

“Our sperm does not become viable until after our mating fangs have shed.”

Glory tried to hide how disappointed she felt at that revelation by mentally reviewing everything they’d told her while finishing her breakfast.  As hard as she tried, she could find no way around any of it.  “So, to clarify, attempting to convert me might kill me, but without conversion there can be no children.”

The Tigren nodded solemnly.  “All right then, what’s the plan?”

“We return to Jasan and work with the council scientists to find a way to either convert you without risk, or have children with you without conversion,” Kyerion said.

Glory nodded.  She didn’t hold out much hope for either of those two goals coming to pass.  From the look in Kyerion’s eyes, neither did he.

Chapter Thirty Five

Glory paced the training room, spinning two
sai
in her hands as she waited.  She was just thinking about adding a third when the door opened and she turned with a smile.  “Hello, Lariah,” she said.

“Glory,” Lariah exclaimed, hurrying forward to give her a hug.  “I am so glad you’re awake and well.  I was very worried about you.”

“I’m fine, as you can see,” Glory replied, returning Lariah’s hug with one of her own.

“You look wonderful,” Lariah said, stepping back.

“I feel pretty wonderful,” Glory replied, smiling.  “It turns out I’m an Arima.  That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Are you angry with me for not telling you?” Lariah asked.

“You knew?” Glory asked in surprise.

“I suspected,” Lariah admitted.  “We all did.  No one could know for certain except the Tigren, and them only after they scented your pheromones.  It was my decision not to discuss it with you, but I promise, I did it for your sake.  I figured you had enough on your plate as it was.  You didn’t need to worry about something that may or may not be true, and if true, may or may not be possible.”

“You protected me,” Glory said.  “I thank you for that, and you were right.  It would have been one more thing for me to worry about.  No, Lariah, I am not angry with you in the slightest.”

“I’m glad,” Lariah said.  “And relieved.  So, what did you want to talk about?”

“The conversion,” Glory said.  “Kyerion told me that you were the first woman to go through the conversion to become a true Arima.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Lariah said.

“From what they told me, there is no chance of children unless I undergo the conversion, and from what you told me, without the Tigren, the Jasani are doomed,” Glory said.

“As far as we know, that’s correct,” Lariah said.  “But no one wants you to risk your life Glory.  You’ve already done enough for Clan Jasani.”

“I appreciate that, Lariah,” Glory said.  She held up her hands which, for the first time, were without gloves.  She extended her claws, now sharpened to proper points by her men, so that Lariah could see them.  Lariah reached for her hands and looked at the tips of her fingers carefully, surprising Glory. 

“This is why you always wore gloves?” Lariah asked.

“Yes,” Glory replied.  “They had steel tips in the fingers to prevent my claws from cutting through them.  They don’t bother you?”

“Bother me?” Lariah asked in surprise.  “No, they don’t bother me.  I think it’s cool that you get to carry a weapon around like that all the time.”  Her expression turned thoughtful.  “I wonder if I can get my dracon to let me spit fire when I’m in my human form.”

“That might not work out so well for your human throat,” Glory pointed out dryly.

“True,” Lariah laughed.  “I’m glad you no longer feel the need to hide your claws.  I wondered about the gloves, but I figured you were dealing with enough new stuff as it was, so I didn’t ask.  What made you stop wearing them?”

“I woke up without them.  Then Kyerion, Kirk, and Cade, told me that I was born with traits of the Tigren because my ancestors were Tigren.  My whole life I was told that I was a deformed and dangerous freak, and the whole time Bashir knew the truth.”  Glory sighed as she stared at her extended claws, then slowly retracted them.  “I’ve always stood on the outside, Lariah, never fully belonging anywhere.  I don’t want to do that anymore.  I want to become wholly Tigren, and wholly Jasani.  I want to be a true Arima, and have children, and a family.  I want to stay on Jasan where I’ve made friends, and where people accept me, and care about me, like you.  People I care about in return.  Unfortunately, I don’t know how to convince the Tigren to try the conversion.  I hoped you’d help me.”

“I understand how you feel, Glory,” Lariah said.  “I wanted family and children so badly, but the Dracons refused to attempt the conversion.  They were afraid for me, and nothing I said changed their minds.  I was so angry when they made that choice for me.  I even tried to leave them, but they wouldn’t let me.  In the end they were forced to attempt it to save my life.  If that hadn’t happened, I often wonder if there would be any Arimas at all.”

“Well, I can’t go out and get myself hurt on purpose just to force their hands,” Glory said.  “There’s got to be a way to get them to see reason.”

“When it comes to the health and welfare of their women, Jasani men can be excessively unreasonable,” Lariah said.  “I’ll talk to Garen, Trey and Val about it.  Maybe they can offer some advice since they’ve been through it.”

“I’d appreciate it very much,” Glory said.  “You’ve been such a good friend to me, Lariah.  I hardly know how to thank you for all that you’ve done for me.”

“Seeing you like this is all the thanks I need,” Lariah said, smiling up at Glory. 

“It’s such a nice feeling, happiness,” Glory said.  “I’ve never felt like this before, but I like it, and I want to keep it.”

Lariah’s smile faded.  “I’m afraid I have a confession to make, Glory.”

Glory nodded, but didn’t look too concerned, which eased Lariah’s worry.  “It’s not something I have any control over, but…well, remember when I introduced myself to you as
Nahoa
-Arima?”

“Yes, of course,” Glory replied.

“Well, a Nahoa-Arima is a rare thing, something a person is born with,” Lariah said.  “One of the things I do, without conscious thought or effort, is heal the hearts and souls of people I’m close to.  Like you.”

Glory’s eyes widened in surprise.  “That explains why I’ve learned to smile and laugh when I’ve never done either before.”  She stepped forward and hugged Lariah once more.  “I put it all down to you anyway, Lariah.  The how of it doesn’t matter.  It only matters that you’ve given me a rare and special gift, and I will always be thankful for it.”

“And I will always be thankful to have you as my friend,” Lariah said, hugging her back. 

“All I need now is to convince the Tigren to convert me, and my happiness will be complete,” Glory asked, stepping back.

“When we reach Jasan, a few of us women are planning to go shopping in Badia before returning to the ranch,” Lariah said thoughtfully.  “After we shop, we’re going to have lunch together.  I think that would be a perfect time for all of us women to put our heads together and try to find a solution to your problem.  If you want to join us, that is.”

“Yes, I’d like that very much,” Glory replied without even having to think about it.  “In fact, I was going to ask you if you’d help me with some shopping.”

“Of course I will,” Lariah said.  “What sort of shopping?”

“All I own are battle leathers, work-out clothes and pajamas,” Glory said.  “I’d like to expand my wardrobe to include a few…pretty things.”

“That’ll be so much fun!” Lariah exclaimed.  “I’m looking forward to this more than ever now.”

“So am I,” Glory said.  “So, what’s the plan?” 

“Summer, Faith, Aisling, you and I will take a shuttle down to the spaceport after we dock at the skyport,” Lariah said.  “Saige wants to go but she’s too big right now to waddle all over Badia.  I’ve already made arrangements for Hope Bearen, Honey Vulpiran, and Saige, to meet us at a nice restaurant for lunch.”

“It sounds like fun,” Glory said, then tilted her head.  “Do you know, Lariah, that I’d never experienced
fun
before I met you?”

“I suspected,” Lariah said soberly.  “But that’s all right.  It’s never too late to learn how to have fun.”

Chapter Thirty Six

“I never would have suspected that walking through stores and trying on clothing could be so exhausting,” Glory said as the group of women left the restaurant after a long, enjoyable lunch together.  “I think an entire day of sparring takes less effort.  It’s certainly less frustrating.”

“I know what you mean,” Faith said from beside her.  “I always thought it would be so much fun to be able to go shopping and buy whatever I want, and in that sense, it is.  But money doesn’t make finding things that you like,
and
that fit,
and
that look good once you put them on your body any easier.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Glory agreed.  “I’m happy with the things I purchased though.  I thank all of you for your help.”

Faith opened her mouth to reply when Summer suddenly hissed, “
Fils de putain
!”  The entire group froze, instantly alert as they looked for the cause of Summer’s warning.  It wasn’t difficult to find.  The busy street they’d left when they entered the restaurant was now deserted, except for a group of men who stood in a wide half circle pointing a variety of powerful weapons at them.