Page 39 of The Alien Warrior's Heart

“She says she wishes to understand you,” the Heronas said.

Zar’s eyes widened.

Si-Moon snapped her lips shut as well.

They both stared at the brood.

“Is this a plea for your life, Heronas?”

The brood went quiet.

“Do you really think,” Zar advanced menacingly, “that you will live past the sun’s descent?”

The Heronas’s lips began to tremble.

Si-Moon speared him with another blistering look.

Zar ignored it and focused on the Heronas. “You know who I am, don’t you?”

“Neh.”

“Lies.” Zar grabbed the brood by the shoulders and shook. “You know.”

“I only know you are a Plutonian.” His voice cracked. The gulp of fear travelled down his long, scrawny neck. “You want to kill me.”

“Why should I not?” Zar hissed.

The Heronas dipped his head. Liquid leaked down his cheek. “Go ahead and kill me.”

Zar paused. What was this game? Did the Heronas think he could manipulate him?

“Zar.” Si-Moon placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back.

He remained in place.

She used both hands and gave a mighty shove.

Zar barely budged.

“Ez nedz tuk yuh.” Si-Moon scowled at him. Then she turned to the Heronas and gestured firmly.

The brood lifted its head and whispered, “She says she needs to speak to you.”

Zar let loose a bitter laugh. “Do you think I trust your interpretation?”

“I know the earth language.” His eyes darted to the left. “I… it was very difficult to acquire the translation chips in the lab, but I am sure.”

Zar wanted to rage at the sky. The opportunity to communicate properly with Si-Moon was in front of him, but to do so he had to accept the assistance of a Heronas. He wanted to insist that he needed no help from that monster, but Si-Moon folded her arms over her chest and tapped her bare feet on the grass.

Zar needed no translation to read her impatience. He swallowed his pride and growled, “Fine.”

Si-Moon was his priority. His heras.

Soon, she would be his mate.

Compromise was an important part of a coupling. In any event, the Heronas would announce his impending death. As long as Si-Moon understood that hewouldbe killing this monster, it mattered not if they discussed it first. In fact, he found some joy in the thought of brutally detailing all the different ways he could kill this Heronas and have the brood translate it for him.

Si-Moon rattled off a long list of words that all sounded like gibberish to Zar. She finished with a nod and looked expectantly at the Heronas.