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"Papa," she gasped.

A sob drew her attention and she turned to see her mother. She looked years older than she was, but it was still the same kind face that had kissed her and put her to bed at night. Miraculously, behind her parents stood her cousin Anthony and his wife Gabriela. Shock didn’t begin to describe what was coursing through her. So many arms suddenly wrapped around her, that even with her lower half shelled in armor it was still hard to breathe, and she couldn’t have been happier.

“Oh my God!” she sobbed.

“I have been twice blessed today,” her father rasped as he squeezed her tighter.

“My sweet baby girl,” her mom cried, petting her hair and face.

“She wasn’t in the canyon, so those Jurou bastards didn’t get her,” Camila related.

“It is so good to see you, cousin.” Anthony squeezed her hand, while Gabriela gave her a watery ecstatic smile.

“You, too,” she released a delirious laugh and grinned at the pair.

“I heard the others saying a new person helped with the escape, but I never thought it would be you.” Her father shook his head in disbelief.

“Not just me. I had help from my husband.” She gripped her father’s hand.

“Husband?!” her family declared in unison.

“It’s a long story, but yes, I’m married to an amazing man. Without him, none of this would’ve been possible.”

She smiled with tears streaming down her cheeks. The unbelievable joy was almost too much, making her tremble. She wanted to laugh and sob as she clutched her family tight, but there was just one thing missing. The only thing that could possibly make this moment complete would be sharing it with the man she loved.

Payim quo Desero

“Scala’s shell must be cracked.” Thorac shook his head in disbelief.

“Definitely.” Payim nodded, equally frustrated and worried about his friend. “As much as I don’t like him taking off by himself, he wasn’t wrong. I think the Jurou Biljana somehow detected this ship when you landed, and the Vicarius is scrambling to save his tail along with whatever rift drives they’ve produced. The human female was very resourceful and she did mention the Vicarius. Following her was the best lead to learn what the reptiles are up to.”

“They probably detected the disturbance when we touched-down in the ocean,” Thorac huffed. “I will make sure the shielding is at maximum, but worst case we can hold the bastards off until our fleet arrives.”

“I don’t think it will come to that.” Payim shook his head, glad the Osivoire security was top notch, because the ship was carrying precious cargo. “We do need to urge the fleet to hurry, because once the Jurou Biljana go off-planet it’s going to get infinitely more complicated.”

“We may need to bring food here. None of the humans seem ready to follow us to the dining hall,” Faktil said as he joined them along with Thunder.

I have seen this with the Toufik held by the Jurou Biljana. It will take longer for them to trust,Thunder solemnly gestured.

“I’m sure it will take time.” Payim smiled sympathetically at the crowd of humans. They were afraid, but that would change now that they were free, and he was deeply glad to be a part of that. “Elena asked me to tell everyone thank you.”

Thank you hardly seemed enough to convey the gratitude he felt. He worked with these people, his friends, and that would have been enough on this mission, then it turned into so much more than he ever expected. He had his friends to thank for that as much as the goddess above.

Payim smiled, seeing his very own goddess approaching. His smile fell when he noticed the tears in her eyes.

“Pardon me,” he excused himself and went to her. “What is wrong? They will be all right. We’ve got food coming and the medic is here.”

“No,” Elena’s voice trembled as she shook her head.

“What then?” He wrapped his arms around her. She was really starting to worry him.

“I have some people you should meet. My family. My father and mother, aunt and cousin and his wife. They’re all here.” Her lips spread into a quivering smile.

“Your family?!” He stared down at her in shock. He couldn’t believe she’d found them. All the stories she’d told, he felt like he knew them and was eager to put faces to those tales. “Where?”

He looked past Elena to see three females and two males, all who looked strikingly similar to her. His gaze then fell on the stern looking older male.

Her sire.