Page 17 of Chieftain (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #1)
Khaion
Emmy’s slight, frightened sound tore through me like a blade.
A lone Kerzak stood at the doorway leading into the tavern. His dark eyes narrowed on the tiny human, thick black snout twitching as he took in her scent.
“Delicious.”
I swallowed down a battle cry, fingers itching to pull the twin blades in the scabbard at my back when I heard her voice. The Kerzak might not notice the undercurrent of fear in her tone, but I did.
“I’m so sorry.”
Thick black lips pulled back over wicked sharp teeth, and the creature’s gray tongue probed the tip of a fang, checking sharpness, no doubt.
My body moved without thought, sliding in front of Emmy. My hand landed on her hip, turning and propelling her back down the hallway into Siemba's waiting grasp. The Stranac put Emmy behind him, further toward safety.
The Kerzak let out a low rumble.
“No harm here, just a clumsy human.” Siemba stood shoulder to shoulder with me, blocking Emmy from the Kerzak’s view.
"Human has given offense. She is forfeit to me now." My translator turned Kerzak’s series of growls and snarls into words.
“Forfeit, seriously?" Emmy grumbled from over my shoulder. "Maybe you should be the one making amends. I’m sure our bump hurt me a hell of a lot more than it hurt you.”
A massive claw-tipped paw waved at triangular-shaped ears as though to swat away the sound of her voice. The beast tilted his head, giving another series of growls. "Delicious smelling human belong now to Utar of the Kerzak.”
He attempted to reach for her, but I shouldered the attempt away, my hand going for a blade. The scrape of metal on leather echoed through the tiny hallway. He would not lay a hand on her!
Siemba's hand, as large and sharp-clawed as the Kerzak's, grabbed my wrist. His amber eyes darted toward the tavern where the remaining five Kerzak gathered at the end of the bar.
“We apologize for the offense Lord Utar. Give us a micron to speak and say goodbye, and we will comply with your command." The Stranac released my arm, lips pursed and flickered his gaze over his shoulder to where Emmy stood.
Every fiber of my being rebelled against his words, even though I logically knew his way was best. Two of us against six Kerzak could not protect Emmy. Siemba's hand landed sturdily on my shoulder, turning me. Emmy's face, wide-eyed and tense with fear, met my gaze.
"Goodbye?" Her voice squeaked. "What do you mean goodbye?"
I didn't stop to explain. There was no time.
My arm snaked around her waist, lifting her to my side before barreling back toward the lounge.
Siemba gave a gesture of respect to the Kerzak before closing the door to the tavern.
I heard the click as he engaged the locking mechanism; little defense the lock would be against six Kerzak.
"Will somebody tell me what the hell is going on?" Emmy poked a finger against my shoulder, the toes of her boots kicking against my shins.
“What happened?” Dixa rushed into the room as I set Emmy on her feet.
"Emmy bumped into a Kerzak, and now he claims her as offense," Siemba explained, closing and bolting the secondary door.
"Shit!" Dixa understood. "Shit! Shit! Shit!"
“What the fuck?" Emmy stood with hands on hips, her glare touching each of us. The one she gave me contained the faintest hint of betrayal that made my chest hurt. "I am not going anywhere with that grizzly bear.
“Of course not," Siemba grumbled. His voice held a twinge of growl like the Kerzak, but the Stranac were a civilized breed. Siemba's mastery of the planetary common language was better than my own. "But six Kerzak against one Vak and a Stranac is not a fair fight.”
“I could take at least three Kerzak," I felt the need to point out. The creatures were a head taller than I stood, possessing exceptional strength but could be clumsy and slow.
“No doubt, my friend” The Stranac laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed, this dark gaze boring into mine.
He was a primal species with a human mate.
He knew my ignoring the desire to defend Emmy with blood was a physical pain.
"But you'll forgive me if I don't want to get bloody today. This is a new jacket.”
Emmy gave a huff and rolled her eyes. Her demeanor suggested she would like to see the Kerzak bleed as well. I felt the faintest urge to smile.
“The Kerzak are primitive—a barbarian tribe,” Siemba explained. “They consider anything that affronts their person an offense, payable only by blood.
"That's comforting," Emmy scoffed, trying to appear brave, but I detected the acridness of fear invading her floral scent.
Dixa stood at her side, arm about my tiny human’s shoulders. "Lartie! We need a go bag!”
“You’ll need to leave out the back way." Siemba strode toward the door. I could see the tips of his ears twitching underneath the thick mane. It was said that Stranac has a hearing radius of over a meter. "Stay in the alleys near the trash. You’ll need to cover her scent as much as you can.”
“Will somebody tell me what the hell is going on!” Emmy stomped a tiny foot against the wooden flooring, face flashing angrily. It was cute and filled me with pride I didn't understand.
"We are running from the Kerzak." My warrior blood boiled at the thought, but it was safest for Emmy. For her safety, I would go against my training—my very nature.
Her mouth fell open as she gaped at me. "I thought the Vaktaire are warriors?"
“We are warriors, we are just not—what is it you humans say—idiots. Siemba and I might win a battle against six Kerzak, but I would not risk your harm.”
“Nor I Dixa’s.” Siemba agreed.
Emmy blinked rapidly and blew out a deep breath. "Then we run." She moved from Dixa's grasp to stand beside me, her tiny hands clutching my bicep.
My arm snaked around her shoulder, pulling her flush against my side.
I hated this. I hated running from a fight—if my council or just Daicon were here, the Kerzak would not be so dangerous an opponent.
But I could not fight the creatures without my attention diverting from Emmy—from her safety, and I would not risk her.
The female Framaddi appeared holding a leather bag which she thrust into Emmy's hands.
"Larte, take them out the secret way to the alley," Dixa ordered, and the old woman jerked her head. Her brown eyes turned to me, and she issued a slow nod. "You know where to go."
"We will buy you as much time as we can." Siemba stepped forward to offer me his arm. I clasped near his elbow and pressed forward, bumping his chest with mine in the greeting and goodbye gesture of my people for those we hold dear.
"Khaion won't let anything happen to you." Dixa was telling Emmy as they stood wrapped in each other's arms. "I'll see you soon."
The women broke apart, and Emmy strode to my side, her tiny fingers connecting with mine.
“Come,” Larte grunted.
The Framaddi moved quickly, although I knew she was considered elderly for her kind.
She led us down another long hallway toward something I knew Dixa called a kitchen.
It was as spacious as the lounge, lined with shelves of crockery and food.
Siemba spent freely to give his female the comforts of her Earth.
I glanced down at the tiny human at my side.
What might she miss from her home planet?
Would there be something I could do to fill the void?
"Here," Larte hissed, pulling at a shelf stacked with crockery. "Help me."
I shooed the old woman aside, yanking the shelving a few feet from the wall to reveal a dark, cramped tunnel beyond.
"Thank you" Emmy touched the Framaddi's arm, and the old woman's features seemed to melt.
“Hurry now. Keep to the shadows.” The old woman shooed us toward escape.
The passageway was dark, especially after pulling the shelves back into place.
“Can you see anything?” Emmy’s voice trembled, as did the hands with which she clutched at me.
"Yes." I clasped her hand tightly. "It is not far; I can smell the alley beyond." Vaktaire eyes saw well in the din, far better than human eyes.
The passage was narrow and low, with dampness lingering against the dirt and stone walls.
Many times, I was forced to crouch to navigate.
Emmy stayed pressed to my back, holding my arm tightly.
I liked how she clung to me, trusting I would protect her.
My cock gave a twitch. The appendage would have done far more if we weren't escaping a life-or-death situation.
"Oh, God." Emmy's nose scrunched, and she issued a gagging noise. "What is that smell?"
“We are here.”
The tunnel appeared blocked at first sight until I moved the obstruction with the push of my shoulder. Light filtered inward, and I noticed a large metal trash chute camouflaging the opening.
The alley was as dark and rancid as we needed it to be, space rats and arachnids the only other things breathing. Grasping Emmy’s hand, we sat off through the din.
“Bartuk.” The comm on my wrist flashed to life despite my low timbre.
A crackle of static preceded Bartuk’s, “Yes, Chieftain?”
“Location?”
“I await with the shuttle Chieftain.”
"Good." I glanced at Emmy, who stared up at me wide-eyed. "Take the shuttle and return to the Bardaga. There have been complications.”
"Where are you, Chieftain? I will be at your side. You will not fight alone.”
Pride flashed through me. Bartuk was a young warrior but well-trained in the Vaktaire creed. We did not leave our comrades to face solo.
"It is well, Bartuk. We face no immediate danger."
Emmy made a sound like she believed I lied. In a way, I had, but I wanted to be able to concentrate on getting Emmy to safety, plus the Kerzak would have someone watching the docking bay by now. Emmy and I would have to find another way home.
"Take the shuttle and return to the ship. I will contact Charick with further instructions."