Page 12 of Murgul
“Kallen is correct. There is much to do and little time to accomplish it.”
Before Slavic can continue, Falon speaks up for the first time. “Slavic, you and Einar need to spend time with your mates. I will handle everything that must be done this rotation. Do not worry about it. Enjoy your time with your females.”
Einar and Slavic glance at each other for a second before looking back at Falon, grateful smiles wreathing their faces. They speak over the top of each other in their haste to express their gratitude to Falon.
“Thank you, brother. Rowan and I very much appreciate you.”
“Yes, Ruby and I thank you as well, Falon.”
Both women murmur their agreement before they all head out of the dining hall.
“Shoebuddy, this shit is better than Days of Our Lives. All we need is popcorn and we would be set!” Bambi’s energetic outburst catches Heather and me by surprise, and makes Bikar twist in his chair to stare at her in confusion. The expression onhis face is the icing on the cake, making our giggles over Bambi’s quip turn into full-on belly laughter.
“What is this ‘Days of Our Lives’ that the curly-headed one speaks of?”
Between bouts of belly-shaking laughter, I answer.
“I’ll have to explain soap operas to you later. Much, much later.”
She is so beautiful when she laughs.
For once, we can agree on something.
Tilting my head, I peer up at Murgul, perplexed. I could be wrong, but it almost sounded like he was talking to someone else. Shaking my head, I dismiss the thought. How could he possibly be speaking to someone else inside his own mind?
Chapter Ten
MURGUL
“I… do not … think this … is wise.”
I do not know why I am wasting what little voice I have. It is clear that my words are falling on deaf ears as far as my brothers are concerned.
Of course, it is not wise! They are sneaking off before any of their mates have gained consciousness for the rising! What… hmmm… what is that word the feisty flame-haired one of Slavic’s used? Ah, yes, pussies! Your brothers are pussies for slinking off into the darkness. I have learned so many new insults from eavesdropping on those females.
It is not like I can plead a case for their mates. I am not exactly a cunning linguist, Vrog, and you should not listen to their private conversations! It is not seemly.
Frack off! I did not say you had to plead their case. Merely agreeing with you… again. That is twice in as many risings, and I do not care for it. Furthermore, nothing I do is ‘seemly’ as well you know.
“Murgul, did you hear a word I said?”
Unfolding my arms, I glare at Slavic from where I am standing in the cargo bay. Vrog woke me when he heard a whisper of sound out in the corridor a span earlier. The tic I exited my quarters, much to my surprise, I saw Slavic and Einar disappearing around the corner, leading towards the cargo bay… where the shuttles are parked. The Zenith is not large enough to boast both a cargo and shuttle bay, so we make the space dual-purpose.
Years of arguing with Vrog while eavesdropping on outside conversations have honed my ability to multitask—perhaps more than any other skill I possess. Drawing on that hard-earned talent, I sift through Slavic’s endless prattle and force out a reply, even as my mind works elsewhere.
“Your females … will … not thank … you for … this.”
“Ruby may have agreed in front of the group, but she spent most of our private time trying to convince me to take her with me. When my mate gets something in her head, it is almost impossible to get her to change her mind. I am doing this to protect her, not to hurt her.”
Curling my lip in disgust at Slavic’s stupidity, I look at Einar and roll my eyes, my unspoken question clear. He ruefully rubs the back of his neck with one massive hand before sighing heavily. “Rowan is still terrified of many things, one of which is leaving this ship. The Zenith has become a sort of safety net for her, but even she pleaded her case to accompany me down to Deapra, no matter how distressing the thought is to her.We discussed it at length, and she agreed; however, I do not think she was as sincere as she wished me to believe. My little Starshine is many things, but an accomplished deceiver is not one of them.”
You are sure the Aynar forced increased intelligence into that freakishly giant head of his?
Not the time, Vrog!
I am merely asking a question pertinent to the matter at hand!
GAH! SHUT THE FRACK UP!