Page 38 of Murgul
The sound of Murgul’s closed fist meeting Slavik’s granite jaw makes all of us humans wince in sympathy. Slavic stumbles before falling to his knees, and Murgul tosses him into the wall beside Einar. His massive form hits with a dull thud, making Ruby and me cringe.
As soon as Slavic lands, Ruby runs to his side, grabbing his face between her hands, and lovingly chastises him. “I told you not to get between murder boy and the village idiot. You were also pissed at Bikar and got your own licks in, so it’s only fair that Murgul does too.”
When Slavic takes a breath to defend himself, Ruby presses a finger to his lips. “Shut up, big guy, and face the fact that you tried to pull a big brother and it backfired epically.” Slavic falls into a mulish silence, one hand at his jaw and the other holding his ribs like it hurts to breathe, watching Murgul in curiosity.
Clicking deep in Murgul’s throat is the only sound that can be heard, aside from the heavy breathing of the males. I’m not sure why, but the cadence of that clicking sends chills down my spine. Slavic and Einar both attempt to stand, and to everyone’s surprise, Murgul lets out a stream of fucking fire from his mouth, effectively halting his older brothers. Their eyes are wide with shock, and they move protectively in front of their mates, their body language watchful lest they provoke Murgul again.
“Ahhh… Finally, you… do not have… big … brothers to … protect you!”
Stalking over to where Bikar is leaning against the wall, he grabs him by the throat before punching him in the face three times in rapid succession. Bikar’s head makes a dull thud as it hits the wall behind him with every blow, and we all see a spray of blood as his nose breaks under my mate’s assault.
Just as Murgul cocks his elbow to deliver another crushing blow to his brother’s broken face, a riot of curly brown hair appears between Bikar and Murgul. My mates’ shock at the intrusion is the only reason he allows her slight form between him and Bikar, releasing his brother’s battered body.
Bambi screams, her hands held out in front of her in a supplicating manner. “No more! Please stop it! You’ve gotten your point across, and he’s had enough!”
Stepping away from where Bikar has fallen to the floor, he acquiesces to Bambi’s demands. We all watch as Bambi hesitantly kneels next to him, careful to keep some space between their bodies as she glares up at Murgul.
Wild ice blue eyes cut over to where I’m standing before Murgul’s voice slips seamlessly into my mind.
“My little bright Starshine, would you be so kind as to speak for me?”
Nodding my agreement, I relay to the room what Murgul and Vrog have to say. Making eye contact with a battered and beaten Bikar, I begin.
“Murgul’s asked me to translate since his ability to speak is hampered. Bikar, you deliberately omitted information about what type of Korgon ship you found for us to raid. After listening to Ruby speaking to my Gwendolyn, it is now apparent that you were purposefully denying comms from our brothers on Deapra. Explain yourself. Now.”
Glaring at everyone, Bikar takes a garbled breath and draws Bambi to his side, where he’s sprawled on the floor. “I am tired of being a Brigand. Tired of the constant fight for survival. Tired of not having a home beyond the confines of this ship. So, when I discovered a lone Korgon ship, one with access to wormhole tech, I made maneuvers to get it because with it, Falon and I can integrate it into the Zenith. We won’t be trapped within the Void anymore! What makes it even better is I stole every single credit the Korgons had, along with a few other things.”
His words end on an almost fanatical high, and I can see the frowns on Slavic, Einar, and Murgul’s faces.
Flicking his eyes over at me, Murgul motions for me to speak, so I repeat. “Then why didn’t you just say that? None of us would have begrudged you your feelings. Instead, you manipulated me into doing your bidding, like a tool to be used instead of your brother. A tool to use, just like the Aynar made me to be. I thought better of you, my brother.”
Sorrow fills my heart when silence fills the hall after I finish speaking. I knew Murgul was angry with Bikar, but this is a much deeper wound. Murgul hisses at Bikar and holds up a single finger, indicating to stay put. He stomps across the narrow hall and into our room, returning in less than a minute with a small rectangle in his hands.
Tossing it at Bikar’s feet, he snarls in disgust.
“Once more, my mate.”
“Of course, honey.”
Moving over to him, I slide under the comforting weight of his arm, take a bolstering deep breath, and start talking. “There’s the data block you were so eager to acquire. Take it. After all you worked so very hard for it.”
Bikar has the decency to look ashamed, but that doesn’t stop him from reaching out and dragging the data block towards him before sliding it inside an interior pocket of his customary vest. Huffing in blatant disgust, Murgul lifts Neera and me into his arms before prowling into the dining hall.
“I must feed my females. Neither of you has had the fast-breaking meal yet, and you must be famished.”
Beaming up at him, I cuddle Neera closer and snuggle into his chest, strangely comfortable with the level of violence he displayed, because I know in my heart that he would never hurt me in any shape, form, or fashion.
“I named her Neera. What do you think of it?”
That is a grand name for a wee theroquine.
I concur. It fits her perfectly.
Chapter Thirty-Four
MURGUL
Vrog’sand my own rage are still seething deep inside as I gently deposit my little bright Starshine into a chair, before stalking over to the replicator to order her favored breakfast along with some raw meat for Neera. Tics later, the replicator dings, and I pull Gwendolyn’s meal out before entering the sequence for Neera. The mundane tasks do nothing to simmer my anger at my brother.