Page 5 of Songbird (A Space Pearl’s Treat #1)

“You did?” Izzy’s voice sounded surprised, but I couldn’t shake the feeling she knew already. “What did you think of Earth music?”

“She sings pretty, doesn’t she, Uncle Tarrick,” Priemba prompted, as though she worried I’d disagree.

“The celestials from the heavens could make no lovelier a sound,” I insisted.

My niece snorted and rolled her eyes at my theatricality. Whether Izzy laughed at me or Priemba, I couldn’t say. And I didn’t care.

Her laugh.

As beautiful and lyrical as the dulcet tones that escaped her in song, my heart seized at the sound.

I knew right then that I’d do anything… anything to make her laugh again.

My tail, of course, lost its fucking mind, and it took a concerted effort to keep the errant appendage from wrapping around her.

“That’s quite a compliment, Tarrick. Thank you.”

At the sound of my name escaping her lips, my tail whipped into such a frenzy that I glanced over my shoulder to make sure it hadn’t inadvertently smacked someone.

“Izzy was a singer on Earth. A famous one,” Priemba glanced from Izzy to me, a knowing smile on her young face. Of course, she’d notice my tail. Maybe I could bribe her not to mention it to Praxxan.

“This is true?” I tried to seem only mildly interested. A complete and utter fabrication.

“In another lifetime,” Izzy said, a faint hint of sadness in her tone.

“If you don’t mind the question, how long has it been since you have seen your home? Earth?” I couldn’t help but be curious. In my line of work, I came across humans enslaved for decades. I couldn’t stand the thought of that happening to Izzy.

Her brow furrowed as she pondered for a moment. “A little over a year.”

“And you do not wish to return to Earth?” My stomach hurt at the question. The Alliance certainly had the capability of returning humans to Earth. At least those humans that weren’t altered in some way. I held my breath, awaiting her answer.

Her small shoulders shrugged, accompanied by a sad smile. “I can’t return to Earth.”

“Why not?” Priemba demanded, preparing to take up the fight to get her new friend whatever she wished.

A flash of distress clouded Izzy’s features, and she glanced away from my niece. Knowing what other Earth females had endured, I intervened. “Priemba, my heart, Izzy may not wish to speak of….”

“No.” A small hand landed on my forearm, searing my skin through the layers of my jacket and shirt.

“It’s okay.” Blue eyes met mine, and through the haze of recollection, I saw her strength.

She knelt, putting herself on Priemba’s level.

“The Alliance doesn’t allow humans who have been through the Garoot Healer to return to Earth. ”

“You had to go through the healer?” Priemba asked, her adorable face scrunching into a frown.

“I did.” Izzy nodded. “My first….” Blunt white teeth sank into her lower lip as she considered for a moment. “My first boss wasn’t... nice.”

She didn’t look sad as she said the words, just resigned. Outwardly, I seemed calm, but inwardly, I raged against the creature that had caused her harm.

“My mom and dad are nice, though… right?” Priemba knew little about slavery. Like many untoward things in the universe, her parents tried to shield her until she was older.

Izzy brushed her lips against Priemba’s cheek. “Your parents are the best bosses I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad,” my niece sighed, slipping her arms around Izzy’s shoulders for a quick hug.

The minute Priemba released her, Izzy stood. A smile split her face, but I noticed tears swimming in the brightness of her eyes. “Where’s the restaurant? I’m starving.”

“Me too,” Priemba agreed, taking up our hands again and pulling us toward the smell of spices and meat.

As we made our way toward the restaurant, Priemba stopped here and there, pointing out unique treasures displayed via the store windows.

I found myself fascinated, not by the wares, but by the reflection.

With Izzy at my side and Priemba sandwiched between us, securely holding our hands, we appeared as a picture-perfect family unit.

The subtle curve of Izzy’s smile and Priemba’s exuberant joy gave me a feeling of warmth and comfort…

something that I never expected. Despite my playboy ways being mostly a ruse, I still never expected to settle down with a mate.

With my lifestyle, it just didn’t seem feasible.

But I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the idea of what a life like the reflection might entail.

Priemba and Izzy prattled on about my niece learning to sing as we stepped through the crowd, intending to cross the wide, street-like corridor. The bright green awning of the Verdesian restaurant beckoned us from the other side.

Izzy tensed so suddenly that both Priemba and I jerked in surprise.

A whimper reached my ears, the sound faint but so full of anguish that my head whipped around at the sound.

Izzy was paler than normal, her face etched with terror so deep that it threatened to overwhelm her beauty.

I glanced back, following her line of sight toward the three male figures approaching from the other side of the street.

The male in front had Svicka heritage, evident in his wrinkled brown skin and bald head.

But this male was larger and more muscled than most Svicka, with a distinct snout-like nose that hinted at the Kerzak blood running through his veins.

The two guards flanking him were unmistakably Kerzak, and acting on instinct, I stepped forward, putting Izzy and Priemba fully behind me.

I knew this male. I’d heard his name mentioned often in spy circles. Kayzon. Rumored to be one of Ambassador Yaard’s cronies, although as yet, the Alliance nor my brother Siemba had gathered enough evidence to use against him.

Another whimper of fear escaped Izzy’s trembling lips as she cowered behind me, seeking protection from the approaching males. The realization hit me like a punch in the gut.

Kayzon was her owner.

Kayzon was the one who had hurt and abused her.

Two distinct feelings surged through me. First was a feeling of protectiveness towards Izzy, like nothing I had felt before. And secondly—and the strongest of the two—the desire to kill Kayzon with my bare hands.

I took a step back, keeping Izzy and Priemba solidly behind me.

We stood on the side of the street in the restaurant district, surrounded by a throng of beings—not the ideal location for a brawl, with buildings and bodies packed tightly together.

I knew I could hold my own in close combat, if necessary, but the haven of Space Pearls loomed too far in the distance for the females to reach safely, and I would not put them in harm’s way.

Kayzon stomped forward, scowling and waving at me with a hand tipped with long, black claws inherited from his Kerzak lineage.

“Step aside, Stranac. I need to collect my property.”

As Kayzon stepped forward, his hand outstretched to grab Izzy, a low warning growl erupted from my throat. The crowd, especially those close around us, stared and waited, most with wide-eyed curiosity—some with fear. The tension in the air felt palpable.

Thankfully, none of the Kerzak carried weapons, a practice strictly forbidden on the station except for the guards.

Of course, the merchant level stayed mostly peaceful, which meant the guard’s presence here was scarce.

My brother ran security on this space station with an iron hand.

Hopefully, Praxxan would hear of this confrontation and come to our aid, but I couldn’t count on that.

I needed to figure out a way to get Izzy and Priemba away from Kayzon without risking their safety.

“You dare interfere with a merchant attempting to regain his chattel?” Kayzon growled at me, casting a glance at his two comrades. Both were well over seven feet, as broad-shouldered as me, and seemed itching for a fight.

The crowd around us grew, and I used it to my full advantage.

“You must not be abreast of the latest in Alliance law,” I announced, raising my voice to a tenor well heard. “The Alliance gave Earth protectorate status. It is now illegal to hold humans as slaves.”

Kayzon rolled his eyes as though he considered my words the stupidest idea in the universe, yet his thick lips curved in a smug smile.

“Izzy is not my slave. She and I… we have an employment agreement.”

“He’s lying,” Izzy wailed, terrified as though she considered there existed a real possibility that I would turn her over to Kayzon.

Her fear made my blood boil with a mix of anger and protectiveness.

I wanted to kill Kayzon for making her fear.

I wanted to take Izzy in my arms and hold her until she stopped trembling and promise to keep her safe.

Of course, my little niece needed no comfort.

She held tight to Izzy’s hand, scowling at Kayzon and his guards with every bit of the fury possessed of a full-fledged Stranac warrior. I would die to protect them both.

A distinct possibility if Praxxan didn’t show up.

I could handle one Kerzak, maybe two… but all three of them? Not to mention, Izzy and Priemba might get hurt in the scuffle. I couldn’t risk it.

“Give over my property, mutt.”

The crowd gasped at the insult. I shot Kayzon a scowl as I glanced about, sizing up the situation.

The throng held a few males who might have warrior training.

Still, I knew better than to expect assistance, especially in a fight with a Kerzak.

Plus, with all these people about, if I showed myself a true warrior, it would destroy the lazy playboy facade I’d spent so long developing, which could put my brother’s entire spy network at risk.

I had to figure another way out of this.

If the crowd wasn’t so thick, running might be an option.

Kerzak were big and strong but known to be clumsy and much slower than a Stranac.

I didn’t know if humans moved fast, but Izzy was so small I could carry her and Priemba both.

My eyes darted about, looking for an exit strategy when my gaze flickered over a tall Romvesian male holding tight to his mate.

The sight of them reminded me of something—an old barely used Alliance law that just might get us out of this mess.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” I drawled, watching as Kayzon bristled at my suddenly calm demeanor.

“You stand against a lawful agreement?” Kayzon growled, his gaze narrowing on Izzy.

“Not exactly.” I reached back, letting my arm slip around Izzy’s waist. She trembled so violently it made her teeth chatter.

Priemba stayed close to her side, still scowling.

I forced myself to swallow down my fury.

I would find a way to kill Kayzon for this, but not now.

I plastered a smug smile on my face. “I just know that Alliance law is on my side in this matter.”

“Lies,” Kayzon grunted, folding enormous arms across his chest.

“No lies,” I countered, pulling Izzy even tighter against my side. “Your agreement is null and void.”

I raised my voice, wanting the witness of those around us.

“Izzy is my fated mate.”