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Aklan spent the night pacing restlessly around his room, trying to rid himself of the insistent tension boiling through his blood. After leaving Sonja at her door, he had finally given in to temptation and connected his tablet to the human internet. He had to know what this human term kiss meant, now that he’d seen his mate’s reaction to it. It had taken a few moments to translate his question into one the humans’ primitive technology could answer.

The response had overwhelmed him.

Kissing entailed touching his mouth to his mate’s mouth, a practice not engaged in by Xeruvians outside of the initial mating. Their teeth, he thought as he ran his tongue along the back of his own. Too sharp, too likely to cause damage. The mating ritual demanded such a mouth-meeting during the exchange of blood that cemented the mating bond. Beyond that, Xeruvians kept their mouths to less fragile parts of the body during copulation.

Yet his mate wanted such a touch, had demanded it of him in a low, breathy tone, pushing him to the edges of his control. She was not afraid of his teeth. She wasn’t afraid of him . Did she realize what a marvelous gift her trust was?

In honor of her trust, he would learn about this kissing and the other mating rituals in which humans engaged. He would learn how to please her, could not think why he and the other warlords had not availed themselves of such information already, when it was freely available on their laughably insecure digital network. Look, there. Several books on the subject. He scrolled through them, selecting promising titles as he discovered them. The Joy of Sex . Red Hot Touch . 101 Nights of Great Sex .

Only one hundred and one? Bah.

Another title caught his eye. Position of the Day Playbook . Interesting.

His wristcom pinged, interrupting his search, and Zoran’s voice sounded.

“You have new information?” the other warlord said.

Aklan flipped the search closed. “Some. One of the diplomats was called away by a supposed emergency. It has delayed the negotiations.”

“Could she be stalling?”

“Possibly. I suspect I am being surveilled by covert intelligence as well. Have you studied the videos I uploaded?”

“Of your honor duels? Yes. As we suspected, the humans are much weaker, perhaps too weak.”

“Physically, perhaps. In other ways, I suspect they are as strong as Xeruvians.” Aklan dropped into a chair and stretched his legs out, wishing instead for a long run to burn the hunger from his blood. “Sonja continues to surprise me with the strength of her intellect.”

“She is well?”

“Yes. I implanted one of the translation devices in her ear last night.”

“It works on her?”

“Indeed, with few initial problems. Perhaps more pain than what I experienced, but she is of a different species. Such discrepancies are to be expected.”

Zoran grunted, his only response.

Aklan continued. “She and I spoke together long after retiring, she in her room, I in mine.”

“Only talk?”

“Their courting rituals are…” Aklan searched for the proper term and settled on, “Tedious. Humans cannot sense their mates, so they must approach appropriate candidates and test them until they find someone suitable.”

“You have learned much of them in your time there.”

“Not enough. Some aspects elude my understanding. Only recently did I learn of their practice of kissing.” Quickly, Aklan outlined what he knew of the custom. “My mate asked me to do this with her.”

Zoran sucked in an audible breath. “The harm your teeth could do!”

“She is not afraid.”

If pride colored his voice at his mate’s strength, so be it. He was proud of her. She was a fine woman, and he was lucky to have found her. So lucky, considering that they had been born on different worlds spaced light years apart, one which had not yet mastered interstellar travel. He dared not think of the consequences of never knowing her. Such a life seemed bleak by comparison, had been bleak even filled with family and friends, with the purpose drawn from rebuilding their species.

Truly, the Fates had blessed him and his clan. All that remained was persuading her that he and his clan could be a like blessing in her life.

“Would that we all gain such mates,” Zoran said. “Yet, I cannot help thinking of them as klika , scurrying into their hidey holes at the first sign of danger.”

Aklan laughed. Had he not thought the same? “I think you would be surprised by their gumption.”

A knock hit the door, then the knob turned and Missy leaned partway inside, waving a sheaf of papers at him. “Got a minute?”

“Just a moment, Zoran.” He waved Missy in. “For you, of course. How may I help you?”

She shut the door carefully behind her, her gaze darting surreptitiously into every corner of his quarters. One finger touched her ear, then traced an upright circle.

Ah. She was aware of the covert surveillance, too.

“No one can overhear us,” he assured her.

Her shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. “Great. Here’s that list of supplies you asked for.”

He regarded her steadily for a moment. “I asked for no such list.”

“You were going to, and that’s the key thing. Here.”

She handed a sheaf of papers to him. He flipped through them, briefly scanning each page in turn as she walked casually around the room, running her fingers along furniture and lamp fixtures. The first few pages contained, as she’d said, a list of supplies and quantities. Human food, delicacies, clothing, technology, and other necessities. That was followed by two pages of names and contact information, if he properly understood the items listed.

The final page contained another list of contact information, each headed by the name of an institute. The first entry had a hand-written notation affixed that read, “Start here.” Aklan entered the institute’s name into his wristcom for translation. It spit out Center for the Advancement of Humanity along with a précis indicating its importance as a leading research and development entity.

Missy cleared her throat, drawing his attention to her. She pointed to several spots and bared her teeth in a fierce grin. Her finger touched her ear again, then she held her hand out, palm up, and wiggled her fingers.

Aklan set the papers aside, scrutinizing her intently. She was trying to tell him something, but what?

“Our morning sessions are growing like wildfire,” she said.

“Indeed,” he replied, matching her light tone. “On Xeruvia, we would divide such a group into smaller parts, placing each section under a student-teacher, with a more experienced practitioner supervising the whole.”

“We do that sort of thing here.” Again she pointed to her ear and held her hand out. “There’s enough for three groups, I think. Maybe a dozen students each?”

“Yes. Would you like to lead such a group?”

“It would be my honor. But do you really want to show that kind of favoritism?”

“Ah. You are from the same country-clan as my mate, are you not?” He nodded his approval. Sonja had made a good choice in taking this female as a friend. She…what was the saying? Ah, yes. She had a good head on her shoulders. “For diplomatic reasons, perhaps it would be wiser to choose others.”

“I can get you a list.”

“I thank you. Please, sit while we discuss this matter.”

She shot a look at him that he couldn’t possibly fathom, then crossed the room and dropped into the chair opposite him. “I thought maybe the Chinese ambassador’s daughter. She’s an Olympiad. Gold medal in gymnastics. One of the best athletes on the planet.”

“It shows.” And he had finally understood her meaning. He rose and crossed to his satchel, knelt in front of it as he spoke. “She will do very well. And perhaps someone from the United Kingdom country?”

“Russia, or you might inadvertently cause a real diplomatic fuss. But someone from the UK and maybe Germany would also be good. You could rotate through a few people, too.”

“Stability is better.” He retrieved the other translator, secured the satchel, and resumed his seat. “If the negotiations are delayed long enough, would there be interest in more advanced sessions? Smaller groups, a tighter focus.”

“Absolutely. Sign me up!”

He held up the device, eyebrows raised in a way that, to humans, would indicate questioning. “You are certain? We cannot be overheard in this room.”

She cocked her head, very like the klika he and Zoran had just spoken of. “You won’t be teaching us in this room.”

He eyed her, pleased by her foresight, yet curious as well. How had she come to know of the translation device? Had Sonja told her?

No, he thought. She would not have mentioned it to anyone other than Nicholson, whom she must tell in order to retain her job.

Missy had therefore learned of it in another way, a clandestine way, for he could not imagine Sonja’s supervisor allowing such a secret to become widely known. It had become clear very early in the negotiations that the various country-clans vied among themselves in a sometimes hostile manner, achieving a rough balance that held each one in check through the weight and regard of the whole. Nicholson would not have easily given over any advantage, however small.

How, then, had Missy come to learn of it? Could he trust her with such technology? Would she use it wisely in his and Sonja’s favor, or would she turn its use against him?

He thought of their interactions, of the way she had voluntarily helped him, without his asking, thought also of her friendship with Sonja, and knew that whatever Missy’s reasons, she was acting to his and his mate’s benefit.

“Very well,” he said. “Be warned that such sessions may inflict greater pain than the more basic classes.”

Her eyes hardened into narrow slits. “I know what I’m getting myself into.”

Did she? He would not wish to bring harm to her, and not only for Sonja’s sake.

Yet he could not protect her from harm she willingly brought on herself.

That decided, he leaned forward and handed the device to her. She pushed it into her ear and winced.

“Some of those forms do pack a punch.” She wrinkled her nose, shook her head. Her fingers came away from her ear bloodied. She looked impassively at the thin red smear, then rubbed the fluid away. “But I think there’s enough interest to move forward.”

“Then I shall speak with the ambassador’s daughter at this evening’s session.”

“Can’t. Some of the guys are holding a pickup game. Basketball. You and Sonja should come. It’ll be a good cultural experience.”

Aklan nodded solemnly. “I look forward to witnessing this basketball. Thank you for the list. It is exactly what I needed.”

Missy smiled brightly. “I thought you’d like it. See you tonight.”

She bounded out of the room with her usual zeal. As soon as the door closed behind her, Aklan said, “Did you understand?”

“Not all,” Zoran admitted. “What is this list she gave you?”

“Supplies needed to feed and care for at least two dozen humans for several weeks, as well as sources for procuring those supplies, among other items.”

Zoran hummed appreciatively. “Why would she willingly hand over such information?”

“I do not know her purpose, only that she has one. If I understand her correctly, this room contains devices intended to gather clandestine information, though they can be of little use. I set a jammer within as a matter of course.”

“The humans are spying on you?”

“They are trying, yes. Likely several factions, including my mate’s country-clan. Humans are not as united in their purpose as Xeruvians.”

Zoran growled softly. “Xeruvians are not always united either, else we would not have had to fight so hard to win the other warlords to our cause. If this human female offers aid, we should not refuse.”

“Even if we do not understand her intent?”

“Even so. Send the list to me and I shall gather the needed supplies. Offer my felicitations to your mate.”

“I shall. Peace be unto you, old friend.”

“And unto you.”

Sonja entered the debrief prepared. As soon as Mike beckoned her into his office, she placed her resignation on his desk.

He glanced down at the single sheet of paper, his eyebrows furrowed. “What’s this?”

“My resignation.” She inhaled a deep breath, steeling herself for what came next. “I’ve been compromised.”

His head came up. “You had sex with him?”

“God, Mike. No.”

“Then what?”

She pointed to her ear and the tiny device hidden within it. “He gave me a translation device last night, just before you appeared.”

“Ah. The blood.”

“Yes, the blood. You caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure how to handle telling you.”

He flicked his fingers at the resignation. “So you do this?”

“What else could I do? He can hear everything I say, as long as we’re within range of each other.”

“Really?” Mike’s gaze turned speculative. “Interesting.”

“I tell you I have extraterrestrial technology implanted in my ear that can also serve as a bug and you think that’s interesting?”

“Because it is. You’ve clearly gained his trust, exactly the in we need with him. And that device gives us an edge over the other countries he’s negotiating with.”

“And the fact that he sees me as his marital partner doesn’t?” Sonja flipped her hands up, exasperated, then plopped into a chair across from her boss. “Look. You may think this thing is great and all that, but he really can hear everything I say. For all I know, he’s reading my mind. This translating device is amazing . Last night, it was translating both of you at once.”

Mike grinned. “Made your head hurt, huh?”

“Go ahead and laugh. You’re not the one about to lose your job over this.”

“You won’t lose your job, though it may be wise to shuffle your duties around. You know that brief they gave us on their culture?”

She eyed him warily. “What about it?”

“Since you’re working with him anyway, why don’t you take it and see if you can get him to expand on it.”

“You want me to interrogate him?”

“I want you to ask him politely to expound upon it. Whatever he’s willing to share.” He picked up a pen and fiddled with it, swiveling his chair back and forth. “We can hand off your other duties to avoid compromising our security, and you won’t have to resign your post.”

She hadn’t wanted to, not least because doing so would’ve meant losing access to Aklan. “I can live with that.”

“Good, because I wasn’t going to give you a choice. Can he hear you now?”

“If he’s paying attention and within range.” She glanced away and said, “Aklan?”

“Yes, pjora-la ?”

“Mr. Nicholson has questions about the translation device you gave me.”

“He may ask any questions of me, if it pleases you. I will answer him as well as I can, though I cannot divulge all its secrets. I am not its maker.”

She nodded at Mike before continuing. “I thought you didn’t want to share this technology with humans?”

“I only promised to explain, little klika , not share.”

The amusement filling his voice made her melt, just a little, then the device translated klika into English and she sat bolt upright. “Wait a minute. You’ve been calling me a tiny rodent this entire time?”

Mike put a hand over his mouth, not quite hiding a grin.

Aklan, on the other hand, roared with laughter. “Ah, my love. I see that I should not have been so generous in my gifts to you.”

“And I see that I should pay more attention, if you’re going to insult me.”

“Never would I insult you. It is an endearment.”

“Ha! I should challenge you for that endearment.”

“A challenge of honor?”

She grinned, relishing the idea. “Yes. In fact, I think I’m going to have to insist.”

“Then the challenge shall be met. Tomorrow, perhaps. Missy informed me of a pickup game being held this evening.”

“You saw Missy?”

“I shall explain later, when we are alone.”

His voice deepened into a low rumbling growl, and she shivered. Man, that got her every time.

“Sounds good,” she said, ignoring the husky note in her own voice. “Would you mind coming to my office this morning? I have something I want to discuss with you in person.”

“I shall be there shortly. Peace be unto you, pjora-la .”

The customary response popped into her head, dutifully translated into English. “And unto you, Aklan.”

When she turned back to Mike, he was watching her with an odd expression.

“You’re falling in love with him,” he said.

Well. If that didn’t hit the nail on the head.

“I’m letting things develop,” she corrected softly. “He’s hard to resist.”

“Apparently. I haven’t seen you this interested in a man in years. Not since that musician.”

Sonja forced a light laugh out of her throat. “That was a long time ago.”

Mike’s smile faded. “Be careful with the Xeruvian. This could blow up in all our faces, with you smack dab in the middle of the mess. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“If I do, I have no one to blame but myself. I placed myself squarely in his crosshairs, and I take full responsibility for that.”

“Yes, you have.” Mike shook his head and pushed her resignation letter across his desk. “Burn that thing before you get back to work.”

She rose and nodded sharply. “Yes, sir. I’ll keep you informed of my progress on the other matter.”

“I know,” he said, and she couldn’t quite shake the sadness in his voice.