Page 54 of Uprooted

Elowen

I’ve been writing down everything I can remember from our research over the last few months.

Everyone here on j’Tilak has been locked out of their files.

It’s not unusual that universities own intellectual property in situations like this.

I have never heard of anyone ever being locked out of accessing it midway through a project.

I toss my yuriOS down and head outside for some sunlight and fresh air. I need to clear my head. Worries about the University and Aro cycle through my head. Even though the Atorum are only targeting humans, I don’t like the idea of him having to fight them.

There is a tense calm at the base right now. Everyone left behind moves around quietly. We’re all trying to be as silent as possible. Nothing bad would happen if I was made noise—it just feels wrong for some reason.

“There you are! We have been looking everywhere for you!” I hear a bright voice behind me and turn. Two tall, gorgeous, blue Tilak females approach me with broad smiles across their faces. The newcomers are unaware of the unspoken rule about being quiet.

“I’m Kiera, Aro’s sister, and you’re Elowen!” One wraps me tightly in a hug before I can even move, pinning my arms to my side while she squeezes me.

“Dear, let her go. You’re going to smoosh her to death,” the other says. “I’m Rameera, Aro’s mom,” she says kindly, taking my hands into hers. I open my mouth to formally introduce myself when Kiera starts up again .

“When we heard what happened at the muradome we had to come and meet you for ourselves,” Kiera says. She looks me up and down in a friendly way. Trying to size me up.

“It’s good to meet you,” I tell them. “Aro isn’t here though. The Atorum attacked Tauros.”

“We aren’t here for him. We’re here for you!” Rameera clarifies.

“For me?”

“I’ve always wanted a sister. Now that you’re Aro’s mate, I have one!” Kiera says enthusiastically. I don’t know how I expected his family to respond to the mate thing, but this isn’t it. She doesn’t seem concerned at all that I am a total stranger and human.

There is a strong family resemblance here.

Kiera’s beautiful eyes match her brother’s, and a smile that they clearly got from their mom is permanently etched on her face.

Beyond the physical characteristics, Kiera and Aro share the same intense confidence.

I feel like I got swept up in a tornado and am holding on for dear life.

“There is plenty of time for that. Let's relax in our quonset. We’ll keep you company until Aro gets back,” Rameera says, directing us back to the main section of the base.

Someone constructed a small metal building during my walk. Rameera strides in the front door and waves me in behind her. Comfortable cushions line the edge of the open space. A few low tables are scattered throughout. One table is piled high with a variety of food.

“Where did all of this come from?” I ask, astonished that this all showed up so quickly.

“One of the benefits of being a noble house,” Kiera says and pops some small berry-looking fruit into her mouth.

Rameera motions for me to sit down at one of the tables. She’s tinkering around in the makeshift kitchen when a familiar smell wafts through the tent. She’s making coffee. Actual coffee. My mouth starts to water. She hands me a steaming cup and I could cry from joy.

“I’m so happy to finally meet you. Aro has been very scant with any details.

We decided to take matters into our own hands when Aro neglected to extend an invitation.

” Rameera has the same gravity around her that draws me in.

It’s gentler than Aro and Kiera’s, but it’s there.

Instead of a tornado, it feels more like the soothing sounds of rain on a metal roof .

“Please, consider yourself welcome anytime, especially if you bring coffee with you,” I tell both of them. I take a long, slow sip of the coffee, savoring the first taste. I settle back into my cushion and keep the mug close.

“Now that we have you all to ourselves, how much has Aro explained about matehood?” Rameera asks.

“If I know my brother, not much,” Kiera says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. They both look at me with interest. I suck in long breath, trying to decide what to say.

"Just the basics.”

“Things are done very differently here than the rest of the universe. So, I understand if it takes you a while. I remember being scared about being with Roman because of his title. I came from a little town and always felt like an outsider with all the glamorous and intelligent people surrounding him.”

“Yes, that is a big part of it. I don’t know anything about Aro’s role and what that means for us.”

“Our familial line has been a noble house since the last Tilak shifted into battleform. When Roman is ready to step down, Aro will take his place.”

I try to picture what Aro would be like ruling an entire country. The image makes me smile. He will be a great leader.

“And you’d be right there next to him,” she says. I’m not bothered by her presumption. It feels more like unwavering confidence.

“Even though I’m a human?” I ask.

“I can tell you that allowing outsiders to come for the first time was a controversial decision. There were those who have advocated for it for decades, and those who would stop at nothing to stay isolated. Roman took a very big risk to allow the EGA to establish research centers here. It’s time we join the rest of the cosmos and some beautiful multi-species babies would do just the trick.

You’re Aro’s mate, and the reason he was able to summon his battleform.

With time, you will be celebrated,” Rameera says with a wink in my direction.

“Ugh.” Kiera rolls her eyes at her mom’s mention of babies. It reminds me of my mom’s gentle prodding about my past relationships. I can already tell they will be two peas in a pod .

“Leaders on Earth hardly have any privacy,” I tell them. I pick absently at the cushion I hold in my lap.

This time Kiera responds. “You’ll get some of that here as well.”

“We tried to give you two a normal childhood. I know it bothered you more than Aro. He’s so unfazed by most things. And you coped with your beautiful rebellious spirit.” Rameera puts an arm around her daughter’s shoulders.

“Every job comes with its drawbacks. We all pay a price in some way. This job happens to come with the privilege to serve our people.” Rameera’s devotion to pt’Clanik is admirable.

“There is some freedom within the job as well. I’ve always loved traveling and seeing other cultures and ways of life.

I act as an ambassador. Since you’re a biologist, I imagine you could spend your time on…

biologist stuff,” Kiera offers up in the most endearing way.

Another thing she has in common with her brother.

“Aro has told me a little about how delicate this ecosystem is. From the moment I stepped outside of the muradome, I immediately knew I would do anything for this world. To be in a position to actually do that is beyond my wildest dreams.”

“Elowen, you would be able to do something no one else has ever done. You could be the one person to show that outsiders could love and protect j'Tilak just as much as we do,” Rameera says.

I can tell they're trying to put all my worries to rest. Their support means a lot to me. Although I miss Aro and can’t wait for him to get back, I’m glad to have this time with his mom and sister.

“Okay, Mom—I think we’ve said enough. She’s going to feel like we are giving her the hard sell,” Kiera says.

I hold onto the warm mug like an anchor.