Chapter 6

Raya is telling me about the fortification that was put up in the new tunnels while I was away. I am having a hard time focusing on the specifics, as I am being pulled in two different directions. One to be here for my people and the other with her. I swear I can feel her grief, and it tugs at my heart. I understand her grief and loss more than she realizes. Caring for the ones the Lord of Light has granted me is something I pride myself on, but I feel like I am failing her.

"Father, are you listening to me?"

"Not as I should be, no. Raya, my mind is elsewhere, I trust your calculations, daughter. If you say the structure is safe, then it is. Have there been any signs of the Waldrin since I've been gone? Did the last set of Lava crystals arrive in time?"

"We expected an attack when the last part of the tunnel was finished, but nothing occurred. I have assigned an extra set of guards here for the next few risings just as a precaution until the cameras can be installed. The crystal shipment was a few risings late and because of that. I stopped production here until it was received.

"I wasn't going to take the chance of a Waldrin slipping through because the tunnel wasn't properly illuminated. Although, Father, you should know. I can tell the guards are getting weary of the constant battles. Few have not had a rotation off in quite a while and I am worried they are beginning to get sloppy. Not to change the subject, but how was your research going? Are we anywhere closer to finding a way to finally defeat them? Our people need some sort of hope."

"Volten had commed me about making a breakthrough when I was leaving, but if the research was destroyed … It's possible that all that information was lost. He is convinced that the human females are the answer, but from what he has shown me. We would have to drain their entire species in order to get enough to even make a dent in the Waldrin's numbers. I agreed with him on many things, but I won't destroy one race to save another. From what I have been able to obtain there are only a handful of these females even left, and they are scattered all over the universe."

"I must ask this, Father. Why did you bring one here? It's not like you to come home with a stranger."

"I have no real answer to give you, Raya. The feelings I am experiencing when I am near her, I cannot explain. UntilI come to understand these changes taking place within me. I would appreciate it if this conversation would stay between us. My markings have been tingling and burning underneath my skin. It started the moment I smelled her from above. Something about her caught my eye, and I simply reacted. The thought of one of the Chilten poking and probing on her infuriated me. So, I took her. I didn't think past that moment and yes, I know this is not my normal behavior. I plan on seeking out the ArchaicOnes and ask their advice on the matter if I can. Where is your brother? I thought he would be here by now."

"Onyx has been disappearing regularly. Every time I approach him about it, he tells me to mind my own business. WhenI first noticed it, I started to have him followed, but I know he is capable of taking care of himself. Now that you have returned, maybe he will tell you where he is sneaking off to."

"I will speak to him." My mind wanders off once again. I am happy to be home, but the list of things that need to be tended to just keeps growing. No wonder few take on a full-time mate, there is no time to enjoy them.

"You have drifted off once again, Father. Take the rest of the rising to relax, I think I can handle being you a little longer." I pull Raya close, bending down to put my forehead on hers. "Know that I am proud of the female you have become, Raya. I am honored by your commitment to me and your people. You will lead with a strong heart one rising." Her smile lightens my heart.

"I am my father's daughter, after all; now go on. The world will wait a little longer for your return."

Ipass a few on the way back to my dwelling, thankfully none stop me. Both of my daughters do a fabulous job of handing out responsibilities and managing the things that need to be completed every rising, not only to keep us safe but fed. I am honored to be their father and try my best to make sure they always know I hold them close to my heart.

Steppingout of the lift, the first thing that catches my attention is the unique smell of my human. I find her curled up in a ball, clutching my cloak tightly in her hands. Picking her up gently, Iinstantly notice the dried tears on her face as I pack her into my bed. I hate to see the evidence of her sadness on her face.

Shedoesn't make a sound when I lay her down. Pulling up the coverings, I notice her tiny feet are dirty, and I wonder why she put clean garments on a dirty body. Standing over her, I take the time to really look at her, my mind trying to figure out why I am so drawn to one of her kind.

Turningaway, I start unwrapping the harnesses and belts that hold my many knives and weapons. OnceI have them off, I unclasp my arm guards, laying them on the chest in the refreshing chamber. Looking up into the viewing wall, I notice my braids are coming loose. So, I take the time to unwrap them while I have a moment to myself. Even though I am still in the prime of my life, the stress of my people's struggles is wearing on me, making me feel old before my time. Pulling the rest of my clothing off. I step into the Ionizer, immediately missing the water units we used to have, but that was a luxury of long ago.

Closingmy eyes, I tilt my head back, enjoying the feeling of being home and the relief of the dirt being whisked away from my body. When suddenly I have the feeling of being watched. Turning slowly, I catch her retreating quickly from the open doorway, and I have to smile.

TheIonizer shuts off and I step out. Wrapping a cloth around my hips, I walk back into the sleeping chamber. Tessa is sitting up on the bed chewing on the end of one of her fingers, looking quite guilty.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be a PeepingTom. I heard a noise. I didn't know you were in there."

"A peeping what?"

"Never mind. I didn't mean to walk in on you."

"You could have joined me since you didn't use it earlier."

"Well, I had full intentions of getting clean, but none of the damn alien buttons would work for me. I've needed to pee forever now, but I couldn't find out where to do it and your youngest ran off before I could ask her about it. I wish you would realize I don't just know. This environment makes me feel like a fish out of water."

Igrip my fist to keep from reaching out for her as she is struggling to hold back the tears that are gathering in her eyes. She isn't angry with me. Right now, her anger is directed towards the world. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my emotions as all I want to do is gather her up in my arms and make everything ok.

"Come, let's make you more comfortable with all the alien buttons. To ensure this issue never occurs again, I will have Raya bring me a comm unit so that I will only be a touch away." I motion for her to go in front of me, but there is no missing her cheeks flushing slightly as I catch her staring at my chest.

Takingthe time to show her everything, I try not to miss even the smallest detail before I step out of the room to give her some privacy. WhenI hear the Ionizer come on, it takes all my willpower not to peek in.

Dressedin a comfortable pair of pants. I decide to order some sustenance, as I don't know if she has eaten, and I don't feel like going to the common rooms. I know she has questions, and this is the first time any calmness has been achieved since our arrival.

Thesustenance arrives just as she is walking out in one of Zllera's jumpsuits. She keeps tugging at the neckline, trying to get it to stay up as it slips off her small shoulder. When she sees me standing with the tray in hand, she stops. I enjoy the roaming of her eyes as she looks at me from head to toe.

"I apologize that there were no garments available more suitable to your small frame."

"It's no biggie, right now beggars can't be choosers, but if it's not that much trouble. I am pretty handy with a needle. If you could get me some material, I could make my own."

"Tessa, is that how you obtained coverings in your world?"

"Well, yes, and no. My mom taught me how to sew when I was little and that has come in handy many times in my life. But normally, I would just go shopping if I needed something."

Iwatch as she bites her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. "Once again, I ask for your forgiveness, Tessa. I have no way of knowing how to comfort you. Would you care to join me? I ordered a little of everything since I didn't know what you preferred."

Sittingthe tray down, I motion for her to sit. She plops down so hard she has to catch herself from falling over the side. She grips her face in her hands for a moment, fighting her emotions.

"Here, give me your wrist."

Shehesitates before lifting her arm towards me. Gripping her wrist gently, I place the comm unit around it. She is so small it takes me a few tries to get it to latch properly. My hands tremble slightly as my runes pulse up and down my arm.

"Are you alright? Those marks are moving again."

"They seem to like you. They have never done that before."

"Never?"

Ishake my head no. "It's just as confusing for me as it is for you."

"I sincerely doubt that, but do you think you're allergic to me or something?"

"No, I believe it's in a more carnal nature."

"Ohhh, uh… Ok, on a whole other note. Just how does this thing work?"

Itry to concentrate on her question and not the fact that I am rubbing my thumb on the inside of her wrist. "This button here will allow you to directly connect to me. There is a small tracking device in this also, but it's in all of them. So don't think I did it simply to keep track of you. Because of the Waldrin, I make everyone always keep theirs on."

"What is a Waldrin?"

"They are the plague of the universe and they have infiltrated my planet, especially the cave system we use to grow our crops in. We have learned the hard way that hiding in plain sight is something they are exceptionally good at. They blend seamlessly into the cavern walls. Until some of my people came up missing, we had no way of knowing they were here. They landed on the other side of the planet several Orbital rotations ago without our knowledge."

"Why are they taking your people? Is that why you are fortifying tunnels? I wouldn't have known that, but Zllera said you wouldn't come back here until the newest one was checked on."

"They use my people, or actually any living host … to incubate their young."

"Holy hell, you're yanking my leg right now, right? Lord have mercy, not only have I been abducted and taken into LalaLand, but there is shit out there eating people."

Ilook down underneath the table to make sure I am not kicking or touching her. "Your words once again confuse me. I may need to have one of the healers come attend to you to make sure our communicators are operating properly." She shakes her head and smiles slightly.

"Powder, even some humans have a hard time understanding the way others talk, don't sweat the little shit. Sooner or later, you will get used to it. Now, back to these Waldrin creatures. I take it you are at war with them?"

"If that is what you want to call it. In the beginning, I sent every able bodied warrior, including myself, out. We were armed with the best weapons in the cosmos, but we didn't stand a chance. You see, they can't be killed. Or we haven't found a way to do it yet. The more you hack away or even shoot at one … the more they multiply. You cut off an arm; it turns into another one, just smaller. They grow rapidly, so within minutes, one Waldrin can become ten easily. They overran my warriors and by the time I realized what was happening. We had already lost hundreds.

"That's when I came to understand normal means of war, we're not going to work. We immediately started looking for other ways. I was at the point of giving up and placing our resources into relocating our entire race when a rumor started. Apparently, there is a different hierarchy of Waldrin and some of the royals were visiting a PleasurePlanet. The rumor said they purchased a rare female species there. The moment they latched onto her, they immediately started dying. By the time the PleasurePlanet was notified of the occurrence, the female had already been disposed of. She was supposedly a human. That was why you and the others were at the research center."

"Ahhh, well at least that part makes more sense. So, you think there is something inside of us … me … that is the answer to destroying them?"

"Volten was one of the main curators at the research center. He had just had a huge break through, when the females found a way to break out. They destroyed all records before leaving, so we are back to square one."

"Are you simply saving me to take me back there?"

"Absolutely not, no one will ever touch or hurt you," I growl that out louder than I intended to, and she scoots away from me.

"Those are big promises to make for someone you just met, ZoD. Why did you take me from that place if I was a key to helping your people? What is it about me that you think is the answer? You must have some sort of idea?"

"Tessa, I don't know why I took you, but I simply couldn't do anything else. The moment I caught your scent I was drawn to you. As to the theory of what we need from you to defeat them, well, it's your blood."

"You do realize we only have so much of that in our bodies and if you are really fighting an entire species, one or two girls are not going to be able to help much with that."

Ilook away from her accusing eyes and I can tell by the tapping of her fingernails she is quickly coming up with the answer I am now ashamed of.

"Oh my God, you were going to drain every one of us you found, weren't you? You didn't care where we came from, or how they got us there. You were simply focusing on how it would benefit you and your people."

She'simmediately on her feet. Picking up the tray the food had been delivered on, she throws it at me. I don't even try to duck out of the way. She has every right to be angry.

"You know, for a moment there I was trying to convince myself that things were not as bad as they seemed. But ohhh no, you went and ripped that rug right out from under my feet, you sorry ass bastard. How many humans have you already killed?"

"None."

"What? Did you suddenly gain a conscience? Were we no longer appealing as livestock?"

"You are taking this all wrong, Tessa, please sit back down, and let's talk."

"Why? I am pretty sure you have already told me everything I need to hear, ZoD. If it's the last thing I do, I will escape you and this desert hell you live in. Either alive or dead, this I promise you."

Withoutrational thought, I reach up and grab her. "You will not leave the protection of these walls, or me. I forbid it."

Sheattacks me anew. I take her slaps and anger until it triggers my own and I know unless I make her understand why, she will always fight me. "Stop this immediately, Tessa, you are only going to hurt yourself."

"Fuck you, and your whole race, you albino reject."

Ipick her up off the ground, her legs kicking against mine as I walk us toward the sitting area. Placing her on my lap, I wrap my arms around her body and drape a leg across hers so that she can't get loose, hoping her struggles will cease.

Thenbefore I realize what I am doing, I start retelling a story I have never spoken aloud to another.