Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,36

will.” The com went blank without further conversation.

Synclare sat on the sofa for a moment feeling like she’d been hung up on, then she realized that Lo’San had this same shortness in all his business dealings and that it was most likely a trait of his people. Another wave of nausea overtook her and she rushed to the bathroom to empty her stomach before returning to her bed to try to sleep a bit longer. In the morning, she’d speak to Zha Quin about the possibility of Lo’San’s mother and family visiting.

Chapter 10

“Did you hear that female presuming to believe that she knows Lo’San better than any, and what he will and won’t be happy with?” Mee’ta asked.

“I did, Mother ‘San. Surely he can’t be much changed from the man we knew,” Ph‘eel said. “I have no doubt that we still know him better than any female who’s met him recently ever could. You gave him life! I have known him since we were small young ones! No other could ever know him better.”

“Once he is home among us again, he will be reminded of his bond with us.”

“Are you sure we should bring the children? They are such a distraction,” Ph‘eel asked, her annoyance clear as she thought about the fact that her bond-mother wanted to bring her and Ko’San’s children. She didn’t care much for them and found that they took much of the attention from others that should have been hers.

“Not all of them, only those who are Ko’San’s young ones. It will make our appearance seem more family oriented and true to script if they are there.”

Ph‘eel nodded. “You are right. Perhaps I’ll bring their nanny as well so I don’t have to fight to keep them in line.”

Mee‘ta wasn’t even listening. She was still thinking about the beautiful woman with the shining silver hair that she’d just spoken to.

“She is not Cruestaci! I’m not sure what species she is, but she is definitely not Cruestaci,” Mee‘ta said.

“That is fortuitous. The Cruestaci are a strong species. That she is not Cruestaci will make things much easier for us. I still believe that we can bring him back to you — to us.”

“I want my son home. He is my firstborn and by rights should be here and attending his Eschina mate and myself, his mother. He will, of course, be required to issue an official apology to me. A male turning his back on his mother is the utmost example of disrespect.”

“I will see to that as well, Mother ‘San,” Ph‘eel said, secretly seething at the sight of the woman that was currently keeping company with the male that was meant to be her first mate.

~~~

Rokai stepped into the exercise facility everyone aboard ship was encouraged to use at their leisure. He looked around at the various people there exercising on the equipment, visiting with one another, running around the track provided for just that, and eventually located the male he was looking for. Standing at the far side of the room where the majority of the active duty warriors preferred to train with a series of heavy weights used for increasing their size and stamina, as opposed to the machines that most of the general population of the ship used. He was training with several other males and they took turns spotting each other with the excessively heavy weights.

Rokai set a path for Re’Vahl. The male’s skin color was unusual among the Cruestaci. His skin was bronze. It was a color that was not a common sight, and it set him apart. In fact, Rokai had never met another Cruestaci male, other than Re’Vahl’s father and brother, that carried that same trait. It made him easy to pick out in a crowd.

“Re’Vahl,” Rokai called out, as he got close enough to be heard from across the room.

Re’Vahl turned toward Rokai. “Rokai,” Re’Vahl answered, looking toward him. “Come to train with us?”

“I’ve been sent to summon you. You are needed in the small conference room across from the Command Deck,” Rokai explained.

Re’Vahl realized this was not a friendly visit, so he changed from speaking to his friend, to speaking to his Elite Commander. “Yes, Elite Commander Rokai ahl. Do I have time to clean up first, sir?” he asked, coming to attention.

“No. Just report to the conference room.”

Re’Vahl’s eyes narrowed at the information. He knew he’d not done anything to be called to task on, but was still wary to be called to a meeting and