Retribution (Kall Alien Warriors #3) - Sue Lyndon Page 0,36

asked. He stood on the bridge, agitated that he’d been pulled away from Layla sooner than he would’ve liked, but also filled with the familiar bloodlust that preceded battle. The Bexxanians would pay for what they’d done to the Verrsuans. He would make certain of it.

“Approximately fifty hurlons,” replied one of the crew.

“Good. Check our weapons system and be ready to divert power to weapons at a moment’s notice. The Bexxanians are known for using radar displacement technology. We think they are fifty hurlons away, but they could be closer.”

“Yes, General,” several of the crew said in unison.

“Keep me informed.” Zamek departed the bridge and headed for his quarters, where he immediately set about sharpening his weapons. If they managed to board the Bexxanian warbird, he would lead the charge onto the alien vessel.

Once he finished sharpening the weapons, he donned his belt and fixed his sword, battle-ax, and many knives into place, then he strode quickly to the training room where he’d promised to meet Amorrga. The Verrsuan had little time to prepare for the upcoming fight, but at least the male had recovered from his injuries.

As he sparred with Amorrga, teaching the Verrsuan the best techniques for hand-to-hand combat against a Bexxanian, he couldn’t quite stay focused. His thoughts kept straying to his little human prisoner. Layla. His heart warmed as he recalled how peaceful he’d felt while holding her in the aftermath of their rigorous mating session.

Mating. Each time he thought of what had happened between them, the word mating came to mind, rather than sex or fucking. He frowned and guilt swelled inside him, distracting him enough to allow Amorrga to almost take off his head with a sword.

The Verrsuan appeared surprised and paused to stare dumbly at Zamek, but Zamek was quick to disarm Amorrga during his shocked pause. They moved on to knives after practicing for a while with the swords, but still his mind wouldn’t quiet.

Shessema. He felt as though he were betraying her memory. It was bad enough that he was doing so only a few moon cycles after her death, but even worse that he was doing so with the human female who’d been married to her killer. Perhaps he had lost his mind.

Part of him yearned to return to Layla at the earliest opportunity, but another part of him—the part ravaged by guilt and grief—wanted to keep away from her. Fluxx. All his life, he’d endeavored to follow the correct course, to be a strong, resilient warrior who upheld the traditions and protected the interests of his people, but for the first time he found himself wavering and uncertain about his next step.

After he finished sparring with Amorrga, he visited the bridge for a status update. The location of the Bexxanian warbird hadn’t moved, which was strange. Surely the aliens had detected his warship’s approach by now. Why weren’t they moving? Nevertheless, the Tammusha would continue to their location at full speed.

Five other Kall warships were also converging upon the Bexxanian warbird’s location, and all five ships would arrive at about the same time. It was unusual for a Bexxanian vessel to travel alone and Zamek wouldn’t be surprised if the Tammusha’s sensors soon detected additional enemy ships in the vicinity.

Zamek headed for the largest training room on his warship, where Commander Vavvis was conducting a readiness exercise for all five hundred Kall warriors aboard the Tammusha. He observed the warriors sparring with one another, all of them in top form, and satisfaction filled him. Whatever awaited them fifty hurlons away, his warriors would be prepared. The Bexxanians wouldn’t stand a chance.

But even as he observed the readiness exercise, he could not vanquish Layla from his thoughts. After returning to his quarters for a brief spell, where he removed his weapons’ belt and checked over several reports that needed his attention, he decided to go check on her.

He wouldn’t be able to rest until he verified her wellbeing. It was possible he’d been too rough with her, and he brought the dermal regenerator along just in case.

When he reached her cell, she wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but he soon heard the sound of running water and realized she was taking a shower. She was also singing, and her melodious voice echoed in the bathroom. He sat on her bed and waited, content to listen to the strange human song about a yellow submarine.

Freshly showered and dressed in her new clothes, Layla stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying