Retribution (Kall Alien Warriors #3) - Sue Lyndon Page 0,49

one that felt like a desperate contingency plan.

Commander Edek, who lived near Zamek in Sumlin District, was married to Betsy Carson—the very human who’d once been his slave and also happened to be Layla’s friend. Yet the Sumlin District council had approved a marriage license for the commander and Betsy. Though Commander Edek lived near Zamek, they didn’t know one another well, as Edek used to live in Yomma, though he now resided in his family home on the mountainside of Sumlin with his brother Draken.

Xazzok sent Zamek messages about the goings on in Sumlin District frequently, as well as providing updates on the winery, and his cousin had given him periodic updates on Commander Edek—first informing him that Edek had moved back to Sumlin after returning from battle on Earth, then that Edek had taken a human slave, and finally, that Edek had married his slave.

It was still a shock to Zamek that the Sumlin District council had approved the marriage between Edek and Betsy, and yet it had happened. This knowledge gave Zamek hope, and he tucked the possibility this presented for him and Layla into the back of his mind. If Layla’s status as his slave/mistress was threatened, he supposed he could simply marry her.

His gaze collided with hers and all the air suddenly left his chest.

What was he doing? What was he thinking?

Shessema.

Her body still rested in his warship’s morgue, awaiting burial on the mountainside, and here he was, dining with a human female and contemplating marriage. His mood darkened and the food suddenly became tasteless. He pushed his plate away and started drinking a copious amount of wine.

“Is-is something wrong?” Layla asked.

He glared at her, trying to summon the anger he’d once felt toward her, even though he’d promised to protect her. A growl of frustration rumbled from his throat and he pushed away from the table.

“I must return to my duties,” he said.

“Of course.” Hurt reflected in her eyes, but he tore his gaze from hers and stalked to the door.

Once he was out in the corridor, he took a long inhale and fought the urge to brace himself against the wall. The last thing he wanted was for one of his men to witness a moment of weakness. He stood taller and marched to the section of the ship that contained the training rooms. May the ancient gods help the poor soul who volunteered to spar with him tonight.

Chapter 18

Just before he reached the corridor containing the training rooms, Zamek spotted Commander Vavvis rushing down the hallway toward him.

“General Zamek, it is fortunate we ran into one another. I was about to contact you and request your presence on the bridge. I am headed there now myself,” Commander Vavvis said with a gesture in the direction that led to the bridge.

The two males started heading that way before Zamek even opened his mouth to question the commander. Whatever it was that required his attention, he was glad for the distraction. He needed some time away from Layla to think. He also needed to visit the morgue and pray over his wife. It shamed him that he’d gone several days without doing so.

“Report?” Zamek asked.

“A fleet of fifty Bexxanian warbirds were just destroyed in sector 42.”

Shock filled Zamek. Sector 42 was very close to Earth and the Bexxanians had never been spotted there before. “Those fools,” he said, biting back a laugh. “They likely didn’t realize how many Kall vessels still patrol that sector.”

“Early reports indicate it was a good battle, General,” the commander replied. “Few Kall casualties were sustained, and no Kall warships or airships were destroyed.”

“How many Kall vessels in total converged on the Bexxanians?” Zamek asked, wanting to better envision the great battle in his head.

“Over two hundred.” Commander Vavvis sighed with longing. “I wish I had been there. To have participated in a battle that large, I would sell my grandfather’s battle-ax,” he said with a chuckle.

When they arrived on the bridge a short while later, the viewscreen displayed a feed of the High Council’s chambers. Zamek aimed a nod of respect to the council members.

“Good evening, councilors,” he said. “To what do I owe this honor?” It was most unusual for the entire High Council to call upon a Kall warship, particularly via video comm. More frequently, coded messages were transmitted back and forth.

“Good evening, General Zamek,” Councilor Jonall said with a deep nod. “My fellow council members and I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to you