Retribution (Kall Alien Warriors #3) - Sue Lyndon Page 0,50
and your warriors for the assistance you provided in helping Kall forces defeat the Bexxanians. The technology you stripped from the Bexxanian warbird was extremely useful to our engineers, who were able to use it to better track the fleet of warbirds in sector 42.”
“I will forever be at the service of Kall,” Zamek replied. He’d been hopeful that the technology stripped from the enemy aliens’ vessel would be useful, and he’d ordered it to be analyzed immediately and for all data to be transferred to the central command system.
“Because of your actions, the Bexxanians are no longer a threat. Our intelligence tells us that their entire fleet has now been destroyed. Please convey my thanks to the rest of your warriors, General Zamek,” Councilor Jonall said.
“I will. Thank you, Councilor.”
After the call ended, a triumphant shout went up on the bridge, and Zamek’s warriors slapped one another on the back and offered congratulations on a job well done. Zamek even found himself cracking a smile as he joined in his crew’s celebrations.
Of course, this also meant they could now set course for planet Kall and cease looking for the Bexxanian warbirds that no longer existed. It meant he could take Layla home, where she would be safest. Despite his conflicting feelings and his guilt where Shessema was concerned, he still wished to keep the little human safe.
He departed the bridge, and to his surprise, Commander Vavvis followed him out into the corridor, keeping up with his rapid pace.
“General, there is another matter I would like to discuss with you. It’s rather urgent.”
Zamek gave an internal sigh but paused and turned to face Commander Vavvis. At this late hour, there was no one nearby in the corridor to overhear their conversation. “What is it?”
“Your human prisoner, Layla Remington, is no longer in the brig,” the commander said, and Zamek didn’t like the look of disgust that tugged at Vavvis’s face when he said Layla’s name.
“Yes, I know,” he replied, standing tall to stare down at the shorter male. He wasn’t above using his physical size to intimidate another Kall. “Her location is none of your concern.”
“Many warriors claim to have seen you carrying this human female to your quarters. I’ve tried my best to defend you, but if it is true, General… tell me it is not true. Tell me you have done the right thing and killed this human already and that perhaps you’re just keeping her body parts as a trophy.”
Zamek growled and slammed Vavvis against the wall, then he wrapped his hand around his commander’s neck, squeezing until his face turned a deep purple. “Question me about the human again or offer an unsolicited opinion, and I’ll relieve you of your command. Understood?” He loosened his grip on the commander’s throat, just enough to allow the male to speak.
Another growl left Zamek and he released his subordinate with a jerk. Then he marched down the corridor, heading for the morgue. He couldn’t face Layla in good conscience until he’d prayed over Shessema. Until he spoke to his late wife and tried to explain his actions to her. Not that she would be able to respond, but perhaps he would sense her presence. Maybe he would even sense her acceptance, or her sadness or disapproval.
To his relief, he found the morgue empty. He hurried inside and moved to the glass-topped coffin that held her body, which rested in a back room. He stared at her, thinking she appeared so alive that she might open her eyes at any moment. The Tammusha’s mortician had embalmed her, preserving her innocence and her beauty.
His heart ached as he gazed down at her.
“Shessema,” he began, “I have come here to ask the ancient gods to watch over your soul, and to tell you that I hope you are resting peacefully in the afterlife. I hope the afterlife is as breathtaking as the Holy Ones claim. I hope you are running through fields of tall vhenn grass as you reunite with old souls. Perhaps you will live again, in another body, if you decide to reincarnate, though I know if you do, you’ll have no memory of this life, at least until you perish again.”
He couldn’t help but wonder how many lives she’d already lived. And how many had he lived? What about Layla? He’d heard many humans believed souls could reincarnate. Perhaps Layla had already experienced several lives as well.