else on the street. Their conversation would remain private.
“May I come in?” Merokk asked. “I have more information, but I also have a favor to ask of you, General.”
Zamek scoffed. “A favor? I’ve just lost my wife to a murderous human and you wish to ask a favor of me? Have you no honor?”
“It is honor that has brought me to your doorstep,” Merokk replied. “Please, let us talk inside. I will explain everything.”
With a growl of frustration, Zamek entered the code to unlock his door, then he burst inside and gestured for Merokk to follow. If any other male had shown up on his doorstep, he would have sent them away. But Merokk had saved his life in battle once, over ten years ago in the war against the Terussaks, and Zamek could not rightfully turn his trusted comrade away. Zamek was also curious about Merokk’s presence here and wished to learn the information the former warrior possessed.
Once they reached the sitting room, Zamek went straight for the liquor, even passing the strong Kall wine he usually favored. He poured himself a generous glass and lifted it to his lips, downing the contents in one quick but large swallow. He refilled his glass and finally turned to face Merokk.
“What? What information do you have, Ambassador? You claim honor has brought you to my doorstep, but you are remaining infuriatingly silent and if you do not speak soon, I will throw you out on the street.”
“Michael Dennis had a wife.”
Bloodlust surged through Zamek. He emitted a growl of satisfaction as dark, savage impulses rose within him. The murderer had a wife, someone else who might quench his need for vengeance. “This is fortunate news,” he replied, contemplating a hundred different ways he might make the human female suffer before eventually granting her the merciful release of death.
Yet Merokk appeared displeased by the news he’d just delivered. In fact, worry glinted in his dark gaze.
“I suspect the Custom of Retribution will be followed, as it normally is in cases like this, however, until a judge officially grants you retribution rights, this female will remain in my home and under my protection.”
Fury blazed through Zamek. What could possess Ambassador Merokk to protect the human wife of Shessema’s murderer? He tossed his glass against the wall and the strong scent of liquor permeated the room. “What is your meaning here? Give me one reason why I shouldn’t drive a sword through your heart and then retrieve this human female from your home myself?”
“I know you are angry and grieving, old friend, but you mustn’t act in haste, and I ask you to hear me out. Layla Remington—the human wife of Michael Dennis—is a close friend of my wife’s. During the last year, I have come to know Layla as a respectable female.”
Zamek shook his head and snorted. “So, you expect me to spare Layla’s life just because she is friends with Fiona? How can you come to my home, on the very day of my wife’s death, and make such a request? If you were in my position, I believe you wouldn’t hesitate to seek your own justice.”
“I am deeply sorry for what happened to Shessema. Truly, I am. But killing an innocent female, human or otherwise, is not true justice. The Custom of Retribution is an outdated law that ought to be overturned.”
Dark suspicion swept through Zamek. Fists clenched at his sides, he stepped closer to Merokk, posturing himself as if ready to fight. Shessema was gone. A human man had murdered her—a human man who’d likely been in league with the rebels—and Merokk had the nerve to beg for the life of this human man’s wife? A low growl rumbled from Zamek’s throat as his muscles tensed. A haze of red clouded his vision.
“Innocent? You think this Layla female is innocent? She likely knew her husband was involved with the rebels, and that knowledge makes her as good as an accomplice.”
“On my honor as a Kall warrior, General Zamek, I swear to you that Layla is an innocent soul. While I didn’t know Shessema well, I doubt she would wish for you to slake your bloodlust on a blameless female. Layla is terrified at this moment and she’s expressed remorse over your wife’s death. Though she doesn’t know you, she is saddened by your loss and she is also horrified by her late husband’s actions.”
“Get out,” Zamek hissed. “Get out before I cut you down where you stand.”
Merokk released a long