Retribution (Kall Alien Warriors #3) - Sue Lyndon Page 0,68

contact you, but there was a problem with the comm. You have visitors,” he said in a tone that made it perfectly clear that said visitors were unwelcome.

A cold smile spread across Commander Vavvis’s face. “Yes, General, you have visitors, though do not worry—our visit will be a fast one.”

Whispers on the landing above reached Zamek, and a quick glance up showed Layla and Fallonn were eavesdropping. Not that he could blame them, but he very much wished Layla would remain out of the commander’s sight.

“What. Do. You. Want.” Zamek growled again.

“I stand here before you, General Zamek, with Councilors Horth and Crozz as my witnesses, to accuse you of conduct unbecoming of a warrior, as well as treason.”

“Treason?” Zamek’s fists clenched at his sides. The foolish commander would be lucky if he survived this encounter.

“Yes, treason. You’ve failed to take the human Layla Remington’s life. You’ve failed to exact the retribution that Judge Commak granted you.”

“It is my right to keep the human female and torture her for as long as I wish.” These words tasted bitter in Zamek’s mouth. He was tired of pretending in front of others that he meant to hurt Layla.

“Actually,” Councilor Horth said, “you have technically broken the law. We looked up the details of the ancient Custom of Retribution, and a wronged Kall male has thirty days to exact his revenge. Failure to do so will result in the guilty individual being publicly executed. I suppose this part of the law has been forgotten by most, as nearly all acts of retribution occur immediately in the courtroom. But it’s been more than thirty days since you took possession of Layla, and you must hand her over.”

“I registered her at the slave office and made her my slave. I own her. Legally, you cannot take her away from me.” Sickness filled him, as well as a heavy dose of panic. If they tried to take Layla from him now, he would kill all three males. But then he would be a traitor and have to escape planet Kall with Layla, a prospect that wouldn’t be easy with the new planetary shield in place, which heavily monitored the airships and warships that entered and exited the atmosphere.

“Laws pertaining to the Custom of Retribution were on the books before any laws governing slavery, which means the human female is overdue for a public execution,” Councilor Crozz said.

Marriage. The laws pertaining to marriage superseded all, including ancient laws. Married females on planet Kall were bound to their husbands and their husbands only. Furthermore, Zamek was certain laws pertaining to marriage were among the first laws recorded in Kall history, a full millennia before the laws concerning retribution rights.

If only Zamek had acquired the marriage license a day ago, then Layla would already be safe. He was determined to make them leave his home, then marry the sweet little human who’d captured his heart as quickly as possible.

“I refuse to surrender my slave to Kall authorities,” Zamek said, standing taller and towering over all three males.

“Then you are surely guilty of treason,” Commander Vavvis said, “considering that you are aiding a human whose husband was affiliated with rebels on Earth. You are no longer protecting Kall interests. In fact, you are working against them and that makes you a traitor.”

Zamek lunged at Vavvis and slammed the male’s head against the wall with a satisfying crunch. The commander slumped to the floor, unconscious. Zamek glared at the councilors, both of whom started backing away.

“Unless you want to join him on the floor, I suggest you carry him back to Sumlin,” Zamek said, noting that he hadn’t seen an airship outside. The three males must’ve walked up the mountain. He hoped the elderly councilors broke their backs on the way back to Sumlin.

Fortunately, Councilors Horth and Crozz rushed to heave Vavvis off the floor and carried him toward the door. Just before they exited the house, Councilor Horth shot Zamek a dark look over his shoulder.

“This is not over,” the elderly male said. “By the way, the punishment for treason is death. Perhaps you and your human slave can die together.”

“I look forward to the fight, old man,” Zamek replied with a fierce growl that caused both councilors to turn light pink as they scurried off the porch with Vavvis’s body swinging between them.

He stood in the doorway, watching for a while to make sure they followed the footpath back into town. Once they were far enough away to satisfy