will forgive me for,” Jaxor said, inhaling the same air between them. “But I will spend the rest of my lifespan making it up to her. However short that life may be,” he added softly, knowing that his execution was very probable now that he had returned.
Vaxa’an seemed to realize this too and he released Jaxor, but didn’t step away.
“There is much you are not telling me,” Vaxa’an accused softly.
“I will tell you everything you wish to know,” Jaxor replied, “but first know that the Jetutians have breached our atmosphere on multiple occasions over the last ten rotations.”
Vaxa’an shook his head. “Not possible. We would have—”
“There is one male I know of that has been coordinating with the Mevirax. A male stationed here at the command center. There may be more, but I have no way of knowing.”
“Rebax?” Vaxa’an asked softly, absorbing his words. “You are telling me that the Jetutians have breached our planet’s surface with the aid of a Luxirian warrior. One of my warriors?”
“Tev,” Jaxor said. “Bring Kirov here. Have him scan the surface manually. That is the first step.”
“Kirov is not here. None of the Ambassadors are. Cruxan just…” Vaxa’an trailed off. “The Lunar Celebration is tonight.”
Vrax.
Which meant the Ambassadors were at their respective outposts.
Jaxor swallowed this news down and said, “You must summon him. Immediately.”
“Why?”
“I fear that the Jetutians will come. Soon. If they are not here already.”
Vaxa’an looked at him like a stranger. His brother had remained unchanged—at least physically—but Jaxor knew that he was different. Jaxor felt the long rotations like they were lashes against his back, felt them stretch tight.
“Do you believe me?” Jaxor asked, looking him straight in the eyes. Through their blood connection, he felt Vaxa’an’s unease.
“I do,” his brother said, without hesitation. Relief made Jaxor close his eyes. “But I worry what I will think when you tell me everything else.”
Jaxor nodded. “First, ensure Luxiria is secure. Only allow those you trust in the command center until Kirov arrives.”
“Why come to me now with this information?” Vaxa’an asked. Jaxor sensed his rage then. A tangible thing between them. “You have known this entire time. You have put countless at risk in not telling me. Why?”
Jaxor felt the metal biting into his wrists. He knew the answer but he didn’t want to say it. He knew it wouldn’t make a drop of difference in his brother’s eyes.
“The Jetutians have only ever come to speak with the Mevirax,” Jaxor told Vaxa’an. “Three times that I know of.”
“Were you there during these meetings?” Vaxa’an asked him.
“Nix,” Jaxor said. “They happened after I had already broken away from the Mevirax.”
After he learned what Tavar had planned to do with the Luxirian crystals…
Vaxa’an was shaking his head, frustrated. “You need to tell me everything.”
“And I will, brother,” Jaxor said, that same frustration rising in him. “But the Mevirax have Erin.”
“Rebax?”
“They took her, just yesterday, from my base. That is why I need your help. To get her away from them. To keep her safe.”
Vaxa’an was already walking over to the wall of Coms. “I will send for Kirov.”
“And the others?”
“There are already plans in place, Jaxor’an,” he said and Jaxor flinched at his proper name. It mocked him now, a symbol of his family, of his lineage, of his place in their world. “We were planning to storm the Mevirax’s base in seven spans. This will move up the timeline, but I am not certain how much. But tonight, with the exception of Kirov, I will allow the Ambassadors their night. Tomorrow, I will send for them.”
“Seven spans?” Jaxor rasped. “Erin cannot wait that long!”
Vaxa’an turned from the Coms after he’d presumably called for Kirov, studying Jaxor in the dim light. “I will ensure the planet is secure now. Kirov will double-check when he gets here to tonight. I will send warriors to scout near the Caves of the Pevrallix,” he paused, “if that is still where the Mevirax are.”
“It is,” Jaxor said, distracted, unable to shake the feeling of dread and unease. Was Erin safe? Was she fed, cared for?
His only comfort, if it could be called that, was that Tavar wouldn’t abuse her. He needed her for the Jetutians. As long as the Jetutians had not breached their atmosphere already, it would give them time to prepare.
Vaxa’an turned back to him, looking at him with a blank gaze, as if preparing himself for what would come next.
“Now tell me everything,” his brother ordered softly. “From the moment you left the Golden City,