Zayzon grimaced at something one of his brothers said and slapped a claw against his own forehead, obviously angry with himself. He grabbed a nearby glass tablet—surprisingly fancy for a male lacking credits—and started tapping on the screen with a sharp claw. He finished whatever he was doing then tilted the screen toward the other males. They crowded around and checked it, some of them tapped at the screen too, then finally they all grunted in agreement.
What were they doing?
5
Zayzon stepped forward and shoved the tablet into her hands. He gestured toward the screen.
Lila looked down in confusion and found a small paragraph written in English. She gasped with delight. They’d translated the words just for her.
Greetings, small human female, I am Zayzon of Forty-Five. I am going to escort you to the intake center. A Xylan language translator chip will be implanted in your brain in order for you to easily communicate. This procedure will be quick and painless and afterwards I will bring you back to our domicile so I can properly introduce you to my brothers.
A language chip? His brothers? These males were his brothers? She glanced up at the fierce, smiling faces in the room. How sweet. She wanted to ask her own questions. Like, where was this intake center? Was it far? Walking around outside, even with Zayzon at her side, sounded daunting. And how long would it take to implant the chip? Should she even agree to traveling to this intake center? She was supposed to be in hiding.
But having the ability to speak to the beings on this planet was probably priority. Hmm. Lila glanced down at the screen, then over at Zayzon and moved over to stand right next to him. She took a deep breath, inhaling his luscious scent, and decided to trust these males. Then she settled down, tapped back a quick response, opened the appropriate translation symbol and handed back the tablet.
Thank you, that’s perfect. I would love to be able to speak to all of you. I am okay with having to leave your house in order to have this procedure accomplished. Can you please tell me what planet I’m on?
The brothers crowded around as Zayzon read it outloud to them.
She waited, listening to their grunts and snarls and chewed her bottom lip.
They all glanced up at her with surprise. Then they were talking and gesturing again. Anxiety began to flare in her chest. Would they hate her now that they all understood she was here illegally? Were they planning to hand her off to peacekeepers? Her hands grew sweaty and she shifted on her feet. Finally, Zayzon nodded and tapped back a reply and handed the tablet to her.
On the display was a holograph of the planet Timbur.
You are on Minecorp’s Timbur location. We are all unmated Xylan Illibrium miners who are living here in this compound. These are my brothers and my crew.
Her jaw dropped. Lila looked up again at all the smiling faces. “I’m on Timbur and you’re Illibrium miners?” she whispered in awe. Oh wow. Just…wow. No wonder she’d thought Zayzon was handsome right away. This must be why she seemed to feel comfortable around him. She’d always had a secret crush on Xylan males, as did most females in the four sectors, but in addition, everyone admired Illibrium miners. They were badass superheroes. Only a select few beings in the universe were so attuned to Illibrium they could safely form bonds with the crystals and mine them.
In front of her stood seven of those rare beings. And they looked different from the Xylan ambassador to New Earth. These males were thicker and heavier than most Xylan, with barrel chests and mighty arms and legs, used to hard work in deep, dark mine shafts.
She glanced around again at their quarters, completely confused. What was up with all the mess and the ancient, barely usable furniture and bot? Margol Illibrium miners were well-known for having highly paid, secure life-long positions. Illibrium miners were rich. Why were they living like this?
Zayzon took the tablet from her and pointed toward the door.
She blinked and glanced toward the portal. Oh, they were leaving right now? She blew out a breath, readying herself to step outdoors again. At least this time there would be no storm, and Zayzon would be with her.
She glanced down at Zayzon’s gloves. Did she need to wear gloves too before they went outside? She pointed at her own bare hands and his gloved claws. He shook his head, showing his complete unconcern. Oh-kay. If he wasn’t worried, then she wasn’t either.
Another brother, with a thinner face than Zayzon, ran up and shoved something into her hands. He smiled, exposing some seriously long fangs, and gestured for her to open the package. She looked down, pried it open and was delighted to find some sort of meat. It smelled wonderful. Her stomach growled with hunger. This male was giving her breakfast to-go? He handed another packet to Zayzon. He also shoved a small disposable container of warm drink into her hand and he also gave one to Zayzon. Then he waved them both towards the front door.
Well, it looked like they were ready.
“I’m going outside in my pajamas and kitten slippers?” she said to no one in particular.
Zayzon held his own food and drink in one giant claw and placed the other large, gloved claw on the small of her back again and guided her out the door.
Lila blinked at the morning light. The air was chilly and refreshing. The storm had passed, and a clear blue sky streaked overhead leaving residual puddles on the pathways and patches of drying pavement. Vibrant green vegetation and colorful flowers burst from every corner.
She’d landed on Timbur, a jungle planet. With wide, wide open skies.
Anxiety began to bubble in her chest. Her breaths coming out in short pants. She closed her eyes for a moment and forced herself to keep her chin down, ignore the fact that she was an easy target out in the open and continue forward. Zayzon was right next to her. She had to believe he wouldn’t bring her out here if it was dangerous. She was going for a walk with an Illibrium miner as her protector. What was safer than that?
She kept her eyes on the environment and focused on the here and now, trying not to worry about what might swoop down from the sky.
All this precipitation was surprising and exotic considering she’d grown up in conditions one step above desert. Rain happened rarely on most of New Earth and water conservation was a fact of life. Standing on a colony where water was so plentiful that it fell from the sky and collected on the ground, on what seemed to be a daily basis—this was amazing.
Last night this place had seemed so wet and foreign, but now in the light of day it appeared orderly and clean. And she was walking down the street with an imposing Illibrium miner, as if this was that reality show everyone watched about regular beings plucked from obscurity and paired with universal heroes. The household staff back home would be so jealous. Illibrium mines were mysterious and totally off-limits to random visitors. It really was amazing that she was here on Timbur, but she was also even more concerned than ever that she’d be kicked off the first moment a peacekeeper found her here.
Everyone knew that the company that ran the mine didn’t allow beings on site who could potentially block production. Also, there was the possibility of thieves, because Timbur was the only planet in the four sectors with Illibrium.
A different worry began to invade her mind. Worry over everyone back home. What cruel, evil plan was Daniela working hard to implement? Who was she going to hurt next with her attempted take-over of the Garabedian corporation?
A rumble emitted from Zayzon’s chest. She glanced up and gave him a tremulous smile. He reached out and gestured to her hand.
“Uh?”
He grunted and bumped his hand against hers.
“Oh.” She finally understood and moved the food and the cup she’d been holding to one side. He reached out and squeezed her free hand, as if he could sense her bubbling anxiety. They continued to walk this way down the street, hand in gloved hand. Gods, his grip, and his towering, powerful nearness, even his smell—it was an antidote. Her mind cleared in his presence. Like a little turbo boost of calm, just that little bit that she needed to
clear the last residual of fear. It felt good to do something so simple as walking down the street, holding the hand of her boyfriend.
Her brow furrowed. Boyfriend?
She looked away and bit her lip. How embarrassing. She was turning into an annoying groupie. He was just being nice and supportive to the strange human who’d literally fallen into his bed. He was wearing gloves, making sure they didn’t touch for real. She could not fall for this male. There was no time right now for dating or desire. She was on the run from assassins. If he knew her last name, or her troubles, and then told the authorities either on purpose or by accident, they could both be killed. She had to protect him, as well as his brothers. This male did not deserve or need her problems to become his own.
They reached the corner of Zayzon’s dead-end street and moved onto a larger thoroughfare. The other Xylan kept glancing at her with curiosity. Probably wondering why a human was walking around in pajamas. Or why a human was here at all—this was a Xylan mining colony, not a vacation spot. Visitors to this planet were employees or beings specifically visiting through proper channels. She didn’t fit any of those categories. And she couldn’t even speak Xylan.
Shit, she was supposed to be hiding, not standing out like a flashing vid sign. If she could remain off the grid, it would take time for the other assassins to find out where she’d gone. They didn’t even know yet that she’d gone off planet. First, they’d search New Earth, and when that came up empty, only then would they widen their investigation. She had no identification on her. So far, she was hidden. But for how long? She didn’t know.
Zayzon squeezed her hand again and she was reminded of the fact that everyone here knew Zayzon. He was holding her hand to show the other Xylan he knew who she was, and he was vouching for her. Warmth spread across her chest. Basically, he was staking his reputation on her.
She noticed though that everyone was taking great efforts to stay out of Zayzon’s way, giving him wide berth and sometimes even crossing the street to avoid him. Lila peeked up at the male striding next to her. He was easily a head taller than everyone else they encountered. At the compound he’d been gregarious and easy with his smiles, but out here in public his face had turned serious. He looked almost sinister. He greeted no one, which was unusual considering he’d lived here his whole life. This was a small community and he’d been born and raised here, he had to know everyone.
“What’s wrong? You look…angry.”
He looked down at her with confusion clearly stamped on his face. She shook her head and looked forward. They were on their way to get the chip; she could wait to ask her questions later.
Yes, she was afraid of arriving at this intake center only to be kicked off the planet, but there wasn’t any other way. She had to be able to speak to these beings, and to Zayzon. The male holding her hand and walking next to her seemed to have her best interests at heart. She couldn’t help but trust him. He wouldn’t lead her somewhere he thought would be harmful to her. Although, he didn’t know all the facts of her situation so didn’t always know what was harmful and what wasn’t…
Her stomach growled. She let go of Zayzon’s hand and began to munch on the meat she’d been given, which turned out to be really, really good. She moaned with delight. It was surprising to be given such good food in the midst of that mess they called a home. Zayzon’s brother was a really good cook. It was sad that those males had to live that way. It didn’t look like any of them had an organizational bone in their bodies.
She daydreamed for a moment, imagining that she was allowed to stay on this planet for the next moon cycle, maybe even staying with these Illibrium miners. Would they let her clean and organize their house? If they did what would she do? If she was given free rein to make that place into a home, what would she change?
She continued to munch on her food, thinking about the clutter and how she’d rearrange what she’d seen so far, but this train of thought caused her mind to wander back to her own home. Everyone was probably waking to start their day—without her. Right now, Ines would be realizing she was gone. Her cats, Jasper and Abby would be waiting in front of her bedroom door, crying to be fed. Lila’s eyes watered and her nose stung as she imagined her lonely cats and the anguish her absence was causing the staff she cared about.
She continued down the street and tried her best to concentrate on the here and now. If she could pull this off and remain hidden, then she’d stay alive and eventually make it back. She couldn’t let them down.
Zayzon guided her to the nearest public transportation unit, a place she’d run past in the night. They stepped onto a crowded platform. A long vehicle soon pulled up and the doors slid open. Zayzon walked into the nearest section, sat down and pulled her into a seat next to him.
Other Xylan continued to covertly stare at their every move. Some of them looked visibly frightened and sat as far from them as possible, leaving the space around them empty but the rest of the cabin full. Her brow furrowed. Why were they all staying away? Was it because she was human? Or because she was with Zayzon? She had no idea.
A growl rumbled in Zayzon’s chest and his eyes flashed with anger. He sat up tall and snarled and growled at the other Xylan, saying something she didn’t understand. She had to cover her ears because, damn, he was loud. His booming voice echoed in the cabin. His message must’ve worked, because the prying eyes turned away.
She lowered her hands. Zayzon draped an arm across her back and his hand cupped her opposite shoulder and she allowed it. She seemed to be allowing a lot lately. Actually, she wanted nothing more than to snuggle into his embrace, climb onto his lap and start kissing his neck, and then…
Her gaze darted away, and her cheeks heated again.
This was a weird situation. Zayzon seemed to be comforting her and was being very possessive for an unmated male who should be avoiding her touch. Why was he the one in charge of her? If she’d stumbled into another room, would she instead be the ward of one of the other brothers? Maybe they were all laughing because he’d been the unlucky one to find her in his room? Was he quietly beginning to realize she was a burden?
She glanced up and smiled, hoping none of that was true. Wanting to let him know that she was forever grateful for his help and his company. He didn’t know this, but she’d never touch him without his consent, never let herself be a burden to him.
He gave her a warm smile in return.
Only for her.
If it weren’t for Zayzon she’d be alone right now. She still had no idea what her next steps would be, but at least she’d had this unexpected support in the midst of her crazy. He was trying to give her a universal translator so they could talk. This was actually super sweet. This intimidating male, who the others looked at with fear, had been nothing but nice to her since the moment he’d found her invading his bed. She reached out and grabbed his gloved claw and squeezed tight. “Thank you,” she said.
He gave her a curt nod and then began eating.
She focused on finishing the rest of her food too and then her drink, and so did Zayzon, and they dumped their containers into a nearby incinerator.
The transport stopped and she stepped off with him. He grabbed her hand again and they moved among the other Xylan on the streets who continued to brazenly stare at her—and at their joined hands.
Zayzon led her to an official-looking building that wasn’t far from the transportation unit. It was too bad she’d arrived last night in the middle of a storm. She really didn’t need to run through the streets, the public transport here was really good. Maybe this was also why they didn’t have a vehicle?
They walked inside, hand in hand, and Zayzon stopped at some kind of information desk. He snarled something to the Xylan working there. In minutes they were both led into a room with a lot of high-tech medical equipment. Two younger Xylan females and one older male stood nearby. They all stared in shock at her pajamas and at her hand joined with Zayzon’s.
Her imposing Xylan spoke loudly and poin
ted at her. There was a long conversation back and forth between the four Xylan in the room that she didn’t understand. Finally, the older male frowned and left. The other two females approached with gentle smiles and made hand motions to have her sit on the edge of a med bay. Zayzon let go of her hand and nodded in agreement.
She walked over and did as told, a hint of nervousness souring her stomach. She’d never had the need for a translator chip. It was a common enough procedure in the four sectors and was supposed to be painless. It was just that until today, she’d never had reason to have one.
One of the females went to a screen and spent time adding information. Probably telling the computer that she was human and what language she needed. Next thing she knew she was lying flat on her back and a shield covered her head. She closed her eyes for a moment and opened them again. All the equipment was suddenly gone.
She blinked, sat back up and put her hand on her head. That was weird. “Is it done?”
“Yes,” a deep voice rumbled. “It’s done. You have the Xylan language implanted in your brain.”
“I do? Already? Wow, that was fast.”
“Well, actually you were asleep for a bit, you just don’t remember. But yes, it was quick and painless.”
She glanced up at Zayzon, who towered over her. “Oh, my gosh,” she giggled, “we’re talking. I can understand everything you say.”
Big Bad Claws Page 5