She nodded. Cy new they better make fast tracks. Braylon was mumbling to himself. When the boy laughed at nothing, Tempest and Cy gazed at each other.
Chapter 10
Tempest swallowed hard as the craft slowed approaching a massive planet. The vividly colored globe was at least three times the size of Earth. Cy explained while traveling, that Earth at one time contained human occupants who outnumbered his planet’s Zargonniis fifty to one. Or perhaps more. Zargonniis lived longer, but they only Holidayed every two years and not every female conceived. It also wasn’t unheard of for a female to have only one child in her entire life or none at all. Offspring were a rare gift, the biggest of treasures. Tempest understood why their females wanted children so desperately.
Before them in the vastness of space were hundreds of ships. Small vessels to large cruisers, all shapes and sizes, in an enormous sea of what would be darkness if it wasn’t lit up by numerous lights. All seemed to be pointed in their direction, sinister style.
“Cy?” She clutched at him uneasy.
“I’ve never seen the skies filled like this.” His words were quiet, wary.
“Did something happen?”
“I don’t know. I better hail all frequencies.”
Cy flipped a switch on the console. “This is Cy, a Zargonnii warrior. I have come in peace. I request safe passage for me and my companions.”
“But…” Tempest spluttered.
She wasn’t a companion she was his mate. He promised they were a family. She needed him; Braylon needed him. Cy flipped the switch and turned to her.
“If I am not welcome back, you and Braylon must have a home.”
“We are your family,” she argued.
“Your son sits in the corner mumbling to himself. He needs direction.”
Tempest cast a glance to Braylon. He was whispering quietly. In agitation, he ran a hand through his hair. She nodded. The boy had sat like that for days, not eating or drinking. Cy made sure he had light. He told her as long as he generated, he’d be fine. At least physically. Her baby was in a bad place. Cy flipped the switch again.
“Titus are you out there?”
“I am here.” Tempest thought the words were sad.
“It’s been a long time, my friend,” Cy said and Tempest could hear the catch in his throat.
“Why do you come in an enemy vessel?” Titus asked.
“I brought it as a gift. My vessel and this one were downed in a battle. The Angano is dead. I have with me a human female and her young son who were stranded on the planet where I crashed. On this vessel is Angano blood. Dried, but when wet has healing properties. Perhaps side effects as well.
“Titus, we need your help. The female touched the blood, and I don’t know the extent of her powers, but it is her son I fear for. We need to reach the Castian leader Cobra.”
“This is Cobra.” The words and tone oozed power and Tempest shivered.
“Cobra, there was a Tonan, he cared for the boy, and I think he may even have loved him. I know that sounds strange, but in order to save the child and his mother, he sacrificed his shield to the boy. The Tonan is dead. The child wasn’t meant to be a Tonan and needs guidance. Please, he’s only eight years old. Curled in a corner babbling to himself.”
It seemed like forever before someone spoke. Cy hung his head. She was positive he whispered the word home aloud on a soft sigh.
“You have my permission to board my vessel.” It was Cobra.
“All of us?” Tempest called out, she couldn’t contain the desperation she was feeling. New aliens, hundreds of them, thousands. She spun when something bumped her arm. The toy ship hovered close. Tempest reached to clutch it to her chest in desperation.
“All of you.”
Tempest gasped when a black hole appeared from nowhere. Cy picked up Braylon and they walked onto the strange vessel. Tempest clung to Cy. The ship they entered was massive. There were no stairs but landings high up, farther than the eye could see. Lights on every level flickered. Strange sounds filled her ears. Tempest could feel her heart racing.
Two massive warriors were waiting. One was as tall as Cy and definitely a Zargonnii. The other stood about six foot six, dark black hair, a gaze you could get lost in, bare chest, no nipples, bare feet, hip-hugging black pants. The male was more handsome than Grey. He made Tempest weak in the knees. He was the first to approach. He lifted the back of his hand to her cheek and caressed her. Tempest wanted to flutter to the floor.
“My name is Cobra. Castian leader as well as Tonan leader.”
“Tonan leader?” Cy jerked as though startled.
“Much has changed,” the Zargonnii said stepping forward.
Cy was so tense Tempest could have bounced a quarter off his chest, if he wasn’t so hairy. Finally, the warriors clasped hands.
“It’s good to see you, Titus.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Cy. You know we have a problem, though. The female Zargonnii have long memories and shorter tempers. The gifts you brought back may be enough for the warriors, but the females will be pissed.”
Suddenly, Braylon laughed and Cobra noted him. The boy poked a finger at the Zargonnii.
“You said pissed.” He then began his strange ramblings.
“I see the problem,” Cobra raised an eyebrow. “His shield is downloading too fast for him. Who was the Tonan who gave up his shield?”
“A warrior named Grey. He says at one time you and he were friends. He saved us from the planet Ulsy. He left us on another planet after our ship failed and he fixed it. Years ago. We discovered him on a different planet, stranded as we had been,” Tempest said.
She edged closer to Cy. Whereas Grey was gray these warriors were dark black with beautiful green tattoos on their cheeks. Razor fangs, claws, and talons. She had learned handsome didn’t always mean honorable, with any species.
“Don’t be afraid,” Cobra said. “My warriors are curious and would never harm a female, or a child. Even a Tonan child.”
“Then he is a Tonan?” Cy asked.
“Just his shield. He wasn’t born with it. They’re going to have to learn cooperation if they’re to survive.” Cobra eyed the toy ship Tempest clutched. “Does that belong to your son?”
“That may or may not be a problem,” Cy said. “The toy is Braylon’s but was protecting him. When he got his shield the toy protects Tempest.”
“Does she need protection from her son?” Cobra sounded grim.
“No,” Tempest said annoyed. “A Tonan gave him a shield he knows nothing about. Would you put an eight year old in command of this vessel and simply expect him to know how to fly it?”
Hands on her hips, the released toy spaceship bumped into Cobra sending him back a pace. Cobra’s eyes widened.
“So you say this one touched Angano blood huh?”
Tempest caught Cy’s quick grin. “She’s harmless. The ship has never attacked anyone. It does have a force field of its own. And I wouldn’t try separating her from the ship.”
She gave Cy a hard stare. “As for your females,” she turned to look up at Titus. “Cy has a mate. Me. And he won’t be straying.”
“I see.”
“For now, it’s best if you stay on Bagron,” Cobra said. “We have to help your son, Braylon, with his problem. There are children on my planet, boys his age who can be of help.”
Tempest gazed up at Cy. She knew he wanted to go home. “Will we ever be welcome on your planet, Titus?”
Titus was staring at the toy spaceship frowning. “Where did you get that toy?”
“The replicator. Why?” Cy asked.
Titus stayed quiet for a moment. “I guess it’s nothing. As for your question, female. Yes, I’m certain I can explain the situation to the warriors and send messages to our females. Cy and his mate must have a home.”
Tempest heard Cy’s breath explode from his mouth. He was welcome to go home. Tempest was happy for him.
* * * *
“Let’
s get your family settled,” Cobra said. He took Braylon into his arms. Cy relinquished him reluctantly.
“Why do so many ships fill the sky?” Cy asked as they walked the length of the ship. Cy had forgotten how big the Castians’ vessels were.
“Sanctuary,” Titus supplied.
“From what?” Cy asked.
“The Angano were not pleased my son Zell killed the last Gorgano. They have no doubt they’re next,” Titus said.
Cy almost tripped. “A son? But I thought all human females gave birth to female offspring.”
“So did we all until Zell was born, but you know my mate Zabbie has extraordinary powers. So far, my son is the only male child to be born to human females. He is a lot like his mother.”
Cy could see his leader beaming with pride. “Zell. You named him after your father. He would have been pleased.”
“I think so. He’s a powerful little warrior and can mind battle. You’ll meet him soon enough. He and Ryker, a Castian boy, Roam and Jinx’s son, are the best of friends.” Titus turned to Cy. “Zabbie doesn’t blame you for kidnapping her. In fact, she will be happy to see you. But the Zargonnii females are going to be angry at your return. Stay away from them. When the Holiday begins, stay inside or come to Cobra.”
“Is it that dangerous for me at home?” Cy didn’t want anyone to hurt Tempest because of what he did.
Titus placed a hand on his shoulder as a black void opened. “You injured females, one seriously. Your mother cares for you; she misses your scent. The others know when their sons are not on the planet, and they worry for them. Your mother’s grief overwhelms her. The females will be angry with your return but happy for her when she can rest easier.”
“I just want to go home with my family,” Cy said. Thoughts of his mother suffering hurt him. She didn’t deserve a son like him.
Titus nodded. “I have to get back to my planet.” He gazed at Cy and Tempest and walked through the void. As soon as it closed, another opened.
Cobra gave a meaningful glance at Tempest. “Nothing on my planet will harm you or your son. You have my word as a warrior, and as a father.”
They walked into the void together, and Cy heard Tempest gasp when they crossed onto the planet. Cy took his fill of the landscape as well. Mile-high lush trees were everywhere. It would take many warriors holding hands to be able to circle one tree’s base. Houses could be made within trunks if they chose. Beauty was in abundance. The Castians branched out from huge beehive type homes to smaller dwellings nearby.
Cobra walked as he explained. “Tonans have come to join us as long as they’re mated. They feel better in their separate homes. Castians enjoy a collective; we thrive on each other’s presence. Tonans are a strange breed needing solitude. The ones who thrived were the cruel feeding off the cruel. So their ways are reversed form ours. So far, the Tonans with empathy, and of course as I said their mates, are allowed here.”
“Braylon can’t mate, he’s only a child.”
Cy heard Tempest’s distress he was feeling some of his own. His banishment had been long and his head spun at so much change. Cy’s people, the males were mostly mercenaries. They eradicated the unwanted on planets. The war turned them warriors. Tonans were now being introduced as friend. There were numerous curious glances.
“Braylon is exceptional.” Cobra was speaking to Tempest. “He wasn’t born a Tonan. The Tonan children here have human mothers, like you. The human half tempers them. The human mothers also control the rage of their mates. Braylon’s human side is young to battle a shield so old. I’m guessing it’s walking all over him, telling him who’s the boss.”
“You make the shield sound alive,” Tempest said.
“In a way it is. It’s all of your ancestors working on bettering the next generation. Survival. The shield is powerful. It also won’t ever hurt Braylon. But it may drive him crazy if the information isn’t controlled. You’re lucky you got here when you did.”
“How can he be fixed?” she asked. “Can you get rid of the shield?”
“Braylon can denounce the shield, it wasn’t his. He wasn’t born with it. I’m sure Grey meant it as a gift. A very unselfish and un-Tonan thing to do for an unmated Tonan. If the boy was fond of Grey, he won’t want to give it up. Part of Grey remains.”
“I think my son loved Grey. Grey’s legs were broken in a long fall while battling the Angano. He’d spent two weeks in the dark season and his shield couldn’t generate properly. The Angano vessel gave off little light. He saved both Braylon and I. Grey was dying. The toy ship gave him a blast of sunrays before he fell as the sun was coming up, but the shield only covered his back or it would have broken. When he bit Braylon, the shield was able to cover all of him,” Tempest explained. “Braylon was able to climb us both out. By then Cy and the toy ship had killed the Angano.”
“A warrior is very large compared to an eight year old boy, especially a human boy. I’m guessing the shield made adjustments in Braylon to be able to support it without killing him. His bones needed to be strong.”
“So that’s why he grew?” Tempest was thoughtful.
They walked into a domed home where Cobra strode down a hall to a bedroom. He set him down. Braylon was thrashing.
“They’re all pissed,” he shouted.
“Can you help him?” Cy asked.
“I can try.”
Cobra bent over the boy with his fangs glistening. Suddenly Braylon shot to his feet, shielded. He took a formidable stance for a child. Tempest was surprised. He looked ready to take on the massive warrior.
“You want to turn me Castian.” He spat the words. “The shield is mine. Grey gave it to me.”
“With years of Tonan anger and hatred.”
“Grey wasn’t evil. He saved me and my mom. He’s helping me to turn off the bad voices.”
“And if he can’t?” Cy heard the challenge from Cobra. “Tonans are allowed here only if mated and if they have a human mother. The mother has joined with the Tonan tempering him. Your mother never joined with Grey. He wasn’t given the chance to feel empathy.”
“I’m not going to rip off puppy tails.” Braylon’s chest was heaving.
Tempest cringed. “Braylon, do you know me?”
He gazed at her. His shield went down. “You’re my mother. Grey has told me the importance of being careful around you.” Braylon took a deep breath. The talons on his hands formed. “These are weapons, not toys. They are used in battle. You never battle your mother. You can disagree over words. But never cause harm. It’s called honor.”
Cy breathed easier. He looked at Cobra. “There is nothing more important to Braylon than honor.”
Cobra stood up. “For now, we will train you to see how much control you have.”
“I’ll battle for it.” The boy’s chin rose.
“Let’s hope it’s a battle you can win. We begin tomorrow with the other Castian boys and Tonan warriors. I’ll be by at six.”
“Is there a clock in here?” Tempest asked. “It’s been a while since we had a need for a clock, and Braylon never learned to tell time except with the sun on the other planet.”
“Braylon shouldn’t need one.”
Cobra left. Braylon went to Tempest who put her arms around him. Tension left the boy’s shoulders and he relaxed against her.
“Are you okay?” Tempest asked the boy.
“I think so. The shield is uneasy because we’re in enemy territory. At least for most of us in here with me.” Braylon rolled his eyes. “I don’t have the need to battle which confuses the shield. A Tonan lives for battle. I’m eight. I live for ice cream.”
Cy chuckled. The three stood gazing around their new home. There were two separate bedrooms and one huge room, open concept, where they could lounge and relax.
“Why is the ground so weird here?” Braylon asked. “A part of me thinks I should know why.”
The floor beneath their feet was the same sponge-like material the entire planet was covered in. Cy
speculated aloud he knew it was meant for the warriors’ claws and female bare feet. When shielded, a Castian warrior could encase his mate or a female child in his shield. They became pressed closed to his body, the shield hiding them from view. The less clothes they wore the better.
There was no need to shield a male. Their boys had their own shield by four or five and all children, male or female, were endowed with a birth shield. Nothing could penetrate it. It was for the safety of the children. It was a sad day so long ago when the little males became one with their new shield and their mothers died because the Tonans poisoned the water. Only males were immune, their shields kept them safe. But the mated warriors died with their mates.
“If Braylon mates, can his chosen be protected inside his shield? What if he has a son? Will he get a piece of his shield?” Tempest asked.
“Yes and yes,” Cy said. “But he’ll learn all that from Cobra and what he needs if and when the time comes.”
“Ew, Mom, gross. I mean girls are okay. On the other planet, I thought having a friend would be nice, even a girl. But a mate? No way.”
Tempest ruffled his long locks and smiled, she continued to gaze around the room as Cy watched her. Furniture was placed strategically around their living quarters. A replicator, larger than a vessel’s, was at their disposal. Braylon headed to the replicator and ordered ice cream.
“I’m not going to turn into ice cream,” he argued aloud. “A little won’t kill me. If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you. Shut up. No, I’m not pissed. Will you knock it off. Aw, man…”
Braylon’s shield crashed over him and a tiny stub of tail grew.
“Somebody lied didn’t they, Pinocchio? I’m guessing you are pissed? Still not liking the word from an eight year old, shielded or not.” Tempest crossed her arms over her chest.
“I don’t think Cobra will put up with lies,” Cy said. In fact, he knew he wouldn’t.
“Holy smokes,” Braylon complained gasping for breath. He took a few deep breaths. He twirled around and wailed. “I look like a dog with a stumpy.”
Tempest chuckled then went to him. His shield came down as his mother dropped before him. Braylon looked miserable.
Tempest And The Warrior (Unearthly World Book Book 7) Page 11