Alien Guardian's Baby (Scifi Alien Romance) (Zoran Warriors) (9 page)

I
pace
through Tsula’s apartment, replaying the conversation in my mind over and over again. Isa, the mother of my child – a descendant of the Elohian Emperor? Heir to the throne? That complicates things.

Elohian and Zoran relations are messy. Their power rivalled ours until their emperor disappeared and their tribes split. Some of their people blamed us, thinking we engineered the whole thing. There were a few small skirmishes, but the Elohians were no match for Zoran strength while they were occupied with infighting.

I don’t see how the Elohians
could
ever be united at this point, after a civil war that’s gone on for so long. Every species has double-crossed each other at some point in the last two millennia – not a good basis for trust.

The Ama, Terulians, Prymetas, Xythians – does my mate have the power to reunite them all?

Isa is curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. She hasn’t said a word since we left that cave.

“How do you feel?” I ask.

No response.

I sit down next to her, resting my hand on her back. “Drink something,” I say, handing her a glass of water. “You’re worrying me, Isa.”

She takes a sip at my insistence, and a bit of color returns to her pale cheeks.

“My parents,” she says, nearly choking on the words. “Gone.”

“You need to be strong,” I say. “Not just for yourself, but for me. And for our baby.”

She turns to me. “Our… baby.”

I rest my hand on her tummy. “Right now, our little one is growing inside you. We’re going to be the best parents possible, you and me. We’re going to give him the perfect life. We’ll be there for him. The both of us. Always.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Isa. I promise on your planet and mine, and on the stars themselves. I will stay by your side – forever.”

A smile returns to her lips, filling me with warmth. I pull her into my arms and kiss her, warming her body with mine. She returns the kiss, and for a moment we’re lost in time and space.

It’s just us two. We can’t solve every intergalactic problem. We can’t bring peace to the entire known universe. But we
can
form a perfect union.

T
he doors open with a whirr
, and Tsula practically runs into her apartment.

“Good, you’re still here,” she says, gasping for breath. “There’s a council meeting happening right now. We should go!”

My head is resting on my mate’s shoulders, his hands cradling my stomach. Our passionate kiss gave me a moment’s respite from all the new information that’s been bombarding my brain, and once the fog of love lifted, I had a new perspective on everything.

If I am capable of bringing peace to the Elohians, than that’s a chance I have to take. I certainly don’t
feel
like an Empress, but the mind-meld proves it. The things I saw… I have to do it. Not for Nyva’s sake, or even mine, but for Tsula. For Yona. For the millions of people who are living here on Vortex Station, trying to build a better life for their families.

If I can establish some order back on this station, I could get rid of the slave markets, the seedy stalls, the criminals, the raiders. I can give these people their homes back – the home I never had.

“Okay,” I say, rising from my feet. “Lead the way.”

* * *

D
rax and Tsula are silent
. The only thing I hear is the gentle hum of the elevator as it lifts us up, higher and higher, towards the highest possible point in this entire station, where the Council is convening. I have to know.

“Tsula, how do you feel about the Ama?”

She turns to me, lifting her eyebrows.

“The Ama? Why would I care about them?”

“Do you trust them?”

She shrugs. “I’d have to meet that particular Ama. I don’t think any one person’s actions speak for their whole species. Why are you asking?”

I lift my sleeve, showing my mark to the Terulian. “Does this mean anything to you?”

Her eyebrows furrow, her forked tongue sliding out of her mouth. “That’s the symbol of the De’Tsa,” she says. “Why do you… who are you?”

She looks up at me, her red eyes filled with disbelief. “You’re the.. the… the
one
?”

I shrug. “Maybe,” I say as I pull my sleeve back.

“Holy Elohi! It is! You, you are! How?!”

“Apparently, the Emperor traveled through time and space when he entered the black hole, ended up on Earth, and oh yeah, he’s my great-great-grandfather or something,” I say. “I don’t know.”

She looks at me like water is burning. “Drax?” she asks. “Am I hallucinating this?”

The Zoran grunts. “Seems like Isa’s telling the truth. An Ama called Nyva told us.”

Tsula whips her neck around. “You met Nyva?! When?! What’s going on?”

“We took a little trip today, while you were out,” Drax answers. “Don’t worry about it.”

Tsula leans against the wall of the elevator with one hand. “This… changes everything,” she says. “What do you plan to do?”

I hadn’t really thought it all the way through yet. I figured that if I showed up at the council and waved my arm around they’d crown me or something?

Man. I’m in way, way over my head
.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “Nyva told me I have to… reunite the tribes… but I don’t know how. Or if I should. What do you think?”

“I think… wow. I’m just a security officer, not a politician. I don’t know.”

“You know Vortex better than any of us,” I say. “We’re strangers here. Do you think I can do good?”

“I-I…” Tsula takes a deep breath, running her hand across her sun-colored fin. Slowly, a grin spreads across her face. “Yes,” she says. “Yes. The only people who might protest are the Flaming Fang, but then again, we’re here to deal with them regardless. I was afraid of the turmoil a power vacuum could lead to, but if the heir of De’Tsa is back… then perhaps that can be prevented.

“You’ve already have the Ama by your side, and the Terulians will fall in line as well. The Xythians will be difficult, but they’ll join when they see what way the wind is blowing. The only problem I see are the Prymetas.”

“Then we will crush them,” Drax growls.

The elevator slows it ascent, signaling we’re close to reaching our destination.

I hope I’m making the right choice
.

“
T
hey are planning an invasion
! We have to mobilize – now!”

A familiar voice stops me dead in my tracks. I motion for Isa and Tsula to stop moving. I want to hear the rest of this man’s speech before approaching. We’re standing outside the Council’s office, behind stained glass. The people inside can’t see us, but we can hear every word.

“I have made an important ally, who will help us – all of us – in achieving our former glory, in safeguarding our future. However, we have to strike, and the sooner the better. We cannot delay. We cannot stall. The Zoran are coming.

“We’ve all heard the reports about the disturbance on the lower level. The Zoran spy is already among us.”

Bokito
. I would recognize his rasping voice anywhere. That brute is on the other side of the room, trying to incite the Elohians into an intergalactic war with the Zorans. I grip my axe tightly, all the muscles in my body tensed to their limit. I know that if I barge into that room and split his head open I’d only be confirming his crackpot theory, and that’s the only thing keeping me from doing it.

“Now, I’d like to introduce my good friend, who will explain this further.”

“Esteemed members of the Council,” a new, strangely familiar voice says. “I have in my possession top-secret information on the Zoran’s military plans that will shock you.”

That smarmy tone, those nasal tones… that could only be one person.

Senator Bogdan.

The very same traitor we came out here to arrest in the first place.

Of course. It all makes sense. That weasel. That absolute, bottom-feeding worm! He fled into the Prymetas’ arms: he supplied them with the technology needed to develop those stealth fighters, he masterminded their attack on the
Eternity
. Bokito is nothing but his puppet; someone new to manipulate, to control.

The faces of my crew flash before my eyes. I can hear Vukota’s words echo in my ear as if he’s standing right next to me.

It was an honor serving with you, sir
.

You, too, Vukota. You, too.

Before I realize what I’m doing I’ve kicked in the door, my axe in hand. All faces turn to me.

The view outside the dome is breathtaking, but I don’t have time to admire the swirling, black vortex outside. My attention is focused solely on Senator Bogdan. His green face turns white the moment he sees me.

“G-guards,” he sputters. “See! See! The Zorans are already here!”

Within two steps I’m in front of him. I lift him up by the scruff of his neck, his legs flailing helplessly. “Hello, Bogdan,” I growl. “What a surprise.”

“Drax,” he sputters, his smarmy smile back on his face. “You played right into my hands, you fool. Look around – you’ve lost.”

I quickly glance around and notice the disturbance I’ve caused. Everyone but the Ama have drawn their weapons – and they’re all pointed at me.

The white-haired Xythians are pointing their curved swords at me and the Terulians have grabbed their quarterstaffs. Those are of no concern to me. It’s the Prymetas in the corner with the rifles that have me worried.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Bogdan,” I growl into his ear. “Your little game is up, and you’re going to pay for what you did.”

“What is the meaning of this?!” an elderly Terulian wearing a purple gown bristles. “Everyone, lay down your weapons! You, Zoran! Let that man go and explain yourself!”

“Never,” I roar. “I travelled halfway across the galaxy for this.”

The Prymetas cock their weapons, pointing them straight at me. My armor can take the hit, but I wonder if the glass dome we’re in is as sturdy. One tiny puncture and we’re all getting sucked into space.

“Wait, Chief Kanuna” Tsula says. “We can explain.”

“Tsula?” the elderly Terulian responds. “Why are you involved with these ruffians?”

“Please, sir, I can—”

“Kill them,” Bokito growls, his voice sounding like an engine roaring. “Kill them all!”

“No!” Tsula screams, jumping in front of me. “You’re going to have to go through me!”

“Very well,” Bokito says with a crooked smile. “If you insist. Men.”

“Bokito, are you out of your damn mind?!” the elderly Terulian says. “Stand down!”

While the meeting escalates, Isa is standing in the corner, watching the action unfold, her eyes wide. According to Nyva, only she has the power to unite all these tribes, but at this moment peace seems further away than ever.

I point my finger at the silver ape. “You’re next,” I say. “Tell these people what you did. Tell them!”

The Prymetas have their fingers on the triggers, and the Terulians now point their quarterstaffs at the apes. Meanwhile, the Xythians are standing around confused, and the Ama are still sitting down, watching this mess unfold.

“Tell them how you attacked my ship! Tell them how you killed my men!”

“What is he talking about, Bokito?” Kanuna says.

“Nothing but the ramblings of a dead man,” the silver ape answers. “Men,” he says, raising his hand.

“No.”

Nyva rises from her seat, a graceful and fluid motion. The room falls silent – she demands respect. “You will not turn our Council, which has been the bedrock of this station for generations, into a slaughterhouse, Bokito. I will not have it. Now, I believe we have a visitor who wants to speak with us. This concerns all of us.”

She turns her head towards Isa, and the entire room follows. I can see their eyes widen – I doubt most of them have ever seen a human before. Nyva extends her hand towards her, and my mate hesitantly takes a step forward.

“H-hello,” Isa says. “My name is… Isabella Parker.”

“Who’s this?” Bokito barks.

“Let her speak,” Kanuna says, his men keeping their quarterstaffs pointed at the Prymetas.

Nyva nods. “Show them, Isa. Show them the sign.”

Isa slowly rolls up her sleeves, the triangle-shaped mark on her left wrist burning brightly. She holds it up for all to see, and the room explodes with sound.

The Xythians are yelling amongst themselves, the Terulians are shocked, and the Prymetas are growling and screaming. Meanwhile, I still have my hand wrapped firmly around Bogdan’s throat, his feet dangling in the air.

“You see that?” I tell him. “That human is going to unite the Elohian tribes.”

“Impossible,” he spits.

“Improbable, yes, but impossible? No. Your ploy has failed, Bogdan.”

“Is that…?” Chief Kanuna gasps.

“Yes,” Nyva answers, her melodic voice filling up the entire dome. “Isabella Parker is the direct descendant of Rayatol De’Tsa, the Uniter of Tribes, the Chief of All. She is our rightful ruler, and under her stewardship we will once again have peace.”

The Xythian delegate, an old, frail man with white hair that reaches all the way down to his midriff, opens his mouth for the first time. “Is this another Ama ploy to seize power?” he asks, his voice shrill.

“No,” Nyva answers resolutely, her blue eyes as cold as ice. “The Ama do not care for power. All we care for is peace – peace that is being threatened by the people who sit among us, who have drunk with us, who have shared meals with us. They sit at our table, yet they plot for war. Isa, tell them what happened on the
Eternity
.”

Isa clears her throat as all eyes – reptilian, elf-kin, primates and fish-folk – turn to her. She looks at me, and I give her a quick nod.
You’ve got this.

“The
Eternity
, upon which I was a passenger, was attacked and destroyed… by Prymetas bearing the symbol of the Flaming Fang.”

“Liar,” Bokito bristles, but he’s ignored. The room is hanging on Isa’s every word.

“General Drax saved my life, but we couldn’t save his crew. Drax was in this sector chasing Senator Bogdan, who is wanted by the Zoran for high treason.”

I can see Isa’s confidence growing with every word that leaves her lips. She’ll be an excellent ruler – I can sense it. It comes naturally to her.

“The very same Senator who turns out to be Bokito’s ally,” she says. “The same duo who, moments before, were trying to talk you into an intergalactic war with the Zoran.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Bokito yells, slamming his fist against his chest. “She’s a
wata
!” He motions for his men to attack, but they hold back. Isa’s mark commands power, even over Bokito’s most loyal men.

“The truth is clear, Bokito,” Isa says. She’s staring the angry ape right in the eyes, not intimidated by him in the slightest. “The Zoran are our allies. The only warmongers here are you and the Senator. We can go down to your hangar and find the stealth fighters you’ve build with the Senator’s help, or you can surrender right now and save us the trouble.”

“Is that true?” Kanuna asks, the elderly Terulian’s red eyes as wide as can be. “If the Fang has ships they haven’t disclosed to the council… that’s a great offense!”

“That’s only one offense of many,” Isa says. “Your reign of terror stops here, Bokito. My first action as Chief of All is to charge you with treason. Arrest that man.”

“This imposter is trying to seize control,” Bokito barks. “
She
should be killed! If you cowards don’t do it, I will! Men!”

The silver-haired ape turns to his men, but they’ve lowered their rifles. “If she’s truly the Chief of All…” his second-in-command says, the doubt in his voice clear.

“Argh! Weakling!” Bokito growls. With a thundering roar he jumps forward, leaping over the table, his big, silver body descending upon Isabella.

Everyone reaches for their weapons once again, but I’m quicker. I drop the Senator to the ground and jump forward, tackling the ape in mid-air. We crash against the table, and it snaps under our weight. His large fangs sink into my neck and blood gushes out, his powerful arms hindering my escape.

I strike him in the sides with all my might, and the beast doubles over, gasping for air.

“This is for Vukota,” I growl as I strike another blow. And then another, and another. “This for Zyn. This is for Sern!”

My vision goes red as I pummel the Prymeta leader senseless. I’m lost in a battle rage, acting on pure instinct.

Soft hands wrap around my face, a familiar face calling me back to my senses.

“It’s okay, Drax,” I hear. “You won. You did it. Come back.”