Alien Refuge (43 page)

Jol grabbed him, forced him to look him in the face. “If we seem for an instant to intimidate him, it will not go well for us, Ospar. I will do what I must for our family’s sake, but it must be handled carefully. And legally.”

Ospar tried to calm his shattered nerves. Jol was right, of course. He’d have to be diplomatic and above reproach in his dealings with the matter. It would not be easy.

“Keep me honest, my Nobek,” he whispered, letting his forehead sink against Jol’s shoulder for a moment. “I feel capable of doing wrong just to keep my Matara and son.”

“I know. We will find a way, Ospar.”

If only the Dramok could see how.

The sound of footsteps alerted them that the Earthers were on their way in. Ospar stepped in front of his desk, and Jol stood at his side as the three men came into the room.

First came Hoover, looking obscenely cheerful. By the ancestors, how Ospar wanted to throttle that man. Next was the Earther priest Father Stephen. Ospar had met with him several times before. They didn’t agree on much, but the priest had never been anything but polite and willing to discuss, rather than argue over, their differences.

Finally came Conrad Slade. The Earther looked over the office, his cold face showing a twinge of jealousy as he took in the fine furnishings. The look in his dark eyes when he gazed at Ospar was open loathing. The Dramok returned it in kind.

If you are the monster Iris said you are, you will never get your family back. I swear it by my every last ancestor.

Not bothering to hide the anger in his tone, Ospar told them, “Iris and Thomas are on their way. We will settle this issue immediately. You are welcome to sit down.”

He went to the conversation area and settled on a cushion. Everyone joined him except for Jol, who remained on alert.

Slade fixed his steely glower on Ospar. “When it has been established that I am the rightful spouse and father, I have every intention of taking my family back to the Mercy colony as soon as possible.”

Jol responded with a snarl. “Only if Iris wishes it.”

Slade turned his ire on the Nobek. “
Mira
is my wife. And as Thomas’ father, I have every right to my son, even if his mother has no intention of joining me.”

Ospar was quick to point out, “Kalquorian law dictates that a dependent child who is not a Nobek in training remains with his mother.”

Hoover jumped on his words instantly. “Kalquorian law also dictates that clanning is for life. Marriage is our form of clanning, and therefore, not subject to divorce. You can’t have it both ways, Ospar.”

Standing behind Ospar, Jol thrummed with tension. “There are allegations of mate abuse.” He bared his fangs at Slade. “If you are indeed Iris’ husband, you have much to answer for.”

Slade was not impressed with the Nobek’s anger display. He actually laughed at Jol. “Abuse? I have searched the colonies for Mira and Thomas since I got off Earth. Are those the actions of a man who does not adore his family?”

Ospar remembered the little Iris had shared of her life with her spouse. “It may be the actions of one determined to possess rather than truly appreciate. For the Matara’s safety, all accusations will be investigated.”

Slade’s sneer set his teeth on edge. “And what proof would you have? Even if I had done harm, all injuries would be healed by now. It’s her word against mine.”

“Her word is good enough for me.” Spoken with absolute conviction. Ospar realized he did accept that Iris truly thought the man was dead. She would never lie to him.

The Earther shook his head, his expression saying he found the Dramok’s faith amusing. “For all you know, she doesn’t want to be found because she is merely capricious. I have lost everything since Armageddon. I doubt she wasted any effort trying to find me since I could no longer give her a life of ease.”

“If you think that’s what she’s about, you don’t know the woman at all.”

“Really? Look at who she’s seduced into taking care of her. Here you are, a man of influence and means. A man who can give her pretty baubles, fine clothes, and a large home. Mira always did like the finer things, and now that I can’t provide them for her, she’s found men who can.”

Jol’s fists squeezed so tight, Ospar heard his joints crackle. The Nobek said, “There is no greed in that woman. If she is guilty of enhancing her status, it is for the sake of her son. She is utterly selfless when it comes to him.”

It was another point Hoover was ready to pounce on. “A boy needs his father. His real father, of his own species.”

Ospar couldn’t stand to look at either Hoover or Slade any more. He turned his gaze to Father Stephen. The man had yet to say a word. He sat hunched on the cushion, as if he wanted to disappear into himself. The expression on his lined face was miserable, and he looked at no one.

Before Ospar could wonder at the one person who he’d be expecting to sound off about the sanctity of Earther marriage, the sound of light, quick footsteps and a piping voice had him on his feet.

“That way, Mommy. Rivek says that door. See Osbar. See Jol.”

Iris and Thomas had arrived. Ospar readied himself for their entrance, steeling himself for the worst. Either his battle to keep his clan intact was just starting or already over. His happiness depended on what would happen in the next few seconds.

The Earthers rose to their feet, Slade’s face anticipatory. He looked to Ospar the way a hunting zibger might stalk a ronka wandering from its herd. Jol sidled close to him, keeping a sharp eye on the man.

Thomas and Iris appeared in the doorway with Rivek only a step behind. The little boy was trying to run, dragging Iris into the room. She was laughing as she looked at Ospar. Then her and Thomas’ eyes seemed to find Slade at the same moment.

Horror. Terror. Ospar had never seen such exquisitely stricken expressions before. Then Iris screamed. The earsplitting sound echoed throughout the large chamber as she pulled Thomas behind her defensively.

The boy yelled and yanked free of Iris to run and hide behind Rivek. His fearful cries rang painfully in Ospar’s ears.

“Bad Daddy! Bad Daddy hurt Mommy. Go away! Go away, bad Daddy!”

Iris continued to scream, backing into a stunned Rivek. “No! You’re dead! You’re dead!”

Slade took a step towards them. In an instant, Jol was between him and Iris. The next moment Ospar was at the Nobek’s side.

Jol loomed big and menacing over the red-faced Earther. “Stop right there if you value your hide. Don’t you go anywhere near them.”

Slade jabbed a finger at the two men. “You’ve poisoned them against me! You!”

Ospar’s voice came out low and deadly. “The boy’s condition means he cannot be coached in such things. It would seem it’s not simply her word against yours after all. Thomas has made his accusation as well.”

Trusting Jol to watch his back, Ospar turned to Rivek. “Get Thomas out of here.”

The Imdiko had both mother and child clutched against his body. “Iris should go too,” he insisted.

Their beloved’s screams had tapered to agonized moans. Iris clutched at Thomas, keeping the sobbing child sandwiched between her and Rivek’s bodies. Ospar’s heart lurched to know he couldn’t spare her the coming storm.

He told his Imdiko, “Iris must face this man and make her intentions clear. He is her lawful husband and wishes to reclaim his family.”

Rivek’s face went pale. Iris jerked and screamed again. “No! We won’t go with him! He’s a monster!”

At the sound of her cry, Thomas took up his own screams once more. Rivek lifted the boy in his arms. At the same time, Ospar drew Iris to himself, prying her clutching hands loose from Thomas’ shirt. Rivek was out the door as fast as he could move, and Thomas’ cries of ‘bad Daddy’ faded into the distance.

Holding Iris in the shelter of his body, Ospar turned to stare at the fuming Slade. The Earther looked furious as he stared at Iris, but he didn’t dare move towards her, not when Jol stood only inches away, growling with every exhale.

It was Father Stephen who came forward, finally speaking for the first time since he’d entered the room. He laid a shaking hand on Slade’s shoulder. “Perhaps we should leave and come back when everyone has had a chance to calm down.”

Slade shook him off. His baleful glare never left Iris’ face. “They are mine. You will always be mine, Mira.”

Iris screamed back. “We’re done!” She clutched at Ospar, hanging on as if she was drowning in a flood. “Please, Ospar. I don’t want to go back with him.”

“Then you won’t. I will not allow it, no matter what.” His words were for both her and her estranged husband.

Slade flicked his gaze to Ospar. “I will never grant her a divorce, and Thomas is my son. You cannot have him.”

Iris suddenly lunged towards him, her hands fisted. Her howl this time was one of rage instead of fear. Ospar caught her and held her back. While it would be wonderful to see someone, anyone, beat the shit out of Conrad Slade, he didn’t want Iris anywhere close to the bastard.

Iris fought him, screaming all the while, “You will not take my child. I swear I’ll see you dead first! If it takes my last breath, you will never have Thomas.”

Father Stephen tugged desperately on Hoover’s coat sleeve. “Please, Governor. This cannot be resolved while everyone is so emotional.”

Hoover was standing back, his eyes and mouth wide open in shock as the events unfolded before him. For once, the man responded with some sense. He said, “I think that would be best. Mr. Slade, let’s leave for now and let everyone calm down.”

Iris stopped trying to escape Ospar. She sagged in his arms, crying softly.

Her husband’s smile was cold as he looked at her. “I’m not going anywhere until my family is restored to me. You know I’ll get you both back. You know it.”

Borl chose that moment to enter the room. He stared at the tense scene. His questioning gaze went to Ospar.

The Dramok had gotten his fill of Slade. He told his aide, “Show these men out. Now. And they are not to be let back into this building without my express permission.”

Borl bowed. “Of course, Governor.”

He led the Earthers out. Slade kept his eyes on Iris the entire time, and Ospar came close to attacking the man for his hateful glare. He knew if he got his hands on Conrad Slade, he’d kill him.

No one made his Matara and child scream in fear. If it ever happened again, damn the consequences. Better to rot in a prison knowing Iris and Thomas were safe than to have them quaking in terror.

As soon as they could no longer hear the group’s footsteps, Iris burrowed against Ospar’s chest, seeking safety and shelter. She moaned, “No, no, no, this can’t be happening. Oh God, why?”

Ospar could only hold her close, shaking with impotent rage.

* * * *

The clan immediately took Iris and Thomas home. With Thomas unable to stop crying, Rivek had the medic Imdiko Dala meet them there to sedate the little boy. Iris was also weeping nonstop but she argued against being tranquilized. Conrad was alive and on Haven. She had to stay alert.

“Iris, you’re overwrought,” Rivek said as she sat on the edge of Thomas’ sleeping mat, holding her sleeping son’s hand. “You need to let us help you.”

“You don’t understand,” she managed between hitching sobs. “Conrad will do anything to take us away. I can’t let that happen.”

“At least let Dala give you something to help calm you down so you can help us plan,” Ospar urged. “You don’t have to sleep, just compose yourself.”

Iris could see the sense of that. Her mind was like a frantic mouse in a cage, racing back and forth in a panic, unable to find its way out. Dala gave her a painless injection and left.

Slowly her tears ebbed. Stillness crept over her raw nerves, though Iris didn’t for one second think the situation would somehow work itself out. No, Conrad would push the issue, so they needed to be ready with some options. At least her thoughts weren’t so chaotic now.

She let the clan take her to the sleeping room they shared. Then she turned to the man closest to her: Ospar. Her arms wrapped around his waist and she stared into his handsome face.

“I had no idea he would come here. I swear to you, I thought he was dead. He was supposed to be in Chicago when it was destroyed.”

Iris closed her eyes as Ospar kissed her. His lips moving against hers, as if loathe to lose contact for even an instant, the Dramok whispered, “Hush, my love. No one is blaming you for anything.”