Dekkir (Galaxy Alien Warriors #1)(6)

Norcross wasn’t the only creep I had run into working for Command. There was always some guy around who was going to grope my butt at a party or hit on me drunkenly or generally act like a pig whenever he thought he could get away with it. It had left me very tired of horny idiots interfering when I was trying to work.

The worst part was I could have found Dekkir very attractive if he wasn’t creeping—but that ruined it completely. When a guy moved in on you and didn’t respect your boundaries, or even check to see if you had any, it was a giant red flag. Few things turned me off more quickly. But how was I to deal with this and save the diplomatic mission? Maybe the high chief would intervene if appealed to properly. I just hope this problem doesn’t continue long enough that I actually have to ask.

We flew over the teeming forest—a gorgeous view, now that I wasn’t worried about crashing into it. I liked Lyra, even though the planet had already tried to kill me once. I even liked Keer, and the giant, furry saurian certainly seemed to like me. But as for Dekkir? The very thought of him left me torn and worried. If he had kept his hands and nose to himself, his instant crush on me would have been almost charming. But the eager sniffing just reminded me of the creeps back home.

Finally, something distracted him enough to give me a brief break. “There is Highfort,” he murmured in my ear and pointed.

I looked out at the rolling, lightly wooded plain before us, and spied a tall stone structure: a single building housing the entire town. Its broad shape circled a huge central courtyard; all its doors faced inward except for the massive main gate. Arrow towers with slit windows sprouted from its outer rim, six in all. It shocked me to realize just how small Lyra’s population was. I had looked at the numbers on paper, but it really didn’t compare to seeing the capital of the planet and realizing it housed maybe ten thousand.

“We must hurry. My father is expecting us for an audience soon.” We spiraled downward toward the crenellated top of the fort, heading for an area lined with thatched overhangs. A few long, gray heads poked out from the shelters: more Rilleen peering at their fellow as she back-winged above them. Keer landed with a thump and crouched down for us to disembark.

Dekkir unbuckled our straps and jumped down ahead of me, holding out a hand to help me down. I hesitated before taking it, but at least he let me go promptly. Keer head-butted me affectionately as we left; I turned back to scratch the beast briefly, glad at least something on this planet treated me well.

The war chief walked a bit too close as we hurried toward a sunken staircase near one of the arrow towers. I tried to ignore his proximity and focus on the meeting ahead. I had to make a good impression with the high chieftain, especially since he was so wary of humans.

We made our way downstairs into a crowded hallway that seemed to be some sort of indoor marketplace. Temporary wooden stalls lined the stone walls, with a narrow corridor in between. I could smell meat cooking, animal dung, sweat, and perfume. The overload dizzied me. A few of the merchants greeted us as we hurried past, but Dekkir held up an imperious hand, and they all backed off.

He led me maybe a quarter kilometer down the gently curved hallway, and eventually, we reached a heavy timber gate. The two leather-armored guards standing before it gave me curious looks as we walked up. One nod from Dekkir, however, and they bowed and pulled the gate open for us.

Beyond, I found myself in a clean, quiet hall. Multicolored banners and tapestries hung on the walls, oil lanterns and open windows on the outer wall provided light, and on either side, I occasionally saw a guard standing at attention. This place housed Lyra’s decision makers. I braced myself to spend the next hour or so on my best behavior, despite my crazy day.

Finally, the hallway opened out into a long, heavily bannered chamber that spanned from inner to outer wall. Rows of wooden benches sat with their backs to us, loosely filled with armored and robed Lyrans, all facing the single wooden throne of a tall, bronze-bearded man in slick-looking gray armor. He lifted his head as we came in and fixed his golden eyes on me.

“Come forward, my war chief,” the high chieftain boomed.

I had to admit, High Chieftain Dorin really did look the part. Heroic build, Grecian curls . . . All he was missing was a golden crown. I slipped my pen-sized image capturer out of my sleeve and surreptitiously took a picture of him. This will look great in my first report.

He waved us forward. “Show us this new human who has come to our world.”

Dekkir took me by the hand and led me down the center aisle to stand at the foot of the throne. “My Chieftain father, I bring before you today Science Officer Grace Bryant of Earth. She is to be our liaison with the humans above and a guest in my home, as you have ordered.”

I sketched a bow as best I could with Dekkir keeping a grip on my hand.

Dorin nodded curtly. “I see. Good. This human is to be watched closely until she has proven herself to us. You will be responsible for her in every way.” He didn’t even look at me as he said this, focusing solely on Dekkir.

My heart sank. Apparently, in order to have any access to the high chieftain, I was going to have to go through Dekkir. I wouldn’t have the chance to show my diplomatic chops, let alone ask Dorin to tug on his horny war chief’s leash for me.

Maybe I’ll get lucky and he’ll leave me be while he’s back under his father’s eye.

Dekkir nodded back and surprised me by smiling. “I will gladly do so, my Chieftain father, for I bring good tidings directly related to this matter.”