Dekkir (Galaxy Alien Warriors #1)(9)

“I do believe you. However, I will need more details if I’m to be of any help.”

The glittering cloud was definitely heading our way. I started to hear a faint hum coming from it. “Look, this would be less of a problem, but it’s Dekkir. Did you find out how he and the other chiefs treat women before you sent me down here?”

“Your liaison?” He sounded shocked. “What has he been doing?”

“He went and told the high chieftain I was his . . . his mate.”

Stirling coughed. “Oh dear.”

“Do you have any idea what is going on? I can’t work around someone who is this sexually entitled. It’s worse than Norcross ever dreamed of being!”

“It may not be sexual entitlement. You see, I don’t know that much about Lyran romance, but I do know a few things. Their mates . . . It’s called True Mating. They imprint on each other. It may be pheromonal, which would explain the sniffing, but there may also be a psychic component to it.”

“Wait . . . wait . . . Do you mean Dekkir could be attached to me instinctively, like a . . . duckling?” It sounded so bizarre that some of my upset melted away. But it also gave context to some of the things Dekkir had said—especially his comment about having no choice in his strange infatuation.

The doctor let out a little laugh. “I doubt he would appreciate the comparison, but yes. Apparently, something in your pheromone balance may have triggered his mating instincts. He’s no more in control of it than you are. But since you are not Lyran, you don’t have the same response.”

“So you’re saying this guy is fixated on me, and he’s expecting me to feel the same way and doesn’t get that I don’t, because no one in their race has any choice who they end up with. How in the world am I going to live and work with someone who is constantly obsessing on me? And what if he decides to force the issue?”

“He’s not going to rape you. Trust me on that.” I relaxed a little at the firm reassurance in his tone. “Even if he were that type of man, the same imprinting that makes him so attached prevents him from harming you.”

“Well, that’s a relief at least.” The humming was growing louder. I stood up, shading my eyes to peer out at the strange shining cloud. I heard some of the Rilleen growing restless. “Hang on. I may have a situation developing here.”

“Do you need to sign off?”

I suddenly realized what I was looking at as I stared up into the sky: a glittering swarm of flying insects, each the size of my dropship, with wings that hummed like generators. They were headed straight for us.

“Yes. I’ll call you back.” I signed off quickly, tucked my gear away in the jumpsuit’s belly pocket, and waved my arms at a passing soldier. “Hey!”

He paused. “What, human?”

I pointed at the swarm. “Is that normal?”

He looked . . . and his eyes widened. He straightened and bracketed his mouth with his hands. “Sound the alarm! Swarm attack!”

An alarm gong started clanging somewhere, and further shouts of warning sounded up and down the rooftop. The soldier had already run off to join his fellows. The Rilleen screeched excitedly as they poked their heads out of their shelters. I noticed no one went to guard them or take them inside; perhaps they were simply that good at fending for themselves.

No time to worry about Keer’s safety now.

I tried to run for the stairs myself and suddenly saw a massive shadow fall over me. The humming almost deafened me; I threw myself to the side as a heavy body slammed into the stones where I had been standing. The swarm had arrived, and I was trapped out in the open.





CHAPTER 4 / DEKKIR

She rejected me. How can she reject me? I know what I smelled. How is it that she does not feel the same things? How is it that she is so frightened and angry?

I sat in a guesting-room chair, trying to sort through my confusion. Her furious refusal of me had put me in agony. My whole body wanted to be as close to her as I could. I wanted her in my arms again. I wanted her in my bed. But I had let her go when she had run away for the sake of her own comfort. I just didn’t understand why she seemed repulsed by me instead of attracted.

Now and again, female friends and casual lovers had described to me the experience of an unwanted suitor who would not accept their refusal. There were so fewer women than men on Lyra that now and again, a male would get frustrated and behave a bit irrationally. Most could be talked down, but once in a while, one would become over-persistent or rage at rejection. Women’s reactions to such a man reminded me of Grace’s reaction to me, and the comparison horrified me.

Why can she not sense what I sense? Is she crippled in some way? Are all humans? I had no idea. But I would have to find a way to work with her in any case, for the sake of the potential treaty.

I was just starting to settle down and weigh my options when I heard the clang of the steel alarm gong on the roof. Someone ran down the hall outside, yelling, “Swarm attack!” I heard booted feet running toward the stairs: my fellow members of the warrior caste, mustering for defense.

I cursed under my breath as I scooped up my spear and hurried out. Duty called, and I needed to find my guest as well. I had no idea where Grace was, but she would most likely have gone to one of the areas she was already familiar with. That would be either the market or possibly . . . the roof. Oh no.