"It can't leave the Vault," Eh'kt signed in exhaustion.

"He has a name!" I grit my teeth.

"It wouldn't be safe for Shadow's Reach or anyone else if he wandered the planet's surface freely," Eh'kt strained not to growl directly at me.

"Who said anything about wandering?" I snapped back. "He'd be with me. Zhaguai scare the shit out of him!"

I knew I was being unreasonable. I knew it wasn't logical or safe for the Abura to roam Sahei's surface. I also knew Eh'kt was doing his best to communicate reason with me.

Unfortunately, the thought of Shadow's Reach, the Abura, the most beautiful creature that has ever existed, being trapped in a dark triple-reinforced prison made every cell in my body scream out in agony. Fuck rational! Eh'kt didn't deserve my rage, but I had no other outlet.

"Then he would also fear me," Eh'kt laid his palm over his chest, somehow miraculously maintaining his calm.

I seethed out my nose and turned my back to him.

I knew he was right. There was no me without Eh'kt. The creature the Zhaguai referred to as U'la'ke could never have a place in our home on Sahei.

We'd been arguing for weeks since my first encounter with the Abura.

It started out small, with the occasional silence during meals. Then the tension expanded after Oru allowed me unlimited access to the Vault on the condition I consented to the passive observation of the Institute scientists to study my unique connection with the feline.

My instincts warned that the Elder's motives were not purely academic but there was zero chance I'd abandon Shadow's Reach to solitary confinement deep within Jahaa's Vault.

I'd taken to visiting the Abura drone at every available opportunity between my sessions with E'pire and my frequent absences were beginning to take a toll.

How long had it been since Eh'kt and I shared a bed?

I dropped to the central room's floor and sat cross-legged, not to brood, but because once again our dispute had come to an impasse.

"We can't go on like this..." Eh'kt knelt down behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"I know," I reached back and touched his fingers. "This isn't what I want. I'm tired too."

My eyes were raw and weary. The warmth of Eh'kt's touch soothed the tension in my arms and cascaded through every muscle in my body. I wanted to lean back and fold into his chest, but my thoughts swirled with chaotic guilt.

"I don't know how to feel happy while Shadow's Reach is in pain," was all I could state.

I knew my mate respected my connection to the Abura. He'd already moved all his U'la'ke trophies into storage and swore to never display another in our home, even if it was his first solo Liege.

Eh'kt rubbed his thumb over my shoulder, giving me the silence I needed to collect my thoughts.

I hated that he felt compelled to diminish his triumphs in my presence, but it was the turmoil in his eyes when he glanced at any of the replacement bones mounted throughout our home that made me sick to my stomach.

All the plotting in the universe couldn't change that I could never stand beside him in battle the way he envisioned.

Maybe it was always a fantasy...

U'la'ke were sacred to the Zhaguai for all the wrong reasons. What if razkurs and Zhaguai were fundamentally incompatible?

I would never separate from Eh'kt.

Maybe the best we could hope for was something resembling a compromise.

Warm tears leaked from my eyes and I released Eh'kt's hand to wipe my face.

"We could try submitting for a special training permit," Eh'kt did his best to sound optimistic about the futile proposition. "It's never been done with an U'la'ke, but no Zhaguai can communicate with them."

I grasped Eh'kt's hand once again and pulled him closer, both of us fully aware that we were powerless.

"We will find a way to mend this divide," Eh'kt hooked his chin over my shoulder.

That day in the Vault, E'pire arranged for me to spar with an alternate beast, a Tucoose, some kind of giant tentacle bird. She was pleased with my performance and arrangements were in the works for me to join her for an extended stay in the jungles of one of Jahaa's many unspoiled wilderness planets to complete my final stage of training.

I didn't want to part with Eh'kt amid a rift in our relationship, but there were no swift solutions.

BUZZ

Our wrist comms vibrated in unison.

Eh'kt tapped his gauntlet. "Oru has summoned us personally for tomorrow's Grand Assembly."

My stomach twisted further. Even in a world without monetary currency, there was still a price to pay.

...

Something was wrong.

There were no oversized trophies waiting outside on hover lifts, and the clicking chatter fluttering throughout the Grand Assembly Hall was quieter than usual. Also, sound dampeners had been installed, blocking me from hearing anything beyond the chamber walls.

This was an ambush.

Oru strolled out, fully armored in silver and draped in a long red cape. She clacked a black metal spear three times on the stone floor before sprawling out in her throne.

"Brother Eh'kt, Sister Mourning Crow," Oru glowered in our direction. "Step forward."

Shale stood off to Oru's side. His phantom blind bubble was deactivated, and he wore no cape. However, his armor and weapons were shinier than I remembered.

"Today we acknowledge Mourning Crow in her services with the Institute and Medical Prime in confirming that the U'la'ke are incapable of siphoning DNA from razkurs," Oru declared to the crowd. "This is a landmark discovery that will advance all Nexus dominance."

How much of my donated blood and U'la'ke larva lives were expended to confirm that statement?

"Sister Mourning Crow," Oru extended her hand to me.

I stepped forward, dreading any further commendation.

"It is Jahaa's, the Supreme Nexus Matriarchs', and the Council of Ancients' intention to invite Menthla with official membership into the Nexus."

The room went silent.

Invite?

I glanced at Shale, but his eyes were busy scouring the room for the slightest hint of dissent.

They've never even met another razkur... My ass, they plan on treating us as equals!

"As a token of our sincerity," Oru continued. "Jahaa will seek out the strongest U'la'ke pride colony and deliver a Liege Abura nymph to its rightful home of Menthla. Whether or not Menthla accepts our invitation into the Nexus, the Abura will be gifted unconditionally."

Sincerity? Bullshit! You just want to duel razkurs.

What's to stop you from conveniently tanking introductions? And for that matter, what's preventing me from one day earning my own ship, disabling the tracker, and delivering a Liege myself?

"Provided," Oru added. "You impart the location of Menthla."

You will NEVER have Menthla!

The side doors flung open before I could fully work out a formal decline.

"Also," Oru clicked out a wide grin. "As a gesture of good faith to you, Sister Mourning Crow. Per my Adjutant's suggestion..."

A wide hover lift bearing a black barred cage floated into the room. Inside was the U'la'ke drone, Shadow's Reach, wearing a neon blue collar."

My eyes darted at Shale, who was oddly staring at the cage in horror.

What the actual fuck, Shale!!!??

Oru opened the cage with her wristcomm and deactivated the drone's control collar.

The crowd roared, as a variety of hidden weapons unsheathed in unison.

Shadow's Reach hissed and skittered to my side, hugging my legs tight then crawled up my back like a frightened lion cub.

"Arrangements are in progress for you," Oru stared down at me with her spear at her side. "To deliver the U'la'ke, Shadow's Reach, to a suitable wildlife treasury planet. As he no longer possesses a pride to return to, this will be his best chance for survival. This is our only offer."

I stroked the drone's nuzzling face to ease his trembling.

I understood he wasn't really one of Menthla's Abura, but our connection was undeniable. What kind of razkur would I be if I didn't stand up for him? How could I deny Shadow's Reach his freedom while holding him in my arms? He was orphaned and this only chance at finding happiness. He would be alone for the remainder of his days, but he would live and hunt freely.

Oru was obviously manipulating me but it was difficult picturing her or any honorable member of Jahaa standing before their clan and openly lying.

I turned to Eh'kt. There was much I couldn't predict about Oru, but I knew my mate. He would never follow a leader he didn't trust wholeheartedly.

"What manner of transport," I called back to Oru. "For the nymph?"

Don't you dare say stasis or cages!

"Shale will accompany you personally," Oru clicked cordially. "Once there, you will parley with a pride deemed worthy as a gift of Jahaa, to receive a Liege nymph peacefully. No restraints. No confinement."

My insides twisted into knots.

How can I trust a person saying exactly what I want to hear?

Shadow's Reach rubbed his nose to my cheek and squirmed deeper into my arms.

...how can I not?

I must protect Shadow's Reach...

I must trust my clan...

I must bring the Abura home.

Even if it triggers the end of Menthla...

"I accept."

"A wise choice," Oru chittered in delight, knowing full well she'd presented me with no other option.

"Shale," the Elder turned to her right.

The large red Zhaguai stepped forward with his head titled in reverence.

"You will be my voice on Menthla," Oru commanded. "As such, you will ensure all aspects of this endeavor are representational of Jahaa."

"My Elder," Shale nodded, with his fist pressed loyally across his chest.

"Brother Eh'kt," Oru called to my mate. "You had the presence of mind to put the needs of Jahaa over your own personal glory. This sacrifice has enabled our taskforce to act with the utmost efficiency. Honor and loyalty will always be rewarded. As the most knowledgeable Zhaguai of razkur culture, I am promoting you from Strategics to Shale's Adjutant and the Nexus' Special Envoy to Menthla. You will assist Shale in his task of integrating and forging a solid connection between Jahaa and Menthla."

"With pride," Eh'kt bowed his head. "My Elder."

"Mourning Crow," Oru turned her gaze to me once more. "As you and all razkurs cannot kill U'la'ke, a special decree shall be made by the Supreme Nexus Matriarchs and the Council of Ancients. All U'la'ke born of Menthla will forever be known as Abura. They will not be challenged. However, all other U'la'ke strains will retain no such protections."

I had no words. Was Oru my savior, or the universe's most devious supervillain?

"In the meantime," Oru concluded. "While Jahaa pursues a suitable pride colony, you will continue your training with E'pire and perform your Dread Rite through an alternate challenge. I have spoken."

Oru rose and slammed her spear on the floor, then prowled out the grand hall with Shale and her red cape following proudly in her wake.

As the hall emptied excluding two guards approaching and motioning for me to return Shadow's Reach into his cage.

It felt good holding him in my arms and in that turbulent moment, his cool, armored plating soothed my swirling thoughts.

"He will be unharmed," Eh'kt thrummed at my side, gesturing that it was safe to release the drone into the guard's custody.

I knelt down, letting the U'la'ke slither to the ground. The guards kept their distance but stood with their spears drawn.

"Wait," I raised my hand to the guards. "I will return him, but it's important that he understands what's happening."

The higher-ranked guard hesitated a moment, then nodded and called his partner to give us a moment of privacy within the empty chamber.

Eh'kt remained with me, slightly apprehensive to be standing at ease next to a mortal enemy.

I ran my fingers over the drone's face and whispered what the Zhaguai intended to do with him. I loathed letting the cat go, but at least his imprisonment would end.

Shadow's Reach flicked his tail and chirped into my chest, then my ears shot up in surprise.

His response was not what I expected.

"What's wrong?" Eh'kt whipped his head to attention.

I stood up. "He says he wants to go and that I must stay and protect the infant."

Eh'kt's eyes went wide when he saw my hands clutching my stomach. Then his hand cupped over mine and for the first time, my mate spoke directly to Shadow's Reach. "We will keep it safe."

.

.

.

TRANSLATION:

U'la'ke/Abura = alien cat species that are mortal enemies of the Zhaguai. Have stinger tails with paralytic venom. Known as "The Felija" to humans. They live in large Prides. The Lieges are the biggest, are both sexes, have large manes, and thirteen tails. AlSO: a sacred predatory species that shares a symbiotic relationship with the Razkurs.

Tucoose = Tentacle bird

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