Vince joked with them, but his eyes stayed on Seth. A strong sense of longing ripped through him. He wouldn’t relinquish Seth, and he was willing to fight Kalvoxrencol for him, which wouldn’t end well. Kalvoxrencol loved his mate desperately. He wouldn’t have surrendered him, even if it had been possible for drakcol to mate more than once.
What a mess. A mess I would have to watch to ensure Kalvoxrencol wasn’t pushed too far. He didn’t cope with such things well, and I didn’t want him to lash out in anger or fear.
When Seth moved across the room to the other humans, Vince and Bartholomew remained where they were. That would not do.
“Go, Vince,” I said. “You should hear what Seth has to say as well.”
He rolled his eyes and strode across the room. Bartholomew sidled up to him, leaving me and Serlotminden alone.
“This is not good.”
“No,” I replied. “He loves Seth.”
Serlotminden scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Pest will not survive Seth abandoning him. Humans don’t mate only once like we do.”
I glanced at Seth. Nerves churned in his gut as he spoke. He hated talking. He disliked being the center of attention, but he was the best choice to speak to the humans, because Caleb didn’t look human anymore and Bartholomew was as new as the rest of them.
Kalvoxrencol grabbed his mate’s hand, and Seth relaxed. Love bloomed in his thoughts. Seth didn’t care for Vince romantically. Vince could desire romance all he wanted, Kalvoxrencol could worry all he wanted about humans being able to have several mates mate in their lifetimes, but both were a moot point. Seth loved Kalvoxrencol, and that wouldn’t change.
“Seth will not leave him,” I said.
“He doesn’t like Vince?”
“Not romantically.” Normally, I didn’t divulge the thoughts and emotions I overheard, because people were entitled to their privacy, but Kalvoxrencol was different. He was our youngest brother who’d caused so much trouble because he hated himself. Seth had saved him. We would do anything to keep Kalvoxrencol safe and content.
“Vince will be disappointed,” I said.
“Should you warn Pest?” he asked, looking at our little brother.
I clapped his shoulder. “Pest should trust his mate, Speedy. As should you.”
He frowned.
“You don’t need to claim Bartholomew. You know how he feels about you.”
“They were close.”
“So? He’s allowed to have friends.”
Serlotminden glanced toward his mate, who stood next to Vince and Seth. Another addition to Team Human—Caleb would be pleased. Of course, all of the humans, including Vince, might choose to go home.
The thought of Vince leaving made my soul clench and my tail flick. I did not like it, which made no logical sense. I didn’t know this human. But… but I sensed his emotions and thoughts like no other. That was more of a curse than a blessing. When he realized what I could do, he would despise it. Everyone did, even my brothers, though they felt guilty about it.
I should want him to return to Earth to ease Kalvoxrencol’s stress and mitigate the inevitable drama, not to mention the hurt Vince’s anger would cause me. But I didn’t. Why? What was it about this slip of a human? I didn’t know, but I needed to bury it deep within me. I had to be in complete control at all times.
Chapter 3
You can do what?
I stood next to Seth, unable to take my eyes off him. His hands trembled in the pockets of his hoodie, but he was pressed against Kal, and the drakcol had his tail wrapped around Seth’s ankle. While Seth shivered with nerves, his deep voice was steady.
“The drakcol have offered to take each of you home, should you want to go. The choice is yours. We first have to go to their planet, Tamkolvanloknol.” At the wide-eyed expressions, Seth laughed, and I closed my eyes to savor the throaty noise. “I know. Believe me I know. This,” he said, gesturing, “isn’t a longhaul ship. Unlike the xoi who abducted you, it’ll take the drakcol six months to reach Earth. They need a different ship.”
“And if we want to stay?” Brad asked, gripping his tattooed biceps.
“You can,” Seth replied. “Anyone who wishes to remain is welcome to. Emperor Kontolmakqilnen will extend citizenship to anybody that decides to stay. It’ll be your decision completely, but if you want to go home, you’re going to have to be patient. It’ll take time to arrange transportation, but I promise you will be able to get home.”
Several people sagged in relief.
