After the last failure of a climb, he didn’t dare ask for two hours to attempt to summit one of those towering peaks—attempting it being the issue.He gritted his teeth.One day, he’d succeed without interruption or ignorance on his part.
“Some are too pale,” Vaen muttered, scanning the crowds on the various platforms—all buzzing with activity.“Their males look…weak.”
“Not every male is a warrior, Vaen.”Nenn smothered a yawn.“Compare us to their more trained males.”
“I am,” he snapped, gesturing to two uniformed males on guard; their gazes shifted between him and Nenn while clasping toy-like weapons to their torsos.
“What are you planning?”Nenn asked, folding his arms across his chest when he leaned against the frame of the bay door.
“How best to take them down if Drafe and Aehort do not return,” Vaen said, snapping Nenn’s gaze to him.
Nenn wasn’t sure how to respond.Here, he dreamed of exploring the moon around him; whereas, Vaen planned war.
Nenn cleared his throat.“As superior as the canons are on theAroagni, I am certain they are insufficient for the task at hand.”He swept out his arm to encompass all around them.“Besides, these humans might be the victims.It is their bodies in the pods, after all.”
Vaen glared at him.“Do not fight me with logic, Maed.”
“Ah.”Nenn chuckled.“You seek to vent.”He tapped his chin.“I would introduce a biologic to kill them swiftly.”
Vaen laughed.“That is brilliant.”
Nenn shrugged.“I have vowed to heal first, not massacre.Just remember, if I am to do this, it must be for a noble cause.”
“Same,” Vaen said, staring ahead.
Nenn released a slow exhale, grateful Vaen agreed with him.
A female sprinted past them, her pale-yellow hair streaming behind her.She leaped into a male’s arms then latched her face to his.Nenn’s stomach knotted.He didn’t know whether it was from disgust or intrigue.
“Is that how they greet each other?”Vaen whispered.
“I do not know.”
Vaen shuddered.“Let us pray to Osnir that we need not do that.”
The two humans walked off hand-in-hand.They gazed into each other’s eyes with…affection.Nenn’s heart twanged in longing.The face latching, no.Finding his love mate, yes.
Splitting the crowds with his head high above the average human was Aehort Uz.Beside him marched a scowling Ulvus.
“Where the foq is Drafe?”Vaen asked, glancing at Nenn.
“No idea,” Nenn said with a shrug.
“Do you know anything?”Vaen snapped.
Nenn laughed.“That I am not an ass like you.”
Vaen huffed and called out to Aehort, “Where—?”
“With a human female,” Ulvus barked, revulsion curling his lip.
Vaen jerked back, his brow furrowed.“Drafe would neve—”
“Aehort Uz encouraged it,” Ulvus grated out.
“I did and with reason, Ulvus Sava.Victoria Harper-Barnes will come to play a pivotal role in finding the killers.”Aehort peered down his nose at Ulvus then glided into the bay.“Drafe Arrak will not be long.Nenn and Vaen, remain at your posts until he returns.”
“As you command, Aehort Uz,” Vaen said.
