Kozav (5 page)

N
othing was okay
. Not a damned thing. Grace didn’t know where that certainty came from, the knowledge that she was about to enter hell, but it was there. It blasted her in the face, pummeling her with doubt and worry. She wasn’t going to like this… whatever this was.

The trip was quick, the Preor shuttle cutting through all other air traffic. Whether that was with permission or because Kozav simply didn’t care, she wasn’t sure. Now they navigated to the coast, to the Preor Tower landing pad.

At least, that’s what she’d assumed they’d do, but they bypassed the tower and the nearby Ujal station entirely.

“Kozav?” She stared out the window. Or rather, at the digital image projected on the ship’s wall that looked like a window. The scenery raced past, the shuttle flying low and using the streets as if it was a car. “Don’t we need to land?” She waved her hand back the way they’d come. “Over there?”

He didn’t tear his gaze from his path when he spoke, but she had no doubt she had his attention. “We will not delay assistance for your
dam
,
shaa kouva
. I have failed you once. I will not do so again.”

He clenched his jaw, a vein throbbing on his temple, and she recognized the signs of self-loathing when she saw them. That wasn’t the truth. He hadn’t failed her. He just… hadn’t listened immediately.

“It wasn’t failure, Kozav. We…” Got caught up in the bullshit that was life. “Everything that could go wrong, did. That’s all.”

He was quiet for a moment and she refused to try and identify the emotions that filled his voice. “Not everything,
shaa kouva
. I found you. There is no greater gift than you in my life.”

“You say that now…” She gave him a rueful grin. “Just wait until I hog all the covers.”

Kozav pulled his attention from the sky and glanced at her. A smoky heat filled his eyes, the teal darkening until they were nearly black. “I look forward to the experience.”

She blushed, face burning. “I mean…”

“Primary Warrior Kozav, we approach the destination.” The ship’s voice cut through their conversation. They were getting close to her home, her mother. And Grace brought a bit of hope along with her. They’d get her proper medical care. Kozav promised.

She leaned forward, anxious. The restraints dug into her chest and shoulders, but in her excitement, she didn’t care. The neighborhood around her gradually grew darker, dirtier, and more rundown. The effects of neglect were obvious in the condition of the area. Yeah, they were close. She recognized the half-demolished building on the corner. A land developer purchased the plot years ago and began demolition, but the Ujal environmental policies put an end to the construction. There was the tiny patch of grass—almost grass—that acted as a so-called playground. Then the small corner store and next to it the greasy spoon diner she worked at occasionally. Decent tips and a free meal. It’d been a good job when she was at that in-between age. Too young for some things and too old for others.

“Grace?” Kozav’s concerned tone drew her gaze from their surroundings.

“Yeah? Do you need directions?” She prodded at her safety belt, ready to be free of the restraint. “If you go left at the next intersection,” she waved her hand, attention still on the stupid buckle, “it’s two blocks down on the right.”

She almost told him it was the red building, but the color had faded to shit-brown long ago. Now all the buildings were the same color.

“This is where you lived?” His growl drew her focus and she frowned at him.

“Huh?”

“Here?” He gestured out of the front of the ship and she followed where he pointed. She tried to see it through his eyes, the cracked sidewalks and potholes lining the roads. The trash that lingered in gutters. The guys who usually lazed on one of the stoops and hassled everyone.

“Yeah.” She undid the final clasp and pushed to her feet, careful to not to stumble since the shuttle still flew through the sky. “I told you we didn’t have money. I did everything I could to support us.” She curled her lip, years of being looked down on because of what she didn’t have coming out in that one expression—that sneer. “Suddenly regretting your choice?”

“
Shaa kouva
…”

“The building’s rooftop is of sufficient size for landing, Primary Warrior.” The ship’s voice slipped into their conversation and she was glad it stopped what was sure to become an argument in front of the other warriors.

Kozav was helping her—helping them. A little bit of gratitude wasn’t too much to ask.

God, she’d been riding this bitch train since she woke and she was so ready to get off already.

“Land.”

Grace’s brain caught up with her then. “On the roof? Of my
building
?” Kozav quirked an eyebrow and she quickly shook her head. “No. Not unless you wanna bring the whole thing down on everyone. It’ll collapse.”

Kozav tilted his head and she practically felt his thoughts in her own mind as he decided between trusting her or assuming she exaggerated. She simply waited for him to choose. To choose his superiority or to believe in her—just a little. “We will not land. Lower and hover three inches above the rooftop. We will depart and then rise to a safe hovering distance. We will not remain long.”

So, he’d decided to trust her. Didn’t that just crack the shell around her heart a little?

That initial trust was good considering he’d have to give it to her a little longer. At least long enough to get in and out of the building. The roof was a great place to find peace… as long as a person knew where to step. There were more than a few holes, but those were really only a problem during the rainy season. Which happened to be June through November. But those other six months out of the year, it only rained once a week instead of every day.

Three warriors led their large—even though Kozav said it was small—group into the building, their heavy treads overwhelming the creaks and groans from the building itself.

“
Shaa kouva
, are you sure this is safe?”

No, she really wasn’t. “Of course. I’ve been living here for fifteen years.”

Off and on anyway. On when they had money to cover the rent. Off when… they didn’t.

Grace hoped she sounded more confident than she felt and she held her breath with every floor they passed. Thankfully, they didn’t have to trust the old stairs for too long. Her apartment was on the fourteenth floor out of twenty stories. Now, they’d dart into her apartment, grab her mom, and get the hell out of this hole in Florida’s ass.

Except the darting and grabbing didn’t really happen. Not when she got to her door and the smell hit her. It was familiar and heartbreaking, and a sob drove its way up her throat. She fumbled with her keys, thankful Kozav had taken all of her belongings when he’d kidnapped her from the hospital. The bits of carved metal—trashy apartment buildings didn’t have fancy identipads—shook and shimmied in her fingers, her hands refusing to work, until her mate took them from her.

“Which one,
shaa kouva
?”

That tone again, the understanding and sweet that made her want to cry harder. “That…” she pointed. “That one.”

His movements were careful and gentle, but she saw the way his muscles tensed, the carved lines in his arms and the sound of his rustling wings. He was angry, upset, something. Something other than the calm he tried to portray.

And shame struck her. She’d tried to be strong and powerful and act like she didn’t care, but there was no avoiding the situation to come. Because it was just going to get worse. The moment that door opened and reality hit him in the face, he’d really see what he’d gotten along with the Knowing.

Kozav turned the handle and nudged the door open, but instead of letting her go in first, he held her back so his warriors could enter.

Sadness turned to fear and she grasped his forearm, squeezing tight. “You can’t let them go in her room, Kozav.” Panic had her voice rising in pitch. “She doesn’t want anyone to see her when…”

Grace knew exactly how her mother looked at this point. Soiled because she got tired and couldn’t get up. Listless because no one had helped her with meals so she had no energy. Exhausted because the mutation gave her chronic fatigue.

“Halt.” One syllable and everyone froze in place, not a single Preor moving. “Come,
shaa kouva
. Let us care for your
dam
.”

K
ozav’s dragon’s
fire burned in his chest, that part of him anxious to burst free and destroy the entire building—the entire block. None of it deserved to stand. None of it was fit enough to house anyone. Yet he’d seen evidence of dragonlets—no, humans called them children—in the streets.

Young ones who played amid the garbage.

Females who appeared exhausted beyond comprehension.

Surroundings that weren’t fit for prisoners, let alone families.

Yet this place existed.

He followed in his mate’s wake, anxious to retrieve his
dam-by-mating
and then depart before the structure collapsed beneath them. He’d questioned his mate about its integrity and he knew she’d lied. Even if she’d spoken the truth, they still needed to retrieve her
dam
. He’d left the battleship, unsure of their next steps, only thinking of getting to his mate’s
dam
, but now that he’d seen their surroundings… Grace’s
dam
would be returning with them. He would allow nothing less.

Each step down the narrow hallway had his mate tensing further, her body so tight he believed she would snap at any moment. Unacceptable. His purpose was to make her life easier, to protect and care for her.

“
Shaa kouva
?”

She stumbled to a stop and turned to face him. “Huh?”

“Be at ease. I have decided we will take you both from here and you shall never have to return.” They stood outside a closed door now and his mate reached for the knob. The scent that had his stomach turning in the main passageway filled this small area. The aroma of filth came from behind the thin door and anger suffused him. That his mate’s
dam
existed in such conditions while he’d refused to listen to his mate. Shame enveloped him in an instant.

A foreign sheen came to Grace’s eyes and he stiffened. “Are you broken in some way?” He reached for her face and caught a single droplet as it escaped past her lashes. “Do you need medical assistance?”

Grace chuckled and sniffled, wiping what remained of the liquid away. “No, I’m fine. Worried. Scared.”

He stood tall, straightening his back and squaring his shoulders. “I will protect you with my life,
shaa kouva
.”

She gave him a sad smile. “There is no way to protect me from some things.” Then it was her turn to do the same—suck in a deep breath—and she appeared to brace herself for what was to come. “I know you want to help, but I need to go in there alone. I’ll…”

“I will come with you.”

She shook her head. “No. Just… let me see what we’re dealing with. I’ll let you know what we need.”

Kozav fought his instincts. He did not like the idea of her entering a room without him, but he had no choice. He would prove to his mate he was a worthy male. He would allow his mate to make the choices when it came to her
dam
.

His good intentions lasted until she opened the door.

It was not the scent that spurred him to action. Nor the dirtiness of the small room. It was the single female who rested in the center of the small bed, her limbs curled around her, brown hair lank and masking half of her gaunt face, and the eyes that matched Grace’s.

Acceptance of death was etched into his
dam-by-mating
’s features. Anticipation and reconciliation. He’d seen that face too often when he was no more than a fourth warrior. When his
dam
turned to him and his sister cried out for him. When he’d watched his father drift away…

He would not allow his mate to suffer as he did. He failed his own and his sister. He would not fail Grace.

The female’s face flushed the palest pink, her body not even able to produce a full blush, but he recognized her embarrassment. He would not take the female’s pride from her.

Kozav pulled the door fully closed, leaving his mate alone as she’d requested. But that did not mean he would remain idle while he waited for assistance. He stomped back down the hallway and entered the central, open space of his mate’s dwelling. His warriors stood guard throughout the room, stationed beside the front door and windows. They gave him their attention while also remaining vigilant.

He would address them in a moment. First, he had to demand assistance. And he would demand as loud and as long as it required. He withdrew his comm and immediately contacted the battleship in orbit. The device was not private—every male would hear the conversation—but Kozav did not have time for privacy.

“Ship, connect me to Healing Master Sugal.” His anger rose with each syllable, his inability to do anything immediate crushing his soul.

“Yes, Primary Warrior.” The comm remained silent and the next voice he expected was Sugal’s, but it was the computer once more. “Master Healer Sugal states he is unavailable.”

The surprised gasps and growls from the others echoed Kozav’s feelings. He would gladly rip the healing master into small pieces. After he cared for Grace’s
dam
.

“Ship, he will immediately stop what he is doing and answer his comm.”

“Healing Master Sugal has indicated he does not have time for your inquiry at the moment.“

“Broadcast frequency.” If the healer would not attend him voluntarily, Kozav would have others complete his task.

“Confirmed. Broadcast frequency enabled.”

“Attention. This is Primary Warrior Kozav. Warrior units
udou
and
rvu
, locate and detain Healing Master Sugal.” The male would learn to heed his superior’s summons. Order and control kept each and every Preor from going after others, their dominant and aggressive natures allowing for nothing less than full control.

“Primary Healer Whelon, an emergency med unit shall be assembled and transported to my location immediately. Heart Master Sobol joi Zurer, your presence is requested as well.” Kozav knew better than to order a mated female. He did not wish to battle Negotiate Master Zurer for any offense. “Warrior units
raghroru
and
ruor,
you will provide escort. I expect these orders to be executed and complete within ten Earth minutes. Ship, end communication.”

His first and second warrior units would ensure Sugal’s capture while the third and fourth units transported the necessary personnel and equipment. Hopefully Sobol’s presence would ease any discomfort his
dam-by-mating
may experience from being surrounded by so many males.

Anger and frustration had him wishing he could strike something—someone—but he imagined his fist would go through the wall if he attempted to vent his fury in that way. That the Healing Master rejected his request—one that involved the health of a female…

Once all was known, the rest of the warriors would see that Sugal regretted his decision.

“Healing Master Sugal is the uncle of Third Warrior Impe.” Detzan spoke, the strained, deep voice drawing Kozav’s attention.

“What?”

“The young warrior you encountered with Grace. His uncle is Healing Master Sugal.”

Kozav growled and curled his lip. Weak warriors disgusted him, deceitful males enraged him. It seemed those two males were both.

“They will learn of the errors of their actions.”

“Yes.” Every warrior agreed with him and now Kozav realized he may have to protect Sugal and Impe from his men.

The rumble of an approaching shuttle reached him and Detzan looked out the window. “Units
raghroru
and
ruor
come.”

It amazed him that they’d arrived so quickly, but it should not have. Many observed Kozav with Grace in that hallway. Many knew of the reason for their trip to the surface. At least he had some males he could depend on to be honorable.

“Grant them entrance when they arrive. I will be with Grace and her
dam
.”

And he would not be rejected. He strode down the narrow hall once more, ignoring the way the floor shook with his every step. Already the aroma of sickness was lessened and he hated that she’d been the one to cleanse the space. He softly knocked on the door, waiting to see if she would come to him or if he’d have to push his way into the space.

But his mate appeared, hair stringy and damp, face pale and eyes wide. “
Shaa kouvi
.”

His heartbeat tripped and joy sang in his chest. He hated the reason behind her use of the endearment, but he loved hearing it on her lips. “
Shaa kouva
,” he murmured in return. “Healers will be here momentarily.”

“Heal…” she whispered and swallowed hard. Liquid filled her eyes again and he was unsure what he did wrong this time.

“Do you wish me to send them away? I believed your
dam
required medical—”

She grasped his hand and squeezed it tightly. “She does.”

“Then they shall assist you. Will she allow that?” Kozav was not sure he’d allow Grace’s
dam
the choice.

Grace glanced over her shoulder and Kozav followed his mate’s line of sight. The change in the female sitting in a chair near the window was astounding. The paleness remained but her hair had been brushed, clothes changed, and her eyes no longer seemed so hazed with exhaustion.

“Mom?” His mate whispered at her
dam
. Perhaps the female’s illness also affected her hearing? He would have to warn the healers.

“I…” Her lower lip trembled and Kozav could not remain silent.

He spoke to Grace’s
dam
directly. “Dam Hall, I swear to you—”

“Donna,” Grace murmured. “Her name’s Donna.”

Kozav shook his head. “She is an honored
dam
and should always be treated as such. It is our way.” He shrugged. She could not change their entire race. “Dam Hall, healers will be here momentarily to escort you to our ship.”

Dam Hall fluttered her hand, a gesture much like his kouva’s. “I’m fine now,” her voice was so soft and brittle. “There’s no point in dragging me into space just to hear there’s nothing that can be done. Then you’ll have to bring me back down all over again.”

The small smile he received was weak and tender, and a look to his mate showed him she had the same beliefs.

They truly thought…

Kozav grasped his mate’s hand and pulled her into the room, not stopping until they stood in front of Dam Hall. “I was told that human females do not like being told what to do. They find it offensive. So, I am sorry for what I am about to say, but your anger will not change my decision.”

He gently squeezed Grace’s hand and then lowered himself, carefully reaching for Dam Hall’s. He cradled her fisted hands in one of his own. “Dam Hall, your daughter is my mate, my one.” The ill female’s gaze bounced between them. “I have handled this badly by stealing your daughter from you when you needed her, but I swear to the skies that you will suffer no longer. You will return to the Preor ship with us permanently.” His mate gasped, but his focus was on the frail woman before him. “You will be made comfortable and our healers will do all they can to make you well. I swear it.”

It was a vow he intended to keep. Neither female would ever know another day of heartache, pain, or struggle.

Ever.