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“I think it’s very possible, even likely. Probably sent here to engage our ships and those of the Lycans, the Moravians, the Nilaniums and even what’s left of Earthan forces. A few of our other allies as well. To gauge our power and assess our weapons and fighting styles. Our technicians have traced the emissions signals from the ship that attacked Mikol’s back to…” he turned and looked directly at Kalen. “Your planet, Kalen. Loros. It seems to be their base of operations. Mikol wanted to be sure before we told you, but we suspect Nerol has been helping them, providing them aid. We believe this has been going on for some time. Even, I’m afraid, when your father was on the throne, Kalen.”
For a moment Kalen was too stunned to reply and then he exploded to his feet. “My father would never have done such a thing. He may not have been a member of the Axis, but he was an honorable person and no pirate. He was no spy either. He wouldn’t have cooperated with those murderers. Those planet-killers. If it was done while he was still alive, then it was still Neros. He simply believed in his own brother and was deceived. That might make him foolish, but he wasn’t dishonorable.”
“All right, Kalen. I’m not making any accusations until we know more,” Mikos said. “And, in your father’s favor, we’ve traced the signal to the same spot where Mikol was captured. This compound on Loros that belongs to your uncle.”
“M-my uncle is greedy and shameful,” Kalen said, “I think my father became suspicious of that compound of his and that may be why he was murdered.”
“We hope we can sort all that out. But first things first. Nerol has asked for a representative from Tygeria to meet with him and hand over a ransom.”
“Then get someone on the way!” Blake said. “What are you waiting for?”
Mikos turned to look at Kalen. “The representative he wants…is impossible. Besides that, he wants only to gain another hostage, not hand Mikol over. We suspect Mikol and the others are not so easy to contain in their prison. I think he wants the gold to take with him when the Pton help him make his escape.”
“I have no doubt of that,” Ryan said. “But what do you mean, the one they want is impossible?”
“He wants Kalen to deliver the gold.”
Shock hit Kalen like a hard wind, knocking him back off his feet and back down onto the couch beside Blake again. “W-what?”
“Don’t worry,” Mikos said. “We have no intention of sending you. I’ll tell your uncle it’s impossible.”
“But-but why?” Kalen asked. “If I can help get Mikol back?”
“It would simply give them another hostage, one they can use to keep Mikol in line. It’s totally out of the question.”
“But what if I took precautions—took some armed guards with me. I might have an idea about how we could get the prisoners out.”
“Your uncle specified no Tygerians could accompany you. Again, I think they’ve seen what we Tygerians are capable of and want no part of any of us.”
His body language was the same as Kalen had seen on his husband a time or two since they’d met—that same way they straightened their shoulders and the way their chests seemed to actually puff out and expand. Despite his outrage and worry over his son, he was a little proud of how Mikol must be handling himself. Kalen also caught the little look that passed between Ryan and Blake.
“Well then,” Ryan said softly, looking up at his husband. “If he doesn’t want Tygerians, maybe it’s time he and the Pton see what armed species in this galaxy are capable of. Isn’t that right, Kevin?”
A tall, very handsome human, with blond hair that Kalen hadn’t noticed before straightened up from his place near the door and stepped forward. “A hundred percent,” he said.
Ryan grinned at him, even as Mikos was shaking his head. “No. You can’t be serious. It’s out of the question.”
“Don’t you tell me no, Mikos. That’s my son and Iwillgo after him. Do you understand?”
Haggoz had come forward to try to take hold of the blond man’s arm, but he shook him off, and they had soft, fierce words together for a moment, all in Tygerian, so Kalen had no idea what they were saying. Then Rakkur stood up, taking everyone’s attention away from that little drama for a moment.
“I’m only half, but I look like my human father and have hardly any stripes. I believe I’ll tag along too.”
That’s when a huge argument erupted in the room that was noisy and chaotic and out of control. Kalen sat where he was, looking back and forth between first one combatant and then another. And then Blake stood up and shouted, “Stop it! Be quiet, all of you!”
And everyone actually stopped. He glared around at each and every one of them and then turned to Mikos. “We don’t have time for this, and you’re not going to win this argument. Everyone who has ever borne a child knows that person really has only one mission in life, and it’s to protect that child and their family. Don’t mess with them when they’re trying to do that, fellas. Because they don’t care how big and bad you are.”
He glared around at all of the Tygerians, who gave him back mutinous looks, but wisely kept their mouths shut. All except Davos, who opened his to say something but was cut off by Blake.
“Say one word, and I’ll go along too.”
Davos flinched and closed his mouth, but perhaps he’d learned some things over the years, because he didn’t reply, even though his eyes were blazing.
Kalen was amazed. These humans were nothing like he’d thought—they weren’t weak, or cowed down by their husbands, just because they wore the robes. Ryan and Blake were laying down the law. He watched in fascination as Blake finally nodded at everyone.
“Ryan, take Kevin and Rakkur and his guard and Kalen and his friend Dartan too. Make a plan and bring my grandson home to us.”
Chapter Seventeen
