Terran by Cara Bristol

Author:Cara Bristol [Bristol, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BA
ISBN: 9781623007645
Publisher: Loose Id LLC
Published: 2014-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Marlix left strict instructions with Urazi to guard Tara, then departed the Enclave via conveyance. He pulled it off onto an overgrown lane not far from the tram depot, changed into his Alpha uniform, and reattached his insignia. Leaving the beasts to graze, he caught the high-speed transport for Loraq, the Parseon capital.

His PCD allowed him to communicate from remote locations with the subcommanders of his province, but he did not dare miss a High Council meeting of the Alphas. Though Protocol had calmed violent tribal rivalries among the five factions, nature and old feuds resisted eradication.

Marlix’s conversation with Tara at the river had given him much to think about. He disliked leaving her at this juncture, but missing a convening of the High Council could prove disastrous to his command. Heading off possible usurpation of his territory or curtailment of his power necessitated his presence.

He entered the columned soaring edifice of the High Council and strode across the marble floor toward the main assembly chamber. As he passed an open door, he was grabbed, dragged into the vacant room, and slammed against the stone wall.

“Bring her back!”

Commander Dak twisted his shirt, his face so close, Marlix could feel his breath. Anger ignited, and Marlix shoved at the Alpha, tearing his own shirt when Dak reeled backward. The other Alpha caught his footing and lunged, and Marlix leaped at him. Fists flew. Marlix feinted left, and Dak’s blow whizzed past his left ear, but another clipped him on the temple. A sharp pain lanced his brow and split his skin. Blood spurted.

He jabbed into Dak’s gut, and the Alpha grunted but recovered to target a punch at Marlix’s jaw. He blocked the blow with his forearm, but another aimed at his cheek hit its mark.

Punching and cursing, they pummeled each other until a series of blows and deflections stalemated into a wrestling clinch. Had Dak not kicked the door shut, a passerby might have mistaken them for two men locked in a filial embrace. If not for the blood spilled.

“Where is she?” Dak growled.

His opponent’s bleeding lip filled Marlix with triumph even though his own face had taken a beating. “That is not your concern,” Marlix huffed.

“Do you wish to cause an intergalactic incident? It is bad enough you stole her from the Bazaar in my province, but the Terrans will not approve of you absconding with one of their females. There will be ramifications.” The Alpha’s blue eyes radiated fury.

“Then why have repercussions not occurred?”

“Bring her back!” Dak bared his teeth, and Marlix understood.

His hunch at the onset had been correct. “You have not raised an alarm about the theft of one of their females because your diplomatic relations would crumble into dust.” Marlix pushed and sent Dak sprawling across the room.

The Alpha plowed into a table, then whipped out his dagger.

Marlix drew his own blade and dropped to a crouch. They circled, eyeballing each other. Their skirmish would end now. One would survive as the victor; the other would be left for dead.

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