Chapter 9

 

 

HonORa had watched, completely frozen in place except for her rapidly beating heart, as Zander and the female commander of the Morinians fought. She knew it wasn’t a real fight, but she couldn’t help but worry about Zander’s artificial limbs. She didn’t want him to get hurt. She soon realized her worries were unfounded. Zander was incredible as he moved smoothly with confidence and strength. Why watching him like that turned her on she didn’t know.

Then things turned just as she thought the little skirmish was over. The Morinian female climbed on top of Zander, straddling him. Her fear and worry for him turned into something much different and darker—anger and jealousy. The other female was beautiful and confident. She could see how the Morinian was a much better match for Zander; they had quite a lot in common. Their people were both hunted by the Morins. They were both survivors and fighters.

There was also chemistry between them as their auras reflected not only aggression but passion. She turned away from watching any more. It hurt, and she didn’t understand why she was feeling that way. Maybe the goddess made a mistake, or maybe she misunderstood what the goddess wanted her to do. Perhaps she was simply to help Zander find his way to another, like Kayley.

Even as she thought that, another part of her denied it immediately. She felt like he was meant for her. The moment their eyes had first met she was drawn to him. It could be that she was just feeling lonely and was seeing more into things than was actually there. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been lonely before. Usually throwing herself into her work serving the goddess and her people cured that loneliness, but lately that empty feeling inside of her was growing, making it harder and harder to ignore.

“Are you all right?” Lizetta asked.

She had almost forgotten the girl was next to her. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“Did the fight upset you? My brother can be quite…aggressive at times. He’s got a tough exterior but on the inside, he’s quite gentle and kind.”

“I’m sure with you he is.”

“Are you afraid of him?”

There was a look of worry on the girl’s face that she didn’t want to see there. She put a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “No, I don’t feel fear that he would hurt me. I guess I’m not used to watching violence take place. I don’t usually go to warrior training. However, I have seen the aftermath of violence.” She couldn’t help but shiver. “It’s hard for me to separate the two.”

Lizetta looked off into the distance. “I know what you mean. I’ve grown up watching the males of my village train and practice fighting, and hunt dangerous animals that threaten our people. I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the devastation that a violent attack leaves with you.”

“If you ever wish to talk about what happened…”

Lizetta shook her head. “I’ve talked some with the Earth medics on both Katiera and Kiljor who specialize in counseling people with traumatic experiences. They can’t change what happened and talking about it makes me relive it. All I want is to forget and to try to get on with my life.”

HonORa felt her heart break for the girl. From what she’d heard from Ava, told in total confidentiality, Lizetta had suffered horribly at the hands of the Morins. Not all the details were given, but she could tell when Ava—a very strong Earth female used to handling disasters—broke down into tears that there was so much more that happened to Lizetta. HonORa wanted keep her focus on helping Lizetta and the Morinians. Her feelings for Zander and what could develop between them would have to wait..

Glancing back over her shoulder, she caught sight of Zander following further behind. He was walking next to ZenIM, and the Morinian commander walked in between the two males. When Zander looked her way he gave her a smile that nearly took her breath away. She quickly turned back to face forward. Focus on serving others, not on the male. She repeated that to herself over and over so that she wouldn’t keep looking back.

“What’s the village like? How much further is it?” Lizetta asked, changing the subject.

“It’s about twenty minutes from here. You’ll know that we’re getting closer when the dirt path turns into a stone pathway. There are multiple pathways leading to the center of the village. Lining each side of the pathways are lovely cottages made out of logs. The pathways all lead to a large circular opening. The opening is a stone courtyard and is the center of the entire village. The courtyard is surrounded by market shops, to buy and trade your goods. There is also a two-story building that is used for village elder meetings.”

“I would think that a two-story building would be visible to any ships traveling by,” Lizetta commented.

“But our buildings are much different than many others,” ZenIM commented, making his way up to them. It was easy for him because of his long legs. He looked down at Lizetta and waved his arm ahead of them. “Welcome to our little village.”

HonORa had been there a few times already, but it still felt surreal as they suddenly went from deep in a jungle to stone pathways and picturesque cottages. Most of the residents were shy and kept inside their homes, watching them from their windows. Braver souls ventured out onto their little porches to openly gawk at the newcomers.

As their group passed by, HonORa turned back to see that the villagers were following them. ZenIM was leading them to the center of the village. Most the cottages they’ve seen were already occupied.

“Where do you plan to have the Morinians stay?” she asked ZenIM.

“The pathway behind the counsel building leads to new cottages that are grouped together, sharing a wall. We thought that the Morinians would feel more comfortable staying with each other. It is also located in a more secluded area, so it would be harder to find from just flying overhead.”

They stopped in front of a two-story building made out of a strange green and black stone material. Zander came to stand next to her, a little too close. She could feel the heat from his body and it made her shiver.

Zander pointed at the building. “How does this not cause a security problem?”

ZenIM smiled. “The building’s stone structure is special. Each large stone was carved from the inner walls of caves along the mountainside.”

“What makes the stones special?” Lizetta asked.

“When the sun hits it just at the right angle, the stone exterior almost camouflages the entire thing making it look like it’s part of the surrounding jungle.”

“Wow, how did I not notice this before?” HonORa said in amazement. Now that she thought about it, many of the cottages were made out of the same special stones. It was a great way to

“You were usually busy helping others, and it isn’t camouflaged unless the sun is hitting it just right.” HonORa watched while ZenIM introduced his people to the Morinian leader and commander, Zander, and his sister.

ZenIM finished the introductions. “I have one of my people take you all to your cottages while I go greet the res of the Morinians.”

Kayley moved forward as she said, “I will go with you to meet my people.”

“That’s not necessary,” ZenIM told her.

“I insist.”

One of the female elders of the village, Sulu, came over to HonORa.“If you will follow me, I will take you to see your cottages.”

She saw Zander give a wavering look at his sister. It was clear he wasn’t completely comfortable leaving Lizetta with people he’d just met. She came up to stand next to the girl but spoke directly to Zander.

“I’ll be with her the entire time,” she reassured him.

He looked into her eyes and that current of electricity was there. It was real and it was strong. Zander finally nodded. “Thank you.”

“Hey, I’m not a child!” Lizetta grumbled.

“Come on, I just want a chance to check out these cottages. I knew they had been building something, but I haven’t had a chance to see it finished.”

Lizetta nodded at her and walked with her, taking the stone pathway around the side of the two-story council building.

“I think you’re going to enjoy being in the village. The people are a bit shy, but they’re all good at heart.”

“Will they be afraid of me? I look different. I haven’t seen anyone but my own people with this coloring.”

HonORa placed a hand on her shoulder. The girl didn’t flinch this time; she was getting used to touch again, which was a good sign. “Everyone here is different. The virus the Morins had launched on the Katieran people decades ago mutated most of their people. There were mutated people on Katiera, Kiljor, and in the Colonial prime city of the Colony have suffered the mutations. This village has some of the most extreme.”

“Extreme? As in dangerous?” Lizetta asked worriedly.

“Anyone could be dangerous. What I meant was that their uniqueness is hard for others to get used to. Did you notice ZenIM’s eyes?”

“Yes, he has one blue and one brown. I’ve never seen that with all the different people I have encountered so far.”

 “Exactly, that’s part of his mutation. I don’t know all of his abilities, but his sight is more advanced. He can see in the dark like it’s daylight. He can even see heat signatures. Everyone in this village has a mutation rarely seen before. They feel out of place in the Colonial prime city. Here, they can be themselves without worrying that others will judge them or fear them.”

“Since I’m probably the most unique in appearance, I guess I’ll fit right in then.”

“The villagers will welcome you and Zander. They worked hard to make sure that the Morinians and you two are well protected and that you all will feel safe. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself followed by the females and young. They are very curious and you’re beautiful. Your brother may have a difficult time keeping the boys from following you around, too.”

“I’m not interested in boys.”

The way she said it so forcefully made the warning bells go off in HonORa’s mind. Glancing down at the female, she noticed that the girl’s usual aura of silver, pink, and green was swirled with a light brown color. The girl had confidence issues and was definitely suppressing darker emotions. HonORa said a silent prayer to the goddess to comfort the girl. She was holding everything in, letting it build up inside, until eventually one day it would come out in some way. HonORa wanted to be there to help in any way that she could.