Page 87 of Condemned

“Continuing on with this,” Takk reminded them. “I propose we wait a month. Tight security. No letting Avalon out of our sight, off the farms, or anywhere near strangers. No telling anyone we have a human mate, ever, really. It is what it is. You’d be almost a prisoner here, is that what you want? Going anywhere with her, at any time in the future, would require a disguise. This secret can still get us imprisoned by our government or killed by yours.”

She shrugged. “Stay on your farm? Disguises? Those parts, I can bear.”

Going back to Montague would be a death sentence. And if she remained here, she would not take chances that might cause them harm.

“Fookin’ crap.” Kon shook his head, kicked a rock off road. “You’re right. Always were, Takk. I’m not sorry though. Family is exactly what I want. Even if I die tomorrow, because I know how short life can be.” His voice sounded as if it’d cracked in a few places.

Ava recalled his wife had died in raids by her own people, make that by humans. She loosened herself from Zo’s hold and went to Kon, hugged him and stayed beside him. When she rested her head on his side, he sneaked his arm around her, found her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.

“Thank you.” He hugged her with a quick squeeze.

“Okay. Are we agreed?” Takk raised his voice. “A month here. See if danger follows us. If it does, I think we need to scamper back over the mountains. We could find work.”

“Sure.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Avalon nodded too, though worry was still gnawing at her. “Yes.”

Snaar was the only mauleon kingdom that she knew of on the planet, but it was huge. She could see the point. It should be possible to hide. Hopefully. She stared at the ground under her boots.

“Mount up. Let’s get down there.” With that, Takk ended the meeting. “Riding with Kon?”

She nodded.

“Did any of you notice our follower?” Timin extended his arm, pointing down the road they’d come along.

“I did, just now.” Zo was also staring at the distant trotting figure.

“What the stars...” Kondio sounded as stunned as she was. “Is that the, you-know?”

“Yes, the fucking machine from the temple,” Takk filled in.

Nibbles had found them, and he was riding atop what Avalon preferred to call the love-bot—its gangly metal legs were running somewhat strangely, lopsided almost, kicking up road dust.

“Wonder if it’d do the harvesting?” Kon scratched at his chin.

She was more concerned with it possibly deciding to breed with some of his farm animals. Though it appeared to have lost the black dildo on the end of its apparatus.

A definite improvement.