Page 53 of Mated to the Vikings

Neither Brexin nor Erik said anything.

Steen shook his head before taking long strides as he walked toward the door, stopping only briefly. “Brexin, you have one hour to plan a course of action for our soldiers. Report to Klar when you’ve finished. Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we begin final preparations.” He threw open the door.

“Are there other hybrids alive or was that an elaborate lie?” I shot out, not caring what punishment I might receive in addition.

His shoulders rising and falling, Steen lowered his head. “They are alive.”

As he walked out, his heavy footsteps echoing, I could swear I heard two damning words muttered under his breath.

“For now.”

CHAPTER 10

Erik

“What is Steen hiding?” My tone was gruff, my patience worn thin. Steen was a powerful man, capable of violence on several levels. He was far too guarded to be as concerned as he should be about another attack.

“He’s not hiding anything. He was kept locked away in a basic prison for almost weeks along with our second in command. How could he be hiding anything?” Brexin retorted as he burst through the door of another building, one I’d yet to see. “Need I remind you of that?”

I was surprised at Brexin’s sudden change in demeanor, no longer the happy-go-lucky Galerian who’d fought by my side. I could tell how much he already cared for Cassia. I scanned the perimeter, impressed with the surroundings as well as the equipment flanking the walls. The various consoles held the appearance of a warship instead of a direct communication link with the other clans. Another red flag. “How are you communicating with the other cities?”

He glared at me before walking toward one of the larger consoles. “When our ships were forced down, we were able to salvage some of our navigation and radio equipment, piecing them together. They enable us to maintain contact as necessary.”

“How many Galerians live on this planet?”

Brexin didn’t answer for several seconds as he concentrated on the switches, his hands moving quickly. “What are you afraid of, Erik the Viking?” Snorting, he shot me an amused look. “What our little human calls you, at least according to Dak. I believe I heard that in the cave as well.”

I ignored him, walking closer. “What I’m concerned about is sabotage. We have no way of knowing what the humans can and will do.”

When he didn’t challenge me or throw a punch, I could tell he had his own fears.

“I no longer know the numbers, Erik. I do know that hundreds have died in the last ten years.”

“Old age.”

“I’ve been told that is the case.”

“But you don’t believe the story.” I inched closer, lifting an eyebrow. “What are they dying of?”

“There have been predatory attacks from animals and some have died from old age.” He shot a glance toward the door. “But I’ve seen some of my fallen brethren. They were… very sick. Then they disappeared.”

“What kind of sickness?”

“A terrible disease.” He shook his head. “I’m not a doctor, just a soldier, but I’ve seen the effects before.”

“What are you talking about?”

Brexin paced the floor. “On our planet. Once they acquired the disease, it was like they turned into animals, predators killing indiscriminately. I do remember that hundreds were locked away in our own prisons, although we were told a cure had been found. Then we heard nothing.”

“Interesting.” I wasn’t certain what the information could mean. “The disease followed you here, which could mean it’s carried in your… genes.”

“Maybe. You’ll have to ask Steen.” His hand was shaking.

“I don’t think he’ll divulge that kind of information, Brexin.” Secrets. Both species had them.

“I’ve known Steen since I was a boy on the real Galerius. He was and is a masterful leader in many ways. He cares for our people and would fight to the death. Oddly enough, he wasn’t supposed to be commanding one of the ships, but our government required him to, a change in plans.” Brexin took a step away from the consoles. “Everything about this trip was considered top secret and I wasn’t privy to the information.”

“Was that different than normal?”