Page 4 of Rook Takes Queen
The comforting warmth of the hallway covers me the second I cross the threshold. Three days of hiding and eating only snacks, my first use of a transporter in order to travel to this mysterious mining planet, then a long, wet walk through a rainstorm to the edge of town… I suppose this would drain anyone.
And now I’ve finally reached my destination.
My body wants to fold straight down onto the floor and give up.
But then I remind myself I’ve come a long way and the last thing I’m going to do is give up now, not when I’m so closeto implementing my plan to take down those arrogant, greedy assholes on Chronos.
I clutch my bag against my chest and let the ridiculously handsome Margol Xylan who opened the front door guide me down the hallway, his claw hovering at my back without quite touching me. There’s something about this particular male that causes my normally untrustworthy nature to relax and accept his words of safety, as both sincere and true.
Maybe it’s because I’ve already noted that half the beings living in this structure are humans. Smiling human women, most with small children.
This is surprising, and also good… but this is also bad.
I came here expecting a crew of hard males who might help me fight the illegality I’ve uncovered. I did not expect this loud, overflowing house full of happy humans and darling children.
What if I’ve brought danger to all of them?
Dammit.
I push the thought down. One problem at a time.
I’m offered a seat at the end of a long table in the dining room. The handsome Xylan introduces himself to me and I let him know my real, legal name in return.
The entire room is crowded with a large group of Xylan males. Because of my years spent on Chronos, I feel immediately comfortable around them. I also find them endlessly fascinating—these are the honorable and famous Illibrium miners. Some of the only beings in the universe Illibrium has bonded with to such a degree that they are allowed to mine the rare crystals that power the largest energy systems across the four sectors.
Questions start the moment I have a bowl of soup in my hands.
“My name is Jana,” a beautiful woman with long brown hair offers as she sits nearby. “Is it okay if I call you Hallie?”
“Yes,” I respond, smiling as I’m also given a cup of traq with lots of sweetener. In moments I’m warm, my wet jacket is gone, a blanket is around me and I’ve got food. Already, I feel like I can think clearer. “It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her and then look around at all the eager faces. “Thank you, thank you all for this. I appreciate you welcoming me in, despite the fact that I’m a stranger.”
“We would always welcome someone in from the cold and the rain,” one of the males responds. “But also, I have to admit I’m immediately intrigued by the fact that you said you were sent here with a message for us.”
“Well,” I clarify. “I’m the one who has a message for you, I did research and discovered that you were probably the beings on this planet who would be the most receptive towards what I have to say and the most helpful.”
“Where did you come from?” A Xylan with a scar on his face suddenly questions.
Maxon shakes his head. “Hallie,” he tells me, “We all have a lot of questions for you. But before you start answering, I want you to keep eating your soup. You need nourishment first, and then you will have strength to tell us what is needed. First let me introduce you to everyone, so you’ll feel more comfortable. You won’t remember all names right away, but it will be a start.”
I nod in gratitude. “Thank you, that would be great. I do want to answer questions…it’s literally why I’m here, to pass information along to you and see about getting help.”
“You will, soon. But eat first.”
I smile and start eagerly digging into the tasty soup and slice of bread.
“All of these males here, in this room, are members of the Fever Brothers mining crew. Almost all of the crew is here tonight, except for our eldest brother, Daxon, who was long ago banished off planet.” He points. “I’m going to introduce you toeveryone by their crew names. That is how we are known on Timbur, in the mine and out of it.”
I nod, letting him know I’m listening.
He gestures first to the male at the head of the table. “That’s Chief. He leads our crew, he oversees the whole operation down in the mine, every shift and every seam, keeps us safe and works with the mining techs. The female sitting next to him is his bride, Naomi.” His claw moves down the table. “Hook, Claws, Cannibal, and myself, we’re the drillers. We cut the new shafts through the rock and follow the seams down into the deep.” He points them out one by one. “Hook’s bride is Leah, the very first human to come to us. Claws is the tallest of us; his bride is Lila. And Cannibal, his bride is Roxy. And those two are Heavy and Trunk, they are our blasters. They set the charges and read the rock for where it’ll fall. Heavy’s bride is Jana, who’s already decided she’s in charge of you.”
Jana flashes a bright smile.
“Trunk’s bride is Ines.” His voice drops a little as he gestures to the scarred male who’s been watching me all night. “And that’s Scar. Down in the mine he handles the debris, clears what the rest of us break loose. But above ground he’s the one who keeps the crew’s intel, the surveys, the maps, the records, every secret the mine and the colony hold. He’s the reason we’re still alive to sit at this table.”
Then, last, he touches his own chest. “And my crew name is Rook. The youngest driller. I also keep the watch.” He’s about to go on, I can see him gearing up to explain something, his expression turning thoughtful, and he scratches the back of his neck. “I should also tell you. It’s a little unusual, what you’re seeing here. For all of us to be mated to humans. Xylan don’t usually?—”
“Oh, it’sbizarre,” Jana cuts in, laughing. “The whole colony thinks they’re out of their minds.”
