Chapter Twenty-Seven
The next few days passed for Izzie in a daze of happily mated bliss until Njkall appeared at the entrance to their cave, looking unusually grim.
“What’s wrong?” Baralt asked immediately.
“A stranger has arrived in Port Eyeja.” Several Hothians were once again living in Port Eyeja, and they kept in touch with Njkall. “He is asking for you. For both of you.”
Terror surged through Izzie’s veins. “Relkhei?” she whispered.
“He would not come himself,” Baralt assured her. “But it could be someone he sent. Has he offered a reward?”
“No. He told Wadalt to ‘get his ass in gear’ and send a message to you.” A half smile crossed Njkall’s face. “I must admit that would be an unusual approach for a bounty hunter.”
“What did he look like?” Baralt asked.
“Very large. A naked skin with many scars.”
“Varga?” she asked as Baralt grinned.
“I don’t know any other Sorvids who would come looking for me. Shall we go see him?”
“You’re sure it’s all right to go into town?” After her rush of panic, she hated the idea of leaving the safety of the caves.
“Perhaps it would be best to remain here.” Baralt looked at Njkall. “Would you allow him to visit the caves?”
“I know we have discussed integrating with the rest of the Empire, but I did not expect we would be inviting all of them to our home,” Njkall said dryly.
“It’s only one male,” Izzie said softly. “And if it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be here now. Please?”
Njkall sighed. “Very well. I will send for him.”
“I believe he has a soft spot for you,” Baralt said after the Elder departed.
“He’s very sweet.”
Baralt growled, and she grinned up at him.
“But not as sweet as you, of course.”
A few hours later a heavy knock sounded at the entrance to their home and Izzie jumped, still nervous at the reminder that Relkhei might be searching for her. When Baralt went to answer it, Varga was standing there grinning at them, his scarred turquoise skin a shocking contrast to the white fur of the Hothians. Over his broad shoulders, she could see a number of them staring at the big warrior.
“You’d think they’d never seen a Sorvid before,” Varga muttered as he strode into the cave.
“They haven’t,” Baralt told him. “Most of them haven’t seen any offworlders before. I’m sorry we could not join you in town, but we don’t know yet if Relkhei is pursuing Isabel.”
“He’s not,” Varga said definitively.
“He isn’t?” she asked, her heart pounding. “How do you know?”
“Because shortly after you left, he suffered an…accident. He is no longer among the living.”
“He’s dead?” She swayed dizzily as relief swept over her. Baralt swore and lifted her into his arms despite her protests. “I’m fine. It was just a shock.”
“You should have broken the news more gently.” Baralt frowned at his friend, but Varga just grinned.
“It’s good news. She’ll be fine. Won’t you, Izzie?”
“Of course I will. You can put me down, Baralt.”
Baralt paid no attention, carrying her to the couch and sitting down with her on his lap.
“What happened?” she asked Varga eagerly.
“He fell down a flight of stairs and broke his neck.”
She stared at him. “It seems too easy.”
“Oh, it wasn’t easy.”
“Did you have something to do with it?” Baralt asked.
“Who, me? The video records show that I was safely tucked away in my quarters.” Varga smiled innocently, but she had no doubt that he had been involved.
“Does that mean that I’m safe? That no one is looking for me?”
“Someone is always looking for an attractive female, but no, there’s no bounty on your head. And I heard that Relkhei’s records have been corrupted so that there aren’t any records of his holdings,” Varga added casually, his eyes sparkling. “His heirs have already started fighting it out in court.”
“On Earth, that could go on for years.”
“On Tgesh Tai as well,” Varga assured her.
She sagged against Baralt, a weight she hadn’t even realized was there lifting off her shoulders. She was free, or at least as free as she could be in this strange new universe.
“You are pleased, my aria?” Baralt asked.
“Very pleased. Thank you so much, Varga. I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I am.”
“No need to thank me. I’m just the one bearing the news.”
She didn’t believe him for a moment, but before she could ask any more questions, Zemma came rushing in.
“I heard that an outsider had arrived. Is it—” She came to an abrupt halt as she saw Varga and her face fell. “Oh. I thought for a moment that Strax— Never mind.”
“I’m desolated that I disappointed you.” Varga bowed his head.
“It’s not your fault. But how did you get here? Offworlders aren’t allowed in the caves.”
“Njkall said he could come because it wasn’t safe for me to go to Port Eyeja,” Izzie explained. “But it’s safe now—Relkhei is dead.”
“That’s wonderful.” Zemma had heard all about the fight master, and she looked almost as happy as Izzie felt. “What happened?”
“A mysterious benefactor,” she said dryly, with a meaningful look at Varga.
“This calls for a celebration. Will you join us for a meal?” Zemma asked.
“I would be delighted to join you.”
The males joined them in the kitchen, and the four of them laughed and talked. Varga flirted outrageously with Zemma, and she played along, but Izzie could see the sadness behind her smile. Surely there was something she could do to help her friend.
“I think we should get a house in town,” she announced as they finished their meal.
“You do not like it here any longer?” Baralt asked.
“No, I love it here. But if you are going to be meeting with more people, it might be more convenient to have a place there as well. That is, if we can afford it,” she added quickly.
“I have plenty of credits,” he assured her.
“Good. And perhaps Zemma can come with us. You wouldn’t want to leave her behind now that the
