Page 6 of Jaider’s Desire

“I know nothing,” I answered truthfully.

“Not even a name or where on Earth she is from?” he probed further.

“Nothing.”

“Then go find out. We need to know as much as possible about this human before our enemy learns the truth of our people,” he ordered. “I want you to speak with one of the females with her, and find out all she knows.”

As soon as he said it, the human female I rescued earlier popped into my mind. Damn it. I would to have to speak with her after she called me a coward for not pursuing her missing friend. I could already imagine her reveling in the fact I suddenly showed I cared now.

I sucked it up and nodded, bowing my head slightly in a show of respect.

“Yes, Father. I will gather the information and report back to you.”

“Speaking of humans…,” he trailed off, and I closed my eyes, already knowing where this was going. “Have you thought more about what we spoke of in our last meeting?” he asked, turning to me and putting a hand on my shoulder.

“I have, and my answer is the same,” I answered, annoyed he is still badgering me about it.

“Jaider, you must mate with a human female and take her as a wife,” he pleaded.

“No, I refuse. I have told you already I intend to take a Revian female as my wife,” I told him.

“No, you cannot. You must create offspring. All Revian women on Harpo are barren, and you know that. I will not have you contribute to the extinction of our race. You need to create offspring with a human to help guarantee our survival. I have ensured it,” he said, and my eyes widened.

“Ensured it?” I repeated. “What do you mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him and filling up with dread. I doubt I was going to like his answer.

“I have already put in a request for a human mate for you to the Council,” he said, shrugging as if it was no big deal. “You are a Commander now Jaider, and because of that, they will be approving it very soon.”

“Father! How could you do such a thing?!” I cried. “I will refuse her. I am marrying a Revian. You and the Council will have to deal with that,” I spat, storming out of his room.

I was beyond angry. He didn’t control me! I don’t want a human. I want a Revian woman! They are all I know, and there is no one else in the galaxies for me. We had been having the same argument for an entire year, and I was tired of it.

I would be with a Revian woman of my choosing, and I didn’t care what I had to do in order to secure it.

Our females were in the best of health, except for contracting a virus that made them barren. After almost fifteen years of trying everything we could to cure them, we had no other choice but to turn to another species to continue our existence—humans.

But I was not ready to give up and go that route. I love my people and our women, and I was going to be with one no matter what.

I was ready to take out my anger—too bad for that human female.

***

“Unlock the door. I’m here to question one of the humans,” I ordered to a guard standing outside the building. He unlocked the door, and I poked my head inside, looking around until I finally spotted her.

“You,” I said, and she raised a delicate eyebrow. “Come with me,” I ordered, standing in the doorway. She crossed her arms and huffed.

“I have a name, you know,” she said, and I gritted my teeth to keep myself from snapping.

“Alright, what is your name?” I asked, playing along.

“Molly Sandrian,” she answered.

“Molly Sandrian, come with me,” I said, and she tilted her head.

“Where are we going?” she asked, and I growled, nearing my limit.

“Do not ask questions and just come with me now,” I ordered, annoyed by her never-ending queries and willful defiance.

“Fine,” she grumbled, following me out the door. I grabbed her arm and led her across the village to an outside meeting area in the courtyard where I could question her.