"I will speak with the female," he announced in Kaliszian, as he walked toward the group.
"What's he saying?" Jen asked, pulling her hood down lower.
"He wants to talk to me. Stay here." Rising, Mac weaved her way through the guys that were closing ranks around them, not knowing what was going on. "It's okay, guys," she spoke in English, knowing only they would understand. "He wants to talk to me and no, he can't understand anything you say in English."
"He's an asshole, Mac," Paul informed her from the back.
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied, then stepped out and faced the Kaliszian Warrior that had stopped in front of them.
Parlan didn't know what he expected, but it wasn't the beautiful creature that stepped out from behind the gray wall of capes. She was exquisite, if slightly strange looking. Waves of dark, multicolored hair flowed loosely around her face. He'd never seen a female's hair loose before, as Kaliszian females always restrained theirs with a clip and it was braided. She wore what appeared to be a storm covering, and it conformed to a body that while thinner than what he liked, still had his shaft stirring with interest.
"Who are you?" Mac demanded.
Her question had him pulling his gaze from where her covering ended, to find brown eyes staring at him defiantly. Good, he liked a female that fought. He enjoyed making her submit to his wishes. "I am Elite Warrior Parlan Spada. I am the warrior General Rayner felt most trustworthy to see to you and your people."
Mac just stared at the male speaking to her in an oily voice. She didn't like the way his gaze traveled over her. It made her feel like she needed another shower.
When she didn't immediately respond, he frowned. "You do understand Kaliszian, don't you?" Parlan demanded. "Aren't you able to speak it?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Then give me your name!" he demanded.
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why? Your species does have individual names, don't they?" he asked snidely.
"Yes."
"Then what is yours?" Parlan demanded again.
"Why do you want to know?" Mac continued to question.
"Because I have been put in charge of you," he told her smugly.
"You think you are in charge of me?" Mac raised an expressive eyebrow at him.
"Yes."
"That is an untruth, Parlan!" Nikhil roared, storming into the area followed by Onp and Nroa. He'd been enraged when Onp had contacted him to say Parlan was demanding to speak to the Earth female. He hadn't even taken the time to explain himself to Treyvon as he rushed to his Mackenzie's side. He did not trust why Parlan was demanding to see her. "How dare you try to deceive my True Mate!"
"Nikhil," Mac cried out, gratefully taking the hand he held out to her. She hadn't realized how truly uneasy Parlan had made her, not until she felt the security of Nikhil's embrace.
"You are safe, Little One, as I vowed you would be," Nikhil reassured her, pulling her close.
"True Mate?" Parlan, as far as Mac was concerned, gave a bad impersonation of confusion.
"You are saying you did not see this?" Nikhil lifted the strand of her hair that held his True Mate bead.
"Of course I didn't, Squad Leader," Parlan denied. "Had I seen it, I never would have approached her. As your... True Mate is not Kaliszian, perhaps you should instruct her on what is the proper conduct for one. Obviously she isn't intelligent enough to know."
"Why you...” Nikhil moved her behind him, stopping her from saying more, as did the sound of him pulling out the sword strapped to his back. Onp and Nroa moved in to flank her, silently letting Nikhil know that they would protect her.
"You dare to insult my True Mate, Warrior Parlan?!!" Nikhil growled lowly, pointing his sword at Parlan.
Parlan took a startled step back, unable to believe Nikhil had reacted so strongly to his words, and frantically reached behind him searching for the hilt of his sword. There was no way he could not respond to Nikhil's challenge, for Elite Warriors did not back down.
"Squad Leader! What in the name of the Goddess is going on?!!" Treyvon's question echoed in the room full of silent observers, having followed Nikhil from the training field.
"Warrior Parlan has not only insulted my True Mate but has tried to deceive her," Nikhil replied lowly, never taking his gaze off of Parlan.
"Warrior Parlan, is this truth?" Treyvon demanded.
"I merely stated that perhaps she should be instructed on the proper conduct of a True Mate."
"Sheath your sword, Squad Leader," Treyvon only addressed Nikhil as Parlan was never able to draw his, and waited until Nikhil did before turning his attention to Parlan. "Now tell me, Parlan, how would you know what the proper conduct is for a True Mate? Do you have one no one knows about?" Treyvon questioned.