Dysfunctional
1271 Words
We all sat down at a large round table, that too, was decorated and painted an assortment of blues and golds. I tried to sit as close to the brother as I could without looking suspicious, but Keldon placed me at the set right next to him, and then placed the brothers on his other side. Completely isolating me away, maybe that’s exactly what he wanted.
“So, how’s the Kaja military treating you boys? Getting tired of it yet?” Keldon’s low husky voice made me uncomfortable.
Koryn shrugged a little. “I got a promotion recently, finally got off the warship. I’m stationed in the Heta, the Circle City market. Kit’s promotion landed him a cushiony deal watching over the Complex, that where the humans live.”
Chief Keldon nodded. “The market’s? That doesn’t sound like a promotion, sounds more like a demotion. With your aptitude for fighting and talent for never missing your target with a gun you would think that they would want you on some carrier.”
“I didn’t re-enlist for a combat role. I enlisted for a position here on Kaja, I’m tired of being on those confined ships. I can do other things besides kill, father.” Koryn said as he let out a slow, very controlled breath.
He was upset, and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse from here.
“Like what, son? What else are you worth?” Keldon scoffed.
Here it is, I thought. This is what the boys were warning me about. It was like Keldon had multiple personalities. He was nice and calm one moment, and then vicious and combative at the next. I tried my best to remain as emotionless on the outside as I could manage.
“I’m worth something. There is something that I know makes me worth the world, and that’s all I need.” Koryn said as he smirked.
Good boy, I thought. Stand up to him, you are more powerful than he is. You’re a revered soldier who’s men love you. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.
Keldon sat back in his chair. “At least you have a spine, unlike your little brother. He was in the research division. Wasn’t even really a soldier. Tell me Kit, what work did you do that was so important that you rather stay there instead of coming home?”
“My work with the humans. It’s considered high priority, and maintaining the balance between the Kaji in Circle City and the human ‘s Complex is more important than anything I have ever done. I’m one of the only Kaja that’s even allowed to step foot inside the Complex.” Kit said proudly, making me want to smile.
Keldon on the other hand rolled his eyes. “Speaking of the human’s, how are you liking it here on Kaja?”
Surprised on his change of questioning I smiled a little. “I love it here.”
He wasn’t pleased with my short and to the point answer. “May I ask, why are you and your people even here on this planet to begin with?”
Both Koryn and Kit tensed, but I never faltered. “Oh, that’s an easy question. Your people abducted my plane when I was trying to fly to Russia. We were just trying to go about our business, but here we are, on Kaja.”
Keldon look bother irritated and amused that I stood up against him. “I’m sorry to hear that, but maybe it was for the best. Kaja could use more beauties like you on it.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you, sir.”
“Father, why are we here?” Koryn interrupted. His annoyance visible in his eyes. “We were supposed to be in Velium, but we got a call from High Command to come here instead. It can’t just be for a social visit.”
Keldon shrugged. “I’ll admit, my calling your commanding officer was mostly for selfish reasons. There is a Kaji going around breaking into homes and violating some of our female tribesman, but I’m hoping it will resolve soon.”
“What do you mean by that?” Kit asked as he raised an eyebrow.
“I’m hoping he stops soon, I would hate to have to execute a tribesman.” Keldon said as if he was talking about something trivial like milk, not the security of his female Kaji.
I wanted to say something so bad. How dare he act as if his females are nothing. How long has this guy been going around breaking into homes and raping people? He acted as if it was a common occurrence. This was something I was going to look into it if the brothers did not.
“You have seriously not taken care of something like this? How many of our people have been violated because of your lack of investigation?” Koryn growled, his anger bubbling up.
Keldon leaned forward to be right in Koryn’s face. “I will do what I see fit since my selfish, worthless son won’t take over for me. The bastard will be caught when you take over for Chief and find him out. How about that, son?”
“You can’t be serious?” Kit interjected. “That will be years, if not ever.”
Keldon shrugged as he stood up out of his chair. “So be it. I’m going to go check up on something, please be back in time for dinner. We will be feasting with some of the local business owners. Do not be late, and please look presentable.”
With that said, the Chief turned and left the room.
My eyes were already on the brothers, and how I wanted to rush over there to love on them both, but I didn’t know if it was safe to do so. Instead, I rubbed against Koryn’s foot with mine, getting him to look up at me.
“Are you okay?” I mouthed to him.
He nodded. “I’m used to it, Milady.”
I sighed. “He is wrong.”
“About what?” Kit asked quietly.
“About everything.” I whispered. “I don’t give a s**t what he says. Neither of you are worthless, your worth everything to me. Are we going to find out who the Kaji is hurting all these women?”
Kit nodded. “We will, but Keldon can’t find out about it.”
Koryn sighed. “Right now, I’m more worried about you, Milady.”
I watched Kit nod his agreeance and I raised an eyebrow. “Why? What do you know that I don’t?”
“Our father has taken quite a liking to you.” Kit said as he rubbed his face. “I can’t wait till tomorrow.”
Koryn groaned as he got to his feet. “Want to walk around the tribe and see where we grew up?”
“Of course!” I said excitedly, hopping to my feet and following behind the brothers like a lost puppy who just found its owners
- Writer
