Zonaton (11 page)

            She saw him lift his wings, and knew what was coming next. She didn't have enough time to seek cover when the geron shook himself, sending droplets of water flying everywhere. Emmala shrieked as the cold liquid came in contact with her bare skin. "You did that on purpose!" she accused with a grin, wiping droplets from her face.

           
Yes, I did. What do you intend on doing about it?

           
Laughing joyfully, she jumped up and ran over to him to throw her arms around his damp neck. Squeezing hard, she planted kisses all over the side of his beak.

            "I'm going to hold on to you until you beg for me to release you."

            She wasn't prepared for the solemn gaze he gave her, or his reply.

           
Then you will never let me go, because I will never want you to.

           
It was a moment she would always remember.

Akrim

           
Why was I summoned here?

            Because we sense you are coming to the end of this life, Zonaton. Furthermore, we have not seen any preparations coming from you.

           
He stared in shock and disbelief at the Elders' pronouncement.
I must disagree with you. Why must I make preparations when I have not felt any of the signs which point to it?

            We must disagree with you. The signs are there. We have seen them. But we took into consideration that you may not have been aware of them because of your involvement with the human. Or, if you are aware of them, we thought you have either denied them or ignored them. That is why we called you here. To see if you are aware, and if not, to notify you so that you have enough time to make your final plans.

           
Zonaton stood straighter. Fear made his inner muscles tremble.
Tell me what signs you have observed that I have missed.
He knew his voice would betray his rising panic, and make it seem as if he was trying to order the Elders about. But it couldn't be helped. Furthermore, he had a sneaking suspicion about the Elders' motive in telling him. He knew their concern about the Paired had escalated ever since Emmala's parents accused him of attacking the mother. He could only thank the heavens that they could not read his mind. Otherwise, they would know of his attraction to her, and that could cause indescribable problems.
Tell me that you have not called me here to tell me of my upcoming death because it will mean the end of my Pairing with Emmala.

           
The Elder gerons paused, and their hesitation was the true answer.

           
You are looking for a way to separate me from Emmala.
He did not hold back his anger in the accusation.
You have been negative about our Pairing since its inception because you are afraid of the humans!

            We do not fear the humans. We are afraid of what our future will be if the humans break their barriers and travel to the other side of the planet. If they manage to discover our other lives—

            What if they do?

           
One of the oldest gerons limped forward to face Zonaton.
You knew you were taking a huge risk Pairing with the human female at your advanced age. You knew there was the chance you could pass over before her own death.

            That I did, Akrim. But humans would not understand about our passing. They do not have a second life. They have only the one, short as it is, compared to ours.

           
Laying a hand on Zonaton's shoulder, Akrim's lavender eyes bespoke of his pity and sorrow.
Then you know you cannot take her with you when you pass over.

           
Although he had known it, Zonaton had never said it aloud, or even dwelled on it. It was too painful to consider, too heartbreaking to accept. Drooping his head, he sighed.
I am aware of that. I have been aware of that for quite some time.

            Eventually, once you are gone, she will have to return to her own people.

           
His head jerked up.
No.

            Zonaton, she cannot survive up in the mountains alone.

            And I said no! I will not allow those humans to treat her with such callous disregard again. I promised her I would protect her.

           
For the rest of your days,
Akrim acknowledged.
Unfortunately, you are reaching that point when you will have no choice but to abandon her.

            No! I will find a way. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it
.
An errant thought passed through his mind.
Perhaps another geron will Pair with her.
It was not an idea he liked, but anything would be better than having Emmala returned to her mother.

           
That is not possible
,
the First Elder argued.

           
Why not?

            No one will want her, considering the trouble already being instigated throughout the villages.

           
Then perhaps another Paired geron will take her.
He knew he was grasping at air. Once he left this life, Emmala would have no other choice but to return to her own kind.
Her own kind.
Zonaton winced. Her kind was not kind. Nor were they patient, understanding, or generous. Yes, they touted they had all of those virtues, and swore they upheld them, but by their actions alone the humans had proven time and again they could not be trusted.

            Akrim's words echoed in his ears
.
You cannot take her with you when you pass over.

           
But what if...

           
I understand I cannot bring her with me to my second life. But what if I choose to depart my second life, and return to her?

           
The gerons appeared confused. They traded questioning looks with each other before turning back to him.
What do you mean by returning to her?

           
Exactly what I said. What if I denounce my second life, and choose to spend it with her?

            You mean, with the humans? Among the humans?

            Zonaton, you will have no power in your second life,
Akrim reminded him.

           
So I have been told.

            You will be a weakling. Wingless. Formless.

            Zonaton.
The First Elder stepped closer.
Once you go to your second life, you will have no memory of her. You will be renewed.

           
Zonaton clenched his fists. He knew that, too. He knew what to expect in his second life. All gerons were taught what could and will occur after they died. He knew he would change, and how much.

           
Zonaton.
Akrim moved closer until their bodies nearly touched.
We know how deeply you care for this human. It happens between all Pairs.

           
Not like this,
he argued.
I love her.

           
Love is a human emotion
, the other Elder snapped.

           
Then it must be a disease I've caught from her,
Zonaton barked back
.
I love her, and I cannot stop, or slow down, or ignore this emotion. I cannot leave her. I gave her my word.

           
Neither can you stop, slow down, or ignore the inevitable
, Akrim gently reminded him.
You will die. You will be reborn into your new life, with no knowledge of your past life with us, or with her.

            But I will know what I used to be,
Zonaton stated.

           
From what we have learned in the past, that is true,
Akrim acknowledged.
But once you are reborn, the details of the life you once led will be permanently erased from your mind.

            Zonaton turned and took a few steps away from the Elders. With his back to them, he lowered his head.
How much longer do you think I have left?

           
Six cologs. At least six, but no more.

            Six cologs. Roughly six days. Zonaton closed his eyes as he felt his heart tearing apart.
I am going to tell Emmala.

           
Zonaton, you cannot reveal to her any information about your second life.

            It was an order. An order he was not allowed to argue or refuse.

            But he had to.

            An earlier thought came to him. His mental reminder to himself.

           
I have been keeping a close watch on the miners. Something is not right with them.  I cannot explain why or how, but it is enough to raise my level of concern.

            Akrim tilted his head.
Explain.

           
For one, I have not seen any activity coming from the aliens, although they have been here now for several days. There is no evidence of rock sampling. No exploration. Nothing. Their tracks do not go beyond a few meters from their ship.
He gave his head a shake to show his distress.
Furthermore, their ship...

           
What about their ship?

            I do not believe it is a mining ship.

            What makes you believe that?

           
Its configuration. From above, it appears to be divided into sections, as though it is actually several smaller ships joined to form a larger whole.

           
The concern in the Elders' eyes was noticeable.
Thank you for bringing us that knowledge. We will continue to keep a diligent watch on it.

            I will make certain to double up assignments to keep it under close observation,
Akrim noted.

            A third Elder approached, one Zonaton had not met before.
There is something else you need to do before your days are over. The villagers are demanding an accounting of the attack you made on the woman.

            I repeat, I did not attack her.

            Regardless, the villagers need to hear your side of this. You need to face your accuser and, if what you say is true, see if you can make the woman recant her accusation. Therefore, it is the decision of the Elders that you go to the village and straighten out this misunderstanding before it grows and festers, and turns the humans against us to the point where we will have no other alternative but to destroy them.

            Why not wait until my life here is over? Then you can tell them I am dead.

            This situation may not remain stable until your end,
Akrim noted.
The situation has grown to the point where we must take action now.

            And if I cannot change their minds?

           
Akrim's eyes clouded over with regret.
Try, Zonaton. At least you can try. We are setting up a meeting with them now. Come back tomorrow and I will give you the details.

            Giving the Elders a barely perceptible nod, Zonaton launched himself into the air.

Chapter Sixteen

The Attempt

            Although her main purpose was to meet with Hawse again, Emmala took along her gathering pouch to collect the last of the plunderberries. Zonaton touched down at the exact place where she had been the day before to drop her off. As she always did, she gave his neck a little hug before he left.

            "Will you be long?"

           
I do not know. I am sensing changes with the miners, and I am going to try to get closer to see if I can spot anything significant. But I will come if you need me.

           
Running his talons gently through her long, dark hair, he stared down at her with golden eyes. She half expected him to comment further, but he turned and lifted off with strong downward strokes of his wings. She watched his figure grow smaller as he vanished toward the mountains, until a voice from behind startled her.

            "I really didn't think you'd return."

            She smiled over her shoulder at the young man. "I keep my word."

            "Did it take you long? I mean, does it take a long time to get here from where you live?" He cocked his head. "You live in the mountains, right?"

            "Yes." She adjusted the pouch's strap on her shoulder. "But it didn't take me long. Zon brought me."