You Don't Belong Here

Chapter Sixty One

Dhadtoudi sauntered along the sidewalk of the large human city with Brielle at her side. They walked with interlocked arms, their hands tucked into their jacket pockets to shield their fingers from the frigid air. The two large mirages moving atop the buildings easily kept pace with the women as they approached the human dwelling known as an apartment.

The two women made their way up the winding staircase before entering the dwelling on the top floor, and Dhadtoudi moved to open a window on the far wall. A moment later a heavy thud resounded from the fire escape as the larger of the two mirages landed in front of her. She backed out of the way to allow them entry through the square opening, and T'ahrou deactivated his cloaking device as he stepped closer to Dhadtoudi.

The male brushed his mandibles across her forehead as he often did to show affection to the woman as his large arms wrapped around her waist. O'kaor had already retreated to one of the bedrooms with his own female, so they were left in privacy for the time being.

"Do you prefer it here, dearest one?"

Dhadtoudi offered him a sad smile. "Prefer it? No. Enjoy it? Yes. O'kaor's mate has helped me find some joy in the Ooman civilization...but I do not prefer it over our home. I miss your family, our friends, and I especially miss Nracha-dte." T'ahrou laughed at the mention of the defective hellhound. Dhadtoudi had always been partial to that creature though he had often suggested she execute it since it would not serve its purpose as a reliable tracker during hunts.

"Ath-Meye sends her regards. My mother was quite fond of you despite your heritage."

"Do you mean 'fond' or 'fascinated'?"

"Can it not be both?" Dhadtoudi raised a curious brow at him and he let loose a rumbling chuckle. "Worry not, little one. You found favor in her eyes regardless."

A sharp stinging sensation erupted in her arm, but she ignored it. "Naxa tells me of a frozen body of water which the Oomans dance on by using specialty boots. She says it is a festive tradition to do so. I wish to participate,T'ahrou." He clicked in amused confusion but Dhadtoudi continued. "She showed me images. Recordings. It looks delightful and I wish to participate."

He flexed his mandibles before patting the woman atop her head. "Very well. If you wish to do so, you may. I will accompany you to the body of water and watch from afar. We will return to the dwelling when you are ready. Agreed?" She nodded with a bright smile spreading across her pink lips.

A fiery heat radiated from the painful spot on her arm and began to spread throughout her body.

"T'ahrou, I do not feel well."

"Are you ill?"

I...I do not know. My body hurts."

"Dhadtoudi..." Brielle's voice called from the other room.

"It hurts, T'ahrou. I want it to stop."

"Dhadtoudi..!" Brielle called her again and for a split second she looked towards the smaller woman's bedroom.

"Do you wish me to contact Aytu? Perhaps he will have an idea of what to do." Dhadtoudi shook her head at her mate's suggestion. There was no sense in calling the healer when he was several light years away.

"Dhadtoudi! Wake up! Get off your ass!"
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Dhadtoudi's eyes fluttered open as she looked around for the source of her name. She was lying on the floor, and Brielle was kneeling beside her. O'kaor was on the other side of the lab trying to hack into the human computing device, and T'ahrou was a few feet away from him strapping himself into his armor.

"What is this?"

"We're in a different part of the lab than you were before. O'kaor is trying to find a way for us to leave."

"My body burns..."

"It's the healing serum. They cut into your stomach but I repaired it. We used the serum on you to expedite the healing process so you would be able to move freely on your own."

Dhadtoudi nodded her thanks as she leaned up to place her weight on her elbows. Her muscles screamed at her but she continued until she was in a seated position. "You betrayed us."

"I did not. I tried to help but I was deceived."

"I said all along the Oomans were not to be trusted they are a traitorous, conniving species. They will do whatever they deem to be necessary to achieve their heinous and immoral goals."

Brielle bit her tongue to keep from arguing with, and consequently enraging Dhadtoudi. Instead she helped the woman to her feet so she could join her mate as he readied himself for battle with the unsuspecting humans. "For once...I think you were right..." The admission came as little more than an outward thought as she whispered the words to herself as she watched Dhadtoudi remove the bandages from her abdomen to reveal a large, jagged scar across her lower stomach.