Freeing Luka: The Clecanian Series Book 2 by Victoria Aveline (readict books TXT) 📕

have at least the beginnings of laws worked out with your contacts, Asivva. I’m afraid if we don’t, and we keep the females hidden here, the other cities will rebel. They will want the chance to visit and mate the females, and some of the more aggressive cities might try and take them by force.”

Rising, the Queen began to pace back and forth near her chair. “This brings me to our final issue. When the world learns of the humans’ existence and what they are capable of, there will be a call for action. Most leaders will want more females brought here.”

Alice was startled when the platinum-blonde sitting next to Luka finally spoke. In a cool voice, she intoned, “And why would we not bring more humans here?”

Alice eyed the pale woman. She was pretty, the way most of the Clecanians tended to be, but her dour expression lessened the effect. So far, she’d been watching the conversation with disinterest. Why had she been invited?

“For many reasons, Vila,” the Queen began. “Their planet is a Class 4 planet and is therefore off limits to us. They are a sentient species and not merely a herd of cethid. We cannot land on their planet and abduct hundreds, if not thousands, of Earthlings. We would need permission to reveal ourselves to the leaders of the planet, and then, we would need to find a way to transport only willing humans. I don’t know much about Earth,” she said, looking at Jade, Alice, and Lucy for support, “but I can assume they wouldn’t take kindly to aliens taking their citizens.”

Alice couldn’t even imagine the worldwide panic that would ensue if not only one group of aliens but galaxies of different alien species were revealed to exist. She inwardly snorted; maybe the leaders of Earth would finally come together for once.

“The fact that humans are Clecanian descendants and can be mated may hold the key to a cure for the people of this planet. Many believe our early interference with natural evolution may be, in part, why we are no longer fertile. Humans have not altered themselves in the same way. Studying their unique genetics could save us all. They may not take kindly to us in the beginning, but they’ll adapt, just as these females have,” Vila said, gesturing to Alice, Jade, and Lucy.

“I agree, but communication and peaceful exchanges are our only answer. We cannot simply take what we want because we can,” the Queen said sternly.

“It’ll happen regardless. You know that,” Vila said quietly, holding eye contact with the Queen.

Alice decided she didn’t care for that woman. She could see where she was coming from, but the way she spoke suggested she’d already made her mind up about how they should handle the humans. Would this woman, Vila, keep the information from this meeting quiet?

“Which is why I appreciate your silence,” the Queen said, reading Alice’s mind. “We need to come up with a plan before individuals start taking matters into their own hands.”

Vila leaned back in her chair and lifted her chin. “I vow you have my silence, for now, but you need to come up with a plan quickly. Mating marks are not something you’re going to be able to keep quiet for long even if the males paint their hands. And if you’re able to rescue females from all of the outposts, word will spread even more quickly.”

The Queen held Vila’s stare. “Do any of the humans present have anything to add?”

Lucy stood, smoothing her long dress. “Hi, I’m Lucy,” she said brightly, smiling around the room. “Personally, I don’t mind being here, but I can say with absolute certainty that no matter how awesome this place is, people are going to freak out when they learn about aliens for the first time. You need to make sure that when you do reveal yourselves, you work on maintaining a certain image. I don’t know if your goal is to bring men here too, but if you just want heterosexual females, then you need to show off the Clecanian men. Also show any happy alien-human couples a lot too. If you bring some hot, charming aliens to Earth for your first meet-and-greet and put them on social media, you’re going to have ladies lining up around the block to hop on a spaceship back here.” She tucked a strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear.

Alice tilted her head and smiled at Lucy, who’d relaxed back into her seat. She had a way of making even the most daunting task seem reasonable and achievable. Her chipper attitude would cause many to believe she was shallow, but she spoke with a sort of optimistic intelligence that made it difficult to not both respect and like her. Alice wondered if she’d worked in media back on Earth. She’d have made a great reporter.

“I agree,” Jade said, still sitting. “It was hard to remember why I shouldn’t want to live here when I watched my hunky husband dote on me. There are plenty of Earth women who’ll come voluntarily, but there are also plenty who are in loving relationships, and others who’d object to a lot of the customs here. It’s going to be difficult at first, but I think if you offer up some of your knowledge of technology and space travel, without asking for anything in return, that’d help grease the wheels.”

“Thank you all for your valuable insight. I’m going to think on what you have said. I am hopeful that the next time we meet, we will have a plan that is clearer.” The Queen waved a hand toward Metli, who’d been silent throughout the meeting, diligently typing into a small screen in front of her. As Metli moved to bring the room back to the surface, people began rising and talking to one another.

Luka stayed seated, his hard stare back on her.