Where was the courage he had seen her exhibit when she had rescued him the day he had arrived? She had shown extreme courage when she had jumped out of the vehicle when she had felt they were being outnumbered by the Olggans. Yet now, she was practically cowering in fear before seeing her friends who had no weapons to raise against her.
To him, the misplaced fear was irrational, and he had no idea how to combat it other than to return the humans to Earth without her seeing them. That was the direction he would prefer to take and would take if Raine wasn’t treated with respect.
Letting Raine go first when the door opened, Skars gave the gathered group a warning glance behind her back, intimidating them and letting them know that he would not allow any rude behavior.
The older women in the group gave squeals of delight at seeing Raine. Slowly, they rose from their sitting positions on the lounger and hurried to her to take turns hugging her.
“We’ve been so worried about you,” one said.
“I’m fine, Silvia.”
Skars watched as Raine hugged the blue-haired old woman.
The others took their time hugging her, their frail arms shaking when it was their turn.
Their reaction confused Skars even more. Love and concern for Raine was evident by the elderly women’s reaction to seeing her.
Giving them space, Skars bypassed them to go talk with Bjorn.
“Thorsen will be here in a few hours to get them off our hands. Any problem?” Skars asked.
Bjorn indicated with a slight movement of his head to the two who remained seated.
“She seeks to cause trouble.”
“How so?”
“She kept whispering to the others.”
The woman must have sensed they were talking about her, because she swiftly went to Raine. She made no effort to hug her like the older women, and it was easy to see that she was complaining to Raine.
“Would you like me to return her to Earth?” Bjorn muttered.
Njal crossed the room to be included in their discussion and gave a low, disgusted snort. “I can save Bjorn the time. Let me release the docking door, and I’ll throw her out.”
Bjorn’s disgusted expression became interested. “Would the human survive the fall?”
“Neinn. She will be Thorsen’s to deal with when he arrives.”
From the pleased smiles on Bjorn and Njal, Skars had no doubt they would try to convince Thorsen to choose the speediest method to rid himself of the woman.
Ignoring their complaints, Skars listened as Raine talked to the group, assuring them that she was safe and what had happened on Earth.
“Is there any more news on Piper?” Lucas asked.
Skars strode forward. “Our chieftain will speak to you when he arrives. Thorsen has been told of your brother’s health condition and has conveyed our willingness to make a trade for him.”
“What if King Jurzed refuses?”
A flicker of respect grew for the human male. Lucas was showing his main priority was the concern for his family member while acknowledging he had no power over what the two Vikings decided.
“There will be an agreement made. The what and when are up to Thorsen and King Jurzed. He will be able to address your concerns much better than I.”
Lucas shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants in a frustrated movement. “Can you at least tell your chieftain that, if he can’t come to an agreement for Piper, then use me to trade for something else? I want to be with my brother.”
If he wasn’t aware of Piper being a woman, the woman called Milly would have given it away. Raine and the rest of the women maintained their facial countenance.
Skars gave him a curt nod. “I will make your wishes known.”
Having had enough of Milly, he decided it would be best if he left. “I will see to that duty now. Wife, do you wish to stay here or return to your room?”
“I’ll … wait here.”
He didn’t miss the slight pause she had made. Irritated that Raine did not take the opportunity he was giving her, Skars gave his men meaningful glances before stalking off.
In the elevator, he slid his hand on the wall to take him to the upper level to the computer room.
Taking one look at his face, Arne stood from behind the bank of computers. “Unless you need me, I’ll take my evening meal early.”
Still irritated, Skars waved him away without watching him go. Walking to the wall closest to him, he placed his hand on a panel. Instantly, the wall changed to show a clear view of the outside.
His acute hearing picked up the almost silent opening of the door and the soft footsteps of the woman who had just entered.
“Go away,” he ordered without turning around.
“I felt your anger from my room.”
“Then you shouldn’t have come. I don’t want to talk right now, especially with you.”