“It’s more than that,” Vorn told her. “Protecting and caring for females—revering all that is feminine—isn’t just a religion—it’s in our fucking DNA.”
Jodi frowned skeptically.
“So you’re genetically programmed to protect women and never abuse them?”
Vorn nodded, but apparently seeing the skepticism in Jodi’s face, he continued to elaborate.
“Look—you see our race. We’re ninety-five percent male,” he pointed out. “Females are a valuable resource—they’re precious beyond measure.” He half turned in the seat and gestured animatedly as he continued to speak. “Think about what’s scarce in your own world. I know in some places, humans don’t have much access to clean drinking water. So if water is in short supply, you don’t go wasting it or polluting it, right?”
“Actually…we humans haven’t exactly done the best we could when it comes to conserving our natural resources,” Melli said, frowning.
“And human males aren’t always very good at treating females like they’re ‘precious’ either,” Jodi said dryly. “Ask just about any woman you run across—all of them have had bad experiences with men in one way or another. Hence the #MeToo movement and my very natural skepticism about men who just want to be ‘nice’ to women all the time.” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Though it is interesting to know that you consider us in the same light as a natural resource like fresh water or pig iron.”
“No, damn it—that’s not what I meant!” Vorn ran a hand over his tangled black and gold hair in obvious irritation. “It’s not just that females are vital to the survival of our species—although of course they are. We also believe that there’s a little piece of the Goddess within every woman—a little spark of divinity that deserves to be worshipped and protected.”
“I thought you said your attitude towards women wasn’t religious,” Jodi pointed out, frowning. “You can’t have it both ways, you know. Either women are a commodity, like fresh water or arable farmland to grow crops on—in this case, the crops would obviously be new Kindred babies—or they’re goddesses to be put on a pedestal and worshipped. Which is it?”
Vorn’s dark brows pulled down over his golden eyes and he looked so fierce Melli wondered how her big sister dared to bait him. But Jodi just looked at him coolly, her arms crossed over her full breasts as she tapped her fingernails, waiting for a response.
“They’re both, damn it,” Vorn growled at last. “Why should I have to choose just one reason to treat females the way they deserve to be treated?”
“Present company excepted?” Jodi asked, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe irritating bitches like me don’t quite deserve the same reverence nice ones like my little sister, do?” she said pointedly, looking at Melli.
“I never said that,” Vorn said, frowning. “Every female deserves reverence—even the ones that get under your skin and itch like a fucking Frenarian sand burr.”
His golden eyes met Jodi’s green ones and their gazes locked, both of them glaring at each other in a way that made Melli really glad looks couldn’t actually kill. Because if they could have, both Jodi and Vorn would probably have dropped dead on the spot.
“And on that note, I’m leaving,” she remarked, as a second Kindred shuttle, which converted to look like a car, pulled up beside them. Liosh got out and opened the passenger side door before coming around to open her door as well.
Jodi dragged herself away from the impromptu staring contest and gripped Melli’s hand.
“Be strong and stay safe, little sis,” she said, smiling briefly at Melli, though her eyes were serious. “Text me when you get home and let me know you’re okay.”
“Will do,” Melli promised, giving her big sister a smile. “You do the same. And cheer up, big sis—having a guard is for your own protection.”
“Right. I know,” Jodi said flatly. “Love you, Melli. Give me a hug.”
Melli—never one to refuse a hug—squeezed her big sister tightly. In some ways, she was closer to Jodi than anyone else in the world. Her sister knew things about her she hadn’t told anyone else—hadn’t even been able to tell their mother.
“Love you, Jodi,” she said, echoing her sister’s words. “Be safe and careful and watch out for lizard aliens.”
“Oh, I will,” Jodi assured her. “You, too.”
And then the back door closest to Melli opened and Liosh said,
“May I carry you to our new vehicle, my Lady?”
Melli’s heart fluttered despite her own uncertainty and her sister’s warning. And, contrary to the promise she’d made to herself earlier not to touch the big Kindred unnecessarily, she held out her arms eagerly.
“Yes, please, Liosh,” she said shyly. “And you can just call me Melinda, if you want. I don’t mind.”
“As you wish, my Lady Melinda,” he rumbled and then he was gathering her into his arms and holding her close to his broad chest. He kicked the door shut with his foot and then they were alone—just the two of them.