Zilik did more than have a picture made. He had Razz delivered to his apartment. Razz kissed Alex's hands, so she hugged him to make him stop. He happily nestled against her, top of his head not quite reaching her collarbone, listening to her steady heartbeat and enjoying her warmth.

"I am helping you enter the palace," Razz said.

"What? How? I won't let you risk yourself. Zilik, you were supposed to make sure Razz was safe." Alex jabbed a finger at the Chameleon in accusation.

"It is all right, Alex. I want to help. I want Cla and the Kuni out of power, preferably dead. This is a way that I can help. There are secret passages, known only to the palace males. It is a way for us to sneak out from time to time."

"I'll kill them for you. But you'll only show me the entrance and then race back here in the fastest carriage Zilik can afford," Alex ordered. "Why doesn't anyone use it to escape?"

"We keep it secret and use it only as a respite, or for healing, or messages, but eventually someone does escape. Then the females find it and close it. There have been several tunnels. I will take you to the latest tunnel entrance. I helped dig it after all. Another palace male, called Trac, will bring you into the male's sleeping chamber. From there, someone can smuggle you into the Kuni's room for your challenge of reclamation."

Alex pushed back and looked at Razz. "Why isn't your chest healing?" She lit her hand and ran it lightly over the 'A' shaped wound, her touch feathery despite its luminescence. "Is it infected? Do you need to see Master Healer Guni?"

"I told you that you did not make it deep enough. I re-opened it. I wish it to scar so that everyone can see I belong to you, the Guardian."

Alex took a sharp intake of breath and clapped her hand over her mouth, tears spilling from the corners of her tightly shut eyes. "Razz! That's so wrong! You belong to yourself. Don't do that again."

Razz timidly touched her hand. "This is what I wish."

"You don't know me," Alex said. "I'm not worth that."

"I know enough." Razz lifted his chin in a stubborn way. "You are truly worth that and more."

"No, you don't," Alex said. "If only you knew the truth." She wiped her eyes and smiled shakily at him. "Very well, I'll hang onto one deluded admirer. But no more of this scarring business. That's deeply disturbing to me."

"As you wish," Razz said.

***

Alex taught Razz how to drive the carriage as they made their way to the Anolis palace. Alex watched Razz grasp the reins and cluck to the horses as he gently pulled them into a trot. The wheels of the carriage clattered against the stones that lined the road and they were soon there.

Alex wondered that the palace was so close to their border. The Anolis females were either very bold or very stupid.

Probably both.

Razz cleared his throat. "You've done so much for me already," Razz began, his voice quavering with anxiety.

Shields up!

"I hate to ask."

Red alert!

"But it is about my children." Razz's voice grew thick and uneven as he spoke. He paused, swallowing hard, his hands shaking as though the topic was too difficult for him to handle.

Curiosity overcame the Star Trek metaphors in Alex's head.

"Rather, the two eggs that Cla clutched from me." Razz stopped again, looking unsure with his gaze downcast, his hands trembling slightly.

"Go on." Alex felt her ears sharpening like a German Shepherd on alert.

"When you enter the main den, will you find out if they hatched and what they are? I want to know if I have sons, or daughters, or both," Razz said.

"I wish I could bring them back to you." A surge of understanding washed over her and she nodded solemnly.

"Remove that look from your eyes," Razz ordered, no longer timid. "You will be too busy with the challenge and rescuing your friend to think of taking the babies."

Alex shrugged, expression noncommittal.

"Now I regret mentioning this to you." Razz slumped in his seat and pressed a shaking hand to his forehead between his eye-ridges.

He looked so miserable that Alex patted his shoulder. "Okay, okay, I'll just ask."

"Promise?" He raised his gaze to her.

She smiled gently, charmed by his black eyes like buttons on a stuffed toy. "Untrusting soul, aren't you? Yes, I promise."

Alex didn't consider her promises binding, like a pragmatic post-modern inhabitant of Earth.

I'm not leaving any child in the hands of that monster.

Razz pulled up sharply on the reins, bringing the horse and carriage to a stop. Alex jumped off and quickly tied the horse to a nearby tree. Razz threw open a thicket of shrubs, seizing her hand and dragging her along with him as he ran. Branches snagged at her clothing and caught in her hair as she stumbled blindly after Razz, trying to keep up in the dense undergrowth.

Razz stopped. "This is the access. Catch your breath while we wait for Trac."

A male even smaller and more nervous than Razz appeared, although better fed, and his turquoise hide gleamed with oil. He motioned for them to follow and Razz leaned close to give her hand a quick kiss before turning back towards the carriage. Trac's arm suddenly reappeared from the darkness and grabbed her round the waist, pulling her inside before she had time to react.

"Do you do this often?" she asked. Alex eyed the turquoise male as he shrugged in response to her question. "Why aren't you missed?"

"I am the smallest and most insignificant of the palace males. The Kuni rarely wants me."

Alex hesitated for a moment before replying, "I wouldn't say that was a bad thing."

"I agree."

"For what it's worth, I think you're brave," Alex said.

He shook his head.

"I don't see anyone else risking their neck to smuggle me into the palace like this."

Alex stopped in her tracks, her heart racing as she realized they had reached a dead end. Trac knelt down and pushed on a small rock, which reluctantly rolled away to reveal the entrance to a hidden cave. Cautiously, he slunk in first, and Alex followed at his heels, squeezing in through the narrow opening. Inside the cave, the air was warm and balmy, the sand beneath their feet soft and comforting. Colorful tapestries lined the walls of the enormous cavern.

Dozens of bright-green Anolis males shifted and created a dense, living canopy that hid her from view. Trac motioned for Alex to move further along the wall. She crept into a side chamber, her heart pounding as the Anolis males scurried ahead of her. They blocked the entrance, forming an impenetrable barrier between her and the main chamber.

"Razz asked about his eggs," Alex said to Trac as they walked to the new chamber.

His face lit up with excitement, and he clasped his hands together. Trac's happiness startled Alex, and the explanation came a second later.

They're with mine," he told them with a joyful glint in his eyes. "They should hatch anytime now—all of them. Come on over, let's take a look." He ushered them into another chamber, each step light and full of anticipation.

It was hotter than the first two and he dug in the sandy ground. He worked diligently, carefully pulling up handfuls of sand until he revealed a cluster of white eggs. Alex gasped in admiration as she knelt down beside him to get a closer look. She reached out to touch one and was amazed by how smooth it felt. An opalescent sheen shone off each egg.

"They're beautiful." She felt stupid for saying that, but she meant it.

"These two are mine, and these two are Razz's."

I'll take his word for it. They all look alike to me.

Trac gingerly placed a small, speckled egg in her hands. She reflexively clutched it to her chest and took in a deep breath as Trac smiled and took a second egg.

"Hold it like this," he instructed, showing her how to cradle the fragile bundle of potential in the palms of her hands. "You can even talk to it if you want." He crooned to the egg as he caressed it.

Alex awkwardly tried to replicate the way Trac gently stroked the egg as he gazed at her. She couldn't bring herself to hum a lullaby, though - instead she gasped as it trembled in her palm.

"It's about to hatch," Trac said with a beaming smile.

"Hatch?" Alex's eyes widened and she quickly thrust the egg towards him, but he stepped back and shook his head. "It can't hatch. Stop that," she commanded, instinctively trying to still the rock of the egg in her hand.

"Relax." Trac chuckled at her panic. His own egg rocked, and he crooned again.

It seemed like a breathless eternity to Alex as the eggs rocked and little splits appeared. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She could barely stand the anticipation, but Trac remained amazingly calm. Her egg gave a mighty roll and cracked in half. A slippery little baby lizard rolled into her hands.

"Here." Trac handed her a fluffy white towel.

The baby creeled and Alex held it out to him, her eyes wide with fear. "Something's wrong. Take it. Quick!"

Trac chuckled again at her panic. "There's nothing wrong. He's hungry. Kress will get you a bottle."

Alex's heart raced as she noticed the small crowd that had gathered around them. The living shield, ever present, watched with curious eyes. A male from the small group stepped forward and offered her a bottle. Alex gratefully accepted it. She inspected it and nearly gagged when she realized it was liquidized meat. She fumbled as she tried to feed the hungry baby in her arms. The little one wrapped tiny fingers around the bottle as if it were a lifeline. Despite her discomfort and awkwardness, no one corrected her. Trac's egg cracked open like a vivid dream, and he repeated the procedure with precision.

After both babies settled down, Alex's gaze drew back to the other two eggs. Trac slowly leaned forward and gave another egg to Alex. Then he cupped his hands around one of them and stroked the shell tenderly with his thumb. He coaxed the baby out within minutes, its cries piercing the air. Alex followed his lead and soon another baby was lying in her hands, creeling for food. After feeding them, Alex felt drained after witnessing such a miraculous event. Every emotion seemed to rush through her body—joy, exhaustion and astonishment—as she beamed at the sleeping babies.

"Two males for me and a male and a female for Razz." Something passed over Trac's face, clouding his expression of joy for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked.

"Sa wanted daughters. Maybe she'll let me keep the males for a while," Trac said.

"Razz said something about not being allowed to keep his children."

Trac nodded. "Male children from warrior females end up in the care facility. I might have luck, though."

Alex doubted it, but she kept her sarcastic words to herself. "How long can they stay here?"

"A few months, until they don't need such intensive care."

Alex's fingers delicately moved across the muzzles of the sleeping babies on her lap and she sighed deeply. With eyes still shut, they looked like peaceful angels. "I want to return them to Razz."

Trac was silent, his face drawn, his gaze focused on the babies.

Thinking of a good plan, I hope.

Trac shook his head and said, "Impossible. For the challenge, you'll be brought to the arena. Afterwards, you must leave with your friend at top speed."

"You're confident that I'll win."

"You must." Trac's gaze bored into her. "Do whatever it takes. Whatever. It. Takes. You must win and take your friend out with the information."

Alex chewed her lip.

Can I access that kill reflex with that much on the line? I couldn't with the Gila, or when challenging Cla for Gabe. Maybe if I concentrate on the babies, it'll release, just like against that child molester.

Alex didn't have time to answer because the rest of the harem males came trooping into the chamber, voices loud and happy with congratulations. Alex found the babies lifted out of her lap.

She tried to hold on to them, but Trac whispered, "Let them go. Get down and hide."

Alex pressed her back up against the wall as she felt the weight of several male bodies crushing her into a tight ball.

She heard a female voice demand, "Well, Trac?"

The air around them hung heavy with anticipation.

From the way everyone flinched, Alex knew that she wasn't the only one to suffer a heart attack at the female's voice.

"Two males for you and a male and a female for Cla," Trac answered.

Alex couldn't see, but she knew that the female's face couldn't be happy.

"The Kuni wishes your services. Follow me," The warrior's voice, thick and icy, filled the chamber.

Trac slowly stood up, cradling the two swaddled infants in his arms. He paused for a second before handing them off carefully to another male in the room. All eyes were on him as he made his way towards the doorway, following the Kuni. The heavy silence lingered until long after they had both gone. No one moved until long after they were gone.

"He'll come back?" Alex's voice quavered, her throat suddenly dry.

Everyone in the room avoided her gaze, and an oppressive silence hung in the air. After a few moments, one male cleared his throat and said solemnly: "This throws off our timeline; we'll have to wait until he returns."

Alex felt a spark of hope kindling inside of her chest. "He'll come back?" she asked softly.

The male replied grimly, "His body, at least."

Her hope turned to ice running down her heart and arteries.

Kress spoke, "We have a rough idea of the Kuni's schedule. When she's in audience with the Gila representatives, we'll smuggle you in, and you can challenge her there. With the Gilas present, she won't deny it."

"Can y'all let me up now?"

Alex settled against the wall, sitting on the warm sand but still surrounded by males. The babies had disappeared. She didn't feel right asking about them, so she let it drop. The males traded positions one by one so that they could talk to her. It seemed important to them to tell her their names, so she listened.

Better yet, they seemed flattered when she asked them questions. She asked about their children and their lives before the palace. None were happy here and all longed to return home. She was surprised and saddened that several had had prior mates. They were either lost in challenges, or their former mates knew they would be killed in a challenge and surrendered them. They all missed their children as well. One by one they left their mark on her. Alex's desire to bring down this regime hardened into hatred fueled determination.

Hours later, the dull thud of boots resonated through the walls. Alex was shoved into a corner and she curled up against the brick. Her back braced against the cold surface while her eyes flicked to the tiny hole among the males that allowed her to keep an eye on what was happening. The guards barged back in and everyone held their breath as they dropped a limp form onto the ground. It was Trac. Silence hung heavily in the air when they departed.

Alex lunged for him, but several males stopped her.

Kress said, "Don't move yet. We'll carry him over to the healing chamber. When we're sure it's clear, we'll bring you."

It seemed like an eternity until they brought Alex to the healing chamber. She thought Trac had died until a shallow breath brushed her cheek. Blood trickled from several deep knife wounds, the deepest gash on his chest. His right arm hung limply at a strange angle, and two men hastily tiptoed in with bandages and a splint to set the broken bone. But Alex's gaze was so fierce that they backed away without attempting to move his arm.

"Wait," she said.

Alex's eyes narrowed as she grasped the broken arm. A white light emanating from her palm radiated throughout the room. A collective gasp of awe reverberated through the group of males surrounding them. She brought her other hand to Trac's chest and cascading sparks rippled across it. His eyes opened wide in surprise at the sensation, and the whispers grew louder as everyone inched closer.

"It's not a healing power," she warned. "It only eases the pain. You can set his arm now."

She nodded at Alex's friends as they moved gingerly to set his arm back into place. Alex looked away, embarrassed that broken bones made her skin crawl in revulsion.

"It's okay," Trac said with a murmuring breath once Alex leaned over him. "They don't suspect you're here. I was punished for producing two males and since Razz was gone, I had to take his punishment for producing a male." A single tear rolled down her cheek, and he reached up with trembling fingers to brush it away. "What's this?" he asked softly.

"A tear," she replied tightly. "It's a way my species shows sadness, and in my case, anger as well." Her face twisted into a grimace. "It's very inconvenient." She paused for a moment before continuing in a determined voice. "I'll repay those females for what they did to you. Tell me their names and then rest, Trac. I'll kill them."

"No, please, don't do anything until the Gila meeting. The Kuni postponed until tomorrow morning at the second hour. You can't go until then."

"Okay," Alex said.

It's not okay at all. Tomorrow morning is a long way away.

There was a deep knot of dread in her belly at what would happen before then. She observed the ma;es hurry to finish bandaging his wounds; they worked quietly, their eyes never leaving their task. Her heart sank as she saw Trac shiver from the cold and her instinct told her to go over and lie next to him. She was about to move when a sense of propriety took over and she stopped herself.

I'm far too comfortable with the group bed concept.

"You would lie with a wounded male?" Kress asked.

Embarrassment crept up Alex's neck and she tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. She nodded frantically, feeling foolish. "I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect."

Good thing I can't die of embarrassment or the revolution would be over.

"That's kind," Kress said, finally breaking the silence. "The sands are warm, but body heat is more healing and you're warmer than us."

They looked at her and she scanned their faces to see if they meant what they said or if they were disgusted by her. Their expressions were one of hope and wonder.

Face the wall by Trac," Kress suggested. "We'll conceal you more easily that way."

The wall was cold against her cheek as she pressed herself against it. She clutched her knees to her chest while silently praying that they would succeed in hiding her. One by one, Anolis bodies draped over and around her and Trac. It was a good thing that she wasn't claustrophobic, because she was completely covered, with only a small space to breathe. The warmth and pressure of all the soft leathery bodies was a sedative to her and she drifted off to sleep.

***