by Ivy McAdams
But since I stumbled upon the small band of alien women, my world hasn’t been quiet anymore.
Until now.
Gemma’s energy is low, silent and calculating. She’s been lost in her head all morning. When we skirt the far side of the Big Valley to avoid the attack site, she doesn’t look toward it. Her body is so rigid in front of me, straightening instantly if she accidentally leans back and brushes against me, that I’m nearly resigned to jumping down and walking on foot instead.
I suppose I am not helping, as I’ve not said anything to her either, but I’m at a loss for words.
I knew she was mine from the start, and she seemed to accept me. She gave me her entire body, her smiles. She let me plant a beautiful new spark of life within her. Yet she still ran the next morning.
Just wait until I get my hands on Waella. I don’t know what all she told Gemma, but it was enough to send her running from the village.
I expected Gemma to resist my advances a little more initially. Perhaps resist starting a family. But after just a couple days, she did neither.
What I didn’t expect was for her to risk her life to try to reverse the Shaman’s miracle. To run away from me with the intent to never return.
That hurts.
As we come along a wide running river, Gemma lifts a hand and points in its direction.
“I’m thirsty,” she says.
No warmth, no request.
Just “I’m thirsty.”
My fingers roll on the reins, squeezing out some tension from my body.
Maybe some water will ease her stress. Or mine. Though I may also pick some of the juju berries along the bank. The red ones will make your head fuzzy and your happiness go up. I could use some of that.
Though maybe not until we get back to the village. I've got to watch out for both of us on the way there.
But if everything goes to Gemma’s plan, I’m sure I’ll be needing some soon.
I shift my legs slightly and Mokto moves toward the water. He stops a safe distance away, and Gemma and I dismount.
Eyes are watching us from the water already. Dirty black eyes that glow with hunger.
Kutarians learn at a young age not to go into the valley rivers because an awlfish will eat your face clean off. They're vile creatures that are always starving and have a vicious nature. Some Kutarians have claimed to even see them throw their slimy eel-like bodies out of the water onto the shore to snag an unsuspecting victim and wiggle it back under the cold surface.
When Gemma gets too close, I grab her arm to pull her back.
She looks back with surprise at first. Then her eyes narrow before I can even offer an explanation.
“What are you doing?” She jerks her arm free. “I want something to drink.”
“Not like that you don’t.”
She scoffs. “I may be new around here but I assume there are no water fountains. I need a drink.”
I fight the urge to squeeze her tighter. “And they need some food.”
Her muscles tense and she follows my pointed finger to the silent but deadly awlfish hiding just beneath the surface. Her eyes are just as good as mine when she knows what to look for and she gasps.
“What the hell is that?” she breathes.
“Nothing good. They can strip bones clean faster than you can count your fingers. They’ll jump right out of there too, so you better―”
When Gemma’s eyes turn back to me, her entire body stiffens and she screams.
I jump, unprepared for her reaction. She’s not quite in danger yet―we’re still many feet from the water’s edge―but her eyes are huge and there’s a look of utter horror on her face.
Then I realize her eyes are not on me but over my head.
But I don’t even get a chance to turn around before I’m snatched up around the middle and lifted from the ground. I snarl and kick, fighting the spindly grip on me.
Long knobby black fingers dig into my skin. I recognize them even before the stagni screams over my head.
My ears rattle and throb. I want to cover them before they explode, but my attention is suddenly elsewhere.
My eyes are on Gemma and she looks horrified.
I rip into the fingers around me, pulling and fighting them. I’m strong enough to move one, but the creature’s hand is so big that I can’t manage to release more than one at a time. A frustrated roar escapes my aching lungs as I thrash harder.
“Run!” I shout at Gemma.
The word burns. I shouldn’t have to ask her to retreat. It is my job to protect her.
But I’ve been caught by surprise.
I didn’t get even a breath to plan my attack or have my anti-stagni obsidian-tipped spear within arm’s reach.
All I have is unbridled rage.
The nasty creature bends low to swipe Gemma up as well but she’s quick on her feet and dodges its attack.
But where there is one there is usually more. She needs to get away from here.
“Go!” I try again. “Take Mokto and run!”
She glances at the levadon and my hope leaps. Then she’s running.
Thank the gods.
Even if I am to be stagni food, my woman and the first tiny seed of life within her will be safe.
I may not be able to fight the beast away from her like I want, but I will keep it occupied while she escapes. It’s the least I can do.
The stagni snarls and stomps after her, but I thrash against it with all my might.
“Here, you beast!” I shout. “Yes, you. You have no sisters left, do you? I’ve murdered them all.”
It shakes me with a frustrated roar, and it feels as if my head may sling right off my body. I cling tight to the monster's fingers and use all the muscles in my shoulders and neck to keep myself in check.
As soon as it slows, I realize we’re closer than ever to Gemma. She’s trying to climb on Mokto and needs more time. I kick long legs back into the creature’s abdomen and it screams. Then I wiggle far enough into its grasp to sink my fangs into its finger. It tastes like a vile acid I never want in my mouth again, but at least I have its attention.
The stagni tosses me into one of its other three hands and shakes its injured one with a blasting cry. Then it focuses those horrible bulbous eyes on me and I can see the threat within them.
It’ll kill me now, but at least it’s forgotten all about Gemma.
I close my eyes and let the peace in that knowledge wash over me.
She’ll live on and maybe another miracle will occur and she will stay within her Kutarian body, blessed with my offspring and the last piece left of me in our world.
The stagni squeezes me and I brace myself.
The scream that pierces my ear deafens me. Is this what happens after life?
I cringe against the sound, trying to duck away, but my arms are still pinned.
I’m still physically anchored.
My eyes pop open just before the stagni throws me. Gemma stands at the creature’s feet, not even half its height, and twists the spear pole in her hands. The other end of it is planted deep inside the stagni's abdomen.
I hit the ground with a force that knocks away all my breath and strength. It’s all I can do for a couple seconds to just lay there and try not to die. Then my body reawakens and I scramble to my feet.
“Gemma!” I cough out.
She jerks the spear free and jabs it in again. The stagni screams, legs wobbling and arms thrashing about. It claws at the air near Gemma’s face and she stumbles back, tripping and ripping the spear out.
The stagni bellows a pain-filled and angry cry.
It should be gone by now. Two stabs with an obsidian blade would normally render one nearly immobile. The rock needs only seconds to poison their blood.
This one, however, is relentless and enraged.
It swipes at Gemma again and she falls. She swings the spear at the creature but is unable to regain her balance.
My blood burns hotter than the volcanoes on t
he southern islands. I see red as my vision blurs and shakes, then sharpens to focus on the stagni. It's made a fatal mistake threatening my mate, and its flesh is ready for my knife.
I pull a black blade from the sheath on my hip and sprint at the monster. I shout to pull its attention from my energy match, but it doesn’t have time to turn before I leap onto its back and plunge the obsidian between its shoulder blades.
More screaming, more wailing. I wish I’d had the strength to climb higher and dig the weapon into the thing’s throat to silence it, but I’m not moving now.
The stagni bucks and wiggles, trying to shake me from its back. It reaches over its bony shoulders with its long fingers. One nearly snags me.
Gemma stands near us and slings a rock at the beast, knocking it in the head. It topples off course, seeming to forget all about me, and struggles just to stand. Its body trembles, and I slip my knife free and drop back to the ground.
This thing is so unpredictable, I fall into a defensive stance again.
But it’s done.
It sways, a high whine slipping loose from its big head. Then it falls, crashing to the ground in a tangle of long, bony limbs.
I stare at it for a couple breaths to be sure it’s finished before my gaze jumps to Gemma. She’s doing the same, and when her eyes reach mine, I see the entire world in them.
She’s afraid. And relieved. Staring at me like she hasn’t done since she left the village. Like she cares for me and she’s thankful.
The need and validation within me surge through my entire body. Fuels me forward. I run to her.
Her face breaks just before I reach her. Anguish and instant tears. But I’m there.
We crash into one another and I wrap her in my arms. She clings hard to me, and her body shakes. I shift my arms and scoop her legs up, cradling her soft body up against my chest. Her face fits right into the hollow of my neck.
It feels perfect.
She cries into my skin, wet and raw, and I simply hold her. I'm sure facing off with a stagni again―forcing herself to show even more bravery this time―was very hard on her. It's horrifying to even us warriors sometimes, but for a woman with no training―or one who's only seen them once before―the stagni are terrifying.
As they should be. They’re deadly, to even the most trained and prepared army.
I press a kiss into Gemma’s hair.
She did just fine while so afraid. I’m proud of her.
She stirs in my arms and looks up at me. Her eyes are puffy and shine with more unshed tears. I caress her cheek with my thumb. She catches my hand, holding it to her skin.
“I was afraid that thing would kill you,” she breathes, and my entire world turns upside down.
She was afraid for me?
Chapter 20
Gemma
Kovak seemed surprised that I was afraid the bug alien would kill him. Normally I might find such a reaction conceited, but it’s clear in his open expression that it has all to do with me.
He thought I wouldn’t care if he died?
Maybe I have been rough on him, but of course, I would care if he was killed. I would be devastated.
My hand finds its way to the underside of his jaw, smoothing around to his cheek. Even though I know what I need to do, the thought of leaving him hurts.
I wish I had more time. A few more days at least to spend with my warrior. To show him how much I appreciate him, and for once, truly feel worshipped myself. It’s quite tempting.
But with only a day or two left before my human body gives out, I don’t have the luxury of time.
His soft green eyes gaze into me, then he lowers his head and brushes his lips over mine.
It’s so easy to lose myself in his gentle kiss. It’s sweet and thankful, and I feel bad that we’ve been at odds for the last twenty-four hours.
I wish we'd spent the last day in his bed, soaking up every bit of one another we could. I love being around him and hearing his voice. His strong presence making me feel safe. And that smile that sneaks out every so often. I adore it.
I can feel the pain in his energy waves too. His kiss is not only wonderful but sad. A goodbye. It takes everything I have left to keep the tears from falling again.
Way to break a girl’s heart.
When we part, his eyes are a shade darker. Duller. But he offers me a smile and I lay my head against his shoulder.
I don’t want to think about later. I just want him to hold me longer.
And he does.
He retrieves his spear with me in his arms and walks back to Mokto. The dino bumps me with his nose and I give it a quick rub. Then Kovak sets me on the front of the saddle and jumps up behind me. I ride with my back pressed into his chest, letting my head loll back over his collarbone so I can be closer to him.
His hands move up and down my arms, slow and with a touch as light as a butterfly. Over my hips and thighs. Tracing my skin as we cover the rest of the ground to the village.
We arrive as the afternoon sun drops low in the sky. Kovak dismounts and pulls me to the ground with him. I go without resistance, happy just to have his arms around me. He sends his levadon off on his own as we walk along the outskirts of the village.
I expect him to leave me as I draw nearer to the shaman’s tents. But he doesn’t.
He creeps along behind the leather walls behind me. I draw up silently near the flap of the tent holding the humans.
“I have to go in and grab my body,” I whisper. “Please don’t stop me.”
His face is hard and strong. “I will help you.”
My mouth slackens and I do my best to snap it back up.
Loyal sonofabitch.
My voice is weak. “Are you sure?”
He doesn’t speak but his chin moves down in agreeance.
It’s like the guy is trying to break my heart in two before I even go in. Why does he have to be so agreeable?
I take a long breath to calm my nerves, then slip inside the tent.
It’s empty but for the human bodies.
All of them.
They’re still laid out in neat rows on the tile floor. Nothing’s changed, except for most of our complexions. The bodies look weaker than last time I saw them. Even more gray in the skin.
They’re dying.
It’s frightening to see.
Staring down at myself is still really weird. My body is near death. Right there. And yet, I feel great. Physically anyway. Healthy, vibrant. My soul is another matter at this point, but important decisions are always really hard.
Right?
I take my lower lip in my teeth and my four upper fangs poke into my skin, reminding me I’m not in the body I grew up in. I’ve spent twenty-two years in my human body. Now I’m an alien.
I take some herb leaves from the pouch on my hip―precisely four as Waella instructed me―and begin to grind them between my fingers as I look down at my own pale, placid face.
My brain has fogged and focused so much on what I have to do that Kovak’s hand on my shoulder startles me.
"I know your mind is set," he says, his voice low and rough. His energy pulses with emotion so low that it makes my heart feel empty and heavy. "But I want you to know that I care for you. You're unlike any woman I've ever met. The way I feel you even when I'm not touching you…" My heartbeat quickens. I knew he could feel that energy too. "It is a magic of the Kutarian people, but something I wasn't sure I ever believed would happen. You've been my miracle, Gemma."
I swallow the hard knot in my throat, willing him to stop talking. It’s beautiful to hear, but it hurts so bad. My chest constricts, squeezing the air from my lungs until it stings.
I want to touch him, to run my hands over his face and his chest. Feel his sexy, smooth body before it’s too late.
“Kovak, I―” My voice cracks and I look away to gather myself. His hand on my shoulder tightens.
I can do this. It’s my decision, and it’s the right one. I know it.
I just
have to put my big girl panties on and do it. People lose loves every day. Just make it happen.
I draw in a breath to stave off the tears and start again. "If I don't do this now, my body will die." The shaman better be right about our bodies being able to breathe better while inhabited. Else this will be a horrifyingly fruitless switch. Deadly even. But even if I can’t breathe well as a human, I only have to make it back to base and some stored oxygen.
Just as long as the swap works again.
Someone will have to test it for the rest of the girls.
And I’m the only one around to do it.
I glance down at the other humans. I hope they all wake up soon, in these bodies or the others, because we all look like we’re about to bite it. I wince a little, then look back up to Kovak.
“I’ve spent my entire life on Earth. In a society I know, with my friends and family. A job. Well, almost, but that’s a different matter.” We’ll see if I can even finish up my neo-paleontology degree after this fiasco. “I have to get back there. It’s waiting for me.”
He nods slowly and puts a hand on my cheek, cupping me so delicately that I melt. “I understand. But know that I will be back here. Also waiting for you.”
I choke back another sob, steeling the last bit of my energy against breaking in his arms.
Those green eyes are so deep and whole. They pull at me and I can see the sincerity in them. He’ll be here for me. No matter what.
Dammit.
I’m starting to feel weak.
When the tent flap slaps open, my spine goes rigid.
The shaman stands there. He looks pissed. His sheepish little apprentice is behind him. The voodoo man marches into the tent with a scowl, and I go with the only option I have left.
I pop that roofie in my mouth and swallow it down.
Chapter 21
Gemma
I come to as if I’m waking from a dream, but I’m not really awake. Or asleep.
My brain just turns back on and I become aware of the world again.
Except the world is like some psychedelic hallucination.
