by Ivy McAdams
She speaks to her boyfriend and he answers, all in some foreign tongue that’s rough and song-like at the same time. When she looks at me with nearly uncontained laughter in her eyes, my curiosity spikes.
“Kovak says we should calm down,” she whispers, though not that softly. “We’re riling up his warriors.”
I don't even need the bounce in her eyebrows to tell me what that really means. My gaze shifts beyond her to Drek, still standing tall by the door. The scar that crosses over his nose and part of his cheek seems less pronounced now. Almost as if it fades into the handsome cheekbones and strong nose. Black braids spiral along his scalp and fall around his shoulders. Long hair on top of his head reaches into the air between pointed ears that lay back against his head like an agitated horse. His arms are crossed over his large chest. Those biceps look hard as a rock.
I want to touch one.
When my eyes meet his, one of his eyebrows tilts up slightly.
I’m a little mortified that Kovak said such a thing in front of him, but also thoroughly intrigued.
Drek can be disturbed all he wants because there's something fishy happening in my stomach too and I'm not altogether sure I don't like it.
Then his mouth opens and a deep, husky voice rolls out.
All eyes are on me again, and I wish to high heavens I knew what the hell he said.
When the intensity is just starting to become too much for a one-room tent, another alien pops his head in through the flap. The warriors turn to regard him and he speaks aloud.
Drek’s muscles tense and his brow furrows. His concentration face is rather attractive as he strides toward the doorway and disappears.
And I suppose that’s that.
He’s gone and taken all his interesting features I was still studying with him.
I don’t know what the hell just happened here, but I do know one thing.
I need to learn Alienese.
Chapter 2
Drek
The human female Gemma introduces as Eva is an odd sight among the others. Such a small body wrapped in the strange human clothing. Thick blue breeches and enough hide for a warrior’s loincloth up top, covering her from waist to neck and even her arms. Is she sensitive to sunlight?
Her blue eyes are beautiful and the red hair that falls in curls over her shoulders is the strangest I've ever seen. The same color as the small vultir that graze in the southern valleys. Truly unique. I can't stop staring.
Even though she wears the mask, I can see her mouth through it and there’s something about the way she smiles that draws my eyes too.
She’s even smaller than I remember her. Especially sitting next to the other Kutarians. She has a tiny frame that looks too delicate to survive. When Gemma pushes her, even in jest, I want to scoop Eva up and set her on my shoulders, where no one will be able to look down on her again.
Hovering near the entrance of the tent, I wait while the other two warriors file in behind Kovak. This is my place, where I can keep an eye on things both inside and outside and warn the Captain.
But it doesn’t keep me from watching the human.
Even from the far side of the tent, I can feel her energy, especially when she laughs with Gemma. The musical sound touches me almost as purely as the pulses of energy.
I don’t often feel others around me that well. I suppose it’s been conditioned out of me over the years of warrior training. I can feel my target, feel the enemies as they move and change their minds, cower in fear and prepare to ambush. But my friends remain more of a mystery.
Feeling Eva’s happy and intrigued energy is exciting.
Maybe even a little more so because that spark flares when she looks at me.
By the time I’m nearly drunk on soaking up her energy, ready to go talk to her even if she can’t understand a word I say, Xetmir sticks his head in the tent and gives me a gruff nod.
“Trouble down at the levadon pit.”
I’m on full alert. Even though the Captain is here and should have all my attention for the moment, our bonded dinosaur companions are a high priority. And I’ve been dreading hearing this news all day.
I rush for the tent flap and slip out past Xetmir, a short, stocky warrior with a constantly irritated scowl. He nods toward the pit and speaks.
“Rhux is snapping at other levadon in there. Even that pretty white one. I think something’s wrong.”
Levadon are wild and can often best dinosaurs twice their size, but they don’t usually turn on each other. My bonded mount Rhux is under a lot of stress right now, however.
He’s about to become a father for the first time, and his mate has fallen ill.
The Shaman tents are clear on the other side of the village than the levadon pit. Across the rows of leather huts and the wide central circle where the tribe gathers to eat and be together.
The creatures have never seemed so far away.
I try to remain calm as I stride down the first row of huts. There’s no need to panic. A high warrior that serves the Captain should remain calm under pressure. I’ve faced many more threatening and worrisome matters than an ailing pregnant levadon.
Of course, Rhux would feel much better if I was there to comfort him. Just a scratch or two under his neck.
My feet move a little faster.
Other footsteps follow behind me. One must be Xetmir. Probably a few other curious people that saw me. I don’t turn to look until someone calls my name.
And I only stop then because it’s the Captain.
“Drek, is there an emergency?” Kovak calls out.
I wince on the inside, not wanting to slow down. But I don’t have a choice. I reduce my speed enough to turn to face him, still backpedaling at a quick pace.
“Calina has been having some complications lately. May not be a good outcome.”
The crease in Kovak’s brow gives me all the empathy needed. He won’t be disappointed in me running ahead and leaving him behind.
Before I turn back, my gaze roams over the crowd that’s come out of the tent behind him. Gemma, another Kutarian female, the pair of warriors. And hovering behind Gemma’s hip, hardly half her size, is Eva. She’s watching intently.
I wish I could stand and gaze at her for longer, but I have to get to Rhux before he gets angry.
The male levadon reminds me of Xetmir. Strong, testy, and always ready for a fight. He doesn’t need any more motivation to snap at his neighbors, but I imagine protecting his mate when she’s down could certainly set him off.
My bare feet kick up dust as I quick-shuffle through the next row of tents and rush into the community circle. The edge of the pit sits at the top of the hill on the far side of the village. I can hear a few agitated levadon squawks from here, but nothing too vicious. No one's fighting yet.
My calf muscles strain as I keep them checked, moving as fast as I can at a low speed. It’d feel much better to break into a run, but that’s not necessary. Not for second in command. I’m calm. Collected. I take another deep breath and power through.
“Watch it,” Xetmir calls as I reach the edge of the huge bowl of a pit in the dark dirt. “He’s been twitching that tail.”
I don’t hesitate to reach for the ladder and step down over the side.
“Rhux may be a fighter, but he won’t touch me,” I grumble, almost too soft for the other warrior to hear.
Just because his levadon doesn’t particularly care for him, doesn’t mean they’re all that way. Most warriors—or even Kutarians for that matter—have a levadon they’ve raised and bonded with. The beasts carry us into battle, on hunts, and on dangerous journeys we’d be ill-pressed to survive if we were traveling on foot. Trust is imperative, and I know Rhux won’t hurt me.
His lady, on the other hand, I’m not so sure of.
I see the two of them near the sidewall of the pit. Many of the other levadon have evacuated the area and are lingering around in the trees beyond the edge of the circular ravine.
None of the
beasts are trapped in our pit. They’re free to go as they please, even though most stay near us, sleeping in groups in the soft dirt.
Today, however, the pit is emptier than I’ve ever seen it.
Calina stands with her head down. Her legs look weak, holding up her larger than normal body. She’s heavy with young, but with the way she’s been looking—empty-eyed and not interested in her food—I’m starting to fear she or her offspring won’t survive.
Rhux must think the same because he looks fit to kill. He stands with his feet apart, thickly muscled tail standing erect, swaying behind him as he leans over, ready to snap at anyone that gets too close. A flickering red light pulses along his textured skin, down his spine and over his cheeks as he growls. It's quite the light show when he turns to make horrible squawking noises at a male passing by.
My poor friend. Everything about his stance and the flashing bioluminescence warns that he is angry and will attack if he needs to, but his energy radiates his fear. He won’t let anyone get near Calina when she is so weak.
I step lightly across the dirt floor of the ravine, doing my best not to rush over and startle either of them.
“Hey there, Rhux,” I call gently, reaching out a hand to be sure he has a good whiff of me if he isn’t paying attention.
The broad-headed dinosaur turns in my direction, pinning me with big gold eyes. The red lights on his skin falter. Some of his muscles loosen. The wave of relief in his energy feels good. Like he's just leaned all his worrisome weight on me and taken a deep breath.
That is, until a small gasp rolls down into the pit behind me.
Rhux’s eyes refocus and his jaw clenches as he glances over my head. My muscles tighten as well, ready to growl at whoever has disturbed my friend all over again, but when I turn, I see her.
Small Eva perched on the edge of the pit. Kutarians surround her, but they’re all a blur. She stands there, hand over her mouth, watching us. A flicker of excitement hits me—which is absurd. She’s just an alien female standing there. Looking down at us.
But it’s the way her eyes move over Rhux and Calina. The undivided attention. Utmost concentration. The crease in her brow, heavy with distress.
When her gaze meets mine and I see the deep pools of wonder and concern, something rattles loose inside my chest. It breaks free and a warmth moves through me, like the rushing of a river. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt and I take a shuddering breath.
This female who doesn’t know me, doesn’t know these levadon, looks as if she’s about to break down into tears. Surely Gemma has fed her some information on Calina, but even then, what does Gemma know? I’ve been keeping a close eye on the mother-to-be but I haven’t shared my concerns. Calina is not a bonded levadon for someone to come care for, but she is Rhux’s chosen mate so I’ve looked after her.
There isn’t anything Gemma could have told Eva to make her gaze down at us with eyes that make me so twisted up inside I nearly forget what I’m down there to do. It seems she has a heart big enough to take on the worriment all on her own. I can feel the concern and questions radiating from her body.
Though she’s not done surprising me yet.
It only takes a few seconds of eye contact before she moves. She pushes past the warriors next to her and scurries onto the ladder. The rungs are much too far apart for her and I start toward her, ready to catch her once she topples.
But Kovak’s powerful voice pulls me up short.
“Don’t move.”
The words are loud, forceful. Not angry or vicious. Just stern.
Eva has stopped as well, clinging to the ladder and standing on the only step she can reach.
The Kutarians part as Kovak strides along the edge of the pit to the ladder. Standing over it, he crosses his arms over his chest and stares down at Eva.
“Outsiders do not go in the levadon pit,” he says.
His tone is level but strong, as if he’s disciplining a child. Eva shakes like a leaf.
Without another word, he holds out a hand. She stares at it for a moment and a flame lights in the depths of my belly. A possessive urge to bat Kovak’s hand away and help Eva myself. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. I don’t want to show any disrespect toward my Captain, but her hesitation is not a good sign either. He’s being cordial. My stomach knots for the handful of heartbeats she regards him.
When she finally accepts his hand, my body sags in relief.
Except for that tiny pull of jealousy in my chest.
Chapter 3
Eva
I thought I was scared that time I came across a bear on the hiking trail near my house and it stood up and snarled at me. Hoo boy. Little did I know, that was nothing compared to a ten-foot-tall alien warrior standing over me and shouting.
Do I look like a tiny kitten cowering in the corner?
You can bet your ass I do.
At least he doesn’t seem pissed. Just insistent.
I have no idea what he’s saying, but given that he came marching over as soon as I hopped on the ladder, I’m going to assume it’s something about going down into the ravine.
Rather than stick around and ask non-English-speaking Beefcake what the hell he’s getting at, I figure it’s a safer bet just to let him help me up the ladder and make myself scarce.
I suppose that's Gemma's idea too because as soon as my feet hit the ground, she takes over. With my fingers squeezed in hers, she strides away from the dinosaur pit. I feel a little like a child being dragged off to my room by my mother. But that could also be because I'm having to take three jumping steps to keep up with one of Gemma's.
She’s so damn tall.
“What the fuck was all that?” I choke out once we’re out of earshot. Even though no one would understand me anyway.
“Kovak’s just looking out for you,” she murmurs.
I pull back on her hand. “Are you kidding? I thought he was going to bite my head off.”
Maybe a little drastic, but it was still fucking scary.
My tugs don’t slow her down. “He wouldn’t have hurt you, but he was worried the levadon would.”
I pull harder. “Levadon? Hey, would you hold your horses?”
She stops and looks down at me. We’re somewhere in the middle of the village now, small leather hide huts all around us. We went running through after Drek so fast before that I’m totally lost now.
I shake my hand free from her grasp and put it on my hip. “These people keep dinosaur pets?”
“Kind of. They’re not really pets. More like companions.”
I can’t fight the judgy wrinkle in my nose. “Not companions like…?”
She scoffs. “No, of course not. They ride them. No, stop looking at me like that. The dinos are their mounts. Ugh, Eva!”
I have no idea what she’s talking about. My face is like a blank slate. Honest.
Mostly.
“They bond with the levadon and they help one another,” she continues. “You know, fight with them. Let them ride them like a horse. More like a knight and his warhorse really. They’re tough sonsabitches.”
“So these big warrior guys ride dinosaurs. That’s cool.”
And I ain’t lying. It’s fucking badass.
Of course, I knew the aliens rode them. I got thrown over the back of one just yesterday. Or I guess that was more like a couple weeks ago. Or something.
Damn, there any calendars around here?
But I didn’t realize the dinos just hung out around their village like that. Those are some pretty special man-eating pets.
Now that some of my shock of being here, stranded on a strange planet, abducted by aliens, has worn off, some of my excitement over seeing dinosaurs up close and personal returns.
“Am I going to get to see one?”
The edge of a smile creeps back over Gemma’s mouth. “Definitely.”
Hell yes.
“Are you sure? Your boyfriend back there seems pretty against it.”
“He may n
ot have wanted you down in the pit, but he’s not going to stop me from showing off my levadon.”
Oh, my heart. I think it stopped.
I blink up at her as I search for my voice. And my breath.
“You have a fucking dinosaur?”
Her smile is beaming. “I sure do.”
“Oh my Lord. I need to see it. Like right now. Was it down there with all the others?”
“Most of them weren’t. Things seem pretty crazy down there right now. Maybe we should give her a couple hours?”
"Sure. What's wrong with that mustard-colored one? She doesn't look good."
“I’m not sure. I don’t know that one.”
“Drek seemed really stressed over it.”
She gives me a twisting smirk of a grin, and I know what that means. She’s going to push him on me again. And for some reason, I’m not all that upset about it.
“That was his levadon protecting her,” she says. “The dark red with the strobing lights. Maybe that’s his baby. Or his mate.”
“I wonder what’s wrong with her.”
She bumps my shoulder with a sneaky smile. “You can go ask him later. For now, let’s get you settled in.”
* * *
The plate of food they hand me is platter-sized. Like the one Granny broke out during Thanksgiving. For, you know, the entire table.
I balance the platter on my knees and stare down at the assortment of meats and vegetables.
“That’s vultir,” Gemma says as she points. “It’s tasty. Kind of like venison I guess. Then those are potato things. That—well, I’m not sure what that is, but it tastes like asparagus.”
I try to keep things straight as she speaks.
It’s all a lot to take in. The world. The people. The fact that my fellow humans are no longer human. It’s rather surreal looking around the small circle of us and seeing only aliens. Big ones that tower over me.
I’m in the weirdest nightmare I’ve ever encountered.
“Watch those potatoes,” Trinity warns as she chews. “They give me gas.”
A few of the women giggle and Gemma gives her a warning look.
