by Hope Hart
The Dokhalls begin to go down, but for every purple creature who falls, another is there to replace them.
There are so many of them. And the weapons they carry, the ones that look like sticks? As soon as the Dokhalls charge at the Braxians, the Braxians begin to fall.
They don’t even need to touch them with the pointed end of their weapons. They just need to be within a few feet of our warriors, and a blue light sparks from their weapons, dropping the Braxians like flies.
We may have thousands more Braxians on our side, but for every Dokhall we kill, several more Braxians go down.
Beside me, Nevada lets another arrow loose from her crossbow. Beside her, Beth is doing the same, while Ivy has gone with Vrex to hunt for the Dokhalls’ ship.
Alexis has ordered the warriors to collect any of the Dokhalls’ weapons they can find, and she’s currently crouched behind our hill, attempting to figure out how one of them works. If we can turn their weapons against them, we’ll have a better shot at winning this battle.
Zoey and Ellie are in the healers’ kradi, taking care of the wounded, and Vivian…
Vivian is currently lighting tresla pods on fire and hauling them at the Dokhalls, a fierce grin on her face.
I take a moment to look at the women with me. To take a mental picture. To say goodbye.
Nevada meets my eyes, and I can’t hear her over the sounds of the battle, but I read her lips.
“You got this,” she tells me.
I give her a shaky smile, and then I get to my feet.
I move to the side, a crossbow in my hand. I’m useless with it, but I attempt to hit the Dokhalls as I position myself close to the edge of the forest.
I glance at Rakiz, who’s sitting on his mishua. As soon as the Dokhalls’ front line falls, our best warriors will be headed straight for the center of the battle.
He turns his head and stares at me for one long moment. He argued against this. It seems to be against Braxian code to allow women to be in danger.
But after a whispered fight with Nevada, he finally gave in. Rakiz says something to the warriors surrounding him, and their mishua move further from me. They make it look like a simple break in their defenses as a group of the Dokhalls attack.
Can’t make it obvious.
I’m so scared that I’m trembling, my mouth dry as the last mishua moves, and I make myself widen my eyes as if wondering what the hell happened to my protection.
It seems like the Dokhalls’ entire left flank breaks away. They’re practically falling over each other to be the one to bring me back to their ship. I wonder if they have some reward system. Maybe each of us human women is worth a certain amount of points.
I whip my head from side to side, but as planned, Rakiz is long gone and Terex has already moved closer to the front lines. He’s roaring as if he’s in a killing rage, unable to remember that he’s meant to defend me.
The Dokhalls are getting closer. By now, they’ll see exactly which way I’ll be running.
So I turn and sprint into the forest as if I’ve lost all self-control. As if I’m so terrified and stupid that I leave the protection of the Braxians behind.
The Dokhalls don’t want to kill me. So if this plan succeeds, I will have taken fifty or more enemies from the front lines, removing them as threats to the Braxians.
And increasing all our chances of surviving.
I’ve run this route a hundred times. The Braxians helped me dig up anything I could trip on before covering up the evidence so it wouldn’t be obvious that I’m leading the Dokhalls down a well-traveled path.
But I didn’t expect them to be so fucking fast.
I’m more out of shape than I’d like. In Houston, I spent some of my precious tip money on a pass for the gym—not to work out, but so I could use the shower each day. I preferred running outside, but when it got too hot, I occasionally hit the treadmill. I hate running, but the thought of Ben chasing me was enough to motivate me to get my four miles in each morning.
This isn’t close to four miles, but it needs to be taken as a sprint. And it can’t look like I’m leading them anywhere. I turn right, grabbing the long white branch of the tree I marked earlier and using it for leverage as I swing around the corner.
I need them to see where I’m going.
That’s not a problem, though, because they’re gaining on me, those horrible sticks in their hands. They clutch them like spears, and I lower my head, pumping my legs faster.
Crashing sounds are coming from the trees to my right. They’ve split up, and they’re trying to cut me off.
Shit.
It’s okay, Charlie. You planned for this. Keep your eye on the ball.
I’m more winded than I usually am at this point in the run, and I think it’s the sheer terror that’s clutching at my throat, making it harder to breathe. But the adrenaline keeps me throwing one foot in front of the other, keeps my arms pumping as I head down the final stretch.
Both groups are getting close. When I mentioned this possibility to the Braxians who set up this trap, they simply tilted their heads, stared into the forest, and told me they’d take care of it.
I really hope they took care of it.
The rope is around the next turn, and I can see it in my mind’s eye, dangling in front of me. I was never good at gym, but I’m going to have to scramble up that rope like a spider monkey, and I’m going to have to do it before the aliens chasing me see me.
If this doesn’t work, I’m worse than dead.
It’s Dragix’s face that flashes in front of my eyes as I round the final corner and lunge for the rope. Dragix’s eyes that urge me on as I take three huge steps and jump for it, my momentum making it swing wildly as I scale it.
I reach for the branch of the tree and haul myself onto it, immediately pulling the rope up after me. My breath is coming in wild sobs, and I slam my hand over my mouth, crouching in my branch as I hear the Dokhalls yelling.
But someone else is calling me, his voice frantic in my head.
“Charlie? Charlie!”
Dragix? Is he…here?
I block him out as the Dokhalls round the corner. Some of them are furious, eyes hard, snarling as they tear down the path. Others seem to be having fun, savage grins on their faces as they yell insults down the trail at where they think I’m still running.
I slam my eyes shut, terrified that they’ll feel my eyes on them, that they’ll look up and see me in this tree.
They don’t.
The stream past my tree, and for a moment, I think the trap hasn’t worked. I’m suddenly sure that they’ll keep running, realize I’m not up ahead, and circle back to find me.
Just when I’m frantically attempting to figure out another plan, the air fills with screams.
I peek through my hands as I turn my head and look down at the trap.
The ground has given way, just like it was supposed to.
Ten feet below, the purple bastards who thought they could steal me off this planet are impaled on sharpened sticks, rocks, and even the occasional knife.
They’re not going anywhere until they can dig themselves out. And a group of Braxians will be arriving soon to finish this job.
I stay put for a long moment, terrified that the group that was trying to cut me off might be on its way.
But they don’t break through the trees, even as their friends scream for help.
I climb through the branches of the tree to the other side and let down another rope. I swing down, attempting to block out the sounds of the dying aliens.
They could have left us in peace. But they came to this planet because they consider us property.
This is war.
Chapter Eighteen
Dragix
I scan the battle below, desperately searching for Charlie. I blow out a stream of fire, aiming at the Dokhalls crowding too close to the Braxians on the right flank.
They turn to ash.
Cheers sound, the Braxians waving their
swords in the air. I ignore them, my heart pounding in my chest.
I see both Braxian tribe queens. I see the white-haired two-leg who Charlie called Vivian gleefully throwing small pods at the Dokhalls and smiling when they explode.
But I don’t see Charlie.
“Little two-leg, where are you?”
I call her again and again, flying further from the battle.
“I’m here, Dragix.”
Relief makes me shudder, and my wings tremble as I glance down, finding Charlie beaming up at me as she sprints out of the trees.
I land, snatching her to me and running the top of one claw gently down her face as I check for damage.
“You came,” she says, and I nod, picking her up and placing her on my back.
“I couldn’t leave you to fight without me. Never again will you be without me.”
Charlie lets out a sound that sounds like a cross between a laugh and a sob. And then I turn my head, finding a group of purple two-legs creeping closer, pointed weapons in their hands.
I snarl at them, spit fire, and take Charlie to the sky.
“Oh God,” she says. “Dragix…we’re losing this battle.”
She’s right. I lean down and blow fire through the center of the Dokhalls. But it’s not enough to turn them to ash. Not anymore.
Charlie’s legs tense around me as the Dokhalls scream, attempting to put out the flames that ravage their bodies.
“What’s going on, Dragix?”
“I only have so much flame, little two-leg. I have been hunting the purple invaders already today and have not eaten enough to replenish my fire.”
“Oh shit.”
I watch the purple two-legs. They scream and run in circles, attempting to put out the flames engulfing them. It provides a good distraction as the invaders near them move away, scared of the flames.
But it’s not enough.
The Braxians are slowly retreating, likely hoping to get behind the camp walls. There are thousands of Braxians, but their swords are no match for the Dokhall weapons, which spit blue light.
So many of them have fallen that they are slumped on each other, the ground a sea of bodies.
Alexis is handing the Braxians the Dokhall weapons that she has obviously ordered to be collected. From the way she’s holding them and screaming at the Braxians, she’s teaching them how to use them.
“Dragix, she needs more weapons. Can we help?”
I swoop down, plucking the long sticks from fallen Dokhalls, and Alexis lets out a cheer as we dump them at her feet.
But it’s too late. The Braxians’ right flank has fallen, giving the Dokhalls a clear path to the human females.
Rakiz turns his head, roaring at Nevada to move, and she nods, her face pale as she glances around her.
But she is now surrounded.
“Dragix!” Charlie is screaming, pointing at Nevada.
One of the purple two-legs has obviously decided against taking the human females back to his ship. He has lost his weapon, but he picks up a sword, a savage grin on his face. Revenge. It’s clear that he wants vengeance for his fallen friends.
He’s holding Nevada’s sword.
She’s clutching a crossbow, and she aims it at him. He dodges left as she shoots, missing his chest as the arrow hits his arm.
Charlie lets out a dry sob as I arrow toward Nevada, planning to snatch her from the ground.
Beth is suddenly there, a crossbow in her hand as she aims at the Dokhall. But Vivian gets to Nevada first, her mouth grim, her face set in determination as she steps in front of Nevada, pushing her to the ground.
The Dokhall slides his sword into her chest.
Nevada, Beth, and Charlie are screaming as I reach the Dokhall, my claws slashing. His head rolls to the ground, but it may be too late for the two-leg female.
“Oh God, oh God,” Charlie is crying as she jumps off my back and falls to her knees beside Nevada.
Nevada is screaming. “Why, Vivian? Why would you do that?”
The female’s lips are bloody, a bad sign. “You’re pregnant,” she says with a weak smile, and Nevada sobs, clutching Vivian to her as she rocks.
Beth screams for a healer, and one of them rushes forward from behind the hill.
“I will attempt to heal her.” I glance down at the bleeding female. I want to tell Charlie that it is too late, that Vivian is losing too much blood. But I must at least try.
Rakiz is suddenly next to Nevada, his face white as he stares down at Vivian.
“She saved my life,” Nevada tells him, and he pulls her into his arms, his eyes closing for a moment in relief. His expression is tormented as he stares down at the bleeding female—the female under his protection.
I lean down and examine the wound. Then I get to work, pushing my saliva deep into the female’s chest.
“What the hell is he doing?” Beth demands.
“Healing her,” Charlie says. “Just like he healed me.”
“Holy shit,” Nevada says. Then her voice goes low. “We’re losing, aren’t we?”
Rakiz’s tone is gentle. “Yes, karja.”
Rakiz leans close to me as I lick between the female’s ribs.
“I need you to take the females away from here,” Rakiz says.
Nevada and Beth are instantly protesting, both of them covered in Vivian’s blood as the female barely clings to life. Charlie just looks at me and shakes her head.
I ignore that and nod at Rakiz. Then I move back from Vivian. “I have done all I can, but I am not a god. She has lost a lot of blood.”
The healer takes over, dripping some kind of concoction into Vivian’s mouth, and then we all turn as a loud horn sounds from the battlefield.
Charlie scrambles to her feet, and I pull her onto my back where she can see.
The Dokhalls are falling.
Falling to an army that marches toward us, carrying gleaming black shields that protect them from the blue lights of the Dokhalls’ weapons.
“Oh my God,” Charlie says. “It’s Arix. He actually came.”
She’s pointing to a Braxian on the front lines. He’s riding a scaled beast, and a black crown gleams on his head.
He glances across the battlefield and salutes us with his sword as Charlie lets out a whoop of relief.
“Eat, Dragix. I need you to eat.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“With Arix’s forces and your fire, we can kill them. Please, Dragix, I’ll be fine.”
I help her off my back and turn to Rakiz. He nods, and I lean down, running my snout against Charlie’s head.
“Very well.”
I don’t go far. I take to the skies and then swoop down, plucking Dokhalls from their lines. The most cowardly turn and run, heading for the cover of trees as the Dokhalls are suddenly caught between Arix’s warriors at their backs and the remaining Braxians at their fronts.
The Dokhalls taste almost as bitter as the Voildi, but I crunch down anyway. I instantly have more energy, and I immediately turn it to flame, burning my way through the Dokhalls.
But I get too close.
And I have forgotten.
Forgotten that I am still mortal now. That I have not spent enough time in this form to undo the damage that has been done.
Their weapons burn, hotter than any flame, as they hit my wings. I roar, and I could swear I hear Charlie’s answering scream.
I go down, crushing them as I fall. They’re savage, advancing on me in a horde, weapons pointed toward me.
I may be grounded, but I’m not helpless. My wings burn, coldness spreading up them and into my back. It’s as if I’ve been poisoned.
Whatever makes their weapons spit blue light is the antithesis of my flames.
The purple two-legs soon stop advancing, choosing instead to wait, just out of reach of my flames.
“Dragix!”
I turn my head, roaring at the sight of Charlie sprinting toward me.
“What are you doing?
Get back behind the hill.”
She ignores that, a sword in her hand, and I tremble at the sight of her running straight into danger.
Then the purple two-legs are dying, attempting to flee as they’re attacked from all sides. Several of them back up, coming within my range, and I spit flames at them, watching in satisfaction as they have to run toward the other purple two-legs who are still attempting to escape from Arix and his warriors.
It’s suddenly quiet.
The remaining purple two-legs have either fled or have been cut down, the battlefield scattered with their weapons.
My eyes slide closed as my legs are no longer able to hold my weight.
The battle is over.
Charlie
I’m screaming wordlessly as I slump to my knees next to Dragix. His bright gold eyes are closed, but he seems to rouse at my howling, cracking them open slightly, although they’re glassy and unfocused.
“Shift back,” I demand, and he closes his eyes again. “Damn you, Dragix, shift back so we can help you!”
He lets out a long, breathy sigh, but he complies.
It takes a long time.
Gold sparks are rising around us, and I sob as his body seems to shift inch by inch. His snout gets smaller, his teeth disappearing, and I have to close my eyes briefly at the gruesome sight.
The fact that his shift is taking so long is not a good sign.
Distantly, I’m aware that we’re surrounded. Arix is standing in front of us, staring down at Dragix, his sword in his hand as if he’s contemplating taking his head while he’s vulnerable. I bare my teeth at him, and the ghost of a smile crosses his face as he meets my eyes.
“Why isn’t he healing?” I ask, my voice high and thready. “Dragix, why aren’t you healing?”
Moni is suddenly next to me, her expression mournful.
“Don’t look at him like that,” I snap. “He’s going to be fine. Dragix, open your eyes.”
He does. His expression is tender as he attempts to raise his hand to my face. His arm falls, and I catch his hand in mine, bringing it to my cheek.
“Why aren’t you healing?” My tears are dripping down his hand, and his eyes are full of sorrow.
