Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 1)

by Mooney, Linda

  “Oh, shit! Hold it!” Reaching over, she grabbed the partial body of the eye worm still attached to his uniform. Jerking it off, she threw it on the floor, stood, and squashed it with her boot. It made a soft popping sound. “Roll over. Let me see if any more of those nasty things are hanging on.”

  He struggled to obey, without success. “I’m having difficulty.”

  “Well, I’m not surprised. Let me look.”

  Grabbing the waistband of his skirt, she managed to lift him enough to where she could examine his back. “All right. You’re clear.” A quick scan over the rest of him show no further signs of eye worm infestation. Lowering him onto the floor, she settled herself beside him.

  “That was quick thinking on your part, finding that doorway,” he praised her. “I don’t think I could have lasted much longer.”

  “It was sheer luck, believe me. And I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.”

  “Out of the woods?”

  She smiled at his puzzled expression. “It means we’re not out of danger.”

  He lifted his head toward the wall. “I don’t know why it never occurred to me.”

  “Why what never occurred to you?”

  “The height of the symbols. The glyphs for the lights and the doors. They’re at the level where the original inhabitants would have been able to reach them. Not someone of our stature.”

  She chuckled. “It took me a moment to realize that.”

  The scratching on the other side of the wall continued. Kelen drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. “Do you think anyone else is still alive?” she whispered.

  He slowly shook his head. “I cannot hope.” Tilting his head, he gave her a small smile. “Although there is a chance Dox may have escaped.”

  “That’s right. He must have gone through a door right before all hell broke loose.”

  They sat in silence, the sound of their breathing the only other noise beside the incessant scratchings. She noticed him glancing around.

  “What is it?”

  “My satchel. I seem to have lost it during the fight outside.”

  “Did it contain anything important?”

  “Other than a few supplies, no.” He sighed loudly and lay still, his eyes staring at the ceiling.

  Kelen let her eyes wander about the room. “I wonder what this room was for.”

  Kyber chuckled, deep and resonant. “I’m starting to wonder if any of the rooms have a specific purpose. We have yet to discover any sort of living chambers. Perhaps they’re on a lower level.”

  “This one’s too small to live in, even for those little people.” She gave a huff of laughter. “Huh. Come to think of it, my cabin on the Manta was about this size. I take it all back.”

  Kyber managed to lift a hand and point to a series of vertical, parallel wavy lines that glowed with a pale white light in the center of the wall near her. “See if anything happens if you strike that carving.”

  Crawling on her hands and knees, Kelen went over to the picture and slapped it. As if by magic, the block with that carving began to extend outward toward her. Kelen stared in shock at the carved bowl seated inside.

  “Oh, sweet…” Dipping her finger into the bowl, she stuck the digit into her mouth. “It’s water. Kyber, it’s water!” Carefully, she lifted the bowl and carried it over to where he lay. The Seneecian drank thirstily before pushing it away.

  “You take the rest,” he insisted.

  “No. You take it all. You need it more than I do. Hopefully, there’s more. How did you know that symbol would mean water?”

  “I didn’t, but in many cultures there are some similarities in pictographs. If the circles meant the sun and light, I took the chance the wavy lines would indicate the presence of water.”

  She made an appreciative face and nodded. “Sounds logical. So how can we be sure this isn’t it?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She waved at the bowl. “What if that’s all there is? What if, when I push on the symbol again, we don’t get a refill?”

  He gave her a doubtful look, but went ahead and drained the bowl. Kelen took the bowl back to the open block, set it into the groove, and gave the block a little push. The carving obediently slid into its recess.

  “All right. Let’s see if this works.” She flashed him a hopeful smile and hit the symbol a second time. The block re-opened. And, as she’d half-hoped, the bowl was full. “Bingo!”

  Kyber laughed softly as she took a drink.

  “What do you find funny?” she asked, wiping her mouth on her sleeve.

  “Your Terran expressions. I have no idea what they mean, but I understand them.”

  She replaced the bowl and closed the block as she scanned the other symbols embedded in the wall. “I think I’m beginning to catch on to these.”

  “Explain it to me,” he softly asked. He was close to falling asleep.

  “This is someone’s home. We’re inside someone’s apartment, or cabin. And behind these walls are everything they need to survive. I bet if I did a little more snooping, I’d find the right scribble for food. Maybe even a bed. Or a communications device!”

  “What of the series of symbols that are all the same color?” Kyber wearily asked.

  “I bet those are instructions, or road signs, like this way to such and such chamber. Remember how Dox read that grouping to lead us here?”

  Her eyes fell on a marking at the opposite end of the room, and her heart lurched as she recognized it. Leaning over, she placed a hand on the Seneecian’s leg. “Kyber?”

  “Mmm.”

  “There’s another doorway.”

  “Where?”

  She pointed to the green backwards check mark on the opposite side of the room. He placed his hand over hers. “Do not go through it, Kelen. Not until I’m able to go with you.” It wasn’t a command, but a request.

  “I promise I won’t.” She glanced down to find his deep brown eyes watching her, and she smiled. “I give you my word.”

  Her reassurance was enough to satisfy him, and he nodded. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to rest and regain his strength.

  Kelen remained sitting there, watching him. Observing him. Taking advantage of this rare moment to study him. If not for the fine covering of short fur enveloping his body, he appeared human. Give or take the claws on his hands and feet. She’d seen his sharp, pointed teeth. She’d witnessed first-hand his strength and bravery. And, without question, his endurance was beyond what any human man could withstand.

  Was that why she wasn’t afraid of the Seneecian? Was that why she’d gravitated to him, as if they’d had magnets tied to each other? This alien was supposed to be her mortal enemy. She’d been indoctrinated into hating his kind for as long as she could remember.

  What changed my mind? Why can’t I find it in myself to distrust him?

  Why do I want to run my fingers through his fur?

  She caught herself yawning, but she didn’t feel tired. She was still too wound up.

  Tearing her gaze away from him, she studied the markings on the wall. Okay, Chambliss. Let’s see what else we can discover about this place.

  She pointed to the water mark. “Wavy line.” To the door sign. “Straight line.” To the sun symbol. “Circle, but let’s call that a wavy line since it curves.” Biting her lower lip, she glanced at some of the other glowing glyphs. “Have you noticed, Chambliss, that not all the markings are lit up? Only specific ones? What do you want to bet the lit ones are like the command toggles on the navigation console on the Manta?”

  One symbol in particular intrigued her. It was a purple vertical loop. After hesitating for a moment, she hit it. Instead of the block extending outward, a little slot opened up. She peered inside at the object lying inside. Cautious, she reached in and drew it out. It was a dark blue and shaped like a pancake. It even hung limply in her hand like one. She sniffed it, then tentatively ran her tongue over it.

  “All
right, Chambliss. I know what Dr. Sandow said, but he could be dead for all we know.” She took a deep breath. “Here goes. What have I got to lose?”

  She took a bite. The stuff was palatable but virtually tasteless, like the blue thumb fruit. Swallowing, she waited to see if her body would react. After what she felt was sufficient time, and not feeling any aftereffects, she downed the rest of it, as well as part of another.

  “Okay. What’s done is done. What next? Do I feel like doing a bit more exploring?” she murmured softly. One symbol in particular intrigued her. Like the door symbol, it was a straight orange line, but horizontal with two smaller lines running perpendicular below it. Furthermore, it was set in the corner, low to the floor. Unable to resist, she pressed the symbol. A portion of the floor slid away, revealing a small, oval bowl. A slight odor emanated from it, and she leaned over to sniff.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. It’s the toilet!” Good thing, too, since it had been some time since she’d last gone.

  Once she was finished, another yawn overtook her, and this time she had to admit her weariness. Coming down off her adrenaline high, she was beginning to crash.

  Tucking the partially-eaten blue pancake back into its niche, she crawled over to where Kyber lay unconscious. “Fuck this. I’m going for broke,” she muttered to herself, and spooned up against his side.

  He was warm. The fur on his arm and leg was soft to the touch where she draped her arm over his waist.

  She had no recollection of falling asleep.

  Chapter 17

  Alone

  The room was dimmer when she awoke. At least it appeared that way.

  The first thing she noticed was that the scratching had ceased. That alone helped to ease her worry somewhat. The second thing she was aware of was the feel of strong arms encircling her.

  Slowly, Kelen turned her head to find a dark green gaze studying her. Lifting her arms, she drew them around his neck and brought him closer, burying her face in his shoulder. It felt like the most natural thing to do. The right thing to do. Holding him. Pressing herself against him as his arms tightened, as if to keep her permanently in his embrace.

  Several minutes passed as his warmth seeped into her bones. It was as if he also passed his strength along to her. And his zest for life, for survival.

  She breathed him in. He had a unique scent that defied description. His short black fur was soft—a complete antithesis to the firm, muscular body it covered. Where she had expected it to be wiry and coarse, it was more of a pelt. Reluctantly, she finally leaned back to stare up into his face and his puzzled expression.

  “What?” she whispered.

  “You were dreaming. Or rather, you were facing demons.”

  “Is it any wonder?” She gave him tired grin. “How do you feel? How’s the wound?”

  “Much better, thank you.”

  They remained locked together. Neither of them made a move to disengage. Things were too perfect to separate.

  Reaching up, she ran her fingers over his broad, flat nose, over his cheek, and down to the corner of his mouth. His lips were thin, she discovered, and hairless. Even his skin was the color of night.

  “That tickles,” he told her softly.

  “Oh. Sorry.” She pulled her hand away, but he caught it and returned it to his face.

  “But if it pleases you, it pleases me,” he murmured.

  Kelen smiled. “You’re just so…different.”

  “Is that good or bad?” He was teasing her. They were comfortable enough with each other to tease? The realization gave her a warm feeling. She brushed the back of her fingers across the side of his head.

  “It’s good. Where are your ears?”

  “You touched them. Why do yours stick out?”

  “I don’t know. Genetics? And you’re soft. I mean, your hair is soft. I wasn’t implying you were soft, like weak. I meant… Aww, hell. You know what I’m trying to say, don’t you?”

  Kyber chuckled. “I do. May I ask a favor?”

  “Sure. What?”

  “May I explore you?”

  “Umm, okay. It’s only right, to return the favor.”

  She involuntarily flinched when his talons hovered over her eyes. She couldn’t help herself, even though she knew he didn’t intend to hurt her. When they caressed her cheek, she barely felt them. She kept her gaze on his, on the way his eyes roamed across her. The tip of one claw followed the line of an eyebrow, sending a shiver through her.

  It was incredibly erotic, having him caress her in this fashion. Erotic and exciting.

  “I must be honest with you,” he admitted in that low, gravelly range she was finding she loved to hear. He continued before she could ask what about. “I thought your skinned appearance would be off-setting. It’s not.”

  She smiled. “Think of me as one of your kind but with a real close shave.”

  “Trust me, Kelen. You’re nothing like one of my kind.”

  “That better be a compliment,” she teased.

  “It is.”

  He drew an imaginary line around the curve of her cheek to her ear, flicking the lobe. “For years, the sight of Terrans disgusted me. Why do I no longer feel that way? Why does your visage fascinate me?”

  With a start, Kelen realized they were getting into unexplored and potentially dangerous new territory. One that didn’t include their current whereabouts.

  She was beginning to lose herself in this Seneecian, and the idea didn’t frighten her. Regardless of everything she’d been taught, and all the rumors she’d heard, she found herself enthralled by the alien. Captivated and eager to learn more. To experience more.

  But does he?

  “May I ask you a personal question?” Kyber interrupted her thoughts.

  “Go ahead. Shoot.”

  He grinned. The tips of his pointed teeth gleamed in the soft light. “Do you have a partner? A…life mate?”

  “You mean a husband? No. No boyfriend, either.” She gave a slight shrug. “Being in the space corps tends to kill off relationships, if you know what I mean.”

  He bowed his face. “I do know what you mean.”

  “How about you? You are taken?”

  “Taken?”

  “Is there someone on Seneecia who claims you?”

  He hesitated. “No. I have no one but my family.”

  “You have family?” She smiled.

  “My father, my brother, and two sisters,” he admitted. “Do you have a family?”

  “Not anymore. Mom died when I was little. Dad died while I was on my first mission. I never had any brothers or sisters. You’re lucky.”

  A gurgling sound came between them, making her laugh. “I’m hungry. Bet you’re famished, too.”

  She hated having to disengage herself from his arms. From the expression that flashed across his face, so did he.

  “I regret to say I didn’t pocket any of those blue fruits,” he admitted.

  “Not a problem. How do you feel about blue pancakes?”

  She caught the confused look he gave her before she went over to the panel that was still open. Pulling out the partially-eaten pancake, she closed the panel and returned to his side.

  “Here. Try this. See if it agrees with your system.”

  Kyber took the food and noticed the missing piece. He gasped at her with alarm. She held up a hand to stop his protests.

  “I know. I know. Doc said never to try anything until he’d cleared it first. But Doc’s not here, and God knows if he’s still alive. We have to eat if we’re to survive.” She waved at the pancake. “I was doodling around, trying to figure out what some of those symbols meant, and this popped out. It looked like food, so I ate a little bit to see if I’d have any reaction to it. I mean, what other choice did I have? It was try it or starve.” She motioned at herself. “As you can see, I’m still here. No tummy problems or otherwise. Go on. You try it. I can’t vouch for the taste, or whatever. I don’t even know if it’s nutritious. I just know it’s edi
ble.”

  She watched as he bit into the flat object and chewed. “You’re right,” he admitted. “It’s tasteless.” He handed her the remainder, which she denied.

  “You finish it,” she told him. “I’ll see if there might be another one ready by now.”

  Crawling over to the symbol with the loop, she hit the panel. It popped open like before. Pulling out another pancake, she held it up for him to see. “Jackpot! Breakfast!”

  The panel dispensed several more, which they ate, followed by a drink of water from the bowl. All the while, she noticed how he appeared to be studying the walls.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “I don’t suppose one of those lighted symbols hides a weapon we can use?” Kyber smiled lopsidedly.

  Kelen returned the grin and shook her head. “I don’t know. Care for me to give it a shot to find out? Oh, I found out that orange light is their bathroom. Hit it, and part of the floor slides away.” She pointed to the symbol near the surface. “Apparently these people had no qualms about going in front of others.”

  “Thank you. I’ll keep that bit of information in mind.”

  She tilted her head as she watched him survey the rest of the walls. “Kyber?”

  “Hold off for a moment.” He paused to think.

  “I realized last night that the shape of the sign was a clue as to what it meant,” she continued. “Straight lines are objects, like doorways. Curvy lines are sustenance. At least, they have been so far. Or I could be completely wrong, and just happened to be very lucky.”

  Kyber sat up and pointed to a symbol that resembled an inverted U that glimmered a dark gold. “Have you tried that one?”

  “No. Want me to?”

  “It curves. I’m curious. Let me this time.”

  “Be careful.”

  He gave her a hooded look in reply, then went over to the panel to hit it. There was a pause as the golden glow blinked. He stepped aside, out of range in case something happened. When it slid open, it held another bowl. This time, steam rose from the contents. Kyber lifted it out and sniffed it.