Swallowing bile, I tear my eyes away and try not to look down. My brain takes a snapshot of the carnage of its own accord. Gritting my teeth, I keep going, following the others back around the dune to where we can climb up to the small picnic area right where we left it.
I grab my water skin, but we leave behind the scraps of meat and fruit. There isn’t time as we pile into the rover. As soon as all of us are in, Nora starts the vehicle and punches the accelerator. Archion’s right. It isn’t silent, but if we keep moving, it should hopefully be okay.
I’d rather be in the rover than back inside that small ridge. My cheeks flush hot, embarrassment flooding through at my reaction. It was completely irrational and stupid, but there was no controlling it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, forcing the words past the thick lump in my throat.
Archion looks over his shoulder, hard eyes staring judgmentally, and the sick feeling in my stomach grows worse. I can’t keep meeting his eyes. Dropping mine, I stare at the floor.
“It’s fine,” Nora says, not looking back.
“It’s… not.” I try to say more but I can’t speak.
“Each of has our own monsters to fight,” Archion says. “You did not give in. There is nothing to be ashamed of in fighting what’s inside of you.”
His words draw me out and I meet his eyes, looking for any sign of bullshit. If it’s there, I can’t see it. He’s sincere and the most open I’ve seen him… ever. Thoughtfully, I nod. Nora smiles at him but keeps most of her attention on what’s in front of us.
“Right,” I swallow.
Leaning back in the seat I close my eyes and let my thoughts drift. Unfortunately images of the Invaders strewn about hit me once more with brutal detail. Cut-up bodies, some of them dismembered, limbs broken at odd angles. I know I saw a head separated from the rest of its body...
Stop it.
There’s no use dwelling over something that couldn’t be avoided. If Archion didn’t kill those Invaders, they would have killed or enslaved us. Neither is an acceptable option. I try to switch gears, try to glean information from what I saw. Try to think objectively.
Okay.
Archion took down a group of Invaders by himself. Quickly and expertly. This is another clear example of how fast and skilled Archion is. I’ve never seen another Zmaj move as fast as he did to slice that first Invader’s throat. Nor could any of the others I know take down four Invaders at once.
Not this quickly anyway, and not without taking some damage. The other Zmaj are still impressive fighters, that’s not up for debate, but before Archion showed up... I didn’t even know there was another level.
Opening my eyes, I stare at Archion’s hard profile. He is scanning through the front windscreen, ever vigilant. We’re lucky he was with us. I wince as Nora steps down harder on the accelerator and the engine roars in response.
Now that Archion mentioned the loudness of the engine, I can’t help but notice it even more, but there is no help for it. We’re moving much faster in the vehicle. And if Archion didn’t think speed was of the essence, he wouldn’t have suggested it. So I hold onto the seat and hope we make it.
7
KHAL
A n alarm blares and my eyes snap open, my training taking over before I am fully awake.
I’m out of my pallet before the reverberation of the loud gong finishes sounding the third and final time. Grabbing my lochaber and my knives that hang near the door for just this reason, I race out of my quarters and down the stairs.
My post is some distance from the Order’s home, but I’m fast, my feet barely touching the ground as I move with a practiced speed to reach it swiftly.
Staying low as I reach the high ground, I push into the sand and obscure myself with it before turning my attention to scanning the desert. The rush of adrenaline flows through me, heightening my senses.
Combined with my particular training, I take in the scene and process it quickly. Something glints, reflecting the light of the moon. I don’t know what is causing it but it’s moving, and fast. Closing my protective lenses I watch, carefully judging its approach. It’s coming closer, right toward my post.
The glint becomes a dark blob which resolves into a boxy shape. A loud roar echoes over the sands to me, obviously some form of engine propelling the thing. Whoever or whatever is guiding it seems to know exactly where they’re going. That’s not good.
The real question is—who is inside that metal box? And why are they on the edge of our territory? There is nothing else on this path but us, a deliberate choice on the Order’s part. Chance encounters are rare to nonexistent.
As I watch, trying to glean anything else from its appearance, the vehicle stops. And then the occupants get out. My breath catches in my chest at the sight of a tall, familiar figure. One I would know anywhere.
Archion.
So taken am I by the sight of my brother that I don’t register the two figures with him until an instant later, when I hear a higher-pitched voice.
Tearing my eyes away from Archion’s obviously hale and healthy form, I take in the others. Whoever they are, they’re clearly not native to Tajss and just as obviously female. Incredible!
Small and curved, with paler skin that looks infinitely softer than ours, I cannot help but stare. The Leader has long claimed he had a vision of strangers falling from the stars. Seers of the Council have had visions of strangers crashing on Tajss. But, as is the way with visions, we had not seen it with our eyes.
None of the Order has seen sign of a ship, nor of the strangers themselves. Until now.
All of this goes runs through my mind while I stare, even as my attention inexorably shifts to that of the emerald-eyed female. There is something about her that draws my attention more than her counterpart, a magnetism. She pulls on something deep in my core. It’s a draw that I immediately resent.
It creates an odd combination coupling with the relief of finding my brother. Archion is alive. He isn’t maimed in any way, no sign of injury I can see, but... he has also brought outsiders with him.
Confusing matters more, the outsiders are females. Perhaps the Council will not frown too deeply on this for that reason, but I cannot be certain. It’s much too early to tell how they will react. I draw in a deep breath, scouting the area for danger before sliding out of the sand.
I catch the scent of bitter blood when the wind shifts and my eye goes to my brother. I recognize the familiar scent of the alien blood. Those aliens have been a problem to us, Archion and I have previously hunted them. That he is unharmed but carries the scent of their blood is a testament. He is a phenomenal warrior.
My smile is so wide my cheeks hurt. I wonder how many of the Invaders he killed this time. How many fell under the expert swing of his lochaber?
Straightening to my full height as I rise out of the sand, I start down the dune toward the small group. I am happy the alarm brought me this, but the situation is also more complicated than I could have ever expected.
Archion sees me and a smile crosses his face before he bursts into a run to intercept me.
“Brother!” he cries out, pulling me into a hard embrace.
Closing my eyes I take a deep breath of his scent, crushing him against me as a wash of sweet relief hits me. He is alive. I feel something inside me shift back to where it should be, my world once again returning to the correct order.
“I worried when you did not return,” I inform him in a low voice.
“I am sorry to have worried you so,” he returns, pulling back so he can meet my eyes. “I returned as soon as it was possible.”
I nod then look past him to the females watching us.
“It seems as though much has happened while you were gone,” I remark pointedly.
He nods, his face turning more serious.
“Yes. It is why I was gone for so long.” He turns to the female with straight brown hair. “Khal, this is my mate, Nora.” Mates? I nod at her even as the word sends a shockwave throu
gh me. “And this is Ashlee. She has joined us in a diplomatic capacity, as a representative for her people.”
I nod to the emerald-eyed female as well, taking in her shining, light brown hair and beautiful face. Large eyes with long lashes, a delicate nose, soft pink mouth. Her body is small and delicate as well, though curved in places I find... pleasing.
I have to force my gaze away when Archion continues to talk, too distracted at the sight of this Ashlee.
“I discovered potential allies, a group—a society—consisting of others like Nora as well as other Zmaj. And possible resources.”
“I see,” I murmur, my response neutral.
I do not know quite what to say. When I imagined Archion returning, it was not like... this. He searches my face.
“Once they are settled, I will seek the audience of the Council.”
I take a deep breath.
“They think you must be dead,” I say bluntly.
He must know. I do not want him to walk in blindly. Archion’s smile falters, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes as the meaning of my words clearly registers. The Council has decided he was lost. They may not welcome him back now. Especially with outsiders in tow.
It is a great violation of our rules to bring anyone not of the Order back to our home. A violation that cannot be overlooked or ignored, so embedded is it in the structure of our society, rooted as it is in our safety and the safety of that which we are to protect. Archion understands all of this.
He has played a key role in the Order for so long now, knowing exactly what is acceptable and what is not. Yet...here is, in complete violation of those very laws. I see his determination to push past all of this, to reach the goal he has in mind, and I trust in his sheer force of will. Still I do not know if it will be enough in this instance.
“They will understand once I speak to them,” he says in a low voice.
I nod slowly, locking eyes with him. I hope he is right.
8
ASHLEE
I didn’t know what to expect when I saw the tall, muscled Zmaj warrior in that flowing sand-colored robe. His handsome face is unreadable as he looks us over with intense, piercing purple-blue eyes. His eyes match the pale blue iridescence of the scales I could see, his dark hair windblown and yet still framing the hard contours of his face perfectly.
Yeah, my heart skipped a beat. But who could blame me?
His eyes, the coloring of his scales, the flexing muscles of the unfamiliar Zmaj, I didn’t even realize the familial resemblance until Archion drew him into a tight hug. Brother. They called each other brother. The similarity in their faces tells me it isn’t just a title they share between any member of their group, but an actual genetic tie.
Though I don’t take the heartfelt reunion to mean that we’re out of the fire with their secretive group. In fact, from the warning look on Khal’s face and his loaded words, it doesn’t sound like Archion is going to receive the world’s warmest welcome.
I share a look with Nora as we follow Archion’s even more mysterious brother, leaving the rover behind. I hope it’s still there if we need it.
Khal stops in front of...nothing. Just another patch of sand. He gives us a sharp look as he crouches down with purpose.
“I am trusting that you are not here with ill intentions. This entrance is meant to remain hidden from outsiders.”
He doesn’t wait for us to answer before he opens a latch I was not even able to see, drawing back a thick door, sand pouring off of it and revealing steps leading down into the darkness. He doesn’t hesitate, disappearing down them without another word. Archion looks back at us.
“Follow closely. The tunnel is not long. I will come in after you.”
All right then. Time to go into that dark underground tunnel with a dangerous stranger I don’t know. Perfect. Seems like a good idea.
Cold chills race up and down my arms and legs as I look into that yawning black pit of despair. Sure, I know rationally that it’s nothing of the sort. It’s a tunnel. Right, fine. Unfortunately, rational and my irrational fear aren’t on speaking terms.
Nora places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing me reassuringly. Closing my eyes, I focus on my breath. In and out, in and out. I’m an idiot, this is stupid, it’s irrational. There’s nothing to fear.
Taking a deep breath, I follow him down into the darkness, hoping I’m not making a mistake. I step down carefully, feeling with my feet as I go, not opening my eyes, letting Nora’s firm grip guide me.
When we’re at the bottom I open my eyes and let them adjust, trying my best to not give in to the clamoring fears assaulting every one of my senses. As my eyes adjust, I realize it’s actually not that dark down here.
Sporadic torches light the way, casting enough light that there is no risk of accidentally tripping. The tunnel itself is well maintained, the ground smooth and clear, the walls straight. It’s obviously not a naturally occurring construction or one of the massive, round tunnels left behind by the roaming zemlja. Which begs the question, how do they keep one of them from plowing through it?
No, no, no. Stupid thought, don’t think it, Ashlee. Panic rises, my throat closes, and I’m gasping and trying to desperately catch my breath.
“It’s okay,” Nora says, encouragingly. “We’re fine. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
The new Zmaj looks over his shoulder, his purple eyes catching the light in such a way that they look like burning pools of lavender. They burn into me, digging under my skin, finding me beneath all my facades and seeing the true me in some strange, metaphysical way that I’d never believe if I weren’t experiencing it.
A connection happens between us. A spark—it’s a moment that sears its way into the depths of who I am. The panic recedes before it’s leaving an empty calm behind it. My breathing eases, my heart slows, and I nod. He returns the gesture before turning and resuming leading us on.
We only walk for maybe ten minutes before the tunnel turns and he glides up another set of steps. I hear the distinctive sound of him pushing open another door, but I don’t hurry forward. I hang back, not wanting to be the one to follow directly after. I don’t want to be that close to him, not yet. My nerves are thrumming with so much more than the panic I was experiencing. I don’t know what I’m feeling or thinking but if I were to accidentally brush against him….
Nora stops next to me and waits too, looking me over with obvious concern. I give her a wan smile, feeling shaky and uncertain. It’s not a feeling I recall ever having had before. Archion moves past us.
“Follow closely,” he murmurs.
The stairs are as steep as the first ones we countered, but this time the door opens up into a small room rather than the desert. I blink at the brighter torchlight illuminating the ten-by-ten-foot square space.
The floor is softened with animal skins tossed haphazardly around. A low, sleek table with some earthenware dishes on it sits to one side surrounded by thick cushions rather than chairs. Colorful tapestries adorn the walls along with small bits of decorations incorporating beads and feathers. The walls themselves are the same color as the sand outside.
Moving over to the single window I look out and can see it blends into the surroundings. I frown as I look around. Unless...
Is this part of the surroundings? Is it carved out of a rock face? I look around more carefully, noting how smooth the walls are. If that’s the case, it’s pretty damn impressive. And the room is a perfect square. That takes a good amount of skill. Skill and patience. It looks like the Tribe could learn a thing or two from the Order about construction.
When I turn back around Khal is gone.
“Where did he go?” I wonder out loud.
Archion crosses his arms over his chest but doesn’t speak.
“I think he’ll be right back,” Nora says.
He returns on the heels of her statement with four armed Zmaj in robes similar to his own. They don’t look like they’re the welcoming committee. Nora takes a step forwar
d when they surround Archion, but I lay a hand on her arm to hold her back.
She looks over at me with frustration, but I shake my head slightly. Fighting against this will only make things worse right now, for us and for Archion. I’m almost positive I’m reading this right and if outsiders are defending me it won’t look good for him. Presenting ourselves as physical threats won’t help us either.
She holds my gaze for a beat, then two, clearly fighting her protective instincts. At last she nods sharply and stays put. Her arm doesn’t relax under my hand, however. Not that I blame her. I have no idea what they’re going to do to him.
“I will see you soon,” Archion reassures Nora, his demeanor completely calm.
As though he was expecting this. Would have been nice to be given a heads up. Nora nods.
“You better,” she mutters.
He smiles at her, a glimmer of humor reaching his serious eyes, then he nods. And that’s the only time the guards give the two of them.
Archion disappears through a door with his armed escort at alert, though he clearly has no intention of fighting. And we’re left alone with his brother.
I turn my attention back to the other Zmaj, only to see him setting out food and water on some kind of ceramic cups and plates on that short table. This clearly was no surprise to him either. Though I guess he was the one to call the guards over.
“Eat. Drink. The desert is harsh,” he orders gruffly, his eyes flitting over us.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
His eyes briefly meet my own, the intensity in them making my breath catch once more. It’s like he’s running on a totally different level. He barely nods, then leaves through the same door they led Archion through without another word.
“Great,” Nora mutters, lowering herself down onto one of the cushions surrounding the table. “Off to a stellar start.”
I can’t argue with the anxiety in her voice. Our only ally here has been taken into custody. We have no idea what this outpost even looks like. And it isn’t clear that they’ll let us go no matter what the outcome of Archion’s meeting is. These warriors obviously don’t play around with their secrets.
Dragon's Temptation: A SciFi Alien Romance (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 15) Page 6
