The men looked at one another, shocked. The blue one uttered something, waving his hands at Margot as he clearly hadsome thoughts about her. The tan-skinned man stepped in front of him, puffing his chest out, a conflict of some sort, though she had no idea what about. They argued a moment, the blue man glaring at her, the tan one defending her, until, finally, the larger man stormed off, leaving the other man behind.
He turned to Margot and shrugged, letting out an amused little chuckle as he shook his head. Whatever they’d said to one another, he was not afraid of the larger man. And though she didn’t understand him, he’d clearly just stood up for her.
The man placed his hand on his chest. “Rylinn,” he said. “Rylinn.”
This one knew the name game better than Braxxos had, it seemed.
“I’m Margot.”
“Margot,” he replied. Satisfied with her answer, he gave a little bow and gestured for her to follow.
“Where are we going?”
He pointed through the trees. She squinted, focusing on the one thing that didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the environment. Once she saw it, the outline became crystal clear.
So that’s what all that cracking sound was.
The alien ship wasn’t fully visible through the trees—there was too much foliage blocking the way—but it was clear enough what he was saying. He wanted to take her to his ship. He wanted her to come with. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. Rylinn was rescuing her.
Margot looked around for Braxxos one more time, wondering why he ran. But, cute as he was, the man lived a reclusive life by choice from what she could tell. It was entirely likely that he had no desire to be around people. She’d apparently been an exception, but by no means enough to make him change his hermit ways.
She shrugged and turned back to her handsome savior. “Okay. Lead the way.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Waiting for the others to make their way back to the ship had been a little bit awkward, with the whole lack-of-proper-communication thing, but given the hospitality she was being shown by her handsome new friend, Margot was at least relatively comfortable, all things considered.
Rylinn had been an absolute gentleman, providing her with not only a comfortable place to sit, but also a refreshing beverage—though she had no idea what it was—as well as an assortment of fresh fruits. The produce was more familiar, akin to what she’d been foraging with Braxxos, only these were all washed, packaged, and pristine. Flavor-wise, however, it did lack a little of thatsomethingthat came along with picking it yourself.
She’d snacked during her impromptu picnic not long ago, but she graciously accepted Rylinn’s offerings all the same. She had no idea what was considered rude versus polite around these parts, and she certainly didn’t want to go making a bad impression, especially not on the imposing, sharp-dressed man paying so much attention to her.
Now that they had some time together, she was better able to look at his attire. Where the others more resembled a crossbetween woodsmen and commando types, Rylinn’s clothes fit as though they’d been tailored for him, and for a camouflage wilderness outfit, that was saying something. He was clean-shaven and even his fingernails were trimmed short and clean. A gentleman, it seemed, in the company of a far rougher crew. He did, however, have similar tattoos to the others, at least so far as she could see on the limited exposed parts of his body where his sleeves were crisply rolled up. Fine designs with interlinking lines connecting them, from what she could tell. And far fewer than his giant blue friend.
She was curious about this group, and she figured this was as good a chance as any to try to figure out how to communicate, but they were just beginning to get the hang of basic pantomime when the leader of the group stormed back onto the ship, his men following close behind, one carrying a mutilated snare in his hands. Margot recognized the trap but kept her expression neutral. Judging by how pissed off the huge man was, she didnotwant to sayanythingthat might further upset him.
He growled something to Rylinn, his gruff words met with a calm reply, a shrug, and a glance at their guest. The man hovered a moment, radiating hostility, then shrugged and stormed off toward the front of the ship. The rest of the men all scattered, taking seats where they could as the ship lifted off.
It wasn’t a terribly big craft, she realized once they were on board. Big enough to carry a dozen or so people comfortably, more if needed, though it would be tight. It looked more like a smaller transport ship of some sort rather than an actual spaceship, and when they came in to land, she realized just how accurate her assessment had been.
There were three more ships like this one, all parked near a much larger craft from which they seemed to be based. A mothership of sorts. Akin to an aircraft carrier in a way, butmuch smaller, and with these alien ships instead of airplanes, was how she likened it as she took in the sights.
She noted that there were tents set up outside, all of them large enough to house ten or more people by the look of them. Likely some sort of barracks for these men to enjoy some outdoor time when they were deployed. Out toward the perimeter were cages, but the ship dropped down and landed before she got a good look at what sort of animals these men had captured.
Rylinn rose when the hatch opened, holding up his hand and stopping the others from exiting before their guest. He gestured for Margot to step out first with a respectful little bow and wave of the hand. She did and was immediately struck by how different this camp was from Braxxos’s dwelling. Where the loner’s place had been neat and clean, this place was a chaotic mess. And where the former’s home blended in with nature, this had been forced into existence, natural landscape be damned.
Stumps were still visible where they’d felled a large copse of trees to set up their base of operations, and several areas looked almost scorched, as if they’d performed a controlled burn to clear out any remaining signs of nature. It wasnotinviting. But it was civilization, at least. And that made this home.
Rylinn gently placed his hand on her back, urging her to follow him into the large ship.
Well, it can’t be as bad as the Raxxians, right?she mused, following him inside.
The air was cooler but the smell of dirt and sweat still clung to it, the odors of outside easily wafting in through the open cargo hatch. He led her down a short set of wide hallways, finally stopping at an unassuming door. He opened it and motioned for her to step inside, following close behind.
Margot was surprised to find an old woman with violet skin and pale-yellow hair in a long braid sitting on the room’s lonebunk, a table with assorted needles and inks spread out in front of her. Given the vast assortment of fine designs covering her body, it was quite fitting. She was a little taller than Margot, but she was quite thin, though not frail. Her face was elongated, her chin rather pointy, giving her whole look a feel kind of similar to a mantis, but minus the scary insect aspects. Her eyes were blue-gray and kind. A bit larger than human eyes, but not anything terrifying by a long shot.
The woman just quietly looked up at the new arrival, a curious look on her face. Rylinn quickly explained the situation to her, pointing at Margot’s head. The woman nodded and rose, putting her hands up in anI won’t hurt yougesture. The human nodded her understanding, the old woman motioning for her to sit on the bunk. Margot did as she was asked, the woman picking up a needle and small container of ink and sitting beside her. Once Margot was situated, Rylinn spoke a few words then stepped out, closing the door behind him, leaving the women quite alone.
“Ow!”
