“Forget what I said,” he yelled, “run.” Stone’s hand tightened in hers pulling her through the rooms, their lone torch leading the way through the tomb of broken bodies and glass. She gripped her sword in her free hand and didn’t dare look behind her.
Another flap of wings.
A closer shriek.
They followed the light of the moon, beaming through the doorway.
“Faster, Commander!”
But she was already running as fast as she could. Wind gusted at her back, blowing her hair in her face, wrapping her spine in cold, sharp fear.
The fresh air outside the building filled her lungs but it was no reprieve. Stone tripped, landing on his knees and because he kept her hand in his, she went down with him.
Turning on her heel, she pressed her back into Stone, pinning him to the ground and raising her sword. The Strix shrieked, its wings beating, ruffling the sand below. It darted but Aesira rolled to her side. Its talons dug into the sand, marring the earth, barely missing her and Stone. It righted itself, then launched forward, snapping its teeth and flapping its wings.
“Stone!”
Bee.
Or maybe Birdie. Nora? Aesira wasn’t sure. All of her effort, all of her focus was on avoiding the Strix’ talons and teeth. Keeping herself between it and Stone.
The torch snuffed out in the sand, no fire to ward it off.
Over and over it attacked, quickly darting in then flying away but not before leaving a deep cut on Aesira’s thigh. Searing pain rolled through her leg, burrowing deep in her bones. Through gritted teeth, she slashed her sword, nicking the Strix’s middle, then on another down swing, its wing.
“We need to get back to the ship.” Stone’s arms were there, pulling her away.
Not yet.
She thought of the bodies in the building.
The broken glass.
The sounds of singing and a memory buried deep, rousing itself awake, clawing its way to the surface.
Not now,she thought.I don’t have time for this now.
“Go!” she shouted over her shoulder. She swung her sword, moved her feet swiftly in the sand, waiting, waiting. The Strix flew higher, its feathers blending into the night. The only tell was its yellow eyes so she honed in on them, pushed that dark memory away.
Watched those eyes like they watched her.
There was no prey here, only two predators, one aground, the other in flight.
“Commander!” Nora was at her side, sword drawn, red hair swaying under the wind of the Strix’s wings. Warmth from the other torches hit her cheeks and the Strix screeched high then hissed, darting behind a building.
“Protect them.” Aesira nodded toward the others and Nora angled her body without question, putting herself between the Strix and the cadre.
Another screech, a dash of movement, and it reappeared, shooting downward, talons first, aiming for Aesira’s throat. She swung her sword, the crunch of metal on bone followed by a cry–this time human. Black blood sputtered from the wound on its leg, leaving a trail in the sand as it darted behind a building, away from Aesira’s sword, away from the flame of the torches.
“Fuck.” Bee gripped Aesira’s shoulder. “Commander Zeliath. Now I see where your title comes from.” Aesira’s mind was foggedover, trying to make sense of what her eyes were telling her. The memory from before, scraping and clawing, begging to get out.
Not here.
Not in front of them.
Her breathing shallowed, pain lancing up her leg, through her chest. “Come on.” Stone took Bee’s place by her side, his hand wrapping around her middle. “Let’s get you back to the ship.” It was only when she warmed from his touch that the searing pain enveloped her and her knees gave out and that memory, the one she’d tried to drown long ago, rose to the surface.
Fifteen
