My fingers curlinto the smooth cloth of his uniform as I hang on. I don’t like being carried. What if he drops me? And I can’t see what is going on. I hear snarls and screams and gun blasts.
Eskar leaps and lets go of me with one hand. I gasp and cling tighter, but he doesn’t drop me. He lands in a crouch and gently sets me down, only then does he turn, still on one knee. My hand rests on his shoulder, the cool of his skin sinking into my palm, my fingers digging into the firm muscle as I stare at the beasts tearing through our camp.
The beasts are massive, taller than a human, and covered in a thick white fur. Ava is shooting, but our weapons don’t seem to bother them.
When Harding reaches the ship he jumps, and his fingers claw over the edge of the floor. Eskar hauls him over without looking. Harding immediately rolls up and prepares to fire. All I can do it stand there and wait, then try to fix any damage.
Eskar knocks the gun out of Harding’s hand and it slides into the dark on the uneven floor. “Don’t, you’ll draw their attention.”
“Fuck you. I can’t leave them out there to die.” Harding disappears into the shadows, to search for his gun.
Lights flicker in the trees beyond the clearing. I’d seen them the first night too. I point. “What’s that.”
Eskar scowls. “I don’t know, but they never bring good news.”
Ava moves toward the lights and away from the two beasts. I open my mouth to call out and shut it just as fast, remembering Eskar’s warning. One creature picks up Wraight in its jaws. He screams, and the beast drops him on the ground.
I flinch, wanting to go to him. I can’t see Calloor either.
Ava has vanished. I hope she’s safe.
A shot burns past me. Then Harding is next to me and firing again.
“You fool.” Eskar keeps low and drags me deeper into the ship.
Two seconds later something slams into the ship hard enough to make it rock.
Harding swears and slides after us on the moss slicked metal deck. Eskar throws me up onto the next level before taking the stairs three at a time. Harding scrambles after. I crawl toward the jagged edge to peer over. Below me is a beast. Its front paws are on the level we were just on. It’s so close that it feels like if I reach out my hand, I’ll be able to pat its giant head.
Eskar is next to me, a knife as long as his forearm in his hand. He touches my back then puts a finger to his lips, like I need to be told. My heart is beating hard enough to crack my ribs. I need to breathe.
The creature drops to the ground, leaving large gouges in the metal. Then as quickly as they appeared, two of them melt into the forest. The one remaining light vanishes.
I can’t move. Only moments ago we’d been feasting. Now we have become the feast.
On the ground, Wraight groans.
I force myself up on shaky legs. The med kit is near the wreckage of our dinner. The fire is still burning, but the meat has gone. An easy dinner for the beasts.
“I have to help him.” My voice is little more than a whisper. Between the fire and the starlight, it’s enough light to make out shapes and shadows and little else. I can’t tell who is out there or how badly they are hurt.
And if the creatures come back? I hesitate, fear gripping me. I don’t even know how to climb down from here.
“I’ll go with you,” Eskar says.
“I’ll look for Calloor and Milford,” Harding adds.
“I’m coming.” I call, louder this time, hoping that there is more than one survivor.
Eskar leads us down the metal stairs. The steps are a little too high, not made for human legs. He jumps from the lowest level, then on to the ground, and holds his arms out for me. I’m not jumping into his arms. What if he drops me?
But he hasn’t yet. He’s saved me twice.
For a man who wants to die, he’s doing everything he can to live.
I sit on the edge of the broken decking. My fingers brush the gouges. Even if I spread my fingers, I can’t run them through the grooves. The beast’s paws are bigger than my hand-span. I draw in a breath that doesn’t settle the fear and nerves tumbling in my belly, then reach out for Eskar. For a moment I fall, then Eskar catches me and pulls me close. I slide down his body until we are face to face, my feet not touching the ground.
His eyes are unnaturally blue, and his hair gleams in the starlight. For a moment I think he’s going to kiss me. I want him to. I want to taste his lips again and see if it will quell the fire low in my belly. But he sets me on my feet, and disappointment floods me. Maybe he’s disappointed in me. A human mate probably isn’t what he wants.
