“What is snake?”
“Um…” she pulls out an agur and places it on the ground. “Like that, but an animal, and longer, and they have venom.”
I look at the fruit, then at her. “On my land they are in the water and good eating. Here? I don’t know.” The only predator I’ve encountered was the screamer, and I don’t want to run into that again.
I glance at the mountain to my left, and the sweep of the forest around the plain to my right. Somewhere behind me is the big river. We have hooked inland. If we kept going to the right, we’d end up near where we rescued the women. Which means the colony is further to my right. We could keep going through the forest and hope to exist on overripe agur—which my stomach will not thank me for.
“We need water,” she says.
I nod. The stream is small and sluggish. “Even if we find it, we have only one water skin between us. Not enough for a day of travel.”
“You’re telling me this mission is doomed to fail?”
It was doomed from the start. I know better.
“I am giving you information to decide. Are you willing to risk your life, and mine, to return to your tribe?”
7
RUBY
The grass ripples and bumps against my thighs. The sun is high, and half the day is gone. My mouth tastes funky from the furry cucumbers, and I’m thirsty and hungry.
“I wanted to meet up with the security team that came to rescue us. Not run through the forest,” I grumble.
“It’s easy to become turned around.”
Especially when I can’t sense the heartbeats of those around me. If I had that skill, I’d have found the rescue team…unless they were all dead.
“Will your brothers be alive?” What if we go back and there’s nothing to go back to?
“I don’t know. They were alive when I ran after you. And there are others waiting at the ship.” The blade of his sword glints in the sun.
If I had my gear, I’d know exactly where I was. And I’d be able to call for help.
I glance up at him. The hard line of his jaw is barely hidden by the short beard. There are bits of bone and shell and precious metal in his hair. He’s not looking at me. He’s scanning the grass, and the forest, and the sky for danger.
I’m fucking security. I’m supposed to be able to deal with whatever this world throws at me. No one told us there’d be aliens.
Aliens who look like Aldit. All muscle and claw. I must seem so helpless. Pathetic.
I swore I’d never need anyone because no one ever wanted me.
Right now, I’m glad he’s with me and that I’m not alone. But I don’t want to drag him to his death. The anger that consumed me has faded.
“What happens if I don’t return to the colony?” I’m sure the leaders will be pissed because that’s one less woman. My mother will say I was always trouble. My brother and sister will be upset. They are the only ones who will really miss me, but they both have their own lives.
“I will take you back to my ship.”
“That’s it?”
He glances down at me. “What else should there be?”
“Shouldn’t you demand something from me for the misadventure?”
“That is not our way. Women are protected because there are so few. When you find a warrior you find worthy, you can choose him, if you ever find one.”
I’m not sure if he’s being serious or making a joke.
