“Another day if they are moving fast. A few more if they are going slow.”
“So we need to move our asses.” Because if they sail without us, we’re stuck here on our own. That makes the idea of returning to the colony a lot more appealing.
He turns me to face the snow tipped mountains. Their shape is familiar even though I am used to seeing them from the ground.
“I think your colony is between the mountains and the forest.”
Between us and the forest is the screamer infested grassland.
“So do I.” But not where he is pointing using his whole glowing fist.
I point with a finger about fifteen degrees to my left. “There is it.”
There’s no ship. That was dismantled when we arrived and used for parts. But as the sun moves, I see the glint of metal.
He touches my finger. “You can’t make a charge. Why do you do that?”
“What? Point?”
“Point.” He does so with his fist. Then he opens his hand. “Attack.”
I consider him for a moment and nod. I guess pointing with his fist makes sense since his people can deliver a zap.
“This is your last chance to change your mind.” He doesn’t look at me. He’s staring straight ahead as if he can see the humans at the colony scurrying about their morning chores. I should be doing physical training with the rest of security who aren’t on shift. Then it would be breakfast and daily assignments. The boss tried to rotate people through expeditions and camp duty to break up the tedium. For the most part, there hadn’t been anything to do besides watch.
Maybe we’d all gotten a bit complacent, believing that we were the biggest, meanest thing on this world. I glance at Aldit. He’s the biggest. Though not the meanest, despite his current disposition.
We both need a feed.
“Even if there weren’t screamers between here and the colony, I wouldn’t go back. I don’t want to slot back into my old role as if I am the same person as I was three days ago.” I press my lips together. “Besides. I can’t abandon the other women.”
He scowls at me. His golden eyes are hot enough to burn. I look away, not knowing what I have done wrong.
“If it were me and one of my brothers, we would push for speed, burning all our reserves—”
“And dropping dead when you reached the ship.”
His lips curve in a cruel smile. “I haven’t died yet.”
“The sun’s barely up. Don’t grow cocky. If we were being chased, I’d agree and choose speed. But we aren’t and we have no food, and a limited amount of water. A slower pace that allows us to gather those things might serve us better.”
“You need more rest and water than me.”
“Possibly.”
He nods and grunts. “Delicate.”
I laugh. “No one has ever called me that.” My gaze lands on his blood-stained shirt. “How is your shoulder?”
He rolls it. “It will be fine.”
If he dies, I’m dead. For that reason alone, I need to make sure that he doesn’t push to breaking. That I’d miss him is a different matter entirely.
“Lead the way.” I’m praying that there are no screamers waiting to pounce on us when we make it down the other side.
This side of the mountain is in shadow for most of the morning. There is a chill in the air that makes me glad that we are moving. Aldit sets what is a quick pace for me, but a saunter for him. The mood he is in crackles around him, and if anything he is glowing brighter. The mood and his illumination are connected, though I don’t know how.
I’m relieved when we reach the tree line and follow a trail.
