I look beyond the older male—noting for the first time the nicer design of his uniform compared to the others—to the soldiers, and then to the smoke trails on the horizon above the barricade, and the ruins even further beyond them.
After Celeste’s departure, I remainedhere, ensuring the creature Collins could not escape—if he had not already been killed by Zhallaix. During that time, and prior, I searched endlessly for clues of my kin, but found nothing except empty nests that had not been touched in many moon cycles.
It took a very long time for me to accept the fact that they had been killed—that they were truly gone.
After the harsh realization, I made the choice to rebuild what was lost. To reclaim the old facility and make it Copperhead territory again. My territory. I would no longer be without a nest because I was going to make a new one. A more fortified one, using the tunnels beneath the ground.
I had plans… I was done searching… when more ships arrived. Alone and without a clan to stand with me, I left. Bythe time I came back, my territory and the facility had been completely reclaimed by humans. And not wishing to get the others involved after the battle near Vagan’s, I gave up on rebuilding my nest. I was back to nothing…
But there was Julia. The female I went searching for—and found at the base of Zaku’s mountain.
After that, I stayed near Zaku’s territory for her and for the strange new clan I was becoming a part of. A clan that includes humans. I did what I would do if I were still with my own kind—I helped. I guarded and protected. If I became aware of something, I shared that information. I chose them over me. I chose her.
Where is she?
I level with the older male, ready to be done with this. “I will not harm any human who does not seek to harm me or those under my protection.” My voice is edged with warning. Because I intend to return. I must. Once more, at least, to make certain Julia is safely received. “That includes the young female with you now.” I tip my chin to the barricade past him. “This was once my land, and the land of my clan, the territory of the Copperheads. They are gone now because of humans. But that does not mean I will avenge them by attacking you,” I growl, snapping my tail against the ground. “I do not kill unless I have to.”
The old soldier straightens. “The military base was abandoned when we were ordered to reclaim it for our operations.” He rubs his chin with his finger. “We have no plans to leave. And if you seek to take it from us anyway, we will fight back.”
I hiss. “Do not threaten me, human.”
“Do not threaten me! You do not frighten me,naga. You are not the first we have encountered, nor will you probably be the last.”
“What is your name?” I ask him abruptly, unfazed by his taunts.
“Name? I’m Commander Graft and I am in charge here. Do you have a name, naga?”
“Krellix.” I slide away, uninterested in continuing a conversation with these humans until I knowsheis safe. “I do intend to return, and very soon, Lieutenant Graft. I am owed for the lives of the girl and the humans I have safely led here. Whether our next meeting ends with blood will be your choice,” I warn, and without another thought to the weapons aimed at me, I finish turning away and slice across the field towards the forest.
“Wait!” he shouts.
I do not stop, not even when coming upon the mixed-breed naga. As fast as I can, I hurry back to where I last saw Julia, but I am forced to pause when I come upon Benjamin and Quinton stumbling through the brush.
Glancing between them, then into the trees and foliage behind, I do not see Julia. “Where is sssshe?”
Quinton gasps, clearly frightened by my abrupt arrival, then shakes his head. “I—we don’t know.”
“We called for her, we backtracked some, but we didn’t want to get lost and thought she might have headed for the encampment…” Benjamin shifts his eyes past me, then back over his shoulder like he is still searching for her. “We couldn’t find her.” He raises his hands and drops them before readjusting the pack on his back.
“Go!” I point behind me. “The humans at the camp are expecting you.” I start to move past them.
“Are you going to find her?” Benjamin asks behind me.
“Yessss,” I hiss, picking up speed again and racing into the trees.
If she has been gone all this time, I have already lost too much of it. Praying she has not been taken by another naga, I do not look back.
I should have never let her out of my sight…
TWENTY-FOUR
THE ALMOST UNDEAD
Julia
An eerie calmnesstakes over me.
I don’t need Shelby’s eyes or a history lesson to know what my ancestors have done here. I’ve been around long enough to know the evil humans are capable of. We’ll commit all kinds of acts if we’re desperate enough. We’ll commit even worse acts when we’re not…
