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She got as close as she dared, watching as the alien’s hands skimmed over the access code. She got the numbers. She dashed back to Rexx, and they headed to the door.

Daisy keyed in the code. The light changed from green to red, and the lock clicked open.

As they stepped through the door, she winced as an icy blast slammed into her face. “I thought Laire was a tourist paradise.”

“Only in certain seasons,” Rexx said. “This is out of season. Most people who live here retreat into their homes for two months of every year.”

“So much for finding paradise.” Daisy bowed her head as an icy blast almost knocked her off her feet. “Let’s move. We need to find somewhere quiet and out of the way. Then I need to find you a doctor.”

The wind slammed into them as they staggered through the streets. Daisy was grateful for the terrible weather. It meant there was no one else about. They only passed a couple of other people, and they had their heads down and their hands grabbing their hats, focusing on keeping themselves upright.

There was a long line of stores leading away from the docking port, offering weary travelers food, rest and entertainment. Most of them looked empty, but there were open signs in the windows. She needed somewhere they could hole up and figure out their next move.

Rexx was worryingly quiet, and he was leaning on her more and more. Daisy staggered under his weight and adjusted her grip. Her hand came away sticky with his blood.

“You should leave me,” he whispered. “Get somewhere safe.”

“Leave you? I’ll never leave you. We’re partners. You’ve done enough sacrificing. Now it’s my turn to help you.”

“It’s not worth it.”

“It is. You’d be healing from those wounds if you hadn’t given me all your energy.” Daisy slowed and peered at what looked like an empty store. The blinds were down, and there was no sign in the window. She walked over and tested the door. It was locked. “Let’s go around the back. There could be a way in.”

Rexx shuffled along beside her, his movements increasingly labored.

It took ten minutes to get around the back of the store, but at least in the alleyway, they were out of the worst of the weather. Only the stinging, icy rain was battering them.

Daisy took a moment to look through the dark window. There was an emptiness to the place, as if no one had been inside for a while. A couple of chairs were tipped over and a thick layer of dust covered the inside window ledge. All good signs the place had been empty for a while.

She checked either way along the alley then kicked in the door with her foot. It busted open after the third kick, and she staggered through the door, her gun raised.

Rexx fell in behind her and slumped to the floor.

Daisy did a quick check of the ground floor. The place was empty.

She raced back to Rexx and stood over him. His eyes were closed, and he was barely breathing. “I need to get you to a doctor.”

“No time,” he said. “Sit with me. I feel better when you’re close.”

She grabbed his hands and dropped to her knees, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t you dare give up now. We got free of the Gente. We stopped the Inkral from experimenting on us. We did it.”

“I’m not giving up. I just need to sleep for a few years.” His eyes were closed, and his lips were turning blue.

“Rexx, no. Don’t do this. I won’t let you.” Misery swirled through her. He was dying.

Rexx raised a cold hand to her face and caressed her cheek. “It’s all been worth it. Every second I’ve spent with you, I regret none of them. You’ve made my life better. You’re an amazing person, Daisy. I’ll never forget you.”

She thumped a hand against his chest. “Of course you won’t forget me. You’re going nowhere. You’re staying with me. You’re mine. I refuse to let you go.” She grabbed his head in her hands and slammed their mouths together, biting down hard on his bottom lip and drawing blood.

He jerked his head back, and his eyes flicked open.

“You did it for me. I’m returning the favor. You need this energy more than I do.” Daisy chewed on the inside of her mouth until she could taste her own blood then smacked her mouth back against his, mingling their energies. There was nothing sexy about this kiss. It was all about survival.

Rexx wasn’t going to die. He wasn’t sacrificing himself for her. She was keeping her Apexian warrior.

***

Fire crawled from Rexx’s mouth, down his throat, and along his spine as Daisy’s kiss brought him back to life.