“I understand if you’re not interested,” he adds. “I just want to be sure you’re safe and healthy before I let you go this time.”
The hurt in his voice makes my own throat ache. I don’t want him to let me go. Ever. “I always wondered where you were and if you were safe.”
“Usually not.”
“Same.” I laugh softly, thrusting fluid out of my lungs. One cough turns into a fit I can’t seem to stop. Bloody mist coats the pillow beside me.
Elix immediately slips his arms around me, helps me sit up, and then snatches an inhaler from a nearby tray. “Deep breath. Three, two, one.”
I inhale as he pumps the mist into my lungs.
My coughing fit calms to a strangely sweet and metallic-flavored medicine.
“Hold it.” He half-sits on the bed beside me and supports me until I’m trembling.
“Okay.”
I let it out, and breathing becomes easier.
“What is that?” I ask, working my tongue around in my mouth at the strange taste.
The apprehension on his face concerns me. “I aerated my serum. I’ve never tried it before, but it was a last resort to keep your right lung from collapsing. You were bleeding internally.”
One of his eyes squints in doubt. “I don’t know what the consequences might be. Usually, serum stays local on patients because it’s applied topically. It doesn’t survive in the stomachdue to acid, but in the lungs— I’ve never tried it before, nor have I heard of this being attempted elsewhere. So please tell me if you feel unusual.”
“I’ve had a lot of alien bites and injuries. Never a punctured lung.” I admit, thinking back to all my distant world munitions drops for the federation. I catch my breath then add, “I can’t say I’ll know if something’s more abnormal than normal for this.”
“Right. We’ll just have to monitor you, then.” He runs a hand through my hair, gently combing it with his fingers. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.” But I’m more concerned with his appearance. I uncurl my hand from his and reach up to his face. “Why aren’t you healing?”
Elix supports my cold fingers in the heat of his hand. “Taxed my gland’s serum to save you. I just need rest and nutrients.”
He casually motions to the tube plugged into the back of his neck like it’s a daily occurrence for him. “Gave you one, too. It’s a bit better than an IV. One of the things my people invented.”
I reach a shaking hand back and find the tube connected to my neck.That explains the strange stiffness.“So you do know a little about your people?”
“Salvaged what I could.” He nuzzles into my palm. Water shimmers in his eyes.
“What happened?”To you? To them? How the hell did we get here?
He spreads out my fingers over the side of his face like he can’t get enough of my affection. “Many had their glands cut out. Their bodies were left to freeze in fields, ships, and homes. I gave them back to the ice as ash. There is no point trying to bury anything on my homeworld.”
I think of Earth, a place I’ve never actually landed on, and how I would feel if humanity had suffered such a catastrophicloss. I do my best to shift on the bed so I can wrap my arms around him. But my attempt is pretty pathetic.
“Can you help?” I eke out, fighting to sit up. “I just—”
He draws in a sharp breath, leans over me, and slides his arms around my back.
“Who would do such an awful thing?” I whisper. “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But you least of all.”
When he doesn’t reply, I draw him closer. “Elix?”
His arms snug up around me, and he buries his nose in my neck. “Everyone. Nebs, Terrans, Ginarigons, bounty hunters.”
My stomach turns.Bounty hunters?“My father?”
He’s quiet for a long time.
