Page 57 of Bride of the Enemy Alien

Rhazek’s throat answers.

Once.

A pause.

The kedi’s ears perk.

“Do not move,” I say.

Everyone moves a little, because everyone here is a fool including me.

The kedi springs.

Its small wings snap open and the creature lightens itself, sailing from the wall to the next broken slab of stone with its tail streaming behind it. It lands without a sound, turns, and gives us a delighted chirp around the metal in its mouth.

Then it bolts.

“After it,” Syin says.

“No weapons,” I snap.

Syin is already moving, but his glare finds me across the wash.

“It carries the tracker.”

“It’s also the size of a ration pot and contrary.”

“The tracker is not less dangerous because the carrier is ridiculous.”

“I know that.”

I run.

The kedi streaks between two fallen blocks. Lio goes left. Maro goes right. Renn vaults over a low shelf and lands in front of it with enough precision to make any hunter proud.

The kedi stops, sits, and stares at him.

Renn freezes.

The kedi blinks slowly.

Renn, who has faced sinklines, off-worlders, and panic crowds without flinching, looks briefly unsure whether he is allowed to be challenged by something fluffy.

“Grab it,” Maro hisses.

The kedi spits the tracker into one paw, bats it once, catches it in its mouth again, and launches straight over Renn’s shoulder.

Renn swears.

I would laugh if my heart weren’t trying to beat its way out of my chest.

The tracker gives another muffled pulse.

This time Rhazek staggers.

Only half a step. Almost nothing, but enough. I cut toward him instead of the kedi.

“Rhazek.”