Page 26 of Black Mamba

I listen for him but hear nothing. He wouldn’t leave me in the dark if he were back…

Slowly, I get to my feet, using the wall to orient which direction I’m facing. The lantern is on the table to my right. If I can get to it, maybe I can turn it back on. I take a short step, and then another, until my feet hit the first baskets. From there, I reach out with both hands and barely touch the table with my fingertips.

The rope tied around my wrists slips over my hand and the rings loosen. Pulling back, I strain my arms away from each other, excited when I’m able to loosen the rope some more.

My heart thrums as I shimmy my first hand out of the bonds. Quickly freeing the other wrist, the rope falls to the floor.

I turn in a half-circle in the dark, only stopping when my foot hits one of the baskets.

I’m free. I rub my wrists like I’m expecting the rope to magically reappear. When it’s apparent it won’t, I feel around for the table and the lantern. I swipe my hands across the top of the lantern, knocking it over. Grabbing and turning it in my hands, I locate and press the power switch. It doesn’t turn on.

Dropping the dead lantern, I turn and begin maneuvering across the room in the direction of the tunnel. The hide rugs give way to flat stone when my fingers come upon the wall. Leaving my left hand on the jagged stone surface, I traverse the passageway, recalling what I can of the cave from memory.

The air changes as I pass a large space, and it changes again when I enter another where the wall sharply turns left. With my hand still upon the stone, I make my way through as swiftly as possible, running into several crates as I go.

Entering into a warmer section, I spot faint light ahead of me. As my eyes adjust and I find nothing between me and the light, I stumble across the cavern and into the final tunnel. Breaking through a veil of vines, I burst into the sunlight.

Inhaling the earthy, fresh mountain air, tears fill my eyes. Tears, I’d vowed to my parents would stop falling. Stumbling from the cave despite being blinded by the sunlight, I round several boulders and flee into the trees. Running at a downward angle, I pick up speed as my eyes adjust, ignoring the plants and sticks slapping my sides.

I can do this—I can make it.

Spotting the ships over the next wooded hill, I sprint the rest of the way.

Weaving between the last of the trees and into the meadow, I cry out with relief. I beeline to the open hatch at the back of my ship.

Jumping inside, I shout for the ship’s AI.

“AI initiate. Close the hatch!” I command. When the door doesn’t shut, I pivot and rush to restart the ship from the control system.

Cursing as I round the hallway corner, I collide into a black and gray wall. Hands close over my arms as I jerk back with surprise. Discovering the wall isn’t a wall but a male’s chest, I jerk harder against the hands holding me.

My eyes find the naga’s face. “No!”

Him!

Not him.

A different naga. My lips part, taking in the dark gaze of a naga similar in appearance to the other one I’d just escaped from. The only difference is this one appears older and has long black hair instead of short, tousled locks.

“No!” I shout louder. I slam my foot into the side of his tail.

“Female,” the naga hisses, his voice higher in pitch than the other. He yanks me into him and wraps his arms around me.

I fight with all that’s left of my strength, refusing to be taken by another when I just tasted freedom. When I just had it in my grasp. Again. Slamming my fists into the naga’s pale gray chest, my punches have no effect on him. My kicks don’t either. It’s always the same.

“You are mine.” He rumbles, burying his face into my hair, hesitating. “You smell like Lukyssss⁠—”

“Goddamn it, let me go!” I lift my foot and stomp on the end of the naga’s tail.

Startled, I finally get a reaction. He hisses and releases me, making me stumble into the mirror. His tail slices through the space and knocks me over, sending me flying toward the open hatch door. I hit my head on the ground, and as I rise, stars flood my vision. I reach up to feel how bad I’ve hurt myself when the naga hauls me back into his arms. My eyes slam closed when the movement makes me dizzy.

Sunlight blooms behind my lids as I’m carried out of the ship. I kick out my legs and try to twist in his embrace but fail both. My energy wanes and my ability to fight weakens.

I was so close.

He suddenly comes to a stop.

“Release her, Deiys, or I will make you!”