Page 96 of Black Mamba

“No thanks.”

“Some of those people have lost everything, far more than we did.” This might be the first time I’ve wished to have my sister’s talent. “If you’re planning on leaving”—I peer around at the enormous interior of Mateo’s ship—“you could offer to take some people with you. I’m sure there are many who don’t want to live in a military camp and would love passage back to the colony pods.”

“Elena, don’t get this way. You’re trying to make me feel bad. You know I don’t do well around people I don’t know. There are too many crazies out there. Any one of them could decide to murder us and take Mateo’s ship for themselves. I can’t believe you would suggest such a thing. Especially after everything I’ve been through.” She huffs then pauses. “You’re talking like you’re not coming with us. Why?”

I look at the hatch down the hallway, wondering if Lukys is outside waiting for me.

“Is it because of the naga?” she asks when I fail to speak.

“Yeah.”

She sits back, her eyes widening with surprise. “You’re with him… like with him, with him?”

I tilt my head and shoot her a look. “Yeah. I’m with him. And I just vowed I’d stay.” Kind of like your marriage… but without the ring.

“You can’t be serious. You can’t stay here for him! You have to be with me! There’s nothing here except our parents’ old, dirty ship. Not only that, he’s half animal. He has a tail, for god’s sake. Elena, I’ve always wanted to see you with someone, but not something.”

“I think it’s best I leave.” I stand and turn, walking to the closed hatch.

Jenna rises and follows me. “Leave? You can’t leave. You just got here. And I didn’t mean it like that, I’m sure he’s helped you⁠—”

I face her. “Jenna, tell the AI to open the door.”

Her face wrinkles. “No. Not until you say you’re coming with us.”

My eyes narrow then I drop my head back with a sigh. “Please just open the door. I know you want me to go, and truthfully, I want you to stay. But I already know you’re not going to so I’m not going to bother trying to convince you. Either way, I’m not deciding anything right now. I just got back from being in the forest for the majority of the past week, and I’m exhausted.”

Jenna hugs herself. “Fine. But come back later after you sleep. Mateo’s not going to be happy waiting, but I’ll make it worth his while. I command the AI to open the hatch.”

The door opens.

I turn and step off Mateo’s ship before facing her again. “Thank you. I’ll be back.”

She walks to the threshold, hugging herself tighter. “I know I’m a little selfish, and vain, among other things, but I really love you and I hope I don’t have to kidnap you to take you out of here.”

“Don’t even try.”

“I might.” Jenna steps back and with a wave from her, the hatch closes.

Alone once again, I search for Lukys. I walk to the open hatch of my ship and call his name. When I see my pack undisturbed and all I get is silence, I frown.

Where is he?

It’s not like him to say he’s going to do something then not do it. He promised not to vanish on me…

Turning full-circle, I face the mountain.

Balling my fists, and praying for courage, an excited thrill, knowing what will happen if I return to his cave of my own free will…

I take a step forward and don’t look back.

FORTY-THREE

HIS NEST

Lukys

I follow closely behind, staying just far enough away to remain out of sight. I have been waiting for her since the beginning but have been too indecisive to approach.