Page 19
“Does your planet have any spicy plants?” Ix asked as Cal dipped a knife into a dark green spread.
“I was born on Eiden. We have spices, although usually in root vegetables.” Cal placed two biscuits onto his plate and coated them with a thin layer, offering one to Roy.
“Eiden?” Ix rubbed his chin. “Wasn’t there some kind of upset recently? I think I heard the name on the news stream.”
“Yeah. I left the planet when it started.”
Roy bit into the biscuit, cupping one hand below his chin to catch the falling crumbs. A mixture of sweet and sour stung the tip of his tongue. He chewed and swallowed, his empty stomach growling for more. A fire spread from the back of his throat, burning inside his mouth. His eyes watered, and he gasped for air.
“Oh, dear.” Ix giggled, pouring a glass of thick, white liquid. “Here, drink this. I should’ve warned you.”
The heavy wooden box in Roy’s arms strained his muscles. Pepper seedlings peeked through the slats, green leaves sprouting from the square pots designed for hydroponics racks. He glanced at Cal, walking next to him, chatting nonchalantly with Ix.
They’d picked a variety of spices, ranging from mild to slightly spicy. And for the most adventurous customers, Roy included one kind of pepper—it grew in small, almost black beads that stung his eyes from a distance. Cal’s charm earned them a subscription discount that Ix had granted under the promise of returning soon.
Stopping before the bridge to their ship, Roy glanced at the sky. The water around them rippled. No storm clouds gathered above them, but perhaps the winds grew stronger on the sea.
Like a clump of seaweed, a siren’s hair floated on the surface before she appeared.
Roy froze. “Cal—”
A swarm of scales, piercingly bright eyes, and needle-like teeth emerged from the dark water. Roy dropped the box—but it was too late. The first tune already fluttered into the air, blurring his vision.
Cal’s warm, soft palms clasped around Roy’s ears. His fingertips scratched Roy’s scalp as they dipped into his hair. Sucking in a sharp breath, Roy forced his eyelids open. Cal’s face was right in front of him, lavender irises staring right into his soul. The siren song muffled, but it was too late. The infestation spread, firing through his nerves, inflaming his brain.
Unlike Pyraxis’ sirens, this kin’s song was darker. Visions floated in Roy’s mind, snatching him out of reality.
One second, he was back home, hugging his mom before leaving for the army.
A short eyeblink transported him right onto the battlefield in the West of Pyraxis. Swarms of Vrannal aliens poured over the trenches.
Mud slid under his boots as he fell into the shell hole. Milo coughed up blood, the slain alien’s sharp tail sticking out of his ribcage like a shard of obsidian.
Mermaid bodies, scattered on the beaches and specks of pyrite glistened in the sand. Roy flipped them around, one by one, counting the losses, praying the next one wouldn’t be Neri.
The radio crackled. A spaceship incoming. Roy’s heart pounded frantically.
Blood seeping from Cal’s nose, his mouth ajar. Water filling the vessel.
Cal—
“I’m right here.” A whisper landed in his ear.
Roy blinked again. Mint and peonies. Cal’s signature scent filled his nostrils. Cal hugged him tight; Roy rested his head against the crook of Cal’s neck. “What…”
“Siren trance. Shh. You’re okay,” Cal’s fingers combed through Roy’s sweat-slick curls. “Let’s get you on the ship.”
Ix shifted next to them, hovering over his customers. “I’m terribly sorry, gentlemen. You must believe me; I did not plan this.”
“Please. Don’t worry.” Cal managed a smile and slung Roy’s arm over his shoulders. “If you don’t mind, Roy needs time to recover. We’ll load the rest a bit later.”
“Of course, of course.” Ix bowed deeply. “Please, don’t worry about it. We’ll bring the goods here. Again, my sincere apologies.”
Back in the ship’s dining area, Roy slumped onto the couch. He pinched the bridge of his nose, willing the throbbing migraine to stop. “How come you weren’t affected by the song? You are human, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. But those were female mermaids. I’m immune to those.” Cal grinned, pressing the back of his hand to Roy’s forehead. “Now, if we were talking about pretty mermen…”
“Seriously?”
