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To my right…
…there’s no one.
Malix was there when I went to sleep, but he’s gone now. I crawl toward his spot and peer around the corner, and can just barely make out a trail of footsteps heading into the ruins.
Shit—did thepinche cabrontake off to go on some kind of crazy solo mission?
My gaze snaps back toward Taraven, finding Malix’s pack still open beside him. I can’t say I’m relieved. The presence of his pack means that he hasn’t left us behind…but he’s still fucking missing.
Piss break, I hope.
I post up in his previous spot to keep watch, sitting down and wrapping my arms around my knees. It’s oddly cold here; whereas our time on the lakes was balmy and warm, there’s a chill in the air of the ruins that creeps beneath your skin and makes your hair stand on end. They’re so old that I imagine even the alien ghosts that built this place have vacated the premises, but I hate thinking about how something might still be lurking.
Yikes.
I wait five minutes.
Then I wait ten.
I listen to Taraven’s uneven breathing, ignoring the complete and utter dread I feel at the prospect of losing him, ignoring the dreams I’ve had of a skull with empty eye sockets over Malix’s face.
Fifteen minutes pass.
Too long for a pee break, and the silence is deafening.
I shuffle over to Taraven, keeping my steps quiet as they scrape the sandy floor. Taraven’s eyes flutter open, his brow furrowing when I duck down beside him.
“Frankie…?”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say, reaching out to touch his face. “You get some rest. I have to go look for something.”
His eyes flit across the small alcove, his frown deepening. “Where’s Malix?”
“Yeah…he’sthe something I have to go looking for, unfortunately,” I mutter. “But I have his trail, so don’t worry too much. I’ve got this.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I know you do.”
“And if I don’t come back in two hours—” I wrap his fingers around his comm “—I want you to call in Jokahn’s evac. Set an alarm to remind you just in case you fall asleep again.”
He shakes his head, his gold translator swinging and his horns catching the light of the algae lamp. “No.”
“That’sjust in case,” I say. “I’m not planning on going anywhere without the two of you, okay?”
His lips seal into a thin line, but he jerks his head once in a nod.
I stand up and grab my rifle from where it leans against the wall, then sling it over my shoulders. I pick up my crossbow as well, strapping it to my wrist and making sure it’s loaded.
I duck to press a kiss to Taraven’s lips, and he catches my chin in delicate fingers. His claws bite into me just a bit—like he’s trying to remind me of our connection.
“Come back,” he says.
“I will,” I promise.
I turn and snatch up one of the algae bulbs, then shake it a few times to illuminate the space. Malix’s tracks lead deeper into the ruins, through the cavernous atrium. I stand up straight and peer out into the darkness, chewing on my lip.
I should tell Taraven I love him.
It’s a good idea to tell the people you love how you feel before you fling yourself into danger.
