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He slipped away like a ghost. Panic paralyzes my heart as I frantically start to weave through the crowd.
I know precisely what direction to pursue him. He’s gone to the airfield.
I’m following the same path as the Ka’lakka and his warriors as I pursue Raffa’s escape route, trying not to lose hope when I fail to catch sight of him again. The music and the chanting gets louder as the procession reaches the airfield and the Ka’lakka addresses the crowd. The words of his short speech don’t register as I look for my damn defiant charge.
Rossa warned you, my head blames me.You should’ve known.
I burst onto the airfield, where the fleet’s many ships loom above, casting shadows like city blocks.
“Raffa! Raffa!” I call his name over and over, my voice going hoarse as the crowds start to dissipate. There are sad faces everywhere as families say their goodbyes to loved ones and then make their way back to the market area to clear the airfield of civilians. I find myself pushing against the flow of Kar’Kali as I head towards the gangplanks and lingering warriors.
I’m stopped a couple times by well-meaning soldiers.
“Human, you need to go back now. The ships are leaving,” one says.
“How long do I have?” I ask. “It’s urgent. You know Captain Rossa? Her little brother’s out here somewhere, and I need to make sure he doesn’t stow away somewhere.”
He frowns. “I know of the boy, but I haven’t seen him. We only have half an interval before the lift off begins. You must be in a safer position by then.”
“I will,” I promise him before rushing off to make one last effort to find Raffa.
“I’ll see that his sister is contacted,” he calls after me.
Soon the area is filling with the sounds of engines firing up and gangplanks being closed to prepare for takeoff. One by one, the entries to each ship are sealed, and the last of the warriors’ mates hustle away. I’m ready to call my search a failure when the fog of alien machinery emissions starts to billow through the air. The scent is a choking reminder that I shouldn’t be here.
As I turn to race back from where I came, a massive shadowy figure approaches me. I’m nearly scared out of my skin when the male grabs my upper arm.
“Female, what are you still doing here?”
I look up.
And up.
The Kar’Kali male that looms over me is taller than the rest, with a chest that goes on forever. Instead of the typical Kar’Kali uniform of a skintight air seal with an armored and highly decorated vest, he’s dressed in black. His face is mostly covered. All I see is glaring silver eyes. He’s frightening, like a shadow with glowing eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was just leaving…”
“Tell me, is something wrong?”
Those silvery eyes narrow with concern.
“I was looking for someone, a boy who ran off. Have you seen anyone?”
He inclines his head.
“Who?”
“Captain Rossa’s brother. I’ll just… go now, okay? I’m sorry about being here.” I’m ready to back away from this intimidating man, but he hasn’t let go of my arm. He’s staring at me, and I’m unnerved by the sudden lack of blinking.
“Don’t apologize,” he murmurs, so low I can barely hear. “But this isn’t a safe place for you to be.”
“I know. I-I’ll go now. It might be a lost ca—”
It’s then that the male bends toward me and pulls away his covering. I’m rendered speechless by the handsome face revealed. His hood hides silver hair, bright and shimmering. His expression is somber as he lifts his hands to frame my cheeks. I let him, and time slows, the goal of my being here nearly forgotten in the intensity of his gaze.
He gazes at me and utters one simple word: “Korika.”
Spirit-mate.
