The Alien's Revenge - Ella Maven Page 0,49

Nothing. After Crius slashed my throat, I’d wandered for rotations, maybe an entire cycle, eating nothing but leaves and rotten fruit that had dropped to the forest floor.

When I’d found the spring with the falling qua—I’d been taken aback at the beauty of the place. That was the only reason I’d kept myself alive. I’d found a sanctuary. And with it, I’d focused on the revenge I’d one day seek.

“Drak?” said a soft voice. I snapped back to present to find the gates closed and Miranda cupping my cheek as she searched my eyes. “You okay?”

I swallowed, nodding with jerky movements. Over her shoulder, I saw Daz stride toward me, Frankie at his side.

“I know I can never give back what I took from you—”

“Crius.” I interrupted him. “He took.”

Daz nodded. “But I was a part of it. I know I can’t give you what you lost back, but I hope seeing Crius answer for what he did helps you be more comfortable here.”

I nodded, unsure what to say. I wasn’t comfortable. I sought my roof and my stars with Merr-anda’s warm naked body next to mine. I wanted to bathe in my spring while Merr-anda lay on the rocks with the sun shining on her skin.

“Tomorrow,” Daz said. “I’d like you to show us where the Kulks attacked you. We need to find out if more are in the area to see if they left any behind. You were one of our best scouts before, so not only can you lead us to the right area, but you can help us try to determine their goal and where they might have gone next.”

Vague memories in shadows flitted through my mind. Daz had often called upon me to handle the more difficult areas of our territory. It was why I’d been where I was on that day when I’d seen Crius with the Uldani.

My skills had only improved in the ten cycles I’d been on my own. While I’d felt out of place since returning, I latched onto the purpose he’d given me with my claws. I nodded immediately. “I will. They burnt … my hut.”

“He’d built a home in the trees,” Merr-anda added. “Above ground. They couldn’t reach it, so I’m guessing they set fire to it to smoke us out. Good thing we weren’t there at the time.”

“Tomorrow,” Daz said. “Now, we relax.”

“We’re going to have a celebration tonight,” Frankie said, her eyes shining as she glanced between me and Merr-anda. “To welcome you home, Drak. Xavy’s spirits and a bonfire. Maybe Sax will tell us a story like he sometimes does.”

Merr-anda’s fingers closed around my wrist. Her bloom quivered with excitement. She liked this idea, so I’d go along with it.

“Great idea,” Merr-anda said. “Do you need help with the food?”

“Sure, if you want. Justine is being a tyrant in the kitchen. Tab didn’t chop the herbs fine enough, apparently.”

Merr-anda laughed. “Oh, I’ll show her fine.” She turned to me. “Want to watch us cook? We’re generous with samples.”

I nodded. I didn’t care about the food, but I enjoyed the way Merr-anda lit up around the other females. Her eyes shone, and her bloom brightened. She loved her friends, and I wished I could remember what that was like. Sometimes I’d get flashes of talking with Ward, and his smile, but that was it. Maybe fifteen cycles had been too long for our friendship bond to last.

“Merr-anda, Drak, wait up!” Reba walked quickly toward us, her welf pet bumping into her legs as she walked, nearly knocking her over. In a flash, Ward was at her side, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders to keep her steady. She rolled her eyes at him, muttering, “I wasn’t going to fall.”

“Your balance is terrible,” Ward said.

“You try carrying extra weight in an awkward place,” she groused at him before turning to me with a kind smile. “Hi, Drak. I’m Reba.” She waved a small hand at me. I wasn’t sure how to return the greeting, so I nodded back. I did a lot of nodding.

“Um,” she bit her lip and glanced at Ward. “I wanted to thank you. Ward said it was you who dropped the numa mat on him when we were being attacked by the hunners. You…you saved his life. And now knowing your story, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you walked away. But you didn’t. That shows me…” she smiled at Merr-anda. “It shows me you have a good heart. I’m sorry seems very