us outcasts to our own devices and never come this close to our home.
This is bad on so many levels. We are not strong enough to take on the Order. If they are hunting the females, then it’s not only a concern for Leah, but for my brothers, and for the rest of her kind as well.
The Zmaj on the log shakes his head, his wings rustle, and he turns and disappears from sight. He pauses, his back towards us, and starts to turn back around.
“Come on!” the other voice yells.
He disappears from sight, and I release my held breath. I don’t move yet. Leah and I wait, straining our senses to make sure they are gone. I don’t know how long we lie there, waiting to be certain. Rainwater is pooling beneath me when at last I rise and peek over the fallen tree.
Nothing.
I stand and look in all directions until I’m sure we’re alone, for now. Kneeling, I hold my hand out and help Leah emerge from her hiding place. She radiates nervous energy as her head swivels around, making sure for herself.
She puts her hands on my chest, palms flat and warm against my scales. I cover her hands with mine and tilt my head down until my forehead rests against hers. It’s a stolen moment, and all that we have. The urgency to get to the others is exponentially greater.
She looks up, kisses me, and we move. Hand in hand, we travel as quick as possible. The wind is cold, and the rain is coming harder yet again. The lull of the storm is ending. There’s no stopping for shelter though. We’re being hunted. The jungle was dangerous enough before I knew that the Order was this close to us, now the dangers of the jungle itself no longer compare. Our best hope is to avoid capture and reach the others.
We’ve been climbing steadily for a long time, which is good. The area is becoming familiar looking, even if there are no landmarks that stand out yet. I know I’m heading in the right direction for home. It’s obvious we’ve gone further away than I had thought originally though.
“STOP!”
The command is authoritative and loud, echoing off the trees but leaving no doubt of its intended target. My body stops without thought, even now the training of the Order is ingrained in me. Obey orders. Do not hesitate, do not think, do as commanded.
Leah has no such conditioning, she runs. The proper response of course. She jerks me into motion, breaking the command of years of training. A glance over my shoulder and I spot four Zmaj racing through the jungle, chasing us.
I sweep Leah into my one good arm and run.
17
LEAH
I’ve pains in parts of my body I didn’t know could hurt. I’m out of breath and my heart is pounding but I can’t stop now. Shit, it’s the Order. Does Urukol know what they want me for? I don’t know if Angota had a chance to tell him.
“Yipp!” I exclaim as I’m swept off my feet.
Urukol scoops me up in his good arm without missing a step. I turn in and wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Trees blur around us as he runs flat out. Jumping over fallen limbs, dodging low branches, barreling through brush.
Our pursuers shout as they chase, calling out. I hear multiple voices, at least six, maybe more. We’re moving so fast it’s making me nauseated. I close my eyes and grit my teeth, trying to keep my stomach under control.
The wind blows harder, and I shiver as rain pelts against me. Urukol’s speed is incredible. He’s so strong and nimble, bounding through the jungle with ease. He’s amazing, but it’s not going to be good enough. The Zmaj chasing are closing on us.
It can’t end like this. We only found each other, the end of our story can’t be this. I know he won’t let them take me, not if he’s alive. If they do capture me… I’m not going to be a breeder. I’ll do anything, but not that.
An hour ago I was daydreaming about having babies with Urukol. Ziva confided in me that she thinks Riley is pregnant, and obviously the Zmaj think our races are compatible. Why else would they want us as ‘breeders’?
No. I’m not going to end that way. Either we survive together or neither of us make it. I’m not going to live in this world without him.