form. Magna told us that the alien cannot survive long on our world without a body,” she informed him.
“We searched but didn’t find it. There is a deep ravine that runs the length of the lake. It has many caverns,” he said.
She nodded. “I will ask the Water Sirens. They should be able to help us,” she said.
“I’ve ordered double patrols and stationed lookouts along strategic vantage points on the mountain,” Pai said.
Nali stroked Pai’s feathered cheek. “You must be exhausted, my old friend. Why don’t you get something to eat and rest? We will need you strong and ready for the battle to come.”
Pai pulled his head away and shook it. “I may be old, but I’ll always be ready to defend the Kingdom and you, Nali,” he groused.
She watched Pai turn and walk away. He had a slight limp in his back left leg. Emotion threatened to choke her when she saw Ashure step out of the tent with an enormous platter of fresh fish. She sent him a grateful smile when he winked at her before shouting to Pai. The pirate’s thoughtfulness touched her.
“Hey, Pai, I saved you some dinner before Drago could hoard it all,” Ashure cheerfully called.
Taking a deep breath, she turned on her heel and continued on her original path. Asahi didn’t acknowledge her when she stepped up beside him. He stared at the darkening landscape in front of them.
“Pai confirmed that the alien is no longer contained within the eel,” she informed him.
She stood beside him in silence when he didn’t reply. The minutes ticked by as they stood like silent sentinels along the edge of the mountain. Below them, she could see the gargoyles patrolling the lake.
“Ashure told me that he traveled to the future—a future where we failed. He witnessed the beginning of the end,” he finally said.
She faced him fully. “We won’t let that happen.”
“Mike Hallbrook was infected with the alien. Mike could control the alien to a certain extent before he was killed in battle,” he continued.
She reached out and gripped his arm. “Asahi, I won’t let it kill you. Medjuline—” she said.
“Was one rare case of the alien leaving her body without killing her. Can you name another?” he demanded. When he looked at her, his eyes were glittering with anger.
“Yes, I can. Magna survived for centuries before she could rid her body of its hold. I won’t let it kill you. I can’t lose you. I—love you, Asahi. I love you so much,” she passionately replied.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him like she would never let him go. Fear and grief mixed inside her at the thought of losing him. She would do anything to save him—anything.
She took a shuddering breath and closed her eyes when he slid his arms around her and rested his cheek against her hair. A tear slid down her cheek, and she rubbed it away against his shirt, afraid he would think her weak for crying.
“I love you, Nali. I want us to have a life together when this is over,” he murmured.
“We can do this. We’ll defeat the creature,” she responded.
“Ashure was adamant that we do—or else. If we don’t, he promised he’d give me a personal tour of the Cauldron of Spirits,” he said with a small, rueful smile.
She tilted her head back and looked up at him. “Over his dead body,” she threatened, her eyes gleamed with a warning before she continued. “What else did he say?”
He looked back out over the lake. “That my connection with the alien could either save the Seven Kingdoms—or doom it,” Asahi grudgingly shared.
“Do you think you could connect with the alien again?” she asked.
He thought for a moment before he nodded. “My grandfather taught me the power of meditation when I was younger. If I focus, I can connect with the alien again,” he said.
“I don’t want you to do it if it endangers you,” she insisted.
He chuckled and shook his head. “I think we are beyond that,” he murmured.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked.
He pulled away from her and stepped back. She watched in puzzlement when he loosened his belt and pulled off the sheath holding the magical dagger. He held the sheathed blade out to her.
“Hold this. Whatever you do, don’t pull the dagger out unless it becomes apparent that the alien has more control over me than I can resist. If I present a danger to you and the others, you must