NINE
The scent of pine surrounds me as I clamber up a large evergreen. Thick, bushy, boughs obscure me from sight as I settle into a crook and wait. Eamon should be in position by now but I can’t see any sign of him. North─that’s the only guide I have for his direction.
I sink back against the tree trunk and blow out a breath. It hangs in the air like a wispy cloud before me. I swipe my hand to disperse it and tie a wide strip of cloth over my mouth and nose. I tuck my hands into my armpits for warmth and settle in for what I fear will be a very long day.
The days are getting shorter and the winds more brutal. Winter has officially shoved autumn out the back door and locked away the heat, leaving little time for the leaves to decay properly. More snow fell overnight and, judging by the low hanging gray clouds and the rising winds, the sky is ready to unleash round two right on top of us.
“Perfect.” I huddle into my sweater, smirking over how furious Zahra will be to find me swaddled in one of Eamon’s shirts when I return. “Three layers of clothes and I’m still gonna be a popsicle by tonight.”
The morning hike was enough to keep me warm but, now that I’ve found my hiding spot, the cold has begun to seep in, nipping at any exposed skin. As the minutes drag out into hours, I struggle to keep my extremities from falling asleep. I can’t help but wonder if all of this is a ruse to waste my time instead of capture me.
Surely, if this is a trap, it’s been laid for me. I don’t really think Commander Drakon will let me slip through his fingers that easily. From the moment Toren pointed out the location of this ridge, I knew I was the intended target.
When I bend to smack life back into my toes, pain in my side flares and I’m forced to bite down on my lip to stifle a cry. Pulling up the frayed hem of Eamon’s shirt I can just barely glimpse the red gash raked across my pale skin. I did my best to wash the wounds last night but I fear the heat radiating from my right side. An infection has begun to linger in the area and that can be deadly out here if not treated properly.
All thoughts of my wound vanish when a sudden jolt makes me grasp the tree for stability. The pine needles tremble as another vibration rises through the tree bark.
What the heck was that? An earthquake?
I shove the boughs out of my way and cast a quick glance up at the sun to calculate it’s general location in the sky. My best estimate is that there’s only about an hour until sundown. Considering we have an hour hike back up the mountain, we’re running too close for comfort.
Eamon should have sent the signal by now. It’s his job to watch the sun.
Fear worms its way into my stomach as I look to the north. The vibrations through the branches come faster and harder. As I rise up onto my toes, teetering precariously on the branch, I realize the Caldonians are coming, but they aren’t alone.
A large group of Squaddies scours the ravine below. Just beyond them is a sight that makes my skin tingle with trepidation and my stomach drop to the ground.
Three large metal orbs crash through the forest, splintering hundred-year-old pines into kindling. Their hulls are oil slick black with a triple barrel laser cannon perched atop the bulbous body of the eight-legged monstrosities. I’ve had my fair share of nasty run-ins with spiders in these woods but these are by far the scariest I’ve ever seen.
I didn’t know the Caldonians built those spiders. I’ve only seen the Sky Ships before. Maybe these are the Droners Bastien spoke about. I gulp back my terror as I realize this isn’t a new supply route, it’s an interstate.
I frantically descend from the tree; my only thought is to get to Eamon. He would never have missed the signal unless he was in trouble.
My legs tingle as my boots slam into the snow. I wince, pausing only a second to sling my rifle around to the front before I dash through the woods, weaving through the trees with far less grace than usual.
I hadn’t realized how bitterly cold the air had grown while I sat in my insulated hiding spot. The winds whip my hair into a tangled frenzy about my face as the first drops of freezing rain begin to pelt down from the sky. I yank my hair back and stuff it into my shirt as visibility quickly narrows and my pace slows. Each step becomes precarious as the icy mixture creates a slick glaze over the sloping ground.
My finger is poised just over the trigger, ready to fire the instant my position is discovered. My ammo is limited; I have to make every shot count until I find Eamon and get us out of here.
I cry out as a wide laser beam slams into a tree less than ten feet away and blasts me backward. I shake my head, ears ringing loudly as I scramble to my feet. The tree just ahead creaks as it plummets to the ground.
The metallic groan of the giant spider alerts me to the Droner’s position. I dive behind a tree and clutch my rifle to my chest, fighting back against my rising fear as I realize there’s no way I can compete with that thing’s firepower.
Black clad figures disappear behind trees faster than I can take aim. I know I’m being surrounded and there is nothing I can do about it.
Looking at the trees around me, I notice that most are tall and barren. A variety of evergreens dot the landscape but even those can’t hide me forever.
“Get the girl!”
The shout echoes through the ravine and immediately I’m on my feet and dashing back the way I came. The Squaddies’ pursuit is loud and cumbersome as they tussle with tangled bushes that seem to appear out of nowhere in the fading light. The grinding gears of a drone send me flailing to the south, away from Eamon and parallel with the mountain. I don’t know this section of the forest well enough to know of any hiding spots so I run as far and as fast as I can.
The trees narrow around me, herding me through a briar patch. I ignore the stitch in my side as I sprint along the uneven terrain. Liquid fire smolders in my chest, stealing away each breath.
I bound down a small slope, leaving the aliens scrambling up the other side. The earth unsettles around me and I ride it like a wave to the bottom. Misjudging the distance, I face-plant into the ground, choking on a mixture of snow and dirt.
“Over here! She’s hit the ravine!” A voice calls from the top of the hill.
“Crap,” I grunt as I push to my feet and stumble through the woods. My heart thunders in my ears as I gasp for breath. I can’t outrun them.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I watch as a handful of Squaddies spill over the hill, only a few seconds behind me. I sprint through a small clearing and halt by the tree line.
I spin, pull the rifle up to my eye and fire off a few rounds. The shots fly wide but I manage to send three aliens crashing to the ground as the bullets zing past. I inhale deeply, hold it for a couple seconds and then release a long, slow breath. I take aim, zeroing in on a tree branch hanging directly above the aliens.
The blast shoves my shoulder back, jarring it in its socket. The bullet slams into a branch, burrowing deep into the flesh but it remains firmly attached to the tree. I grit my teeth and take aim again, knowing my window of opportunity is rapidly narrowing. With a second jolt to my shoulder, the bullet sends it tumbling to the ground.
I hear shouts but don’t wait around to see if I hit anyone. Slinging the gun back over my shoulder, I turn and sprint into the trees, leaping over raised tree roots and fallen logs. Shadows kiss the far horizon as I burrow into the eastern forest, heading in the opposite direction of my camp. If I run much further, I will risk hitting the outskirts of the City.
I collapse against a tree trunk, sucking in great gulps of air. The stich in my side flares into an agonizing spasm among my ribs. A chill seeps through my clothing as the temperature continues to plummet with the fading light. Trickles of freezing rain drip down my neck, snaking down my spine.
The forest only partially shields me from the elements. Gusts of wind whip through the tall trees with ferocious vengeance. I hunch my shoulders and brush wet strands out of my face. I glance around, liste
ning for the sound of boots on the packed dirt floor.
I lean my head back and look up through the trees that tower high overhead like naked arrows pointing to the darkened sky. Only a squirrel can climb high enough to reach those branches. Climbing is definitely not an option.
Dropping my gaze to the ground, I survey the landscape around me. In the fading light, it’s hard to make out much more than clumps of rotting leaves whipped around by the winds, snagging in the hovels of gnarled tree roots. I can see a few bramble bushes scattered among the trees but nothing useful for hiding.
I’m going to have to keep running. This thought leaves me weary before I even take my first step. I hunch over to fill my lungs, praying the cold air will restore some of my former energy.
A grim thought sinks in as I realize I can barely see my hands propped on my knees. Dusk has arrived. There will be no one sent to search for me. I’m on my own, in unfamiliar territory. This night can’t possibly get any worse.
Resolved to begin my run, I stand up but immediately freeze. A lone soldier stands less than ten feet from me. A mask is pulled up over his face to hide his features. I have no idea how he snuck up on me. My senses may be slightly dull from exhaustion, but I am far from careless.
His laser gun hums, glowing a beautiful shade of emerald. He must know who I am.
“Don’t try to run. If you do I will be forced to shoot.” I tilt my head at the musical lilt to the alien’s voice. It exudes peace and calm, a sore contradiction for the weapon he has targeted on my heart.
I can’t help but stare into his eyes. In the dim light, they seem to glow from within. When he blinks, sparks appear to ignite around his pupils──beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
He reaches up and pulls his face covering away. I stifle a gasp as my gaze falls over the smooth planes of his face. Shoulder length hair, as white as a frozen lake in the depths of winter, flows over his broad shoulders.
His sheer beauty steals my breath away. My eyes narrow as my fingers ache to reach for my gun. “Get out of my way.”
He shakes his head. “Afraid I can’t do that. I’ve got orders.”
“I’m sure you do.” I take a step away from the tree and he mirrors my movements, not allowing me any advantage.
His gaze shifts down to my chest where the strap for my rifle crosses, lying against my breastbone. “Remove your weapon and toss it to the side.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“I’m not asking.” His gun buzzes as he fingers the trigger. Sparks shoot out from the cannon, fizzling out a couple of feet from me.
I stare down the alien as I pull the shoulder strap over my head and toss the gun out in front of me. “Further.”
It takes three steps to reach my gun. Only two more will put me nose to nose with the alien. He watches my foot as I loop it under the gun and toss it to the side. “No, don’t-”
I drop and sweep my leg around to knock him off his feet. He lands on his tailbone as I roll to my knees, elbowing him in the chest. With a flash of silver, I whip out my dagger, slice through the laser strap that runs across his chest and scramble away.
I crumple to the ground as he yanks my foot. My forehead slams into the ground and a wad of dirt fills my mouth as he claws up my back for the laser. I buck under him, trying to resist, but I can feel the gun slip from my fingers.
I roll away and leap to my feet, far more unsteady this time. He doesn’t give me a chance to recover before he tackles me back to the ground. I gasp for breath as I beat against his back, scratching at the exposed flesh of his neck.
Sparring with Eamon could never have prepared me for this. The alien’s reflexes are lightning fast and well executed, unlike Eamon’s more cautious attacks.
It’s not until he has me pinned me to the ground that I realize he’s not actually trying to hurt me. He’s merely restraining me.
“Stop fighting. You can’t win.” His voice is low, non-threatening.
“Watch me,” I growl, spitting up into his face.
The instant he breaks eye contact, I toss my weight to the side and elbow him in the ribs. I roll over him and scramble to my feet. He grunts and effortlessly leaps up onto his feet, blocking my escape.
“Either fight me or let me go,” I demand.
He slowly circles around me, watching. I counter his actions, easily sinking into my training. “Kyan insisted you be brought to him.”
I pause mid-step. “You know Kyan?”
He rises from his slightly crouched position, puffing out his chest with obvious pride. “He was my trainer.”
“Why are you hunting me?” I ask, wiping sweat from my brow.
“He needs to speak with you.”
“Nice way to send an invitation,” I growl, as I cast a glance toward my rifle. It’s too far out of reach but maybe I can get him to move a bit to the right so I can dive for it. “I’m not going with you.”
He rises to his full height, planting his feet. “Kyan warned me you would say that.”
I search his eyes for any sign of fear, even a trickle of apprehension, but all I see staring back at me is stark resolution. I have no doubt this man will beat me unconscious just to follow orders.
I dive for my gun and pray that if I miss, death will come quickly.