by Selena Kitt
“No,” Daniel corrected her. “It was that dumb fuck Gerrit. Cord tell her.”
Cord did as requested and this time, included most of what he had left out in the first telling to Daniel. He went back to Cass’s room and retrieved their clothes and what had turned out to be the scientist’s journal, which he gave to Daniel.
When he had finished reading, Daniel whistled. “Looks like you’re right. You’re gonna have to see this one through,” he said.
“And if it turns out to be a fairy tale?” Cass asked. “What then?”
“Feel stupid but be richer for it,” said Cord. “But if what this scientist reckons is right, that getting her to this cave will somehow stop winter, I’d be stupid for not doing it.”
“But what about her?” Cass asked.
Cord shrugged. “Leave her for her kind to find.”
“You think that other Camo is still following you?” Daniel asked thoughtfully.
He nodded. “More a feeling,” he said.
“And if Gerrit is still alive, he’ll definitely be following,” said Cass.
Daniel snorted. “Now that I can see I’m gonna hunt him down myself,” he vowed. “You don’t worry about him, son. Take the girl and do what you gotta do.”
Cord was torn. While he wanted Gerrit to die by his hand, he had a mission that needed completing first. Still, he couldn’t deny Daniel the right to seek retribution for his loss. He considered the colonel family even before he’d married the man’s daughter. He had been Cord’s commanding officer back when all that mattered was the Corps. Now though, without Ellen or the Corps, they were family by choice.
“She looks so peaceful,” Cass murmured, breaking into his thoughts.
He followed his friend and sometime lover’s gaze. Hope’s slumber was, like everything else she did, silent.
“Can she understand us?” Cass asked.
“She knows the name the scientist gave her,” he said and shrugged. “Some hand signs, too. Reckon she’s more perceptive than she lets on.”
“It’s hard to see her killing,” Cass said suddenly.
“She’s a healer,” Daniel said adamantly. “She wouldn’t hurt anything, no matter who they were. Says in the journal this guy calling himself the governor used that to his advantage. Did all sorts of experiments. I’d be careful if I were you, boy. He won’t give her up without a fight.”
Cord had read some of the details along with the scientist’s guilt. Given all that had happened to her at the hands of humans, he could not understand why she had saved him, twice, or why she was determined to travel with him.
“Why me?” he asked.
“I’d have thought that was obvious,” Cass replied. Seeing him clueless, she chuckled and gave him an answer that confused him more. “Because, you won’t give her up without a fight either.”
Hope stopped listening to the alien’s sounds. She had feigned sleep while they communicated around her and trusted her alien when he revealed her to his friends. Their reaction was much calmer than his had been. They had accepted her. She knew it was because she had returned the older one’s sight, something she should not have done. Her reserves were taxed and it would take more than food and rest to replenish. Yet, she did not regret it.
Her alien left sometime in the night, no doubt to share a sleeping space with his female. She did not know why, but the memory of them together unsettled her. Giving of one another was a sacred and loving act. Why the female had wanted her to witness such a private moment was still beyond her. It reminded her of her brother’s consort, flaunting her status over the other females in the tribe. But this female’s intentions had not seemed malicious to Hope. When sleep claimed her, she still didn’t have an answer and it chased her into her dreams.
Cass smiled down at Hope when she woke the next morning. “I thought you might want some clean clothes,” she said even though she knew the girl wouldn’t understand. “And he said something about getting you underwear. Here, let me help. . .”
Hope let the female clothe her. What was left of the dress was exchanged for trousers, shirt, and a woolen sweater. She struggled with the socks and laced boots, but they fit snugly and the thought of her dressing up like an alien made her smile.
“Come on, breakfast is waiting,” Cass said, and took Hope’s hand in hers, leading her back to the large room downstairs. “He said you were a vegetarian, but I didn’t know whether that included eggs or not. So I had the cook make everything.”
Daniel looked up from his plate of fried eggs and what passed for bacon in these parts. He gave her a wink and nudged Cord seated beside him. Her alien barely acknowledged her. He was busy refilling his instrument of death. She decided to ignore it and him in favor of the food, which she shoveled into her mouth without the aid of cutlery.
Cass watched the girl eat and had to stop her from hiding the soggier items in her pockets. “You been starving her, Cord?” she asked, amused.
“Other way around,” he said dryly.
“You said she recognizes her name. Does she know yours?” Cass asked as she took a seat next to Hope.
“Never came up,” he said as he holstered his gun.
“Typical man,” Cass muttered. She attracted Hope’s attention and pointed to each of them in turn, clearly saying their names before finishing with Hope herself. She did it twice more, then without pointing, said Daniel’s name.
Hope pointed to the man in question who grinned.
“She’s only remembering the sounds, Cass,” Cord told her.
This time Hope pointed to the female, who poked her tongue out at Cord. Hope mimicked her, poking her tongue out at her alien. The older one choked on his drink.
“She’s quick,” Daniel said through a coughing fit. “I like her.”
While they finished their breakfast, Cass accepted a letter from the local courier. She read the letter quickly and swore.
“You have to leave,” she told Cord.
“When it gets lighter,” he agreed.
“No. Now,” she said and kicked his chair. “That governor of yours is coming. He’s a few hours out and, like you, wants supplies.”
“He knows where you are,” Daniel said, and like Cass whirled into action.
Cord accepted his journey bag from Daniel and gave his goodbyes. He lingered long enough to kiss Cass before he dragged Hope out to Keela. After tossing her onto his mount’s back, he scrambled behind her.
“We’ll keep him distracted,” Cass promised.
“But don’t count on it,” Daniel warned. “If that little scumbag is alive, he’ll have told this governor where you’re headed.”
The same thought had already occurred to Cord. He nodded his thanks and kicked Keela into a gallop, intending to put as much distance between them and the governor as possible. As it turned out, the governor was the least of their worries.
Several hours into resuming their journey, Cord decided it was safe enough for a brief rest. They hopped off Keela, giving the animal a short rest while they stretched their legs. Hope handed him the water bottle and when he took his second sip, the trap was sprung.
Cord had his gun out and ready, but shooting would be futile. They were surrounded. Hope already had her hand on his arm, pushing it down. It seemed she wanted to avoid bloodshed and to be honest, so did he.
One of the Camo separated himself from the others and after studying Cord carefully, turned to Hope.
We were sent to fetch you, he told her.
And my companion? she asked.
Is the one who contacted us.
Hope glanced at Cord. This is my companion, she said.
Thoughts murmured around them but were silenced by the one who addressed her. Not the alien. Your real companion.
The one her family had sent to follow her, she realized. The alien is my. . . protector. Do I have your word that he will be treated with respect?
He glared at the instrument the alien still held. Hope turned to her alien and gave his gun
a pointed look. He understood her meaning and reluctantly holstered the offending weapon, making sure to keep his hands visible.
He will be safe, the male finally said. With that, they were led off the alien-made road to his tribe’s village and brought to their chief.
Hope knelt when the chief appeared. She tugged on Cord’s sleeve to get him to do the same, lest the tribe take offense and do something rash. The last thing she needed was to cause a war between the tribes, not when they had other more pressing concerns that needed to be dealt with as one people.
Rise child, the female chief ordered. We both know who you are and you do not need to submit to anyone. Please sit with me.
Hope nodded and rose. When Cord made to do the same, she held out a hand for him to stay. He grunted but thankfully did as requested.
You have him well trained, the chief noted.
He is wild but intelligent, she said.
The chief nodded. They are below animals. Bringing death and unbalance to our world.
Not all of them.
Oh? Does this one not kill?
Hope remained silent, unwilling to admit that he had killed many in the short time she had known him.
I see.
I have not seen him kill one of us. Only his own, Hope said, rallying to his defense.
The chief eyed the subject of their conversation as if seeing him in a new light. Worthy of respect, indeed. I will have my son see to his needs.
The male who had led them to the village rose and approached Cord. Her alien looked questioningly to her and she smiled. Taking that to mean he was safe, at least for now, Cord followed the male. Hope was pleased to see he finally trusted her. Perhaps one day there would be a chance for a peaceful resolution between their people.
Your companion has said he will arrive in time for the feast. Have you met?
Hope shook her head. I am curious to meet him, though. And she was. Who had her family considered worthy enough to enter the sacred cave with her?
A modest outdoor feast was quickly prepared for the occasion. Hope was next to the chief at the table of honor, while the rest of the tribe ate squatting on the ground. Cord was nowhere in sight, but the chief said he was resting and this was probably for the best. There was no need to upset the rest of the tribe with his presence. She assured Hope that her son was watching over her alien. No harm would come to him while in their care.
Cord might have trusted Hope, but he had not trusted any of her fellow Camo. And he had been right not to trust them, but it had not kept him from his current predicament. It wasn’t the male that got the drop on him, but a girl. As soon as he was led out of sight of the others, the girl had dropped from a tree, landing on his head and somehow sapping his energy. He had barely remained conscious while the male dragged him away. Now, he was strung up against a tree, in the middle of nowhere and with a lot less clothes on.
Having found his strength returning, Cord lifted his head. His wrists were tied tightly to a branch above him, leaving him on the tips of his toes. Already he hurt.
“What’re you doing?” he slurred.
Something hit him and the back of his head bounced against the tree. When he could see straight, he saw the male had his gun.
“Careful with that,” he said.
Again he was swiped for speaking. He caught sight of the girl before she danced back into the shadows. Fading light glinted from something in her hand. She had his knife. Whatever happened, he knew it would not end well for him.
Cord yanked hard at his bonds but they had been tied too well and the tree too sturdy for him to break free. He opened his mouth to call for help but the girl came at him again, this time with a jab to his gut. When the pain did not recede he looked down to find the hilt of his knife sticking out of him. Before he could yell for Hope, something was shoved into his mouth and tied there. He was completely at their mercy.
A flurry of thoughts washed over Hope as news of her companion’s arrival spread. He was ushered to the table to join them. Hope and the companion her family had chosen for her stared at each other. He stood tall and proud before her. No doubt the son of a chief, and for some reason that irked her. But then who else would they have chosen for her?
Hope nodded to him, and they sat on either side of the chief. They cast furtive glances at each other throughout the meal but neither spoke. What did one say to their companion in situations like this?
After the meal and entertainment, the chief showed them to a quiet room in her hut. They would be left alone to get to know one another, but be in sight of an elderly chaperone. The intimacy they would share would not be physical in nature, not tonight.
Why did you tell the chief’s son that the alien was your companion? he asked the moment they had privacy.
Hope studied him before answering. Because we are traveling together.
But he is an alien. You are supposed to travel with me to the sacred cave.
No, we are to meet at the cave then enter together, she corrected him.
I am glad you do not intend to take that barbarian into the sacred cave, he told her.
He is not a barbarian, said Hope. He has ensured my safety.
It was his turn to stare. Hope knew what he was looking for and waited for the accusation. It did not take long.
Are you still pure? he asked.
How dare you ask that? she said.
I dare because this is as much my destiny as it is yours, he reminded her. You have been in the hands of the aliens since winter began.
Hope glared at him and forced her response as calmly as she could, considering how much she wished him harm. That thought alone would be enough to confirm his concern. I have not killed and I have not let them touch me in that way. My purity is intact. Is yours?
How dare you ask me that?
You were going to kill my alien, she argued. A thought occurred to her and she asked, have you killed?
His silence was damning. Those destined to enter the sacred cave had to be pure of heart. Her so-called companion was not.
Hope stood and with a slight bow went to depart the room.
I should have killed him when I had the chance, he told her. What difference would killing a barbarian make to the cave?
It makes a difference to me, she replied. And if you had killed him, something I do not think you are intelligent enough to do, I would have killed you.
You would betray our kind for one of them? Condemn them to a longer winter?
There are more like me, she argued, who can take my place.
The next one in line is here, in this village. It will be years before she is ready to travel to the cave.
Silence fell between them as they contemplated the inevitable loss of life across the planet before it would see spring again.
Hope walked to the door and paused. Before leaving she said to him, then it is a good thing you did not kill him.
Cord wished for death. He had been beaten and tortured until he could take no more. Each time he thought the blackness would free him from this torment, they brought him back. The girl had Hope’s gift. She alternated between sucking his life from him, then returning enough so the torment could continue. Mostly though, it was the male. He used whatever was at hand to destroy him. Fist, foot, branch, knife. Each time she was the first thing he saw when he regained consciousness.
He had no idea how long they had toyed with him. Several hours maybe. Bringing and easing his pain until he could take no more. His only respite was when he was unconscious or when they stopped to have sex. The girl was still a child from what Cord could see, and the acts sickened him. He hated the male with a burning passion. He was the one Cord blamed. The girl, although unbalanced, was also a victim. He still had enough of his mind to understand that. Not that it helped.
His eyes were swollen shut so he could not know whether his glimpse of Keela in the distance was real or imagined. Wishful thinking, he decided as he slumped against his bonds and prayed for an end to his suff
ering.
Talk of killing her alien had worried Hope. With dawn fast approaching, she decided it was long past time she should have sought him out. She found Keela who had been tied securely to a post, but he had disappeared. The animal seemed agitated, her giant hooves pawing at the ground, straining her leash taut.
Hope tried to calm her but it was no use. She pulled on the knot and the moment Keela was free she galloped out of the village, to the nearby forest. Concerned, Hope dashed after her and was led to the most abhorrent scene she had witnessed since leaving the keep.