Airborne

by Kimberly P. Chase

  Not wanting to stress them out any further, he hadn’t explained the carbon dioxide issue yet either.

  When Collin Titon reappeared on the screen, his dark eyes were hard and determined. ‘I’m going to hold you responsible.’ He pointed a finger at Zane. ‘I don’t care how you get her home. If there’s a cure we’ll find it.’

  Collin Titon had no clue just how true his words were. He’d unknowingly created the antidote seventeen years ago. He, of course, didn’t go into any of that. He simply nodded, said, ‘Yes, sir,’ and closed out the screen.

  Aurora’s dad’s call had changed Zane’s mind about waiting. Her life was at risk either way. He wasn’t waiting around any longer. They needed to save Aurora and then she could help get everyone off the station.

  Chapter 46

  Aurora

  Gentle shaking roused Aurora from her dreams. There was no pain here. She fought against consciousness, but Zane’s whispered murmurs grew insistent.

  ‘Aurora, I need you to cooperate.’

  She tried to sit up, but found herself twisted in sheets. She gave up and lay back down. Zane stroked hair out of her face, so she could see him.

  ‘Water?’ she croaked. Her mouth felt gritty. Like sand in the desert.

  Zane pushed water to her lips. Sweet relief. Aurora sucked water through the attached straw. ‘Thanks,’ she whispered a few moments later, her voice a little clearer.

  ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Okay,’ she lied. Her entire body was on fire. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘We’re running out of time.’

  Zane continued speaking, but Aurora found herself focusing on his dark hair that she wanted to run her hands through. His face was intense and worried. His eyes a stormy gray. Something was worrying him.

  Her gaze slid over his high cheekbones and down to his lips.

  ‘Aurora, you’re not listening.’

  Wasn’t she? Aurora was pretty sure she was completely focused on Zane.

  Zane’s cool hands stroked her forehead. A moan escaped.

  ‘Damn, you’re on fire.’

  Aurora tried to smile. ‘Thanks.’

  Zane’s eyes widened as if she’d surprised him. ‘You’re so strong. A hero.’ He glanced behind him before turning around and whispering his next words. ‘I know how to cure you.’

  ‘How?’ Her voice cracked.

  Zane placed water in front of her chapped lips again. Aurora took two deep gulps before asking again. ‘How?’

  ‘My blood.’

  She tried to sit up again using her elbows, but still couldn’t manage it.

  ‘That doesn’t make sense. I must be hearing things now.’ Aurora had officially gone off her rocker. Maybe the heat was burning her brain cells. How could Zane’s blood help her?

  ‘I’m going to give you some of my blood. We’re not an exact match, but it’ll do,’ Zane continued oblivious to her confusion. He pulled vials of blood out of his pocket and stared at them in wonder.

  ‘I’m going to save you.’

  Aurora passed out.

  Chapter 47

  Zane

  Zane shoved a needle into his arm, removing more of his blood. He didn’t know how much she’d need.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Kaylana yelled, briefly glancing up from Aurora’s side.

  ‘What needs to be done.’ Aurora had been sick for twenty-six hours now and he was done waiting for Kaylana and Akemi to create an antidote.

  ‘Are you sure this will work?’ Kaylana asked

  ‘No.’

  ‘Your secret is safe with us,’ Akemi said.

  ‘I know.’ And even if it weren’t, he’d still be here doing this exact same thing, drawing vials of blood from his arm.

  When he had enough, Akemi handed him an injection needle.

  ‘Why is it so big?’ The needle was silver, thin, and at least four inches long.

  ‘You’re going to have to put it in her heart. It’s the most efficient way to get it into her bloodstream.’

  Zane nodded and moved beside Aurora.

  ‘Wait—’

  Akemi touched Kaylana’s shoulder. ‘You know Zane would never do anything to hurt Aurora. He can help her.’

  Aurora’s breath hitched and Kaylana flinched.

  ‘Please.’ Zane put every ounce of sincerity he could muster into that one word. ‘My blood will help her. You know we don’t have time to wait for you to create an antidote from my blood. This is faster.’

  ‘But don’t you think, maybe, one of the medical cadets should do it?’ Kaylana glanced at Akemi. ‘That’s a reasonable request.’

  Zane looked into Kaylana’s wide blue eyes. ‘I don’t know what my blood will do to her.’ He raised a hand to silence her before she tried to interrupt. ‘I think it will save her, but it also could change her. I should be the one to do this.’

  Kaylana slowly nodded and backed away from the bed.

  Zane stroked Aurora’s arm. When he laced his fingers with hers, they laid limp in his hand. He squeezed before letting go.

  ‘Would you mind?’ Zane glanced over his shoulder.

  Kaylana stepped forward to pull Aurora’s flight suit over her shoulder and exposed Aurora’s chest.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Kaylana moved out of the way.

  ‘My blood can save you. And then you can help us get back home,’ Zane leaned forward, whispering in her ear, hoping she’d understand his decision.

  The needle pricked her skin as Zane shoved his hand down. With a soft thunk, he knew he’d penetrated her heart.

  He depressed the needle, injecting her with whatever had been done to him.

  Would it be enough to save her?

  Or would he alter her forever?

  He removed the now empty needle and lay down beside her.

  ‘We can’t tell the Alliance,’ he whispered. Just because he’d told Kaylana and Akemi his secret didn’t mean the Alliance could find out. They wouldn’t be so understanding. He wasn’t going to be a lab rat ever again.

  Akemi nodded, getting it without Zane having to explain. ‘We’ll come up with a different excuse for how she survived.’

  ‘We can’t just fake an antidote,’ Kaylana added like they were idiots. ‘The Alliance will want to see it.’

  ‘No need to fake one. We need to get Aurora to Dr Stevenson. He’ll use my blood to create the antidote.’ At least, Zane hoped he would help.

  ‘How are we going to do that?’ Kaylana placed her hands on her hips.

  He shrugged. ‘Let’s solve that problem tomorrow. When Aurora is feeling better.’ Zane knew they needed to get off Aviary … Who knew what the long-term effects of his blood would be. And if they didn’t get out of here before the carbon dioxide became a problem, saving Aurora from the virus wouldn’t matter.

  Zane turned away from Kaylana and Akemi, hoping they’d take the hint. There was nothing they could do right now. It all hinged on tomorrow.

  He drifted to sleep for the first time in days, holding onto Aurora’s hand for dear life.

  Chapter 48

  Sky

  When Sky unlatched the door and walked into Aviary he felt like he’d entered a science fiction horror film. The station was eerily quiet while lights flickered on and off. The cafeteria he passed was deserted; random food containers scattered along the shelves the only indication people had been here.

  ‘Hello?’ he called out, his voice echoing around him. Sky had expected chaos, not this awful silence.

  Sky looked around for everyone—anyone. He peaked into the pods as he passed by. When he reached the medical lab, he peered through the glass.

  Kaylana and Akemi were slumped together beside a table littered with medical instruments. Each propping the other up, so they could both sleep. He glanced past their prone forms to the bed that held not only Zane, but Aurora as well.

  Seeing Zane with Aurora should have upset him, but Sky found he was just thankful that they were all still alive.


  Zane looked different in sleep. Softer somehow. Or maybe it was because he held Aurora’s hand as she slept, his body tilted toward hers as if he was trying to protect her.

  Aurora’s red hair was a tangled mess, but she still took Sky’s breath away. When he noticed her skin was paler than usual, his stomach dropped out from under him. Why were they sleeping in the infirmary? Was Aurora sick?

  He pushed the door open so hard, that Kaylana and Akemi jerked upright, startled.

  ‘Sky?’ Kaylana squeaked. ‘What are you doing here?’

  Sky didn’t answer. He strode toward Aurora.

  The noise must have woken Zane up because he sat up on the bed. Sky glanced away from their entwined hands and how perfectly their bodies fit together, instead focusing on his rising panic.

  ‘What the hell is going on? Is she sick?’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Zane said. His eyes were blank, devoid of any emotion for Sky to pick up on.

  ‘What the fuck does that mean? Did she get infected or not?’

  Zane’s shoulders slumped. ‘Yes.’

  Sky dropped to his knees. ‘Is she dying?’ he whispered.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Zane’s voice was hushed.

  ‘Aren’t you trying to help her?’ Sky threw a dark look toward Akemi and Kaylana. They had been sleeping instead of helping her.

  A disgusted looked crossed Kaylana’s face. ‘Of course we did.’

  ‘We’ve done everything we can,’ Zane said, pulling Sky’s attention back to the bed.

  Aurora moaned and rolled over. He let out a deep breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.

  Kaylana cleared her throat. ‘What are you doing here?’ She paused briefly, before talking at her typical high speed. ‘I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. And I’m definitely not complaining. Tell me you have a way to get us home. Did the Alliance finally lift the quarantine? We told them we’d found the contamination point, but they said they didn’t want to risk it with—’

  Sky cut her off before she could keep rambling on. ‘I just couldn’t resist coming to the rescue of my favorite cadets.’

  Kaylana chuckled. ‘You mean Aurora.’

  He didn’t deny it. ‘I’m not as well equipped as I would like to be.’ He jutted his chin out toward Aurora. ‘I’m going to need her help flying us back home.’

  Kaylana’s somewhat happier mood vanished. ‘She doesn’t need any additional stress. Her body is fighting the virus.’

  ‘Well if we don’t get out of here, more of us could be infected right?’

  ‘Why do you need her help? I thought you were the best Alliance pilot.’

  Sky noticed Kaylana didn’t answer his question. ‘I am,’ Sky said, pretending to be offended.

  A tiny, breathless laugh stopped their conversation. Aurora, who was trying to hide her smile when Sky glanced toward her, said, ‘For now, anyway.’ Her brilliant green eyes seemed determined when they met his. A million things seemed to pass between them. Sky knew she was happy to see him even though her hand remained in Zane’s.

  Kaylana pushed Sky out of the way breaking their brief moment. ‘Aurora, you’re okay!’

  Aurora struggled to return Kaylana’s embrace. ‘Yeah, so don’t squeeze the life out of me.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Kaylana backed away.

  ‘What do you need me to do?’ Aurora whispered, like she was having a hard time speaking. She cleared her throat.

  ‘What you do best,’ Sky said. As much as he wanted to coddle her, that was not his style—their style. ‘Fly.’

  ‘What are we flying?’

  ‘The lunar transport.’

  Aurora rubbed her forehead. ‘But that’s not re-entry compatible.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Shit.’

  ‘Don’t go all girlie on me now.’ Sky forced a teasing note into his tone. This was going to be the most difficult flight either of them had ever flown. Worse than any simulator run they’d done together. He needed her determined. Ready to prove to the world that she was one kick ass pilot.

  Aurora’s eyes briefly took on that look he loved—pissed off, hardened with defiance and determination.

  And then she passed out.

  ‘She’s not quite ready for that,’ Kaylana remarked.

  Chapter 49

  Aurora

  Aurora was woken once again by someone shaking her, but whoever it was this time was way more forceful.

  ‘Aurora, wake up,’ an angry voice called from far away.

  Aurora thought she recognized the voice, but knew she must be dreaming. Sky wasn’t on Aviary.

  ‘Aurora, please wake up.’

  Déjà vu hit.

  It was like she was re-living last semester all over again as Sky pleaded for her to regain consciousness.

  This time, however, she heard another male voice in the background.

  ‘You’re shaking her too hard.’

  ‘We need her to wake up.’

  ‘The carbon dioxide levels will hold until late tomorrow. Give her some time.’

  Zane and Sky’s voices sounded far away as Aurora struggled to open her eyes. The shaking continued. She didn’t have a choice. She needed to wake up enough to smack Sky for shaking her so violently.

  ‘Sky,’ she croaked.

  His hands stopped jostling her. Instead he stroked her face as he spoke directly in her ear. ‘I need you to wake up, sweetheart.’

  The bed moved when Sky leaned back. ‘She’s on fire.’

  ‘Don’t you think we know that? Her body is fighting the virus.’

  Aurora slumped back down. The need to sleep overpowered anything else.

  ***

  Aurora didn’t know how much time had passed until she woke again. This time the room sounded empty. After twisting out of the sheets she managed to get out of bed. Her flight suit was a crumpled mess, but at least she didn’t feel as if she was going to die at any second anymore.

  And she had been dying, right?

  Flashes of Zane pumping blood into her and of Zane and Sky arguing rushed back.

  Had Zane’s blood really helped her defeat the virus?

  And was Sky really here?

  Aurora glanced around the room. Originally upon waking Aurora had assumed she was alone because it was so quiet, but Zane and Sky were still with her, both of them asleep on the only two chairs in the room.

  Not wanting to wake them, she remained quiet and took a moment to appreciate the view.

  Sky’s blond hair was longer than it had been the last time she’d seen him. His face, relaxed in sleep, was free from the dimples that usually sent rocket ships flying in her tummy. A five o’clock shadow roughened his face, as if he hadn’t had time to shave. Aurora found herself wondering what it would feel like to press her cheek against it. Would it be smooth yet rough at the same time?

  The sight of Sky and the feelings he stirred still confused her. She’d missed his overbearing presence deeply, but usually they were at each other’s throats. What did it mean that she liked the fire he lit within her?

  Aurora’s gaze flowed over to Zane. He was just as coldly beautiful as always with his midnight hair, pale skin, and high cheekbones she’d kill for. He was so perfect that he almost didn’t seem real sometimes. Maybe it was no wonder both of these boys held a piece of her heart. When they were side-by-side it was like seeing two sides of a coin. One side light, energetic, and forceful. The other side dark, quiet, and intense. Aurora supposed the answer lie in which one of these beautiful boys held the bigger piece of her heart.

  What had she done to be so favored in life? Aurora wanted to deserve their affection.

  As if sensing her stare, Zane’s eyes opened like maybe he hadn’t been asleep after all, revealing a sea of gray she could get lost in.

  Yeah, she definitely had a connection with him.

  ‘Hi,’ she whispered.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Zane sat forward.

  ‘Better,’ she admitted.

 
; Zane seemed to relax. ‘Good.’

  ‘Was it really your blood that saved me?’ she asked, still speaking softly. How did that even work? Maybe Aurora had just missed Kaylana and Akemi creating the antidote.

  ‘Let’s talk about it some other time.’ Zane glanced toward Sky who still slept next to him.

  ‘Okay,’ Aurora reluctantly agreed. ‘How did Sky get here?’ Last she knew even the lunar station had been quarantined.

  ‘Let’s see. He broke quarantine, stole a lunar transport, flew it here, and we’re going to fly it back home.’

  ‘Oh. That’s right.’ Aurora briefly recalled waking up at one point. Hearing Sky’s crazy plan and that he needed her to fly. She must have passed out again after that. Weird.

  ‘I don’t think, I know,’ Sky said, startling Aurora. His blue eyes met hers. How long had he been awake?

  She watched as Sky’s gaze roamed over her body as if making sure she was still in one piece.

  ‘All right.’ Aurora fought the blush she knew was coming by focusing on how they were going to get out of here. ‘How are we going to do that?’ Aurora asked, ignoring the questions in both Sky and Zane’s eyes. Questions she had no clue how to answer. All Aurora knew was that she would do anything to keep from hurting either of them. Could they all be friends? Maybe Aurora wasn’t as lucky as she’d previously thought.

  ‘You’re going to have to help me. It’s going to take some mad flying skills.’ Sky winked, seemingly falling back into his usual happy banter. ‘You up for it?’

  Aurora hesitantly smiled. ‘I’m always up for flying.’

  Zane cleared his throat and removed himself from the chair. ‘I’ll let you two figure things out.’ He moved toward the door, looking back at Aurora one last time. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling better.’ He left the room.

  Aurora rubbed her palms across her face. She wasn’t ready to deal with all of this yet. She’d just woken up, from almost dying, for star’s sake!