Girl from the Stars Book 5- Day's Hunt

by Cheree Alsop

  “Can I help you?” Liora asked, her tone cold.

  “You’ve been avoiding me,” Devren replied. He looked past her shoulder to the plate on the couch.

  “Are you surprised?” Liora shot back. “Why are you even here?”

  “I wanted to see if there is anything you need for our trip back to Corian tomorrow. I understand you’ve had a difficult time, and I—”

  “A difficult time?” Liora replied. She shook her head, anger filling her gaze. “Don’t even go there, Devren. I’ll see you tomorrow in the hangar with Brandis and Malie. Other than piloting us back to Corian, I know of no need for us to be in contact with each other ever again.” She turned away. “We’re through here. Please leave my quarters.”

  “I know that I failed you, Liora,” Devren said. He paused and something changed in his voice. “But did you ever stop to think that you failed me, too?”

  Caught off guard, Liora turned back.

  “You were supposed to bring him home,” Devren continued. There was anger and pain in his gaze. “He trusted you with his heart, and I trusted that you would protect him. He gave everything to everyone, and lost himself when his wife and child died. He was a broken man, and we both knew it. I saw him falling for you and could have stopped him, or at least tried, but I didn’t because I told myself that you were stronger than him. You would keep him safe and not let him throw his life away for any little cause.”

  He speared her with his look, tears in his eyes and his chest heaving. “You failed me, Liora. You failed to bring my brother back home. I never should have let you out of that cage on Malivian’s Kirkos. Because of that one decision, I’ve lost Tariq, the best person who ever lived in this cursed Macrocosm. He was too good for any of us and he didn’t deserve to die for nothing.”

  Devren left Liora standing there feeling as though her heart had been torn open and left bleeding on the floor. She couldn’t move, could barely breathe, and her thoughts swirled like a hurricane. The heat left her food; the jellied seaweed turned into a melted lump on her plate, but Liora didn’t notice. The sound of Devren walking away echoed in her head over and over again and each time was louder than the last.

  You failed him, the dark voice taunted in her head.

  Liora ignored the voice.

  She stood there until the ache in her back told her it was time to spread Susa’s salve over the burn. Usually she dreaded the pain. This time, she welcomed the chance to dull the fresh agony she hadn’t known before that night.

  She sat on the couch below the window and pushed the plate away with numb fingers. The tin of salve waited on the side table. Reaching for it pulled at the healing scars, but Liora didn’t scoot any closer. She opened the lid and the scent of sartan leaves and pine gum made her nose tingle.

  Liora was about to dip her fingers in the slick substance when a form swam past the window. She recognized Devren’s blue and silver uniform from her father’s Corian fleet. She rose and put a hand to the window, only to pull it away at the whisper of a painful memory.

  She almost let him go, but thoughts of the Creetian lowlifes that had accosted her on her last trip out the window pushed her forward. She grabbed her breather from the back of the couch and pressed her hand to the panel as she adjusted the breather over her nose and mouth. As soon as the pane was clear, she dove out into the luminous ocean.

  Devren ghosted through the water far below, confirmation that he didn’t know of the dangers lurking in the depths of Ries. Liora gritted her teeth and swam after him.

  Afraid of the inexplicable changes that had come over her the last time she swam through the same waters, Liora had avoided going out into the Creetian ocean since. Fear that it would happen again pressed in on her with the increasing pressure of the water. Liora took a calming breath through the breather, held it in while she counted to ten, then let the air out again. The bubbles rose above her as she settled into the mindset of the Damaclan. She wouldn’t let fear rule her life.

  She lost sight of Devren when he swam between the coral buildings closest to the seaweed forest that made up the ocean floor. Shadows flitted between the stalks. Liora swam faster. She cut around a building whose base was gray and rotting, and stopped in her tracks.

  Seven Creetians surrounded Devren. They were Rielocks, as evident by their patched clothing, dreadlocked hair, and swirling tattoos that matched the color of the scales accenting their faces. Devren had his knife out, but the weapon looked paltry compared to the hooked staves the Rielocks held.

  Liora knew her knives wouldn’t be much help in an underwater fight. She looked around quickly for other options. It was then that she noticed more Rielocks coming out of the seaweed forest. Their gazes were intent on her instead of Devren. Liora recognized three of the Creetians. They were the same Rielocks who had taken her breather. They had no qualms about causing pain and apparently even less about murder.

  “Come with us quietly and your friend lives,” the redheaded Creetian said in Tanli.

  His voice turned Devren’s head. His eyes widened at the sight of Liora and the other Rielocks.

  Liora couldn’t answer with the breather in her mouth. She glared at the Creetian and moved slowly toward Devren to place herself between them. The Rielocks didn’t bar her way.

  Devren surprised her by grabbing her arm as soon as she was close enough and moving her behind him. The action brought a cruel smile to the red-haired Creetian’s face.

  “Thinks he’s brave, does he? Wait until he meets Rucko.”

  Liora shook her head. She wanted to tell them that Devren had nothing to do with her, that they should let him go. The weapons aimed at his chest made her fear for his safety. She wouldn’t do anything that would cause her to lose someone else. She slid the knives back into her sheaths.

  “Good call,” Red said with an approving nod. “We’ve been looking for you.”

  Several of the Rielocks swam on ahead. Red motioned for Liora and Devren to follow. Others fell in behind them.

  Liora caught Devren’s questioning look. There was no doubt the danger they were in. The harpoons and staves around them weren’t shiny, new weapons. They were worn and battered, well-used for whatever purpose they were designated. Liora could imagine the type of bite they would have across her skin.

  “Rucko wondered what spooked us when we returned to the Grunge the other day,” Red said. “When I told him what happened, he told us to do whatever it took to bring you to him.”

  Liora was getting tired of people doing ‘whatever it took’ to get her somewhere. It endangered those around her and usually led to some very extreme situations. After the events of the previous day, she knew not to trust Red’s amiable tone. She noticed he kept his distance and wondered if his nose still hurt.

  “I don’t spook easily,” Red confided to her. “So Rucko knew I wasn’t just making it up.” He gestured to one of the other Rielocks. “If it was just Ven over there, Rucko wouldn’t give him a second thought.”

  The huge Creetian glared at his friend. “Hey.”

  Red grinned. “You know it’s true.”

  Liora saw Devren looking from one to the other as they spoke. She knew he didn’t understand the language and wondered what he thought they were getting into. He swam protectively close to her. His voice repeated in the back of her mind.

  “You failed me.”

  Liora’s jaw clenched. She would do whatever it took to ensure that Devren made it back to Corian safely.

  The buildings of Ries became more degenerated the further they swam. Huge gaps in the coral were filled with crawling, creeping beasts and Rielocks with tangled hair, tattered clothing, and the look of wild creatures in their eyes.

  “Stay close,” Red said unnecessarily. “You are under the protection of Rucko. Come here without it and they’ll eat you alive.”

  Liora didn’t doubt by the expressions on the faces of the Rielocks who watched them pass that Red meant it literally. As several swam closer, she was tempted to
draw her knives again, but she didn’t want Red to take her action to mean she doubted their ability to keep her and Devren safe. It only took a glare from Ven to send the Rielocks back to their holes.

  Red’s Creetians led them into a huge gaping cave in the side of the biggest coral building. Glowing plants ringed the cavern, creating a bright red and purple pulsing tunnel for them to swim through. Rielocks stood at regularly spaced intervals and exchanged nods with their captors. Liora met a few interested glances. She wondered how much Red and the other two had told their comrades about what had happened and what their intentions had been.

  They swam past branching caverns also lit with plants and the luminous water. Other walls were covered with huge, brightly-colored flat fish big enough to touch from the top of the coral hallway to the floor. They rested on the walls as though they had been placed there, whether as a form of ornament or on purpose, Liora could only guess. Small fish clung to the walls, clearing them of any lingering scum. The effect made for a welcoming environment instead of the seedy residence Liora had expected. No matter what type of people lived within the depths of the Grunge, somebody made sure that the caverns remained clean.

  The Rielocks around them paused in front of a massive, flat orange fish lying on the wall. It gazed at them with its unblinking bulbous eyes. Red pulled something from the pouch attached to his belt and released it in front of the fish’s nose. The orange fish lunged forward, revealing a gaping door in the coral.

  Red motioned them inside. Liora and Devren eyed the fish, but it waited for them to pass before it slid back to its spot.

  “I brought her, Rucko. I told you she was real.”

  Liora turned the corner behind Red and paused. Creatures with huge spikes made up either side of the room. It took Liora a moment to ensure that the fish were real. At any movement of the currents of water, a rainbow of colors ran through the spikes, illuminating the room and bouncing off the walls where smaller spikey fish took up residence. In the middle of the room sat a single chair, though the word throne better described it. Massive bones curved forward and others had been fastened in branching hoops that surrounded the Creetian who sat in the middle. The bones had been carved and inlaid with a glowing substance that depicted animals and plants Liora had never seen before.

  The Creetians who escorted them spread out along the walls, careful to avoid the spikes. At Red’s motion, Liora, Devren, and four of their captors swam forward.

  The big Creetian on the throne watched them approach with a flat expression that set Liora on edge. He had heavily-lidded eyes, dark green skin, and scales that were almost black. When he sat forward, the current from his motion caught in the cloak fastened at his neck, making it flow around him. Liora realized with a prickle of adrenaline that the cloak was made from the skins of humanoids sewn together.

  “It took you two days,” he said, his voice a deep rumble.

  “Y-yes, Rucko. I’m sorry. She didn’t come back into the water.” A crooked smile lifted Red’s lips. “I think she was afraid.”

  Rucko eyed Liora. “Then she’s smart.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Ven said with a deep chuckle. “She came back.”

  Rucko’s expression lit with curiosity. “That’s true. It makes one wonder why she would do that.”

  He pushed up to his webbed feet. Small spiked creatures that clustered around the throne scuttled out of the way. The huge spikes around him glowed blue, then red and purple.

  “I’ve heard things about you,” Rucko said. He swam slowly around them, his skin cloak flowing behind him. The empty eyes of the faces on the cloak showed the water beneath.

  Devren moved closer to Liora. She saw his hand inch toward his knife. Liora grabbed his wrist. When he looked at her, she shook her head. There were so many Rielocks in the cavern that any attempt at Rucko’s life would be the last thing they did. She had to handle the situation carefully.

  It was obvious Rucko’s tone put Devren on edge. She forced a small smile, hoping it would alleviate his worry, but the effort didn’t show behind her breather.

  “Vist tells me you can change form,” Rucko said. “The problem is that I’m a bit of a doubter.” He paused in front of her. “I need to see it in order to believe it.”

  Several chuckles cut through the water.

  Rucko crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I also have a limited amount of patience, and waiting for Vist to bring you here has expended my patience in its entirety.” He eyed Liora. “I have a feeling you’re not going to reveal your secrets lightly, so extreme measures are necessary.”

  At his nod, Creetians grabbed Liora and Devren, pinning them tight.

  “I could take your breather and wait for you to finally give up and either die or show me what Vist says will happen.”

  Liora expected it. She was prepared to hold her breath for as long as she could and do anything possible to keep from giving in to Rucko’s demand. She didn’t know if her body would cooperate anyway. For all she knew, the events before had been a fluke. She wasn’t ready to risk her life and Devren’s on the chance that something inexplicable happened twice.

  Rucko didn’t give her that option. Instead of taking her breather, he grabbed Devren’s and pulled it from his mouth. Devren’s eyes widened and he struggled against the arms that held him, but the Creetians didn’t let go.

  “Now his fate is in your hands,” Rucko said.

  He pulled Liora’s breather free and clutched both of them in one big hand. At his nod, the men holding Liora let her go.

  “Save him,” Rucko prompted her. “Breathe for him, little fish.”

  Liora looked from Rucko to Devren. The human’s eyes were wide and fear showed in his gaze. He had no idea what was going on, and she couldn’t tell him. For all he knew, they were going to let him drown. He fought against the hands on his arms, but they wouldn’t give. He didn’t have leverage in the water. Liora had felt the difference the change in her body made before. The density lessened and she could move through the water with ease instead of struggling in her human form. As a human, Devren would have no chance to break free and get his breather back.

  Liora looked over her shoulder at Rucko. There was no guarantee she could change form again. Devren’s only chance, and hers, may be if she could get the breathers back from the big Creetian.

  He followed her gaze to his hand.

  “Go ahead and try, little fish. I’ll snap you in half.” He waved his other scaled hand, indicating the cavern. “You may have strength up there, but in these depths I rule.” He lifted his palm to show the breathers. “Breathe through gills or die.” He closed his hand into a tight fist.

  Ven gave a deep laugh that reverberated off the walls.

  “Show him, girl,” Vist said. “Show him what you showed me.”

  There was an edge of panic to the red-haired Creetian’s voice as though he worried that he had made a mistake. If he was wrong and they both died, Liora wondered briefly the price he would pay.

  A glance behind Devren showed a detached hand impaled on one of the spikey fish. Liora’s lungs began to burn. She kept the panic from her face. Devren shook his head, fighting to keep in his last breath.

  “Are you going to let him die?” Rucko asked.

  Liora kept her gaze on Devren’s. She didn’t know how to make her body change. She wanted to save him, to help him breathe, but so much depended on something she feared. She fought against that fear. Darkness colored her thoughts and pain throbbed in her head. She saw the last few bubbles escape from Devren’s lips. His eyes were wide and he pulled against the hands on his arms, but his struggles were weakening.

  “Let him go!” Liora tried to shout. Her breath escaped, bubbles that drifted up to the ceiling.

  She dove for Rucko, attempting to get a breather from his hand. He backed away, keeping his fist easily out of her reach. He grabbed her by the throat and looked past her at Vist.

  “What is this?” he demanded.

 
; Vist shrugged. “It happened, just like I told you. I wouldn’t lie, Rucko, honest!”

  “He’s telling the truth,” Ven said, confusion clear in his tone.

  Rucko lifted Liora up by her throat.

  “You’re letting your human die. Is that what you want?” he growled at her.

  Liora tried to pull his hands away, but her grip was weakening by the second. She glanced over her shoulder to see Devren’s head lolling forward. His eyes were half-shut, his gaze on her.

  Liora clawed at Rucko’s hand, but the huge fingers wouldn’t let go. Devren was drowning behind her. She felt the blanket attempting to smother her thoughts, to give into the pain and pressure, to breathe the water into her lungs. She heard Devren gulp behind her. The water would kill him.

  Liora glared down at Rucko. His orange eyes widened. She closed her mouth and drew in a breath. The slits formed on the sides of her neck, gills that brought in oxygen from the water. Rucko’s hand opened in surprise. Strength filled her. Liora kicked Rucko in the face, flipped backwards in the water, and shot toward Devren. It took two well-placed punches to drive the Creetians away. She grabbed Devren’s face in her hands, drew in a breath through her gills, and breathed it into his mouth.

  Devren’s head jerked back. He coughed out water. Liora drew another breath and breathed it to him. This time, Devren sucked it into his lungs. He stared at her, his dark eyes filled with shock and questions she didn’t know the answers to.

  Behind her, Rucko gave a grunt of approval.

  “You didn’t lie, Vist. It’s a good thing. The urchins are hungry.”

  Vist’s face paled, but he gave a twisted smile at the Rielock’s words. “I’d never lie to you, Rucko. See?”

  Rucko nodded. “You did good.” He motioned to one of the other Creetians. “Get him his reward.”

  Liora glared at Vist and said in Tanli, “He doesn’t deserve a reward. He deserves castration for what he was going to do to me.”

  Rucko’s black scaled eyebrows lifted at her words. “You speak quite fluently, little one. And what was his plan?”

  “He and his comrades wanted to teach me a lesson for being a, what did you call it?” She speared Vist with her gaze. “A Staruck. You took my breather so that I would drown and you could use my body however you wished before you disposed of it where nobody would find it again.”