“What now?” Jace asks.
“We wait,” I bring my knees up to my chest again, tucking my arms around them. “Just wait.”
Booker and Jace both lean back, exhaling as Warze continues to peer out through the green shield. Resting my brow on my knees, I close my eyes and try to review all that’s happened: spotting the Vermix, trying to flee back to the city with Walker, getting separated and falling until Booker caught me. Then killing those four Vermix and taking their weapons, creating a diversion so Booker could free Jace and then finding Warze—or him finding us. And with all the updates from Sampson… how long has this day been going? And what time is it?
“You falling asleep over there, Boss Lady?” Jace asks.
I lift my head, resting my chin on my kneecaps. “Just thinking. How’re you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been captured.”
“I know the feeling,” I grin but it fades quickly. “What happened?”
The Rogue Commander shrugs. “I was trying to get back to the city and one knocked into me. I fell into a pile of them and…” he shrugs again.
“I’m surprised they didn’t kill you.”
“Yeah,” he huffs. “Thought they were going to, but they just tied me up like they did on Larupip. Figured I was done for until they all started racing back into the forest and then,” he laughs,” one by one, they start falling around me. Then I see this guy,” he motions to Booker, “crawling toward me.”
“You save human?” Warze looks at Booker.
“It was awesome,” Jace grins. “Couldn’t believe it. Really, I thought…” he shakes his head. “I didn’t think I’d live to see the end of the day. But we’re up here. Safe. For the moment at least.”
“You still need to get some Vilbrees on your face and those talon marks,” I crawl over to him, running my fingers softly along the red scrapes. They’re deep, definitely carved into the skin. “That must’ve been a bitch.”
“Didn’t tickle.”
Warze’s head snaps up. The same three-toned note sails toward us and he swiftly peers over. “Stay here,” he drops. He doesn’t grab a Yulu or clutch the tree; he just goes right over the edge, free falling.
“Zingfinolds are crazy,” Jace laughs again.
“What do you think it is?” I ask, reaching for my Traxpire. “More Vermix?”
“Maybe,” Booker does the same.
We position ourselves in front of Jace, Booker on one side and me on the other. Holding our stance, we both look over the edge but find nothing except for the same still leaves. Even Warze has disappeared. I sit back and Booker does the same. After a few minutes, something shuffles and I sit forward, my body tense. It’s definitely coming up our tree and I point my Traxpire, ready to fire.
Except its Warze’s head that pops up.
I let out a breath and lower my gun, Booker doing the same. Once Warze climbs all the way back on the branch, Reid’s head pops up. I almost don’t believe it. He looks around, spotting the three of us, his eyes going wide when he sees me.
“Fallon,” he scrambles up, and racing over, he takes my face in his hands, kissing me hard. It knocks me back, but his arms are around my body the next second, molding me to him. “I’m so glad you’re safe. Pratt… they were on her. I had to get to her. Able told me Walker had you and that you were heading back to the city. But he showed up and you weren’t there…” he pulls back, looking between my eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” I glance to the blonde Rogue. “But they captured Jace.”
“I heard,” he moves over to him. He scans the talon marks but keeps his face impassive. “How you feeling, Commander?”
“Like shit, Rox,” he smirks. “But thanks.”
“And Booker?”
“Doing alright, Boss. Just trying to get through.”
Reid nods, looking between all of us. “Okay, Sampson wants us to get to the Hylas Mountains.”
“We going right now?”
“In a minute,” Reid does a quick survey. “Besides Jace, everyone okay? No serious injuries… no broken bones?”
We all shake our heads.
“Good. Now,” he rubs his hands together. “What have we got to work with?”
We each display our Traxpires; Booker retrieves his Brulilies and the small blade Walker gave me while I pull out the Vermix whip.
“Okay,” he nods. “A decent lot.”
“How bad was it at the city?” Jace asks.
Reid lowers his head, shaking it as he runs a hand up his neck. “Bad. As soon as we got there—when we got there, actually—Vermix were raining in. I think Hozfin only deployed a handful to come out here. He wanted to keep everyone close to the city but still… there were two Vermix to each Zingfinold. Then they just kept coming and coming.”
“But Sampson said everyone was safe…” I whisper.
“Yeah, when I left. We were pushed all the way back. Hozfin was doing his best to hold his ground but the numbers weren’t on our side. Sampson might’ve taken the group somewhere… I-I don’t know. It wasn’t good when I left. I had to fight through a thick barricade; otherwise, I would’ve been here a lot sooner.”
“Do you think they followed you?”
“A few did. I took care of them. Got my own Traxpire plus two more, in case anyone needed one,” he glances over to Warze, raising a brow.
“I no need Dofinike explosion weapon.”
“Warze,” Reid moves back for him, scanning the nearby trees. “How many you got out here?”
“Nineteen.”
“Plus us makes twenty four. Okay,” he nods, “Hozfin said he’d be sending a solid wave out to the Hylas. I’m betting those Vermix down at the beach won’t be advancing to the city, but to the Mountains.”
“That what female say.”
Reid looks at me. “He’s got enough at Zinnollo to keep Hozfin preoccupied. Now he’s going to move in for the search.”
“But Thias doesn’t want to intervene,” I say. “Not yet. Besides the wave Hozfin is sending, we’ll be on our own.”
“We’re on our own already,” Jace says.
“We have to get to those mountains,” Reid strokes his chin. “If… by some chance they find it, we need to let Sampson know immediately.”
“Vermix will no find,” Warze shakes his head. “No possible.”
“We need to make sure,” Reid looks around, hands on his hips. “Everyone ready for some more traveling?”
I sink the whip back in my pocket and grab my Traxpire. Booker and Jace do the same, securing their weapons.
“Here,” Reid hands me a blade, “got it off one of the Vermix. I need you as armed as possible,” he plants a light kiss on my cheek and stands. He points to the lime green camouflage. “We’re going to travel by tree top until we get over there. We need a good idea of what we’re looking at so Fallon can notify Sampson.”
“Yeah, that’s been pretty helpful,” Jace smirks, rising to a stand. “I’m digging that you’re part alien now.”
“Thanks,” I’m on my feet with the others.
“Once we’re there,” Reid goes on, “we’ll stay put in the trees until Hozfin’s fleet arrives.”
“What if they’re already there?” Booker joins Warze’s side.
“We’ll assess and act as necessary. Warze,” he turns to him, “can you let them know the plan?”
“Already finish,” he whistles, leaping from the Eckle and landing on the next a few yards away. From there, he jumps again. Without use of the Yulus, he glides swiftly and silently through the lush lime canopy.
“Show off,” Jace mutters.
Reid wraps his arm around my waist, cementing my body against his. Gripping a Yulu, he dives off the branch and we’re swinging after Warze. Booker and Jace are right behind us, sailing through the lime shield, landing either on the same branch or one just below or above. We keep our timing pretty consistent, flying together like two equal pairs, consistently trying to keep up with ou
r overambitious leader.
After a little while, when I’m pretty sure the beach is a good ways behind us, I look at Reid. “How’s your arm? Do you think it’s much further?”
“It’s fine, and I’m sure we’re getting close,” he lands us on a branch. Securing a new Yulu, we take off again, following the flashes of Warze as he weaves throughout the Eckles. “I’m sorry I wasn’t with you.”
“When?”
“Earlier. I tried getting to you but they nearly had Pratt,” he lands on another tree and grasping a new Yulu, we jet off again. “I meant to come back for you, but she wouldn’t have made it to the city.”
“It’s fine—I’m glad you got her out of there.”
“And fucking Walker…” he shakes his head, his lips growing tight, “said you fell.”
I nod.
“Why didn’t he get to you?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“How’d you survive?” he risks a frown at me. “You land on something soft?”
“Booker caught me. Grabbed my wrist before I hit the ground,” I say and Reid inhales. “You taught your Rogues well, Rox.”
“That I did.”
We’re swinging between the trees when we spot Warze up ahead. Reid does his best to swing us over but we land just below, on a branch a few feet down. Warze reaches for me and taking my hand, he pulls me up. Reid climbs up unassisted. When Booker and Jace reach us, they also land one branch below and the Zingfinolds hoists both of them up one-handed.
Once we’re all on the same level, Reid positions himself next to Warze and the two carefully pull back the Yulus. Booker, Jace and I head over and we peer down as silence descends.
Hordes and hordes of Vermix comb the ground, obstructing the green mountain terrain. It’s like it was at the beach, when I couldn’t see the sand. There might even be more Dofinikes here because the Vermix coat the entire landscape like a moving murky soup, thickening as the army extends north toward the Nerwolix boundary.
Shit.
This has to be more than five thousand. And there are more at the city? How many did Reuzkimpart bring? I scan the area, searching for the spot that we ventured yesterday, where the eight Vermix descended on us.
“Hylas,” Warze explains.
“Are they looking for it?” Booker asks.
“Doesn’t seem so. They’re just… standing around.”
“No,” the Zingfinold shakes his head. “Dofinikes search.”
“How can you tell?”
“There,” Warze points to the southern edge of the mountain. “Dofinikes use tools.”
We all lean in, trying to get a clearer picture of their movement. About half the Vermix stand in the small valley between the range and the Eckles, Traxpires up and facing the forest. The other half search around the base of the Hylas, climbing up and over, passing items to one another.
“Are they close to finding it?” I ask Warze. “Do you know?”
“They will no find,” Warze glowers. “Thieves only die.”
I look to Reid. “What now?”
“Let Sampson know we’re here and find out how things are going back at the city.”
Closing my eyes, I focus on the Fychu’s face and summon the same connection as earlier.
We’re here, Sampson, at the Hylas Mountains. Reid is with us.
A beat and then, Good, wonderful. What’s happening?
The Vermix are looking for it.
Have the Zingfinolds arrived?
I’m not sure. Hold on…
“Warze?” I look at him. “Do you know—are the other Zingfinolds here? The ones Hozfin sent?”
He lets out a light, airy whistle. A second passes and it’s mirrored back. He turns to me with a nod.
I close my eyes, concentrating again.
Yes, they’re here.
Alright, do as Warze says. If he wants to wait, wait. If he wants to attack…be careful, a long pause passes. Jothkore informs me Thias is still refusing to participate, even with the Vermix at the Hylas. He may change his mind but for right now…I wouldn’t count on his assistance.
How’re things at the city? Have they improved?
Not really, no. Hozfin wasn’t able to send as many to the mountains as he would’ve liked. We’re holding our own but that’s only because some Vermix have departed—headed to the Hylas, I’m sure.
Is everyone safe?
Mae took a nasty hit, but she’ll survive. I have Walker and a few Zingfinolds watching her and Pratt. They should be fine for now.
And the others?
Fighting.
Has Clarence returned?
Not yet, but keep your ears open. He may call to you first.
Okay… I’ll keep you posted.
Good.
I open my eyes and look to the boys. “Sampson says Thias still isn’t budging on jumping in. He says for right now, it’s just us.”
“What we expected,” Reid nods, hands on his hips. “How’s Zinnollo?”
“Still pretty bad. Says Mae took a hit but she and Pratt are protected and everyone else is out fighting. He says they’re holding their own but only because Hozfin didn’t send as many out here as he wanted and lots of the Vermix left—mostly,” I gesture to the mountains.
“So we’re in the hornet’s nest now,” Jace laughs.
“What hornet nest?” Warze frowns.
“Eh—it’s an expression.”
“Zingfinolds in control,” Warze paces, glowering down at the Vermix. “Have advantage in Eckles…have shield,” he grips one of the lime green Yulus. “We end thievery.”
“How?” I ask.
“Zingfinold way—silent death.”
Chapter Twenty-One: Pregame
“With the Brulilies?” I ask.
Warze nods.
“From all the way up here?” Booker retrieves his from his pocket. “And we only have two.”
Warze narrows his eyes on it before lifting his hands up, indicating the trees around us. “Brulily all over forest, if know where to look.”
“But we’re so far away…” I focus on the ground. “Will it reach them?”
“With good shot,” he looks down, then back to us. “You take power and break,” he gestures something crumbling in his hands. “Piece by piece. Together, thieves strong but broken…” he shakes his head. “Crumbles.”
“Like earlier,” Booker looks at me. “When you shot at them and they all scrambled. I was able to get Jace because they were broken up. We can do the same.”
“You did that?” Reid raises a brow, his lips curving up.
“Human right,” Warze nods. “Broken is crumbles… Brulily makes easy silent death. Zingfinolds,” he points around, indicating the trees again, “as one, we strike thieves, break apart piece by piece.”
Reid nods. “Okay, where do we get the Brulilies?”
“You come,” Warze motions.
The Zingfinold leaps to another tree and with a quick glance back at us, Reid snatches onto a Yulu and swings himself after the tribesman. The two disappear into the lush green and I sit down, wrapping my arms around my knees like before. Booker and Jace sit as well, both keeping their backs to the trunk. A long time passes before Jace breaks the silence.
“What a day,” he exhales. “And the bad thing is, it’s far from over.”
“It about early afternoon?” I ask.
“It’s got to be later than that. I’d wager…” he shrugs, looking to Booker, “what? Late afternoon? Early evening, you think?”
“About four or five,” Booker nods, “yeah.”
“Already?”
“Yep,” Jace rubs his belly. His head rolls back to the trunk. “And I’m starving. What I wouldn’t give for some barbecued Horrop.”
“I know what you mean,” Booker’s stomach lets out a deep rumble. He slips a hand over it. “I can taste it.”
“With a side of Hunnis,” Jace grins, his eyes lost in an image as his tongue travels along his lower lip. “Oh yeah.”<
br />
“Maybe a celebration feast?” Reid arrives, tossing a Brulily to Jace. He catches it just as Warze lands on the branch with ease. “But until them, how about some Zingfinold produce?”
“I’ll take anything at this point. What’ve you got?”
Warze tosses us each a small yellow melon. “Zarlk. Gives energy… sweet juice.”
“Thanks,” I bring mine to my mouth and immediately sink my teeth into its soft flesh. It’s sweet and savory and filling that deep hunger just starting to surface.
Jace, Booker, Reid and Warze make quick work of theirs, eating it right down to the penny-sized pit. I finish right after them, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and look up at Reid who is watching me with a grin.
“Good?”
“Delicious.”
He winks and turns to Warze. The Zingfinold is peering through the curtain of leaves and Reid follows, the two taking a moment to watch.
“What do you think?” Reid crosses his arms. “Ready to start?”
The Zingfinold cranes his neck, staring up at the blue sky which is just starting to darken.
“Night comes soon. Silent death easier at night… less chance to see end coming.”
“So we’ll wait for night then?” Jace looks between Reid and Warze. Both nod and the Rogue goes back to leaning his head against the trunk. “It’ll give us a minute to relax too. Man…” he massages his bicep, “…my arms are killing me from all that swinging.”
“I hear you,” Booker nods.
I look to Reid. He transported us the entire way, using only one arm to swing the both of us while I held onto him and our Traxpires. He must be utterly exhausted. Especially after fleeing the city. The thought makes me unhappy, guilt quickly rising.
Reid must read my expression because he shakes his head. “I told you—I like carrying my girl.”
“But all that way?”
“You’re light.”
“But you didn’t need to.”
“Believe me,” he grins again, stepping closer, “it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.” Reid takes a seat next to me and brushes a curl behind my ear. “You still hungry? I can get you another Zarlk.”
“Yo, Boss…” Jace laughs, “uh… if you want to point me in that direction, I can grab another few for me and Booker?”
Discovery at Nerwolix Page 25