by S. E. Smith
Sara glanced at him with a look of disbelief. “The blood of the Goddess?” She asked in a skeptical tone.
Jaguin shrugged. “That is what my people call it. Each warrior is given a small amount of her blood at birth. It grows alongside the warrior, living off the essence of our forms,” he explained.
Sara shook her head and gently tugged on her hand. Jaguin didn’t miss her quiet sigh of relief when he reluctantly released it or the fact that she put several steps between them. His fingers curled into a loose fist as he fought the urge to recapture her hand.
“It lives off the essences of your forms, as in plural? Are you saying your species can have more than one… form? And what do you mean by essence?” She asked in a tight, cautious tone.
Jaguin glanced at her with a wary expression. “My dragon and myself,” he replied in a slower tone of voice. “It feeds off of the essence that makes our forms possible.”
He stopped several feet ahead of Sara when he realized that she was no longer walking beside him, but staring at him in wary disbelief. He moved from one foot to the other, stepping to one side when several warriors passed by. He didn’t miss the way they looked at Sara, nor did he miss the way she shuddered and jerked to the side. Her eyes followed the warriors with dark distrust and more than a hint of fear.
“Dragons…,” she whispered, still watching the other men until they disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor. Only when they were no longer in sight did she turn back to him. “What… do you mean by you and your dragon?” She asked in a husky tone.
Jaguin’s gaze softened. He could see the distress she was feeling reflected in her light brown eyes even though she was trying to hide it from him. He also saw a hint of curiosity.
“A Valdier warrior is made up of three parts; my two-legged form such as I am now, my dragon which I can shift into, and my symbiot which we both wear for protection,” he replied, pointing to the band around his thick forearm. “It connects us as one.”
*.*.*
Sara’s eyes widened and her lips parted when she felt a wave of warmth spread out from the matching cuffs around her wrists and the necklace she was wearing. A shadowy image of a dragon appeared in her mind. It was the color of silver with darker threads of green mixed in. Its golden eyes held a dark, red flame that seemed to dare her to look deeper.
Shocked, Sara shook her head to clear the vision. She blinked several times before the long corridor of the ship came back into view. A part of her felt like she was trapped in some type of alternate-reality show. Bowing her head, she drew in several deep, calming breaths. She focused her gaze on the tips of her boots.
“Focus,” she whispered, staring at the dark brown tips. “You can do this. You’ve been through worse. You can do this.”
She started when she felt a warm touch to her chin. Biting her lip, she tried to hide the fear threatening to send her into a panic attack. She reluctantly looked up and stared into Jaguin’s warm, gold-colored eyes.
“You can do anything you want, Sara,” he murmured, gently stroking her chin with the pad of his thumb.
“As long as it doesn’t involve me returning home,” she responded in a husky tone.
“As long as it does not involve you returning to your world,” he reluctantly agreed.
Sara’s eyelashes lowered and she pulled her chin away. She didn’t want to focus on the confusion his touch caused. She would do that when she was alone later. For right now, she decided the best thing to do was to allow her analytical side free rein. If she kept her attention on the science, she wouldn’t have to deal with her emotional side or the overwhelming feeling of panic threatening to engulf her in its traitorous grip.
“What part of the ship are you going to show me besides the corridor?” She asked.
“There is only one section for now. I’m afraid I do not have much time before I must report for duty, but I thought I would show you a special place that you might enjoy visiting. It will give you some place other than the medical unit to explore,” he explained with a wave of his hand.
Sara turned her head away from him when the sound of his husky voice swept over her, sending a shiver of warmth through her. She didn’t understand what it was about him that made her respond this way. Her first thought was Stockholm Syndrome; where a captive felt an attraction to her captor.
That theory didn’t work either, though. Jaguin wasn’t exactly holding her prisoner. She knew if it hadn’t been for him, Carmen and the others, she and Emma would be dead now. It still didn’t solve the problem that she was in a place not of her choosing.
I have to admit that I would rather be here than Cuello’s compound any day, though, she silently conceded as she fell into step beside him.
*.*.*
Sara gently rubbed her forehead and tried to focus on where they were going. She listened as Jaguin quietly explained the different features of the ship as they walked by. It took her a few moments to realize that the soothing sound of his voice was helping the headache that had been a constant nuisance since she woke.
She didn’t want to admit it, but the continual ache was beginning to worry her. She didn’t know if it was a result of the beating and subsequent concussion, the stress of everything, or something the aliens may have inadvertently done, but she couldn’t seem to shut her brain off.
Her mind felt fragmented, almost bruised. It was like whatever happened to her had opened a floodgate and she couldn’t shut down all the way so she could rest. Random thoughts sparked to life before burning out almost as quickly. She hadn’t said anything to Tandor, but if it continued, she would.
The throbbing faded to a dull, persistent ache. The pain still made it difficult for her concentrate on every word the huge man next to her was saying, but at least the full drum corps that was playing in her temple had decreased to a low thump for the moment.
A tired sigh escaped her and she dropped her hand. She could feel the thin, gold creature moving on her. It was as if it could sense her distress. A shiver ran through her and goosebumps appeared on her arms. She didn’t want to admit that it was freaking her out – but, it was freaking her out.
“Is it possible to have this stuff go back to you?” she asked in a husky voice before she cleared her throat.
“Stuff?” Jaguin asked in confusion, glancing down at Sara’s pale face. “Are you unwell? You appear to be paler than before. I should have considered that it was too soon for you to leave the medical unit.”
“No, it’s not that. I’m fine. It’s just, I’m not used to wearing jewelry, especially jewelry that is alive. It’s freaking me out just a little by the way it is moving around on me. I don’t… I need it off of me,” she ended, coming to a stop again in the corridor as she tried to push down the panic that was rising inside her. “Please.”
She saw his expression twist in confusion and disappointment before he nodded. Almost immediately, the gold on her arms and around her neck dissolved. She watched in fascination as the gold reformed into the tiny shape of a dragon.
“Oh!” She whispered, startled as it floated in front of her. Unable to resist, she lifted her hand to hover just under it. She glanced over to Jaguin with wide eyes. “Can I…?”
“Yes, you may touch it all you wish. You cannot harm it – and it would never harm you, Sara. My symbiot wishes only to protect you,” Jaguin murmured, turning so that he stood in front of her.
She watched as he lifted one hand and extended a finger. The delicate dragon landed on his outstretched digit, balancing as it folded its nearly transparent wings back against its body. A small, bemused smile curved Sara’s lips when the golden creature tilted its head at her and nodded as if agreeing with Jaguin.
Sara took a step closer, mesmerized by the beauty of the alien form. She jumped when it reached up and gripped her finger when she went to stroke it. Blinking, she quickly gazed up at Jaguin in uncertainty.
“It will not harm you,” he assured her again.
Sara bi
t her lip and gave him a trembling smile before her gaze moved back to the creature she was holding. It now had both its front and back feet wrapped around her finger. The creature was so long that its tail wound down and around not just her hand, but her wrist as well. A soft, startled giggle escaped Sara when the golden head bent and the dragon suddenly rubbed its cheek against the tip of her finger.
“This is amazing,” she breathed out in a tone filled with awe. It seemed different now that she wasn’t wearing it. She glanced quickly up at Jaguin before she returned her gaze to the symbiot. “I know you said it was made from the blood of the Goddess, but that doesn’t make much sense to me. Do you know what composition of the matter is?” She asked, gently stroking it.
Jaguin shrugged. “No, it has been with me since shortly after my birth. We simply accept it for what it is, a living metal,” he replied with a grin. “One day soon, I will show you. For now, let me show you where the warriors go when they wish to relax. There are three such rooms on board. They are necessary during long voyages.”
Sara absently nodded, too focused on the small dragon wrapped around her hand to pay attention to the fact that they were standing in front of a set of double doors. She briefly glanced up when it opened, before looking back at her hand. It took a moment for her brain to connect with what her eyes had seen in that brief glance. Her head jerked up again, making her wince at the sudden movement when it caused another brief wave of pain to sweep through her head.
If her jaw had dropped at the sight of the dragon she was holding, it was nothing compared to what it did at the sight in front of her now. Without realizing it, she cradled the dragon protectively against her chest as she took a step into the room. She stopped ten feet inside and turned in a tight circle. All around her were plants – beautiful alien plants in all different shapes, colors, and sizes.
Her head tilted back as her gaze ran up an enormous tree. It rose up to where the ceiling was supposed to be. A wave of dizziness swept through her when she saw brilliant blue skies and white, fluffy clouds instead. She wasn’t even aware that her knees had given out until she felt a pair of strong, warm arms wrap around her.
Her head rolled against his shoulder as he tenderly lifted her into his arms. A wave of panic started to rise, but it quickly settled when he stepped along a path and gently set her down on a lounge.
“What is this place?” She asked in a husky tone, still holding the symbiot close to her chest.
Jaguin sat down beside her and tenderly brushed a strand of her hair from her pale face. She ignored the frown creasing his brow when he felt her wince at the touch. Instead, she leaned back, amazed at the warmth that immediately surrounded her.
“This is where our symbiots come to play and where we come to relax. It is a combination of real plants, our symbiots playing, and hologram technology. In here, we can create just about anything or any place that we wish. Sometimes, groups of warriors come here to perfect their skills in hunting or tracking. At other times, we come here to be close to our home world. Space, and the life of a warrior, can be a very lonely existence, even with our symbiot and dragon for company,” he explained, his voice fading on the last words. He turned to gaze down at her. “I hoped you would enjoy this.”
Sara’s gaze turned back to him and she frowned in confusion. “You keep saying your dragon. Do you mean like this?” She asked, holding up the symbiot still wrapped around her hand.
Jaguin shook his head and looked around the forest he had programmed into the computer. Sara closely observed the flicker of expressions that crossed his face. He appeared deep in thought, as if he was arguing with himself. After several long seconds, he released an exasperated breath and turned to give her a crooked smile.
“My dragon says you need to see him to understand,” Jaguin finally admitted. “I am afraid it will scare you to see me shift so soon.”
Sara couldn’t quite hide the amused grin that was pulling at the corner of her mouth. Once again, she felt like she was in that alternate world, much like Alice must have felt when she fell down the Rabbit’s hole. She looked thoughtfully down at the symbiot she was holding. It was staring back at her, its small body shimmering with the colors of the room. A familiar wave of warmth swept through her hand, spreading upward. The image of the silver dragon once again flickered through her mind.
“I think….” She paused and drew in a deep breath before she looked at him again. “I think I would like to see your dragon.”
Jaguin’s hand rose to touch her cheek. Sara instinctively flinched before she could stop herself. His hand wavered just a breath away from her skin before he nodded and let it fall back to the lounge. She sat up when he rose and took several steps away from her.
“Do not be afraid,” Jaguin cautioned her. “My dragon would never harm you.”
Sara nodded, unable to speak. She lifted her left hand and pressed her trembling fingers to her lips. Her eyes widened when Jaguin’s body shimmered for a brief second. In the blink of an eye, the man was gone and in his place stood a….
“Oh, my! You really can shift into a dragon!” Sara whispered in shock.
She lowered her hand back to her lap and just stared in wonder. It was too unbelievable to even be afraid. He was just… beautiful! The golden symbiot dragon in her hand launched itself into the air and flew to the large dragon. A trembling laugh escaped her when the silver dragon puffed out a series of small smoke rings. The symbiot twisted and turned, going through the center of each one before landing on top of the dragon’s head.
Sara rose to her feet. She swayed as the world tilted for a moment and her trembling legs threatened to give out again. A soft gasp escaped her when she was suddenly steadied. Her hands dropped down instinctively to grip the tail that was wrapped around her waist, holding her up.
“You… They are soft and smooth,” she murmured, stroking her fingertips over the scales. “So, beautiful.”
Sara stared down in fascination, mesmerized by the delicate texture and unusual markings on the scales. They were varying shades of silver that appeared to shimmer and change, but that wasn’t the only thing that held her in awe. Each scale had an intricate design. There was a thread of dark green running around the edge of each one.
She bent closer and traced it with her finger, watching the colors inside the thin vein swirl. A low, gruff purr startled her and she glanced up, almost bumping her head on the dragon’s chin as he watched what she was doing. Her lips parted and her eyes locked with the golden gaze staring back at her.
“You are… the most unusual creature I have ever seen in my life,” she confessed, hesitantly reaching up to touch one snout. “The scientist in me wants to know all about you while the woman in me…” Her voice faded and she shook her head and closed her eyes.
“The woman in you what?” Jaguin asked in a husky voice.
Sara’s eyes popped open at the sound of his voice; gone was the tail that was holding her. Now, a pair of strong arms were wrapped around her waist. Sara started to answer when a soft moan escaped her as the nagging pain in her head suddenly exploded.
“Sara…. Sara, what is it?”
Jaguin’s voice seemed to be coming from a long way away. Sara tried to focus, but the pain in her head was increasing to the point that she was afraid she was going to be sick. She was vaguely aware of being lifted.
“Tandor, this is Jaguin. I am bringing Sara back to medical, something is wrong. She is in pain. We are currently on Deck Four in Rec Two.”
Jaguin was speaking in a soft, urgent voice. Sara wanted to explain that it was her head, but all she could do was keep her eyes closed and pray for relief from the agonizing pain threatening to split her brain in half.
Sara moaned again as another shaft of pain pierced her. A shudder went through her when she felt the warm liquid of the symbiot dissolve and it began to move over her skin. She lifted her hand in a vain attempt to push it away, but it was too difficult to fight it.
“What happened to
her?”
Sara heard Carmen’s familiar voice ask. A soft whimper escaped her when the pain increased. She tried to turn her head into Jaguin’s chest when she felt a slender hand against her brow.
“I do not know, she suddenly collapsed. I need to get her to medical. My symbiot is trying to discover what has happened to her,” Jaguin’s said impatiently.
“What is her name?” Another voice asked.
This time it was the voice of a woman that Sara didn’t recognize. She had not known there were other women besides her, Emma, and Carmen on board. The voice held the same calmness and tone of authority that Tandor’s did when he was talking to others that came into the medical unit.
“Sara,” Jaguin replied in a harsh tone edged with worry.
“Audrey is a human doctor,” Carmen was explaining.
“Sara, can you tell me where you are hurting,” Audrey asked in a calm voice, keeping pace with them from the sound of her voice near Sara’s head.
Sara struggled to push the pain away. She did it before back at the compound, but this was different. This was striking her from the inside out, instead of the other way around.
“Head,” Sara was finally able to whisper.
She winced when a cold hand pressed to her brow. In the background, all she could hear was the soft sound of the lift as it moved and the breathing of those in the enclosed area. Another whimper escaped her when the woman gently lifted her left eyelid.
“Her left pupil is slightly dilated. Do either of you know if Sara was in an accident or if she received any type of head injury?” Audrey asked.
“Yes,” Carmen replied.
“Do you know what is wrong with her?” Jaguin demanded as the lift began to slow.
Sara tried to follow the conversation, but the pain was too much. When she felt the inky blackness of unconsciousness reaching for her, she let go. She was so tired of being in pain. For a brief moment, a wave of regret swept through her that she wouldn’t be there for Emma, or get a chance to explore the wonderful room Jaguin had shown her.