Haven 6 (20 page)

“It’s not his fault.” Eri’s nails dug into the skin of her palm as she clenched her fists. “He’s sick.”

“Right.” Striver sounded more than annoyed and Eri wondered what his personal vendetta was against Litus.

“Maybe they won’t see it.”

“Let’s hope.”

The water rippled beside her, and she felt a slimy fish brush her arm. Eri slapped her hand over her mouth to stop from screaming. Hadn’t Striver mentioned something about fish with teeth?

Jolt scanned the circle of trees and leaned against the rock, centimeters away from Litus’s coat. He sipped from his water bag, the excess dribbling down his cheeks. Although the scar intimidated Eri, the deadness in his eyes, dark as the centers of two black holes, disturbed her the most. He looked like someone who could shoot a laser right through a man’s head and feel no remorse. She did not want such a villain deciding her fate.

And they wonder why we have rules…

A young man sloshed through camp, his breath heaving. “The trail goes dead here, boss.”

“Nonsense. They can’t just disappear. You’re not looking hard enough.” He raised the laser, but Eri noticed he hadn’t input the code. The gun was dead weight in his hands.

The young man backed up all the same, falling onto his butt in the swamp muck. “I’ll try harder, sir.”

Jolt jiggled the end in the air. “You’d better.”

One of the other men came up beside Jolt as the younger man scurried back into the jungle. “Why do we need them that badly anyway, boss? We have all their guns.”

“It’s that traitor kid.” Jolt’s voice dropped so low, Eri had to lean her ear against the moss to hear him.

“What about him, sir?”

“He figured out the code to unlock these fancy guns. If he dies, the code dies with him.”

Eri’s heart jumped in her throat. Weaver was more important than she thought. Good thing they hadn’t left him behind.

“What makes you think they didn’t kill him on the spot?”

“These law abiding technohaters, they have soft hearts. Too soft for their own good.”

Striver’s face fell, his gaze traveling to the water at his feet. Eri put a hand on his arm. She crouched next to him and whispered in his ear. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“What the…” Jolt trailed off.

“What is it, boss?”

Eri’s attention shot back to the scene outside the tree. Her chest tightened and she held her breath.

Jolt threw the camouflaged fabric into the muck. “It’s one of those invader’s coats.”

“They were here.” The other man scanned the circle of trees. Striver wrapped his fingers around her palm and squeezed.

“Get up!” Jolt ordered the men. “Spread out in all directions. We must be close.”

They waded through the water, and the ripples from their footsteps traveled right to Eri’s thighs. She bent down, huddled against Striver, and froze. The only thing moving was her racing heart.

As the Lawless left the mangrove, Eri released her breath. “Why’s Jolt so mean?” No man on the
Heritage
compared to his ruthlessness.

“There’re a lot of rumors.” Striver shrugged. “People say he was born with such an ugly face, his mother left him in the Lawless lands to fend for himself. Others say he killed both his parents.”

A shiver crept across Eri’s shoulders and she checked her back to make sure there weren’t any spidermites nesting in the tree. “What about his scar?”

“I’ve heard several stories. The most believable, in my opinion, is that he got it in a fight for leader of the tribe.”

“So the Lawless do have a social structure?”

“Not really.” Striver stuck a stick in the water and twirled it around, making little waves that touched her legs. “Unless you call gangs villages.”

“So how’s he in charge?”

“He has the most followers, people who are too afraid to go against him and others who want to steal his power for themselves.”

Eri shook her head. “Sounds like a nasty way to live.”

“You’re telling me.”

“And I thought my life on the ship was bad.”

Striver gave her a questioning look, but he didn’t follow up with any questions, so Eri let the topic drop. “What do we do now?”

“We wait,” Striver whispered, settling down on an upturned root.

“How long?” Eri already felt suffocated by the underside of the roots and the high water. She couldn’t imagine spending a night cramped inside the tree.

“As long as it takes.”

“Ugh.” Eri’s legs ached. She couldn’t stay bent over like this forever. Joining Striver on the root, she gave up, letting the murky water seep around her to her waist. She checked her locator for Litus’s life signal. So far, his heart still beat.

Striver took her wrist in his and ran his fingers along the screen. “Did this hurt?”

Eri laughed. “Not at all. Doctors attach the locators to us at birth. The plastic is actually synthetic bone, which grows along with the bone in our wrists. I’m sorry if it bothers you. I can’t take it off.”

His fingers brushed along the keypad, continuing up her arm. “No, no. I’m curious, that’s all. It’s a part of you, and I don’t want to change who you are.”

Suddenly, the humid air in the hollow tree grew hot, almost suffocating. Eri changed the subject. “I was checking Litus’s vital signs. What do you think’s wrong with him?” She stretched her legs until her toes hit the other side of the roots. Her knees were still bent, but it felt good to relax her muscles.

“Some sort of infection.” Striver pulled his arm away and shook his head. “I’m not sure. Could be the side effects of the coma dart. Some people have an allergic reaction to the poison.”

Eri suppressed a rising current of panic. Litus was a strong young man. He could withstand a lot. “Did you manage to recover our medical equipment from the scout ship?”

“We took several containers, but I’m not sure what’s in any of them. Like I said, we don’t use technology.”

“When we get back to the village, I’ll go through what you have and see if I can find our tissue regenerator.”

“So many gadgets.” Striver handed her his water pouch. “What does that one do?”

Eri was surprised he showed interest, considering how he felt about technology. “Repairs damaged cells in our bodies. Why?”

“Just thinking.” Striver’s voice trailed off. “You care for Litus, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.” Eri brought the pouch to her lips and sipped, coolness trickling down her raw throat.

“Is he your lifemate?”

Her throat constricted and she choked on the water, spitting it out into the swamp muck. “No. Litus is my sister’s lifemate. Everything I do, I do for her.”

Striver sat silently for several heartbeats and she wished she could see his features better in the shadows. “I see.” His voice was hushed, yet intense.

“I don’t know why I’m trying so hard. She doesn’t even seem to like him. I guess I’m hoping she’ll grow to. I want her to be happy.” Eri knew she shouldn’t have said it, but she trusted Striver, and this wasn’t the first time she’d confided in him. She needed to get her frustration off her chest, anyway.

“What about you, Eri. Do you like your lifemate?” Striver voice was soft and careful.

Eri swallowed hard. “I don’t have one. I’m the only female in my generation without a lifemate.”

“For Refuge’s sake, why?”

She’d told him so much already, what was a little more? Eri doubted he’d look at her any differently, even though everyone on the
Heritag
e did except Aquaria. “I’m the product of an illegal pairing. My parents got together before their lifemates were chosen.”

“That’s horrible.” Striver patted her hand. “I mean, not that they got together, but that it prevented you from having a lifemate.”

“I don’t blame them. I love them both very much.”

“What happened to their love?”

“They were placed with different lifemates. Aquaria, my half sister, shares my mom. Although my parents aren’t together anymore, I’m proud to be a product of love, not one of science. I guess it’s the rebel inside of me, passed down through my parents. It’s pretty cool, except for the way everyone looks at me like I’m some kind of freak.”

“You’re not a freak. You’re probably the most normal person on the
Heritage
.”

Eri laughed. “Normal to you, not them.”

Striver ran his thumb over the back of her hand. Her skin tingled underneath his touch.

“Do you want a lifemate?”

“Are you kidding? It’s one of my dreams. Besides finding a better job. Linguist was not my first choice.” Although her job had earned her a seat on the exploratory team. It had brought her to him.

He squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry. I’m all for rules and a structured society, but the more I hear about your life aboard the ship, the more I want to take you away from it.”

Eri leaned in, half excited, half afraid. What if she wanted to go with him? “Take me where?”

His hand traveled from her hand to her chin. He cupped her cheek in his palm. He opened his mouth to reply, and she pressed into his touch.

The water splashed outside their tree and someone brushed aside the veil of moss. Riley poked his head in. “Coast is clear.”

How long had they been under the roots? Tearing herself away from Striver, Eri got up and walked to the hole. “You sure?”

“I sneaked out and scouted around. No one’s here but us and a whole lot of muck.”

Eri looked over her shoulder to Striver and he nodded encouragingly. But she didn’t want to leave. Not yet. They had been in the midst of something important, momentous, at least in Eri’s world—even if she didn’t know exactly what it was. Striver never did get to answer her question, and she had so much more left ask.

“Well, are you coming out, or are you going to make a home in there along with the weasel worms?” Riley sighed and shook his head.

“We’re coming,” Striver growled as he stood up from the root. When he pulled back the rest of the moss in front of her, his face looked resigned to obey Riley, but his gaze smoldered with interest, making Eri’s cheeks burn. “After you.”

Relief charged through Striver as the bristly spikes of the wall towered over the trees below the ridge. Not only was he coming home, but if Phoenix made it back safely, Weaver would be there as well. Even though they’d be holding his brother against his will, Striver felt like his family was complete once again.
As complete as it could be without Father.

“We’re almost there.” He hefted his backpack, ignoring the pain in his muscles. The Lawless stilled trailed their scent, and they couldn’t afford to let up their pace.

“Good, because I don’t think he can take another step.” Riley hoisted Litus’s arm across his shoulders. Mars braced his other side, sweat dripping from her forehead.

“I can make it.” Litus spoke through gritted teeth.

“We’re almost there, and once we get to the village, I’ll find the cell regenerator.” Eri walked beside them, touching Litus’s hand.

Litus turned his head in her direction and spoke under his breath. “I need to contact the commander.”

“After you recover,” Eri pressed.

Noticing Eri’s reluctance, Striver decided to push the issue with Litus. “We don’t have time. We’ll be safe once we cross the wall.” Striver turned and pushed ahead, wondering why Litus was so eager to talk with the commander and why Eri delayed it. Striver had won this round, but it still seemed as though a war hung imminent in the air. Maybe it was just the giant mother boar of a ship hovering over their heads, but unease sat like a sharp rock in his gut despite their homecoming.

Leaves rained around them as Guardians fell from the sky, meeting their party in a semicircle of iridescent feathers. The Guardians must have spotted them a kilometer away. Striver had expected some sort of greeting, but still, relief flowed through him with the familiar sight of Phoenix’s wingspan blocking the blinding rays of sun.

Mars muttered under her breath, “Oh no, here we go again.”

Phoenix landed last at the circle’s arc. Although the Guardians had no chosen leader, Striver guessed Phoenix influenced most of the decisions. He was over three hundred years old and one of the original hatchlings from the eggs brought to Refuge by Aries and Striker.

“Greetings, Striver and friends.” Phoenix bowed and his fellow Guardians followed, feathers ruffling as they folded their wings behind them.

“Hello, Phoenix.” Striver turned back to the others, they didn’t have time for formal greetings. “You met Phoenix briefly in the swamp. The others are Raven, Dove, Eagle, and Glider. They’re here to help.”

To his relief, Eri bowed and the others followed. At least her team was treating them civilly.

Striver wasted no time. He had to know. “Is Weaver safe?”

Phoenix straightened and nodded, his eyes serene as the surface of a lake. “He’s in captivity. Guards watch over him. He’ll speak to no one, but he’s physically unharmed.”

Striver rubbed his chin, deep in thought. He’d have his hands full when he returned. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

“My pleasure. Your ancestors brought us here and gave us life. Protecting their offspring is the least we can do. You know that.”

“Yes, but I appreciate your efforts all the same.” Striver smiled before turning back to the others. “We’re eager to get back. Lawless still hunt us, even this close to the border. Litus isn’t feeling well, and the rest of us are weary and hungry.”

“That is why we’ve come.” Phoenix had a glint in his eye. “We’re received permission from the council to fly you over the wall.”

“So they couldn’t fly us over when we left to get my team, but they can fly us over now?” Eri put her hands on her hips, eyeing them skeptically.

Striver opened his mouth to respond, but Phoenix put his long fingers on Striver’s arm. “Let me explain.” He turned to Eri. “We are a peaceful species, and we discourage any act of violence or anything that might encourage war. We also have no wish to rule. The council decides the fate of our village, and the Guardians are under their discretion. Without their permission, we can’t help you if you cross into Lawless lands. But I’ve obtained their permission to carry you back over the wall.”