Dekkir (Galaxy Alien Warriors #1)(4)
“No, Doctor, thanks to the harness, I’m only bruised, but I’m halfway up a giant tree, the vine’s still wrapped around the ship, and I think we’re leaking fuel. I’m trying to salvage what I can of my gear.” She paused, bending over next to one of the two throne-like seats, and I peered in to get a better look at her. She was small and fetchingly curvy, with dark-brown skin and fluffy jet-black hair. Even in bad circumstances, I had to admit this alien female was really quite beautiful.
I clambered closer as I listened, careful not to touch any of the vines, looking for a perch from which I could lever open one of the windows safely. No luck so far. I may have to get creative.
The human straightened finally, a small carry bag hanging from one shoulder, and took a final look around. “Okay, Doctor, I don’t think it is safe for me to stay here much longer. I’m going to go do my best to climb down that damn tree—” She froze, staring out at me, wide-eyed. “Wait, I think my ride’s here.”
Her eyes were so dark and liquid that for a few moments, all I could do was stare back. It was like peering down into the bottom of two wells, but much more pleasant.
“Hello,” I called over cheerfully in my native tongue. “I am War Chief Dekkir. Would you like to get out of there?”
She hurried up to the shattered window. “Well, your timing’s good,” she replied in a shaky voice. “I’m Science Officer Grace Bryant, your new Earth liaison. Thanks for coming. Do you have some rope? I can’t find my descent line.”
“No need. If you can cross the gap, I will simply carry you.” I stowed my spear back in its sling. Grasping the branch above me, I leaned out as far as I could, testing the distance. It wasn’t that far a reach; I could get her onto the branch with me without dropping her if she could get past the windows. “Can you get to me from there?”
Grace—what an intriguing name—stared at me speculatively for a moment. Then she nodded and reached for the rim of one of the windows. “Let me see if I can pop this thing out.”
I heard a faint noise like a bird chirping, and suddenly, the entire cracked window burst from its frame and fell toward the ground. It startled me, but I managed to keep my grip on the branch and reached out to her after a moment’s hesitation. “Come, then. Scavengers will arrive soon to investigate the noise.”
“Uh-oh.” Her eyes widened, and she reached out to take my hand.
The moment her small fingers brushed against mine, I felt an unexpected rush of warmth, like the feeling when a hot drink went down my throat after I had come in from the cold. It comforted me deeply, yet hurt a little, and left me with a strange feeling I had been without for far too long. The sensation stunned me; it took all my will to keep my grip on the tree.
She seemed to feel something, too, and for a moment, her hand hesitated in my own, and I worried she might draw it back while her balance was so precarious.
“Hurry,” I told her. “I cannot hang on to this branch forever.”
She hesitated a moment longer and then firmly grasped my hand with both of hers. She jumped forward, and I pulled her across, wrapping an arm around her.
The feel of her soft, warm little body pressed against mine distracted me again, so much that for a moment I risked pitching forward and falling. But that might have hurt her, and the same strange instinct that gave me such pleasure demanded I not allow that to happen. “There,” I muttered breathlessly. “Now hold on to my back, and I will climb down.”
She clung to the back of my armor as I descended. I felt a little surge of disappointment when I reached the ground and she let go of me.
“We cannot remain here,” I warned quietly. “Follow me.” My heart beat very fast as I stared down at her. The warmth I had felt from her was still sinking into my bones, but I couldn’t stop to think about why right now. “Our transport awaits at the lakeshore.”
“I understand. Let’s go.” She sounded surprisingly calm for someone who had just nearly died. She had a strange air of quiet strength about her, and it intrigued me just as much as the warmth that passed between us.
I started back as she hurried along behind me, her shorter legs putting her at a disadvantage. I broke trail through the underbrush for her and did my best to let her keep up. We did not speak unless we had to, wary of drawing a predator’s attention. Now and again, I looked back to check on her—and drink in the sight of her again for a moment.
Fortunately, nothing accosted us during our journey.
“Do you know how to ride?” I asked her quietly as we broke through the tree line.
“If you mean animals, I have never had the opportunity. Our world does not have this much wildlife. I’m not sure it ever did,” she puffed, as she followed me toward the water’s edge.
“Is your whole world a desert?” I asked, intrigued. The doctor mentioned deserts during one of our brief conversations. What a strange idea: a place where rain never fell and plants never grew. Lyra had no regions like that at all.
Her voice went a little sad. “No, it’s simply . . . used up. It is difficult to explain. But anyway, the answer to your question is no.”
I grunted acknowledgement; this could be difficult. “My steed, Keer, is temperamental, but I will introduce you to her, and she should be willing to carry you as long as I am with you.”