It’s the “if” that breaks me. I collapse against him again. The world narrows to a single, terrible thought: Jacqui is out there, alone, in a wasteland that nearly killed me despite having Rok’s protection and knowledge.
As the gravity of the situation settles over me, I become aware of the Drakav clan and the human women watching us, two worlds suddenly thrust together by crisis and necessity. Whatever initial tensions existed between them seem temporarily suspended in the face of this new emergency.
But then Erika steps closer, arms crossed, but her shoulders are slumped. She looks defeated. “There’s…there’s something else.”
The way she says it makes me stiffen. “What?” I whisper.
“It’s…Hannah. She’s gone too.”
I ease off Rok and he helps me to stand, one powerful arm supporting me as I push back my tears and turn to face Erika.
“Gone?”
Erika sighs. “After Jacqui left and didn’t return…she ventured off on her own. Said she couldn’t sit here and wait to die.”
Mikaela releases a sigh too, and slumps to the ground, crouching with her face in her hands. “Tried to stop her, too.”
“Which way did she go? After Jaqs?”
Erika shakes her head. “No. She went that way.” She points in the opposite direction to where the stone formation is. Oh shit.
My gaze shifts to Rok at my back. In about two seconds, I bring him up to speed.
“Ain is high,” Kol projects, stepping forward. “We should establish better shelter for these females and begin the search before Ain sets.”
His practical approach cuts through my spiraling thoughts, giving me something to focus on beyond my fear. I nod.
Before I can respond further, Tharn steps forward, his golden eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity.
“I will go,” he projects, firm and clear. “I will find your sister-female.”
I stare at him, surprised by his offer. Tharn, who had been so wary of me at first, now volunteering to search for Jacqui?
“Tharn is our best tracker,” Rok adds, his thoughts flowing smoothly into mine. “If your sister-female is in the dust, he will find her.”
I swallow hard, glancing at Rok.
“I trust him with my life,” Rok projects. “I would trust him with yours.”
Something in his certainty steadies me. I turn to Tharn, studying his face. There’s a determination there, a steadiness I hadn’t fully appreciated before.
“I’m coming with you,” I project. No way I’m staying here with the others.
Tharn tilts his head, considering me for a moment before inclining his head in a way that seems to suggest acceptance. Kol, however, looks less convinced.
“I will send Sorn here to find the other lost female.” He gestures to a male with a scarred face. He stands sideways, stiffly, and I realize he’s keeping the scarred side away from facing the women. “Will these other females follow us if you leave?” Kol gestures to the women, who are watching our silent exchange with growing confusion. “I can sense they do not trust us. But they will not survive much longer without our help.”
He’s right. They’re all sunburned, tired, hungry, dehydrated. They’ve been surviving, but just barely. But they’re also standing together in a protective huddle, watching the Drakav with curious but uncertain gazes.
I can just imagine how they feel. Trusting aliens is kind of what brought us here in the first place.
My gaze meets Erika’s. I give her a nod. “They will follow you.”
Kol’s gaze shifts to her, his gaze so intense it’s like it eats her up. I swear I see her cheeks darken. Or maybe I’m just noticing more sunburn.
Kol suddenly inclines his head, gaze shifting to the others of his group. Though no words are spoken aloud, I can sense the edges of their communication—Kol assigning duties, establishing guards. It happens with such swift efficiency that, within moments, the clan begins moving with purpose. Sorn, the male he sends after Hannah, sets off on a jog.
“What’s happening?” Mikaela asks, stepping forward. “How do you know what they’re doing when they haven’t said a word?” Her eyes narrow as she catches several of the Drakav wincing as she speaks. Her voice rises, frown deepening. “And why do they keep doing that every time I talk?”
I sigh, realizing how much explaining I have ahead of me. “It’s a long story, but they have a language—just not one you can hear. They communicate with their minds, and your voices…hurt their ears.” I gesture toward the bus. “Let’s get everyone settled, and I’ll explain everything. I promise.”
While I begin organizing the women, Rok and the others make themselves useful immediately. Three Drakav, including the one who offered me the lizard meat at the clan dwelling, set off in what looks to me like a random direction. But they know better than I do. They’re hunting for food, I assume. Two others begin expertly adjusting the drag chute that’s been serving as makeshift shelter, so it gives more shade. With their strength, they drape the heavy thing much better than any of us ever could.
Kol approaches the transport cautiously, his nostrils flaring as he takes in its scent. With careful movements, he begins to examine the structure, seemingly assessing its integrity and defensibility. His practicality reminds me of Jacqui, sending a fresh pang through my heart.
“We leave as soon as they are settled,” Tharn projects to me, his gaze fixed on the horizon in the direction Jacqui supposedly went. “It is good we are in the calm season. We have many solmarks of Ain’s light left to guide our way.”
“And we will leave this place shortly after. As soon as you depart. We head for the clan territory,” Kol adds, his gaze shifting from the bus to the surroundings. “It is not wise to tarry here, in the Silent Valley, for so long.”
I nod, turning my attention back to helping the weakest women out of the transport and into the shade. The one with the broken arm, and the who had gotten the concussion look the worst.
“They need water,” I tell Rok. “And food. Something gentle for their stomachs.”
Rok understands immediately, retrieving water skins from the supplies they brought and demonstrating to the women how to use them. Some are hesitant, but when the first takes the leap and drinks, the relief on her face convinces the others. As they drink, it is painful to watch. How long have they been rationing themselves to the point of dehydration?
“You’re communicating with them, aren’t you?” Erika asks me quietly as I help distribute fire bloom leaves, showing and explaining to them how the plant has healing properties. “There’s no way you all are just moving around each other intuitively like this.”
“Yes, I am,” I admit. There’s no point in hiding it. “It’s how they talk. It’s how they…know each other.”
“And you can do this how?” Mikaela crosses her arms, watching me.
“It’s complicated,” I say again, but I know the explanation is inadequate. “I’ll tell you everything after we find Jacqui.”
Erika nods, accepting the deflection for now. “She was so determined to find you,” she says, her voice softening. “None of us could stop her.”