Twenty Six
The rain petered out in the early hours of the morning, but the damp heaviness of the air promised more to come. The temperature, though still hot, was no longer desert-like which was a blessing.
Kara slept fitfully, eventually giving up as the first light of dawn seeped through the clouds. She decided she’d go down to the lake to have a wash. God knows she needed it.
As she stepped out of the tent, her foot touched something warm and feathery. She nearly squealed before realizing what it was.
The body of some kind of fowl. Still warm.
She frowned as she nudged it with her toe. A peace offering from Vahn, maybe? His idea of breakfast? Well, he could go screw himself.
She headed for the lake, keeping a wary eye out for any dangerous creatures. The only animal she saw was a racoon-like quadruped taking a drink.
Enjoy it while you can? she thought.
There was no sign of Vahn. She folded her clothes on the bank and waded in to her chin, scrubbing her face and armpits, dunking her hair for good measure. She didn’t take long, she wanted to be on her way as soon as possible.
She had spent the night wondering what to do after the fiasco with Vahn and had decided the mission was still the same. Get off the planet as soon as possible.
She and the alien might have a truce but it was clear that trying to find common ground between their two species was a pipe dream. Better to cut her losses and get the hell out of Dodge.
She would take the beacon and get to the highest point possible to set it off. After that… well, after that she’d deal with whatever came next.
It was no fun pulling on clothes which were still sweat-stained, even though she’d rinsed them in rainwater the night before. At least most of the dust had been washed off.
Vahn was waiting for her when she got back to the tent. He was holding the dead bird.
“Where did this come from?”
“I thought it was from you.”
“Why would I leave deceased poultry at your door?”
“I thought it was your way of apologizing.”
His brows drew down.
“For what?”
“For being a dick.”
“You think I owe you an apology?”
She shrugged.
“I actually don’t give a fuck. Can you move please? I want my backpack.”
She pushed past him and grabbed her bag. Checking the beacon was still inside, she added more of the fruit Vahn had collected last night and several canisters of water.
Vahn watched her.
“Shall we eat first before we set off?”
“Do what you like. I’m going.”
“If you just wait for…”
“You know what? I can go on my own. In fact, I’d prefer it.” She shouldered the bag and checked her blaster. It was still sixty percent charged. “I don’t need you.”
Vahn briefly imagined Kara walking through hostile territory facing unknown dangers. His stomach tightened.
“I know that,” he said calmly. “But I think it is safer – for both of us – if we stay together.”
“Then let’s go.”
Vahn tucked the bird into his belt and collapsed the tent. Kara had already set off and he had to walk fast to catch up.
“I estimate two days to reach the highest point,” he said. She didn’t answer. He tried again. “After that we should find somewhere to set up camp. We have no way of knowing how long it will take for the signal to be answered.”
She grunted noncommittally. Vahn was starting to get irritated.
“This is going to be a long walk if you do not communicate with me, human.”
Silence.
“You will talk to me eventually.”
She flipped her middle finger at him and lengthened her stride. Vahn’s jaw tightened as she pulled ahead.
Drek.
He’d forgotten about her temper.
But perhaps it was for the best. If she stayed annoyed with him, he could keep her at arms length. And then maybe, just maybe, the kalehsh bond would wither and die.
Because if it didn’t, he would be mated forever to a human. His heart and soul owned by the enemy.
Unable to find love with a Vraxian. With anyone. It was unconscionable.
He had to fight it, even if that meant fighting her at every given turn.
He tried to ignore the fact that it might be too late. That when he thought of Kara in danger, or hurt, or sad, his chest constricted as though it was being squeezed in a vice.
But he had to try. He had to make her keep hating him.
“You are being ridiculous,” he told her receding back. “Are you angry because I wouldn’t make vastra with you? It would have been an act of treason and you know it.”
Kara whirled round.
“Don’t put it all on me, you blue bastard. The whole thing was your idea. I should have punched you in the mouth when you suggested it.”
“If it would improve your countenance, go ahead.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“I doubt you can hurt me, nedek human.”
Smug alien prick.
She marched up to him and swung a fist at his chin. He leaned away from it, laughing.
“You will have to do better than that.”
Kara dropped her backpack to the floor. Turning sideways on to him, she took up a fighting stance with fists raised.
“Let me show you how much better I can do.”
He stopped smiling.
“I do not wish to hurt you, Kara.”
“Don’t worry. You won’t.”
She feinted a punch. When he moved to avoid it, she pivoted gracefully and planted her foot squarely in his stomach.
He staggered back, surprised, and she grinned.
“Two-time SDF kickboxing champ, asshole.”
She launched a flurry of blows which he only just managed to block. When he flailed his serpetri towards her, trying to knock her off her feet, she moved inside the circle of their reach and drove an elbow into his chest.
She would have preferred his nose but she couldn’t reach.
He bent double as the air was driven from his lungs. Using his momentary distraction she punched him on the jaw, twisting her hips and putting her whole momentum into it. His head snapped backwards.
“Drek!”
He swore explosively. In the next second he hooked a leg behind her ankles and flipped her onto her back. Pinning her with his weight, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her arms into a crucifix position. His serpetri slammed angrily into the ground on either side of her face.
“You are testing my patience, human. Are we done?”
His yellow eyes blazed down at her.
Shit. He’s really pissed off.
She raised her chin defiantly.
“That depends. Did I hurt you? Even a little bit? Tell the truth.”
“Yes,” he ground out. “My jaw aches.”
“Then we’re done.”
He released her. Kara picked up her bag and silently they resumed their hike into the hills.
Later, it struck her that she’d picked a fight with a seven foot alien who could render her unconscious – or dead – with barely any effort.
She wondered why he’d let her hit him so many times.