Chapter 14
"We have to get out of here and find cover," Cael instructed the tribe's leader. "We're too exposed. The vyrmm will tear us apart."
Midori's heart sank. She had seen the vyrmm herself and knew how dangerous it could be, but Zephryn shook his head, scoffing at Cael's warning.
"The vyrmm live on the other side of the mountain, where the wind howls and the snow blows thick," he said, his voice booming through the clearing. "We have nothing to fear from such a creature on this side of the mountain. It would never come so deep into the jungle. It's likely a pantera on the prowl. We've dealt with them easily enough before. Stay close to us, and you'll be safe enough."
Cael's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You don't understand," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We've fought it twice already. It must have caught our scent and is still tracking us."
"Please," Midori begged, "we know what we're talking about. Please listen to us."
The beast roared again in the distance. It was closer now, and it wouldn't be long before it was upon them.
But Zephryn wasn't listening. He was too busy ordering his men to prepare for battle. Midori watched in disbelief as they armed themselves with spears and clubs, completely unaware of the danger looming in the darkness.
Cael tried once more to convince the leader to retreat. "If we don't find shelter soon, we'll be easy targets for the vyrmm. I've fought this creature before. At least release me and let me help," he pleaded, his silver eyes wide with urgency.
But Zephryn's gaze remained unyielding, his eyes hard as stone.
Midori's heart sank as she watched Cael's desperate attempts fail. Despite the dire situation, Cael refused to give up. He struggled against his bonds, his four arms pulling and tugging at the ropes, trying to loosen them.
"We have to do something," he growled under his breath, "otherwise we're sitting targets for that creature."
Midori's heart ached with helplessness as she watched him fight against the ropes. She felt useless, unable to help him or herself. Her mind raced for a solution, but all she could think of was the fear coursing through her—they were all going to die.
Pugly whimpered at Midori's side and rested his head against her leg. "I'm sorry I am not strong or brave enough to save you, my shining star who fell from the heavens. If I was, I'd tear into that despicable creature and disembowel it. For days I'd proudly parade vyrmm viscera on my tusks as a testament to my heroic deeds. But alas, I'm afraid tonight my spirit will join those of my other family members feasted on by this beast."
Pugly's voice was so full of despair, Midori wished there was something she could do to at least free him so he could run away and hide. She stroked her fingers against his head the best she could with them tied behind her back and flinched a bit when she felt his wet nose, no doubt dripping from his fear and sadness. But as she pulled away, Pugly's sharp tusk scratched at her hand and a lightbulb went off in her head.
She whispered down to him. "Pugly, do you think you can maneuver your tusk in between my bindings and cut them off?"
Pugly didn't bother to answer. Instead, he slid one of his tusks between the ropes restraining her hands and began moving his head in a sawing motion. The tusk was rough and cut her skin almost as much as it sliced the rope, but in a few seconds it fell away, and Midori's hands were free.
The creature roared again, and looks of concern and a hint of fear flashed over the faces of the tribesmen as they held their spears against the night. A few of them looked back at Midori and Cael as if reconsidering their claim the creature was indeed a vyrmm. But Zephryn kept his gaze forward, his posture relaxed.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. Time to get out of here. Midori's pulse throbbed in her ears.
The tribesmen moved forward, leaving Midori, Cael, and Pugly standing behind them with only the dying campfire between them. Midori took advantage of the men's diverted attention and turned to Pugly.
"Good job, my friend. Now time to free Cael."
Cael's eyes widened as he realized what Pugly was doing. "Thank you," he said, his silver eyes shining with gratitude. "I thought we were doomed for sure."
Midori gave him a weak smile, her heart still pounding in her chest. "We're not out of this yet." Her voice trembled with her words.
The bindings surrounding Cael's arms fell to the ground just as the vyrmm crashed through the trees and let out a bellowing roar. The tribesmen let out a collective gasp and raised their spears, but the vyrmm was too quick. Its sinuous body lunged forward, its claws tearing into one of the men's chests. The man screamed and fell to the ground, his blood staining the jungle floor beneath him.
Midori watched in horror as the vyrmm turned its attention to another tribesman. This time, it sank its teeth into the man's neck. The man's body went limp, and the vyrmm dropped him to the ground.
Midori wanted to scream, but she couldn't make a sound. She was frozen in place, her eyes wide with terror.
Cael grabbed one of the fallen men's spears and lit it in the campfire. Then he charged at the vyrmm, his eyes blazing with determination.
The vyrmm turned to face Cael, its claws extended. Cael thrust the spear into the vyrmm's chest, but the creature barely flinched. With a swipe of its leg, it swatted him aside like a fly. Cael landed hard on the ground, his breath knocked out of him. The vyrmm turned its attention back to Midori, its eyes fixated on her.
Midori's heart raced. She knew she was next.
But before the vyrmm could reach her, Pugly jumped in front of her. The little creature bared his teeth, shook his furry head, and let out a ferocious growl.
The vyrmm hesitated for a moment, its eyes narrowing. Then it lunged.
A cold sweat broke on her brow, and her stomach twisted with fear as the vyrmm and certain death drew near, its claws tearing through the air. All she could do was crouch down and hold on to Pugly, their bodies trembling together for the last few seconds of their lives.
Just as the vyrmm was upon them, Zephryn lunged forward with his spear, piercing the beast's underbelly, causing it to shriek in pain and fall to the ground. He pulled back on his spear, but before he could finish the creature, it turned its attention to him. The zebra-striped man's movements were quick as he attempted to defend himself with his spear. But even though the vyrmm was wounded, Zephryn's weapon was no use against the beast's razor-sharp claws. Midori could see him struggling to keep up with the creature's movements, his eyes wide with fear and desperation.
The vyrmm caught the spear between its deadly jowls and snapped it in half. Now there was nothing between it and Zephryn. Midori shut her eyes. She didn't want to see this man die, too. But then the vyrmm screamed in pain, and Midori's eyes flew open to see Cael had charged at it again, this time with his spear pointed at its head. The vyrmm tried to dodge, but Cael was too fast. He thrust the spear into the vyrmm's eye, and the creature let out a roar of pain.
It stumbled backward, claws flailing. Cael took advantage of the beast's vulnerable moment and stabbed the creature through the throat. The vyrmm let out a final, burbling scream as it reeled and fell to the ground, dead.
Midori let out a sigh of relief as she released Pugly, her arms straining from the tension. She hadn't been aware she'd been holding him so tightly. She stood up, her legs wobbly, and fell gladly into Cael's powerful arms when he embraced her.
"It's over. We did it," he said, pulling her close.
Midori could only nod. Her body was still shaking with adrenalin and fear, and she didn't trust herself not to burst into tears.
Pugly, however, had no qualms about openly weeping for all of them. "I thought we were going to die!" Huge tears ran down his furry face. "I was so scared, I think I wet myself."
Midori laughed, thankful for the levity after the intense encounter. But Pugly wasn't finished with his grateful declarations of praise. He sidled up next to Cael, rubbing his body against Cael's leg as if giving him a hug with his enormous belly.
"I'm so grateful. Thank you for saving us, your highness."
Cael sucked in his breath through his teeth.
It took a moment for Pugly's words to soak in, but once they did, Midori's own words trickled slowly out of her mouth even as her stomach clenched.
"What does he mean your highness?"
Midori was still shaking, her heart racing in her chest. Her hands trembled as she held onto Cael's arm. His muscles were taut beneath her fingers. He was trembling, too. He looked down at her, his silver eyes wide. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
Zephryn called out to Cael from across the clearing. "You. Four-armed warrior. I owe you my life."
He walked around the fallen and wounded warriors receiving care and placed his hand on Cael's shoulder. The torn skin on his chest showed how close he himself had come to perishing by the vyrmm's deadly claws if Cael hadn't been there.
He continued, "I should have listened to you. Sometimes years of experience can be its own trap. Please forgive me."
Cael nodded. "Of course. I'm only sorry I couldn't have been more help. I'm sorry for your fallen men."
The leader's face grew even more drawn with a look of sorrow and regret. "They died well, protecting each other. We will honor them with a funeral pyre. And I will honor my life debt to you by releasing you all. We will find another way to save our women from the slavers' hands without trading your woman for ours. You are all free to go."
Midori's cheeks heated with the words "your woman." Was she Cael's? At the moment, she wasn't sure how she felt. She still had feelings for Cael. Strong ones. Feelings and desires she had hoped would translate into a future for both of them. But Pugly had called him "your highness." What could he mean other than royalty? And if Cael was royally born on his planet, why wouldn't he have told her? Why didn't he want her to know? There were so many unanswered questions, she didn't know what to think.
But she knew one thing: Midori would not abandon the women who needed saving. She knew firsthand the terror and trauma of being abducted and torn from her life. She was going to help gain their freedom, too.
"Thank you for releasing us, Zephryn," she said, "but we're not going anywhere. At least, not yet."