Chapter 30
Kinsley’s head splits in two, the explosive-tipped bolt pushing his skull out from beneath his skin. The hot and gummy debris splatters over my clothes and Lowell’s face.
A scientist swivels around in reaction, only to be met with the blunt end of my crossbow that knocks them out cold. With a bolt in my fist, I drive the metal end into the eye socket of another scientist, sweeping their legs to bring them to the ground.
Adrenaline scorches my extremities as I strike my fist into the nose of the remaining scientist, their expression just as dumbfounded as the others’. Once they are felled, I ensure that they won’t be able to get back up by crushing their throats.
Surrounded by bodies, I drop to my knees and let my crossbow fall to the ground. I’m wracked with the aftereffects of the rush, my vision doubling and my body trembling.
“Ha!” Lowell laughs, a whining wheeze catching in his throat as another chuckle bubbles up. “I thought you were going to kill me!”
He continues to laugh as tears slide down my cheeks, which is strange, because I don’t feel sad. I’d never mourn someone like Kinsley, but I expected to be inundated with regret and mourning for the death of my career and life I once knew.
But alas, I feel no such thing. If anything, I’m mourning the loss of my book and clothing collection in my old apartment.
At this thought, I can’t help but laugh.
Through squinted eyes, I gaze at Lowell, his pupils filling his irises like moons over bright, full sun.
“You thought I was going to shoot you?” I ask, my chest bouncing with laughter.
He nods, trying to drag himself over to me and failing. His arms barely function. “Well, yeah. I thought you’d be dying for the chance to get a leg up in Nilsan. I accepted my death like ten minutes ago and kind of welcomed it.”
From how he’s rambling, I see that he believes his assumption.
He really believed I was going to kill him in favor of Nilsan. What an idiot.
I sigh so deeply that sand blows up into my face. Reaching for the bolt surrounded by a soft pile of flesh, I yank it out and toss it into Lowell’s lap. He recoils in disgust, but eyes it curiously.
After a few beats, Lowell’s eyes widen. He looks up at me in astonishment.
I giggle at his expression, a smile creasing my cheeks. “You dummy. I never even had a piercing bolt loaded. It’s just an average metal bolt with an explosive attachment.”
Lowell’s brows lift in the middle, his eyes filled with relief and adoration. “Why?”
I crouch beside him, laying my hand atop his. The slick scales are soft beneath the pads of my fingers. The fluttering in my chest assures me that I’ve made the right decision.
“In no reality was I ever going to shoot you.”
Lowell’s eyelids blink slowly. He looks confused, even angry.
“But you could have gone home!” he shouts before wincing and gripping his waist. “There is nothing here for you at Gaia 4. What Kinsley said—”
I shake my head to stop him. “It doesn’t matter what he said, bad or good.
The moment I lifted my crossbow and saw that despite my bag being full of piercing bolts, I loaded the only explosive tip, I knew that my mind was made up.
For once, I trusted how I felt rather than any rational thought,” I laugh. “Any sane person would have shot you.”
Lowell squeezes my hand, his body shaking from blood loss. “Damn, is this some sort of love confession?”
His crooked smile flushes my cheeks. The desire to kiss that stupid grin right off his face is overwhelming, and the warmth that radiates from his stare has butterflies dancing in my stomach.
“You’re delirious. I don’t have feelings for you,” I say, growing flustered.
Lifting my hand to his mouth, Lowell presses a delicate kiss to my skin. “Welcome to the team, May.”
I roll my eyes, but don’t hide my smile. “You wish.”