Outside the Fire
TWENTY-ONE
Elena
I don’t see Lukys for another three days. It had gotten to the point that I thought I might never see him again at all. I continued to search for him—for any being—outside the dome but with only the occasional drop-ins of Levy, and sometimes Greg, I thought I might have seen the last of Lukys.
That’s okay. It’s a good thing. Maybe that means it’s safe to go outside.
I need it to be safe. I’m subsisting on towel baths and rationing how much water I’m drinking, and now I’m eyeing how much longer my food stores will last—a couple of standard month rotations if I eat nothing but the basics. Only a few weeks if I order full meals.
I’m going to need a new supply of food—because as much as I’d like to think help will be here in a couple of weeks, I know the reality of my situation is much different.
Drying my face with a hand towel, I ponder my reflection and try to smile, but it quickly morphs into a sad laugh at the tired girl in the mirror. She’s not someone anyone with empathy would laugh at—but here I am, making it happen.
Today’s my birthday.
Standard March 3rd, ship year of The Dreadnaut—I’m turning twenty-three midday today.
My parents would’ve called me out from my unit and taken me shopping, or to see the most recent shows.
We would then spend the afternoon together before meeting back up for dinner.
Jenna and Mateo would join us at the restaurant of her choice.
Family friends and business partners would be in attendance, no doubt to use the event to network and get close to my sister, hoping to procure tickets to her more lucrative performances.
We’d get into a fight about my limited aspirations, and I’d go to bed upset, feeling unseen.
I’d do anything right now to have that day today instead of this one. I hook the damp towel on the rack next to the sink and leave the bathroom. Walking to my water bucket, I peer at the morning light shining through the branches of the trees. The skies are bright and blue above.
It’s a beautiful morning. Every morning here is a beautiful one, even the foggy ones. Especially the foggy ones.
Today, I’m going back outside.
I’ll have to do it eventually. It might as well be a day when it’s sunny and clear out.
Walking into the dome, there’s a flash of movement far to my right, and I spot Lukys ripping out a bush.
I freeze and stare.
His back is partially turned toward me, his tail between us.
He tosses the bush into a pile of others already torn from the ground, then reaches for another.
One by one he tears them out in a large circle, taking the time to swipe at the ground and remove the excess brush afterward.
The pile grows bigger and so does his circle until its several of his lengths across.
His muscled body and scales gleam in the sunlight. Mesmerized, my lips part.
When he’s done, he straightens and peruses his creation, wiping his hands proudly.
My eyes trail over his masculine form, taking in his long, black tail. They then sneak to his middle whenever he’s facing me, but he hasn’t looked my way yet. He hasn’t seen me.
I debate whether or not I should try and make him notice me, wondering if I’ll regret it if I don’t. He might disappear again… Also, if I keep my ship on his land long term, and he’s going to visit, then I’m going to have to speak to him sometime.
Before I can muster the courage, he turns and slips into the trees.
Damn.
I’m oddly relieved when he returns a minute later with several large rocks bundled in his arms.
“What are you doing?” I shout before I can think better on it.
My toes curl as his body stiffens with tension and straightens, his head tilting. He continues to the circle, but I know he heard me. He drops the rocks in the center and then turns in my direction, his tail coiling under him.
Our eyes clash, and I swallow thickly, hoping I’m not being stupid. Either way, it’s too late now.
I’m not going to flee. I’m going to talk to him. Where I’m safe.
His eyes remain on mine as he moves closer. My feet flex as my own tension scythes through me and I abruptly don’t know what to do with my arms.
Stepping back as he rises on his tail to be at level with me, my eyes slip across his body taking in the slightly speckled black patterning along his arms and around the sides of his chest and abs. I manage to keep my gaze above his waist.
He says something but I don’t hear it through the glass.
“What?”
His tail sways as it coils tighter under him. “I’m creating a fire,” he says louder.
I glimpse the circle past him. “Why?”
“Humans need fires,” his voice temporarily lowers “and I have seen neither you nor the males create one. I… began to worry?”
“Why?” I ask again, trying to come to grips with what’s going on. “We don’t need fire.” Where did he hear that?
“The other humans I know prefer to have them every night.”
“You know other humans?” I guffaw, my brow furrowing. “Who?”
I didn’t think anyone but the military was here before The Dreadnaut erupted.
His head tilts like he’s bemused, and I’m not sure how to read that part of him either. He places his hands on his hips, and I have to blink hard to stop my gaze from dropping to his bulge.
“I cannot give you their names. Some of them are in hiding. But you are not the first human I know, nor the first female.”
Considering his words, I cross my arms in front of me when his eyes roam over my body.
“You have a low opinion of me,” he says. “I understand.”
I throw out my hands. “You stole me!”
“I felt like I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice!” I cross my arms again. “You just made the wrong one. Of course I have a low opinion of you.”
“In my… world,” he starts slowly, “a lone female is in danger. Especially a human one, since they are frailer.”
“Of you!”
“Of others like me, like Deiyssss.”
The naga who died? The one Greg shot? I hug myself tighter as I study him. “Because he would take me against my will back to his lair, all in an act to ‘save’ me? Like you?”
“Not like me. There are many of my kind who are nice, even reasonable, but there are others who are not. I would not have hurt you,” his voice lowers again. “I will not hurt you.”
I take a shuddering, shallow breath. “I believe you.” Because, strangely, I do.
His lips twitch with surprise then flattens. Despite what he’s done, he never harmed me outside his manhandling. “When I left, I intended to release you upon my return. I did not make it in time. I am ssssorry.”
“Sorry that I escaped and got caught by another one of you? Thanks, I appreciate that. I’m sorry too,” I say with a sarcastic wince as I gently roll my aching shoulder.
Lukys’s eyes darken. “He should not have hurt you.”
“I don’t think he had a choice. I put up a fight.”
“Good.”
I try to focus on the hum of the ship as we stare at each other silently, our conversation coming to an awkward pause. He’s happy I put up a fight. “I put up a fight with you too.”
“You did.”
His arms drop to his sides as his gaze drifts over me. The tension that was beginning to fade returns as I stiffen under his blatant perusal. I see his fingers stretch and curl—and his bulge out of the corner of my vision.
“I am sorry,” he says again, threading his claws through his hair.
“I…” Do I forgive him? I was being sarcastic before.
“Hey! Wh… ar… you doing over there!” Levy’s muffled voice shouts as he walks into view from the direction of his ship. “Leave her alone!” He stomps through Lukys’s circle before pausing at the inner edge of it.
“We’re just talking!” I yell before a fight can escalate.
Greg appears from their ship and jogs up behind Levy, bringing with him his rifle. Wearing a form-fitting shirt, the muscles of his back and shoulders flex.
I wave my hands. “We’re just talking!”
Levy looks suspiciously from Lukys to me, who hasn’t moved since their arrival. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. He’s building a firepit.” I point behind them. “He’s already cleared out a spot.”
Levy and Greg peer at each other, a myriad of emotions playing out on their faces.
“I forgive you,” I say, just high enough for only Lukys to hear.
He faces me and meets my gaze.
“What? A firepit?” Greg shouts. “Why?”
Lukys and I continue to stare at each other. “Because you need them, especially to cook meat,” I shout back.
“Meat?”
Lukys suddenly turns away and retreats to his circle, making both Greg and Levy back up several paces, killing the conversation immediately.
I also retreat until I bump the control panel then slide down in my dad’s seat where they can’t see me, catching my breath.
Wiping the back of my hand across my forehead, it comes away slick with sweat.
I’m also wet between my legs. Tingling. I push my thighs together.
Recalling what Shelby said, I must be sick because why else would I be wet?
I sit upright. I’m being ridiculous. I’m not sick.
I’m not.
And yet…
It makes sense.
I sigh, not for the first time wondering if I’m going crazy. I just have to wait it out, right? My immune system will fight it off eventually. Right? It’s not like I ever plan on acting on it.
I return to the window to watch Lukys, Levy, and Greg as they begin speaking, unable to hear much of what they’re saying.
Eventually, Levy and Greg walk into the woods and Lukys, with a brief glance my way, turns back to the firepit.
I don’t think I’m going to be collecting water today.
Instead, I watch as he approaches the center of his circle then lowers on his tail.
Using his hands and his tailtip, he digs, spreading the soil along the sides.
He makes a hole several feet across before his attention shifts to the rocks he collected.
Picking up the first one, he lines them around the hole. He leaves again and doesn’t return.
For the rest of the day, I hang out in the front of my ship, watching what’s happening. I tell myself it’s because I have nothing better to do. Meanwhile, I listen to the broadcasts, my sister’s music.
By the time Lukys reappears, Levy and Greg have collected a large pile of branches.
He’s carrying a dead animal, which hangs limply in his grip.
He looks at me and I cock a brow at the corpse curiously.
It’s brown and fat and covered in bristles.
Levy and Greg come out of their ship with several stools, placing them at the edge of the circle, also eyeing the carcass.
Levy points at the animal and the three of them start speaking again.
Then Lukys abruptly faces me. I shuffle on my feet as he approaches me with the dead animal.
With his cloudy gaze on me, he shows off his kill. “Join ussss. I will strip pieces of meat.” He lifts the animal. “And we will cook them over the fire. You will not have to use your nest’s stores, and the meat will strengthen you.”
I know I shouldn’t say yes, but I want to anyway, not realizing how badly I’m craving company and distraction. Part of me is willing to risk the possibility of me being sick to take him up on his offer, to not be alone.
Greg has his gun. I can sit next to him.
It’s also my birthday, after all.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
He raises his chin and his ears dip back. It makes him look cuter, younger. “Do you fear I will take you again?”
I glimpse Levy and Greg watching us from the firepit.
“No.” I fear I might try and touch you—or worse, get to know you better. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea right now anyways.”
He nods and, after considering me for another moment, takes his corpse and leaves in the direction of the river. I lose sight of him when he enters the brush and lowers.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come out?” Levy calls out from behind me. I turn to find him at the window where Lukys had been. “He’s not that bad. Pretty communicative too, surprisingly,” he yells some more. “Greg will have his gun. We’ll protect you if anything happens.”
“I’m good. I don’t want to come out tonight. Thank you, though.”
Levy frowns and shrugs. “I understand. Just make certain you let Greg or me know when you’re needing some water. We’re both fine retrieving you some.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Levy gives me a small smile then walks back to the firepit.
Lukys returns that evening with slabs of raw meat.
Levy and Greg set the branches in the pit. They bring a firestarter out from their ship and set the kindling ablaze. A fire roars to life that’s supplied with the wood that’s been gathered. Greg leaves to collect a metal sheet and some plates.
Afterwards, Lukys places the meat on the sheet at Greg’s behest and slides it into the fire.
Despite knowing I’m watching them, they pay me no mind.
The little light bugs that come out during the evening appear, and, hungry myself, I get off the floor and walk to the food replicator.
My finger hovers over the birthday cake option. Yellow cake with buttercream frosting, topped with sprinkles and a single candle. It would be nice to have something sweet. Like tea and Ilubriam chocolate, I love sweet-flavored things.
Instead, I order basic pasta, happy enough I have food of my own. I’m lucky to have survived up until now. That’s a gift all in itself. There is stuff to be thankful for…
I curse under my breath when I step through the door to my room and smell Ilubriam chocolate. Unable to help it, I clench, feeling my arousal reignite.
But I realize something as I sit on my bed and force myself to finish my food. The fear I had of Lukys…
It’s gone.