Chapter 10
The bunker
Rangely, Colorado
Artemis
The shock of something wet touching my face startled me from sleep. My head jerked away from whatever touched me. I pried my eyes open and saw the monster who had saved me. He held a wet rag between his fingers.
His red eyes stared down at me, blue skin shimmering in the candlelight. Silvery lines ran up each finger and merged in a swirling pattern as they traveled up his arm. His chest was on display, as he wasn’t wearing a shirt. I got a great view of all that toned flesh as he leaned above me. Brir’s muscles bunched. His red eyes were full of worry as he assessed my condition. They held an intensity that both calmed and unnerved me. His shoulders were broad, and his arms flexed as he pulled his hands back, holding them out to show me he wasn’t a threat.
“Easy there, Artemis,” Brir said softly. His voice cut through my pain-induced stupor. His cool hand reached out to touch my forehead with the damp cloth. It felt soothing against my hot skin, relieving my fevered body. “It’s alright. It’s just me.”
Despite his soft voice, I couldn’t help but flinch at the contact of the rag, the instinct of a wounded creature. But his touch was gentle, the cloth cool and soothing against my burning skin. The relief it brought was powerful enough to coax my eyes closed. A sigh slipped past my lips.
He cleared his throat.
“You’re safe,” Brir reassured me.
“I know.” I relaxed back into the pile of blankets he had made me after the fit that ravaged my body.
I blinked as the agony receded, replaced by tremendous relief. The smell of mint and herbs filled my nostrils as he dipped the rag back in a bowl of water, wrung it out, and placed it back on my forehead.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“You’ve got a fever. I’m trying to bring it down,” Brir replied softly, not looking up from his task. “I have to keep you cool.” His long blue fingers nimbly maneuvered over my arm. His hand was cool from the water. The touch was magic against my aching body, but I bit my lower lip to keep from crying out as some of the salve touched an open sore.
“Here, do you think you can sit up a bit?” he asked.
I nodded, trying to push myself up on arms that trembled under my weight. His arm snaked around my body, helping lift me. A scraping noise made me turn my head. Dune was inching closer. Brir carefully leaned me against the colossal creature’s body.
“Are you hurting?” he asked, looking me over. I nodded, my jaw clenched against the burning sensation shooting through my body.
Brir picked up a bottle from the table, opened it, and shook two pills into his palm. I watched him reach for a mug next to a pan of water.
I tried to take the pills from his hand, but my fingers didn’t want to work. I fumbled with my new claws, unable to pick up the pills. I hated these new parts of me. My arm fell back onto the soft bed.
“Here, let me.” Brir picked up the pills between two large fingers and held them out to me. I hesitated for a moment, not wanting him to see my tongue. He noticed my nervousness because he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I umm…” I started, looking from the pills to my shaking limbs. “I don’t like my new tongue. It looks weird. I don’t want you to see it.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve already seen it.” Brir’s soft and kind voice soothed me. “It’s not going to bother me. Please, these will make you better.”
I hesitated for another second before letting my long black tongue roll out of my mouth past my new shark-like teeth.
He eyed my tongue for a second, but his face stayed neutral. I closed my eyes as he placed the pills in my mouth and held out a steaming cup that smelled like broth. I pulled my tongue back in my mouth as he held the cup to my lips.
My lips parted as I brought the cup of steaming broth to my mouth. The rich scent of herbs and spices engulfed me, and I took a long, satisfying sip. As the liquid trickled down my throat, I could taste each ingredient—the tender chunks of chicken, the earthy mushrooms, and the hint of garlic. My new tongue was like a superpower, picking up flavors and nuances that I never noticed before. No wonder they said my new receptors were more sensitive than ever.
I savored the rich aroma wafting from the mug of steaming broth in front of me. My stomach growled hungrily as I lifted the bowl again to my lips and tasted the perfect balance of warmth and saltiness. With a contented sigh, I leaned back against the bed’s headboard and let out a satisfied breath.
His rough hands guided the cup to my lips, and small sips of hot broth trickled down my throat. The aroma of chicken and vegetables filled my nostrils. My stomach grumbled with gratitude as I swallowed, and the warmth spread through my body. The savory liquid was like a balm for my empty belly, and I couldn’t get enough.
“More?” Brir asked.
I nodded eagerly for more, and he obliged, carefully tilting the cup to give me more of the delicious broth. “Had enough?” he asked, pulling the mug away. I nodded, too weak to form words.
He carefully set it back on the table, and I closed my eyes in contentment, grateful for his kindness and the sustenance he provided me. The broth eased the pain in my stomach just enough to allow me a moment of solace.
“I’m going to rub some salve into these open spots where your scales molted. It will help the skin heal,” he explained as he held a small jar. I nodded my consent. I was so tired, and talking took so much energy.
He carefully rubbed the thick, medicinal ointment onto the raw, red patches where my scales had shed. The scent of herbs and oils filled the air as he explained the healing properties. Exhausted, I barely had the energy to nod in agreement.
Despite my initial shock and discomfort, his presence was oddly soothing. He exuded an air of calm and safety that made me want to trust him. I relaxed under his careful ministrations, a sense of relief washing over me. I was safe here, I realized. After weeks of captivity and torture, this stranger had offered me more kindness than most humans ever have. That thought made me wallow in sadness for a moment. I doubted anyone had shown this kind of compassion to Polly, which brought down the pleasant feelings that had been starting in my belly.
I winced as he applied the excellent salve to more of my wounds, and all thoughts of Polly were pushed back out of my mind. It was a strange sensation, both painful and soothing at the same time. He seemed so focused and determined to help me recover. It felt… comforting.
“You’re doing well,” he murmured after cleaning a particularly awful open sore on my side. The kindness in his voice touched something inside me that I wasn’t ready to place.
His red eyes met mine again, and, for a moment, I saw something raw flicker in their depths. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. I wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for the sting or something more for a moment before he returned to my arm. Thankfully, the ache began to subside after he applied the salve.
I watched as his long fingers moved carefully over my skin, applying the salve and dressing my wounds with a gentle touch. The intensity of his gaze as he concentrated on his task was hypnotizing. As if by instinct, I found myself slowly extending my other hand towards him.
My hand reached his forearm where the silvery lines ran over his body. When my claw brushed a line, it lit up under my hand. Silvery lines lit up like a glow stick, and blue light lit up his face. The light moved around his body in a wave. My eyes widened. What the fuck had I just done? Was his body reacting to my changes? Warning me not to touch him? I pulled my hand back, worried I had hurt him. The light died, but I didn’t see a wound.
Startled, Brir looked up to meet my gaze. His red eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t move away. Instead, he watched me with an intense focus that made my heart thud inside my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say. I swallowed, a sudden dryness in my throat. My hand trembled slightly as I reached up to run my fingers through his silvery-blue hair as if I were in a trance. The light returned and made his hair shimmer as if it were liquid. It was unexpectedly soft, like strands of silk under my fingertips. I let out a low sigh, captivated by the feel of it.
“Artemis…” Brir whispered. My name rolled off his tongue so beautifully that it made my heart flutter. His fingers squeezed mine. His eyes flickered with unspoken emotion as he held my gaze. “It… it’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He pressed my hand back to his arm and watched as the lines lit up again. “That shouldn’t be possible,” he said more to himself than me.
“They’re beautiful.” I watched the pulsing light run over his body. Its light blue glow comforted me. Then Brir released my hand, and the light faded away. His hand came up to cup my face before gently brushing a few strands of hair away from my forehead.
“They shouldn’t be,” his shocked look confused my tired mind. His eyes searched my face like it held the answers he needed. How are you lighting up my threads?”
“I don’t know what that is.” I felt my eyes starting to close. I wanted to hold onto this moment, but I could feel the fatigue settling in, pulling me under like a riptide. The agonizing throb was now a dull ache thanks to Brir’s care.
I felt his hand leave my face, but I couldn’t open my eyes again.
“Don’t leave me,” I whispered. I knew my voice sounded whiny, but I was too tired to care.
A soft chuckle echoed around the room; the last thing I felt was his warm hand encompassing mine. “I’m not going anywhere, Artemis,” he assured me softly before sleep claimed me again. “Rest, I will be here when you wake again.”
My eyes closed against my will, my mind going back to the one room that always started my nightmares.
“Polly,” I murmured.