Page 4 of Marc
Kai circled the wreckage, his gaze on the ground. If anyone could find Colbie, it would be him. Kai’s dad was a former berserker, a member of Squad Three from the invasion days. Tane had been its leader. Kai’s mom was an alien. Selena’s species were an enemy of the Gizzida, and she’d been brought to Earth as their prisoner. She’d been rescued, and Kai’s dad had fallen in love with her.
She also had some pretty amazing powers. Her species was connected to nature, and Kai had inherited some of her abilities. He could read the Earth.
Where are you, little lark?I stared into the darkness. Somewhere in the distance, a monster roared.
“I’ve got blood,” Kai said.
My heart lurched and I stumbled over to him.
“Not much,” he added. “She must’ve been scratched.”
Air shuddered out of me.
Kai straightened. “I’ve got her trail.”
“Let’s move,” Jameson said. “Hunter Squad, form up.”
With my carbine in my hands, I moved to follow Kai.
I had no idea how he could pick up anything in the darkness, but I trusted my squadmate wholeheartedly. My carbine was up and at the ready. I’d keep the monsters off his back while he found Colbie.
As Kai moved through the trees, he paused several times, touching leaves, pressing his palm to the ground. Around me, the scent of eucalyptus filled the air, along with the damp tang of rotting leaves underfoot.
“You okay?”
I glanced at Zeke. “I’ll be better when we find Colbie.”
My brother was quiet for a beat. “You’re…really upset.”
“Yeah. She’s out here alone.” I met his gaze. He had the same dark-blue eyes we’d both inherited from our mother. My brother never discussed feelings. He tried to talk the least amount possible.
“What?” I prompted.
“I think Colbie means more to you than you’re admitting.”
“She’s my friend.”
“Mmm.”
The noise made me tense up. “I’d feel the same if any of the squad was missing. Hell, I remember what it was like when you were taken.”
That had been the worst moment of my life. We’d been twelve, and it had been Kai’s sister’s birthday party. Amaia had wandered off to pick flowers, and Zeke had followed her. They’d been snatched by a monster.
It had been three days of hell. Our parents had been terrified. I’d been terrified.
Zeke was like a piece of me. He’d always been there, both of us never had to speak to know what we were thinking. We worked in sync together.
I’d known he’d been alive, I’d felt that connection. But I wasn’t sure if he’d stay that way or come home safely.
Zeke gripped my arm. “We’re getting her back. And if you don’t want to talk about what she means to you…” He shrugged and moved in front of me.
I felt like ants were crawling over my skin. I didn’t get tangled up with women. I had a good time, made sure any woman who shared my bed knew it was temporary, and I always left them exhausted from a hot, sweaty, good time. That was it.
I shook my head. I wasn’t going to dissect my feelings for Colbie out here, especially not when she was alone and her life was in danger.
Suddenly, Kai jerked to a halt.
“Kai?” Jameson said softly.
