Page 88 of When Eden Falls

Kobe remained focused, concentrating on tracking ourlocation with Rooke, who had stayed close to Llexzus and our guide at the front of the party all day. But even Oz kept his quips to himself, resorting to a brooding silence.

For the duration of the day, Dybgo remained at the back of our group, guarding our rear with his warriors. They’d spoken amongst themselves, but I sensed their aversion to the task at hand. I, myself, was doubting if anything good would come out of this, but Rooke was adamant we had to find the ship.

After devouring my portion of food, I licked at my fingers, eyeing Llexzus. He stood to the left, balancing on a large piece of protruding stone several metres higher. Although his presence was essential to our safety, he made me feel uneasy. The arrogance surrounding him was filled with a dark, unnatural essence; something I couldn’t fathom but subconsciously shuddered away from. It didn’t help his devious smirk continued to torment me. What was he thinking? Did he think like a human? Was he more Igknamai than Akquarian? Every conclusion unnerved me.

A shifting figure to my right caught my attention and I found Dybgo taking a seat next to me. My muscles instantly tensed. Stretching his feet and legs out in front of him, he made a soft humming noise. “I don’t wear these often. I forget how uncomfortable they are.”

It was a contrast to my own thoughts regarding footwear. “Do you not come into the forest often?”

“No. My feet prefer the sand, stone, or sea. Not the dirt and tree roots, nor being restricted in these.” He pointed to his boots.

“So why did you offer to bring us here?”

He paused and peered across the fires at Rooke, who was staring at the lapping flames, completely lost in himself. Nux, what was he thinking? He appeared so lost.

“I sensed your commander’s despair. I would feel the same if I were in his position.”

Nodding my head in understanding, I glanced up at Llexzus still standing defiantly on the stone ledge. “What is he doing?”

“Llexzus? He’s keeping watch. Listening. Scenting the air.He’s protecting us.”

“Doesn’t he need sleep?”

“He can go several days with none or very little sleep.”

“How is that possible?”

Dybgo chuckled. “I’ve been asking myself that for years.”

When I looked back at Dybgo, he had shifted into an alpine position, resting his head on a piece of rolled fabric, which looked like his cape.

“Sleep,” he said. “You are safe.”

Maybe we were, but sleep continued to evade me. I watched the stars move across the clear sky. I listened to the buzzing of the insects and howls of creatures within the forest. I studied the sleeping faces of Dybgo and Oz lying next to me, envious of their easy slumber. I swear the fires had died out and the sky had begun to brighten before I dozed off.

A heaviness deep inside my head was the first thing I noticed when I woke. The second, was that someone was standing over me, taunting me from my sleep. A foot nudged at my hip and a grumbling, sardonic voice said, “Come on, Queenie, time to wake up!”

I forced one eye open, and to my horror, I found Llexzus standing with a foot either side of my body, bending over at the waist with his face inches from mine. I must’ve flinched at the sight of his haunting black eyes, jolting my body awake. An obnoxious laugh rumbled from him before he straightened up. “What’s wrong? Were you expecting someone else?”

I froze at the sight of his devilish grin. Those long canines were insanely sharp. If it hadn’t been for Oz stepping closer and telling Llexzus to leave me alone, I was certain he would have remained there, toying with me.

Rubbing my eyes, I noticed the rest of the group were up and about, readying themselves for another hike. I untangled my legs from the Solarfleet travel blanket and stood up, straightening my clothes. Cora caught my eye on the opposite side of our fire embers. She was holding her stomach as if she were in discomfort.I frowned, starting to wonder if this excursion was too much for her. I hadn’t asked her how much pain she was in; too ashamed to ask her if she was okay.

Before I could pack my belongings and go to her, Dybgo appeared, pushing a handful of berries and leftover fish at me.

“Eat. We are leaving imminently.”

With unnerving attentiveness, he watched me swallow down the unusual breakfast, before ushering me to the edge of the rock verge. I was guided down the rockface by three Akquarians. All of them nodding their greeting courteously as I passed.

As I reached the forest floor, I secured my backpack, checking my weapons were in place. Standing to one side, conversing with Kobe, Rooke looked at me. He raised his hand in greeting and I approached.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly. “Did Dybgo make a beeline for you when we arrived yesterday? I didn’t realise he’d slept next to you all night.”

“It was fine. With Oz next to me, he wouldn’t have dared touch me.”

Kobe eyed me suspiciously and I frowned at him. His sharp brown eyes spilled with disapproval, or was it exasperation? He rarely had time for chit chat but recently he hardly spoke to me at all.

“We’re getting closer to the river,” Rooke said to me, pulling my attention away from Kobe and his digital maps. “The guide said we should reach it before nightfall. Then, it may take a couple of days to locate the area we’ve pinpointed.”