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I can trust him.

Her gaze focused on Payim surveying his ship.

“Are the reptile people your allies? The ones with thick scaly tails and spiny ridges,” she blurted.

Payim froze and slowly turned to her. His gaze was cold, and she shivered.

“Reptiles? Where have you seen reptile people?” He spoke calmly, but his steady voice was even scarier than his growls or snarls.

She thought she’d witnessed his temper when she risked the wasps, but that paled compared to now. From his reaction, maybe she had been right to distrust the reptiles.

“Please, Elena, you must tell me.” Payim’s voice gentled, but was no less serious, as he held up his hands and approached her slowly.

She blinked, realizing she’d gotten stuck again picturing Sidi’s murder. Her heart was pounding and she no doubt looked like a deer in headlights.

“They killed my Miran Sona friend,” she admitted, “and they’re building a city across the chasm.” She spun and pointed.

“These people?” Payim pulled up an image on the little computer strapped to his wrist.

Her breath came out in little pants. She’d hoped to never see those creatures again.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“But you escaped. They didn’t touch you?”

Fear flashed in Payim’s eyes and he yanked her close, crushing her against him. She wrapped her arms around him and clutched his back. Every muscle in his massive body vibrated beneath her palms and cheek.

“They didn’t see me,” she said, her lips brushing against his warm skin.

“Good.” He cupped her cheeks and tipped her head back. “I can’t stand the way you’ve had to survive here, but that…” He closed his dark eyes. “That would’ve been…” He again paused and just gravely shook his head.

“I got the sense they weren’t good people.”

“They are not!” Payim rumbled, his eyes snapping open to look at her. “You are smart to have been cautious.” He again pulled her in tight, smooshing her head against him, as his arms snaked around her.

A watery smile tipped her lips. It had been a long time since someone cared. It felt so personal, and then she remembered that’s why he was here.

“There are other survivors,” she admitted.

“Others survived the crash? That is great news!” He released her and a thread of disappointment coursed through her.

“They are still in stasis. Sidi and I thought it would be best,” she explained.

“Again, smart. Where are they? Are they safe?” His voice was urgent as he stared in the direction of the reptile base.

“I think so.” She nodded. “They’re in another cave closer to the crash site.”

“I have to reach Scala.” He clasped her hand and tugged her toward his ship. “That is the other half of the rumor I am here to investigate, if the Jurou Biljana are trying to salvage the wormhole drive from the Miran Sona vessel.” He cast a worried look at her. “They can’t be allowed to obtain that technology. They could find their way to your home world or other vulnerable races.”

“Shit!” she cursed as he helped her through the giant hole in the ship hull.

“Heaps of shit. You say they’re building a city?” He moved swiftly to the cockpit.

“Yes, but I think the planet is causing them trouble. For every ship I see land another two go down. If your ship hadn’t been so odd, I would’ve thought it was them.”

“Son of ametcor! So, the cloak failed as I crashed?” He cursed, his hand pausing over the console.

She grimaced, not sure how to answer.