Page 17

Elix sleeps at my bedside for about an hour based on the time on the nearby screen. I’m in and out, resting when sleep takes me, consumed by lustful dreams of a green alien with gold eyes in the moments between .

He shifts where he rests by my shoulder, rousing me.

“Elix?”

He snaps awake like a soldier who’s used to it. His eyes find mine before he lifts his head. “Yes?”

“Did you ever get revenge?”

Elix breathes out and adjusts his nutrient tube. “Tried when I was younger. Then I realized staying alive was more important. Infiltration often resulted in me getting captured, used as a healer for those who didn’t deserve it, and me barely escaping.”

“Why not just blast them out of the sky?” I ask. “Most would try.”

He caresses my forehead with his fingers, making tiny circles. “I fear I will take innocents that way. I like to get dirty so I can be sure only those who deserve punishment are dealt such. I don’t want any collateral damage.”

Elix rests his nose against my neck, inhales a breath of me, and then sits back up. “I’m sorry, just needed confirmation that you’re still here with me. The last few hours have been—hard.”

I survey him and the way he won’t look at me for very long. “You’re not telling me something.”

He opens a nearby screen and pulls up pictures of monstrous beings like the ones I saw at the complex. I blink to clear my vision. I’m used to waking up quickly, but my body still isn’t ready.

“The creatures that attacked us are called SoulStealers. They’re from a sister species’ moon. They dig their claws in, thread tendrils inside a body, and take over the central nervous system. They’re not just animals. They sell their services to top bidders. Someone wanted you to be their puppet.

“Crolis?”

“I don’t think it’s the Ginarigons. They’re greedy, but not this kind of sadistic. They prefer to do the gritty stuff themselves. It’s a power trip for them,” he says, leaning back against my bed.

“Then, who?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know. It could be anyone now that the entire universe knows you’re in the races. I wish there was a way to prove that you don’t have access to whatever it is your father had, just so everyone would leave you alone.”

“I’ve tried. But it’s pointless.” I look down at my shredded race suit beneath the blanket and wish I’d never used my ticket. It was a gift given in good faith. But looking back, I realize how little my mother knew about my father’s capabilities, how far his rein would eventually reach, and how his legacy would corrupt others just for a portion of what he had when he was alive.

“MONA, what is our status?” Elix asks.

I scan the room but don’t see anyone with us.

The speakers in the room reply, “We’re about an hour away from dropping out of space.”

“MONA?” I ask Elix.

“Hello, Zariah,” a voice says, somewhere nearby. “I am the Medical Operations Neuromorphic Assistant for this Scintilla. I am happy to assist with whatever you need.”

“The storm’s causing a lot of trouble back at the complex,” Elix cuts in. “So Abr has us going in reverse order through the tour. Normally, they would do this rest time last, but this got us a safe distance away much faster.”

“Do we have to continue the tour?” I ask. “I’d really just like to forget the whole thing. I don’t really feel up to much. And joining the races feels like a big mistake.”

“That’s up to you. I do think we’re safer with the group for now.”

I don’t want to waste the gift, but I know now that Abr isn’t as secure as I hoped, not for me. Yet I’m still at Elix’s mercy. “Alright. Let’s see how the tour goes.”

He gets up and turns to me. “What can I get you? Are you hungry?”

“Maybe a hydrolyte packet if you’ve got one and a shower. Something else to wear, too.”

Elix touches a panel in the wall. Lights dance around his fingers and the tall, slender drawer opens. He collects a packet and hands it to me. “As for clean clothes, all we’ve got is my stuff and your jacket. Seems we left some of your clothes behind during the escape.”

I drag my heavy legs to the edge of the bed and move the blanket aside. Elix rushes to me as I try to set my feet down. He’s quick to catch me when my body gives out. Desire surges through my tired limbs when he collects me and leans me against his chest.

Concern fills his gaze. I look up at him in admiration and a bit of embarrassment. Elix cracks open the hydrolyte packet and helps me put the nozzle to my lips, then swallow the fruity liquid.

“You aren’t going to be able to clean yourself in this condition,” he says. “I did wipe you down as I checked for injuries.”

“Hot water usually helps wake up tired muscles.” It’s all I can think about. A shower has always been the place where I wash away the past, cry where no one will notice, and step out feeling like I’m up for tackling one more day.

Elix frowns. “I would rather you sleep the remainder of the trip, since you don’t really need to get familiarized with space. This tour is more for the women who have never left Earth.”

Studying the dried splits still on his face, I ask, “When are you going to take care of yourself?”

“Whenever I have time.” Elix disconnects my nutrient tube and snaps in a vial filled with gold liquid.

“What’s that?”

“My serum.”

I reach up to try and stop him from wasting it all on me, but Elix is too strong. He guides my hand away.

“I’m fine. You need this more than I do right now.” He sighs through his nose, tilts his head, and watches the vial discharge.

The fluid spreads warmth through my body. I can’t say I hate the strength it gives me. And while I don’t like his answer, I’m still not strong enough to get my way. I just have to take it.

“Who’s flying the ship?” I ask.

“MONA.”

“Sir, what do you request?”

“Nothing, MONA. Just talking about you to Zariah.”

“Understood. How are you both feeling?”

Elix gives me a knowing look as he disconnects the vial and places it in a cleansing bin. “You can read our biostats MONA. You don’t need audible confirmation.”

“Then may I suggest you both get patched up and rest until we drop? I will keep us on course per Abr instructions. But you both have elevated levels of cortisol. Zariah’s heart rate suggests exhaustion, and Elix, your core —”

“Stop.” Elix glares at a nearby screen. “I know.”

MONA quiets.

“Something wrong?” I ask, reaching for the side I know he’s injured.

“I’ll live.” Elix cradles me in his arms and carries me through a bedroom into an adjoining bathroom. There isn’t much in the quarters except a few basic supplies. His ship is like mine: metal trusses, raw-boned, with few items of comfort. His, to my delight, has larger windows in each room, and most of his doors have high-tech biometric locks.

“Is this yours?” I ask.

“No. Guest quarters just have a bigger bath. I housed the king of Ferrim here with his new bride. I reserve this space for royal clients.”

“I’m not royal.”

“You’re more important than royalty to me.” He walks into the shower stall and settles me on the textured floor, then places the soap beside me and turns on the water.

Heated spray rains over me as Elix turns away, pulls a towel down from a cabinet, and hangs it over the bar on the door.

I thank him as he turns to leave, wishing he’d stay. I want to return some of the care he has given me. But I know I’m too weak by the cold weight of every limb. Still, I would try to clean his wounds if he’d let me. He’s done so much. I’ve done nothing but be a problem.

I hope I haven’t disrespected him on accident, thinking he was just some dude from Earth.

When I try to get out of my uniform, I find myself stuck. I fight with the sticky fabric, but it only gets worse in the streaming water.

Steam fills the room. Hot water pools under my body. My frustration grows, but I simply don’t have the energy.

“Elix?”

He eases back into the door, averting his eyes.

“I am genuinely stuck.” I’ve only managed to get one shoulder out of the torn side before reaching my limit.

“I don’t want to disrespect you,” he says.

“Please. I want a proper bath, not through my clothes like one of my father’s—” I stop because I don’t want to remember it anymore.

Elix puffs out a breath, walks slowly to where the water sprays, and kneels beside me. His strong fingers work me out of my race suit by feel. He won’t look directly at me. The moment my breasts pop free of my top, he inhales sharply and twists his neck like he’s straining hard to keep his control.

“You said you have a change of clothes, right?” I ask.

“Only my stuff.”

He’s close enough that I can touch him, and the hot water gives me some strength. I reach up and run my wet fingers over a dark cut on his jaw. It’s a weak attempt to him, I’m sure. But I use all the strength in my arm to guide him closer.

“Let me help you.”

He stumbles like he can’t process what’s happening. Elix plants a hand in a puddle beside my hips to steady himself. His eyes widen. Their gold brightens as his gaze locks on mine with such surprise and interest that I have no doubt he wants me.

“Thank you for saving me,” I offer.

His breath is hot and scented with the serum that’s saved my life. “Anything for you.”