Page 8

Islae

The stench of smoke still clung to Islae’s clothes as she followed Nirrn through the winding tunnels beneath Jorvla’s slums. Water dripped from rusted pipes overhead, each drop echoing through the darkness. Her legs ached after walking for what seemed like miles, but she pressed on steadily.

“Watch your step here.” Nirrn’s massive form blocked most of her view of the tunnel ahead, his orange-scaled tail leaving intricate patterns in the dirt as he moved. “The ground’s uneven.”

Her fingers traced the rough stone wall, steadying herself. “I can handle a few bumps in the road.” The words came out sharper than she meant, her throat still raw from the smoke inhalation of the clinic fire.

“I don’t doubt that.” His golden eyes caught the light that filtered through the metal grates above as he glanced back at her. “But there’s no shame in accepting help sometimes.”

She really wanted to argue, to maintain that fierce independence she’d worn like armor all these years.

But the image of her clinic engulfed in flames kept flashing through her mind with each step.

The hundreds of patient records, the carefully organized medical supplies, the safe haven she’d built for the less fortunate of Jorvla—all reduced to ash in a matter of minutes.

“Stop.” Nirrn’s tail curled protectively around her as voices echoed from a connecting tunnel ahead. His shoulders tensed, and his scales glinted in the dim light as he pressed her against the stone wall.

The voices grew closer. She held her breath, her palm pressed against Nirrn’s chest. His heartbeat thrummed steady and strong beneath her fingers.

“They went this way, I’m sure of it,” a gruff male voice called out.

“Jorvlen patrols,” Nirrn whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “We need to keep moving.”

“Those bastards destroyed all my hard work,” she murmured, the reality of her situation crashing down on her. “Everything I built…”

“Look at me.” Nirrn’s hand cupped her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Your work isn’t destroyed. It’s all right here.” He tapped his finger on her temple lightly. “Your knowledge, your dedication to helping others—they couldn’t burn that away.”

The heavy footsteps grew closer. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, but something in Nirrn’s words steadied her. He was right. They could destroy her clinic, but they couldn’t destroy what drove her to build it in the first place.

“This way.” Nirrn’s tail unwound from around her, and he took her hand. “I know another route.”

His grip was firm and grounding. For once, she didn’t pull away. She let him guide her deeper into the darkness, away from the echoing voices of their pursuers. Maybe she didn’t need saving, but having someone at her side—someone who understood her—didn’t feel like weakness so much anymore.

Her boots splashed through shallow puddles as they reached what appeared to be a dead end. Nirrn’s long tail coiled beneath him as he pressed his palm firmly against a seemingly ordinary section of wall. A hidden door suddenly scraped open, revealing a bustling underground sanctuary city.

The cavern stretched wider than she’d imagined possible with makeshift homes carved into the rock walls. Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow over dozens of humans going about their daily lives. Children darted between market stalls while adults haggled over supplies.

“Welcome to Haven,” Nirrn said, his eyes scanning the crowd of people in front of them. His scales gleamed in the light as he moved, powerful and protective beside her.

Her chest suddenly tightened. Too many people. Too many eyes. She had spent years in the shadows, working alone, trusting no one fully. Now she stood exposed in this small hidden city.

“I work better alone,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

Nirrn’s tail shifted closer, creating a barrier between her and the curious onlookers. “You’ve carried that burden long enough.”

“Why are you really helping me?” She turned to face him, studying the intricate patterns of his scales. “And don’t say it’s the right thing to do.”

His large form towered over her, but his expression softened. “Because from the moment I saw you treating that injured man, I knew you were different. You fight for others, consequences be damned.” His hand brushed her arm.

The touch sent electricity through her skin. She wanted to pull away, to maintain that safe distance she had always kept from others. But something about him drew her in, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.

“I don’t know how to do this,” she admitted. “Be part of something bigger.”

“Then we’ll figure it out together.” His tail curled protectively around her feet. “I’m not leaving your side.”

The certainty in his voice should have frightened her.

Instead, it felt like coming home. She watched his powerful form as he guided her deeper into Haven, his scales reflecting the dim light.

A group of children ran past, their laughter echoing off the stone walls.

One small girl stopped and stared at Nirrn with wide eyes before scampering away.

“They’re not used to seeing Niri here,” she observed.

“They’ll adapt.” His eyes met hers. “We all will.”

A tall man with graying temples approached them, his weathered face creasing with confusion as he studied Nirrn’s imposing form. Islae shifted her weight, fighting the urge to retreat further into the shadows.

“Joseph.” The man extended his hand to Nirrn. “I run this place.”

Nirrn’s massive tail coiled as he explained, “One of my patients at the surrogacy clinic mentioned Haven. We need sanctuary.” His scaled arm caught the light as he gestured to Islae. “The Jorvlens burned down her clinic today. I saved her from the wreckage. Now, they’re hunting both of us.”

Islae’s fingers traced the rough stone wall behind her, seeking something solid to ground herself. The cavern suddenly felt too small and too crowded. Her skin prickled with awareness of every unknown face that turned their way.

Joseph stroked his chin. “I never had a Niri ask to stay before.” His eyes narrowed. “But if you helped one of our people, that counts for something.” He sighed. “I only got one room available, though. You’ll have to share.”

Nirrn’s tail shifted, creating a protective barrier between Islae and a group of passing residents. “We appreciate your generosity.”

The room Joseph led them to was barely large enough for a narrow bed and small table. A single lamp cast shadows across the stone walls. Her breath caught in her chest. The space was tight, especially with Nirrn’s massive frame taking up a lot of it.

“It’s not much,” Joseph said from the doorway, “but it’s safe.”

Nirrn’s eyes swept the tiny room, his scaled shoulder brushing against the wall as he moved in the cramped space. His tail dragged across the wooden floor, leaving intricate patterns in the dust.

Islae pressed herself against the far wall, her heart hammering.

This was too much—too many people, too small a space, too close to this Niri healer who’d turned her life upside down in a matter of a day.

She watched his tail coil protectively near the door, effectively blocking any escape route she had.

Joseph cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you to get settled.” The door clicked shut behind him.

The silence stretched between her and Nirrn, thick with unspoken words.

She wrapped her arms around herself, still smelling smoke in her hair and on her clothes.

Everything she had managed to build, everything she had fought so hard for, gone in a single day.

And now she was here, sharing a cramped room with a Niri she barely knew, surrounded by strangers in an underground sanctuary city.

“You need more rest,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “You’re safe here.”

The word “safe” sparked something inside her. All the grief, confusion, and exhaustion of the past day ignited into white-hot anger.

“Safe?” She clenched her hands at her sides.

“My clinic is gone. The Jorvlens are after me. And now I’m in some strange underground city with complete strangers and—” Her voice cracked just as she was about to say something hurtful to him.

She took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t need you or anyone else to keep me safe.

I can take care of myself just fine. I’ve been doing it for quite a long time. ”

Nirrn’s tail shifted, but he didn’t back down from her outburst. Instead, he moved closer. “You do not have to fight alone anymore.” His voice dropped lower, more intense. “I vow to stand by you and protect you.”

The sincerity in his words made her stomach flip.

She pressed her back against the cool stone wall, trying to put distance between them in the cramped space.

His presence overwhelmed her senses—the subtle shine of his scales, the raw power in his movements, the way his human-like torso tapered into that magnificent tail.

“This room is barely big enough for one person,” she muttered, desperate to change the subject.

“Then I’ll give you some space.” He straightened to his full height, his head nearly brushing the ceiling. “I’ll find you some fresh clothes and food.” His tail whispered against the floor as he turned toward the door. “Get some rest, Islae. I’ll return soon.”

She watched him slip through the narrow doorway, his powerful form somehow managing to move gracefully despite the tight quarters. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Her fingers traced the stone wall as she sank onto the small bed. Why did his presence affect her so strongly? And why did part of her wish he had stayed and lay down beside her?