Page 14 of Sy (Alien Berserkers of Izaea #2)

14

L ila’s eyes fluttered open to the dimly lit cave interior, the rock walls still pulsing with that strange bioluminescent glow. Her muscles ached as she pushed herself up from the cold stone floor. The spiders were still there, hunkered down like they were on guard.

“You okay?” Kal asked.

She turned and found both boys watching her.

“I think so.” She stood carefully, biting back a groan as she stretched. “How long was I out?”

“Not long,” Tor answered, already moving to follow the spiders. “Sorry, but we should keep moving.”

The tunnel system stretched before them. The walls glittered with strange crystalline formations that gave off light, and in places, the ceiling soared so high it disappeared into darkness. The air was cool and damp, carrying an unfamiliar mineral scent.

They hadn’t gone far when they encountered their first obstacle—a section where the tunnel floor had partially collapsed, creating a treacherous chasm they needed to cross. The boys moved toward it with practiced ease, but she hesitated.

“Here,” Kal said, extending his hand. “The rocks are slippery, but there are good footholds if you know where to look.” He pointed out several stable-looking outcroppings. “Step where we step.”

She grabbed his hand, and together they picked their way across the gap, Tor waiting on the other side to help her over the final stretch. As she landed, her foot slipped slightly on the smooth stone, and both boys steadied her with quick, careful movements.

“Thanks,” she said, brushing dust from her hands.

“You’re welcome,” Kal said with a slight smile as he ducked under a low-hanging stalactite. “Watch your head… these edges are sharp.”

As they navigated deeper into the tunnel system, Lila’s curiosity got the better of her.

“So,” she said as she stepped over a jutting piece of rock, “you two grew up here? On this planet?”

Kal glanced back at her. “Sort of. We were really young when we came here. I was maybe three? Tor was younger.”

Tor held up two fingers and then added another half, his movements precise. She noticed how he kept his eyes on the spiders ahead, and they seemed to adjust their path whenever his gaze lingered in a particular direction. She watched his throat, where the black armoring looked particularly dense, and wondered if it hurt him to speak.

“The southern continent’s different from here,” Kal continued, and she looked back at him. “Warmer. More settled. The caves there aren’t like these.” He gestured to the crystalline formations that seemed to pulse with their own inner light. “And the krevasta… they’re not like this there either.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Here they’re way more territorial.” Kal moved slightly closer as they passed another group of spiders. “In the south, they mostly ignore humans unless we get too close to their nests. Then they get aggressive.”

The tunnel widened into a larger chamber, its ceiling lost in the darkness above them. Lila noticed how both boys tensed slightly as they entered the space.

“But you’ve dealt with them before? You know about them?”

“Everyone who lives here knows about them,” Kal said, his voice echoing slightly in the chamber. “They’re part of the planet. Important part, actually. They maintain the cave systems, build these amazing structures underground.” He pointed to a series of perfectly symmetrical holes in the chamber wall. “No one knows why they make those patterns, but they’re everywhere in the south, too.”

“The southern continent,” she said thoughtfully. “That’s where you grew up then? Why aren’t you there now?”

Tor’s hand unconsciously went to his throat, and Kal’s expression hardened.

“We had to leave,” Kal said shortly. “There was an attack. We… we lost a lot of people.”

A skittering sound from above made them all look up, though the ceiling remained hidden in shadow. She noticed how Kal shifted his position slightly, placing himself between her and whatever might be up there. Tor’s eyes tracked the movement, and the krevasta ahead adjusted their formation subtly, several skittering off and climbing the walls up into the darkness. Scouts?

“But you’ve never seen them act like this?” she asked, bringing the conversation back to the spiders. The krevasta. “Even after all your time here?”

Kal shook his head. “Never.”

He glanced at Tor, whose attention was fixed on the path ahead. There was something they weren’t telling her.

The tunnel widened enough for them to walk three abreast. The floor was clear, and there was enough light that she could see well enough to walk without tripping over anything.

Kal drifted back to talk to Tor while she walked ahead, just behind the lead spiders. The krevasta continued their strange procession, their legs making soft clicking sounds against the stone.

“…can’t risk it…” Kal’s voice was barely audible.

Tor’s response was too quiet to hear, but his tone carried an edge of frustration.

“…seen what they can do…”

She tried to focus on where she was placing her feet, but her attention kept drifting to their hushed argument behind her.

“…not like before… could be infected…”

Her steps faltered. Infected? She glanced at the spiders as Tor made a harsh sound in the back of his throat.

“…your fault if…can’t control all of them…” Kal’s words were clearer now, worry evident in his voice. “…if they decide to…”

She’d had enough. Planting her feet firmly on the ground, she spun around to face them both. “Okay, that’s it. Whatever you two are whispering about back there… Spit it out.”

Kal and Tor exchanged guilty looks. The black armoring around Tor’s throat rippled as he swallowed uncomfortably.

“Is this about me? Am I in danger?” she demanded. Then she snorted, looking around at the alien cave system and the surrounding spiders. “Okay, am I in more danger?”

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft clicking of the waiting spiders. Neither of them would look her in the eye.

“Well?” She crossed her arms, fixing them both with a hard stare. “I think I deserve to know if something else is trying to kill me down here.”

The silence stretched out, but Kal finally broke.

“The krevasta,” he started but then stopped, shooting an apologetic look at Tor. “I’m worried about them… infecting you.”

Her blood turned to ice in her veins. Her gaze darted to the nearest krevasta, its multifaceted eyes reflecting the bioluminescent glow of the cave. “Infecting me? What do you mean infecting me?”

Kal shifted uncomfortably, still avoiding her eyes. “They… well, they used to…”

“Used to what?” she demanded, her heart hammering against her ribs. When Kal hesitated again, she fixed him with a hard stare. “Kal, I swear, if you don’t tell me right now?—”

“They used other species as gestational hosts,” he blurted out and then immediately looked like he wished he hadn’t said anything.

Her mind went blank for a moment before the words fully registered.

“Gestational…” She looked down at her arms. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps. “Shit. Are you telling me these things can put their babies in me?” Her voice rose. “Do I have spider babies in me?”

She began frantically brushing at her clothes, her skin crawling with imagined sensations. The krevasta around them shifted restlessly, their movements making her jump. “Oh god, oh god, oh god?—”

Tor grabbed her upper arms, spinning her around to face him. She tried to pull away, but he held her still, waiting until she met his gaze.

“Not. Anymore.” His voice was rough and quiet but certain. He motioned to his eyes and then to the black, toughened skin that covered his throat and spread across his face. “They’re like me now.”

She forced herself to take a deep breath. “What… what does that mean?”

“He means they’ve changed,” Kal said, moving closer. “These aren’t regular krevasta anymore. They’re… different. Like Tor. He says they don’t reproduce the way they used to.”

Tor nodded, finally releasing her arms. He turned slightly, studying the nearest spider. The creature moved closer, its movements almost… deferential?

She watched as it raised one leg in what seemed like a greeting.

“Did it wave at me? But… you were worried.” She looked back at Kal. “You were arguing about it.”

“Because we’ve never seen them act like this before,” Kal admitted. “They’ve changed, yes, but they’re still dangerous. Still unpredictable. And the way they’re?—”

Tor shook his head sharply, cutting off whatever Kal had been about to say. He made a gesture with one hand, and the krevasta around them began moving again, reorganizing themselves along their path.

She took another deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The panic was subsiding. Slightly. She watched as one of the spiders scuttled past.

“So I’m not about to become a spider mom?”

Kal’s mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. “No spider babies. Promise.”

Tor made a soft sound that might have been amusement, though his attention remained focused on the path ahead. He frowned and held up a hand.

Then she heard it… voices.

At first, she thought she was imagining it… that it was a faint echo bouncing off the cave walls. But Tor’s raised hand and suddenly alert posture told her it was real. Her heart leaped as a familiar voice cut through the cave’s ambient sounds.

“Lila!”

“Mom?” she called back, surging forward only for Kal to grab her.

“Wait,” he whispered, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. “Let Tor check first.”

Tor moved silently toward the junction where the tunnel branched. The nearest spiders followed him like little puppies. In a way she guessed they were.

“Lila, honey, is that you? Where are you?” Her mom’s voice was closer now, tinged with worry and exhaustion.

Tor peered around the corner and then relaxed. He turned back to them and nodded, gesturing for them to follow.

“Mom!”

Kal let her go, and she ran forward, the sound of her footsteps echoing off the cave walls as she rounded the corner and threw herself into her mother’s arms.

“Oh my god, baby, I thought we’d never find you,” Ashley murmured into her daughter’s hair, holding her close. Then she pulled away, looking down at Lila.

“Are you okay?” she demanded, looking her over. “Are you hurt?”

Lila chuckled. “No, Mom. I’m okay?—”

A low growl echoed through the tunnel, raising the hair on her arms. Her heart slammed against her ribs as she yanked Lila behind her, scanning the darkness beyond their lights for movement. For danger.

Sy tensed beside her, his massive frame coiling with sudden alertness. His arm shot out, pushing her and Lila behind him as the first monster emerged from the shadows.

It was a… spider. But a massive, alien spider the likes of which she had never seen before. With more legs than any creature had a right to and way more eyes than anything needed, it sat in the middle of the tunnel like a particularly malevolent attack dog. But bigger.

More appeared behind it, filling the tunnel wall to wall. She gave up counting.

“Mom, it’—”

“Shhh, Lila,” she murmured, keeping her daughter behind her with spread hands. “It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry.”

“But, Mom!”

“Stay behind me,” Sy growled, his voice dangerously low. His shoulders bunched, hands curling into fists as he positioned himself between them and the threat.

Before he could move, though, Tor stepped forward.

Her heart nearly stopped as the teenager positioned himself directly between Sy and the approaching monster spiders.

Her muscles screamed with the effort of holding herself back, every maternal instinct demanding she drag him to safety.

But something in Tor’s stance made her pause. He stood tall, his shoulders relaxed but alert, showing none of the fear that was currently choking her. The spider’s head lowered slightly, and Tor… nodded?

Sy still hadn’t moved, but he relaxed slightly.

The lead spider made a soft clicking sound, so different from its earlier growls that she relaxed slightly despite her fear. Tor’s head tilted, and he gestured to the rest of their group with a slow, deliberate movement.

The silent exchange continued for what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than thirty seconds, and then the spider chittered and disappeared off into the darkness again.

Relief hit Ashley like a physical force, weakening her knees as she reached for the boys. Her hands shook when she grabbed Kal’s shoulders first and then Tor’s, checking them over.

“Are you hurt? Either of you?” She ran her fingers over Kal’s arms, searching for injuries in the dim light. His muscles tensed under her touch, but she couldn’t stop herself. Alien warriors or not, they were still kids, and she needed to be sure they were okay.

“We’re fine,” Kal muttered, shooting a confused look at Tor as she moved to examine him next. Both boys stood awkwardly as she fussed, like cats enduring an unwanted bath.

“Let me see your head.” She reached up to check Tor’s temple, noting how he had to bend down to let her reach. “Any dizziness? Headaches?”

“They’re not used to this kind of attention.” Sy chuckled from behind her as he pulled both teens into a hard bear hug.

Lila stepped in, her voice low. “They’ve been here on Parac’Norr since they were toddlers. I don’t think they remember their moms.”

The words hit Ashley like a punch to the gut. She stared at the boys… these young men who’d grown up without anyone to check their scrapes, kiss their bruises, or fuss over their safety. Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them.

“Oh, boys.” She pulled them both into a fierce hug before she could think better of it. Her arms barely reached around their broad shoulders, but she squeezed tightly, trying to pour years of missing maternal love into one embrace.

To her surprise, Tor’s arms came around her, tentative at first but then with more certainty. Kal stayed stiffer, though he didn’t pull away. The difference in their responses tugged at her heart—one seeking connection but the other unsure how to accept it.

The moment stretched until both boys shifted uncomfortably, drawing back with red faces and awkward glances at the ground. Typical teenagers, embarrassed by any display of emotion. The familiarity of their reaction made her heart ache even more.

But now that she knew they were safe, other emotions rushed in.

“What the hell were you two thinking?” Her voice sharpened with fear-turned-anger. “Coming down here alone? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”

The boys exchanged guilty looks. They looked like every teenager she’d ever caught doing something stupid and reckless. Except these teenagers had nearly gotten themselves, and her daughter, killed in alien tunnels.

“We’re sorry, Ms. Jackson,” Kal mumbled, scuffing his boot against the rocky floor.

Tor nodded, meeting her eyes briefly before looking away. “Really sorry. We didn’t think…”

“No, you didn’t think.” She crossed her arms, fixing them with her best glare. “You could have been hurt. Or worse.”

They might be nearly grown, might have survived years without parents, but right now they were just kids who knew they’d screwed up.

“It won’t happen again,” Kal promised, Tor nodding vigorously beside him.

She took a deep breath. They were safe. Stupid and reckless, but safe. She’d found them in time, and now she could make sure they stayed that way. Even if they didn’t remember having a mother’s love, they had it now—whether they wanted it or not.

A rumbling sound overhead froze her in place. Dust and small rocks showered down on them from above. Before anyone could move, a section of the tunnel roof collapsed with a deafening crash, blocking the path they’d come from.

“Back!” Sy yanked her away from the falling debris, pushing the kids clear as well, his body curved protectively over hers as rocks clattered around them. The air filled with choking dust, making her eyes water and her throat burn.

When the dust began to settle, Sy straightened. “The whole region must be unstable since the earthquake. We need to find another way out.”

Movement in the tunnel ahead made Ashley’s heart jump. More spiders emerged from the shadows. The creatures moved with deliberate purpose, positioning themselves behind their group and cutting off their remaining escape route.

“This way.” Tor gestured down one of the branching tunnels. “They want us to follow them.”

Her entire body ached with exhaustion as they picked their way through the winding passages. The spiders stayed close, herding them deeper into the maze of tunnels. After what felt like hours, Tor called for a halt.

“We need to rest,” he said, indicating a wider tunnel section where they could all sit without being too close to the krevasta.

Ashley sank down against the cool stone wall, trying to catch her breath, and then something caught her eye. She turned her light toward the wall, revealing intricate patterns carved into the rock face.

“Look at these.” She ran her fingers over the ancient markings, feeling the deliberate grooves beneath her touch. Complex geometric patterns flowed into what might have been stylized figures, though like nothing she’d ever seen before.

Lila leaned in closer. “They look like some of those ancient rock paintings on Earth. You know, the ones they found in caves.” She traced one of the patterns with her finger. “Different style, obviously. But same thing? Trying to tell a story?”

Ashley turned to Sy. “Are they from early Izaean settlers?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve spent most of my life on Parac’Norr, but I don’t know anything about the planet. Izaean aren’t native to Parac’Norr, though. We’re mutated Lathar, exiled here. The Lathar see us as nothing more than cannon fodder.”

“What do you mean cannon fodder?” She stared at him, something cold settling in her stomach.

“Exactly what it sounds like.” Bitterness edged into his voice. “Because of our genetic mutation, Izaean are seen as valuable only as cannon fodder, nothing else. We’re not allowed to train as anything else. As soon as our mutation is discovered, we’re kicked out of our homes, our clans, our guild halls, and sent straight here.”

“But surely… I mean you have children here.” She’d seen them, being chaperoned by some of the younger teens in the dining hall. “Aren’t you given an education? Training?”

He laughed, a harsh sound that echoed off the tunnel walls. “The only education we have is what a few of us remember. Most of us are sent here as kids. Only a few of us, whose Blood Rage manifested in adulthood, have any training beyond combat. Prince Isan was a healer, and a brilliant one. But the moment his Blood Rage manifested, they threw him out of the healer’s hall. Revoked his membership. Everything he’d worked for, gone in an instant.”

“That’s barbaric!” The words burst from her throat, hot with fury. “You’re people, not weapons. They treated you like garbage over something you couldn’t control!”

Her hands clenched into fists as she looked at him. “You didn’t ask to be born with this mutation. You didn’t ask for any of it. It would be like…” She spun back to face him, gesturing wildly. “Like saying all humans with red hair were dangerous and should be locked up. It’s prejudiced and cruel and… and completely wrong.”

He moved closer, his attention flicking briefly toward where the teens examined the carvings with Lila further down the tunnel. When he focused back on her, the look in his eyes made her breath catch. His fingers found a strand of her hair, winding it slowly around one finger.

“I think you’re dangerous.” His voice dropped low, intimate. “You’re certainly dangerous to me.”

The anger drained from her body as he drew her closer with a gentle tug on her hair. Her heart hammered against her ribs as he reached up with his free hand, his thumb brushing over her throat. The callused pad of his finger found her pulse point, and his lips curved into a slow, sexy smile. Heat bloomed beneath her skin, spreading down her neck and across her chest.

He was so close that she had to tip her head back to keep looking at him. His massive frame curved around her, not quite touching but near enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. The tunnel air felt too thick to breathe, charged with electricity that made every nerve ending tingle with awareness.

His hand slid from her throat to cup the back of her neck, strong fingers threading through her hair. The gentle pressure urged her closer, and she went willingly, her hands coming up to rest against his chest. She felt the steady thud of his heartbeat, faster than normal, under her palm.

His head dipped toward hers, and her eyes fluttered closed, the anticipation of his kiss making her fingers curl into his shirt. Just a little closer?—

A grinding sound pierced the moment. Sy’s body tensed, and Ashley’s eyes flew open as chunks of rock showered down around them. He shoved her away from him just as the wall he’d been leaning against gave way with a thunderous crack. But not soon enough, and they both fell into the darkness beyond…