Page 27 of Rebirth

“And?”

“He’rox is committed to his cause…and nothing else. To have a female…” Fer’ro pauses. “If you go out there, find something…if you fall in danger, we do not trust his instincts to protect you first above all else.”

I scoff, my brows diving deeper. They’re joking, right?

Reaching into my pack, I bring out another little gift my father left me. Flipping off the safety on the semi-automatic pistol, the metal cold against my skin, I point it in Fer’ro’s direction.

Fer’ro doesn’t move, but his ba’clan do, rising behind him in a series of sharp blades that make me want to lower the weapon. But I don’t.

“I think you’ll find I’m not entirely helpless.” I keep my voice steady as I meet Fer’ro’s gaze. I’ve been on my own for a long time. Fighting for myself is only natural.

For a moment all is silent, before Fer’ro’s ba’clan slowly settle.

“So be it,” he says, and through the corner of my eyes, I see He’rox’s attention. All enveloping and completely focused on me.

There’s a twinkle in those cold eyes. Pride. And something deep within me reacts in response.

CHAPTER EIGHT

SOPHIE

Preparations begin immediately.

The meeting ends and the Vullan file from the room, leaving only the humans behind.

In the corner, Mina paces as Adira speaks to me. Letting me know for the tenth time that it’s no requirement for me to go out there. To risk myself.

I could stay at the camp and wait like the other civilians on the ground.

And despite how good that may sound, it doesn’t sit well in my soul. I need to go out there. I need to figure out what’s happening for myself.

Maybe it’s just experiences of the past fueling my decision. Of governments that hide the truth from the populace. But I want to see everything first-hand. This isn’t a time to sit back and let others decide my fate.

“I’ve made my decision,” I say to her. “I’ll accompany him out there.”

The alien I just met and yet feel more affinity to than the very humans before me. It’s something I don’t understand, but I do not question it.

Understanding settles in Adira’s eyes as she leans back in the chair and releases a slow breath, jerking her chin at Sam in some silent message.

“Okay, we understand.” She levels her gaze with mine one more time. “We were the same. We know exactly how you feel. We won’t stop you.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

Rising, she pushes away from the table. “You should take this time to rest. You two leave at first light. Sam will show you to your room.”

I nod again, rising as I stash my gun back into my pack and throw it over my shoulder.

Following Sam through the ship, I hardly notice the interior, as my mind is filled with only one thing. When morning breaks, I’m going on a journey that I know will change my life.

It’s a deep knowing that hits me with such surety, I have to force myself to breathe through the unsteady feelings swirling in my gut.

Given a room, I sit on the strange bed, just staring at the wall for far too long.

Was I making the right decision?

At some point, I must have fallen asleep because a sound wakes me up.

It’s already morning, and Sam is back to take me to the ground.

---