Page 19 of Bound to the Bounty Hunter

We began our careful dance through the deadly flora. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I concentrated on each movement. Left foot, pause. Right foot, pause. My heart beat like a drum in my chest.

Suddenly, a vine lashed out, wrapping around my ankle. I gasped, losing my balance. With lightning speed, Arkon’s arm shot out. His hand closed around the vine, crushing it. The plant released me with a high-pitched keening sound.

Arkon pulled me close, steadying me. His other hand still gripped his blade, dripping with luminescent sap.

“Did it get you?” he asked, his breath warm against my ear.

I shook my head, unable to speak. The danger of our situation hit me full force. If Arkon hadn’t been there...

We made it through the rest of the field without incident, but my nerves were frayed. As we reached the other side, I stumbled on a root hidden beneath the leaf litter. My foot slipped, and I fell towards a patch of sickly yellow-green vegetation.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist, yanking me back. I collided with Arkon’s chest, my breath leaving me in a rush.

“Careful,” he said, his voice low and rough.

I nodded, all too aware of the deadly plant’s effects. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Arkon’s arms tightened fractionally, and I felt the rapid beat of his heart against my back. Time seemed to stretch, neither of us moving. The air crackled with unspoken tension.

Finally, reluctantly, Arkon released me. I stepped away, my skin cold where his warmth had been.

“We should find a place to make camp,” I blurted. “It’s not safe to travel at night.”

Arkon nodded, and stepped back, face a blank mask. “Lead the way.”

I pushed forward, each step becoming more laborious as we ascended the steepening terrain. The jungle’s humidity clungto my skin, my clothes damp with sweat. My muscles ached, protesting the relentless pace we’d maintained since leaving the hot springs.

“We should reach the ridge soon,” I said, more to reassure myself than inform Arkon.

He grunted in acknowledgment, his keen eyes scanning our surroundings. I tripped over a protruding root, my fatigue making me clumsy. Before I could fall, Arkon’s hand steadied my elbow.

“Thanks,” I muttered, embarrassed by my weakness.

“We can rest if you need to,” he offered, his tone neutral.

I shook my head stubbornly. “No, we need to make it to the ridge before dark.”

As if on cue, the light began to fade and the jungle came alive with nocturnal sounds - chirps, rustles, and distant howls that set my nerves on edge.

“There,” Arkon pointed. Through a break in the foliage, I spotted a rocky outcropping.

A knot in my chest loosened as we approached. The elevated position would provide a decent vantage point, and the rocks offered some protection from the elements and wildlife.

“This’ll do,” I said, dropping my pack with a grateful sigh.

We fell into an awkward dance of setting up camp. I fumbled with the portable shelter while Arkon efficiently cleared the area and set up a perimeter alarm. Our movements brought us close, then apart, in a strange choreography that left me acutely aware of his presence.

As darkness fell, we huddled around the small, flameless heater, sharing a meager meal of protein bars and purified water. The soft blue glow cast eerie shadows across Arkon’s angular features.

“Tell me about your past,” he said abruptly, breaking the silence.

I blinked, surprised by the request. “There’s not much to tell,” I deflected automatically.

Arkon’s gaze remained steady. “I disagree.”

I sighed, absently toying with the wrapper of my protein bar. “I grew up in a human labor camp on a Krelaxian agricultural colony. Not exactly a childhood filled with fond memories.”

“How did you become a scientist?”

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