Page 24 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

Then I caught the intent gaze of our guard, and I knew.

They were watching us. They must expect us to try to escape.

We'd just have to be smarter than them.

Chapter 12

Firion

As we finished our final bucket, my heart picked up its pace. Knowing the others were watching us, I kept close to Talia, my body thrumming with a protective instinct that roared louder each moment we stayed within the mine.

We stepped out of the small cavern, taking our weary bodies and tools through the huge cave, where they collected everything, counting. So much for thinking I could slip a pryer into my tunic to hide it. After, they urged us toward the base of the stairs. Night had fallen while we finished our work, the insects' glow starting to fade. It was all I could do to drag my feet through the caverns without tripping in the dim light.

The hissing of guards at the cavern's entrance filled the air, and a few of the miners jostled with each other. How could they have any energy left to do something like that?

Brax walked behind us, his intent gaze taking inthose fooling with each other. When the rear guards paused to speak together, falling behind, he stepped up quickly and leaned near, keeping his voice low and measured. “The crystals are transported by the buckets, though I don't know how. Once they're taken away, they reach a chamber guarded by only one Veerenad.”

“One guard?” Excitement erupted in my chest.

Brax inclined his head and said nothing as a guard stomped past us. The guard poked the back of one of the miners ahead of us with his spear, grumbling about their joking. Once the guard had moved on, Brax jerked out a nod, glancing around to ensure we weren’t overheard. “Those working in that area sort the crystals and package them for transport to the city during the day, but with only one guard.”

“What happens to the crystals when they reach the city?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Talia watched us with hope in her eyes. I'd explain what he said once we'd returned to our cell.

Brax shrugged, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I don’t know. But the packing area is a weakness. They’re focused on the crystals, not us. If we can find our way to that area . . .”

A nearly impossible task if we were locked inside our cells.

But I'd speak with the stone gods. No, I'd beg for help. Because this might be our only chance.

We reached the base of the stairs and started up them, not speaking further. We couldn't risk it. Even the light hiss of the guards echoed in the narrow space.

It was all Talia could do to climb the stairs. If I thought it wouldn't be noticed, I'd carry her. But we couldn't risk drawing attention. Finally, we stepped inside our cell, and the heavy metal door clanged shut behind us. Low lights flickered overhead, illuminating the stone walls coated with small cracks that had become too familiar over the last few days.

Talia lowered herself onto the narrow bunk and sighed. She swiped her hair and face, then stared at her hands. “I'm so dirty I can't stand it. And I . . .” She swallowed back her words.

Her hands hurt. I’d noticed earlier that they bled. Rage slashed through me, but I had no way to let it out. I couldn’t protect her, though I was trying.

Food carts rattled outside, the screeching wheels heralding another round of tasteless slop. I settled beside her, nudging my arm against her shoulder, sharing my warmth and strength. Guards stopped outside our cell and slid a tray beneath it holding food much like what they'd given us already.

I collected it, though we wouldn't eat it.

Once the guards had left, I placed my palm on the wall and hummed to the stone god.

A plate oozed from the wall, and I took it.

“Thank you.” It always paid to praise the gods.

Talia's face lit up. She grabbed something off the plate and hugged it. “This looks and feels like a potato. It probably isn't one, but I'm calling it that.” She bit into it and wiggled and moaned as she chewed, speaking around the bite. “Tastes like baked potato too, and I'mnot going to complain one bit about the lack of salt and butter.”

A creamy golden lump fell through the wall, and she gasped and scooped it up, hugging it as well. “Thank you, stone gods. I love you.”

I grinned, though I was feeling jealous about her adoration for the wall.

She spread the creamy substance across the top of the big lump she was consuming, and I did the same with a second lump.

It tasted amazing. I was going to put this butter on everything.

---