Page 60 of Aria's Ascension

It was a singular feeling to be both astounded by someone’s alienness and, yet, to realize that, on the most fundamental level, you were alike.

The universe was big, yes, but people were, at their core, the same, regardless of species.

Unfortunately, as incredible as his story was, nothing in it would help them escape the dungeon.

“In the time you’ve been down here, have you seen or noticed anything that we might be able to use as a way out?”

“Yes.”

He said it so casually that Aria was sure she’d misheard for a second.

“Wait, really? What is it?” she demanded, heart suddenly pounding.

“In the primary den, food is dropped from an opening in the ceiling. I tried to reach it, but even I could not climb upside down that far. If I had the wings of ameketar, perhaps… ”

Aria exchanged a look with her men.

The dragon.

“We know someone who might be able to help.”

If I can get him to come near me.

A pang of hurt had her biting her lip, but she pushed it down. Standing, she smiled at Sauran.

“Thank you. We’ll let you know when the time comes to escape. Be ready.”

“I am a warrior. I am always ready.”

At his deadpanned statement, her smile became more genuine. He really did remind her of Skaa.

“Do you need anything before we go? Food, water, weapons? We don’t have much, but we’re happy to share.”

For the first time, he smiled. It was just a small tilt of his stern, black lips, but she could see the approval in his green eyes. Tension she hadn’t realized was still there eased from his shoulders.

“You will make a good leader, Aria.”

With that, he turned and disappeared behind a fissure in the back wall.

“I guess that means he didn’t need anything,” she quipped, but his words stayed with her long after they left to hunt down another prisoner.

Chapter 33

Aria and her men didn’t end up having to search for the next prisoner.

He found them.

They’d just left the tunnel to Sauran’s cave and entered the main cavern when a cheerful hail had them all whipping around and drawing weapons to face the unexpected visitor. Kix blazed to life, and Aria heard the distinct sound of Tirox’s battle spikes emerge.

A low, wry chuckle preceded a figure stepping out of the shadows with his hands held out to the side to show he wasn’t holding a weapon.

“I would prefer you not discharge. I find I dislike being shot by resonance guns,” the stranger remarked almost playfully, his voice deep, purring.

When they didn’t lower their weapons, he sighed, but his smile never faded. Lowering his arms to his sides, he turned and walked to a nearby outcropping of rocks, but Aria saw that his gaze never left them despite his apparent nonchalance.

No. His gaze never lefther.

Once seated on a boulder, he went back to staring at her unabashedly.

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