Page 38 of Akur

She would have choked on a laugh if her heart wasn’t beating so hard. More muffled voices came from the other side of the wall.

“We don’t have much of a choice,” she hissed.

“We always have a choice,” Akur growled, shifting his weight to block more of her from the dark shadows that held the stranger. The muscles in his back tightened as if he were about to launch himself forward at any moment.

More muffled sounds filtered through the wall, closer now. The stranger made a soft clicking sound. “Your trust or your lives, Shum’ai. Choose quickly.”

Akur grunted, his back becoming so hard it was like solid rock. His breathing changed, too, becoming deeper, more controlled. The low rumble in his chest told her exactly how much he trusted this situation: not at all. A lump formed in her throat.

Instincts said they had no choice, and she’d already given her opinion. She couldn’t see what he could. Part of her was too afraid to ask. Now it was Akur’s turn to decide which path they took.

As the sounds on the other side of the wall grew louder, Akur’s growl cut off abruptly. His muscles bunched, then released with a sharp exhale. Wordlessly, he moved forward with her still tucked behind him, following their mysterious rescuer down what felt like an even narrower tunnel.

The passage twisted and turned; the floor sloping gradually downward. Water dripped somewhere nearby, creating a constant background patter that made it hard to tell if there was anyone following in the darkness behind them.

“Almost there,” the voice said from ahead.

“Where is ‘there’ exactly?” Her question received no answer, and Akur, Akur was rigid where he reached back and pressed her into his spine, completely alert and ready. She still had the blaster in one hand. She was ready, too.

They walked for what felt like extended minutes; the tunnel growing progressively damper. Sometimes, she was sure her alien friend almost stumbled and not from almost falling over something.

“How badly are you hurt?” she whispered low. It felt like a stupid question. If he were human, she wouldn’t have asked. But he’d almost died several times now, and he was still standing straight. He was like some sort of Superman or something.

“Badly enough.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.” His pride was bleeding as much as his wounds. This thick-skulled mountain of an alien. But his hand briefly tightened where he was reaching back to maintain her presence behind him.

She wanted to argue, but this wasn’t the place to discuss their weaknesses. Not with an unseen stranger—she’d decide later if they were friend or foe—leading them into the heart of the unknown.

When Akur paused, she did too, at his back. There was a sound of metal groaning, then a rush of stale air as something opened ahead of them. Despite every instinct screaming at her that this was a trap, she followed Akur’s lead as he moved forward, still keeping her tucked behind him.

The space they entered felt vast yet close, the air different from the damp tunnel—cleaner. Akur remained just over the threshold.

“You would think me a fool to enter this place with you,” he rumbled.

A strange sound filled the darkness—a pop, and then others, like bubbles popping in a witch’s brew. Laughter. A type of laughter she’d never heard before. “If you wish to return to the tunnels, you are welcome to try your luck with the guards.” Their guide’s voice held an edge of…what was that? Amusement? “But I think we both know why you followed me this far.”

Impossibly, Akur stiffened further. If he were a rod, he’d break with the tension. His grip on her tightened. “We are not your pawns.” His voice was so dangerously soft, the words seemed even more threatening. “Choose your next words carefully. They may be your last.”

There was the distinct sound of his blade flipping, so sharp it sounded like it cut the air.

Did the hidden figure gulp? It sounded like they did.

“Threaten me if you must,” the voice said. “I cannot say it is undeserved.” What now? Something shifted in the darkness. “Wait here. I will direct the guards away and return shortly.”

The air moved as Akur stepped across the threshold. For just a moment, Constance felt something cold brush against her arm. It was soft. So soft. Like silk. A sensation so at odds with whatever she was expecting that she jumped. For a split second, she thought she saw a flash of white in the unending dark.

When the metal door slammed shut, she jumped again. Something knotted and clenched inside her stomach.

They were alone.

11

Constance

She steppedfrom behind Akur at the same moment that he swayed. Without thinking, she wrapped an arm around his waist, trying to support him. His skin burned against hers. “Who was that? Could you see them?”

---