Page 30 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

Sage spins to face Nene who has also risen. “I’m so sorry, but I need to go. Thank you for inviting me to eat our meal with you. I’ll come back to visit soon. I promise.”

She doesn’t wait for a response but rushesout the door after Imir. I pick up her stone and cross my fist over my chest.

“Thank you for the meal, Nene. I am sorry, but I too must go.” I hurry outside to catch up with my mate. The Krijese may have declared peace, but that does not mean I will not be there to protect Sage if need be.

Chapter 14

Sage

I rush through the village although my entire body wants to rebel. The Krijese terrify me. It doesn’t matter if the ones waiting belong to the alleged peaceful tribe that broke away from their former king or not. All I’ve experienced with them has been violence and death.In fact, one nearly killed me on the attack that had us moving to the village.

I know Zander and several others believe the small group of Krijese that lives nearby truly does want peace between the tribes, but I can’t help but hold on to a fragment of uncertainty.

Jodah’s long-legged stride catches up with Imir and me until finally we reach the healer’s tent. I step inside and for a second, I can’t go any farther. A massive alien with skin that shifts from black to a metallic forest green stands nearly in the center of it. His long ropey, snake-like hair istied back and when he turns his head in my direction, his black as pitch eyes lock onto me. My gaze drops to the vertically split mouth that’s slightly parted. I’ve had nightmares about those tusks that curl up from corners and the razor-sharp teeth that are almost visible. He’s not the enemy. He’s not the enemy.

“Sage.”

I blink at my name and my gaze darts to Kyler who’s standing at one of the platforms where a much smaller version of the adult before me lies. He’s covered up to his chest with furs, but he’s shaking. His pallor is gray and a crackling sound comes from his chest with every breath he takes. Doing my best to ignore the adult Krijese, I quickly make my way to the bedside.

“What happened?” I place my hand on his forehead. He’s burning up.

“He started having difficulty breathing many days ago,” the Krijese answers instead of Kyler. His guttural language grates against my ear drums. “Then he grew weaker and the death rattle began. He collapsed near the fire after our meal this morning. We have tried everything, but we do not have herbs to make him better.”

To my surprise, I hear desperation in his tone.

The boy coughs and the raspy sound of congestion comes with it.

“I have tried giving him the melokk juice, but cannot get him to swallow it,” Kyler says. “He does nothing but choke.”

I try to remember what the doctors did for me when I had pneumonia. Not that I’m positive he has it, but he sounds exactly like I did. I turn my head toward the Krijese. “What’s his name?”

“Sorin.”

I face Kyler again. “We need to get him sitting upright. He needs to be able to clear out his lungs and spit out anything he coughs up.”

Together, we carefully lift Sorin’s torso and place several furs behind him. Without thinking, I leave Kyler with him while I grab a bottle of the melokk juice and pour some in a cup. Carefully, I bring it to the little boy’s mouth. Shit, how am I supposed to get him to drink this?

“Sorin.” I keep my voice gentle and soft. “Can you open your eyes for me?”

Slowly, he blinks them open. The black orbs are glassy. It’s like I’m treating Jodah all over again and every emotion I felt that day rushes through me. Whatever it takes, I have to save him. “This will taste terrible, but I need you to drink for me, okay?”

The flaps of his mouth slowly open farther exposing more of the interior. Avoiding his teeth, I carefully tip the cup only giving him a little at a time. While he drinks, I glance up at Kyler.

“We need to boil some water with burim root.”

He doesn’t question me. Instead he grabs a bucket.

“I will get it for you.” Jodah takes it from Kyler who moves to stoke the fire.

God, I forgot he was even here. “Thank you.”

He nods and dashes out of the tent. My attention turns back to Sorin who’s finally drank all the melokk juice. His breaths still crackle and he can barely hold his head up. He’s closed his eyes again as well.

“What are we preparing?” Kyler asks.

I’m so out of my element, but I have to try everything. “Back on Earth we use a machine called a humidifier which creates steam. Adding eucalyptus, which smells similar to burim root, to the boiling water, it’s supposed to help clear the person’s lungs by breathing it in. I don’t know if it will work, but at least it’s something.”

The door flap swings open bringing light with it and Jodah steps in. The Krijese whirls around and reaches for his weapon, but lowers his arm at the sight of my mate. Jodah pours the water in the clay pot and sets it over the fire to heat. My mind is racing trying to figure out what else I can do to help Sorin.

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