Page 43 of Sy

A low growl echoed through the tunnel, raising the hair on her arms. Her heart slammed against her ribs as she yanked Lila behind her, scanning the darkness beyond their lights for movement. For danger.

Sy tensed beside her, his massive frame coiling with sudden alertness. His arm shot out, pushing her and Lila behind him as the first monster emerged from the shadows.

It was a… spider. But a massive, alien spider the likes of which she had never seen before. With more legs than any creature had a right to and way more eyes than anything needed, it sat in the middle of the tunnel like a particularly malevolent attack dog. But bigger.

More appeared behind it, filling the tunnel wall to wall. She gave up counting.

“Mom, it’—”

“Shhh, Lila,” she murmured, keeping her daughter behind her with spread hands. “It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry.”

“But, Mom!”

“Stay behind me,” Sy growled, his voice dangerously low. His shoulders bunched, hands curling into fists as he positioned himself between them and the threat.

Before he could move, though, Tor stepped forward.

Her heart nearly stopped as the teenager positioned himself directly between Sy and the approaching monster spiders.

Her muscles screamed with the effort of holding herself back, every maternal instinct demanding she drag him to safety.

But something in Tor’s stance made her pause. He stood tall, his shoulders relaxed but alert, showing none of the fear that was currently choking her. The spider’s head lowered slightly, and Tor… nodded?

Sy still hadn’t moved, but he relaxed slightly.

The lead spider made a soft clicking sound, so different from its earlier growls that she relaxed slightly despite her fear. Tor’s head tilted, and he gestured to the rest of their group with a slow, deliberate movement.

The silent exchange continued for what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than thirty seconds, and then the spider chittered and disappeared off into the darkness again.

Relief hit Ashley like a physical force, weakening her knees as she reached for the boys. Her hands shook when she grabbed Kal’s shoulders first and then Tor’s, checking them over.

“Are you hurt? Either of you?” She ran her fingers over Kal’s arms, searching for injuries in the dim light. His muscles tensed under her touch, but she couldn’t stop herself. Alien warriors or not, they were still kids, and she needed to be sure they were okay.

“We’re fine,” Kal muttered, shooting a confused look at Tor as she moved to examine him next. Both boys stood awkwardly as she fussed, like cats enduring an unwanted bath.

“Let me see your head.” She reached up to check Tor’s temple, noting how he had to bend down to let her reach. “Any dizziness? Headaches?”

“They’re not used to this kind of attention.” Sy chuckled from behind her as he pulled both teens into a hard bear hug.

Lila stepped in, her voice low. “They’ve been here on Parac’Norr since they were toddlers. I don’t think they remember their moms.”

The words hit Ashley like a punch to the gut. She stared at the boys… these young men who’d grown up without anyone to check their scrapes, kiss their bruises, or fuss over their safety. Tears welled in her eyes before she could stop them.

“Oh, boys.” She pulled them both into a fierce hug before she could think better of it. Her arms barely reached around their broad shoulders, but she squeezed tightly, trying to pour years of missing maternal love into one embrace.

To her surprise, Tor’s arms came around her, tentative at first but then with more certainty. Kal stayed stiffer, though he didn’t pull away. The difference in their responses tugged at her heart—one seeking connection but the other unsure how to accept it.

The moment stretched until both boys shifted uncomfortably, drawing back with red faces and awkward glances at the ground. Typical teenagers, embarrassed by any display of emotion. The familiarity of their reaction made her heart ache even more.

But now that she knew they were safe, other emotions rushed in.

“What the hell were you two thinking?” Her voice sharpened with fear-turned-anger. “Coming down here alone? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”

The boys exchanged guilty looks. They looked like every teenager she’d ever caught doing something stupid and reckless. Except these teenagers had nearly gotten themselves, and her daughter, killed in alien tunnels.

“We’re sorry, Ms. Jackson,” Kal mumbled, scuffing his boot against the rocky floor.

Tor nodded, meeting her eyes briefly before looking away. “Really sorry. We didn’t think…”

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