Page 20 of Bound

“Fuck!” I rush towards him, but my eye is caught by what has been revealed by the rapidly dying light.

This place isn’t just a cave, it’s been a dwelling. It’s carved…everywhere.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I reach him and the light outside dims to almost nothing.

Rych groans. I feel over him for the canister of supplies and delve inside, hoping to find something which can be a source of light. My hand closes around a small square, which illuminates at my touch. I pull it out and set it to one side.

“Vrexing ship,” Rych mutters. “It shouldn’t have done that unless the fuel cells were compromised, and even then, star fuel doesn’t usually combust.”

“For a gladiator, you sure know a lot about transport ships.”

Rych shakes his head gently, putting one hand to his temple. “I do, don’t I?” He grins at me, back to his usual self, cocky and assured.

“So, do you know where we are?” I pull out another square which lights up again and get to my feet.

The cave is incredible. It must go two stories high, and as my light hits the walls, they start to glow.

“What is it?”

“Bioluminescence.” Rych is on his feet beside me, combing through his feathers before he shakes them violently and then settles them back into place. “This place…it reminds me of somewhere.” He gazes up.

“Where?”

“I don’t remember,” he says, his voice far away. “But I do know I have to do something.”

With a swift, easy downbeat, he’s in the air and melting into the shadows high above. I go to call after him, but something comfortable in my stomach, something warm, tells me he isn’t leaving.

Instead, I inspect the carvings which flow over the walls. They’re glyphs, but my translator isn’t able to translate them. I trace my fingers over them, marveling at the delicate, intricate patterns.

With a thump, Rych lands behind me.

“Who do you think made these? They’re so beautiful, but I thought this place was a wasteland.”

“Maybe it wasn’t always so barren,” Rych says thoughtfully. “I have something for you, if you’ll come with me.”

In the glow of the light source, his great wings are almost white. He could be an angel, albeit one with the wickedest grin.

“Flying again?” I ask as he holds out a hand.

“Just a short hop.” He looks up. “Not far,” he says as I take it.

I’m scooped up into his arms, and within three beats, we’re over a storey up from the original cave floor, and the ledge I thought I could see is, in fact, a platform leading into yet another high-ceilinged cave.

Rych lands, striding forward deeper into the darkness, illuminated by my light source, the shadows of us flickering over the carved walls.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe.”

I don’t want to say it out loud, but I already feel safe.

Rych comes to an almost abrupt halt.

“Here,” he says, lowering me to the ground.

A soft light comes from what looks like a doorway in the solid rock.

“What is it? Is there someone in there?” I whisper, my imagination running riot.

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