Page 11 of Kryxis

“What did you see?”

“Damn, she looks pale.”

“W-We…” My god, she couldn’t even speak. Instead, she waved for the door. “Something. S-something here. Go. Out. Now!”

“Get the packs,” Myrell said quickly.

As the crew moved, Ryatt came out last from the room. “I didn’t see anything,” he said to Garret.

Garret looked at her.

“I saw…saw…” Fucking dammit, she couldn’t speak! She pulled up her garometer to show them so they could understand.

But there was nothing. The readings were back to normal.

She shook her head. No way. Not possible.

“Let’s just move,” Garret said. He tugged her with him and led them out, racing back to the entrance.

CHAPTER THREE

Kryxis

The green smog disappeared, a warm breeze picking it up and rolling it away, allowing him a better view of the ship. Even in the night, he could see clear as day from the top of his perch, the little people in strange suits. They were rushing around frantic-like, carrying sacks into the ship, talking and waving their arms around. They were rushing about, like panicked insects who sensed danger, while those in the armored suits aimed their weapons into the dark, letting off fire and light nowhere near to him.

Funny. They were funny. Amusing to watch. Their fear clogged his nostrils but that was okay. He kind of liked that too.

He crouched unmoving as he stared at them, his gaze drifting from one to another.

He’d been close to the ship when it landed but had stalled to watch its bright fire light up the sky. He caught them just in time, heading toward the buildings and followed easily behind. It was odd how they didn’t seem to mind their surroundings despite risking their hides in this place. The smog had sent many of thecreatures into hiding. They didn’t like the cloying scent of it and usually it brought dust storms.

These people had weapons, but that didn’t deter him, only made him more curious. Made him more excited, honestly. He sensed those in armor were some sort of protectors to the ones in orange suits. He was curious to test how good they were at their job.

But for the time being, he only followed and observed, stalking behind just out of sight. He studied them as they poked around, going from room to room. It was clear to him at one point that they were looking for something specific as they started to collect parts from the machines.

So, they were scavengers. There were other creatures within his domain who did something similar, collecting food where they could or parts for their nests. But he doubted this was the case for this lot. No, they were all very different. He suspected they were cleverer than the creatures that called this place home. At least to some degree.

He flicked his tail ever so slightly as they went about their tasks. In the room of machines, a few of them had taken off their head covers, giving him a better idea of what they looked like, sounded like, and smelled like.

All very different. One furry, one with scales akin to his own, one with large black eyes that stared into nothing. Then the others. They seemed almost familiar to him, as if he’d seen them in a dream. Or perhaps a memory. A memory that brought on the fuzzy beginnings of a headache. Scale-less, hair on their heads, beady eyes, skin that looked soft and easy to tear. Strange like the others. They all smelled different too. Some bitter, some metallic.

Very strange. And new. He caught himself creeping closer as time went on, listening to them from above, just on the edge of the dark. Some of them had separated from the group. He’dfollowed one who had dared to go on their own into the next room.

His eyes flicked over to them now, a dark-haired little thing pointing and waving their hands at the others, pausing every so often to look around as if waiting for something to pounce on them in the dark.

He suppressed a low purr of laughter. Scaring them had been entertaining to say the least. It had been too tempting at the time not to. He didn’t even have to try—they practically walked right into him.

His nostrils flared, trying to catch their scent even now. He had watched them from behind, their scent separating from the others. Not metallic or bitter. It reminded him of something savory.

He hadn’t been hungry before then. But he certainly felt that way after. There hadn’t been a plan to eat them at first, though he thought about taking a bite just to see if they tasted as good as they smelled.

No, he was still too curious and wanted to see what they’d do.

Instead, he pushed the instinct away and stood an arm’s length to them, breathing them in.

By then, he couldn’t help himself. They let out some excited hiss of noise and he thought,wouldn’t it be funny if I replied?

The end result was not what he expected. But it was still electrifying to say the least.

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