Page 86 of The Alien in the Archive

I glance over at Ashlan.

“She's annoyingly pleasant to be around, isn't she?” I mutter.

He chirps.

“Glad to know you agree,” I sigh.

Ashlan leaps down to wind around my feet as I stand, heading to the exit. I pull on the hooded sweater Page gave me—orliberatedfrom her brother, more accurately—then I cover it with my coat. I don’t normally go as far as Mythara Village, but it should be perfectly fine. If anyone sees me, I can use my telepathy to make them forget. Even the small sips of Page’s blood I’ve taken have helped me regain some power.

The corridors of the Labyrinth are quiet as I descend, the stone walls cool to the touch. I’ve been cold a long time…and it’s strange to be warmer than my surroundings. I hug my coat around my shoulders, following Ashlan, his antennae glowing bright yellow to guide the way.

He’s like a hound, leading me toward the person he prefers to spend time with. “You like her better than me, don’t you?” I mutter.

Ashlan chirps and moves faster.

I’m impatient to see her by the time we climb out of the Labyrinth, the stars bright overhead as I slip through a curtain of vines and into the foothills. Mythara Village stretches out below us, a path just ahead.

“Come on, Ashlan,” I murmur, reaching toward him. The lumivix chirps and hops onto my arm, then crawls into my coat and into the pocket of Riley’s hoodie. “Good…people would want to pet you. We can’t have that.”

The cobblestones thud under my boots as I shove my hands in my pockets, keeping my head down. I pass a couple walking up into the foothills to stargaze—a Mlok and a Merati, arm in arm. They pay me no mind, too wrapped up in each other to care.

I follow the resonance of Page’s mind, grateful that she lives on the outskirts of the village. I pass a few simple cottages, flowers in the windows, glow lights illuminating the path. I remember this from when she let me into herthoughts, when she walked back from the Merati bar. Her door is just a few more steps ahead, a single window lit up.

She’s alone; another relief. In hindsight, I should’ve checked in before I came here, but I somehow got it in my head that I would surprise her. I wonder if I should turn back, if she’ll be angry?—

But she senses me brushing against her mind…

…and I see her.

In that single window, leaning over a desk, her hair tied half-up. She looks up, then out onto the path.

“Thorne?”I hear her say in my mind.

I let out an annoyed breath and go to the door, preparing to knock, but the door opens before I can.

Page is standing at the threshold, wide-eyed, her hair a little mussed from where she’s pulled it back. She’s in her sleep clothes—soft, loose pants and an oversized sweater that slips off one shoulder. She blinks at me, stunned. Meanwhile, I am entirely distracted by her bare shoulder.

“Thorne,” she says. “You’re here. In the village. At my house.”

I shrug, my hands still stuffed into my pockets. “I couldn’t sleep.”

She gives me a half smile. “Likewise,” she says, then she’s reaching for me, pulling me in. “Now get inside before someone sees you.”

I do as she says, the warmth of the cottage enveloping me. Ashlan pokes his head out of my pocket, chirping to catch Page’s attention. She shuts the door behind us and glances at the lumivix with a grin. “Of course you brought him,” she laughs. “Does he ever leave your side?”

“Not if he can help it,” I grumble. I pull off my coat and lay it on the arm of her sofa, Ashlan hopping down to pad across the floor to Page. “I think he favors you, though, and he tagged along because he knew I was coming here.”

“Well, I don’t blame him,” she teases. “Apparently he’s not the only one who finds me irresistible. Now…sit down and let me make you some tea or something.”

I hesitate, glancing around the room. It’s cozy—just one room and a bathroom, books piled on every surface. Her bed is behind a screen in the far corner, a fireplace with a crackling flame in the hearth.

“Unless you’d rather not?” she hesitates. “I mean, shit. I don’t even know if you drink tea. Do you eat?”

“Rarely,” I murmur. “My age and the Elixir slowed down all natural processes, but I’ve been more hungry lately.”

She meets my eyes, swallowing hard.

We’re both considering it; even in the minutes I’ve been here, all I can think about is taking her to bed.

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