Page 7 of Fallen from the Stars

“You are lost and afraid,” the creature said, “but I will not harm you.”

“How can I trust that?” she asked, glancing athisclaws. She was sure he was male — he lookedmasculine. Like,reallymasculine, if his size and musculature were anything to go by.

“I saved you from the sea.”

“For all I know, you only saved me so you could eat me later.”

He recoiled, his features contorted in a mix of horror and disgust.

“What?” she asked. “I see those teeth, those claws. I know a predator when I see one.”

“Why would I have made my presence known to you if I meant to eat you?”

“I dunno.” She swept her gaze over him from top to bottom and back again. After her initial shock had passed, it wasn’t nearly as unsettling to look at him as she would’ve thought. “Maybe you like to play with your food.”

“Hunting is not a game, and we do not hunt humans.”

“So there are more of you?” Body tensing, she looked past him, scanning the jungle.

The creature tilted his head, expression wary.

“You expect me to trust you,” Theo said, “but you won’t tell me if you’re alone?”

“You and I are the only ones here.”

Theo clenched her teeth; he was being intentionally vague. But she forced her frustration aside. She was a stranger to him, too, and he had no more reason to trust her than she did to trust him. Releasing a soft sigh, she cocked her head to the side. “Do you have a name?”

He nodded. “Vasil.”

“Okay, good. I’m—”

“Theodora.”

She nodded, completely ignoring the shiver coursing through her as his deep voice seemed to caress her name. Not going there. Totally not going there. “Yeah. ButTheowill do, okay?”

“But that is only part of your name.”

“That’s okay. The full thing is a mouthful.”

“Just Theo, then.”

Theo studied him again. His posture had relaxed, and while he still appeared on guard, he didn’t look as though he were planning to tear her to shreds.

“Why are you here, Vasil?” she asked.

His gaze, suddenly heavier, swept over Theo, and she could almost feel him lookingintoher. Despite having had Kane in her head for years, it wasn’t comfortable to have someone see inside her so easily.

“Because I followed a fallen star.”

Chapter 3

Theo sat in the pod, legs crossed at the ankle and booted feet propped on the edge of the console. Her left arm was settled over her stomach while her right hand played with her lower lip.

“Youdorealize there are productive activities by which you could pass your time?” Kane asked.

She glanced at the second seat, upon which she’d piled the stock of emergency rations from the rear storage space. Kane was right — the supplies wouldn’t last forever. She’d need to find other sources of food and water soon, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of voicing her agreement.

“Iambeing productive. I’m thinking,” she said.

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