Page 15 of Alien Healer's Touch

"I understand that," she said quietly. "Medicine wasn't what my family wanted for me either."

This surprised me. "What did they wish you to pursue?"

"Politics." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "My mother sits on the Colonial Council. She wanted me to follow her path, shape policy, make grand decisions."

"Yet you chose healing."

"I wanted to help people directly. Not through legislation or committees." She dipped her fingers in the stream, watching the water ripple. "And then aboard the Seraphyne, as Chief Medical Officer... I made those grand decisions anyway. Who received treatment when supplies ran low. Which injuries took priority. Who lived." Her voice dropped. "Who didn't."

The weight of her words settled between us. I understood then – she carried the same burdens I did, though from a different world.

"The healer's path is never easy," I said softly. "We stand between life and death, making choices others cannot."

She nodded, meeting my eyes again. Something passed between us – recognition, understanding. For all our physical differences, our souls spoke the same language.

My gaze held hers, and I felt an unexpected tightening in my chest, a pulling sensation from my lifelines that had nothing to do with danger or healing. The moment broke when a low rumble sounded in the distance.

"What is it?" Selene whispered, instantly alert.

"Nothing dangerous." I stood, gesturing for her to follow. "Something that might help us, actually."

We moved quietly through the trees until we reached another clearing. There, grazing peacefully, stood a small herd of massive creatures – each taller than me at the shoulder, with broad, flat heads and six sturdy legs. Their hides shimmered with a coating of symbiotic fungus forming elaborate patterns across their bulk.

"Lurazi," I whispered. "Herbivores. Gentle unless threatened."

"They're enormous," Selene breathed.

"And useful." I pointed to the fungal growth on their sides. "That symbiotic relationship produces compounds that strengthen immunity. It might help your people fight the fever more effectively than our prepared medicines."

"Can we... harvest it?"

I nodded. "If we approach carefully. They recognize Nyxari as non-threatening. Stay behind me."

Moving slowly, I stepped into the clearing, keeping my posture relaxed and hands visible. The nearest Lurazi lifted its broad head, regarding me with four eyes set in a rectangular pattern. It snuffled once, then returned to grazing.

"Good," I murmured. "Now we just need to get close enough to collect a sample."

I approached with measured steps, Selene following close behind. The Lurazi's massive side rose and fell with each breath, the fungal pattern shifting with the movement of muscle beneath.

"The outer layer sloughs off naturally," I explained quietly. "We need only gather what's already loosening."

I reached out, my hand nearly touching the creature's flank, when its head suddenly jerked upward. The entire herd stiffened, their rectangular eyes swiveling toward the eastern edge of the clearing.

My instincts flared. "Something's wrong."

The Lurazi nearest us bellowed, a deep sound that vibrated through the ground. The herd began to move, slowly at first, then with gathering speed.

"Back to the trees," I ordered, grabbing Selene's arm and pulling her with me.

We reached the tree line just as the herd thundered past, their massive bodies shaking the earth. I pushed Selene behind me, scanning the clearing for what had spooked them.

There – movement in the underbrush opposite us. A shimmering distortion, like heat rising from sun-baked stone. Then another. And another.

"Kradax," I hissed, my tail lashing. "Six-legged predators. Their scales shift color to match surroundings."

"I can barely see them," Selene whispered.

"That's their advantage. They hunt in packs, with coordination that rivals our warriors." I reached for the blade at my hip, regretting that I hadn't brought a larger weapon. "Stay perfectly still. Their vision locks onto movement."

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