Page 57 of Alien Healer's Touch

Another flash—this time my own memory reflected back through our connection. My parents' disappointment when I chose medical training over the political career they'd mapped out. The arguments, the eventual acceptance tinged with lingering disapproval.

"We really aren't so different," I murmured, moving slightly closer in the water.

His hand found mine beneath the surface, and our markings intertwined in patterns of silver and gold. "Perhaps that is what these markings truly represent—not the division between our peoples, but the connection."

KAVAN

Steam vented from fresh cracks in the earth as we picked our way through the altered landscape. The seismic activity had transformed familiar terrain into something unrecognizable.

"This passage should lead to the valley approach," I pointed to a narrow trail winding between two recently formed ridges. "From there, we follow the eastern tributary to the settlement."

Selene nodded, perspiration glistening on her mahogany skin. "I wouldn't recognize this area. The quakes have reshaped everything."

I offered my hand to help her across a fissure. Her markings flickered at my touch, sending a ripple of awareness through my senses. The connection we had formed in the ancient facility had altered us both in ways I was still discovering.

"The land speaks a new language now," I said. "We must listen more carefully."

We crossed a field of broken stone, remnants of what was once a smooth plateau. My tail provided balance as I navigated the unstable ground, occasionally reaching back to steady Selene. Her adaptation to Arenix impressed me—most humans would have faltered hours ago.

A strange chittering stopped us both. I raised my hand for silence.

"Vexlin," I whispered. "Something's wrong."

The small, six-legged lizard creatures typically scavenged within forests, avoiding open spaces and heat. Yet here they were, a dozen or more, scurrying across sun-baked rocks directly in our path.

"Aren't they nocturnal?" Selene asked quietly.

"They avoid daylight. Their scales dry quickly in direct sun." I watched their erratic movements with growing unease. "They should seek shelter, not expose themselves."

The nearest vexlin spotted us. Instead of retreating, it rose on its hind legs and released a high-pitched shriek. The others turned toward us as one.

"Kavan..."

"This isn't normal behavior," I said, reaching for my knife.

The creatures moved with unnatural coordination, fanning out to encircle us. Their normally dull gray scales had taken on an iridescent blue sheen, pulsing with internal light.

"Back to the rocks," I directed, keeping my voice level despite my concern.

We retreated slowly, but the vexlin advanced, multiple eyes fixed upon us with predatory focus.

"They hunt insects and small rodents," I explained. "Never anything our size."

"Until today, apparently," Selene replied.

The first vexlin launched itself through the air toward Selene's leg. I swung my knife, knocking it aside without killing it. Another leapt from a different angle. I caught it with my tail, flinging it back.

"They're moving as a unit," Selene observed, using a branch to fend off another attacker. "Coordinated rather than individual."

Three more vexlin sprang at us simultaneously from different directions. I pulled Selene behind me, using my frame as a shield. One latched onto my arm, teeth breaking skin. I winced but resisted crushing it, instead prying it loose and tossing it away.

"The ridgeline," I called, pointing to higher ground. "We need elevation."

We dashed across open ground, vexlin snapping at our heels. I boosted Selene up first, then scrambled after her as tiny jaws clamped onto my boot. A swift kick dislodged the creature as I reached safety.

From our vantage point, we saw dozens more vexlin emerging from earth cracks, all displaying the same unnatural blue glow.

"Look at their movement patterns," Selene said. "Almost as if they're being directed."

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