Page 240 of Monsters in Love

“What is that?” I wonder aloud as I tilt my head toward the noise. It trills louder and louder, and Xakiras beside me grumbles in annoyance.

“Make it stop.”

My eyes fight to stay open from being fucked into oblivion. We had sex three more times that night, and I’ve never been so thankful for his magical cum. For once the feeling between my legs doesn’t leave me raw and in pain.

I roll off the cot, allowing Xakiras’s arm to fall away. “It has to be one of the comms units.”

The entire tent is a mess, but the sound continues from the lefthand side of the tent, far in the corner. Padding over, I see underneath a pile of books something shining underneath. Moving them aside without caring if I bend the spines, a holo blessedly lights up in bright blue lights.

On the screen it says “Peony.” As I hold it in my hands, they tremble, not knowing just what I should say. “It’s my ship…”

I know my voice likely gives away my feelings on the subject, but Xakiras sits up on the cot. “It will work out for the best. You must tell your people.”

“What if things are worse?” I chew at my bottom lip, tugging at the skin until the tang of blood fills my mouth.

My nerves are shot as I fidget with the holo in my hands.

The cot gives a groan, and strong arms wrap around my back, encasing me in comfort. “I am here, Echo. Tell them what you must.”

I exhale a rattling breath and nod. “You’re right. I need to, for their families at least.”

My fingers slide across the holo’s screen until it asks for a passcode, and I enter mine. From the day my contract started, it was what I always used because it was simple and easy.

“Hello, this is Echo from Crew J9876,” I say, willing my voice stronger.

The voice sounds so pleasant, one I’ve heard a hundred times. It’s Jetta’s mother, Hirana, and my throat closes. Tears well in my eyes, and I try to hold back the sobs as she kindly asks, “Where is your commander, Echo?”

“Ma’am, there has been a massacre.” I swallow roughly, and my hands tremble, but Xakiras continues to hold me tightly in his arms, giving a kiss to my cheek.

“Where is Jetta?” Her voice is strained, and I can hear the fear in her tone.

That’s when the dam of my grief breaks free. “Ma’am, everyone is gone. There are sentient species, and one of them came into the camp.” I sniffle and try to maintain some semblance of calm. “I—I think I’m the only one left.”

She breaks for only a moment as I hear her groan down the emotions she so very much wants to release. However, we have to maintain decorum, and Hirana is a lieutenant. She must keep herself in check.

“I will contact the Imperium and have you relay what happened. Are you safe?” I wipe at my nose and inhale a ragged breath. “Yes, I am with one of the peaceful species called the Nocris. They want me to speak with their leader as well.”

“Echo, we will be back to you in six weeks. Are you sure you will be okay?” Hirana’s tone is more sincere and motherly now. “Do not tell them anything until the Imperium has been debriefed; do you understand?”

They want me to wait? What would they do, have me lie?

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be fine until then.”

There’s a noise, and she quickly says, “Do not tell them anything; do you hear me?”

My blood runs cold because I’m not sure what they need to hide from the Nocris. They’ve helped me so much already.

Xakiras’s arms squeeze me tighter, and I realize he’s hearing my people ask me to lie. “When will they contact me?”

Hirana sighs on the other end, going silent for a few seconds. “I will send them a transmission now. You should hear back by the end of business. Keep yourself safe, and, Echo, if you find Jetta, will you—” She pauses, and I hear a sniffle from the other end. “If you find her body, please keep it until we return.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her that they’ve been eaten, that there will be no bodies to bury. Instead I lie, telling her I will.

When the holo goes dark, I slump forward, and the tears run down my face. “Nothing good will come of this. What do I do?”

Xakiras kisses my neck. “Echo, we may only do what we can. We cannot control the actions of those who are above us. We must only hope they will take care of us.”

I hate that he’s right because I know now he’s not in a high caste position, so I won’t be either. Not to mention that if the imperium decides to come here and cause war, how much destruction will take place?

“I know you’re right. I just can’t help feeling like it’ll be my fault if something happens.”

“Nothing will be anyone’s fault, my love, other than the Krel who came here to take our lands. They will have to pay for what they’ve done, one way or the other. All we can do is pray things work the way they are intended.”

I know he’s right, and yet I’ve never been more worried. At least I have him in my arms, holding me and giving me love.

We can make it through this together.

---