Page 63 of Tharn's Hunt
I don’t respond. My thoughts whirl uncontrollably, my pulse roaring in my ears.
"Tharn," Jus-teen projects again, her mindspeak more insistent this time.
But it’s too late. I turn abruptly and stride toward the far side of the cave, my claws flexing and unflexing as I try to calm the storm within me. My movements are stiff, uncoordinated, and I hear Jus-teen groan again behind me.
"Oh great," she mutters. "Now you’ve broken him."
"Broken him?" Jah-kee’s voice is startled, concerned. "What? What did I say? What’s wrong with him?"
"Nothing," Jus-teen says, dragging her hands down her face. "He’s fine. He just… needs a minute. Or an hour. Maybe a day."
I press my back against the cool stone of the cave wall, inhaling deeply and trying to steady my racing thoughts. But Jah-kee’s words linger, impossible to ignore.
She would share her water with me. Anytime.
Chapter 18
MY SISTER CAN READ ALIEN MINDS, AND I’M JUST SITTING HERE, DUMB
JACQUI
"And... what exactly has he been saying?"
I'm staring at my sister, who's suddenly developed the ability to communicate telepathically with aliens. Because of course she has. Justine has always been the overachiever. I barely survive a crash landing, nearly die (multiple times), and get dragged across a desert by a giant golden alien. Meanwhile, Justine's out here making interspecies alliances and developing psychic powers.
Typical.
Justine pauses, glancing at Tharn with an expression I can't quite read. "Her recovery?" she finally asks. But her focus is on Tharn, and her tone is odd.
I frown. Something in her voice tells me that's not the whole truth. My suspicion deepens when she adds, "Not, for example, water sharing?"
Oh.
My face softens with understanding. Water sharing. Of course. Tharn's been sharing his precious water with me this whole time, keeping me alive in this hellscape of a desert. And what have I done? Probably drunk way more than my fair share.
"What about water sharing?" I say, guilt washing over me. "Oh no, he's been the one sharing his water with me this whole time. Is he saying I’ve been drinking too much?" I look at Tharn apologetically. "I'm sorry, Tharn, I really tried not to. Once I'm on my feet, I'll share my water with you anytime if you need it."
Justine makes a strangled noise and claps a hand over her face. “Oh God,” she mutters.
"What?" I ask, confused by her reaction. "What did I say?"
Justine's face is bright red now. “That's not—Jacqui, that is not what he meant by water-sharing."
"What?" I demand, brows diving. Why is everyone acting so weird? "Seriously, what did I say? I meant it! Tharn kept me alive, didn't he? I'd share my water with him anytime!"
Justine groans louder, burying her face in both hands. "Oh my God, Jacqui, stop talking."
I look between her and Tharn, completely lost. What's the big deal about water? It's just water.
Something in Tharn's posture changes. His shoulders stiffen, his claws scrape against the stone floor, and his breathing quickens visibly. He stares at me with an intensity that makes my skin heat up, and then he abruptly turns and strides to the far side of the cave.
"Oh great," Justine mutters. "Now you've broken him."
"Broken him?" I echo, alarmed. "What? What did I say? What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing," Justine says, dragging her hands down her face. "He's fine. He just... needs a minute. Or an hour. Maybe a day."
I stare after Tharn, who's now pressed against the far wall of the cave, his claws flexing and unflexing like he's trying to calmhimself down. His chest rises and falls rapidly, and there's that golden glow pulsing beneath his skin still. I glance at the other alien. He’s just as impressive as Tharn, but he doesn’t glow.
