Page 12 of Veras
“I’m only twenty-four.”
“So young. So little time to enjoy the universe.” Veras paused when we came to the edge of the passageway and faced the jungle in front of us. It was just as gorgeous but a little more intimidating from this view. Everything was jumbo-sized. “You must take care here, Truena. There are many dangerous animals that live within this section of my planet.”
“What’s it called?”
“The planet? Nozaroc.” He tugged me closer, one hand still holding mine. “I don’t have any weaponry. That is all at the outpost. We must remain watchful and swift.”
“I’ll stay right by you.” We walked quickly, and I marveled at the pink and purple leaves. Trees that dwarfed the tallest pinesfrom home. I also kept an eye out for any portals, although I had no idea what they looked like.
Time to think smart. I tried to make the thought small, but Veras’ head snapped toward mine.
“Smart?”
“Yes.” I sighed. I obviously won’t be able to keep anything from this guy.
“You will not.”
“Noted.” I tromped through the deeper brush. “You mentioned that the portals are everywhere. How would I see them?”
“Simple. The charted portals all have a symbol at the top right. Look, here comes one now.” We walked up on a shimmering oval. Instead of ashoompsound, I detected a faint buzz. Maybe because no one was coming through it. And to my amazement, a symbol floated above it. “Most of them here will be well mapped. Farther into the jungle, you must listen and watch.”
I knew the sound the portals made all too well.
“They are hard to spot, but if you pay close enough attention, you will see a small ripple in the fabric of the rock it passes through.”
“How is it I can understand you so perfectly?”
“It is what you call the Oro. It has taught me your language.”
“You’re speaking English right now?’
“Of course, what else would I speak?”
“I don’t know. I assumed I understood yours, like with the Aavvee.”
“You had the barest amount of Oro in your system. Not enough to understand a language as complicated as mine. But for the Aavvee, yes, of course, you understand them. They are…not smart.” Pain radiated off him in soft waves, lapping against my temples.
A roar broke the silence. It sounded close.
Me cago en todo lo cagable. I hate this planet.
CHAPTER 6
“What the hellis that?” I spun around, not sure which direction the sound came from.
“Were you not listening before? I warned you there were ferocious animals.” He appeared completely exasperated with me. I’d never met anyone who treated me like something precious yet totally annoying. And smelly.
“Stay hidden.” He shoved me behind a tree. It was three times as thick as a normal tree and had purple moss covering the black bark. Instead of leaves, white cones hung off long branches, like bells. “Don’t touch anything in case you have a reaction. I will guard you with my life! Get ready.”
I snatched my hand back from touching the tree before he saw me do exactly that. “Get ready? With what?” I searched for something to use. A rock, maybe a laser pistol that would magically materialize…something!Carajo. I wished I hadn’t dropped the staff from before. An idea hit me. “Wait! You can shift into something bigger. Hurry! Make yourself into an alien-dragon and eat that thing.”
“I cannot. After the last transformation, my body needs time to heal. I will fight like this.” He speared me with a glance. “Stay quiet. It hunts by sound. Do not get injured, little General. It will make me very upset.”
How come he always makes it about himself?
Another roaring screech, and the trees shivered. It looked like a massive snake, maybe as long as a bus, and it was…flying toward us.
Flying snakes.Oh, hell, no. No, no, no.Veras was big, but this animal washuge.
