Page 33 of Veras
Because even if Veras didn’t want to admit it, there must be other humans around. We were like rats and cockroaches; there was never only one. Which meant I owed it to them to help. To ensure they had a chance at a life that didn’t involve being a pet or used for body parts.
I needed Oro. It was the only way the Guardians would hear me. And I knew just where to find it.
“Find what?”
I ignored his question and asked, “How far are we?”
“From the portal? Close. If you keep your mind quiet, we can slip in around Inkonexo.”
Shoomp. Shoomp. Shoomp.
That terrible sound, signaling the arrival of the Aavvee, echoed through the jungle. Because of the overhead cover, the noise boomed through the trees, along with my pounding heart.
“Truena, look at me. I would do anything to protect you. Even if it means losing you. You must know my heart, how I feel—”
A blast whizzed by our heads, knocking the platform sideways. Luckily, it pitched us into overgrown pink leaves that cushioned our fall. We slid down a massive trunk and landed hard.
Veras sprang into action, grabbing me and racing forward. But it didn’t take long for the flying sleds to catch up to us. We came face to face with Inkonexo, the supreme, and a million guards.
Veras pushed me behind him and backed up. I felt his intention, his golden eyes sweeping the jungle for a portal.
“You have failed, Veras.” Inkonexo strode forward, still in the body of an Aavvee. He held a weapon the size of a crossbow, weighted in his arms. Now that I knew he was originally from Nozaroc, I also knew he would know how to use it. “You know I can kill you both in an instant.”
“But you don’t want to do that, do you?” My voice rang out into the jungle.
“And why is that, Pet?”
“Because I have something you need.”
“Truena. Run! Hide. I will take care of this. Look for the portal.” He scanned the encroaching guards. “Go!”
“She will go nowhere. Neither will you.” Inkonexo laughed and flung his cloak over his shoulder. I noticed the tattoo on his arm. It was different from Veras’—muted and gray against the green of his skin. Even though he still appeared as an Aavvee, his dull tattoo seemed… off. I tried remembering what Veras told me about the marking and its meaning.
Guards surrounded us, immediately jumping on Veras. “Run, Truena.Please.”
A familiar rancid smell assaulted me. Rough hands grabbed and pushed me to the floor. My face smashed to the ground, and all I saw was Inkonexo’s boot. “Still think I need something from you?”
“Let me up.” I couldn’t breathe. A guard had his boot on my back. “I do have something you want.”
Inkonexo pulled me up by my hair. I ignored the pain and willed him to see my intent—how I planned to stop the Guardians from killing us all. He transferred his hold to my arm, preventing me from falling on my ass.
“You think you’re strong enough to calm the Guardians? How?” Inkonexo’s grip was intense, a few minutes from breaking my arm in half.
I searched for Veras. They’d jumped him. Close to twenty Aavvee were piled on top of him.Please stay alive.I wanted to beg for his life, but I had a mission. “I need Oro. A lot of it.”
“We-wewill not give ourGlrtsstllllorogggto you, Pet.” The supreme trilled, making a dramatic entrance as he walked through his mob of guards. His frill of feathers snapped up, no longer indulgent of me now that I wasn’t serving him.
“Really? You broughthim?” I asked Inkonexo as I gestured at the supreme.
Inkonexo glared at the leader and tipped his chin up in an alien nod. “Tell me why you want the Oro?”
“You saw me talk to my wind.” My chest tightened as I thought about Nito. “I can do the same with the Guardians.”
“What does she speak of?” the supreme demanded.
“He has told you much.” Inkonexo’s eyes narrowed, and he signaled the guards to get off Veras.
My alien was completely passed out, but I could see his chest moving up and down.Still breathing.
