“Name,” I bark out, my pick still pointing out in front of me in case I need to use it against him to protect Emery.
“Loxxxx.”
I cock my nog to the side and pull down my spectacles from the top of my nog, affixing them on the end of my nose to get a better look.
“Phalix?” he croaks out. “Is that you?”
His words are a punch to my chest. “That was my father. I’m Calix.”
He barks out a laugh. “Rekk, you got big, son.”
“And I thought you were dead, old mort.”
11
Emery
I should be grateful we’ve found someone else, but my smile is wobbly as the two morts lurch forward for a manly embrace. I’ve been enjoying the alone time with Calix, even if it’s been wrought with peril. I’m a bit sad to see it end, considering the risks associated with the upcoming surgery.
One more night, long enough for us to get to the sector and figure out a plan—then I’ll tell him. The impulse for honesty after all we’ve shared is inherently selfish, I recognize that, but I don’t want to die and have him find out some other way. The thought of him looking at me with anything other than affection chills me to the bone and I begin to shiver, even though I’m sweating.
“This planet hasn’t killed me yet,” Lox replies.
“I see your translator is working,” Calix tells him and then pauses. “When Sayer delivered the technology and instructions many revolutions ago, we were not sure if anyone would find it or have use for it.”
Lox grins toothily. “I found it.”
“Who inserted it?” Calix asks, unease in his tone.
His friend, with a wild glint in his eyes, taps the side of his head. “I did it my rekking self.”
Calix is quiet for a moment and then chuckles. “I cannot believe you have been here all this time. It is rekking good to see you.” I’ve never seen Calix smile so big before. It must make him remember his dad, considering the two of them worked in Sector 1779 before he died.
“Good to see you as well, my friend. It’s been many solars since I’ve had such a good one. Come, come with me. Sector 1779 is a short walk from these caves. Tell me about your journey along the way.”
Lox beckons us forward and Calix follows him without question. I’m much more hesitant, but Calix seems so happy that I ignore my concerns and shoulder my pack more securely.
“My mate and I were stranded by the storm a few solars ago and I did not think we would make it. My mate managed to save us both and we have been traveling through the caves ever since.”
“You’re lucky, the mountains are often engulfed in these storms. It’s why I’ve been stuck at Sector 1779. I can only travel within the caves or in the facility.”
“And you have been here since my father left?”
“I have. It’s been a long time.” Lox smiles, showing his teeth, blackened from lack of care and his eyes yellowed from spending too much time underground. Both his grin and expression seem a little wild to me, but I attribute that to his being locked away by himself for so long. Anyone could go a little crazy being alone. I, for one, should be able to sympathize.
Plus, it is getting harder and harder to breathe. Even the last time we’d made love didn’t help ease the tension in my lungs. It was like trying to suck in oxygen through a straw. No amount of medicinal sex or wishing is doing the trick anymore.
I need to get to Sector 1779 as quickly as possible. Even if it means going with this stranger. Even if it means I’ll soon have to face all the things I’ve been hiding from.
The two of them chatter animatedly as Lox leads us through the catacombs. I don’t miss how he keeps glancing back at me. “Is something wrong?” I ask. The morts—aside from when Breccan tried to keep me from Calix—have never really bothered me. In fact, I almost prefer them to humans, but this one makes my skin crawl.
He gives me a lopsided smile. I try not to wince at his crooked, toothless grin. To Calix, he says, “Such a strange creature. Wherever did you find it?”
A rumble fills Calix’s chest. “She is not a creature. This is Emery, my mate. She is an alien who has joined our faction at the facility along with several others. It has become necessary to mate with them in order to grow our numbers.”
“There are more survivors?” Lox asks with interest, his curiosity about me seemingly forgotten for the moment.
“There are, Lox. Several morts and mates. Once we conclude our business here and repair our transport, we can take you back with us to the facility. The others will be pleased to see you.”