* * *
— PRESENT DAY —
Astrum Industries Search & Rescue Team
Location: Heart of the Niran rainforests
“What species are you? From what territory do you come? Why were Kríe holding you captive? Where were they taking you?”
Airis’ interrogation hadn’t stopped since he put his fucking bow away. It was starting to make Garret’s head spin. “Okay. Hold up.” He closed his eyes to focus. “So… you just want answers? You’re not taking us prisoner?”
Airis frowned, as if affronted by his very words. “Leí.” Yes. “We are not like the Kríe. They are savages. We are civilized. Now answer my questions.”
Garret flicked his team a look.
Still bound—and visibly roughed up from their scuffle with the Kríe—none looked especially happy. His gaze shifted to the dekdónni perched on their haunches a few yards away. Eyeing the men’s cuts, they licked their beaks’ chops, like they’d love nothing more than to clean up the blood.
Garret grimaced and looked back at Airis. “Fine. We’ll tell you what you wanna know. But first you gotta cut us free.” Because at the rate their luck was going, once they answered the Nirans’ questions, the fuckers would take off and leave his team still tied.
Airis regarded Garret’s wrists, and the purple vine that bound them, then eyed how it led down between his thighs. A cruel little rig job, pulled taut against his nuts, tethered to Garret’s collar from behind.
Airis’ handsome features tightened. “Boors,” he muttered, disgusted.
Pulling a dagger free, he motioned to his buddies, then looked back at Garret and stepped closer. Garret tensed at his proximity. Airis may not be Kríe-size but was still a big fucker, no doubt about it. And that was coming from Garret, who wasn’t exactly small. Six-foot-one. Six-foot-two with hiking boots.
Airis clutched his bound wrists, inadvertently touching his skin. Current surged up Garret’s forearms from the contact. He sucked in a breath. Airis stilled and stared down at him, as if maybe he’d felt that shit, too.
Garret shifted his weight.
Airis chuffed low in his throat, then returned his attention to Garret’s binds. “You are injured,” he noted, eyeing the gash on Garett’s shoulder.
Garret glanced at it and frowned. His team’s brawl with the Kríe would’ve ended way worse if these Tohrí hadn’t shown up and crashed the party.
Nodding, he cleared his throat. “Yeah. Kríe claws are sharp.”
“Indeed,” Airis murmured, slicing the vines.
Garret regarded the male’s strong hands. Airis had short claws too, but not as sharp, and unlike a Kríe, his were pale. Like his hair, Garret realized, just as the Kríe’s claws matched their dreads. He wondered if the species were really so different.
Several moments passed. Finally, his team was free.
Happy moans resounded as each member rubbed his wrists.
Garret stepped back and nodded. “Thanks, Airis. Much appreciated.”
Airis smiled and stepped forward. “You are welcome.”
Garret stilled. Then frowned. Airis was back in his personal space.
Again, he stepped backward.
Again, Airis advanced. Impishly, he peered down. “I am waiting.”
“Waiting?” Garret asked, low-key flustered by his behavior.
“Leí.” Yes. Airis grinned. “You promised me answers.”
“Oh. Shit. Right.” Garret gripped his hips and nodded. Awkwardly cleared his throat again. “Almost forgot.”
“Mm.” Airis clutched his hands behind his back and waited.
Garret eyed his new stance. Would he stay put this time if Garret stepped back? He tried again—and braced.
Airis smirked in amusement. “What species are you?” he prompted. “And from what territory?”
Garret eased. He’d stayed put. “We’re humans, but not from this planet. We came here via a spacecraft. Our home is Earth.”
Airis stared at him, stilling. His ear twitched. “Not from Nira?”
Garret shook his head. “No.”
Airis frowned. Then closed in again. Leaning forward, he sniffed Garret’s neck. “You do smell different.”
Garret leaned back. “’Cause I am.”
Airis glanced over at Kato. He too looked visibly dumbfounded. As did the others in his group. Airis straightened and stepped back. “Why did you come?”
“We’re a rescue team, sent here to search for others of our kind. They came here a year ago, on an exploration mission, but we lost communication and think they got stranded.”
“How many moons is a year?”
“On Nira… Around six.” He knew as much thanks to Astrum Industries’ full-stats report. Hell, he and his team were totally versed on the planet before they even left the AI’s space station.
Airis furrowed his eyebrows. Unlike his mane, the things were dark. “Your people have been in this region for so long?” Again, he looked at Kato. “We have not seen them, but we should have. We patrol this terrain all the time. In fact, I believe we have even seen their craft. A half day’s journey east of here. By river Dydum.”
“They’ve seen their craft but not them? Not even once? That’s not encouraging.” Paris, their tracker, frowned and glanced around. “What if they’ve never seen them because they’re dead?”
Sasha cursed and raked a hand through his light blond hair. “Don’t say that. They’re alive. They’re smart. They’d survive.”
Eli and Helix traded looks, both marines full-fledged realists.
“I dunno, Doc,” Eli shook his head, “sometimes smart ain’t enough. We’re smart too, but those tachi still almost ate us. And brains don’t explain why they’ve vanished.”
Helix nodded. “He’s right. They would’ve stayed close to their beacon, which means these guys would’ve eventually run into them.”
“Jaysus. Something got ‘em,” Kegan groaned, looking at Garret. “We’re searching for ghosts. Got here too late.”
Garret breathed an oath and slowly dragged a hand down his face.
“Nún.” No. Kato spoke up. “There is another explanation. Another reason why they are no longer here.” He turned to Airis, his dark eyes glinting. “Several moons ago, do you remember? There was talk within our clan. About a species not of this world seen at Múnrahki.”
Airis glanced at the team. “Leí.” Yes. “I remember.”
Garret cocked a brow. “Moonrocky?”
“The Kríe king’s castle.”
Helix frowned at Kato skeptically. “Did your clan say what they looked like? How do we know it was even them?”
Kato turned to him, then slowly roamed his gaze down Helix’s body, taking in every inch of his dark frame. “They said there were six. Described them as captivating. Intelligent eyes. Pleasing physiques. Covered in flesh so enticingly tender, it literally made their mouths water.”
Helix blinked.
Kato impishly grinned and held his stare.
“Uh…” Kegan scratched his ginger scruff and eyed the two. “That still doesn’t really tell us what they looked like.”
Kato cut his gaze to the co-pilot and gestured to his digs. “Your clothing is odd. Very distinctive. And from the way my people described it, the same as the others.”
Garret glanced down at his get-up: tank top, cargo shorts, hiking boots. Yup. Not similar at all to what they’d seen so far of Niran attire.
“Shit.” Sasha smiled. “That’s them. It’s gotta be.”
“Maybe. But if it is…” Garret turned back to Kato. “What were our guys even doing there?”
Kato sobered and looked at Airis. Airis gave a tiny nod.
“From what we understand, they were captured and sold to the king. He keeps them now as pets inside his castle.”
Paris gawked. “Holy shit.”
“Let me guess,” Garret grated. “Captured and sold by fucking Kríe.”
Kato inclined his head. “Leí.” Yes. “That is correct.”
“Gesh,” Helix ground out.
Garret scowled too, but then stilled. “Wait. Gesh talked about taking us to a castle.” He glanced at Kegan. “Remember? To trade for his meesha?”
“That’s right. He did.” The ginger pilot’s eyes widened. “Oh, shit. I remember something else now, too. When he first saw Sasha and mistook him for Noah?”
Garret stilled. “He called him meesha. Noah’s meesha.”
“So it is them.” Sasha grinned. “Absolutely, one hundred percent.”
“That is why they took you?” Airis asked, his voice intent. “And that is where they were taking you? Múnrahki castle?”
Garret nodded.
“Wait. Back up.” Paris suddenly shook his head. “If Gesh did sell our guys to the king, like we’re thinking, then why’s he so hard-pressed to get one back? If Noah’s so important, why sell him to begin with?”
“Maybe it wasn’t Gesh that sold ‘em,” Kegan speculated, shrugging. “Maybe all Kríe are kidnappers and one took his ‘meesha’.”
“That’s assuming Noah was his to begin with,” Sasha pointed out. “Which would mean either he and Noah had gotten cozy super-fast, or he’d already been holding Noah captive and considered him his property.”
Airis slid his friend Kato an uneasy look.
“What.” Garret eyed him. “What aren’t you saying?”
Airis frowned and folded his arms. Spread his stance and peered west. “My band and I are patrolling because we are looking for missing brethren. Countless have vanished within the past several moons. So many, we now believe they are being abducted.”
“Shit,” Garret muttered. “You mean, by Kríe?”
“We do not know. There are many factions that could easily be to blame, but…” He glanced down at the discarded vines they’d cut from Garret’s team. “…after witnessing what they were doing with you, and then what transpired after…”
“After?” Kegan piped up. “You mean, when you were chasing them?”
Airis inclined his head. “Leí. As they fled, they shouted things. Disturbing things. Not the usual sentiments when our two paths sometimes cross. Encounters like today are not uncommon.”
He glanced at his friend again. “Their strong words this time, however, we had not been expecting. That we are enemies of their nation. A declaration of their king. Which I do not understand. We just recently established an alliance. Our prince betrothed to their sovereign to solidify peace.”
His troubled eyes slid back to Garret. “But now that we are aware of this contention toward our people… I cannot help but to believe more is going on. Too many have gone missing. Far too many, realistically, for this one rogue group to ever take credit for.”
“Fuuuck,” Eli murmured. “That’s some messed up shit.”
Garret couldn’t agree more. To have so many kidnapped? Their families must be wrecked. He regarded each Tohrí. Did any of them have loved ones missing? He looked back at Airis. “I hope you find them.”
Airis studied him. After a moment, he tipped his head. “Gratitude. I hope you find your people, too.”
Garret nodded. “Oh, and thank you… for helping us back there.”
Airis grinned and leaned forward. “You are welcome.”
Garret leaned back to compensate, fighting a smile. Guess he’d gotten used to Airis’ antics. It didn’t last long though, because as Airis turned to go, reality slammed Garret in the chest. When these Tohrí left, Garret’s team was on their own. With no weapons. Or supplies. Or anything at all. Just the sweaty, dirty clothes on their backs.
Airis gestured to the males in his band to head out, then called to his dekdónni. “Kotchka, come.”
The big beast padded over. Airis checked its paws and wings. Garret cursed under his breath and glanced at his co-pilot. Kegan looked anxious. Garret regarded the rest of his team. Similar expressions of dread.
Fuck. The perks of being a captain. Time to throw his ass out on a limb.
He exhaled and looked at Airis, then nodded to his men—a wordless wish me luck—and headed over. Stopping beside the Tohrí, he cleared his throat. “Um, Airis? I kinda have to ask you a favor.”
Airis paused and peered down at him. So did Kotchka. “A favor?”
“Yeah.” Garret pocketed his thumbs and frowned. “My team. We need your help. We lost all our gear. And this place, we don’t know it, and earlier, we almost got eaten. We’ve got no way to protect ourselves, and it’s getting fucking dark, and—”
“Etay.” Stop. Airis stared at him. “You… were almost eaten?”
“Yeah… By tachi… Fuckin’ sucked.”
“Nira…” Airis muttered. “How did you evade them?”
“We didn’t. Those Kríe showed up and saved us.”
Airis stilled. His ears flicked. “You owe them a debt.”
“What? They took us prisoner. No, we don’t.”
Airis smirked and eyed Garret’s men. “What kind of help?”
“Get us to our people’s craft in one piece? You said you’ve seen it. Know where it is. If these rumors are wrong, they might still be there waiting for us. If they’re not, we’ll pack up any supplies they might’ve left and try that Múnrahki place next.”
“The castle is far away. A half-day’s journey west even from here.”
Garret exhaled and rubbed his nape. “Yeah, well, we’re kinda low on options. Our objective’s to find our guys and if they’re not at the beacon…” He held Airis’ gaze. “Any protection you’re willing to give, we’d really appreciate.”
Airis folded his arms and regarded him. A moment ticked by. Finally, he tipped his head. “We will escort you.”
Garret’s brows shot up. “Seriously?”
“Leí… Because I find you pleasing to look at.”
Garret paused. Blinked double-time. “I… You what?”
Airis grinned and leaned close again. “Find you pleasing.”
Paris stifled a chuckle. Figured. He was bi.
Garret leaned back, cheeks heating. “Okay… Whatever works.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” Kegan exhaled on a groan. “Garret, give the guy a hug or something. I’m so relieved.”
Garret shot him a glower, still awkwardly leaned over.
Airis chuffed and straightened up. “What is a hug?”
“Nothing,” Garret blurted, straightening, too. “We’re just grateful.” He gripped his hips and nodded. “So. Yeah. Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Airis smiled, but then glanced at his companions. “First, however, we must return to my home.”
“Your home?” Helix frowned, walking over.
Airis nodded. “My people, we must warn them. The jungle is not safe. Nor is Kríe territory. They are dangerous.”
Garret nodded again, apprehensive, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Besides, he totally got where Airis was coming from. “Okay. Your home. Not a problem. How far is that?”
“Many hours east.”
“Awesome. So’s our beacon.”
Airis inclined his head. “Pellay.” Good. “We will leave momentarily.”
“Um, Chief?”
Garret glanced over his shoulder at Sasha.
“Can I get a sec to patch people up before we go?” He’d already begun cleaning and dressing Paris’ wounds, but in truth, they all could use a bit of tending to.
Garret looked back at Airis. “This’ll only take a minute.” Their mini first-aid kits didn’t have that much to offer.
“Of course.” Airis regarded Garret’s bleeding shoulder again. His lips curved. “So long as you let me help as well.”
Garret frowned. “Help?” He followed Airis’ gaze to his arm. “Uh…” He glanced at Sasha.
Sasha chuckled and shook his head. “It’s okay. I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Not exactly the response he’d been hoping for.
Turning back, Garret forced a smile and gave the male a nod. “Yeah, okay… Sure.”
Airis’ grin spread wider. “Do not worry, little oddling. I will be gentle.”
* * *
It didn’t take Airis long to bandage Garret up, even despite the several other injuries he’d discovered. Two gashes on Garret’s back and one on his elbow. So high on adrenaline, his brain never registered the pain.
Not that Airis had seemed to mind, what with those big chocolate eyes exploring Garret’s first-aid kit. Garret had handed it over once they sat down on a log, thinking the Tohrí would want to use its contents. And while Airis certainly took pleasure in investigating each item, he’d ultimately resolved to do things his own way.
Garret realized this when Airis leaned in to inspect his cut—or at least that’s what he thought the Tohrí was doing. Airis wasn’t, though. Wasn’t trying to study it at all. Instead, the fucker flat-out fucking licked it.
“What the—” Garret had jerked so hard he’d nearly fallen off the log.
Airis, however, just chuffed and held him steady. “Nira. Stay still. I am trying to clean your wound.”
“Clean it?” he’d rasped, watching him take another swipe.
“Leí.” A third lick.
“But—” Garret couldn’t stop fidgeting.
Airis had paused and sat back. Eyed Garret curiously. “What is wrong with you?”
Garret flicked a look at Sasha. He was gawking. “You’re licking me.”
Airis glanced between the two of them and frowned. “Does human saliva not have healing agents?”
Garret shook his head and quickly dug an item from his first-aid kit. “Antiseptic spray.” He’d shoved the tiny cylinder at Airis. “How ‘bout we use that instead.”
Airis had reluctantly agreed, but when it came time to dress Garret’s wound, he’d once again reverted to Niran ways. Specifically, by using stuff he procured from their surroundings. Leaves and moss and flower petals—Garret wasn’t delighted. He’d frowned, watching Airis grind the ingredients in his palm, pulverizing it with the butt of his knife. After, he’d mixed it into a paste with his spit, then scraped some up with his blade and reached for Garret’s shoulder.
“Whoa—” Garret had caught his wrist and chuckled. “Yeah, no.”
“But it will help your wound to—”
“You spit in it.”
“It has healing agents.”
“I don’t care. It’s fucking gross.”
Frowning, Airis had stared at him for a good several moments, but eventually let it go and ditched the stuff. Sixty seconds later, Garret’s wounds were covered in ointment—the stuff from a tube—and bandaged up.
Sasha had finished with the others at that point too, and soon after, both human and Tohrí were on the move. For the next several hours, they traipsed through the jungle, heading back in the direction they’d just come.
Along the way, two of the Tohrí chose to joyride on their ‘griffins.’ Garret watched them as they romped about, hurdling bushes and dashing through trees, exposing their naturally playful dispositions. More than once, he’d smiled at the Tohrí’s yips and barks, the sounds reminding him of early Native Americans.
They never went far, either. Always stayed in the vicinity, while Airis and Kato walked with Garret’s team. Eventually they did seem to tire, however, circling back around to dismount and bring up the rear.
Walking beside Kegan, Garret glanced at Airis and Kato. Maybe Airis felt his eyes on him, or maybe he didn’t, but he peered over his shoulder and met Garret’s gaze.
Garret cleared his throat and nodded, then tipped his head toward Kotchka—who appeared to be chasing a rodent off in the brush. “Would you be riding her right now… flying instead of walking… if you didn’t have us tagging along?”
“Leí, but not for the entire trip. Our weight fatigues them after a while.”
Garret supposed that wasn’t surprising. Tohrí were lean but still big. At six and a half feet, they easily weighed two-twenty-five.
“Do you ride them on the ground?” Sasha asked, to Garret’s right.
Airis looked at the medic. “Sometimes.” His brown eyes glittered. “Would you care to take a ride? She will not bite if I command it.”
Sasha’s brows shot up. He swapped looks with Paris. “Fuck, yeah. I’d love to. That’d be amazing.”
Airis grinned and turned to Garret. “This is okay with you as well?”
Garret shook his head and chuckled. “Yeah, it’s cool.”
Next thing he knew, Sasha was mounted and trotting about, with Paris and Kegan enviously looking on.
Airis fell in step with Garret. “You may have a ride, too.”
“Thanks. I’m good.” Garret glanced up through the treetops. “It’s getting dark so fair warning, I’m gonna be tripping over shit soon.”
Airis regarded him oddly. “You cannot see in the dark?”
“Not well, no.” He looked at Airis. “Why? Can you?”
“All Nirans can.” He frowned and eyed Garret’s team. “You would not survive one night here. Blind, with no weapons.” He looked back at Garret. Smiled from ear to ear. “Me and mine, we are saving you and yours from death. We are not your protectors. We are your saviors.”
Garret fought back a laugh and peered straight ahead. “I suppose. In a roundabout way.”
The blond Tohrí chuffed, then just like that, his body markings flared bright and lit their path.
Garret’s heart sped up as he looked at him. Such a captivating sight. The way those sleek shapes along his arms and chest—as well as his abs—cast his face into a mix of light and shadow.
The other Tohrí followed suit and got their glow on too, illuminating the darkness around them like it was nothing.
Behind Garret, Eli laughed. “So fucking wild.”
The other teammates offered similar sentiments.
Garret met Airis’ gaze and grinned. “How do you do that?”
Airis smirked and leaned close, his mouth just inches from Garret’s ear. “I close my eyes and pretend I am a tree sprite.”
Garret coughed another laugh and shook his head. “Whatever. Smartass.”
“What’s a tree sprite?” Paris asked.
“You do not know? Let me show you.” Airis detoured off the path, then delved his hand into a bush and shook its branch.
Instantly, a swarm of oversized fireflies flared bright. Or at least that’s what they appeared to be at first. But as they scattered in every direction, some flittering Garret’s way, he realized they weren’t insects at all. Rather, teeny tiny glowing fairy-like entities with two arms and two legs—and gossamer wings.
Airis grinned and swiftly caught one in between his large palms, then brought it over to Garret’s team who’d stopped to watch.
“Tree sprite,” he murmured, slowly parting his hands.
A pixie peered up at them, blinked its sapphire eyes, then loosed a barely-audibly bark.
“Shit… Look at that,” Eli marveled.
Helix chuckled. Actually, chuckled. Albeit quietly, but still.
Paris stared at it, rapt. “I fucking want one.”
But then, just like that, it darted away.
Garret smiled and looked at Airis, strangely charmed. “Very cool.”
Airis grinned and resumed walking. “My light is better.”
“Definitely brighter, I’ll give you that.” Garret hustled to keep pace. “But you don’t need it to see in the dark. So what’s its purpose?”
“Several things, depending on the way we choose to wield it. Full strength works well to unnerve large predators, blinding them momentarily and confusing them. Low strength, on the other hand, helps soothe those in distress…” He stepped over a downed log and slid Garret a look. “Soft pulses seduce prey and lure them in.”
His timbre eased under Garret’s skin. Garret tensed, then quickly glanced away. “Huh…” He scratched his chin. Cleared his throat. Gave a nod. “Yeah… Guess that would be… kinda handy.”
Airis chuckled. Kotchka trotted back over with Sasha. For the next several hours just more of the same. Lots of walking. A couple breaks to piss and replenish with fruit. Or maybe they were vegetables, Garret didn’t know. Airis introduced each by name but not by category. Not that it mattered as long as it sustained them. Which it did. Most of it tasted pretty decent, too. Then back to the trail they’d promptly returned.
In time, Garret noticed a change in the terrain. Still lots of trees but no longer a jungle, with a whole lot less lush vegetation. Guess they were headed toward drier ground.
“So, uh, how much longer?” Kegan asked, to Garret’s left.
“Not long,” Airis answered. He pointed straight ahead. “Do you see that elevation in the distance? Through the trees?”
“Uh, no.” Kegan shook his head. “I can’t see much of anything. Just the five feet around us you’ve got lit up.”
Airis dropped his hand and sighed. “Defenseless… Injured… Blind…” He glanced and Kato and chuffed. “They might as well be younglings tottering around.”
Garret stiffened at the jab.
Kato and the other two Tohrí chuckled.
A few steps behind, Helix ground out, “I’ll show you younglings.”
Airis flicked him a look. “Will you?”
“Yeah, I fuckin’—”
“Helix,” Garret shut him down. They couldn’t lose their only ally.
Helix glowered but stopped talking.
Airis smirked at him over his shoulder, then gestured forward again. “We are nearly there. Look. Do you see?”
Garret stared into the darkness. The forest had thinned fast. “I see the shape of something big… and really tall.”
“That plateau is our beacon. The heart of our home.”
They exited the tree line onto dry, dusty ground. Ahead, Garret made out a ravine, all wide and rocky. Behind that, a massive elevation loomed. He lifted his gaze and peered up its cliff side. “So, you’re saying we’re here?”
“Leí.” Airis nodded with a smile. “Welcome to The Land of the Tohrí.”