* * *
“Damn,” Kegan muttered, “that’s a mighty big drop when you can’t even see the fucking bottom.”
Garret peered over the edge of the bridge they were on—a stretch of rock spanning the gully’s sixty-foot width. Kegan was right. The gorge was deep and, according to Airis, circled their territory just like a moat.
Up ahead, torch flames flickered and danced atop poles, flanking either side of the homeland’s entrance. The dekdónni winged it over as Airis and Kato led the way. When they reached the other side, Airis gestured to the guards. The tall blond males eyed Garret’s team with intrigue, but didn’t stop them as Airis and Kato took a left.
More trees emerged as they made their way around the base of the plateau. Not dense like the jungle, but still nicely wooded, leaving a generous berth for the path.
Garret peered into the distance. They were headed toward a village. He could see its countless homes, each lit by torches. Blocky yet aesthetically pleasing as they lined the settlement’s main strip, an open unwooded thoroughfare right down the center. There were other homes, too. He noticed them through the trees, ones built into the side of the plateau. Several stories high, they reminded him of pueblos, connected to one another by steep cliff stairs.
As they drew closer, Garret noticed Tohrí everywhere. Males of every age, but no females. He frowned and glanced around as they finally reached the village. It was late, so not many children. Plenty of adolescents though, as well as varying ages of older Tohrí. No one, however, looked more than maybe fifty. And every single one of them was toned and fit.
He scanned the different gatherings. Long-haired towheads left and right. Perched around fires. Ambling out of homes. Interacting with more of those dekdónni griffin look-alikes.
But again, just males.
No females.
How bizarre.
Whatever. Maybe the ladies liked to hit the sack early. Something that sounded really nice right now, actually. He was exhausted. All-day hiking had his whole body aching. He’d give anything for a hot shower and comfy bed.
Airis gestured to a building at the far end of the strip. A structure ten times bigger than all the houses. A temple, maybe? Because it kind of had the shape of a pyramid, but with big block tiers and an entrance halfway up. “I must talk to the chieftain. He is head of our clan. He will see that our message reaches our people and our sovereign.”
The aroma of roasting food from a campfire wafted their way.
Eli groaned. “Then can we eat?”
“Yeah, I’m starving,” Helix grunted.
“And tired,” Kegan muttered. “I wanna sit.”
“It will not take long.” Airis led the way. “And then we will fill your rumbling bellies.”
Garret lifted a brow, following after him with his team. “You can hear our stomachs?”
All four Tohrí chuffed.
“How could we not? They have been growling at us all night. Ever since I showed you the little tree sprites.”
Paris laughed, tucking a black lock of hair behind his ear. “He’s right. Mine totally has been. Damn… Good ears.”
Sasha nodded, but wasn’t smiling as he scanned their surroundings.
Garret frowned at the medic’s expression, then glanced around, too. Ah. No wonder the guy looked so uneasy. Every Tohrí in the village was fucking staring. Had straight-up stopped whatever they were currently doing to give Garret’s team their full attention.
Garret supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. To these people, he and his men were aliens. Strangelings, just like Airis said. The part of the picture that didn’t belong. Truth be told, on the flip side, if Garret saw Tohrí sauntering through his hometown, he’d be staring just as hard without question.
“Do not mind them,” Airis assured. “We are curious by nature. And in fairness,” he smirked, “your species is very intriguing.”
A moment later, they arrived at the temple. Airis stopped and turned to Garret’s men. “Our chieftain waits inside.” He gestured for them to follow. “Súsa.” Come. “He will definitely want to meet you.”
* * *
After introductions, Airis and Kato talked with their chieftain in private while Garret and his men waited outside. The other two Tohrí, Jori and Lark, hung out with them. Airis instructed them to do so to ‘keep the oddlings company,’ but Garret suspected that really meant ‘keep them safe.’
Why? Because a lot of the Nirans cavorting about were definitely rowdy young bucks. Garret watched them closely as they engaged with one another. Laughing one minute, then in the blink of an eye, diving into rambunctious, wide-grinned scuffles.
Which in itself wasn’t an issue. What made Garret uneasy were the other teens nearby who were staring at his team rather intensely. No doubt, they had similar dispositions as their brethren, meaning if Jori and Lark weren’t there standing guard, they might very well try to tackle Garret’s men, too.
And make no mistake, despite their youthful faces, their size definitely didn’t reflect their age. Most were as tall as Garret with slightly more muscle. And currently with a hell of a lot more energy.
Garret met one of their gazes. The male flashed a boyish grin. But his eyes? Yeah, his eyes looked a whole lot less innocent. Like he’d love to do far more with him than wrestle.
Unsettled, Garret looked away as Airis and Kato finally returned.
“We are finished. We can eat now,” Airis announced, sounding lighter. Smiling, he motioned toward a fire pit. A big one incidentally, clearly communal, as a dozen or so Tohrí were already there.
“Oh, thank fuck,” Eli exhaled, gratefully following him over. The rest of the team eagerly fell into step.
“Sit.” Airis pointed to one of five logs circling the pit. The empty one, not too close to other Tohrí. Garret eyed them. They weren’t like the downed logs in the forest. They were covered in what looked like thick hide—with padded cut-out indentions for one to sit in. Garret took a seat with his men. Shit, yeah. Soft and comfortable. Almost as nice as the seats back on their spacecraft.
Airis grinned, then gestured to his comrades for assistance and headed to a spread of prepared foods.
The four males returned swiftly, carrying several serving dishes—slabs of wood carved into beautifully-shaped plates. The one handed to Garret looked like a large jungle leaf, piled high with both raw and cooked items. He took the offering and regarded it. Its aroma filled his nose. Good freaking god, it smelled delicious.
Still, out of habit, he and his teammates hesitated for that first bite.
Kegan eyed his meal longingly. “Who wants to be the food taster this time?”
Paris coughed a small laugh. “Go for it, flyboy. I took my turn.”
“I did, too.” Eli held up a finger.
“So did I.” Sasha nodded. He looked at Kegan and chuckled. “Bon appetit.”
Kegan grunted, but then all too quickly took an enthusiastic bite. Just shoved what looked like a sausage link into his mouth. “Aw shit, man. Yeeeaaah. Oh, yeah. This is good.”
Garret warily watched him chewing. Sure, they hadn’t had issues so far, but all it took was one fucking time…
Airis sat down beside him, clearly having seen his face. “If I wanted to kill you, I would not waste good food doing it. I would simply drop you back off in the jungle.”
Garret turned to him. A small, amused grin tugged on his lips. “That’s not a guaranteed kill. We’d manage. One way or another. It’d just… really, really fucking suck.”
Airis chuffed and took a bite of what looked like a plum. “Tell yourself that if you must, little oddling. But you know.”
“My name’s Garret.”
“Leí. You told me.”
“So why do you keep calling me oddling?”
Airis smiled, his eyes merry, and leaned in conspiratorially. “Because you are an oddling, Garret. It is why I like you.”
Garret stilled. His name on Airis’ tongue sounded way too sultry. Maybe he should stick with the nickname.
Looking away, he took a bite of something that looked like a garlic wedge. Didn’t taste like it, though. It tasted like coconut. He glanced down the way. His men were wolfing down their food. Evidently, everything tasted pretty decent.
Thoughtfully, Garret watched them. They’d been lucky, really lucky, that these Tohrí had come along when they had. He didn’t like admitting it, but the big blond was right. Out in that jungle, Garret’s team would’ve been toast. Yet by some streak of good fortune amidst their run of bad luck, they instead sat contentedly resting in front of this fire. Eating food, good food, inside a well-protected community that they’d been brought to by a seemingly decent race.
Yeah, their craft had crashed and, yeah, they’d nearly been eaten by monsters. And okay, yeah, they’d also been captured by a pack of thugs. But right now, where it counted, they were safe with food in their bellies. In Garret’s book, that was a win for day one.
Across the way, two dekdónni wrestled like oversized cubs. Playfully pouncing, then rolling and tumbling, pummeling each other with their hind legs while yipping and barking.
Kegan chuckled, mouth full. “Check them out. Just like my nephews.”
Eli grinned. “Nah. Like my last girlfriend in bed.”
Helix choked on whatever he was chewing. “The one that looked like Xena the warrior princess? From that ancient-as-fuck TV show?”
“Yeah…” Eli growled, eyes glazing in remembrance. “Wild one, that girl. And a screamer.”
Helix grunted. “You sure that wasn’t you screaming, E? She was scary as shit. With crazy eyes.”
Eli laughed, not denying it. “She was a bit of a psycho. But when I finally pinned her down with bare ass up and face in a pillow?” He shrugged. “It was all just spankin’ and fuckin’ from that point on.”
Helix shuddered.
Kegan laughed.
Paris waggled his brows at Sasha.
Sasha smirked and shoved Paris’ shoulder. “Not in this lifetime.”
And that pretty much said it all for Garret’s teammates.
Shaking his head, Garret turned back to Airis, returning conversation to the cubs. “I must’ve counted two dozen dekdónni just on the way to your chieftain. How’d your village end up with so many? Feed a stray and it invited all its friends?”
Airis grinned, watching them play. “They have always been with us.”
“They have?”
“Leí.” He nodded. “From the beginning of time. Which is why we believe they are gifts.”
“Gifts. What do you mean?”
“Guardians Nira created especially for us. To be our companions. To help us in times of need.” He smiled broadly. “To watch over her favorite children.”
Garret blinked, then coughed a laugh. “And obviously her most modest.”
“Admittedly,” Airis chuckled, “that we are her favorite is not part of lore, but clearly it is safe to assume.”
Garret laughed even harder.
His teammates turned and eyed him.
Quickly, he cleared his throat and resumed eating.
His men traded looks, then got back to their meals, Paris and Sasha watching the dekdónni as they grappled. Eli, Helix, and Kegan, however, were more interested in the teens, keenly taking note of their sparring tactics.
Not Garret, though. Not this time at least. Instead he continued talking with Airis, swapping questions and answers for pertinent intel. Like how far Tohrí territory reached beyond the plateau, and how many villages made up their species’ province. According to Airis, there were over thirty clans, whom together stretched over roughly eighty miles.
Airis mostly asked about human technology, and by the end of the conversation seemed pretty eager to see their craft.
They finished their food not long after. Airis took Garret’s plate and set it on the ground with his. “Turn.” He gestured for Garret to face away. “I will check your bandages now.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’m sure they’re—”
“Turn.”
Garret stared at him.
Airis stared back.
Garret sighed and shifted to his left, his new line of sight more pueblo houses. Although unlike true mud pueblos, these were constructed by large stone blocks, with slender purple saplings nestled beside them. Small flora cascaded from some of the windows. Around the entryways, he spotted strange etched designs. Over all, the homes were humble, yet strangely exotic. He suddenly wished he could take a couple pictures.
Behind him, Airis lifted up his tank top to have a look, hooking the fabric over Garret’s shoulders. Gently, he peeled back the corner of one bandage. “Pellay,” he murmured. Good. He checked the ones on his arm.
Garret’s muscles tensed with each brush of his fingers. Because just like before, every time they made contact, warm current whispered over his skin. It made him want to dodge Airis’ touch altogether. Another male shouldn’t make him feel that way.
Luckily, Airis’ checkup only took a couple of minutes.
“I am finished.”
Garret turned back around and glanced at his men. They hadn’t been watching. They were still preoccupied. Which wasn’t really surprising. There was a lot of shit to look at, and a lot of activity going on.
Airis smiled, peering down at him. “You feel good now. Fed and rested.” The tall flawless male looked pleased with himself.
Garret fought a grin and nodded. “Yeah, man. Very much so.”
Airis smirked, then leaned close, as if to share some special secret. “I am not a man, little oddling. I am Tohrí.”
His breath tickled Garret’s neck.
Garret covered the spot with his hand. “Right… Yeah, I know… Just a figure of spee—”
Airis’ fingers were around his wrist before he’d even finished speaking. Pulling it close, the Tohrí studied his palm, tracing its different creases with his thumbs.
Garret’s first instinct was to extricate his hand from his hold, but the look on Airis’ face gave him pause. Innocent curiosity and nothing more. And it wasn’t like the long-haired male was hurting him.
“Little hands,” Airis murmured. A new smile curved his lips. He toyed with Garret’s pinky. “And little fingers.”
Garret shook his head, smirking. “They’re not much smaller than yours.”
“Are they not?” His question sounded skeptical, but also amused. He pressed their palms together and compared. “Hmm...” His tone turned smug. So did his smile.
Garret chuckled despite himself. How could he not? Airis’ claw-tipped digits reached past his by more than an inch. He tried to pull his hand away. “Small is subjective.”
But Airis didn’t let go. Instead, he got back to studying. Specifically, Garret’s fingers. Or rather, the ends of them.
“No claws? What are these?” He touched Garret’s blunt nails, then met his gaze. “Nira… Your species is so tame.”
Garret shrugged. “We do all right. Fight a lot with our fists.”
Airis regarded him dubiously. “Show me your fangs.”
Garret laughed. “Fangs? Yeah, I don’t have those, either.”
Airis eyes flared wider, watching Garret’s mouth as he spoke. “You truly do not. Not even small ones.”
Garret shook his head. “Nope.”
Airis suddenly appeared concerned. “All you have are your fists?” He looked back down at Garret’s hand.
Garret balled his fingers tight. “Behold, my wrecking ball.”
Airis grinned, amused, until something stole his attention—the fat, white-gold band on Garret’s finger. “What is this?” he asked. Raptly, he traced its shiny surface, then studied its engravings and big ole stone.
Garret uncurled his hand and eyed it, too. “My college ring.”
“What is college?”
Garret scratched his chin. “Where humans go to learn a trade… so they can get a decent job and pay the bills.”
“Bills?” Airis looked at him. His pointed ear twitched.
“Yeah,” Garret grunted. “We got ‘em for everything. Water, housing, clothing, food. You name it, it’s got a price. And never a cheap one, lemme tell ya.”
Airis tilted his head, his gold-ringed eyes drifting in thought. Finally, he looked back at Garret. “What trade did you learn?”
“Aviation.” Garret smiled a little. “I’ve always wanted to fly.”
Airis’ lips quirked. “Like dekdónni. But you were not meant to fly. You are a land walker. That is why your spacecraft crashed.”
“Uh, no,” Garret chuckled humorlessly. “We crashed ‘cause big-ass dragons attacked us.”
Airis’ brows pinched. “Dragons?”
“Yeah, three of ‘em. And they were mean.”
The male’s brain churned palpably. A second later, he grinned. “Flyers. Flyers pulled you from the sky.”
“Whatever,” Garret muttered, looking back at his hand—the one still clutched in Airis’ grip. “I’m kinda bitter.”
“Bitter but alive,” Airis pointed out. Touché. He peered at Garret’s ring again. “Let us trade.”
Garret cocked a brow. “Trade?”
“Leí. Your college ring for…” Airis glanced down at his person. His gaze slid to his belt. “…my knife. Our finest blade smiths fashioned it. But I like your ring very much, so in exchange, I will give you my favorite knife.”
Garret made a face, hardly interested, until Airis pulled out said dagger. Damn. It was gorgeous, the craftsmanship exquisite on both handle and blade. And by exquisite, he meant badass. A dekdónni head on its grip, its beak open as if loosing a battle cry, its fierce eyes set with big gleaming gems.
He stared at it, wholly tempted, but ultimately declined. His ring, after all, represented the most pivotal time in his life. When the gateway he’d worked so fucking hard for finally opened, allowing him to embark on adventures such as this. “Thanks, but I think I’m gonna hold onto my ring. It’s got… you know, sentimental value.”
Disappointment flickered in Airis eyes, but before he could respond, his friend Kato sat down beside him. Airis glanced at his buddy.
Kato looked at Garret’s hand, specifically the one still clutched in Airis’ grasp. “It is late,” he muttered. “We must get an early start.”
Airis loosened his grip. Garret pulled back his hand.
Not only did Kato’s tone sound disapproving as hell, but also suspiciously possessive.
Airis leveled his friend with a look that Garret couldn’t quite read, then turned back to Garret and his men. “It is too dangerous to travel anymore tonight. You will sleep here. In the morning we will take you to your beacon. If your friends are not there, we will escort you to the castle, as we will be heading there ourselves to find out more.”
“You’re going to Múnrahki?” Garret asked, surprised. After all, that was enemy territory.
Airis and Kato stood. “We must find answers to our missing brothers’ whereabouts. For now, it will only be reconnaissance.”
Garret and his men rose, too. “All right then.” Garret nodded. “We’ll head out in the morning. Hopefully our guys will be waiting for us at their beacon.”
“Leí.” Airis faced him, his big brown eyes serious. “Because if the king does have your people, getting them back will not be easy. He will not just hand them over at your request.”
Garret cursed under his breath.
Airis offered him a smile. “Do not worry over it now, oddling. The time for that will come.” Turning, he gestured for the team to follow. “Súsa.” Come. “I will show you to your lodgings.”