“There is more,” Tharn projects, moving a few feet to the right.

I follow him and find another set of markings, these bigger:

“— H20”

“Water,” I translate. “She found water…” I look over the message, but the arrow has been erased by sand, leaving just part of a long line visible. I turn to the left and right, trying to spot where she might have gone.

Rok follows my gaze. “There are only two caves near here where water collects,” he projects. “We sheltered near one when⁠—”

“When you saved me from the shadow creatures,” I finish, the memory rushing back. That terrifying night when the predators had nearly caught me, when Rok had carried me up the steep side of a cliff to safety. “Could she have found the same place?”

Rok tilts his head. “Possible.”

Hope surges through me, so strong it’s almost painful. “How long could these markings last before the wind covers them?”

Tharn and Rok exchange a glance. “A sol,” Tharn projects. “Two at most, if the wind is gentle.”

“Then she was here yesterday, maybe the day before.” I stand up, staring at the rock formations with renewed determination. “We need to go to the cave. Now.”

Rok glances at Tharn.

“We must separate,” Tharn unexpectedly suggests. “I will go to the farthest cave. You and Rok to the other closer one.”

Rok considers this, then inclines his head in approval. “A wise plan.”

I look between them, torn between gratitude for Tharn’s offer and reluctance to split up. As the light dies, I know time is of the essence.

“Okay,” I say out loud. With a deep breath, I reach up to my ear and take off my single remaining earring. I hand it to Tharn, taking his massive hand in mine as I press the little piece of jewelry into the center of his palm. He doesn’t move, just stares at me and it.

“What is this?” He projects.

My fingers pause where I hold it there. The last thing I have from my mother. “It’s something for Jacqui,” I push my thoughts toward him. “So she will know I am safe. So she will know she can trust you.”

Tharn gazes down at the earring as I finally take my hand away from it. I can tell by the way he closes his palm and holds it carefully that he senses the gravity of this little object. “I will make sure your sister-female sees it,” he projects.

Before I can rethink it, I wrap my arms around Tharn in a hug.

He jerks, then goes impossibly still.

“What is the female doing, Rok?”

I chuckle, forcing a deep breath through my lungs. “It’s called a hug.” As I release him, he stands awkwardly, watching as I return to Rok’s side. “Thank you, Tharn.”

For a moment, he just blinks at me before inclining his head. Without another word, he turns and moves away from us, his form quickly blending with the gathering darkness.

“Come, my light,” Rok projects. “We will reach the nearer cave before the dark.” Lifting me into his arms, he takes off at a run, heading away from Tharn, the rival clan territory, and from the message Jacqui left.

I can only hope we’re not too late.

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Chapter 38

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IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY “I LOVE YOU”? (ASKING FOR A FRIEND)

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JUSTINE

As true darkness falls, Rok guides me into the cave. It’s within a twisting rock face, the shadows cold. I hurry inside, heart in my throat.

“Jacqui?” But there’s no answer.

It’s clear it’s empty. She’s not here.

I can sense Rok’s pain. It takes me a moment to realize it’s because of me. Because tears are running down my face and I’m in pain. I wipe them away as he pulls me into his arms, settling on the ground, his body warming as if to provide heat to keep away the cold.

“Do you think she’s okay?” I whisper, the question slipping out before I can stop it.

Rok’s mind is quiet for a moment. “Your sister-female is resourceful,” he projects finally. “She found water where most would find only dust. She did not go to the rival clan. She left markings for you to follow. These are the actions of one who means to survive.”

It’s not exactly the reassurance I was hoping for, but it’s honest. And maybe that’s what I need right now—not false comfort, but clear-eyed assessment.

“I should have never left her,” I say, the guilt that’s been building inside me finally spilling over. “I should have stayed with the bus. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t been so stupidly stubborn about wanting to find help.”

“Then you would not have found me,” Rok points out gently. “Your people might still be slowly dying in the dust, with no hope of rescue.”

“But Jacqui⁠—”

“Made her choice,” Rok interrupts, his mental voice firm. “As you made yours. Both choices came from the same place.” He taps his chest, where a human heart would be.

Tears well up in my eyes at his simple wisdom.

“How did you get so wise?” I ask, attempting a smile through my tears.

“Not wise,” Rok projects with a mental shrug, even as his fingers gently push away my tears, still clearly distressed by the sight of them. “Only existing for many cycles. One learns, or one does not survive the dust.”

I move closer to him, seeking his warmth as the night chill begins to settle around us. He lifts his arm in silent invitation, and I tuck myself against his side, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. All along where our skin touches sends a nice comforting buzz through my veins.

“Tell me about your sister-female,” Rok projects after a while.

The request surprises me, but as I begin telling him about Jacqui, of how brave she is and how happy I am that she’s my sister, I realize it’s exactly what I need—to remember Jacqui not as someone lost, but as someone whole and real and alive.

“She’s my little sister.” The memories flow more easily than I expected. “Always been the responsible one. The planner. But fun, too. Jacqui is the type of girl who has her head on her shoulders but still knows how to loosen up and enjoy life.”

Rok’s confusion ripples through our link. “Head on shoulders? Where else would the head be?” A brief image flashes from his mind—some terrible creature with a misplaced head.

I can’t help but laugh, the sound echoing off the cave walls. “It’s just an expression. It means she’s sensible. She thinks things through.”

His mental voice carries a hint of amusement. “All Drakav keep their heads on their shoulders. Those who do not…do not live long.”

I chuckle again before telling him more. Like about the time Jacqui dove into a lake to rescue me when I fell out of a canoe before we could swim properly and how we nearly drowned. The concept of so much water surprises him. I smile, continuing to tell him about the way Jacqui always, always put others before herself.

“She sounds like a good leader,” Rok observes. “Like Kol.”

The comparison startles another laugh from me. “Yeah, I guess she is. Practical. Reliable.” I swallow hard. “Stubborn as hell once she sets her mind to something.”

“Like you,” Rok projects, amusement coloring his thoughts.

“Like me,” I agree. “Though she’d hate to admit it.”

As I talk, the weight on my chest seems to lighten somewhat. Not disappear—it won’t until I know Jacqui is safe—but become more bearable. Rok listens with that intense focus I’ve come to cherish, his mind open to mine, absorbing every detail, every emotion.

“When we find her,” I send the thought to him, “I think she will like you.”

He grunts, and it makes me smile.

My very wild, unpredictable, dangerous alien.

Mine.

I stare at him now, the reality of it all coming down to settle around me.