Page 83 of Black Mamba

She trusts me to protect her.

I will not break her trust again.

THIRTY-SEVEN

THE POWERCELL

Elena

I pretend to doze, sinking into Lukys’s embrace, at first lulled into sweet catnaps that quickly morph into anxiety fits that keep me alert enough to remain awake. It’s hard, especially when he settles around me and his body turns into a large, warm cushion. A cushion that presses up to every side, cradling me protectively, urging me to give in and fall into slumber. It’s not the most comfortable being outside at night, but tucked in Lukys’s arms, while next to a fire…

It’s not so bad.

As the hours pass by, I begin to think my plan isn’t going to work, especially when the pressure of sleep weighs heavily on my eyelids and it becomes almost painful not to give in.

I’m about to drift away when his body shifts. At first, I think he’s just moving into a more comfortable position but then he gently pulls away from me. Excited it’s finally happening, I feel his loss immediately and have to restrain myself from calling him back down to me. I think I must have given myself away when he returns to hover above me.

I immediately go still, waiting until I hear him move away.

When I’m sure he’s gone, I sit upright and rub the tiredness from my eyes. It’s still dark but based on how much time I was lying with Lukys, it can’t be dark for much longer.

Either way, I only have two choices. I sneak away now, or chicken out and stay. I squint and look at the shadows around me.

It had been a long shot to see if Lukys would leave me in the early morning. Based on previous experience it’s when I’m just waking or have only just woken when he returns or appears. I never knew when he left, I just knew I needed to be awake when he did.

If I go now, and I go fast, I can be back in a couple of hours. If I can find the registry and check it quickly, I’ll be in the forest, hunting down our glade, when he’s returning as well.

Unless I find my sister… I frown and cross my arms.

I tug on my shoes and stand. I don’t owe Lukys anything. In fact, we can say we’re even now. I’ve been willing to do what he’s wanted because it made sense to me but that doesn’t mean I have to continue. Yes, I agreed to remain by his side—when it makes sense—but he’s the one who left me. I peer around once more, very much alone.

I’ll be quick.

I stumble and trip my way through the forest in the general direction I believe the encampment is in, only finding my passage getting easier when the trees begin to space out. By the time I reach the end of the forest and see the fields, the first hints of sunlight bleed across the land.

I waste no time approaching the main pavilion tent. Several of the spotlights turn off as a soldier on duty waves at me, signaling that he sees me. In the distance, I hear muffled conversation and the hatches of spaceships being opened. Meanwhile, tent flaps are being spread as morning campfires are lit.

So far, so good. I travel down the main path and continue to the half-open barricade gate. In front of it are a line of people, two-dozen deep.

“Gates are opening soon,” someone up ahead shouts. “Make sure you are registered at the pavilion.”

Checking faces, I move to the end of the line. Glancing at the forest far behind me, my stomach churns with knots. It’s still dark but it’s getting lighter by the minute. I really hope Lukys’s hunt goes slow.

As I wait, I see more people approaching to join the line. Conversation grows with people chatting about an important announcement. I tap the shoulder of the person ahead of me.

A middle-aged woman with short brown hair and a black shawl turns around. “Yeah?”

I spin my finger, indicating the gathering people. “Is something going on?”

She considers me. “You don’t know? Oh wait, you’re that girl with the black naga from yesterday…” Her eyes lift in search of Lukys as I nod my head.

“Uh… yeah. I am and he’s not here.” I guess Lukys and I were our own little spectacle.

“Ah, good.” Her gaze falls back on me. “Between you and me, the nagas give me the heebie-jeebies. Anyways—” She waves her hand. “Last night Commander Lunteer said there was going to be a big announcement today and that we should head to central square to hear some encouraging news.”

“Encouraging news?”

“I think they’re going to announce that The Sovereign or one of the other colony ships is finally on its way. That’s the rumor. But who knows, they’ve been working day and night on something down below the ground. Why are you going in so early if it’s not for that?”