Page 15 of Diamond

"No natural defenses?" My eyes travel to the black scales on her arm, and I click my tongue in disbelief.

"But those black scales look thick."

They seem sturdy, capable of shielding her from many weapons. Ree touches the scales, rubbing them thoughtfully.

I don't know how or why it took me such a long time to realize, but she has four fingers instead of three. Odd, but they are small and nimble.

"Those are new. I got them from Thivoll," she says proudly and my eyes travel from her to the manticorid and then back to her.

Have I been wrong about her all along? Could she be the one dominating the manticorid, harvesting parts of him for herself?My hand moves slowly toward my weapon, but her wide-eyes reaction halts me.

"Wait!" she hisses out. "I didn't take them. I was captured by the same aliens you killed. It is because of them that I can look more like him."

Horror grips me as the implication sinks in. The genali's depravity seems to know no bounds, each revelation darker than the last.

"Why would they do that?" I ask, voice low.

"I was supposed to be a pleasure slave," she admits, her tone heavy with sorrow.

Rage floods my veins, both hearts poundings faster. Such a fate would be forced upon her without her consent, a death sentence for any male who dares to touch her.

"They truly have no honor, then," I conclude, and she lets out a disbelieving sound.

"No, I don't think they do."

"Then they will get no mercy."

She seems to like that, though something about her face lets me know she isn't used to violence.

"Would you join us? We can be stronger together."

She asks it quickly, nearly stumbling over her words, like she has been waiting to ask.

Her eagerness amuses me, though speaking so freely with a female still feels strange. "You seem like you have honor," I say, watching her face turn a deeper shade of pink. Her gaze darts everywhere but my face.

"Well, yes," she says and then hesitates, like she wants to take her statement back, "but maybe not like you think of it. I need to find other females like me and protect them."

Her response intrigues me. Protecting others has been my purpose since I was a youngling, It is one of the most honorable things to do as a male. Ree's tenderness, her resolve, draws me in. My ears twitch with interest as I lean closer.

"Where?"

Her eyes widen, surprise flickering across her face at my intensity. "We don't know. Well, except for one. Maybe two. We met another person—Szhe'ka… he looks like a very largebirdman, except they cut off his wings—who is going to protect the one he saw. There are six more out there," she rambles, excited about my help.

"They would be found faster if I searched where you did not," I reply, lifting my face up to look around me.

Everything is a blur of green, purple, and brown but I am confident I can find my way back. Back home, the desert sand erases your tracks; you must know your way or risk being lost.

Many children and even some adults have vanished, unable to find their way back home. Some never return.

She lets out a sigh of relief and leans forward. "That's true, but we are safer together. This will be a risk for you."

Her concern nearly draws a laugh from me, but I suppress it.

I killed three genali with a single dagger and a hastily made wooden spear. I have nothing else to lose, and every moment of our being alive is a risk. "Danger is where the greatest honor lies"

Ree shoots me a joyful smile, and I cannot help but reply with one of my own.

There is something genuine in her gaze, like a brother's camaraderie. Her sincerity makes me want to stay and keep talking. It is no surprise a creature as mighty as Thivoll chose to be her donor.

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