Page 40 of Warrior Rescued

“I can see that.” He grimaced.

“Yeah. I twisted my ankle more than once. Then again, I wasn’t as nimble when I first arrived.”

As they descended, she kept an eye open for signs the reptiles had returned to this section of the canyon. Unfortunately, enough ash obscured the air that she probably wouldn’t spot any new disturbance until they reached the ravine floor.

“Thanks.” She smiled as Payim took her hand, helping her over a section that had washed out.

“I am constantly amazed by you. You make this trek regularly?” He eyed the broad furrow in the already precarious rocky path.

“About every seven days. Although that wasn’t here a few days ago. It looks like the high tide is taking its toll.”

She was impressed by how graceful Payim was considering his size, and they made it to the bottom without incident.

“Goddess!” Payim declared, startling her.

“What?” She looked around, thinking he’d spotted the reptiles or something.

Her gaze followed his to the wreckage.

“The Miran Sona vessel did crack open like an ovum.” He gaped at the ship. “How did you ever survive?”

“Many didn’t. The ship broke into several parts. You can see the skid marks from one section there as it slid into the chasm. We can go look down there, but I can’t even see it on a clear day. God only knows how deep it is.”

“No. There’s no point. I imagine that must’ve been the aft section with the drive.” He surveyed the wreckage as they headed toward the tunnel.

“I couldn’t say, although the reptiles haven’t shown much interest in the sections along here.” She pointed to the wreckage littering the canyon floor.

“Are these the stasis pods you were talking about?” Payim pointed toward the mangled units.

“No. Those are the ones too wrecked to bother with.” She shook her head.

Her gaze drifted toward the pile of rocks marking the mass grave and she grew quiet as she led Payim past them toward the tunnel.

“Elena.” Payim placed a large hand on her shoulder, startling her. “Are you all right?”

“Um. Yes and no. Seeing the wrecked stasis pods brings back bad memories. The bodies hanging out of them were nearly unrecognizable. Dealing with them was horrific, but not as bad as the people in the pods that we salvaged.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” Payim tugged her into his arms and she realized she was trembling.

She needed to get it out. She let the memories fester for far too long.

“You’d think since the pods were intact that the people inside would be fine, but they looked like an egg that had been shaken up in a bottle.”

The image of the shattered bodies, protruding bone, crushed skulls and blood inundated her. She pressed her forehead harder against his abdomen, wanting to disappear into Payim.

“We needed the clothing to survive. We needed the equipment for the others and they deserved to be put to rest,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks, soaking his stomach.

“I am so very sorry.” Payim gently stroked her back.

His large arms tightly wrapped around her were comforting. She pulled in ragged breaths, tugging in Payim’s deep woodsy scent. Slowly she was able to pull herself together.

“I’m better.” She pulled back.

“Are you certain?” Payim’s gaze narrowed as he stared down at her, concern swimming in his dark eyes.

“Yeah. We should get going.”

As she turned, he captured her hand and squeezed it. She smiled up at him and nodded in appreciation.

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