Page 44 of Starfallen
Above us, low vibrations shake the ceiling, dislodging a few flakes of dust. A keening wail pierces the quiet. For the wind to be this loud with the extremely low pressure of the planet, it must be raging outside.
The woman grabs Ryland’s hand while looking both ways down the empty tunnel, her eyes wild.
“What’s your name?” I tilt my chin down toward her, hoping to keep her calm with distraction.
“Jayla, Your Majesty.” She gives me a stiff bow.
I sigh and lean against the wall. “We just need to wait this weather system out. Once the storm clears, I’ll go up first and make sure it’s safe.
“Thank you, sir.” Her nervous glance shifts to Tilly, then drops to Tilly’s stomach. Jayla frowns, then refocuses on me. “Everyone saw you die on the network. It was all over the relays.”
“It’s...” I kiss Tilly’s temple and run a quick scan on her blood chemistry and vitals. Everything is perfectly normal, except for an elevated pulse and blood pressure, which isn’t a surprise, all things considered. “It’s not something I wish to discuss. Suffice it to say, I amnotdead.”
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry to have pried.” Jayla’s shoulders droop and she wraps an arm around her waist.
How could I have ever thought I’d remain unnoticed?
That hidden voice within me perks up.Maybe you had no intention of remaining unnoticed. Why did you go out in public with Tilly without any type of protection or disguise? One might think youwantedto be recognized, to be validated once more.
I work a kink from my neck while accessing the feeds of exterior lenses to get a handle on the storm and damage. For now, everything seems to be holding, but several sensors report domes reaching their critical level of pressure, including the oceanic aquarium.
Shut up.I hug Tilly close and breathe in her citrus scent.I came here to protect her. This was the only way I knew how.
She gives me a nervous smile and molds herself against me.
Hmm.Then why do you have her stuffed underground, hiding from a killer storm? Seems to me she had better odds of survival on Earth.
The little boy snuggles into Jayla’s side, his tear-streaked face, a deep bronze in the brighter light of the upper tunnel, now wan and sickly.
“It’s going to be okay,” I murmur into Tilly’s ear. “I’ll protect you.”
“And them, too,” she says as she tilts her head toward the woman and child standing apart from me.
“Of course.” If it came down to a choice, though, her safety overrides everyone, including my own.
The moaning wind and deep rumbles lessen.
Tilly’s body relaxes against mine. KJ, either too tired from a long day or bored, has fallen asleep at her feet while stretched out on his side.
Just like his dad, he apparently can sleep through anything.
Grandma sends a short message of all-clear and several colorful words of admonishment, but I don’t have time to respond. I just want to get Tilly back home, where it’s safe.
Quickly, I unlock the hatch and test the air. Everything is balanced, no loss of oxygen or pressure.
Climbing the ladder and hoisting myself into the passage, I see several new cracks and starbursts lining the metallic glass composite making up the entire city.
At least everything held. I need to get her and Kaden home as quickly as possible.
“Come on, Red.” I reach down and give her a hand up the ladder.
Next comes the brat and Jayla, who says, “Thank you,” as I haul her out of the hole.
“You’re welcome. Now get him back to his parents.” I cross my arms over my chest. “And Ryland?”
“Yeah?” he squeaks, still clinging to the woman’s hand.
“I better not ever catch you running loose in the tunnels again. Understand?”
