Page 59 of Alien's Luck
“There is a correct path up. If I choose the wrong handhold, there are consequences.”
“The water and the snakes?”
“Yes.” He grabbed a stone and hauled himself up.
She gasped, surprised, as her entire body lurched up. Her grip slipped and she nearly fell off. Her arm wrapped around his throat, clinging on.
“Carla—” he choked.
“Sorry! Sorry. I panicked.” She relaxed her hold.
He climbed again. This time, she didn’t scream or try to strangle him. Upward progress continued for a minute until he paused. “This is as far as I’ve gotten. Can you reach the handhold to your right?”
“Yes.” She reached up, understanding that he wanted her to test the handholds. “It feels solid.”
He pulled himself up and they repeated the process. The next handhold crumbled under her fingertips. The one after that rewarded her with insects. Instinctively, she tried shaking them off, brushing herself frantically and waving her arms, which nearly caused Ari to fall.
After an eternity, Carla grabbed the edge of the pit and pulled herself up and out. Ari followed. They were out of the pit and into a worse situation.
ARI
Ari blinked as the emergency lighting returned. An obstacle stood between them and the door.
The Nakkoni female—Poppy, he reminded himself—was locked in a struggle with another infected Nakkoni. They snarledand snapped, biting and clawing at each other. Tails lashed, the thick weight used as a club.
Carla produced a small device from the front of her dress, which was weird enough to make Ari forget the direness of the situation.
“Do you use your chest as storage?” he asked.
“Titty city? Constantly.” She pressed a button. Frowning, she shook the device. “Ugh, it got wet. It’s not working.”
“We have no time for this.”
He sprang forward into the melee, hardening his skin to stone for protection. He grabbed Poppy from behind, his arms wrapped over her chest, pinning her arms down at her side. With his wing extended, Ari spun, knocking the infected soul into the pit below.
Poppy thrashed, throwing her head back. Her skull slammed into his face.
Spots danced in front of his eyes. Partially stone, he was sure the impact hurt her worse than him. She howled in pain, her teeth snapping and legs kicking. Nakkoni had a spur on their ankle, and it was a very effective weapon. The spur slashed at his shins. Despite the pain, he did not release her.
“Don’t hurt her! She can’t help herself,” Carla pleaded.
“We must restrain her.”
“Give me a minute.” Carla’s gaze swept the room.
An explosion shook the ground.
Ari bit back the urge to tell her to hurry. She knew the timeline. Barking orders would not make her go faster.
She grabbed the chain from where it had fallen on the floor and thrust it at him. “Use this.”
Restraining Poppy took no time. Her arms continued to be bound to her sides and there was enough chain to act as a leash.
Another explosion rocked the room. Dirt and plaster fell from the ceiling.
“I guess Tavat didn’t pay the ransom,” Carla said.
In the corridor, smoke tickled his nose. They were out of time.
