Startled, Jak’ri halted and swung around to face the way he’d come.
What was that?
Though fleeting, it had almost felt like a faint senshi.
He frowned. Was one of the raashini-like creatures trying to communicate with him? They had bounced some mild senshis off him the first time he’d encountered them. But they hadn’t repeated it since.
Until now.
Were they trying to tell him something?
He felt another faint pulse.
His frown deepened. Had one of them attempted to follow him into the winding passage and become lost?
He glanced over his shoulder at the mouth of the cavern in which Ava waited, then swore and headed back toward the ocean. As much as he wanted to swiftly return to her, he couldn’t let this go without investigating it. What if one of the raashini-like creatures had followed him and gotten caught on something? Some of the passage’s offshoots contained plants like those in the cavern that could tangle one up.
Or what if the drekking Gathendiens had acquired an underwater exploration vehicle?
He would much rather untangle the former than deal with the latter but encountered no marine life.
When he reached the mouth of the passage, he slowed and cautiously peered out into the vast ocean.
Nothing out of the ordinary caught his eye.
Frowning, he slowly ventured out.
Still nothing.
Even the raashini-like creatures were no longer in sight.
Worry niggling him, he dared to swim as far as the tip of the peninsula and peered around it, careful to remain far enough beneath the surface to prevent any Gathendiens from spotting his silver hair if they flew over in a craft.
When he did, he felt… something.
Not a senshi. A presence.
One that widened his eyes and drove his heart to batter his rib cage.
It couldn’t be.
Ziv’ri? he called telepathically.
Yes! his brother instantly replied.
Had Jak’ri been standing, his knees would’ve buckled.
I’m coming, Jak’ri, Ziv’ri said. Where are you?
Are the Gathendiens with you? he asked, wondering how this could be.
No. I’ll explain it when I reach you. Show me the way.
Jak’ri mentally broadcast the way, then spun and shot toward the passage. He didn’t know how this was possible, what had happened, but Ziv’ri was alive. His brother was alive!
Jak’ri had never navigated the winding passage to the cave so quickly. Ava, he called mentally as he entered the cavern.
She didn’t respond.
As soon as the water was shallow enough for him to stand, he breached the surface and jogged toward the shore.
Ava lay on their leafy bed, eyes closed.
“Ava,” he called aloud, dropping the bag of fruit he still carried over his shoulder.
She jerked awake. Sitting up, she watched him hurry toward her. As she did, her big brown eyes filled with tears. “I was dreaming. Ziv’ri was alive and was coming to join us.”
Jak’ri sank to his knees in front of her and cupped her pretty face in his palms. “It wasn’t a dream, sakara. He’s here, on the planet.” Moisture welled in his eyes. “I was returning to you when I felt a mild senshi. I went back out to investigate and…” He smiled. “He’s here. Ziv’ri’s here.”
Her eyes widened as her breath caught. “He’s alive?” Excitement lit her feverish features. “He’s really alive?”
Jak’ri nodded. “He’s on the way to the cavern right now.”
Releasing a happy cry, she threw her arms around his neck.
He rose, helping her to her feet and hugging her tight.
Jak’ri? Ziv’ri called.
Ava gasped.
Parting, they spun to face the water.
As soon as Jak’ri saw his brother’s pale form gliding toward them beneath the surface, he ran for the shore, splashing through the shallows. Two forms broke the surface, but Jak’ri had eyes only for his brother.
Wading forward, he yanked him into a tight hug. “I thought you dead,” he uttered, barely able to speak past the lump in his throat. “They said they killed you, and I could no longer sense you. Ava couldn’t either.”
Ziv’ri banded his arms around him in a crushing embrace, nearly squeezing the breath out of him. “They lied,” he replied, his voice hoarse with emotion.
Splashing sounded beside them.
Jak’ri looked over his brother’s shoulder.
A woman who was even smaller than Ava stood beside them, her body practically bare. A small band of fabric that resembled a tinier version of Ava’s improvised sports bra hugged her breasts while an even smaller strip of fabric covered the juncture of her thighs. A sharp dagger was tucked into a strap on her hip. Aside from that, all she wore was a harness that looped over her shoulders and held what appeared to be two swords on her back.
She cast him a curious glance.
Then Ava slammed into her.
The woman’s brown eyes widened as she lost her footing, fell backward out of Ava’s embrace, and sank beneath the surface.
Ava stumbled, but managed to remain on her feet. A look of dismay sweeping across her features, she scrambled to help the woman, who came up sputtering. “Sorry!” Ava cried. “I’m sorry, Eliana. I’m just so happy to see you.”
Jak’ri loosened his hold on his brother. This was Eliana?
“Ava.” Relief washed over the woman’s features seconds before Ava threw her arms around her. Eliana’s eyes began to glow with amber light as her lips trembled and she hugged Ava as tightly as Jak’ri had hugged Ziv’ri.
A grunt of pain escaped Ava.
Releasing Ziv’ri, Jak’ri quickly stretched a hand toward the women. “Careful,” he warned softly. “She’s injured.”
Alarm entered Eliana’s gaze as she hastily released Ava and stepped back.
She’s hurt? Ziv’ri asked telepathically, his brow furrowing as he noted the cuts on Ava’s forehead and stomach. How badly?
“I’m okay,” Ava said. But her smile faltered as she staggered suddenly.
Emitting a cry, Eliana reached for her.
But Ava turned to Jak’ri and reached for him.
Jak’ri quickly grasped her hands and drew her close, looping an arm around her waist. Ava?
“Oh crap,” she muttered. “I’m not okay. I’m think I’m gonna…” Her eyes rolled back as her knees buckled.
Jak’ri quickly lifted her into his arms.
“Ava?” Eliana called.
“She’s unconscious.” He carried her out of the water and over to the bed.
Ziv’ri and Eliana followed on his heels, their concern palpable.
Kneeling, he carefully laid Ava on the large leaves.
“What’s wrong with her?” Eliana asked. “What happened?”
“The Gathendiens happened,” he said, unable to hide the fury and bitterness that consumed him.
Eliana knelt beside him as Ziv’ri hovered close.
“I managed to grab one of the Gathendiens’ med kits when we escaped,” Jak’ri told them. “I tended her wounds as well as I could. And she seemed to improve for a time.” Resting a hand on her forehead, he tenderly brushed her hair back. “But she was injured again when more Gathendiens attacked us and has weakened since we came here.”