Free Two Moons of Sera by Pavarti K. Tyler Page B

were so many of them. From here, they
looked small and insignificant, but just one of them finding out about us would
be a disaster. So many people to hide from... so many bodies in one space.
    The buildings closed in, and I became lightheaded as the
compression of mass crowded me. How many lived here, worked here? And if this
was a mere camp, how large would the city be?
    The driver guided the platform onto a flat area painted
bright red. Other rectangular platforms were lined up on the ground, waiting
for their chance to soar. The railing lowered and disappeared into the flat
platform without a trace, leaving us free to step out onto the ground. The
driver descended from the platform and walked toward the nearest building
without speaking.
    “What the jikmae ?” Lace demanded as she jumped down
and glared at Tor.
    “Lace—” Lock began.
    Lace’s shrill voice cut him off. “Ada, look at this,” she
called out to an approaching figure. “We found some jikmanae lost
children and they brought their pet with them.” Her hands bunched into
fists on her hips.
    “Lace,” the woman soothed as she neared, “will you stop
screaming? You’ll wake the night shift.” Her dark hair was cut short and
settled around her ears, but she was clearly a woman—her voice and body left no
question about that. Tall and lean, she wore slim black pants, and a red shirt
hung from her curves.
    Tor remained on the platform, still holding Elgon. Neither
of them had moved or made a sound since we left the forest.
    “There’s a jikmanae mountain hound.” Lace stepped
aside and pointed to the platform.
    Ada’s breath caught, and she stepped back from the group
while reaching for something beneath the hem of her shirt. “How...?”
    “They were on the Iaera mission,” Lock said as he moved into
Ada’s line of sight.
    “Iaera?” Ada’s hand stilled for the moment.
    “Who cares?” Lace demanded. “You can talk to them all you
want. What about the hound?”
    “Hi,” I said.
    My voice was soft, but they all turned back toward the
platform to face me. Even Tor shifted position, although his posture remained
unchanged. I had lived with the overhanging threat of discovery my entire life.
I’d dreaded this for so long, but I was determined to survive.
    “I’m Sera, and this is Tor. We were on an extended mission
with the Iaera team and got lost. We’re so glad you found us.” My lie had no
conviction, no strength, but what else could they believe?
    Ada looked me over, inspecting my dirty skin and tattered
dress. “Where did you get that thing?” She inclined her head toward Elgon.
    “He was an orphan. Tor found him, and Elgon followed him to
our camp. He’s been with us for a long time. He’s no danger to anyone as long
as he’s not scared.”
    Lace snorted in disgust while Ada appraised my companions.
    “Has he ever killed?”
    “Only for food,” I replied, my voice gaining confidence,
even though I had no idea if that was even true. Elgon could be a man-eating
octopus for all I knew, but each lie I told brought me closer to safety. If
they harmed Elgon, Tor would attack. I had no doubt their bond ran deep.
    “He’s part of our family,” I insisted, frightened for
myself, Tor, and the playful green-eyed monster. “He’s never lived with a pack.”
    Ada appeared reserved, but her posture relaxed the longer we
remained still. Each moment Elgon went without disemboweling someone seemed to
add a point in his favor.
    “I think we should get them in and let them wash up, maybe
get some sleep,” Lock suggested. He stepped closer to me, marking the lines of
acceptance. His broad figure and breathy voice weren’t particularly reassuring,
but it was all I had.
    “Tor?” I turned toward him.
    Tor glared down at Lace and then settled his focus on me.
His expression remained tight as he held Elgon. I was no longer sure who
reassured whom. He didn’t stand or move, and the tension began rising again.
    “He’s been out