Chapter 31
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
Staring down from a cliff, he saw thousands of tents filling an entire cavern that was as big as the jungle itself or close to it. The beings running around were like ants but he could tell they were Hish. The lights and sounds were no different than when he was in the city, only condensed in a small place. But he wondered how such a large number of beings could hide underground and be undetected by the Amengi above.
"A lot to take?"
He looked down at A'stea for a moment. "Yeah. I didn't know this would be like this."
"That's the same reaction I had when I first came." Bu'at came to their side along with Fi'ka.
"Now's not the time to jabber. We need to get to S'aha."
Nu'kha pushed through, even bumping his shoulder intentionally on Kaail. He almost lost hold of A'stea and had to grip tightly, making her hiss. Kaail growled at the male that had turned his back on him. "What's his problem?"
He looked to Fi'ka who stood there nervously.
"Don't bother with him." A'stea shifted in his hold. "Just . . ." She hissed again. "Get to the S'aha."
Kaail nodded and followed reluctantly behind Nu'kha and Fi'ka. Bu'at stayed close behind as they slid down the slope that led to the lower levels. Kaail felt eyes on him the moment he landed. The surrounding Hish stopped what they were doing and stared right at him. Some were curious while others were afraid or a bit angry. A pup came from out of nowhere and stood next to his mother, watching as they moved through. He'd never seen one so young, given they are taken when they are born by the Amengi to either be warriors, slaves or killed on the spot if not worth the time. The third option is the most common. He kept focused on where he was going and on A'stea, ignoring the growls and hisses coming from all around him. Everything was a blur and fast-paced until they reached a white tent that was different from the others.
"Kaail." A'stea poked at his arm and he stopped, making the rest of the party stall. "I can stand up now."
"A'stea." He spoke.
"A'stea. You're not well." Fi'ka came to her side in concern. Nu'kha seemed like he wanted to come but stayed back.
"I'm fine. Really . . . it's no big deal."
She felt strong enough to get on her feet but she also didn't want to be a burden to Kaail. She wiggled in his arms, ignoring the pain until he softly settled her next to him. She waited a moment, holding her hands out for balance with Kaail's for reassurance. The headache was still there but not as bad. She still needed to be careful of her ribs and back. Who knows what damage is hidden?
After a minute, she smiled. "See? I'm okay. Can we get going quickly?"
No one argued but everyone stayed close as they proceeded into the white tent. Inside, rows of beds were laid out with a few Hish on them and more attending them. But it was a scene that Kaail knew too well but worse than he expected. Each had cuts and bruises all over their bodies or others with limbs missing. Some he could identify as whip marks and pokers, a common practice of torture for the Amengi. They were thin and weak, moaning in agony. One Hish that was no more than a teenager was slumping almost off the side of the bed. He could count the ribs that were showing. If it wasn't for the foul smell of blood and sweat, Kaail would be able to handle it better. But he turned away when he saw the young Hish open his eyes.
They were empty.
He should have been used to this. So why is this affecting me so?
"S'aha!" Fi'ka called as soon as she moved past a curtain separating a part of the tent from everyone else. No one could hear them until Fi'ka popped her head back out. "You can come in."
A'stea went in first with Kaail right behind. But when Nu'kha tried to come, A'stea stopped him. "You stay here. I don't want any trouble."
When Nu'kha began a low rumble that would turn into a growl, Kaail beat him to the punch. Both of them stared at each other with Kaail trying to figure out this male. He's an idiot . . . but there's something else.
"Kaail." A'stea called. "Let's go."
With a puff, he turned away but worried why Bu'at wasn't coming until he spoke.
"I'll watch out here. We've got a lot of eyes on us." He tilted his head to a few Hish staring from the outside of the tent. Yeah . . . A good idea. He went inside to follow A'stea.
Inside, the room was a little better than what the rest of the tent was but at a price. There were two or three patients that looked like they were close to death. He was convinced that the last one at the end was dead if he didn't see his chest move. But a large female and Fi'ka were sitting right next to him, probing a needle into the male's vein and taking a bit of his blood. She didn't have the best coloring a Hish could have, only a dull green hue but she was packed with muscle. It was hard to believe that this female was a healer.
"S'aha." A'stea called.
The female lifted her head. Her face was stoic until her eyes set upon A'stea and then at Kaail. She wasn't angry or afraid. But rather . . . she was curious.
"A'stea." She called with a sort of 'what did you do now' tone. "What happened?"
"You know . . ." She raised her hands for a second. "The usual."
"Got into trouble again, huh?"
A'stea lowered her gaze.
It was not lost on Kaail. The sudden change of behavior from her was unusual. He thought she was going to say something back but instead, she submitted. He tilted his head at the female they called S'aha. She has that . . . authoritative feel around her. I don't know.
"Come here then and let me take a look at you."
A'stea walked slowly to the small chair at the corner with S'aha sitting on the other. Kaail and Fi'ka watched as she was evaluated. It didn't take S'aha long to see the marks on her neck. "What is this?"
A'stea shrugged her shoulders. "My master decided to punish me for what I've done earlier on. It's no big deal."
"Your master did this?" S'aha asked, confused. "They appear more like claw marks from a Hish. Are you sure?"
Kaail tensed up. He didn't know what A'stea would say and this female was more observant than he thought. They made eye contact briefly until A'stea nodded. "Yeah. Only the Amengi."
S'aha grunted, grabbing a small cloth and soaking it with some clear liquid. "The Amengi are well known for holding grudges. They are no more than pups with tantrums.
Silently, Kaail agreed. Right on the mark.
S'aha moved around her body, seeing nothing else until she pressed two fingers on her sides. A'stea flinched, jerking away in an attempt to get rid of the pain. That was a mistake as she hissed when she twisted enough that her back got it too.
"You fractured a few of your ribs. And you back too?" S'aha groaned, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Just heal me."
"I always do but the problem seems you don't know how to stay out of trouble."
"They get me for even the slightest provocation. They make it too easy." A'stea gasped when S'aha pressed against her chest.
"It doesn't matter. You know better." Fi'ka nodded in agreement.
A'stea sighed. Tag team against me. Very nice.
But then, S'aha turned her attention to Kaail. "But I didn't expect you would have company so soon. Is this the Great White Warrior I've been hearing about?"
All attention turned to him. Kaail felt self-conscious. Fi'ka and A'stea didn't seem to worry but S'aha was a different story. The female stood from the chair and came closer. His urge to growl a warning was strong but he didn't want to cause any trouble with A'stea being treated and more strangers outside the tent.
She stopped a few feet away. Her golden eyes on him. But then, she began to circle him. Kaail wanted to follow but A'stea shook her head so he stood still. He heard her hum and click her mandibles softly. Going behind him . . . pausing a moment on his side . . . and then back to where she started. He watched as the female tapped a finger on her inner mouth and then smirked.
"He's a strong male . . . and stubborn as I heard. A good choice you made for yourself, A'stea. He would make a good mate."
Kaail and A'stea froze in shock in an instant and then embarrassment followed. Fi'ka had to turn around and hold her mouth close to suppress a chuckle. The audacity to bring up such a subject was unexpected and A'stea reached quickly.
"S'aha!" Her cheeks began to burn. "We're not—"
"Absolutely no!" Kaail roared. His skin tingled.
"Okay, okay." S'aha chuckled, raising her hands. "I was only joking."
"Some joke." Fi'ka laughed. "You should have seen your face. All red and puffy."
A'stea widened her eyes and turned away, trying to hide her face. "I am not! We're only friends. Why would you even think that?"
S'aha purred, teasing her. "Well, it's not every day that you bring home a male like this one. And a warrior no less. Not to mention you brought him here a week earlier than you said so I could only suspect that there's more between the both of you."
A'stea and Kaail glanced at each other for a moment. More?
She turned away first while Kaail closed his eyes. Uncertainty and confusion were building in themselves, unable to figure a plan to understand it.
"He came to help me. And is sympathetic to our cause."
"Really?" S'aha moved to grab something from a bag. "Does he know of the meeting and our plans?"
A'stea bit her lip. "Not yet. I was hoping for next week when everything was settled. And when we hunted enough meat to bring a token of peace."
"You don't have to worry about that," Fi'ka explained. "We got enough to last us another week until you've recovered."
"Speaking of which, is the meeting still going as planned?" A'stea asked.
Everyone was silent for a moment. It wasn't good news for her. Either something happened or they won't tell me. She bet on the latter choice. With Kaail's arrival to their hideout, the others attending to it would be keen on pushing to finalize their plans, even if it means she wasn't there. A'stea wasn't going to have any of it. Those idiots will jump to conclusions.
S'aha spoke. "They are holding it in a few minutes."
"Then I need to go."
A'stea struggled a little to get out of the chair but she must have twisted it the wrong way and pain shot through her back. She gasped and almost slammed back into the chair until Kaail caught her. Worried she might try again, he lowered her softly back in the chair but kept close. "You're still to hurt to move."
"But I have to be there." She began to breathe heavily. "It's important."
"A'stea." Fi'ka came to the other side. "He's right. You need to get some rest."
"After I attend." She tried to get up again and Kaail pushed her down. He was shaking his head. Why is she so stubborn? Both glared at each other silently but as soon as she saw S'aha with her disapproving look, she slumped down.
S'aha sighed. "There's nothing I can do to fix the ribs and back except let time take its course." She reached inside a bag near her and pulled out a small, white pill. "This will help with the pain for now but it's all I have. Don't push yourself when you get there."
"Thank you, S'aha. Much appreciated." A'stea placed it in her mouth and swallowed it. She hated the bitter taste it left behind but it's the compromise she'll have to make do. It'll take a while to kick in so she'll have to push through the pain for now.
"Come on. We need to get going." With a small push, she got out of the chair and began to walk.
All three exited the tent when they were met with Bu'at waiting on the side. He came to them when he caught sight of them. "Finally coming out?"
"Where's Nu'kha?" A'stea asked. A nerve popped from Kaail's forehead.
"He went ahead to some meeting. I stayed to wait for you here." He grunted. "Going to the same place?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll lead the way to the lovebirds."
Kaail growled at Bu'at but all he did was a smirk, turning his back to walk through the tents. Fi'ka followed but gave a small smile at A'stea before she did. She rolled her eyes. Not now, Fi'ka.
"What was that all about?"
Kaail called before A'stea moved a step forward. She bit her lip, knowing this might happen. "My apologies for S'aha's behavior. She likes to tease me about stuff like that. Don't think about it too much."
He tightened his mandibles together. Although it wasn't exactly the topic he wanted to bring up, his mind began to replay the events. A mate? He never took the time to think about such things. Not many Hish have the freedom to choose who they want to be with. But it made him wonder as he looked down at her hazel eyes.
But he placed it in the back burner for now.
"Not that. What's this meeting about that's so important?"
He saw her freeze for a moment. She was so keen on going to this that she'll push herself through pain to get there. He worried about her but maybe he might understand if she explained.
"It's about what we're doing here. It's hard to explain but . . ." She swallowed. "When we get there, you'll know."
A'stea turned around and faced him, determined. "Once we get in, there's no going back. No one must know what's going on here . . . not even the masters."
He paused.
"Are you sure you want to do this?
Kaail thought for a moment. No going back? No one must know? Some part of him knew what she was talking about. Her reasons for helping servants disappear . . . for stealing the box from the masters . . . They are all connected for one reason or another. If the Amengi found out about what they were doing, he knew the consequences. He remembered when A'stea got hurt because Master Thu'at wanted payback for standing up against him. It stung his chest badly . . . like someone stabbed in the heart. He wasn't about to go back.
Maybe this is his chance . . . at redemption. For her at least.
He nodded. "I understand."
In an instant, she smiled and the pain in his chest was replaced with warmth.
"Then lets go."
Hi everyone!
We got a sneak peek of what's in the hideout, shocking Kaail that something as large as a city could be underground and full of Hish that are free. But are they? And a funny scene when S'aha, the healer, thought that A'stea chose Kaail as a mate. I could see it in my mind how they would react and it was hilarious lol.
But now, they are headed to the meeting that seemed mighty important to A'stea. Could Kaail find out what's going on? And will it help him decide what he'll fight for? Or doubt will seep in?
Find out when Chapter 32 comes on Monday! ;)
Thank you for the reviews (Mariah, IanAlphaAxel, and Larita1976 (for chapters 28 and 29))! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)
Happy Hunting! :))))