Plague of Mybyncia (14 page)

“I’m trying…” Werzo winces, “but she
doesn’t…”

“It will not work if you cannot communicate.
She will know you mean her harm.”

“I don’t!”

“Tell her.”

Werzo inhales, closes his eyes and
concentrates. Finally, the Millix lowers her head and Werzo climbs
on, stumbling. He gives himself another minute or so to finalize
adjusting and nods wearily to Maris. Qippert also joins us by
leaping onto his own Millix.

“Use your legs to grip, and here,” Maris
indicates the nubs at the base of Shaya’s neck, “the bairs. You may
hold onto them for further assistance. Remember what Princess
Ariana and I have told you,” Maris turns to us. “When you think you
are holding tight, hold
tighter
. Everyone ready?” she
pauses, waiting for each of us to grab the bairs. I’m already
grasping them—two handlebars beneath my tightened fists. If I
thought the Stancimis moved fast, what’s this going to be like?

Once Maris is satisfied, she nods. “Let’s
go.”

She submerges with Shaya first, followed
quickly by Qippert and his Millix. As I’m about to tell Lalu to
follow, we’re already sinking with racing speed into the rich blue
water, the surface yards above us in seconds.

Holy shit!

Everything is flying past, layers of ocean
divided by coral and rock structures—some of the Holding Stations
most likely. Maris and Shaya are racing dots ahead and as Lalu
dives further into the darkness, the lights from the city suddenly
appear, illuminating the murky depths around us.

Wow
.

It took a lot longer with the Stancimis but
riding the Millix, we arrive to the city in under a minute. Maris
is right—these guys are built for speed! I grip Lalu as hard as
possible, praying I don’t accidently slip off and fly back into the
water, lost. But with the way we’re moving, it seems bound to
happen. I want to look around me, see if anyone has been thrown
off, but I know we’re supposed to follow Maris and Qippert. If I
turn to find out, I could risk losing them. Besides, the others are
probably fine.

Maris and Qippert round the top spike of the
golden coral castle, refusing to slow. I grasp Lalu’s bairs and
lean in.

Faster.

She obeys, soaring effortlessly through the
water, racing at a speed I wasn’t prepared for. We’re spinning up
through the water, everything a blur. Suddenly we’re slamming
through the surface, flying into the air and back down again,
completely submerged in seconds.

I’m only a little dizzy, but it doesn’t last
long. Lalu is diving for the ocean’s depths again when I realize
we’re alone. I instinctively want to slow and Lalu hears my
thought, obeying me without even having to send her a message.
We’re sort of sitting in the middle of nowhere, Maris, Qippert and
the others gone.

Lalu… where is Shaya?

Defending human.

Which one? My heart races… is it Pratt? Reid?
I take a breath and concentrate.

Lalu, take me there please.

We’re immediately soaring down into the murky
depths again, the city lights coming into view. But we fly past it,
rounding to the opposite direction of the Muskos lair and through
the newly impending darkness. We’re there in seconds, the
horrifying scene playing before us.

Werzo and Mae tumble through the open water,
independent of their Millix who swim in protection around them. I’m
about to ask Lalu why they’re unable to just remount them, when I
notice a flock of stray Millix approaching. There are about half a
dozen, all grouped together and eyeing Werzo and Mae curiously.
Maris and Qippert race to the tumbling Mae and Werzo, attempting to
grab them, but their circling Millix prevent the help. They simply
circle each other’s riders, waiting for them to climb back on.

Werzo attempts to reach for his, but the
Millix makes it difficult, racing past too quickly for him to get a
hold. Mae flails about, obviously terrified of the impending dozen
who seem to be focusing in on her. Her Millix circles her
protectively, but like with Werzo’s, it moves too fast for her to
catch. She’s trying desperately, clutching at everything, but she
gets nowhere and the stray beasts are moving closer.

Can we help them, Lalu?

It is not certain.

Will they be okay?

It is unknown.

Maris and Qippert attempt to put themselves
between the two groups but the impending dozen aren’t deterred.
They’re focused on Werzo and Mae, a vicious gleam growing in their
narrow red eyes. Their mouths retract, revealing wide rows of
dagger teeth. Mae and Werzo continue grasping for their circling
rides but the Millix refuse to slow down. They fly under their
flailing legs, trying to slide between them but with their speed,
they only end up flipping Mae and Werzo around more.

Lalu, we have to help.

There is nothing we can do.

Why not?

I must protect you.

There’s no way she’ll help unless I’m in need
of rescuing. And the thought hits me. It’s the only thing I can do
to help Werzo and Mae, who look like they’re about to be devoured
by the suddenly voracious Millix. With my heart racing, I do the
only thing I can think of.

Releasing my grip on Lalu, I push myself from
her, swimming straight for Mae and Werzo. The horde of approaching
Millix pause at my sudden appearance, especially as Lalu races
behind me, suddenly joining the other two circling Millix. Reaching
Mae, I grasp her flailing arms, holding them still. Turning her to
face me, I find her petrified eyes darting around. She doesn’t see
me, too terrified to recognize what I’m doing.

“You need to let your Millix pick you up,” I
say, pointing to her legs.

“H-how?” her voice trembles.

“They’ll swim under you. When they do, grab
on.”

“They’re going too fast.”

“Grab on
quickly
.”

“Fallon…”

“You can do this.”

Before she has time to reply, I’m swimming
towards Werzo, hoping to dispense the same advice. Except as I do,
Mae’s Millix flies past me, sweeping to pick her up. The speed
sends me spinning through the water and I’ve lost direction. I’m
instantly displaced, trying to find which way is up, everything a
dizzying blur. Werzo’s flailing somewhere in the distance, the
flock of Millix racing for us.

This was a dumb idea. Now it’s Werzo and I
set to die.

Not Mae and Werzo.

Trying to right myself again, I’m yanked back
by my arm, colliding into another body. Reid is here, worry etched
across his handsome face as his eyes flicker between mine, reading
their momentary safety. With him, Jace appears, and Tucker and
Booker. They pull Werzo closer and suddenly Qippert is here too.
And now, seven Millix circle our small lot, the stray pack
immediately halting.

Lalu and the rest of our Millix rear their
dagger teeth, hissing as they circle, making an impenetrable shield
around us. The stray pack waits, watching as Maris, Mae and Pratt
keep to either side of the rounding herd, also ready to pounce.
Finally, the wild Millix retreat, hissing away into the dark
depths.

“You need to get back on,” Maris indicates to
our circling Millix. “
Now
.”

Reid frowns and begrudgingly releases me, his
eyes still searching mine. My heart is heavy at the sight and I
freeze under the look. But Lalu swims between my legs and I grab
onto her neck, pulling myself on as the rest of the group mounts
their Millix.

We head for the surface again, my heart
racing with the last few minutes. The journey up takes a little
longer than our descent but I don’t mind. I need a moment to
recount everything—Mae and Werzo’s near death…my own… and of
course, Reid appearing at the crucial moment like always, his fear
and concern burning through me.

Finally breaking the surface, Maris and
Qippert lead us back to the shore, leaping off of their Millix and
onto the beach.

Thank you, Lalu.

Are you leaving?

For now, but I’ll see you again.

Goodbye, Fallon.

Lalu lowers her neck to the sand and I climb
off. The rest of the Millix do the same, bringing their necks to
the beach so their riders can dismount. Mae is still shaking. Pratt
and Maris hold her, helping her move inward some, Qippert following
right behind them. Werzo doesn’t seem as phased, just out of it,
like he’s still trying to figure out what happened.

“You alright, man?” Reid claps his back, the
other Rogues gathering around.

Werzo nods, green-faced. “I’d kill for a
Tums.”

“Just take a moment,” Qippert turns, “and
breathe. The first time riding a Millix can be a challenge.”

“Does it typically come with a near attack?”
Werzo bends down, hands on his knees, his breath coming in ragged
breaths.

“No,” Maris shakes her head, helping rest Mae
on the sand, “that was very unusual. Un-bonded Millix will travel
in herds looking for food, but rarely do they venture this near the
city. Someone must have been seeking new merchandise, otherwise
they would not be this close.”

“Merchandise?” I ask.

“To distribute,” Maris explains. “Millix are
wild creatures, so they must be brought to the city and tamed
before a bond can be completed. To bond with a wild Millix is
highly
rare.”

“So you purchased Shaya?” Tucker asks.

“Not purchased. There is no purchasing. We
each have our roles, and the Gatherers seek Millix for Pryncbia,
procuring them so every mayan and miyon can select theirs and bond
with them at the proper age.”

“What about the ones we rode today?” Pratt
asks. “Are they on loan or something?”

Maris shakes her head. “They are tamed Millix
who have not bonded. If a Millix has not bonded, it remains for the
city’s use. But when paired off, they will still protect their
riders. It is instinct for them.”

“And what about the stray pack from earlier?”
I ask. “Will they go back to the city?”

“Not likely. They shy away from the lights.
We traveled a bit from Pryncbia. It was just an unlucky
coincidence.”

“Unlucky…” Werzo murmurs.

Maris and Qippert exchange glances before
Maris returns her focus on us. “There is a bit more I was hoping to
cover, but with the recent events, perhaps a break is in order.
Fallon,” she turns to me, “you are meeting with Perio later,
yes?”

I nod.

“We shall adjourn for the day, then.
Tomorrow, Qippert and I will take you around Pryncbia and give you
an in-depth tour of the city. For now,” Maris glances over us, “let
us retire. I believe the Fychu would like you to remain in your
quarters until later.”

Everyone heads inwards when Reid clears his
throat.

“Fallon?” he says. “Can I uh… talk to you for
a sec?”

My heart skips. “Sure.”

“Just…” he motions to a slab of limestone
wall, away from everyone. I start to follow as Qippert stops the
group.

“Shall we wait?”

“No,” Reid pauses, glancing at him. “We’re
fine—we can make our way back.”

“Maris believes the North Shore has been
cleared of all remaining Vermix but to be on the safe side, make it
quick. If you have not reached the Docking Station in ten minutes,
I am coming up to check.” Qippert narrows his eyes and with Maris,
leads the rest of the group past the entanglement of limestone
boulders and through the thick walled shrubbery.

Refocusing on me, Reid motions for the wall
and I follow again, my heart thumping radically in my chest. He
reaches the boulder and stops, removing his helmet and wedging it
between his arm and side. He eyes the ground and as I approach, I
unhinge my headgear and prop it on my hip like his. Reid looks up
and I’m frozen, lost in his gaze.

“You sure you’re alright?” he keeps a foot of
distance between us. “With seeing Perio?”

I shrug. “I guess.”

“You want me to come with you?”

“Um…” my skin flushes with heat.

“I’ll go if you want me to.”

“It’s fine,” I shake my head. “I don’t think
Ariana wants a big crowd.”

His mouth tightens as he nods. “Okay.”

“We’re only going for a few minutes. Just
long enough to get the information.”

“If he has any.”

“You think he won’t?”

Reid shrugs, “Could go either way. My guess
is he won’t talk about any of that with her around.”

“Why not?”

“I understand why she wants to go, but it’ll
be the last thing he’ll discuss.”

“He can’t dodge her questions.”

“He won’t dodge them. He’ll
reinterpret
them, into a conversation about
them
instead. If Perio’s as clever as the princess thinks, you’ll get
very little information.”

“Well… what do you suggest?”

“Unless she’s willing to use his feelings
against him, she needs to get to her point quickly. As soon as he
starts digressing, just leave. Then he’ll tell her anything she
wants to keep her there,” he starts to move past me. “So just uh…
let me know if you change your mind about me going.”

“Do you really want to go?” I turn.

“Not particularly,” he pauses with a glance
to the grouping of limestone walls ahead. “But I will. If it makes
you more comfortable facing him… I will. Just let me know.”

I nod.

He glances to my helmet, then to the tunnel
leading up to the Holding Station. “We should probably get
back.”

“Reid?”

“Yeah?”

And suddenly I’m fumbling. What did I want to
say? Or maybe I didn’t want to say anything at all. Maybe I just
wanted to keep him here with me, a mere second longer. Chickening
out, I grip my headgear in front of me and make for the empty
shore. “We can beat them back.”

His eyes flicker to the ocean, then to me.
“They left.”

“Did they?” I pose, strapping my helmet on as
I reach the edge of the beach. Closing my eyes, I focus on her.