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This was familiar to Siray. Deson had told the group of trainees early on of how his younger sibling had been taken the cycle after Deson’s own Change ceremony. They all had similar stories. Being captured or pursued by the Faction soldiers and losing family members and friends to this violent order that wanted to take control of their world.

  Yet only Baindan knew why Siray had joined. She didn’t think he had told anyone—apart from the commander and lieutenant—of what he had rescued her from, which she was thankful for.

  She didn’t want to have to talk about that ever again.

  ‘So, somewhere out there is our new home,’ Deson mused. ‘Hard to believe, isn’t it?’

  Siray nodded. ‘It’s so dry and …’ She trailed off as she searched for a word to accurately describe the great extent of nothingness that lay before them.

  ‘Barren?’ Deson provided.

  Siray nodded again. ‘I don’t know how anything could survive out there.’

  ‘Well, apparently they can.’ Deson was frowning.

  ‘You don’t think Baindan’s right?’ Siray asked.

  Deson’s mouth tightened into a thin line at the mention of Baindan’s name. ‘I think his intel about the facility is right. Finding it, however, is another matter.’

  Siray gazed out at the sands, her eyes roving across the many dunes, and she shook her head, already feeling overwhelmed. How could they find one site in all of that?

  As if answer to her mental query, an arm appeared around the rock in front of her, and she stood as Baindan’s body followed his arm. He slipped back through the big hole in the wall, Wexner following him in.

  ‘I think I know where we are,’ Baindan said.

  The others all came in closer again as Baindan squatted down and smoothed out the loose, gravelly sand at his feet. He made a couple of marks in the sand, then drew all their attention to various points as he spoke.

  ‘If this is where the desert gives way to the savanna’—he pointed out a line—‘then this is where I anticipated the facility might be,’ he said, motioning to a round mark some distance from the first line. He glanced up at them all. ‘I thought we would have about a day’s worth of travel from where we left the edge of the savanna to where our best guess puts the Resistance site.’

  He returned his gaze to his rough map. ‘Instead, we’ve come out here’—Baindan gestured to another mark he had made to the side, then peered up at the others—‘which I think means at least two days’ travel through the sands.’

  Siray took a deep breath. Two days in the desert. Not so bad. Surely they could do that.

  Jorgi voiced the thought. ‘We can make that, yes?’

  Baindan nodded. ‘We’ll need to ration the water, and the food.’

  Deson asked carefully, ‘How sure are you of the facility’s location?’

  Everyone looked at Baindan and Wexner.

  Baindan exchanged another glance with Wexner, then said to the rest of them, ‘As sure as we can possibly be.’

  Wexner nodded. ‘I think that this is a decision that everyone needs to make for themselves. You’ve seen the caves, and you know that you can at least find water here. Have no illusions,’ he warned them all sternly, very much the veteran fighter, ‘the sands are a harsh place. No one has to come.’

  Deson nodded. ‘I’m going. Nothing back there for me.’ He jerked his head in the direction of a point now far behind them. Then his gaze flicked to Siray’s.

  She sighed, not liking it, but agreeing that there was no other way. ‘We need to join up with other Resistance members again. So, we need to find that site.’

  The others all voiced their commitment, and it was decided. They would move out at dusk. While they waited for the sun to sink, Wexner gave everyone pointers about travelling through the sands, based on his experience.

  ‘If you can manage it, tuck your socks over the ends of your pants to stop sand getting in.’

  He demonstrated, and Genlie leaned in close to Siray to say, ‘Now, there’s a look I want to show off.’

  Siray giggled softly and then pretended absolute seriousness as Wexner looked at them before he continued. ‘If we need to move during the day, drape your shirts over your head and shoulders to protect those parts from the sun. When the waterskin is passed to you, don’t drink in large gulps. Take only small sips, otherwise your stomach will cramp if you need to move in a hurry.’

  They all nodded at each tip to show they were paying attention.

  Wexner’s face grew grim. ‘And if you see the sand move voluntarily near your feet, it could be one of three things. The first, and worst, is a sand vepton. If you suspect it might be a sand vepton, do not hesitate and get out of its way immediately.’

  Siray was paying very close attention now.

  ‘The second thing it could be is a sinkhole. If the sand starts to shift beneath your feet, don’t move but call out to whomever is closest. The rope will be thrown to you, and we will drag you clear.’

  Siray felt her brows draw together. She was really starting to wonder about the days they had ahead of them.

  ‘The third thing it could be is a sand slide. Not as dangerous, but if it happens to you, try to go with it, stay on your back, and keep your mouth closed.’

  Siray raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Genlie, who shrugged. Apparently, this would also be her first experience with such things.

  The rest of Wexner’s spiel was similar—short and to the point. He answered any questions they had but repeatedly enforced one thing—for them to be on their guard.

  As the sun began to sink, Siray took advantage of everyone else getting ready for the night ahead and moved outside to see to her own body’s needs. Although being on reduced rations meant that everyone had needed less personal breaks, the times when they had had to go in the dark caves mere paces from each other was not something she would remember fondly.

  After finishing up with all the necessaries, Siray paused before going back inside the cavern to look out at the sands thoughtfully. Well, at least now she would be able to see the sky.

  ‘You’re so beautiful in this light.’

  Deson’s voice was soft, and Siray, standing against one side of the hole in the wall, turned to smile at him while shaking her head.

  ‘It’s true,’ he insisted. ‘Although I thought you were beautiful from the moment I saw you, when you crawled so stubbornly into the camp as trainee fourteen.’

  Siray chuckled at that, and Deson moved closer. ‘But when I saw you Change into the sevonix …’ He trailed off. Then he swallowed. ‘I knew then.’

  Siray felt her smile drop away at Deson’s serious tone. ‘Knew what?’ she asked.

  ‘That you and I are … a pair,’ Deson said simply but still softly. ‘We have some kind of … deeper connection, Siray. I know you’ve felt it too.’

  Deson’s brown eyes held hers, and Siray nodded slowly. ‘I have.’

  Deson moved so that he stood completely in front of her, his back to the sands, and rested one hand on the wall to the side of Siray’s head. Then he raised his other hand and ran it slowly down her left cheek.

  Siray’s insides felt like they were dancing from nerves, and her face almost felt like it was burning where his fingers lingered over her cheek. She liked Deson. But she also liked Baindan. More than liked both of them. But did she feel the same way about Deson as she did about Baindan? Did she feel as strongly about both?

  Siray felt like her head was spinning, but then Genlie’s recent advice came to her.

  Let it play out.

  So giving in to the thunderous beating of her heart, she reached out a hand and caressed Deson’s left cheek with the tips of her fingers.

  His sigh of relief turned into a ragged breath, and he stepped in close to her, causing Siray’s shoulders to bump up against the rock wall as Deson grasped her shoulders and pulled her into a heated kiss. One of his hands squeezed her shoulder while the other moved to cup the outside of her thigh, his fingers grasping at
the toned muscles of her leg through her pants.

  Deson’s kiss was different from Baindan’s—it was more an outpouring of his passion, with an urgency behind it. But it, too, sent a shiver through Siray’s body as he held her firmly, his hands warm as they circled around the material of her shirt at her waist, then daring to lower to grasp her backside.

  Siray’s body arched into his at the touch, wanting more, her hands coming up to circle his neck and grasp his shoulder, her fingers marvelling at the impressive muscles she could feel beneath his shirt.

  As her mouth parted to let him taste her, she used the hand she had wrapped around his neck to pull his face farther down to her height so that their lips crushed together.

  A laugh echoed out suddenly from inside the cavern opening from nearby, making Siray and Deson jerk apart as they both abruptly recalled where they were, Siray’s head bumping against the wall of rock behind her.

  Deson glanced sideways towards the cavern entrance before he stepped swiftly forwards again to kiss her again several times in quick succession.

  When he moved away unexpectedly again, Siray almost stumbled forwards, and she reached out with a hand to steady herself against his chest, breathless, her body practically singing at the memory of his touch.

  ‘Ah,’ said Deson, smiling a little with embarrassment as he reined himself in. ‘Sorry about that … forgot myself a little there.’ He reached out, slowly, to gently brush a lock of Siray’s red hair away from her face, his own expression tender. ‘But I’m glad you know now how I feel about you.’ He leaned down and brought his mouth close to Siray’s ear. ‘And I’m not giving up either,’ he whispered, squeezing her hand. He gave her one last kiss on the cheek, then spun and ducked back inside the cavern.

  Siray’s heart hammered in her chest, her body going slightly numb while her mind reeled. She was thankful that her spine was still pressed up against the wall, otherwise she thought she might have fallen over at Deson’s words.

  I’m not giving up either …

  Had he heard some of the spoken conversation that had passed between her and Baindan the other morning?

  Siray shook her head. What did it matter really? It didn’t alter anything.

  Straightening up from the wall, her legs feeling just a bit weaker than they had moments ago, Siray forced herself to assume a nonchalant expression before she headed back inside the cave.

  Back with the others, their chatter helped restore her to herself a bit. She went up to Kovi and Genlie, who were standing close by and listening to Baindan and Wexner talk as they squatted over Baindan’s crude map.

  ‘We about to move off? The sun is on the horizon.’

  Genlie nodded. ‘Our experts are just conferring one final time.’

  The ‘experts’ stood then and moved up to the opening, Baindan waving them all closer.

  ‘I’ll be travelling at the front, and Wexner will be travelling at the back. Everyone else, just make sure you stay somewhere between the two of us, and don’t fan out too much.’

  With that, Baindan moved through the hole, followed by Loce, Kovi, Genlie, Tamot, Jorgi, Siray, Deson, and Wexner. Then he led them downwards, weaving along the side of the rocky outcropping, taking his time to ensure they found a safe way down.

  Just as darkness fell, Loce tripped and stumbled a little before recovering, assuring Kovi and Genlie that he was fine, though in the dim light Siray could just see his face flushing furiously at doing something that they all expected Jorgi to do.

  Soon after, they moved from the rocks onto the sands, and Siray couldn’t help but feel a little excited about this next stage of their journey. Regardless of the hard days ahead, they had made it this far. They would find the facility, she was sure of it.

  CHAPTER NINE

  SIRAY’S CONFIDENCE had dropped significantly after walking for so long. It was tough work hiking up and down the steep slopes of the dunes, and she was sure she was expending double the effort she usually would have due to the sand that made her feet slip and sink.

  She had initially thought that the desert was beautiful, with the stars and moons hanging above them in the still air, and had actually enjoyed the freedom of the sandy expanse.

  But as the night wore on and the temperature dropped, she paid less attention to the sky and began simply wishing for more layers, as a chill arose that made her want to run her hands up and down her arms to warm them up. But that was energy she needed to keep moving, so she settled for hugging herself instead. Deson stayed near her as they walked, which Siray was grateful for, as his mere presence helped to distract her from aching muscles and the cold.

  As a group, they kept a strict silence, as any chatter would carry for a distance around them, and they still didn’t know what had become of the patrols behind them. They took a couple of quick breaks through the night, with Baindan moving to Wexner’s side to confer quickly on their progress each time.

  As he went past, he managed once or twice to brush his hand subtlety against Siray’s.

  They were all yawning and sighing when the halo, which always appeared before the sun actually emerged, started to light up the desert.

  Seeing the dawn approach, Baindan called back to Wexner, ‘Time to find a spot.’

  The group all halted as Wexner moved up to join Baindan at the front.

  ‘Where can we possibly hide in this place?’ muttered Tamot, who happened to be beside Siray at the time.

  She shook her head. ‘I really have no idea. It all looks the same to me,’ she remarked, peering around at the dunes that appeared grey in the purple light of morning. She watched as Wexner pointed down the hill to Baindan, who then turned to the group.

  ‘Alright. We’re going to set up our encampment near the bottom of this hill,’ he said simply. When no one could spare the energy to make a reply, he turned and began leading the way down the side of the steep dune.

  When they all reached the bottom, Wexner turned to Jorgi. ‘Care to dig us a hole?’

  Jorgi grinned. ‘How deep?’

  ‘Deep enough to fit your hopul in it,’ Baindan answered.

  As Jorgi Changed and set to work, Siray, Tamot, and Loce jumped out of the way from behind him as his six limbs caused a large quantity of sand to begin flying in their direction.

  By the time Jorgi completed his work, the sun had emerged onto the horizon. As Jorgi Changed back, Wexner directed all of them into the hole, then had them take off their shirts and drape them over their heads and bodies as best as they possibly could.

  As the sun rose, so did the temperature, and Wexner’s choice of location for the hole became evident when the morning sun cast the shadow of the nearby steep dune over their hole, thereby reducing the temperature just a little.

  Still, when the sun hit its high peak at midday, there was no hiding from its glare, yet the sand at the bottom of the hole did offer some cool relief. As Siray tried to rest, she began wishing once more for the cool, dark caverns that they had left the previous night, and then almost laughed at herself when she thought how ironic that desire was.

  Although it seemed to take forever, with them all sleeping fitfully at best in the heat, the sun did eventually descend towards the horizon. As the desert once more cooled under the approaching night, they managed to get a few spans of sleep before Wexner woke them all.

  Grudgingly standing up from her spot and tucking her shirt into the waistband of her pants, Siray waited patiently as the water satchel was shared around, now more than half empty. Some meat was also passed to her, but Siray found she could eat very little of it.

  Then they were on the move again, pushing against the sand once more as they trudged across the dunes towards the invisible target Baindan and Wexner had set.

  During one of their breaks, Siray, looking around at the dunes that were almost silver in the light of their world’s three moons, spotted some marks against one dune in the distance. She squinted, curious about this anomaly. They looked like some kind of objects, bu
t as they were small in shape and didn’t seem to be moving, Siray shrugged them off as rocks. Nice to know that at least there was some kind of natural formations out there that was not just sand. She soon forgot about them as the grouped rallied once more to continue their trek.

  They made good progress during the rest of the night, and Siray kept her eyes hopefully on the horizon, looking for any sign of a structure or natural spring that might be their destination. But as dawn approached once more, she resigned herself to the fact that they had yet another night of hard walking ahead of them.

  Baindan tried to bolster their spirits by saying, ‘I think we’re getting close. We should be able to get there tonight.’

  Siray nodded tiredly with the others, hoping to the Mother that he was right. She saw Wexner move off to begin looking for a new spot to spend the day, while the others descended the dune a little so as not to cast silhouettes against the rising sun. Siray paused a moment before joining them to look around, for it was at this time in the morning that the desert appeared to her the friendliest. With the sun about to make an appearance over the horizon, the temperature was pleasant, the view fantastic, and the wandering breeze a relief.

  Siray was standing closest to the top of their dune to make the most of this breeze when she thought she heard a sound from the other side of the dune.

  Exhausted, she didn’t think much about it but moved a couple of paces closer to the top to indulge her curiosity, frowning as she did so.

  She had just reached the dune’s peak when something small and narrow whizzed past her, one sharp edge slicing through the sleeve of her shirt and the side of her arm. Grabbing at her arm with her other hand as blood welled, Siray spun and dropped to her back on the sand, yelling down at the others, ‘Patrol!’

  The others exploded into action immediately. Baindan and Wexner began sprinting up from the bottom of the dune, while Deson and Tamot ran to Siray.

  Deson dropped to his chest on the sand and popped his head over the lip of the dune, ducking down just as quickly. ‘There’s ten of them!’

  Baindan heard his yell, and called back, ‘We’ve got to fight them—we can’t let any of them escape, otherwise they’ll report our position!’