Read Online Strange Skies by Kristi Helvig - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kristi Helvig
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“I thought you’d sleep a while longer.”
I combed a clump of dirt from my hair with my fingers. “All rested. Where are you going?”
He hesitated. “There’s a meeting at the command center soon. I’m heading over.”
“What’s the meeting about?” I asked as I stood up.
James took a step closer and I tried not to notice the way the sunlight reflected off his blond stubble. “We’ve been planning how to address the problem of the Consulate once and for all. They haven’t found us yet, but they will eventually. They know the weapons are around somewhere.” He looked uncomfortable. “And I’m sort of in charge while Kale is gone.”
It didn’t help to shift my attention to his arms, which were as muscular as I remembered. Of course he was in charge—he was a natural leader. I really wished I could recall our escape together. I stood straighter. “I’m going with you.” My stomach erupted in another loud rumble and I wanted to sink into the ground.
James shook his head. “No, it’s too dangerous. Kale could show up. I need to figure out what he’s planning first.”
Kale’s name sent shivers down my spine. Still, I didn’t survive Earth just to hide. And now I had Dad to think about too. “What about rescuing my dad? What about that plan?” My voice rose despite my attempts to sound cool and collected.
Alec emerged from his hut, followed closely by Lucy, her tail wagging. She ran to James and licked his hand.
I whirled to face Alec. “You promised. You told me that we’d go back for him.” I was almost shouting.
“ Sí , I promised.” Alec raised his hands. “And I’ve never broken a promise to you, have I, ángel ?” He looked pointedly at James. “Max and some others will help us … they’ll do anything to hurt the Consulate. We just need a good plan.”
Markus stumbled out of the tent. “What’s all the yelling about? Can’t a guy get any sleep around here?” He rubbed his eyes. “I need a drink.”
James took off his pack, reached inside, and pulled out another blue vial. “No, but you do need something to deal with the withdrawal.”
“It works great,” I said. I hadn’t had a single symptom since James had given me the serum. “Why didn’t you give Markus this med weeks ago?”
Markus cleared his throat. “I might have told James where he could put his vial once or twice.” He looked embarrassed as he held out his arm. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” James said. “Still, I wouldn’t recommend drinking again anytime soon. It won’t mix well with the meds.”
Markus groaned. “Where’s the fun in that?” He grabbed his mug from where it rested near the fire and took a swig. I’m sure he wished it were anything but water.
I glared at Markus. I didn’t have time for his pity party. “I don’t care if you’re having fun or not. Look, for some reason, my dad trusted you, Markus. You need to staysober so you can make yourself useful. I need your help too. Got it?”
Markus looked at the ground and kicked the dirt, but nodded slowly.
James shifted his pack. “I’ve got to go to this meeting now or I’ll be late.”
“Me too.” I ignored James’ stare and patted the gun at my side. “I think I’ve proven that I can take care of myself.”
Markus straightened. “I’m in. I’m going too.” He had a strange gleam in his eye, like he wanted something. I knew that look.
“No,” James and I said in unison.
“You know you’d never make it past the bar to get to the command center,” I said.
James nodded. “You need to give the injection a little more time. It doesn’t just prevent withdrawal symptoms—it stops the desire to ingest the substance that caused them. You’ll be fine in another hour or so.” He turned to Alec. “You should stay with Markus, keep an eye on him so he stays put.”
Lucy sat at James’ heels. By the way, you would think it was his dog and not Alec’s. Alec looked as though he was going to protest.
I combed a clump of dirt from my hair with my fingers. “All rested. Where are you going?”
He hesitated. “There’s a meeting at the command center soon. I’m heading over.”
“What’s the meeting about?” I asked as I stood up.
James took a step closer and I tried not to notice the way the sunlight reflected off his blond stubble. “We’ve been planning how to address the problem of the Consulate once and for all. They haven’t found us yet, but they will eventually. They know the weapons are around somewhere.” He looked uncomfortable. “And I’m sort of in charge while Kale is gone.”
It didn’t help to shift my attention to his arms, which were as muscular as I remembered. Of course he was in charge—he was a natural leader. I really wished I could recall our escape together. I stood straighter. “I’m going with you.” My stomach erupted in another loud rumble and I wanted to sink into the ground.
James shook his head. “No, it’s too dangerous. Kale could show up. I need to figure out what he’s planning first.”
Kale’s name sent shivers down my spine. Still, I didn’t survive Earth just to hide. And now I had Dad to think about too. “What about rescuing my dad? What about that plan?” My voice rose despite my attempts to sound cool and collected.
Alec emerged from his hut, followed closely by Lucy, her tail wagging. She ran to James and licked his hand.
I whirled to face Alec. “You promised. You told me that we’d go back for him.” I was almost shouting.
“ Sí , I promised.” Alec raised his hands. “And I’ve never broken a promise to you, have I, ángel ?” He looked pointedly at James. “Max and some others will help us … they’ll do anything to hurt the Consulate. We just need a good plan.”
Markus stumbled out of the tent. “What’s all the yelling about? Can’t a guy get any sleep around here?” He rubbed his eyes. “I need a drink.”
James took off his pack, reached inside, and pulled out another blue vial. “No, but you do need something to deal with the withdrawal.”
“It works great,” I said. I hadn’t had a single symptom since James had given me the serum. “Why didn’t you give Markus this med weeks ago?”
Markus cleared his throat. “I might have told James where he could put his vial once or twice.” He looked embarrassed as he held out his arm. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” James said. “Still, I wouldn’t recommend drinking again anytime soon. It won’t mix well with the meds.”
Markus groaned. “Where’s the fun in that?” He grabbed his mug from where it rested near the fire and took a swig. I’m sure he wished it were anything but water.
I glared at Markus. I didn’t have time for his pity party. “I don’t care if you’re having fun or not. Look, for some reason, my dad trusted you, Markus. You need to staysober so you can make yourself useful. I need your help too. Got it?”
Markus looked at the ground and kicked the dirt, but nodded slowly.
James shifted his pack. “I’ve got to go to this meeting now or I’ll be late.”
“Me too.” I ignored James’ stare and patted the gun at my side. “I think I’ve proven that I can take care of myself.”
Markus straightened. “I’m in. I’m going too.” He had a strange gleam in his eye, like he wanted something. I knew that look.
“No,” James and I said in unison.
“You know you’d never make it past the bar to get to the command center,” I said.
James nodded. “You need to give the injection a little more time. It doesn’t just prevent withdrawal symptoms—it stops the desire to ingest the substance that caused them. You’ll be fine in another hour or so.” He turned to Alec. “You should stay with Markus, keep an eye on him so he stays put.”
Lucy sat at James’ heels. By the way, you would think it was his dog and not Alec’s. Alec looked as though he was going to protest.
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