Chapter 1

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Abby

Different isn’t always better, no matter how anyone tries to sell it. Different just means new shit to deal with. New shit is still shit. Especially on an alien planet. I stare up through the opening of my tent at the lavender sky. If that isn’t enough of an indicator I’m not on Earth, the two moons that live up there at night certainly would be. Only the backside of one of them is visible through the hole above at the moment, though. I’m sure the other has descended behind the trees, based on the sounds of the settlement outside my thin tent walls.

Already, voices are raised, and the scent of burning fires and what amounts to coffee seep through the hide of my small ‘home’. I should get up and moving, because I’m going to have to set out for the forest before Lewis wakes and realizes I’ve left. But I don’t want to leave my bed quite yet. If I ignore the faint snores coming from the pile of blankets next to me, I might be able to enjoy the mostly quiet.

I’m probably one of the few who’s used to the short nights and long days on Tavikh. Most likely because I was always up well before the sun ever rose and went to bed long after dark had fallen back on Earth. A lot of us in the bottom tier didn’t have the luxury of sleep. Hell, probably most of us. I suppose that’s one good thing about being here on this alien planet. There is no upper or bottom tier. We’re all on a level playing field.

There’s groan next to me, and the blankets shift, exposing a mop of carrot-orange hair that’s getting far too long. Sleep-riddled eyes are visible next, followed by a button nose and cheeks covered in freckles—or as I like to call them, fairy kisses. Last to be uncovered are thin lips, underscored by a pointy chin . I don’t need a mirror when all my features are right in front of me on the face of my little brother.

“Morning, sleepyhead.”

Carter rubs his eyes and yawns loudly. “What time is it?”

It’s the same question he asks almost every morning, even though there aren’t any clocks on Tavikh, so I have no idea the exact hour. It’s why we made up our own way of telling time. “Half-past when the roosters crow.”

“Ugh.” He complains with a dramatic huff only a twelve-year old can produce.

I should probably correct his behavior, but considering I agree with him, it feels a bit hypocritical. Instead, I swing my blankets off and sit up. “I’m going out into the forest to set some snares and see if I can catch a couple of those alien rabbit-looking things.”

Carter perks up. “Can I come?”

Normally, I’d say no, but I don’t want to get caught out there by myself in case Lewis comes looking for me. Then again, I also don’t want my brother to get hurt.

“Please,” he begs, drawing out the word in a pitiful plea.

“Fine, but don’t be a slowpoke getting ready. I want to leave in ten minutes or less.” I open my trunk for a fresh set of clothes.

“I bet I can beat you,” Carter challenges and dashes out of his own bed.

I chuckle. “You’re on.”

With my clothes in hand, I duck behind the sheet I hung to give myself a bit of privacy to change. Neither of us needs to see the other naked, even if he is my baby brother. He’s growing up way too fast for my liking. A wave of melancholy hits me in the gut. I can still picture the red-faced, squalling baby with his strawberry-blond, baby-fine hair and flailing arms and legs who was far too tiny. His cries were pitiful, but the minute I laid eyes on him, I was in love. He was perfect in every way.

“Beat ya,” Carter crows in victory just as I slip my shirt over my head.

I step around the sheet and find him doing a little dance and pumping his arms over his head with a giant smile on his face. Emotion swells in my chest. In that moment, he looks more like our father than he does me. I clear my throat.

“Did you put on clean underwear?”

He pauses his celebration and glares. “Yes.”

“Don’t look at me like that, young man.” I cross my arms. “I know exactly how gross boys your age can be.”

“I’m not gross.”

Lord save me from offended twelve-year olds. “I didn’t say you were gross. I said boys your age can be gross and I don’t want you becoming one of them. There’s a difference.”

Carter opens his mouth like he wants to argue, but I hold up a finger with a sharply muttered, “Uh”, and he snaps it closed. I’m sure there will come a day far too soon when he won’t hold back a retort, but for the time being, I’ll take it.

“Grab a couple pieces of fruit and the bladder of water, will you, please?” While he does that, I locate the all the supplies I’ll need to set up a couple snares.

Before coming to Tavikh, we lived on protein bars. But after tasting real food, I don’t plan on going back to eating anything other than that. Even if that means I have to hunt for game myself. I made Bruce teach me how to set up a snare, since he’s apparently the go-to guy for all stuff “outdoorsy”.

I’ve been practicing since we got on this damn planet nearly a year ago. The winter was rough, but I managed to get Carter and myself through it with little help from anyone. Because help always comes with a price. Sometimes one I’m not willing to pay.

With all our supplies in hand, we head outside. I scan the settlement, keeping my eye out for Lewis. Lucky for me, he’s a lazy bastard who sleeps half the morning away, so the chances of him being up this early are slim. Still, I watch as my brother and I make our way to the front gate.

It’s not manned, so there’s no one to question us leaving. Ever since most of the Krijese were killed by the Tavikhi, security around here has been pretty lax. Not that it was all that great before. It’s why so many of the people here—my father included—were slaughtered by those beady-eyed fuckers with their mouths full of razor-sharp teeth and their serpentine-like hair.

“Do you think we’ll catch anything?” Carter asks, breaking up the silence as well as the memories I long to forget.

“We should. The weather’s been nice and warm, which means the local critters ought to be coming out of hiding.”

The sun is low in the sky, but it shines brightly and burns off any lingering coolness the night brought. It’s not hot by any means, but it’s comfortable. At least for now. Another couple months, and it will be a lot hotter. I’ll enjoy the mild temperatures while I can.

We walk across the field of ankle-high yellow grass that spreads out beyond the settlement and leads into the purple and black forest. The first time I ever saw it, I freaked out a bit. Leaves are not supposed to be deep purple, and the wood of the trunks and branches is not meant to be coal black. The colors of everything here are just wrong .

Carter keeps up the conversation and I nod or make a random noise of agreement when I think it’s appropriate, but my attention is elsewhere. I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of predators—not just four-legged ones, either. The air cools as we stride through the trees. The sun’s rays struggle to make it through the branches and leaves so there’s not only a drop in temperature, but also in visibility.

I step along the man-made path and search for signs of prey. The yellow alien birds that roost high up in the trees sing to each other, and there’s the faint sound of tiny claws scratching along the ground. Carter and I dodge trees as we weave our way through the forest, until finally I spot a small burrow beside a tree whose trunk we couldn’t circle with our arms even if we held hands with each other.

Carefully, I work to set up the snare. My fingers fumble for a second.

“No, you have to do it this way.” My brother reaches in front of me, and I lightly smack his hand.

“This isn’t my first snare, Carter. I know what I’m doing.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my tone, but based on his mulish expression, I don’t succeed.

It takes me a few tries and far too long, but I finally get the thing rigged and ready for whatever poor critter decides to wander out of the little hole. Together, we back away and hide behind one of the bushes, forgetting it’s one of the stupid ones with the thorny leaves that sting like a bitch.

Carter hisses and rubs his arm where he brushed up against the prickled needles.

“Shh.” We don’t need to scare away any potential meal.

He glares at me, but zips his mouth closed. We sit there and sit there as the minutes—then hours—pass. I should have given up a long time ago, but I keep hoping something— anything —will come creeping out.

“Fuck.” What a waste of time.

“I thought you told me swearing was bad,” Carter scolds.

Technically I said swearing was bad for him , but I don’t correct him. Pissed that I’ve lost half the day, I stand up.

Lewis steps out from behind a nearby tree. His shifty eyes scan me.

“What are you two doing out here alone?” he asks, coming closer before stopping a short distance away. “I told you I’d come along.”

Son of a bitch.

“I didn’t want to inconvenience you.” I lie and nudge Carter—who’s also risen—behind me to take any attention off him. “Carter and I are doing just fine. I appreciate your offer, though.”

If I’ve learned nothing else since somehow catching the attention of Lewis, it’s not to let him see fear. Still, I can’t let loose of the tension that grips me at the way his gaze lingers far too long in certain places on my body. He creeps me out.

“It’s not safe being outside the settlement walls,” he says. “You need someone to look after you, Abby. A protector.”

Yeah, and I bet you’ll be the first to volunteer.

“I’ve already told you Lewis, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” I keep my voice from wavering. “It’s perfectly safe as well. Those creepy aliens stopped attacking months ago, and the purple alien leader told Gary and Adam that most of them had been killed anyway.”

He moves closer and closer without taking his eyes off me. “What about wild animals? You know there are any number of predators out here who are just looking for easy prey to snap up.”

I do the one thing I know I shouldn’t do. I step back, keeping Carter behind me as I try and put distance between us and the man who’s finally making me realize I could have a true reason to be afraid.

Behind me a twig snaps.

“The female is correct. They do not need you as a protector because they already have me.”

Carter and I both whip around, and I can’t hold back a shriek.

“What the fuck are you doing sneaking around out here, alien?” Lewis snaps.

I’m average height, but I feel like a child under the intensity of the alien’s stare. Despite the threat in Lewis’ voice, the Tavikhi warrior doesn’t give him a second glance. His eyes remain locked on mine.

“Is all well?” he asks me. “Would you like me to escort you back to the settlement?”

“Hey, I asked you a question.” Lewis stomps closer with his fists clenched. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Still, the warrior stares at me.

Snap out of it .

“We’re fine,” I manage and dart a glance between him and Lewis. Neither are welcome. “Both of you guys can go home.”

Before I can guess his intent, Lewis closes the distance between us and grips my arm. He tugs—hard—and I can’t bite back the wince of pain. I jerk away, but his hold tightens and he won’t let go.

“Let’s get out of here.” He yanks me again, and I cry out.

Carter jumps forward and smacks Lewis’ arm. “Let her go.”

There’s a whooshing sound and a flash of metal. I nearly choke at the sight of the Tavikhi warrior holding his sword to Lewis’ neck.

“Take your hand off the female,” he commands in a throaty growl.

When Lewis doesn’t comply, the warrior draws blood. Not a lot, but enough to get his point across, because Lewis hisses and pushes me away. I stumble, right myself, and snatch Carter to me. I wrap my arms around him as I nearly hyperventilate.

“Unless you want another taste of my blade, I would suggest you turn around and return to the human settlement,” the Tavikhi warrior threatens.

Hatred spews from Lewis’ eyes before he glances at me and back to the alien. Carefully, he walks backward, his gaze never leaving the Tavikhi’s. He points a finger at the other male and then at me, even though he’s not even looking my way. “You’regoing to regret this.”

Fuck. He may not be directly talking to me, but it’s a warning just as well. Anger bubbles up from deep inside my gut. An anger I haven’t felt at this level in over a decade. The Tavikhi hasn’t moved and doesn’t until Lewis is out of sight. Finally, he slides his sword back into the belt around his waist and faces Carter and me. The rage overtakes common sense and I snap.

“Do youhave any idea what you’ve just done?”