Rex Aftermath (Elei's Chronicles) by Chrystalla Thoma Page A

standing on top of an underground passage?
    He was about to go back inside when he heard Kalaes’ voice, from behind a fire escape a few feet away. What was it with him walking into people’s conversations these days?
    “I thought you had weapons and vehicles.” An exasperated huff from Kalaes. “I thought Mantis warned you we’d need them.”
    Elei stopped where he was.
    “This is Artemisia,” Zoe said, her tone strained. “Right at the gates of Dakru City. You can’t hide aircars in your basement.”
    Elei hesitated. He should go back inside. Besides, although he understood Kalaes’ concern, Zoe seemed confident she’d get everything they needed in time
    But there was an itch at the back of his neck that set off Rex’s alarms. Not enough to raise the colors, but his pulse accelerated. He scanned the alley, the street beyond, looked up at small, barred windows and the fire escape.
    Nothing moved, apart from the trash swirling at the vent. False alarm. Had to be nerves.
    “But the attack’s tonight,” Kalaes was saying, “when are we going to get the supplies?”
    “I’ll find the guns and the vehicles, don’t worry. Listen, there’s something else you need to know.” Zoe lowered her voice. “Rumors of course, but still. A new type of Gultur has appeared.”
    “And what exactly does that mean? What’s their damn mutation — do they run on all fours? Do they eat people?”
    Elei suppressed a shudder.
    “I don’t know. Nothing that radical, I hope. But they’re out and about, hunting. Nobody knows for what.” Her voice dropped to the barest of whispers. “They’re the ones who survived Rex.”
    Oh gods. He’d known many Gultur had died from Rex, others had been interned in hospitals, and others had mellowed and had started talks with the Resistance. Though the Resistance had proved corrupt, and who knew how these new Gultur were? Both Rex and Regina were aggressive. Put the two together...
    “Great,” Kalaes said. “Pissing great. Another thing to worry over.” A pause. “Don’t tell Elei and Ale yet. I’ll tell them myself.”
    “I like your brother,” Zoe said. “He’s cute. And you’re not bad yourself.”
    Deciding he’d heard enough, Elei hurried back inside and closed the door quietly behind him.
    He turned — and froze.
    Eyes blinked in the faint light. Children, he realized, sitting on their bedrolls, observing him.
    “You’re Elei,” a little girl said, dark hair like a cloud around her face. “Zoe says you’ll make everything better.”
    “We’ll have beds!” A boy gave a gap-toothed smile. “And sweets.”
    “Please, Elei.” The girl’s small mouth quivered. “Pleeeeeaze.”
    Elei swallowed, not knowing what to say. He couldn’t say ‘ yes, I’ll save you,’ but he didn’t have the heart to say no. He backed away.
    And walked right into Alendra who yelped and stumbled. He grabbed her arm to steady her. Suddenly he was close, so close, feeling her warmth, inhaling her fresh scent. Her wide, golden eyes were inches from his. 
    “You’re okay,” she said. “When I didn’t find you, I thought...” She shook her head and pulled away. “Never mind.”
    “You thought what?” He didn’t want to let go but stepped back nevertheless, fisting his hands at his sides not to touch her.
    She shrugged, her eyes glittering, and sidestepped, moving towards the children. “I’ll fix them something to eat.”
    He followed her under the insistent stares of the little ones. “I’ll help.”
    She smiled, a fleeting burst of light, and the ice in his chest cracked.
    He chopped mushrooms and boiled water, catching glimpses of her graceful hands stirring the pot, catching her bright eyes on him, and tingles ran up and down his spine. The children clustered around them, small hands patting his legs, thin arms winding around his knees, but he didn’t feel like bolting from the room anymore.
    “Will you tell me what happened last night?” Alendra asked as he poured