the lava fields,” I said to Amity, turning to watch her clamber over a pile of collapsed stalactites.
“Is that why I’m starting to feel hot?” she said. “Or is it watching you prowl these tunnels like a badass?”
Cocking my head, I rehearsed the words. “You’ve used that phrase before, but a direct translation is ….” I paused.
“Offensive?” she said with a chuckle. “It’s supposed to mean powerful, Natheka. You’re powerful. And handsome. And funny. I could go on.” She hopped down, took off her helmet and reached me where I stood. “You’re also tall as hell. Bend over and kiss me.”
Removing my helmet, I complied, relishing the flavor of her warm kiss and savoring the love that grew between us.
We helmeted back up and walked through the tunnel as it narrowed.
“Agoshe,” I said, expecting the darkness ahead to light at my command. It didn’t.
“Damn,” she said. “I wonder ….”
We slowed our approach to the curve in the tunnel where only our helmet lights lit the black rock walls, every rough bump casting a dark shadow until the tunnel looked pocked and ragged. We walked three veltiks and stopped.
“Yep,” Amity said, hands on her hips. “That’s what I wondered.”
We stood before the rubble of a collapsed tunnel. Shining our lights all around, it was apparent that at least one, if not more, of the recent quakes had tumbled this lava tube into ruin.
“Was there another turn back there?” Amity asked. “I couldn’t tell if that dark area was another passage or not.”
“Let’s go look,” I said. “But I don’t think it was. Mayhap a quake opened up another path to the lava fields.”
We retraced our steps and found an offshoot leading away from our original route.
“Shall we investigate?” I asked.
“Does Diablo poop in the woods?” she replied and entered the dark opening first.
“He does indeed,” I answered. “And on the plains. Near camp. On trails.”
Amity laughed, and my heart soared at the sound.
The offshoot narrowed; we walked single file. And then I ducked. And then I crouched. When Amity crouched, I knew this passage wouldn’t serve.
“Let’s head back,” she said, mirroring my thoughts. “I could crawl, but you big lugs won’t be able to fit, and God knows where that tunnel comes out.”
Retreating, we made our way back to the havabuthe to find everyone ready to leave.
“The passage to the lava fields is blocked,” I said, and Raxthezana’s scowl deepened.
“The only other route comes in from the north,” he said. “It would take days to return from whence we came and carve a path around Black Heart.”
“There was a very narrow tunnel we explored partway,” Amity said. “But I’m afraid only us humans could fit.”
“Maybe we could take that path, find the ore and harvest it, then return?” Pattee suggested.
“Nay,” Raxthezana said and scraped a claw down the center of his forehead while closing his eyes. “There lay many more dangers for humans to face alone. Let me think.”
“All due respect,” CeCe spoke up, and my ears perked. Long had I waited to see someone disagree with the surly Raxthezana. “These humans have faced down the worst Ikthe has had to offer and triumphed without your help.”
Grinning, I watched Raxthezana’s brows crash against each other.
“That is a true statement,” he said, and my smile dimmed. Had he agreed with CeCe? He continued. “I do not doubt your abilities to combat what lies ahead, but the quest entails far more than mere survival. We will need reserves of energy to mine the ore and retrieve the Holy Waters. We need everyone.”
CeCe’s gaze softened when she looked at him, and Amity grasped my hand and tugged. When I looked down at her, she winked and spoke on our private channel.
“I think they came to an understanding,” she said, her voice warm nectar in my ears, and I wished we were back in our little cave alcove of several nights ago. Amity sighed, and her throaty exhale tightened my groin.
Swallowing a groan, I squeezed her hand. “When love blooms on Certain Death, its glow outshines the piercing glare of peril, does it not?”
Amity laughed.
“You haven’t lived until you’ve loved and almost died on Ikthe,” she said.
I borrowed one of her favorite phrases when I said, “True facts.” Though it was but one single truth. Amity’s sudden embrace of my mid-section had me smiling again when CeCe spoke.
“What about the canal?” she said. “Has anyone swum through to its source?”
She was met with blank stares from my brothers, and then we turned as one to look at the water that curved along the west wall and disappeared into the north face.
Before anyone could react, CeCe had dropped her pack, jogged to the bank and dropped in, soft glowing water covering her helmet, and then she ghosted into the shadowy channel where it stretched to unknowable distance beyond the rock.
“I should have seen that coming,” Pattee said.
“Anyone else in the mood to dive into a mysterious cave river in search of “lava fields” and other questionable destinations?” Esra asked.
“That’s the CeCe I know and love,” Joan said with a dry smile. “While she seems reckless at times, she’s actually very analytical. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s anchoring bolts and stringing line down there. This isn’t her first cave swim.”
Pride swelled in my chest for the newest member of our company, and while the forecasts of impending danger were quite dim, I felt an abundance of hope and confidence. We would overcome evil and triumph in the face of our enemies. I had no doubt.