Page 17 of Captured By the Alien Captain
I snort when fear forms at the sight of needles. Earning myself a glare, I keep my commentary to myself.
Beneath my humor is this itch to stop what is happening. Her fear is something I feel deep in my chest. There’s this need to protect, even in the matter of being poked with a needle or two.
Back and forth, Shinara gets whatever results she needs. She’s terrible at hiding her thoughts on her expression. Each time she types away, she shoots one of us a look.
Jax hardly notices. She’s picking at her nails, her attention on the ground.
“We share the same blood type,” she brings up after a few minutes. “If Flora needs blood, take as much as you need. Something tells me you don’t keep human blood on board. My crew, I’m sure some of them could help as well.”
Even now, she only thinks of her sister. If humans had our healing abilities, then things would be different. She wouldn’t have to be worried about wounds.
Shinara asks to do a more thorough examination. Her curiosity about learning about different species is starting to poke through.
“Flora,” Shinara repeats as she looks into Jax’s mouth, “ingested Varrum’s blood on her way here.”
I was not made aware of the fact. Stiffening up at the deadly action, I’m surprised by our healer’s calmness.
“She was not poisoned, interesting enough.” Murmuring to herself, she moves on. “I’m starting to believe humans are more compatible with Medarians.”
Jax snorts, nearly choking on the stick resting against her tongue.
So humans can poison us all they want, but we can’t do the same in return. How cruel.
“If they aren’t infected by blood, it leaves me curious about how their bodies would respond in other matters.” Shinara pulls back. “Tell me, Human, how do humans reproduce?”
Jax does choke on the stick this time and I stiffen up. Hissing the healer’s name, she looks at me confused.
“Your kind is dying and we’ve yet to find a species who are compatible enough to help the inevitability of your species being wiped from the universe. With your abilities, it would be a waste to not entertain all-”
“Shinara.” Practically growling her name, it’s enough to stop the words from coming.
Jax is flushed, refusing to look in my direction. “This hardly sounds like a question that will help my sister’s survival.”
Shinara sighs, nodding her head. “I apologize. Call me curious. When it comes to Flora, I believe I have everything I need. If we do need more of your blood, I will signal for you.”
Once she’s clear of equipment, Jax quickly scoops her jacket up and joins my side. Her cheeks remain stained pink. Why won’t she look at me?
I don’t know where to lead her. More endless walking leads us out of the medbay. She’s the one to stop us this time around. With the view of the stars beckoning her closer, her lips purse.
“You’re not just fighting us, but time as well.” Her nose scrunches. “All we’d have to do is wait for your downfall.”
Rather than mocking me with the truth, she states it hollowly. With a similar thrill for battle, I’m sure she doesn’t like any form of shortcuts to win.
“No one has ever mentioned a poison. Someone in my position would know. If Flora was involved, she would’ve told me.” Her brows come together. “There were kids in there, Runar.Kids.”
War is ugly. No one is protected from the harshness of it.
Seeing her in pain, seeing Jax upset, I feel it deep in my veins. Deep enough that it catches me off guard. Almost like I can feel it brush against my very soul.
My thoughts go back to that sparring match. How I lost myself for a moment.
Shinara’s concerns of compatibility cross my mind and I curse myself for even thinking of entertaining the idea. Ahuman. Could a weakling even try to keep up with one of us?
“Flora will fix this,” Jax promises, “she’ll make this right.”
Humming my agreement, I keep my eyes on her. As if the answers to all of my questions can be found somewhere on her body, I take in every inch.
Jax isn’t like the rest of her kind. She’s the sort to put up a fight and challenge me every step of the way.