Contagion (Gennekt, #2)

by Amanda Milo

The mist is exploded human. HOW UNSANITARY!

For the purpose of full disclosure, I admit that Erreck and I caged his human before we knew that she was not a dangerous alien animal. I’ve since learned that humans do not appreciate being caged, nor are their systems particularly adapted to it.

Three panic attacks later, each one lessening in severity, and we’ve managed enough distance that the place of our captivity is out of sight. The birds here explode from the trees when you scream; it’s very upsetting and quite the negative loop.

I sniff and notch back my antennae. “I’ve never been so female-handled in all my life,” I inform her primly.

“If we’re lost out here for much longer, and our situation becomes the direst of circumstances, you have my permission to eat me after I perish.”

I look at the rocks and curl my lip. She pulls on my hand, yanking my whole arm. “Come on, princess, we’re doing this. We don’t have any other options.” With painful dignity, I mutter, “If my translation device is right, and referring to me as princess means you think I’m a self-important, temperamental person with superior tastes and a peculiar difficulty to be pleased; then you’re correct, and I take no offense.”

It’s all so overwhelmingly traumatic that I stop fighting the futility of our circumstances and fall nearly catatonic.