They fell over each other onto a wooden floor.

  Dazed and afraid, Hormiz looked around.

  It was an alien place. The lights were brighter. The colors were saturated. The air tasted sharp like ironberry nettles. The little dwelling they arrived in was messy and lived-in. Mysterious and threatening objects covered the walls.

  But Hormiz absorbed it as through a dense fog. He couldn’t fully believe it.

  He was out. Hormiz was free.

  Zeke smashed the mirror into pieces with a scream, breaking Hormiz out of his daze.

  At first, Hormiz didn’t understand why Zeke was screaming. Then he remembered he was holding their mother’s molten heartstone. And Samaal was dead.

  ‘It’s all my fault,’ Hormiz thought. ‘I led the attack that took Samaal. I tortured Samaal for days. Rowan died because she was talking to me. I killed them both. Rowan will never have her revenge because of me.’

  Hormiz wanted to cry tears of grief and scream like Zeke, but all he could summon were tears of self-loathing. He sat quietly as they ran down his face, watching Zeke mourn his parents.

  Hearing a scream, three nearly naked strangers came rushing into the room. They saw Zeke on the floor and rushed to comfort him. It was like nothing Hormiz had ever seen before. They didn’t beat him or tell him to stop being weak. They surrounded him with a hug and told him he was loved and safe now.

  Then one of them noticed him and asked, “Hormiz? Is that you?” There was a swell of emotion in their voice.

  “You know me?” he asked.

  “I’m Hinata. I’m… I was with your mom when you were born.”

  Hormiz looked Hinata up and down. They had androgynous features and long wavy black hair.

  Hinata looked at the ingot in Hormiz’s hands and sobbed, then pulled Hormiz into the hug. “You brought her home,” Hinata said.

  Zeke grabbed hold of Hormiz and held him tight, and for the first time in his life, Hormiz was comforted. The drip of Hormiz’s tears broke like a dam, and he sobbed.

  They stayed huddled together on the kitchen floor for a long time.

  Hinata quickly fetched a kit to clean and bandage Zeke’s hand.

  As the sunlight dimmed, the one with the braids left the room. Hinata began preparing some kind of food. The third one was a tall, muscular woman with silvery threads in her black hair. She called herself Morgan. She took a seat at the kitchen table and invited Hormiz and Zeke to join her.

  “I don’t want to burden you, but I need to know some things,” Morgan said. “Samaal is dead?”

  Zeke nodded.

  “Those are what I think they are?” Morgan indicated to the Bone Gauntlet and Rowan’s ingot.

  Again, Zeke nodded.

  Hormiz was still too dazed and raw to do or say much of anything.

  “Then the question is, what do we do with them?” she asked.

  What to do with Rowan’s ingot? It was still hot in Hormiz’s hands. What were kitsune death rituals? He had no idea. His ancestor’s history died with Rowan. He would never know his people’s ways in this strange land.

  Zeke spoke, “I don’t know what to do with Mama yet, but I intend to free the Ikon in the gauntlet.”

  Morgan was pensive. “I don’t know how Rowan freed you and put you into… your body, but Drya might. Go deep in the woods and seek out the forest spirit Drya. She may know what to do with Rowan’s ingot and the gauntlet.”

  A pressing thought came to Hormiz like a sudden, passionate obsession. “We should use the Bone Gauntlet to kill Adam. It’s what Rowan would have wanted. Take him by surprise.”

  Zeke looked betrayed. “That thing isn’t a tool or a weapon. It’s a cage for a person, like I was caged, and I will set them free.”

  “With your powers and this combined, you could assassinate Adam in a blink of an eye!”

  “And if I miss, he could get us both,” Zeke said softly.

  “So you’re afraid!” Hormiz bellowed. He was angry and didn’t know why. “You’re soft and afraid!”

  Zeke flushed and looked hurt. “It’s not about that. There’s a person trapped in that gauntlet. I won’t be party to their torment.”

  Hormiz was about to call Zeke a coward and worse, but suddenly a blinding flash lit the room. Hormiz blinked the stars out of his vision and then noticed a young girl in pajamas at the foot of the stairs. She looked like a kid, but her hair was shock white. Her face was set in a determined frown.

  She ran up to Hormiz and gave him a hug, like she already knew him.

  Hormiz was stiff and tried to pry her arms off his waist, but the girl was surprisingly strong.

  Morgan explained, “This is Lyn. She’s deaf. You must remind her of Rowan. She loved your mother.” She said this while moving her hands a lot.

  Hormiz was overwhelmed and exhausted by all the unsettling new emotions he was experiencing. Yet this little girl hugging him was oddly comforting. But how could this child know and love his mother, when he barely met her? What was he supposed to do now that she was gone, and he was alone in an alien world?

  As if reading his mind, Morgan said, “You’re not alone anymore, Hormiz. I’m sorry we weren’t there for you when you were growing up, but we are here now, to love and support you. Please hear me. You’re angry and scared now, and that’s normal, but don’t let that guide you. Hear what Drya has to say. She’ll know how to honor your mother.”

  Hormiz was conflicted. His upbringing compelled him to follow orders, but he was on high alert and emotionally agitated. He wanted to yell at Zeke and order him to kill Adam. He didn’t know this Morgan person or anyone else on this planet. He barely knew Zeke, and they were already arguing.

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  It suddenly occurred to Hormiz that he had no allies on this planet but the people in this room. They said they wanted to help him. They didn’t mention their help was conditional. But Hormiz knew.

  But he needed allies. There was no way around it. He didn’t know how to survive in this world, and Zeke had offered to help Hormiz survive. He needed them. He needed their help. That was a sobering realization. So Hormiz gave a subdued, acquiescent nod. He would do as Morgan advised. Lyn released Hormiz and sat at the table.

  Morgan sighed in relief. Then she got up to open a cupboard. She pulled out a small box, carried it to the table, and opened it. Inside was a chrysalis roughly the size of a fist. It was dark brown and resembled a large bean. Morgan gave the chrysalis to Zeke and said, “Rowan gave this to me for safekeeping. You might not need this, but bring it anyway. Drya may need the extra energy.”

  Zeke took the chrysalis and asked, “Where do we go?”

  Morgan said, “Deep in the woods. Drya will watch you, test you, and if she decides you pass, you will be summoned for an audience.”

  “You’re not coming with us?” Zeke asked.

  Morgan shook her head. “This is your journey. I have work here on the feirm.”

  Hinata came over carrying two small bags full of savory-filled buns. “There will be time for family meals later. You can eat these while you walk.” Hinata handed a bag to Zeke and another to Hormiz. “Go. Find Drya. Honor your mother. And then come back home.”

  Hinata put a loving hand on Zeke’s face. Lingering, they stepped back.

  Zeke picked up the Bone Gauntlet and Hormiz followed him outside.

  Hormiz had never seen a starry night sky before. He had never seen the moon. His breath stopped and he froze mid-step to stare at the stars.

  Zeke waited patiently. Then, smiling, he took Hormiz’s hand and led him toward the forest.

  Hormiz slapped Zeke’s hand away.

  “I am not your pet to be led or summoned at your whim!”

  Zeke looked surprised and hurt. “I’m sorry.”

  Hormiz suddenly felt bad and couldn’t say why. He set those feelings aside and summoned a blue flame light. He condensed it to the size of a candle flame, but it was bright as a torch. The forest looked alien and sinister, even brightly lit as it was. He imagined monstrous, strange, and dangerous beasts stalking the forest, hiding among the branches.

  Hormiz remembered his brutal training. He pushed his fears aside and said, “I’ll lead. Follow me.”

  -8-

  The trees, branches, and bushes looked monstrous in the strange blue light, casting long shadows across crooked branches. The glowing mist emanated a heavy gloom.

  Surely Hormiz hated him. Zeke hated himself. It was his slow reaction that got their parents killed. It was all Zeke’s fault.

  Hormiz hadn’t spoken a word since they entered the woods. He held Rowan’s ingot to his chest and ignored Zeke, his eyes darting up and around in naked terror. Zeke wanted to comfort Hormiz but feared he’d only make things worse. So they continued for hours, silently wandering through the trees.

  As their march wore on, Hormiz grew increasingly frustrated. He’d nearly incinerated countless squirrels, birds, and wild animals, despite Zeke’s assurances that the bright glowing light would frighten off any threats. Zeke had to stomp out several small fires after Hormiz had a frantic reaction.

  Fear was contagious in the dark blue gloom. They were lost out here. Zeke had given up trying to count trees or mark their heading. Meanwhile, above the canopy, the sky had gone from starry black to dark blue to light blue with streaks of orange. In the morning light, the woods appeared less scary.

  “Let’s rest for a while,” suggested Zeke.

  Hormiz looked disgusted. “Fine,” he said.

  Zeke almost winced at that look of disgust, but he deserved it. Zeke was disgusted at himself, too. He sat on a fallen log, pulled out a bun, and quietly ate it. He missed his parents, and it was his fault they were gone.

  “Quit sniffling. It’s gross and weak,” said Hormiz, still holding Rowan’s ingot to his chest, a reminder of what Zeke had cost them.

  Zeke held his breath until he finished his bun. Then he asked, “You’re not eating?”

  The question angered Hormiz. “I don’t need food, I need life energy! You said you would feed me! Now I’m stranded on this bizarre planet, I’m going to starve! While you treat me like some pet or servant!”

  “Oh!” Zeke said. Promises made in dreams are easily forgotten, but he remembered now. “I’m sorry! What do I do? How do I give you my life energy?”

  Hormiz calmed down a bit. Then he said, “With Lilith, I drank it in her milk. I suppose we try that.”

  Zeke was shocked. “I don’t make milk!”

  “Well, that’s how it worked before, so take your shirt off!”

  Zeke pouted a moment but then did as he was told.

  Hormiz stepped forward and Zeke felt his cheeks flush.

  “This isn’t weird,” said Hormiz. “Don’t make this weird.”

  Then Hormiz got on his knees and began sucking Zeke’s nipples. Zeke tried not to make it weird, but it felt weird. Awkward. Stiff. Uncomfortable. Kind of arousing.

  Hormiz sucked on Zeke’s nipples until they were sore and tender.

  “Are you getting anything?” Zeke asked finally.

  “No!” Hormiz shouted and got up off his knees. “This isn’t working!”

  Zeke feared he would lose Hormiz if they couldn’t make this work. “Let’s try something else.”

  “I don’t know what else to try! It’s only ever been this way!”

  Zeke had an idea. “Let me try something.” He stepped forward and kissed Hormiz on the lips. He breathed into Hormiz’s mouth, but Hormiz stepped away, looking disturbed.

  “No. But that does give me an idea. Something I’ve seen humans do in dreams.”

  Zeke said, “Okay. Whatever it is, let’s try it.”

  Hormiz paused a moment. Then he returned to his knees and pulled down Zeke’s pants.

  Zeke was stunned and nervous but also excited. Almost instantly excited.

  Hormiz put the tip of Zeke’s swelling penis in his mouth and sucked, his tongue sliding under his slit.

  It felt incredible. Better than anything he’d felt with Toa.

  Hormiz began to move his lips up and down the shaft of Zeke’s penis.

  Zeke shuddered and sighed with pleasure. Tenderly, he ran his fingers through Hormiz’s thick black hair. His thumbs gently grazed Hormiz’s fox ears.

  Hormiz grabbed Zeke’s buttocks in either hand and pulled him forward. Zeke’s cock slid down Hormiz’s throat.

  Zeke felt something rise deep within him. He sighed loudly. His body shook and his knees almost gave way.

  Hormiz made gagging sounds but held tight to Zeke’s ass, his face deep in bush. When Hormiz finally pulled away, Zeke shuddered as his over-sensitive penis slid out of Hormiz’s throat and mouth. He nearly collapsed onto a fallen log from light-headedness. Even his vision was starry.

  “What was that?” he asked. “Did it work?”

  Hormiz stood up and wiped fluids from his lips and chin. He sighed deeply. “It worked,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  But Zeke was exhausted. “Don’t you sleep?” he asked.

  Hormiz was shocked. “It’s too dangerous to sleep here!”

  Zeke shook his head. “No, it’s daytime. We should be fine for a few hours. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?” Hormiz demanded, sounding fearful.

  “Just to grab supplies. I’ll be right back.” Zeke stood up and doorwaed to the caves he was raised in. The house was still mostly rubble, but Zeke found blankets and camping supplies. He looked around for Dook, but the mink was probably off hunting. So Zeke doorwaed back to Hormiz, who was apoplectic.

  “What the fuck?! You can’t leave me like that!” he shouted. “I’m not a pet for you to just leave as you please!”

  Zeke felt awful. He dropped the blankets and supplies and ran to Hormiz, holding his free hand. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not a pet. I’m not going to leave you.”

  That softened Hormiz slightly.

  “And look! I brought us blankets and stuff to make a tent. It’s not much, but it should keep us secure while we sleep.”

  Hormiz was skeptical. “How will that keep us safe?”

  “Watch, I’ll show you.” Zeke hurried to assemble a tent and bedding with the supplies he’d brought. He covered the tent with sticks and leaves for camouflage. When he was finished, it was practically invisible at a distance.

  “Mama taught me how to camp,” Zeke said proudly and ended sadly. “Anyway, we should both fit. I laid some blankets down, so we won’t sleep on the ground.”

  “We? No. Make me another tent,” demanded Hormiz.

  Zeke was stunned, then annoyed. “Fuck you! I’m not your servant, either, you know! This is all I could find after you blew up my home!”

  Hormiz looked scared and miserable.

  Zeke immediately regretted his outburst. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Hormiz shook his head. “No, you’re right. It’s all my fault. You owe me nothing, and I… I won’t even survive without you. I’m a parasite. I’m only good as a weapon. And soon you’ll realize it, and then you’ll leave me.”

  “That is not true!” Zeke went to Hormiz and grabbed his shoulders fiercely. “None of this is your fault! It’s my fault! I should have been faster. I was supposed to save us all. It’s my fault they’re dead. And I am so, so sorry. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you! And I will never leave you, I swear it! Whatever we do, wherever we go now, we do it together. It’s you and me. Forever.”

  Hormiz fell into Zeke’s arms. They cried together for a long time.

  Then, thoroughly exhausted, they lied down and fell asleep.