Esme trudged through the calf deep snow for ten feet before turning around to recognize her error. She’d left fresh tracks leading right back to her cave.
Not smart, Esme.
What would Ben do?
Hide his tracks.
She made her way to a large snow bank and grabbed an arm full of snow. Then she doubled back and filled in the holes her steps had made. Careful not to create new footsteps, she made three trips before her tracks were completely covered. Then she gathered more snow to cover the fresh tracks as she made her way to a grouping of trees. Because of the plentiful branches, the ground underneath was bare.
Although it took longer than she’d anticipated, she gathered tree branches and broke them into smaller pieces and weaved a length of the cord through them to make snowshoes. They looked horrible and made walking hard, but at least they helped to distribute her weight across the packed snow so she wouldn’t sink and leave deep footsteps. The tracks she made now could be brushed clean with a semi-leafy branch she’d broken from a tree.
Ben would’ve been proud of her.
Esme continued on without a clear direction, making sure to remember her way back. She spotted animal footprints, some big and some small, but no animals. She could hear them scurrying in front and behind her, sometimes close and other times far away. Under normal circumstances, trudging through an unknown landscape, wondering what animals she would eventually cross paths with would’ve scared her out of her mind. But with her stomach hurting as much as it did, all she could think about was eating whatever came her way.
Sorry alien rabbits. Come close, and I will eat you.
After a while, the sound of rushing water caught her ears.
“I have water,” she whispered to herself. No need to take a detour.
But where there was water, maybe there were fish?
Her stomach growled. Loudly. Her lungs were dry and sore, and breathing was a chore. It hurt to pick up her legs. Her thighs shook with pain and her calves were on fire. The thought of putting something in her belly made her realize the detour was worth the effort.
She found the narrow fast moving stream down a steep slope. She slid down on her butt to reach the water’s edge. She looked, her heart sinking when at first she didn’t see anything that resembled food. Then she spotted them. The fish-like things swimming amongst the rocks was enough to make her drop to her knees and thank God. Were they edible? Were they poison? She didn’t know, and as she stood on the bank and speared them, catching a total of five, she also didn’t care.
* * *
Xrez watched the clock on his desk. He’d planned to finish some pressing business then head into the gaming arena to check on Esme. She’d proven herself time and time again. When he’d counted her out she’d fought to stay in The Hunt. But Level Two was different. The hunters would be smarter and cunning. They wouldn’t bumble around hoping to catch whoever had the misfortune of stepping into a trap. No, anyone stalking her in Level Two would have a plan.
What if someone claimed Esme? That was the objective of The Hunt. As the business owner, he should’ve hoped for this outcome. He should want all the prey in the arenas to eventually get captured, adding even more credits into the business account. If that happened, he could boast about his first successful game as the new owner.
But what if someone tried to take her.
The thought had crossed his mind more times than he could count.
In one scenario he would nullify the agreement and demand the hunter relinquish his claim on her. Of course, if that happened, The Hunt’s reputation would be in tatters, and all of Bradliix’s six hearts would stop. In the other scenario, Xrez would let her go and pray the hunter who claimed her treated her well and worshiped her as she deserved.
That was the most practical thing to do. Forget about Esme and let The Hunt play out as it was meant to, a hunter capturing and claiming her. And when they presented her to the processing center, he would sign the necessary paperwork and let her walk out of his life.
But what of the third scenario? What if she claimed the elusive prize?
If Esme completed Level Three without being captured, she would gain her freedom. She would be given a choice of available hunters if she wanted a mate and enough credits to start a new life. If Esme was one of the few fortunate prey who reached that elusive status, then they could be together free and clear.
“Sir?” Bradliix pulled Xrez from his thoughts.
Xrez turned to stare at him. “My apologies. My mind ran away from me.”
Bradliix gave Xrez a short nod. “Understandable. You do have a lot of responsibilities that keep you occupied.”
Xrez didn’t miss the way Bradliix had said “responsibilities”. Xrez was sure that it couldn’t have been easy for Bradliix to watch Xrez scamper through the arena like it was his personal playground. The game wardens had always made it a point to not disrupt a hunt and to let The Hunt progress as it was meant—without interference from outside forces, including the wardens themselves.
There were rules in place for a reason. The hunters signed contracts to abide by them. The penalties for breaking them were steep. The hunters were vetted and scrutinized before stepping foot on Turolois. The hunter selection process was rigorous. Now here Xrez was, making a mockery of age-old tradition.
“You’re right. Overseeing The Hunt is a full-time job and much different than running my mining business.”
Bradliix tilted his head to the side. “That reminds me. How are you managing your duties with that business as well?”
Xrez scrubbed a hand down his face, careful not to let his claws leave scratches. “I thought I could keep both and divide my attention equally between the two, but I’ve recognized that isn’t possible. I’m completing the transfer of ownership to Victr.”
Victr was his sister, Chaeya’s mate. He was well rounded, loyal and smart. He was also one of the only people who Xrez trusted to take over for him. Victr had worked as his second in command since Xrez had first started the company. If anyone could continue to grow the business, it was him.
“Your father was very proud of you when you started that business.”
Xrez arched an eyebrow. “Why? He knew as his only son that I would eventually have to cease everything and take over The Hunt.”
Bradliix looked away, seemingly caught in a distant memory. “He knew. But he was proud for a different reason. He’d always said that he’d wished he’d had more options growing up. He didn’t have the opportunity to forge his own path in life like you did. He knew he would take over The Hunt eventually and threw all of his energy into this business.
“You, while knowing where your fate laid, still sought a different path to happiness. He’d wished there was a way for you to do both. He didn’t want this business to be all consuming to you as it was to him.”
“Really?” Xrez straightened.
He’d always assumed his father saw his mining business as a hobby instead of a real company. Mining asteroids wasn’t as profitable as The Hunt, but it was his, something he’d started on his own and carried his name. There wasn’t a legacy of generational traditions he’d had to uphold. It had been freeing.
“Osazo had always wanted to join in a hunt or two, even if it was to capture and release prey. I think if Osazo were here today he would watch you on the video feed in awe and with a hint of jealousy.”
Bradliix scooted to the edge of his seat and tapped his fingers on Xrez’s desk.
“You are very hands-on, Xrez. Something your father wasn’t. Yes, he let The Hunt consume him, but the way you approach this business is quite different. I’d always thought that if the game warden were allowed to participate, just for the experience, mind you, that he would be able to better serve the hunters. I have to say that I am impressed with how you have taken to the hunter role.” Bradliix opened his mouth to say something else, but the words seemed caught on his tongue.
Xrez leaned forward. “But…” Xrez knew B
radliix long enough to know there was a but.
“But.”
Xrez gave him a triumphant smile. Ah, there it is.
“I do think you are getting too close to one of the prey.”
“Her name is Esme.”
Bradliix gave Xrez a look. “Close enough to learn her name and spend…time with her. Human or not, she’s prey. We’ve never learned one of their names before.”
Xrez pushed away and sputtered. “You watched us?” His voice thundered as he thought about his most intimate moments being viewed by Bradliix or any of the game attendants.
Bradliix bristled. His jewelry made clanging noises as they hit together. “The cameras only record activity occurring in the open. It would be almost impossible for us to locate every tiny crevice the prey find or carve out for themselves and have cameras installed.” He waved slender fingers in the air and looked away. “I assumed what had gone on after you entered that crawl space with her and didn’t return until the evening alarm.”
Xrez leaned back in his chair on a deep breath. “Nothing happened.”
“Not yet. It’s just a matter of time. I hope it won’t happen. But the way you stalk her, it’s inevitable.”
“I don’t stalk her. I watch her.” Xrez huffed. “I watched some of the other humans as well.”
“You have done what you’ve set out to do. Help the humans to the next level. You’ve made The Hunt interesting for the hunters and accomplished your task.” Bradliix straightened. “Don’t you think you should remain in the control center and see how this plays out?”
“But what if I didn’t help the humans enough and we lose who’s left to a catastrophe or death?”
“They’ve already surpassed our initial expectations. Let’s observe them. If we find they need more help, then someone else can infiltrate the arena again.”
“We want them to survive.”
“And they are,” Bradliix assured him. “I’m afraid that if you give the humans too much help, they will begin to thrive. Thriving will cost us dearly. The game attendants have already begun the preparations for the human female who is rapidly approaching the end.”
Xrez lifted his head. “This morning I was told that a hunter was close to capturing her. Is that untrue?”
“He’s been hunting her since Level One, and while he comes close on many occasions, she seems to always outwit him.”
“And there’s only one hunter after her now?”
“Correct, she’s killed the others.”
He didn’t feel sorry for the hunters who’d met their end. Unlike the prey, the hunters knew what they were getting into when they signed their contracts and transferred the necessary credits for the entrance fee. Some joined for that very thrill alone.
Some hunters joined for stupid reasons.
Xrez steepled his fingers and pulled his eyebrows together in thought. This female had surpassed all expectations and thrived in the arena. Could Esme be the next human to reach Level Three?
Chapter Twenty
Esme hid behind one of the boulders in her cave. Her purse was looped around her neck and shoulder, and she had Xrez’s oversized coat, and her snowsuit clutched in her other arm. The fish she’d been cooking were still roasting on the firesticks. She listened intently to the rustling that came from the tunnel. Someone was crawling through.
Earlier, after she’d caught her fish, she’d returned to her cave. After cleaning and putting them on what she’d pretended was a grill, she’d gone back out to one of the trees and picked up all of the branches from the ground she could carry and scattered them along her tunnel. She didn’t have enough to cover the length of the tunnel, but it was enough to rustle and make cracking sounds when someone was moving cross them.
Like now.
She’d thought about it during one of her, “What would Ben do?” moments and at the first rustle then snap, she’d been glad she had. It’d taken a second for her to get over her shock, then another to gather her things and hide. She’d thought about using her machete on whoever was breaking into her cave. She’d planned to stand at the entrance and chop off the first alien’s head that came through. But one, she didn’t want to accidentally kill Xrez or any human and second, if she did whack off a head, surely she wouldn’t be able to stay in the cave after that. The blood alone would make it too messy.
Esme listened as the person came closer. In case she had to leave in a hurry she had everything that was important to her. She was also clutching what looked like a necklace in her hand. It wasn’t hers. She’d found it on the ground behind the boulder when she’d crouched next to it. She wouldn’t have noticed it in any other situation.
It was made out of what appeared as leather material and had a sparkling cluster of gems. It was just some trinket that had been left behind, but she’d felt compelled to keep it with her. It had to have been someone’s prized possession.
Luckily she didn’t have a long wait. Xrez peeked his head through. He must’ve also thought she was going to whack him because of the look on his face and the way he’d pulled back abruptly when one of the firesticks flickered off.
She let herself relax. “Xrez?”
He pushed through again. First, his head then shoulders so large they looked too big to navigate through the small space. “The sticks in the tunnels were a nice touch.”
She stood and came around the boulder and dropped her things in a pile. Xrez took one look at her collection and lifted his eyebrow. “You were going to take all that with you but leave the food?” He stood and brushed off the leaves that had stuck to his skinsuit.
“I need this stuff.”
He pulled his lips to one side and tilted his head. “My coat? Really, Esme?”
“Well, I guess I could’ve left it behind.” She pouted. “But it’s such a great pillow.”
He shook his head and teased. “You think you’re going to make it to Level Three.”
She crouched in front of her fish. “I am. I even killed something today.”
She glanced up to look at him when he remained silent. He hadn’t moved past the cave’s entrance, and he had an awkward air about him. Was he embarrassed by what had happened between them? Should she be embarrassed by it? Immediately heat spread across her neck and face. She cleared her throat and went back to tending to her meal. The air between them suddenly uncomfortable.
She flipped her fish and from the corner of her eyes watched as Xrez made his way to where she was, his boots silent on the ground.
He crouched next to her. “You caught these?”
She nodded. Still too embarrassed to look up. “They looked like fish so I hope they’re edible because I’m starving.”
He tilted his head to the side. “You went fishing.”
“I used to go with my dad when I was younger. Of course, I had a fishing pole and bait back then, and I didn’t have to use a spear, but I still call it a form of hunting.” She finally looked up at him, needing his confirmation. She could handle killing fish, it was the bigger animals she would have trouble with. “Right?”
“I would say so.” He used a claw to spear one of the fish and pulled a piece off to stuff it in his mouth. “It’s done. Very good. I’ve never had this before.”
“So it’s not poisonous?”
He shrugged then took another piece off and ate it.
She punched him on the shoulder. “Hey! That’s my food. I can’t be getting food for you and me.” She used a knife to scoop the rest from the firesticks and laid them on the flattest rock she could find, using it as a plate. “This isn’t a date, buddy,” she added with a mutter.
He tilted his head to the side then scrunched his brows together.
She sighed, not interested in hearing every definition of “date” his translator held, including a form of fruit. “The correct definition for this scenario is when two people who like each other have a romantic event. Um. They can go out to eat or do some other activity.”
“Like cooking in a cave?�
��
She leaned back on her heels. “Like I said, this isn’t a date.” She waved her hands around her. “Nothing about this situation remotely qualifies as a romantic evening.”
He watched her with a frown on his face. “But we do like each other.”
Her breath caught. She liked him, but the question was, should she like him?
“What do people do on dates?” he asked when she didn’t answer. “Do they eat?”
She tried to talk but found her mouth dry. She cleared her throat. “Yes. If this were a date. I’m not saying it is though, but if it was. We would eat our dinner and talk.”
He lowered himself to the ground, sitting comfortably then pulled what looked like a nutrition bar from a hidden pocket and took a bite. “If this was a date what would we talk about?”
She took a bite of her food because she needed to do something with her hands and mouth. “I don’t know. Maybe talk about our families?”
He ate his food and chewed. “Tell me about your family.”
An image of her mom, dad, grandmother, and sisters popped into her mind. She saw their faces clearly. Suddenly she wasn’t hungry anymore. She put her fish down. “I want to talk about this instead.” She leaned over and plucked the necklace she’d found and held it out to him. “I found this. I think another pre—.” She caught herself. She was not prey. “I think someone else left it here.”
He took it from her and studied it. Then he held it up with one hand and pressed a button on his comlink with the other. A red light flickered over the necklace. A hologram of some sort popped up over his comlink. If they were letters or words, she couldn’t figure them out.
“It’s a Kroml talisman. The four gems represent their homeworld and their sister planets. The binding is made from the bark of a tree on their planet. It’s called the tree of life. This would’ve been given to someone who was in their exploratory space program. It’s presented in a ceremony to the wearer by their religious leaders.
“It’s meant to give the wearer strength, purpose and remind them of home but also reminds the wearer of what they represent, so they remember to conduct and uphold the Kroml values of respect, loyalty, persistence, and goodness.” He handed it back to her.
The Game Warden's Mate Page 17