by Ruby Dixon
Of course, then Warrek brushes a hand against my hair, and I start thinking of dirtier things to do with my hands. Not the time, Summer. Not. The. Time.
“She is with kit,” Vektal says, touching his chest. “We have resonated for a third time.”
“That’s wonderful!” Gail exclaims, and a few others murmur their agreement. Seems weird to be celebrating when the look on Vektal’s face is so solemn.
“Does she normally faint?” I blurt out. “Or is that our fault because we’re the bearers of bad news? I mean, not that we could sit on the news and just not share it—that’d be an even bigger dick move. I guess there’s no good way to bring up a tribe-changing event, but you know what I mean. I’d feel guilty if her conking out was a result of us—”
“Yes and no,” Vektal says, interrupting my verbal stream. Thank god. I can’t seem to stop myself lately. “This kit has been harder on her stomach than the last. She is not eating as she should.” He rubs a hand down his face, looking stressed. “And she worries over all of the humans in the tribe. She feels responsible for you, like a mother with a kit. The thought of twenty new humans overwhelmed her.”
“Sixteen,” I add helpfully.
Warrek’s fingers brush against my neck, and he tweaks my earlobe. Right. I should probably shut up. I cringe a half-smile at Vektal when he looks in my direction, frowning.
“The good news is that our tribesmates are safe,” Warrek says in his calm, smooth voice. “No one was injured by the slavers. And they have all been dealt with.”
Vektal scrubs his hand down his face again and nods. “That is good. That is very good. Tell me what happened.”
There’s a pause, and then Bek begins to speak. He talks of the landing of the ship and how everyone rushed out to greet them. It wasn’t until they were halfway down the ramp that the sa-khui realized they weren’t friendly, and then it was too late. They captured the men and women and separated them in individual cells, except for Taushen and Brooke, whom they threw together. Bek then goes on to tell of our guns-blazing rescue, supplied with missing details by Warrek’s quiet additions to the story. Eventually he gets to the part about opening the boxes and revealing all the sleeping humans.
I kind of expect him to comment about that, but Vektal just looks troubled. “I do not like that Rukh and Farli and the others are so far away. If enemies were to come again, our kin are many days away from even the fastest of hunters. I would rather them be here, where we can aid them.”
“They work on the ship,” Harrec says. “Important work, Mardok says.”
Vektal just strokes his chin thoughtfully. “Important to Mardok and Har-loh perhaps, but would it be safer to give up on the Elders’ Caves and live as we do? Do we need their speaking machines? Or the healing machine, when we have Maylak’s gentle hands?”
“We should get rid of it,” Bek says fiercely, and I’m startled at the vehemence in his tone. “The slavers said they followed a trail left by Trakan and the others to our home world. What if others come looking for the ship and attack us again? We must bury it. Find a deep valley, bury it in snow, hide it from everything.”
“But the technology,” Kate protests. “It could help us, especially with Mardok and Harlow working together—”
“Not if it brings more of those orange strangers to our world,” Bek growls at her, clearly on edge.
“Do not threaten my mate,” Harrec snaps, pushing between the seated Kate and the hovering Bek. Elly just squeezes Bek’s hand, reminding him to calm down, and he backs off.
“Enough,” Vektal says, raising a hand. “There are many layers to this that must be discussed. I do not deny that we would be losing much by destroying the home of our ancestors. But like Bek, I worry that the new ship will bring others here.”
“And as we saw when they arrived, they have light-spears and we have bone spears,” Vaza says, arms crossed. “We are no match for that sort of thing.”
Gail smooths Rukhar’s hair down his head. “You know, I bet Rukhar’s tired. Why don’t we go see if Stacy’s got some not-potato cakes cooking?” She gives all of us a warning look and pats Rukhar’s shoulder. They get up, and she takes his hand, leading him out of the circle and down the steps of the longhouse into the village.
“Har-loh and Rukh were wise to send him back,” Vektal says after a moment. “He is safer here. That is what concerns me. If Har-loh, who loves the ships and ma-sheens, feels they are not safe, then are they safe for anyone? Or must we do as Bek says and destroy them so others do not follow them to us?”
“The people,” Elly whispers, her voice so low my ears strain to catch it. “What of them?”
Vektal sighs heavily, and he looks tired. “I do not know.”
“We can’t just leave them,” Kate protests.
“The return of the other aliens has made me realize,” Vektal says, choosing each word carefully, “that just because someone arrives at our home, it does not mean they are friendly. We must be cautious. We do not know that these others will blend in with our family.”
“You made us blend,” I protest. When everyone turns to look at me, I add, “I don’t mean it badly. I mean that we came here, and we weren’t exactly thrilled to be on an ice planet, but the people were nice, and it worked out.”
“Five is easier to blend with a tribe than twenty,” Bek says. “I agree that they might be dangerous.” He holds Elly’s hand tightly. “We do not want to endanger those that already live here.”
“We can’t just leave them, either,” Kate protests. “That seems wrong.”
It seems wrong to me, too.
“I do not have an answer,” Vektal says. He seems tired, as if the weight of responsibility for twenty more people is already weighing on his shoulders. “I will talk with my mate and we will discuss with others. We need to consider this from all sides. What if we awaken them and they are the enemy? What if they are not slaves at all?”
“What if they are and need to be rescued?” I blurt. “What if they’re stolen like we were?”
Vektal nods at me. “And then there is that. With the exception of Taushen, Warrek, and Sessah, all our males are mated, too old to resonate, or kits. There are four males in the group, but that does not mean they will resonate. We do not have enough mates for everyone.”
“Dude, not everyone needs a man in their life,” I blurt again. “That’s total caveman thinking.”
Warrek leans over me, his silky hair falling against my shoulder. “I think my chief means that it is unfair to them to put them in a tribe where there is no one to help them.”
“That, and I do not have the males to mate them,” Vektal says.
“See?” I whisper to Warrek. “Caveman.”
“I must think of the happiness of the tribe. Will they be happy if they are unable to have mates? To be permanently alone? Or is that selfish of me to assume?”
“Can I answer that one?” I ask, raising my hand. I’m a little annoyed at this line of thinking. Like we need a man to make our hearts happy? For real?
“Do not,” Warrek murmurs, leaning over me again. He tweaks my earlobe, and it sends a shiver up my spine.
Okay, maybe I don’t need a man, but having the company of one sure helps. Maybe he’s right and that seeing a bunch of happy fur-wearing mommies and daddies wandering around and smooching on each other might make the others cranky and malcontent. I know I’ve had my moments, envying the others.
“There is much to consider,” Vektal says, getting to his feet. “I must go speak to my Georgie. All of you, rest for the evening. Relax. I will speak with you again one-on-one as the need arises.” He moves forward and clasps Warrek on the arm, then Vaza. “But I am glad you are all safe. That is more important than anything.”
“And we must stay safe,” Bek adds, both of his hands on Elly’s shoulders. “I do not care if we sacrifice the Elders’ Cave. Or the new one. All I care about is the safety of my mate and my kit.”
“I think like you,” Vektal s
ays with a nod. His face looks grim. “But I must think of all my people before I make a decision.”
15
WARREK
As the healer fusses over me, I think about Vektal. My chief looks grimmer than I have ever seen him. Over the seasons, as our tribe has grown, his high-spirited smiles have given way to thoughtful glances, and I know he and his mate Shorshie worry over all of us. It is clear that leadership is a mantle that weighs heavily upon Vektal’s shoulders.
I am glad it is his shoulders and not mine.
The tribe is celebrating our return, and with the evening, a large fire is built at the front of the longhouse. Harrec stands near it, gesturing with wild hands and telling the story of Suh-mer’s courageous rescue as Stay-see cooks her treats for everyone. Suh-mer’s courageous rescue, I mull. I think of it as her rescue of the others, not mine. She was the one with the ideas, the plans, the daring. The chess. I was simply her helper. I look for my small, brave mate, but I do not see her by the fire. Kate is there, beaming up at her new mate, and her small snow-cat is being petted by every kit gathered near the fire. The little animal is patient, at least, and appears to enjoy the attention. Who knew the ferocious creatures could be so affectionate?
There is a thread of worry for those still at the ship, and I have watched others move to the chief’s side to speak to him more than once this day. With every conversation, his face seems a little more lined, a little more tired.
It is not easy being chief, and I worry it will be too much for him and Shorshie at some point. No doubt it was easier when there were only ten or twelve hands of us. Now there are kits everywhere, more on the way, and people have been counting the empty houses at the edge of the village, thinking of where the newcomers will live. It is a lot of mouths to keep fed.
I think of the houses, the small, stone huts that were here long before we arrived. There are yet several that can be fixed up, ready for new couples. Harrec and Kate will be occupying one, I think, now that they are mated. Shail and Vaza will move in together as well. That leaves Suh-mer and Buh-brukh alone in their hut, and myself, Taushen and Sessah in the hunters’ hut.
I wonder if Suh-mer will share furs with me permanently, if I ask? I already think of her as mine, but she might have different ideas. She might wish to wait for resonance. The thought is a startling one, and even more startling is the jealous surge that rushes through me. I am a calm hunter. I do not let things bother me.
But the idea of another male—Taushen or Sessah—touching my Suh-mer? It makes me growl and bare my teeth at the night.
“You are well enough,” Maylak says, lifting her hands from my shoulder. “Your khui is strong and bold yet.”
I nod. I knew this to be the case. I was not harmed by the aliens, nor did I injure myself in the rescue of the others, but Maylak still insisted upon checking me over. It is the mother in her, I suppose, because I have no family left to care for me.
I think of Suh-mer. She would fuss over my wounds, I think, and the thought makes me smile to myself. I imagine her endless chatter as she bathes a minor wound, and the thought of her hands on me makes my cock harden. She has wanted to put her hands on me for days now, but I have distracted her from such things. We did not have the time.
Now, it seems, we have all the time we could possibly want.
Maylak gives me a little pat. “If you see Ell-ee, send her to me. I think Bek is hiding her away.”
“He will bring her to you, I imagine.” The overprotective hunter would not wish any harm to come to his fragile mate. “But I shall look for them.”
“My thanks. You can go rejoin the others now.” She indicates the emptying group near the bonfire, where a few have trickled away to put their kits to sleep. Others remain, and the skins of sah-sah are being passed around. I glance at Vektal again. He does not drink and wears a distant expression. The newcomers weigh on him heavily.
“Have you seen Suh-mer?” I ask, because I do not see her near the bonfire with the others.
“Mmm, she was here earlier.” She gives a little shrug and yawns. “Her khui is a strong one.”
As it should be. My female is fierce and brave. “My thanks.” I get to my feet, stretching, and then head toward the bonfire. Perhaps one of the others there knows where she has gone.
But on the way to the bonfire, I see Bek and his mate emerging from the chief’s hut. I pause and speak to them, indicating that they should visit the healer, and Bek tells me that he was visiting Shorshie, who is still in her furs, sick to her stomach. He wants her to convince Vektal that destroying the ships will protect us all. And he wants me to speak to Shorshie about this as well.
“The more voices, the better,” he says, his arm around Ell-ee’s shoulders. She leans against him, her eyes haunted, and I feel a stab of pity for her. Out of all the humans, she seems the most damaged by her experiences. Perhaps that is why Bek is so fiercely protective. I think of Suh-mer and the way she grabbed the light-spear and charged forward, killing her attackers. Is she brave and bold because she was not held captive as long as Ell-ee? Or is she just brave and bold because that is who she is?
“Warrek?” Bek snaps. “Did you hear me?”
“My thoughts were elsewhere,” I admit. “But I will speak to Shorshie when I have made up my mind about the ships.”
“The humans are not safe as long as they exist,” Bek exclaims. “What part of that do you not grasp?”
“I do not wish to make a hasty judgment,” I tell him. Even as I do, I pause. I think of Suh-mer. She handled herself well against the enemy, but I remember her burned face and blistered fingers. I think of her eyebrows that were singed off. She had not even realized she was hurt. She acts as she speaks—immediately and without cautious thought.
It would be very easy for another to take advantage of that, to entrap her and enslave her once more. I think of Suh-mer and her bright smile, her endless stream of words. I think of her clever mind. I think of her as broken as Ell-ee once was, covered in dirt, a hunted expression on her face.
The thought makes my gut churn. “I shall speak to Shorshie in the morning.”
Bek nods at me, pleased. “It is a wise move.”
I do not know if it is a wise move, but it is what I will do. If Mardok and Har-loh must be disappointed in the loss of the ships, I find it does not matter to me as much as Suh-mer’s safety. I will tell Suh-mer my decision, wait to see what she says, and then I will speak to Shorshie in the morning. “Take your mate to the healer,” I tell Bek. “I must find Suh-mer.”
“Be ready for tomorrow,” he tells me as I step away.
I turn back to him, frowning. “What is tomorrow?”
“If Vektal wishes to go to the ships, we will likely leave right away. He will need many strong hunters with him, especially if we are to bring the humans back to the tribe with us.
I ponder this. It is not something I considered, and yet it makes sense. If we need to move to protect the tribe, we must do so immediately. I do not like the thought of leaving Suh-mer, but I like the thought of her being captured even less. It must be done. I nod at him. “I will be ready.”
For now, though, I wish to be with Suh-mer.
16
WARREK
I head back toward the fire.
When I arrive, I look for Shail. She shares quarters with Suh-mer. She will know where she is at. But Shail is gone with Vaza and Rukhar. Kate sits near the fire, her snow-cat in her lap, watching her mate with shining eyes. She gives a nervous giggle. Nearby, several of the mated hunters are watching Harrec with open skepticism.
“There he is!” Harrec points at me. “Warrek, come. I have been telling them about your discovery and they do not believe me.”
Wary, I move forward, joining the others. Haeden scowls at me as I approach, Salukh, Erevan, and Rokan his audience. Mah-dee stands with Hassen’s arm around her shoulders, and she has an amused look on her face.
“I am telling them of the she-spot,” Harrec mock-whispers at
me. “They do not believe me.”
Ah. I shrug, glancing around at the edges of the fire in case Suh-mer wanders near. “My female told me of it. She said it was a pleasure spot for humans.”
“That is the third nipple,” Haeden says, clearly displeased.
“There is another,” I tell him. “The she-spot.”
Haeden grunts, skeptical.
“I wish to know more,” Ereven says, a grin on his face. “Anything to please my Claire.”
“Does this truly work?” Salukh asks.
“Oh yeah,” Kate says dreamily. She gets a funny look on her face and focuses on petting her snow-cat.
“It does work,” Mah-dee adds, a little smile on her mouth. “And it’s not that much of a secret. Hassen has always found my G-spot.”
“I have?” Hassen seems clearly surprised by this.
Mah-dee crooks a finger and Hassen leans in. She whispers at him, and then he chuckles.
“Ah, that spot. Yes.” He grins, pleased.
“Tell us,” Haeden demands, turning to me. “I wish to know more about this.”
I clap a hand on Harrec’s shoulder. “You tell them. I must find Suh-mer.”
“And her she-spot?” Harrec teases.
Salukh leans forward and taps on Harrec’s shoulder. “Focus. Tell us about this spot.”
I head away before I can be trapped into a story. Kate’s high-pitched, nervous-but-pleased giggles follow me into the night.
All I want to find is Suh-mer. As the day wears on, I find that I crave her company more and more. Already I miss her presence at my side. Is this how it will be now that we have returned to the village? If so, I do not like it. I see now why others have dragged their mates away from the tribe to spend time privately with them. It is tempting to do so, but for now, I must remain. The tribe is in turmoil with the discovery of twenty newcomers, and every hunter will be needed.