Mated to a Bear (Legends of Black Salmon Falls Book 3)

by Lauren Lively

  I nodded and we walked on a little further until we reached an office door. Manyr touched the chime-pad on the wall beside the door to announce our arrival. A moment later, the door whooshed open and we stepped into Yurat's office.

  Byr turned and looked at me, giving me a smile – though I could tell it was somewhat forced. When I saw Yurat seated behind his desk, I felt a wave of anger wash over me.

  “Come, come,” he said, his voice full of cheer. “Welcome. I trust you two had a nice afternoon?”

  Manyr looked at me for the first time since we'd been stopped by Vyla and I could see the apology behind her eyes. We did have a nice afternoon – one that was relaxing and enjoyable. I thought that we'd grown a little bit closer and in her eyes, I thought I could see a genuine fondness for me. But I knew that she was more committed to her cause than anything – even friendship.

  “It was a lovely afternoon,” Manyr said. “I had a very nice day with Hatare.”

  I nodded. “I enjoyed Manyr's company,” I said. “She's a remarkable woman. But I think it's time we had a talk, Yurat.”

  He looked at me with an incredulous expression and then glanced over at Manyr. But she looked down at the ground and said nothing. Yurat sat back in his seat and took a sip of a dark blue liquid and looked at me. Byr looked at me with questions in his eyes.

  “Okay then,” he said, setting the glass back down. “I suppose it is.”

  “I'll take my leave then,” Manyr said, sounding relieved to be able to get out of there.

  The door slid closed behind her and I took the seat next to Byr. He was holding a glass of the strange blue liquid but didn't seem interested in actually drinking it.

  “Is everything alright, Hatare?” Yurat asked. “You seem upset.”

  “Well, I've just found out the reason Byr and I are being treated like conquering heroes around camp,” I said. “Why people are heaping praise on us.”

  “Oh?” Yurat asked. “And why might that be?”

  “Because they're being lied to,” I said. “They're being told stories about us that just aren't true.”

  Yurat looked at me and I could tell that he was not surprised – which told me that he was one of the people responsible for those stories in the first place. Byr looked from Yurat to me, a thousand questions swirling in his eyes.

  “Did you know, between the two of us, we killed twenty of the Ministry's best soldiers when we were on Optorio?” I asked. “You remember, the night you were almost killed.”

  Byr's eyes widened in surprise and he looked back at Yurat. “Is this true?” he asked. “You're telling stories about us that you know aren't true?”

  Yurat shrugged. “It's a matter of perspective, I suppose.”

  “But why?” Byr asked. “Why would you make up stories like that?”

  “Because it's effective propaganda,” I said. “It's a way to make people believe in their cause to get them to join.”

  “It's a way to keep people inspired,” Yurat corrected.

  “If you have to resort to lies to inspire people, I think your rebellion is already lost,” I snapped.

  “I think you're seeing this the wrong way,” Yurat said.

  “Oh? And what other way should I be seeing this?”

  I was outraged and angry. Perhaps, more angry than the situation actually warranted. I was aware of that and yet, couldn't seem to rein in my emotions. I realized that it was because there was a significant piece of me that believed in this fight. Believed in these people. And to find that they were using lies and distortions – pure propaganda – to draw people to their side felt wrong. More than wrong. It felt like something the Ministry would do.

  And for me, it hurt a lot to believe that this movement that had captured my imagination was founded upon lies. Not to mention the fact that it called its legitimacy into question in my mind. Because if they were going to use Ministry tactics, how were they any better than the Ministry itself?

  “The sentiments are absolutely true,” he said. “The fact that you two found each other and have formed this bond despite your social and economic differences is inspiring to a lot of people. It makes them believe that they can have a world where there is true equality. There's nothing untrue about that.”

  “How inspiring can it be if you have to make up lies to sell it?” Byr asked, finally setting his glass down on the edge of Yurat's desk.

  “I think you're focusing on the wrong things,” Yurat said. “Okay, yes, we did alter a few facts to lend your tale a little more weight and substance. We wanted people to see that you were risking everything and were as committed to the fight as they were.

  But the reality is that people are inspired by you regardless of what you may have done. You two embody the very spirit of this rebellion. You two – just by virtue of being who you are – wield a lot of power and influence. More than you even realize. I can't even begin to tell you the difference around camp I see since we brought you here. The people are energized in a way I haven't seen before. Inspired. They really believe we can win this fight.

  So, if I had to stretch a few truths here and there along the way to give these people strength and a belief in this cause – well, I'm not going to apologize for that. Nothing I ever said was an outright lie – it was merely stretching the facts a bit as I knew them.”

  Byr and I exchanged a look. “If your cause was so just, why the need to lie to inspire people, Yurat?” I asked.

  He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I do not mean this to sound condescending – ”

  “Which means this is about to sound really condescending,” I cut him off.

  A rueful grin touched his face. “Perhaps. But that it not how it is intended. Just know that,” he said. “The both of you are young. Fiercely intelligent, don't get me wrong, but there are certain things you come to know only through age and experience.”

  “Things like what?” Byr asked.

  “That people want their heroes to be bigger than life,” he said. “And believe it or not, that's what you are to these people – heroes.”

  I shook my head. “We're not heroes though, Yurat,” I said. “And I think these stories – ”

  He raised a hand and cut me off. “The stories are nothing,” he said, pointing at both of us. “You two defied the Ministry. You defied a system that oppresses and crushes them. Whether or not you choose to acknowledge or accept it, the two of you embody the hopes and dreams of every person in that camp right now.”

  Byr and I shared a look and sat in an uncomfortable silence. I didn't know what to say, and it was apparent that he didn't either.

  “Join us,” Yurat said. “Be part of this. Be part of us. We could really use your help.”

  I cleared my throat. “And if we choose not to?”

  Yurat shrugged, but looked almost distraught by the prospect. “Then you'll carry on with your lives while we fight for a better world, I suppose.”

  “So, you'll just let us walk out of here?” Byr asked.

  A small, grim smile touched Yurat's lips. “You've never been prisoners here,” he said. “You've always been free to come and go as you please. Just like everybody else in that camp out there. You're free to make your own decisions – that's the world we're fighting and dying for.”

  I looked at the floor beneath my feet, a strange and sudden feeling of shame washing over me. These people were sacrificing everything to make a better world – the kind of world I wanted to see Unduth become – the kind of world I'd long talked about from the safety of my pampered existence.

  And one question continued rattling through my mind – what was I willing to sacrifice to see that world come to be?

  Chapter Five

  Byr

  I rode in the back of the darkened transport, Hatare by my side. With no windows in the passenger compartment, I couldn't get my bearings. We had no idea where we were going, just that Manyr showed up before dawn and told us to get dressed and ready to move out. There was a knot in my s
tomach that was tightening almost painfully, and a sense of foreboding that had settled down over my shoulders.

  “I have a bad feeling about this,” Hatare whispered.

  Not that she needed to whisper – we were alone in the back of the transport. Manyr and another man I didn't know where piloting the vehicle to where ever our destination was.

  “Yeah, I'm not feeling too sure about this myself,” I replied.

  We rode for more than an hour before the transport slowed and I felt it settle to the ground. Hatare and I shared a look, not knowing what to expect. I stood up and moved to the rear door, my body tense and ready for whatever came next. Hatare crowded close to me, looking equally as ready and determined to face the situation.

  The ramp on the back of the transport lowered with a hiss revealing nothing more sinister than Manyr and the other pilot. Hatare and I walked slowly down the ramp and I looked around, still expecting to see some looming threat.

  “Did you two really believe we'd bring you all the way out here just to shoot you or something?” Manyr asked, a smirk on her face.

  I looked over at Hatare and then back at Manyr, giving her a sheepish grin and a shrug. She just shook her head but smiled.

  “Paranoia is a bad thing, my friend,” she said.

  “Where are we?” Hatare asked.

  Manyr looked over at Byr. “You'll see,” she said. “Come with us.”

  We followed Manyr into a forest – one that didn't look all that much different than the one where their encampment was. But we'd been traveling for more than an hour and couldn't have been anywhere near the camp. Which showed me how little I actually knew of my own world – I hadn't realized how much of it was covered in such thick, lush forest before.

  We followed what looked to be a well-worn path, the thick canopy overhead not letting through much of the morning sunlight and leaving much of the world around us in thick, gloomy shadow. I felt Hatare take my hand, her small, delicate fingers intertwining with mine. I looked over and gave her a small smile I hoped was reassuring.

  Manyr and the pilot – both armed, I noticed – walked ahead of us on the path. Their heads were constantly moving around, scanning the area, their weapons held at the ready. They were tensed and ready for an attack – which made me wonder if we were in danger out there. And if so, what we were doing out there to begin with.

  Paranoid or not, I began to worry that Manyr was going to hand us over to the Ministry to collect the rewards on our heads, much like the rebels on Optorio had planned to do. Only this time, we didn't have a group of elite soldiers like Vink and his men backing us up.

  After half an hour of walking the path, we came to the base of a large stone cliff. The black stone was jagged and craggy and covered in vines and moss. Manyr and the other man stopped and turned to us, a small, enigmatic smile playing upon her lips.

  “Where are we?” I asked.

  Instead of answering my question though, she pulled a small device off of her belt and pushed a button. Behind her, the rock seemed to melt away, revealing a doorway in the stone cliff face. Hatare looked as startled as I felt, staring at the sudden appearance of an entryway into what appeared to be a solid rock wall.

  “Cloaking technology,” she said, answering our unspoken question. “We were able to steal it from the Ministry. And I have to say, it's proven to be quite useful for a number of things.”

  “What's beyond that doorway?” Hatare asked.

  “Maybe a little something that will lift your spirits,” she replied.

  Manyr motioned for us to step through the doorway and I gave each a quick look. I was still feeling a little trepidation, but realized that if they had intended to bring us out there to kill us, they'd already had more than enough opportunity. Hatare gave me a small shrug and then turned and walked through the doorway – and I followed closely behind.

  We walked into a large cave – one that had a seemingly endless catacomb of tunnels that branched off the main room. It was well lit, outfitted, and what surprised me the most was that there were dozens of people milling about. I looked at Manyr who was giving me a smile.

  “This is where we hide the people we've managed to rescue,” she said.

  My eyes grew wide and I felt a brief stutter in my heart. “You mean – ”

  “Yes,” she said. “Like your mother and siblings. Let me take you to them.”

  I was trembling and my heart was beating wildly in my chest. I hadn't believed them when they told me that my family had been rescued and was alive. And part of me had already come to terms with the fact that they were dead. Had accepted it. But now, walking down the corridor behind Manyr, knowing that I was going to see them again? I couldn't believe it.

  I looked down at Hatare to find her smiling up at me. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it, seeming to be genuinely happy for me. Acting on impulse, I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, which seemed to make her smile grow a little wider.

  We followed Manyr through a twisting series of caves and passages. Honestly, I didn't know how anybody navigated their way down here without getting lost.

  “We don't know who built these caves and tunnels,” she said over her shoulder. “But they've been invaluable to us. It might seem easy to get lost, but don't worry. All of these tunnels eventually lead back to that main cavern. So, if you happen to lose your bearings, just keep walking. Eventually, you'll get back there.”

  I nodded as we stopped at a doorway to another cavern. I glanced in to see a group of people, but didn't immediately see my family. I wanted to speak. To say something, but I was suddenly overcome by a wave of emotions that choked all of the words right out of me.

  “It's not the most comfortable of places,” Manyr said. “But it keeps everybody safe. And that's probably the most important thing.”

  “Thank you,” I was finally able to croak out as I looked her in the eye. “Thank you for saving them. For keeping them safe.”

  She gave me a small smile. “That's what we do,” she said. “Now go, they're waiting for you.”

  Manyr walked away, presumably heading back toward the main cavern. I stood outside the doorway and looked at Hatare, my thoughts and emotions spinning wildly out of control. She took both of my hands in hers and looked at me.

  “Go in there,” she said. “I'm sure they can't wait to see you as much as you can't wait to see them. You have much to catch up on.”

  I gave her a small, weak smile. I had no idea why I was hesitating or what was holding me back. Perhaps, I was afraid that they would blame me for Gravus and his soldiers taking them in the first place. Perhaps, they would blame me for not being there to protect them.

  Hatare squeezed my hands harder. “Byr, there is nothing to be afraid of. Your family loves you and seeing you alive and standing there in front of them is going to make them happier than you even know.”

  She was right, of course. But I was still afraid. Afraid that they would blame me for having to live in a cave with a bunch of strangers. But Hatare wasn't going to let me stand out there dithering any longer. Tightening her grip on my hand, she pulled me into the cavern.

  Chapter Six

  In all, there were probably twenty or twenty-five people in the cavern. Large lights had been set up in the corners, bathing the area in a soft, yet bright light. Tarps had been used to section off areas, making “rooms” within the cavern, giving the people inhabiting them some semblance of privacy.

  Voices and laughter echoed off of the stone walls as we walked through the cavern and all eyes turned to us as we passed. The people I saw were clean, appeared to be well fed and well cared for. It wasn't what I'd expected to see from a group of people hiding in a cave.

  “Byr?” a small voice squeaked.

  I turned and saw Gynta standing there, a look of utter shock on her face. Hopa stood beside her, his face no less surprised.

  “Byr,” Hopa said. “Is that really you?”

  The pair of them looked bigger than I reme
mbered. Taller. More grown up. Or perhaps, I was just imagining it. Hatare looked at me standing there, rooted to my spot and nudged me with her elbow.

  “Go to them,” she whispered.

  I took a step forward, a broad smile crossing my face. But a step was all I got before the two of them launched themselves at me, throwing their little arms around my waist and holding on to me tightly. They both looked up at me, their smiles wide, their eyes wet with tears.

  “I was afraid we'd never see you again,” Gynta said.

  “I was afraid you'd died,” Hopa said.

  I pulled myself out of their grasp and knelt down so I was eye-level with them. Tears rolled down their smooth cheeks and I wiped them away before ruffling their hair. I bit back the emotions that were threatening to take control of me and tried to keep the tears suddenly welling in my eyes from falling.

  “Well, I didn't die,” I said. “I'm right here, as alive as either of you. And I am so glad to see you two. I've missed you so much.”

  They both threw their arms around my neck and squeezed me so tight, I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to breath.

  “We've missed you too,” Gynta said.

  After a few moments, I stood up again, but kept the kids close to my side. I looked into their little living area and saw my mother sitting up on her bed staring at me. Tears rolled down her face and her smile was small, soft. She looked as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

  Extricating myself from the little ones, I stepped toward her and dropped down onto my knees, taking her hands in mine.

  “I'm so glad to see you alive,” I said. “When I got back to the village, I was – ”

  “It was terrible,” she said. “I was afraid that was going to be it for me. But more than anything, I was scared for you, Byr. I didn't know what happened to you.”

  I gently pulled her into an embrace, taking care to not squeeze her too tightly. Her disease made her body ache and the last thing I wanted to do was cause her pain.