“Theresearcher,”Gunna said with disdain, “Sirin Agbuya has violated our laws and our sacred duty. The fact she did not know she was trespassing on our sacred land is immaterial. Our dictates are quite clear: No one is to know of our location, our task, or our duty outside of Sanctuary. As such, we have historically executed trespassers. Berne Brodersen, you've indicated yeh would like to speak on behalf of the accused. Go on then, speak.”
Berne stood and looked down at Sirin. She gave him a stiff smile, and he took a deep breath to steel himself to speak.
“I’ve followed Sirin for over a week now. While she’s been transparent about what she is searching for, she has shown great care for the environment. She has lovingly cataloged plants and animals and noted things about them I’ve never noticed, though I spend most of my time in nature. I understand our sacred duty, and I have ruthlessly eliminated others who threatened our protectorate. Sirin has shown the utmost care for both our land and our duty. Were it not for our sacred duty, I would request she be allowed to leave. However, I know that is not a possibility. Further, knowing what I know of her, I doubt she would do so.” He chuckled to himself. “I don’t know we’d even be able to run her off if we wanted. I think she should stay. She has a lot she can teach us, even about ourselves and our land. Beyond that, she could likely offer us perspectives on our duties and power we have overlooked.”
The councilors’ expressions hardened at his words.
Shit. He had a terrible feeling about this.
“I’m prepared to take responsibility for her,” he continued before anyone could respond. “I’ll ensure she doesn’t leave or contact anyone and she won’t put us or our duty in any danger. She could truly be an asset to us if we only let her.”2He crossed his arms, attempting to find something more to convince them, but he wasn’t a man of words, he was a man of silence. He could go days without saying a word. He hoped he’d said enough.
He sat down next to Sirin, who smiled up at him encouragingly. She placed a hand on his knee and said, “Thank you. Even if it doesn’t work, I truly appreciate it. I feel like we know at least abitabout each other after the last week, perhaps you more than me, and I imagine that was difficult to—“
“We will recess to discuss our verdict. Please wait here,” Gunna said, leading the councilors out into the next room.
“It wasn’t as difficult as it will be if they try to kill yeh. I’ll tell yeh that for free. But, look, maybe I’ve got a plan, just in case. Yeh don’t deserve this, just for asking questions and such. I’ll see yeh through this, somehow, I swear it.” He patted her hand, which still rested on his knee. After a moment, she turned her hand to lace their fingers together. His stomach rioted at her touch like a swarm of bees had come to life inside him.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said. “I could use a friend.”
“Not at all. Say nothing of it.” He didn’t know what else to say; anything they tried to plan now would all be speculation. Thankfully, it seemed Sirin agreed, as she appeared content to trace patterns on the back of his hand, the gentle touches of her smooth hands were meant to soothe him, but they only stoked the desire for her that had been simmering all day.
Once again, Sirin was the most delicious kind of torture. She sat right next to him while being entirely unattainable. He glanced at his crotch, hoping his stiff cock wasn’t too obvious. He wasn’t sure what would be worse, if Sirin saw, or the council. Luckily, he was sitting in a way that at least partially concealed his arousal, but they couldn’t wrap this meeting up quickly enough for his comfort.
Berne’s nerves were stretched thin as fishing line as they waited. Sirin had pulled out her notebook and was scratching away. Peering over her shoulder, he could see how accurate her drawings were. She’d drawn a diagram of the village’s layout as it would appear from above, leaving empty the areas where she had not ventured. It was spot on. She added wee numbers, which corresponded to the opposite page, where she made notes about different parts of the town.
She was acting so much less concerned about the situation than he felt, almost at ease. She evensmelledat ease. Sadly, he’d become used to the smell of her fear, but she didn’t even let off a whiff of it now. She tilted her head this way and that, scrutinizing her notebook, and Berne was content to watch her work. So often, Sirin had a vibrant, frenetic energy, like her lush body struggled to contain all of her; but now, she was so focused, every movement was graceful and precise. She stuck her tongue out as she worked, her brows drawn in concentration.
Berne leaned closer to read note number eight, next to a sketch of his cabin.
Design notably different from the rest of the village, set away. Indicates need for privacy and a unique designer. Likely self-built, as second story appears unfinished. Furniture indicates single occupant, though there is evidence of bear pet. Garden out window similar to those in village proper. Initial observations indicate largely temperate species of plants, potential for genetic drift, inv.
Berne let out a grunt; her observations were spot on. He cringed when he realized she’d noticed the unfinished second floor, but at least she’d said nothing about the roof. Sirin turned to look at him, her eyes wide. She was soclose,he could see the flecks of gold in her eyes. She breathed in sharply and her mouth was open just a sliver, giving him a peek at her smooth little tongue. Instinctively, he felt the rumble in his chest start, the rhythmic purring of contentment he made when he was a bear. Berne clamped it off at her confused look; humans didn’t make that noise. These days, he was never fully human, nor fully bear, despite how he might appear on the outside. Inside, he was always somewhere between the two.
In Sanctuary, it was expected for a person to keep the ability to make the vocalizations of both of their forms, so they tended to use vocalizations, postures, and words altogether.3Berne didn’t see any way the council was letting her leave, so it wasn’t like he was hurting anything, but he didn’t know how he could even explain it all. She jumped next to him and Berne looked about to see what might have startled her. He couldn’t see anything but didn’t need to wait long since she started speaking excitedly.
“Why is it dark? It’s been daylight for most of my journey. Did we travel far while I was asleep? Am I just confused about the time of day?”
He chuckled at her excited confusion.“Ach, so—it’s ah, night, just after supper time. I’d say it’s dark for the same reason that it is warm. We are not farther south, we are farther north, but I can explain it more later?” He craned his neck toward the council chambers as the doors opened.
It all came down to this. Berne tried to steady his breaths. The council settled into their seats, and Gunna stayed standing, her back and neck stiff. From the back of the room, Jorund signaled that he didn’t know the result with a shrug and a grimace on his broad face.
Shit.Berne’s breath huffed in and out of him, and he clacked his teeth. This wasnotgood. Gunna broke any ties in council votes and she didnotlike Sirin.
“After hearty debate and much deliberation,” Gunna said in a clear voice, “the council has unfortunately come to a deadlock. As such, it is up to me, as head of the council, to decide the outcome.”
A pause, and beside him, Sirin tensed. It was as if she, as he did, felt the chill in the room.
Gunna continued, “It is with great regret, therefore, I inform y—“
A growl was ripped from him before she could finish what she was about to say. He would not stand for this. Sirin was not going to be executed.
“Berne…” Sirin whispered next to him.
It took everything to keep his cool and stick with the plan instead of shifting and launching himself across the room.
“She’s my mate,” Berne sputtered. He was committed now and his blood rushed in his ears, drowning out the noise in the room.
“What?” Sirin and Gunna gasped at the same time. Murmurs erupted around the room as the councilors reacted. In the back, Jorund barked out a laugh and tipped his head toward Berne.
