Seeking refuge, just like Khalid and me. The felion and lupion are more alike than we want to believe. “Were any like… banished?”
“Yeah, exiled members of packs typically move to a different continent to avoid direct conflict, so you’ll find a decent amount of them here,” she says.
I can’t imagine being exiled from your entire support system. Felion are a bit moreevery cat for themselves,but we at least try to take care of our own. We definitely take care of our families, but that’s all we’re used to. If I spent my entire life knowing and believing that an entire pack of beings had my back, it would be pretty heartbreaking to lose.
There is a thicket of brambles, and Tempest reaches out an arm, helping me through.
She stares directly at my face for a moment. “They typically have to do something horrible to get exiled,” she explains, as if reading my mind.
“So we’re dealing with violent individuals?” Goosebumps prickle down my arms.
She laughs, the sound coming out a little maniacal, somehow finding humor in my anguish. She turns her body, shifting so that her face is within a hair’s breadth of mine. “Are you not a violent individual?” she asks, rage seeping into every letter, every word.
Shock flows through my body, and I inhale, my breaths staggered as she backs off from me. I was hoping we could use tonight to learn how to get along outside of our apparatuses, and that we could transfer the new connection over into our rehearsals, but now I’m not sure. We don’t even need to becomefriends, we justneed to be neutral enough to pull this whole engagement scheme off.
We’re silent for what feels like an eternity as we continue through the trees. I wait until I think she’s calmed down before I try to speak again.
The entire reason for this turf war between our species is that we’re all fighting for hunting territory; maybe I can bring it up, ease some of this negative energy festering between us and transform it into something more positive. Our common goal. “Do you think this war will have long term effects on your people?”
Tempest shrugs. “I don’t know, do you?”
“If the children—felion or lupion—don’t learn to hunt, I imagine it’ll affect our society in the long run. It could create another famine,” I suggest.
She nods. “Then we had better stop this war before it really begins.”
“Do you want to fish, or would you like me to do it?”
“With the whole cave diving situation, don’t you hate water?” Tempest asks, genuine concern lacing her features. I’m surprised she cares.
“Yes and no. It’s complicated. Even though I’m quite literally the descendent of cat nymphs, I love water. I chose a water rune for my atra tattoo. I just don’t like being forced into water, or compact spaces. That’s all,” I explain, and she nods, her crisp blue eyes shimmering in the moonlight. We’re both in long, loose athletic shorts and t-shirts, appearing very different from our usual attire. It’s a little chilly, but we’ll heat up plenty once we actually get started.
“That makes sense. Honestly, the idea of eating fish these days makes me uncomfortable. It feels like I’m betraying Taryn.”
My eyebrows shoot up at that admission. “Are you spending a lot of time with Taryn?”
“No. I mean, we talk nearly every day, but I wouldn’t say I spend alotof time with her.” She scratches the back of her neck. “What are you jealous?”
I almost laugh. “No, Tempest, I’m not jealous that my fake fiancé is spending time with another woman—a mermaid who doesn’t take part in romance—at that. I’m worried that you’ve divulged our secret to another person.”
She raises her hands in submission. “I haven’t told her anything about our deal. Besides, you have Lilian. You tell her everything, can I not have a friend?”
We stop at a clearing. “Why can’t you talk to someone in your pack?” Leaning down, I grab a bottle of water from my bag and take a sip.
“And how would you suggest I do that?”
That’s fair. I guess I keep forgetting how much of a prison sentence this must be for Tempest. “I’ll try and get you permission to use a phone, okay?”
“Whatever. Fine, now go catch some trout,” she says, and I smile.
“Have fun hunting squirrels!” I retort back.
“Squirrels?” Her silvery brows are furrowed, and I can’t tell if she’s amused, challenged, or both. “I’m going to hunt a boar.”
We part ways, and I realize we’re pretty far from the river now. I’ll have to hunt something else.
Walking through a patch of trees, I look up at the sky. The forest looms taller at night, the branches reaching out towards the stars. Everything feels more intense. Visibility is lower, causing every other sense to heighten. I feel like I can hear the crunch of every leaf.
I spot a creature—a helfowl—perched on a lower branch, and I move towards it. Wisps of shadow emanate from the bird, making it easier to spot.
