“Batteries”—she didn’t know it was such a cruel slur. I hid my disgust at hearing it said out loud. “Can I see the book?”
“No can do. It disintegrated after I finished reading it.”
That book would likely be incredibly helpful for both sides of the energy war… maybe it was best turned to ash.
“How about this?” I handed her some bread, since meat was off the table. She examined it and took a bite. “I’d like to stay here long enough to get you settled in the field. I’ll make you acabin. I’ll bring you supplies from the nearest village. I’ll ensure you can stay here safely tucked away from civilization.”
“I’m not trying to stay tucked away from anywhere,” she scoffed. “You sound like Ida.”
“Who’s Ida? Is she in Drifael?”
“No, she lives on the mountain. She’s a Pyran who helped get me on my feet out here. She gave me clothing, supplies, and a crash course in Trebianna. I visit her a lot.”
I glanced at the worn fur and blanket she had for crude bedding. At leastsomebodyhad given hersomething. And I was relieved that “somebody” was a wilderness hermit. There were far worse options. If I met this Ida, I could make an assessment on her character. Bartender and hitmanalsoshared the skill of a solid gut instinct for measuring a person.
“You really shouldn’t be seen by others. The yellow hair will be a dead giveaway that you’re a goddess. Nobody born on Trebianna has that.”
“The blonde? That’s an easy fix.” She shrugged. “I have to start making trips to town to get the things Ida and I need to survive the winter, so I’ll make sure the hair isn’t an issue. Anything else?”
“Why do you need to help this other female?” It seemed more likely that whoeverIdawas should be helpingher.
“She’s an amputee. My healing powers don’t seem capable of regrowing limbs, so I’m trying to be supportive.”
“What does helping Ida normally look like?” I was amazed anyone was surviving out here. Much less someone who may be struggling with decreased mobility.
“There’s not much Icando. Plus she’s pretty independent… and stubborn. I bring her as much food, water,and supplies as I can forage and carry myself. We’re also trying to make the cabin more accessible, like relocating items down from their high shelves. Some things aren’t as easily changed, so I help with those tasks when I’m there. Like gathering brush for her fireplace. Ideally, I visit every couple of days, but winter was a bitch.”
“You did this in the winter too?!”I’dbarely survived the trek in that blizzard.
“What’s my other choice? We need each other,” she huffed. “Buuuuuuutif I could get some supplies from town I could probably hold us over for longer.”
“Does she not want to move to Drifael?” I was becoming upset for both females. Basic existence shouldn’t be this difficult.
“Oh no, she loves Drifael! But poverty and all… you understand.” Her eyes watched me closely, deciding if Ididknow what poverty meant.
“Right.” I’d never faced true poverty but I did understand. There wasn’t money for Ida to obtain housing.
“Anyway, town is unavoidable. So, let’s talk passing as a Trebianna native. My hair color needs to change. What else?”
Town wasabsolutelyavoidable, given the stakes. This was a matter of life and death. All it would take was a single exposure of her to E.A.R.T.H., and she would lose her memories and her freedom. Once she became a target, they would track her down. Did I not express that clearly?
“I don’t think you’re understanding me—”
“Theo, you aren’t changing my mind about this,” she cut me off, her eyes rolling back into her head. “This isn’t optional. So, tell me what I need to do to blend in.”
I hated that she was pushing back on this, but it was her choice. Ithadto be her choice. I wouldn’t be around forever to protect her, even if it was from her own bad decisions.
“You should cover your neck and pretend to be a Pyran if anyone ever sees you. Your species look the same except for the missing neck emblem.”
“Got it. No blonde. Cover my neck. Other precautions?”
I blinked in disbelief. What the fuck was she thinking? Didlife imprisonmentreally mean nothing to her?
She sighed. “I don’t know why Ida hasn’t just told me why she didn’t want me making these trips for her. These are easy fixes. It’s not such a big deal pretending to not be a human.”
“I can assure you this is averybig deal. You shouldn’t risk it.”
“We’ll see,” she hummed, mouth still twisted in a frown. I thought I might get the silent treatment for the rest of dinner, but after a moment she puffed out her cheeks, resetting her expression. “Thanks for coming back to warn me. This really is helpful to know. I should be able to take it from here.”
