Page 165 of Moon Chosen

“I can’t tell you,” Sora said.

Her sobs had quieted, but tears still tracked down her cheeks, mixing with blood from a split in her bottom lip.

“You have to tell me,” Nik said. “There could be more of them.”

Sora’s shoulders began to shake. “I can’t, Nik!”

“Sora, I give you my word, sworn on Rigel’s life, that I will never tell anyone from the Tribe where Mari’s burrow is. You can trust me. You have to.”

“He rescued me from the island.” Jenna’s voice was soft and sweet. “I think he’s a good man, even though he is a Companion.”

Finally, Sora nodded. “Go southeast.”

Nik started to lead them from the clearing, but Sora stopped him.

“We have to bring the rabbits. And the turkey. I—I have to get wapato and lavender, too. For Mari. Mari needs them.”

“Sora, there’s not time for any of that. I didn’t kill the third male, and if he brings more back in force, I won’t be able to hold them off,” Nik said.

“I’ll get the turkey,” Jenna spoke with a matter-of-fact attitude that seemed to belong to a woman much older than the pale, little girl he’d rescued from the island. “I’ll wring the rabbits’ necks and carry them, too.”

“No! We need the rabbits alive.” Sora met Nik’s gaze. “Mari is breeding them.”

Nik almost told Sora that Mari would have to come back and get them herself, but then he realized what Mari must be doing. She was raising rabbits because Rigel’s rapidly growing body required constant fresh meat.

He sighed. “Jenna, get the turkey from the snare. I’ll take care of the rabbits.” He hurried to the traps, quickly grabbing one of the animals by its ears and shoving it into the cage with the other. Hefting it under his arm, he turned to Sora. “We’re not digging for roots or gathering lavender. We’re getting you safely home. Now. The two of you stay behind me, and stay close and quiet.”

Thankfully, Sora didn’t argue. Clutching Jenna’s free hand, she followed Nik from the clearing and into the forest.

***

Mari was having a lovely dream about mounds and mounds of steaming roasted wapato mixed with all sorts of herbs and salt—lots and lots of precious salt—when Rigel jolted her awake. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and feeling anxious and confused. The young canine was at the door, barking frantically.

“What’s happening? Help me, Mari!” Danita was sitting on her pallet, clutching a blanket to her chin and staring at the door with wide, panicked eyes.

“Everything is fine. No one can get to us here, Danita.”

Mari hurried to Rigel. The young canine had stopped barking, but he was whining and scratching at the door. “Okay, I’m coming. Just a second.” Mari rushed to throw across her shoulder the pack that held her slingshot. She grabbed several handfuls of the carefully chosen stones she kept in good supply near the hearth, tossing them into the pack. “Stay here. Bar the door behind me and don’t open it unless Sora or I tell you to.”

“No, Mari! Don’t leave me here by myself!” the girl cried.

“You’re safer here than anywhere in the forest.”

“What if you and Sora don’t come back?”

Mari almost assured her that they would, and then she thought of Leda, who she lost long before she should have. “If we don’t come back you stay here until you’re stronger. There are foodstuffs and supplies in the pantry—enough to last several days if you’re careful. Then you have to follow the rest of the Clanswomen to the coast or south to Clan Miller. Only travel during the day. Find a big tree to hide in at night. Do you understand?”

Danita nodded.

“Bar the door behind me,” Mari repeated.

She opened the door, and Sora fell into her arms, sobbing and speaking hysterically. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I had to bring him here. Males are in the forest. They attacked me. I’m so sorry, Mari!”

Utterly confused, Mari looked behind Sora to see Nik standing in the doorway. He was holding a crossbow in one hand and a full rabbit trap in the other. He looked dirty and pale and soaked with sweat—and Mari’s heart did a strange little stutter step of happiness as he smiled at her. Then he moved a little to the side, revealing Jenna.

“Surprise!” Nik said.

Unable to speak through her tears, Mari opened her arm to allow Jenna to come into her embrace. She stood like that, enfolding the two young women in her arms as Nik smiled into her eyes, for what seemed like a very long time.