Page 55 of Moon Chosen

Mari held on to Sora’s wrist, twisting it purposefully, painfully.

“Answer my question, Sora. What are you doing here?”

“I—I was looking for Leda, of course,” Sora said, obviously trying to recover some measure of the arrogance that usually was so prevalent in her manner. “Iamapprenticed to her, and dusk is nearing.”

“No one is apprenticed to her anymore. Go away, Sora.” Mari let loose her wrist, shoving her away.

Sora stumbled, but righted herself quickly. Gentling her voice until it was almost a whisper, she asked, “Mari, what happened?”

Mari met Sora’s eyes. “You left her to die,and she died.”

Sora blinked. “What are you talking about? I didn’t leave your mother to die.”

“Donotlie to me!” Mari shrieked her rage at Sora. “I was there. I saweverything.When the Companions overran the Gathering Site you called the men to you, telling them to save you.Then you ran, all of you, and left Mama to die!” Spittle spewed from Mari’s lips as her anger bubbled over.

“But I thought she’d run, too! I didn’t mean for anything to happen to her. How could I?” Desperation crept into Sora’s voice. “The Clan needs Leda. IneedLeda.”

“Youneed Leda?” Mari shook her head. “Sora, you’re a selfish bitch. And guess what—you’re not going to get everything you need, especially now that my mama is dead.”

Sora drew herself up to her full height and thrust out her chin. “You’re upset. I understand that. So I’m going to forget most of what you just said.”

“Don’t!” Mari hissed at her. “Don’t ever forget what I just said. Remember it, and remember to stay away from me.”

“But who’s going to Wash the Night Fever from the Clan? Tonight is Third Night! Who’s going to train me?”

“Figure it out yourself.” Mari turned dismissively from Sora and began gathering Leda into her arms. She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating and readying herself, and then she struggled to her feet.

She almost made it, but her weariness was too great. Mari would have dropped Leda had Sora not suddenly stepped forward, steadying Leda—lifting—resituating her still body over Mari’s shoulder so that she could hold her more easily.

Mari’s head lifted and she was looking into Sora’s gray eyes.

“I’ll help you carry your mama home. Then I’ll help you bury her,” Sora said softly.

“Where are all those men who like to follow you around?” Mari’s voice was equally soft, but filled with venom.

Sora looked surprised at the question, but answered quickly, matter-of-factly, “Dusk is near. I don’t allow men around me after dusk on a Third Night—not unless…” Her words trailed off as her gaze dropped to Leda.

“Not unless Mama’s there to Wash the madness from them. That’s what you were going to say, isn’t it?”

Sora squared her shoulders. “Yes. That is what I was going to say. I’m not ashamed of it. I’d have to be more insane than them to want Clansmen filled with Night Fever near me.”

“Then you better get used to being insane, or being alone at night because with Mama gone there’s no one to save you or them.” Mari started to stumble past Sora, but the girl moved to block her path.

“I said I’ll help you bury Leda.”

“You don’t want to help me. You want to use me. I understand the difference. Get out of my way.”

“Mari, you can call down the moon. Leda said so. You have to help me. And us—the Clan. You’re all we have left of Leda.”

Mari narrowed her eyes. “You need to listen carefully to what I’m going to tell you. I donotcare what happens to you. I donotcare what happens to the Clan. You used Mama until you used her up, and then you threw her away. You won’t do the same to me. Don’t try to find me. Don’t try to follow me. Leave. Me. Alone.” Mari stepped forward, bumping Sora hard with her shoulder and knocking her off the path.

“Mari! Wait! You can’t just leave me out here like this. It’s almost dusk!” Sora cried after her.

Without turning to look at her, Mari said, “Sora, if you follow me I will kill you.”

***

Mari couldn’t be sure that Sora wasn’t following her, so instead of taking the most direct way back to the burrow she chose to circle around and around, following one of the mazelike routes that her mother, her mother’s mother, and her mother’s mother before her had spent their lifetimes creating, ensuring their home, and the Moon Women it protected, would remain hidden and safe. Mari worried about Rigel, and the extra time it was taking her to return to their burrow, but as she drew closer and closer to the burrow she held her mother more tightly, with more desperation.