Page 138 of Sun Warrior

“We are all sorry, but what are we going to do about it?” asked a Warrior named Maxim gruffly.

“We’re going to rebuild. We’re going to survive,” Wilkes said.

“Not without that Scratcher Healer of Nik’s,” said Maxim.

Wilkes narrowed his eyes at Maxim. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the same thing Thaddeus and his Hunters have been talking about. That Scratcher bitch has some kind of dark magick that cured O’Bryan and Nik of the blight. It makes sense that if she can cure that she can also cure whatever this sickness is that’s spreading through the Tribe, as well as help heal our wounded of their burns.”

“I met Mari. She’s part Companion—that’s obvious by her looks and by the fact that Laru’s pup chose her. And she’s not a bitch at all,” said Claudia.

“She also called down sunfire and saved our Tribe. Is Thaddeus talking about that, too?” Wilkes said.

“That’s all the more reason to find her and bring her here,” Maxim said.

“Along with Nik,” Renard added.

“Nik will return. He said he would, and I believe him,” Wilkes said.

“Sure, but when?” Maxim said. “He’s snugged away with his Scratcher while we’re suffering and barely surviving. If I were him, I sure as bloody beetle balls wouldn’t return—or at least not very soon.”

“Then your word wouldn’t be worth shit,” Wilkes said.

“Which is good to know,” Claudia said.

“Hey, take your judgment and shove it up a wolf spider’s ass!” Maxim told Claudia. “And if you’re sweet on Nik, you better remember he has a woman now—a Scratcher woman.”

Claudia slowly shook her head. “I’m going to forgive you for that. You’re ill and not yourself, although some of us are more ourselves than others.”

“I meant everything I just said!” Maxim insisted.

“And I agree with him,” Renard said. “If only because we need Nik’s woman here as Healer.”

Claudia opened her mouth to respond, anger glinting in her eyes, but Wilkes raised his hand, silencing the group.

“There is a point where each of us must make a decision—do we hold true to that which raises us up, or that which is most base about humans? I believe Thaddeus and his ilk have decided to embrace that which is lowest, most base. I don’t know if he and his Hunters have done it because that is their way to survive, or whether the darkness, the anger, within them that has been brewing for some time now has an opportunity to overflow. I’ve chosen differently. And if surviving means I have to lose everything that is good and kind within me to anger, then I would rather not survive. But that is a decision for each man and woman to make. And part ofnotfalling into hatred is having the ability to let go. So, how many of you agree with Maxim and Renard?” Wilkes asked. “How many of you believe Nik and Mari should be hunted down and forced to come here as captives?”

“I do,” Maxim said quickly. “It’s as Thaddeus says. The Tribe has always acted on what is best for the whole, and if that means Nik and a mutant Scratcher woman are inconvenienced to save the rest of us, so be it.”

“Inconvenienced? That’s what you call captivity and slavery?” Claudia was incredulous.

“Really? You’re going to pretend to be above captivity and slavery now?” Maxim sneered. “It didn’t bother you when we had an island full of Scratcher slaves tending and harvesting crops for usfor generations.”

“I didn’t know better then. I do now,” Claudia said. “I met Mari. I listened to Nik. I changed.”

Maxim made a disparaging sound and turned his back to her.

“Who else is with Maxim?” Wilkes asked.

“I am,” Renard said, only not with the arrogance Maxim showed. “I want my father to live, and Nik’s woman is the best chance I have at that.”

“Anyone else?” Wilkes prompted again.

Slowly, one by one, each of Wilkes’s Warriors, except for Claudia, gave an affirmative. Some reluctantly, sending apologetic looks to theirLeader, but the majority of them responded more like Maxim—angry and ready to do something about it, even as they coughed and looked miserable.

Wilkes blew out a long breath, staring down at the blackened ground beneath him that just days ago had been carpeted by thick, emerald moss.The world has gone mad,Wilkes thought before lifting his head and looking around the group.

“Then go to Thaddeus. He is your Leader now, as I cannot in good conscience call you my Warriors if you follow his choices,” Wilkes said.