Page 154 of Sun Warrior

“Next thing I know, Laru’s air scenting, too, and growling. I could tell that he recognized the scent, and that he didn’t trust it. So, I grabbed my crossbow.…” Nik paused and patted the bow that was slung across hisback. “And I told Rigel and Laru to take me to what they were scenting. I found Jaxom struggling with that very sick, very violent kid. I was going to shoot him, but Jaxom called me off, told me Mason is his brother—and that we had to get to you so that you could Wash them both, immediately.”

“Jaxom wasn’t acting strange?”

“Not at first. It was almost dusk, but the sun hadn’t set yet. I had to knock Mason out, but then we tied him up and started half dragging, half carrying him to you.”

“Did you mess up your hand?”

“My hand?”

“Yeah, knocking him out.” Mari was examining the hand she was holding, finding it uninjured, and reaching for his other hand when Nik stopped her.

“Oh no. I didn’t mess up my hand. I used my crossbow to conk him across the head. It’s okay, too,” he said. “And it was only after the sun set that Jaxom started acting strange. I have to admit that he handled it well, though. He talked to me about what was happening, and told me not to panic when his voice, his skin, and even his eyes started to change. He said he could control it since it was a Third Night and he wasn’t infected with the Skin Stealer disease anymore—and he was right. I mean, I wouldn’t have wanted to be around him, say, tomorrow night had you not Washed him, but Jaxom basically just stayed Jaxom—only a meaner version.”

Mari nodded. “That’s usually about what happens to Earth Walker males on a Third Night. As long as they’re Washed, they can control themselves.”

“And Earth Walker women get sad but not catatonic and mortally depressed if they’re not Washed, too?”

“Yes, exactly. Women seem like they can go longer than men without being Washed, but that’s only because they don’t become violent. Depression is every bit as serious as anger,” Mari said.

“Do you know why Earth Walker men become angry and women become depressed?”

“I know what Mama told me. She said that Night Fever strips away who we are and reveals the basest, most negative parts of us. Men focus on the external with anger that can lead to violence, usually against themselves. Women retreat internally, and destroy themselves through sadness and self-hatred.”

“But Earth Walker males attacked Danita and Sora—violently,” Nik said.

“As far as I know, that’s never happened before. Nik, I really believe it’s the Skin Stealer disease that caused our males to be so aggressive to others.” Mari gave the dark forest around them a nervous glance. “I wonder how many more Earth Walker males there are out there, and how many of them have been infected with that horrible disease?”

“I asked Jaxom the same question. He doesn’t think there are many. No, actually, Jaxom said he doesn’t think there areanyleft alive at all. He said some began to turn against each other. Others died.” Nik closed his lips tightly, obviously not wanting to say more.

“Hey, you’re talking to a Healer. Give me the details.”

Nik sighed. “Jaxom said he found a small group of Earth Walker males yesterday. They were from your Clan. They were all dead. Their skin had completely sloughed off their bodies. They died in terrible agony, in pools of blood and pus.”

“That’s horrible.” Mari felt her own skin crawl.

“Just another good reason to leave this place. The poison of Port City is spreading,” Nik said.

“I’m with you. But leaving is going to be hard. I’m trying not to think about it too much, but—” She broke off, blinking fast and willing her threatening tears to go away.

“It’s okay. I understand. It’ll be worth it, though. I promise.”

“I know. We all do. Change is good, but hard.” Mari paused and then continued. “Nik, can you ever feel Rigel?”

“Feel him?”

“Yeah, like you share with Laru, only maybe not as strong, or at least not as intimately. But do you ever pick up emotions he’s sending to you?” Mari asked.

“Nope, can’t say that I have.”

“How about any other canines? Like maybe Laru when he was your father’s Companion?”

“No. Well, Laru and I have always been close, but that’s how it often is with the children of Companions.”

“How about your father? Or anyone else from your Tribe?”

“No. Companions can be very close to other people. For instance, I feel close to Davis’s Cammy. He’s a good little guy and very friendly. Davis and I are friends, so it’s natural that Cammy and I are, too. But I’ve never picked up any actual emotions from him. Why do you ask?” Nik gave her a perplexed look.

“Tonight when you and Jaxom brought Mason to me and the canines with Bast surrounded me, I couldfeelthem. Like Rigel, only not as clear. But I could. Actually, it was really interesting. Bast has a much calmer feel than I would have thought. She reminded me of the touch of moon magick when I draw it down—cool and powerful in a very feminine way.”