Page 181 of Sun Warrior

“There have to be good people left,” Sheena said, her voice choked with tears. “We can’t just let them be invaded.”

“You mean like what they were going to do to us?” Antreas broke in. “I know theywereyour people, but they aren’t anymore. We all are fleeing because of them—because of what they are going to do to you, and you, and all of us if we remain here.”

“If we don’t warn them, how are we any better than them?” Davis asked.

“O’Bryan, Sheena, Davis, I won’t forbid any of you to go to the Tribe, to warn them. All I ask is that you consider carefully what you’re risking. Wilkes and Claudia have told us that Thaddeus and his men have taken control. The Tribe you knew no longer exists. Are you willing to risk your life to warn a people who would most probably take yours if they caught you?” Sora said.

“If Nik and Mari don’t get away before nightfall, they will be trapped there as the Skin Stealers attack,” O’Bryan said.

“Nik and Mari know they have to get to the Channel by dusk or we leave without them,” Sora said. “They willnotbe trapped there.”

“Wait! I know how we can warn the Tribe!” Davis said. “We just need to get to the lookout tower at the Channel.”

“The warning bell! Sunfire, where is my mind? I’d completely forgotten about it,” O’Bryan said.

“It’s perfect.” Sheena was nodding in agreement. “One of us can sound it as the rest of us are casting off on the river.”

“What is this warning you speak of?” Sora asked.

“There are ancient bells, foraged from Port City generations ago—we have them placed throughout the Tribe on lookout platforms, and the loudest of them is on the platform that overlooks the Channel. If we sound it, the Tribe will know danger is coming,” O’Bryan said.

“Yeah, but won’t they also know we’re stealing their boats?” Sora said.

“They might, but if Dove is telling the truth they’ll be busy battling Skin Stealers and their God of Death,” O’Bryan said.

Sora sighed, running her hand through her hair, staring at the sightless girl as the Companions watched her, waiting for her to lead them. For the first time, Sora truly understood the magnitude of her MoonWoman status. If she chose wisely, they would make it to the Channel and escape—and they would warn the Tribe of impending doom.

If she chose unwisely, they would all either be killed or be captured and enslaved.

Sora met Davis’s gaze. “I believe Mari’s dream. Dove is telling us the truth. When we get to the Channel take the lookout platform. Warn the Tribe and then get your butt into a boat. It is my command as your Moon Woman that you willnotget trapped there. You will join us on the water.”

“Yes, Moon Woman,” Davis said, bowing formally to her.

“Sheena, I’m putting you in charge of Dove and Lily,” Sora said.

The young Companion’s brows rose, but she nodded her head in acquiescence. “Should I bind them?”

“No. They aren’t our captives, and I have chosen to trust Dove’s oath. But I’m also not a naïve fool.”

“Understood,” Sheena said, moving to stand beside Dove and Lily.

To the rest of them Sora said, “Now we move and move quickly and quietly. Pass the word down the column about what Dove has told us.” She shifted her gaze to the girls. “Dove, Lily, if you can’t keep up with us, Sheena will leave you behind.”

“Yes, Moon Woman,” Dove said as Lily nodded, eyes wide in her pale, pale face.

“What about Nik and Mari?” Antreas asked.

“Nothing’s changed.” Sora spoke calmly, though inside she felt sick with fear. “We have to trust that Mari will get Nik out. O’Bryan, tell the Companions to pray to the Sun to help Nik.” She met Davis’s eyes. “The rest of us will pray to the Earth Goddess to give Mari strength. Quickly, now! We’ve lost all the time we can spare. Get the Pack moving!”

CHAPTER 39

As she and Rigel raced northward, Mari made her decision. She wasn’t sure if it was fueled by anger or intuition gifted to her by the Great Goddess—Mari hoped it was a little of both—but she knew one thing with every ounce of her being. Mari was done hiding. She would not sneak into the Tribe like a frightened thief. She would demand Nik’s release, and woe to anyone who tried to stop her.

Earth Walkers were not warlike—they nurtured the earth and preferred to live lives filled with peace and tranquility. Even males sick with Night Fever were rarely dangerous to anyone but themselves.

But Mari was only half Earth Walker. The other half was Tribal. As she retraced the path she and Nik had taken less than a week ago, Mari’s resolve strengthened.

Thaddeus had taken her mother from her.