Page 38 of Sun Warrior

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“Lowlands, straight ahead!” Antreas called back to them through cupped hands.

Mari almost dropped to her knees with relief. “We’re within Clan lands now. Not much farther. We don’t have to go much farther tonight.”

“Um, where exactly are we going tonight?” Davis asked, jogging to come up beside Nik and Mari.

Mari looked up at him, blinking as if to clear her vision when in truth she was trying to clear her mind. “Home, of course,” she said.

“To your burrow?” Nik asked. “I thought we were going to what you call a birthing burrow. Isn’t that where you said Sora was leading the others—Earth Walkers and Companions?”

“Yes, she is.” Mari struggled to think through the fog that had become her mind. “She’s taking everyone to the birthing burrow. But it’s farther from here than home is, and I’m pretty sure we won’t make it there tonight. So, we need to go to my burrow.”

“Mari.” Nik pulled her to a halt. “It’s not just me. It’s Antreas and Davis, too. Are you sure you want to take them toyourburrow?”

Mari furrowed her brow, trying to concentrate on Nik’s words. Of course she wanted to go home. Sheneededto go home. She’d be able to rest there. She’d be able to find herself again there. She frowned up at Nik. “Nik, I want to go home.”

“Hey, I know.” He spoke gently, touching her cheek. “And I’ll get you there, but Mari, if we go there tonight Antreas and Davis will be with us. Are you okay with that? Will your Clan be okay with that?”

Nik’s words finally broke through Mari’s stupor, and she felt a rush of panic. “Oh, Great Mother, I’d forgotten!”

“Forgotten?” Davis asked.

Mari didn’t look at Davis. She stared into Nik’s compassionate green eyes. “I’d forgotten that they can’t know where I live. Nik, what’s wrong with me?”

Nik pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “It’s what happens to Sun Priests after they call down sunfire. I’m amazed you’re still walking and talking at all. But nothing is wrong with you! You’re going to be fine.”

“Wait, did she just say we can’t know where she lives?” Davis said.

Nik kept his arm wrapped around Mari’s shoulder as they turned to face Davis at the same time Antreas and Bast jogged up to them. “We can’t afford to pause again. The sun is setting and the swarm won’t be the only creepy-crawlies looking to feast tonight,” Antreas said.

“I think we need to decide where we’re going now that we’re entering Earth Walker territory,” Davis said, looking pointedly from Nik to Mari.

“I thought we were headed to a birthing burrow,” Antreas said.

“It’s too far away. Mari can’t make it tonight. Or at least she can’t make it there until she’s rested and eaten something,” Nik said.

“But she doesn’t want us to know where she lives,” Davis said.

Davis’s tone was unexpected to Mari. Even through her exhaustion she could tell that her words had hurt and surprised him. She looked at the young Companion, meeting his clear, honest gaze.

“It’s not what you think,” Mari explained. “It’s not that I don’t want you or Antreas specifically not to know the location of my burrow. It’sClan Law that no one knows the site of a Moon Woman’s burrow—not even any other Earth Walker.”

“It’s for her protection,” Nik added. “She’s more than just Healer to her Clan.” He hesitated, glancing at Mari before continuing. “But that’s Mari’s story to tell, not mine.”

“Ah, I see. It’s a security issue,” Antreas said. “Understandable. We rarely share the location of our dens. Would it help if I gave you my den oath not to divulge the location of your home?”

Mari studied the Lynx Companion. She knew almost nothing about his people and had no idea if his word could be trusted. “What is a den oath?”

“The strongest promise I can make. Our dens are sacred to us. It is through our bond with our Companion Lynx that we choose the spot for and then build our den. If I broke a den oath it would be like breaking my Bast’s heart—and I would never do that.”

Mari nodded slowly. She saw truthfulness in the man’s eyes. She turned to Davis. “And you? How can I be sure you won’t tell anyone where I live?”

Davis’s smile seemed sad. “I won’t tell anyone where you live if my Sun Priest commands me not to.”

“Your Sun Priest is dead,” Nik said.

“No. My Sun Priest is standing in front of me,” Davis said.