Page 82 of Sun Warrior

“Yeah, visiting a canine Tribe is always interesting,” Antreas said.

“Whyareyou here?”

“I thought I was keeping you company.”

“No,” Sora said, shifting the pup to a more comfortable spot between her feet. “I don’t meanhere, in this burrow. I mean, why are you here—attached to a Tribe you don’t belong to—during a major upheaval? Couldn’t you have left during the forest fire? Returned to your—um, burrow?”

“It’s called a den. And, yes, I could have. But Bast wouldn’t let me.”

Sora’s gaze shifted to the Lynx, who was busy grooming herself near the hearth fire. “She’s that bossy?”

“Worse than you could imagine. But that’s the way of it.” Antreas looked around them with an exaggerated long-suffering attitude. “Here’s the deal—humans are in charge of canines. Doesn’t matter if they’rebonded or not. Humans still have the upper hand. But Lynxes? They’realwaysin charge.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means that from the time a feline chooses you as her own she takes over your life.”

Antreas focused his gaze on Bast, who was still calmly grooming herself. Sora saw the love in his gaze, though his words seemed annoyed, petulant even. His expression, though, reflected the deep bond he shared with his feline.

“Is that a bad thing?”

Antreas shook his head. “No, not at all. The truth is, Bast has never been wrong. She knows what’s best for me—for us.”

“So, what were you doing visiting the Tribe in the first place? You’re a mercenary, right? Earth Walkers have little to do with the outside world, but we do have a story or two about hiring Lynx Companions to guide a group to new Clan territory.”

“You’re right. I am a guide. I’m also a Warrior.”

Sora’s brows shot up. “You’re a killer?”

Bast made a series of yowls that left no room for speculation about her dislike for Sora’s last questions.

“Hey, sorry.” She spoke directly to the feline. “I’m curious, and I don’t know enough about you or your Companion to know if I’m being offensive or not.”

Bast’s yellow eyes met Sora’s gray gaze. Sora saw an immense intelligence there, as well as compassion—a surprising amount of compassion. The big feline made a rolling meow in the back of her throat. Then, as she settled back into her grooming, her purr filled the burrow.

“In case you didn’t get that, she just forgave you,” Antreas said.

Sora grinned. “I got it. Does that mean I can keep asking annoying and unintentionally insulting questions?”

“Absolutely, if I can ask you to show me how you braid those feathers and beads into your hair.”

Sora’s surprise was genuine. “For you?”

“Well, yeah. My hair’s long enough, isn’t it?”

“Sure, but it’s a woman’s thing—decorating our hair.”

“Who said?”

Sora hesitated.Who had said?She moved her shoulders. “I’m not sure.”

“So, it’s a rule we can break?” Antreas said.

“Yes, I think it is.”

“Good. Then ask away.”

“Okay. Are you a hired killer?”