Page 21 of Hummingbird and Kraken

“What about the produce you brought us? Are we taking fresh food from you all?” Geir didn’t seem to have much food, either, but he didn’t want to take from anyone who didn’t have enough. Surely the two of them could pay for things together.

“Nah, there’s always plenty in the summer months. And our tribe is better off than a lot of others. We have a successful farm, lots of us have good jobs inside and outside the community, and we’ve always had control of our land. I was the one who convinced Tier, um, the Chief, that is, to let me apply for the food program. I get to choose everything we purchase, as long as we get it from the same three suppliers, and anyone can make requests. I try to keep it on the healthier side,” he shrugged. “But the kids like Oreos.” He tapped a box. “And, let’s be honest, I do, too.”

“Wow. I’m even more impressed with you than before. I can’t imagine managing a whole farm, let alone the rest of the food supply. All I do is art, sometimes, and you’re feeding your community.”

Ro shook his head. “It’s nothing, really. And art is a gift to the community, too. We think of it as a way of telling stories so that future generations will know their culture.”

Declan wanted to argue back, because Ro seriously was pretty cool for managing all of that, and he didn’t seem to realize it. But he was already heading toward the stairs with a gesture to follow.

They walked into a shabby office with a beautiful tapestry on the wall. Declan’s eyes followed the rising birds and leaping fish, noting the bright colors and harmony of the design.

It took him a little longer to take in the large desk with three chairs in front of it and a conference table off to the side. A woman was leaning over a beige computer monitor, the boxy type from before flat screens, rather than sitting at the chair behind it. She glanced up, finished something, and then came around the desk to greet them.

Her hair was streaked with gray and she wore a soft, yellow shirt, but there was something militant about her stance. She had a steady confidence about her, and her eyes were sharp.

“Aunt,” Ro greeted her. “Have you seen Ti... the Chief today?”

Her eyes twinkled. “Why yes? He was here this morning. The same time that you dropped off those blueberries, I believe.”

Ro looked shyly downward. OMG. Cutest thing ever. Ro had a crush on the Chief.

“I’m here on official business,” he finally muttered.

Declan stepped forward. “Hello, um, aunt?” He hoped he was doing this right. “I think I’m the official business. I’m staying with Geir.”

She assessed him critically. “What do you mean staying with Geir?”

Declan tried not to squirm. Tentacles and sweaty skin flashed across his mind. But now that the imposing woman was evaluating him instead of teasing Ro, she was kind of scary. “We’re, um… He’s my boyfriend, maybe? I mean, I hope he is. I want him to be. He said so.” He paused. “I think.”

It wasn’t too soon to hope for that, was it? Declan knew he was impulsive, but Geir seemed like a really sweet guy under that gruff exterior. And he said that he wanted to claim him, right? It might not be a promise of forever, but wasn’t that their agreement? Declan was supposed to belong to Geir, at least for as long as it lasted. He tried to appear confident.

The look the woman gave him next was inscrutable. “Where are you from? What’s your story?”

He related it all again. The ex, the drive, the car, the lake.

Well, he left out a few details about the lake.

Then he explained exhaustively that he hadn’t seen anyone in town, because he hadn’t been to town. He hadn’t even stopped for gas since before Columbus or whatever that big city was, and definitely hadn’t been sent here by anyone.

He asked about a grocery store, and they both assured him that Geir knew where it was.

At last she seemed to run out of questions, though he wasn’t sure if he convinced her. “So, um, did I pass?” He’d at least gotten her to smile a few times while they were talking. Hopefully that was worth something.

“That’s not for me to decide.”

“Hang on, are you serious? Why did you ask all those questions then?”

She gave a small chuckle. “I’m in charge of security.” She gave him a firm handshake. “You can call me Kayla. But I’m not the only one you need to convince.”

He threw his head back dramatically, knowing that she would expect his joking by now. “So I have to do this all again? Or is there, like, some trial of initiation? Do I have to prove myself in battle or something?”

She smirked. “I certainly hope not. I do not think you would fare very well.” She looked him up and down, not unkindly, but making it clear that she didn’t have high hopes for his physical prowess.

“Couldn’t I be the plucky sidekick who unexpectedly saves the day?”

Everyone laughed, but Kayla looked him over again. “It would be nice if you were,” she sighed.

“Um, is that supposed to mean something to me?” He thought it was still a joke, but apparently not.