Page 101 of The Hunter

Lacey, don’t bite the spider man. Don’t bite the spider man…

With his hold on her hips keeping her firmly in place, Telok released her chin and stepped back. Then his claws were in her hair, combing through it to unravel her work. Surprise flitted through her as he gathered the strands and began braiding them, managing to keep them tight without hurting her scalp despite his swiftness.

She was equally bewildered and touched by the gesture. This wasn’t something she ever would’ve expected Telok to do. Rekosh? Of course. She’d seen him toy with Ahmya’s hair all the time. But rough, gruff, broody Telok?

Lacey pressed a hand to her stomach as though she would feel the butterflies fluttering within it against her palm.

As soon as he finished, he released her. She reached back and ran her fingers along the braid. Though simple, it was far neater, more intricate, and more practical than anything she could’ve done on her own. When her fingertips encountered the silk string tied at the end, she brushed her thumb over it. She highly suspected it was Telok’s own silk.

She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

He offered her a curt nod, but otherwise remained unmoving.

Releasing the braid, Lacey steeled herself for what was to come, knowing it couldn’t be avoided. “So…about today…”

Telok stared at her, his eyes fiery but unreadable, until she wanted to squirm. When it almost became too much, he finally stepped around her and picked up her bag. He checked her waterskin and knife before replacing them and closing the pack up. Moving behind her, he slipped it on over her shoulders and slid her spear into the holster on the side.

She looked up at him with surprise as he stepped in front of her.

Capturing her jaw, he lowered his face until it was mere inches from her own, his eyes boring into hers. In vrix, he said, “You will do exactly as I say while we are out. You will not leave my sight unless I command it. You will not take unneeded risks. And you will not question me, or I will bind you and carry you right back here.”

Telok shifted closer still, his scent flooding her nose, and switched to English. “You know my words?”

Relief washed through Lacey, and she smiled. “I know your words.”

“Good. Do not forget.” Releasing her jaw, he straightened, waving toward the doorway. “Come. We will eat, then meet the others.”

CHAPTER 23

It had been hours since the sun had risen. Hours of slowly trekking through the underbrush, scrutinizing every branch, leaf, and bit of dirt for signs of kurghests. They’d paused to study every pile of animal droppings they came across, with the hunters sometimes arguing about what had left them behind. Garahk had explained that the leavings told a story.

Cole had enthusiastically dubbed it shit talking.

Though the vrix didn’t seem to understand the joke, Lacey and Sophia hadn’t been able to stop laughing.

Sophia was easy to get along with. She was talkative, sweet, and funny, and gave back as much sass as Cole with a little extra for good measure, completely without malice. Lacey knew she and Sophia would become good friends.

As for Cole… The man was smitten. He hung on Sophia’s every word, had been there to help her over every obstacle—though she hadn’t need it—and had grinned so much that Lacey was convinced his cheeks would ache for days. There was a glow about both of them that suggested they’d had a very…satisfying night.

Unlike myself.

Lacey kicked a rock out of her path. Despite a teeny-tiny, insignificant bit of jealousy, she was happy for Cole. Happy to see him so happy. His relationship with Sophia already appeared so natural and carefree that Lacey didn’t have any doubts that it would bloom into something stronger.

She turned her gaze to Telok. He was several paces ahead of her, walking with Tas, the two forming the middle of a fanned-out line comprised of all the thornskulls and several winddancer hunters. Swiftclaw flitted from branch to branch above, keeping just in front of them.

When they’d left the village, Tas had led the group to the site of the most recent kurghest attack. That was where Telok had found the trail they’d been following since. Apart from a few things he’d pointed out to Lacey, like a bit of green fur caught on the branches of a bush or scratch marks on a tree, complete with a big, broken-off claw, she’d struggled to spot anything. It was like he had a sixth sense helping him find even the most obscure tracks.

Lacey silently watched him. His pace was slow, each step precise and deliberate, as his eyes swept his surroundings. She’d seen him alert many, many times, but this was on another level. Hyper-aware, hyper-focused.

I’ve only seen him watching. This is the first time I’m seeing him hunting.

And it was fascinating.

“Telok losak kuix et Khan’ul’Tavitahl’ani vel losa,” Koss said from beside Lacey.

Telok sees with the Hunter’s eight eyes.

In her experience, thornskulls didn’t tend to invoke their gods insincerely.