Page 124 of The Hunter

“Do you think you’re up to joining everyone and getting something to eat?”

“I’m actually starving.”

Sophia laughed and pushed herself to her feet, holding her hand out to Lacey. “Then let’s go.”

Taking the woman’s hand, Lacey stood, her muscles screaming in protest. She braced herself for another sudden cum leak, but thankfully there was only some minor stickiness on her inner thighs.

The women left the den together. A cool, gentle breeze fluttered Lacey’s skirt and hair. The sun was setting, granting Lacey glimpses of the remaining reds, oranges, and purples in the sky as they bled into the dark blues and violets of night.

More time had passed than she’d realized, which made her feel even more awful.

“What is Kaldarak like?” Sophia asked as she stepped onto the rope bridge.

Lacey followed her, clutching the rails as the bridge swayed. She always hated crossing these things when it was dark. If you looked down, all you could see were the glows of plants far, far below in the otherwise total darkness.

“A lot like this place, only bigger,” Lacey said. “The thornskulls’ dens are more like the one Telok and I are staying in instead of nests hanging from branches, and they’re all built on platforms circling the trees.”

“Tas gave me a nest when he first brought me here, but that lasted a single night. I hated how trapped I felt up there, and I hated the entire process of being carried in and out. It was terrifying.”

Lacey snickered. “Yeah, Ivy told us all about her experience when she lived in one of those things with Ketahn.”

As they approached the gathering on the central platform, the music and voices grew louder. Sap fires blazed in bowls, lighting up the area and the many vrix dancing, conversing, and eating there.

With his white hide and hulking body, Garahk was easy to spot. He sat with a bunch of winddancers, including broodlings, seemingly in the middle of telling a story. Droztar was eating with a few winddancers, Koss, Okkor, and Elharat were in the middle of some sort of stick-tossing game with another group, and Ayali was at the center of the platform, dancing intimately with Ess and Zesh.

The thornskulls seemed delighted in their newfound friendship.

“I see Cole!” Sophia said, excitement in her voice as she pointed.

The blonde man was standing next to the winddancer musicians, striking a drum, his body swaying to the beat.

Lacey smiled and gently pushed Sophia in his direction. “Go on.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, go to your man! I’m going to look for Telok.”

Sophia grinned. “Thank you. It was so nice talking with you.”

“Same.”

The woman hurried through the crowd, winding her way toward Cole. He turned his bobbing head, and when he spotted Sophia, he broke into a huge grin. He stepped away from the drum and closed the distance between them. Snaking an arm around her waist, Cole swept the woman into a dance before bringing his mouth down upon hers. She melted into his embrace, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him back.

Lacey watched, feeling only happiness for the two of them.

Now where was Telok?

She wandered through the crowd in search of him, offering greetings when she was spoken to, but she didn’t stop to converse. Thankfully, no one brought up what had occurred between her and Telok earlier. They only celebrated his might and skill for having taken on so many kurghests alone.

Lacey frowned as she scanned the outskirts of the platform.

Telok wasn’t here.

Not that she would’ve expected him to be here dancing or celebrating—Telok preferred to keep to himself and avoid larger crowds. But she’d thought he would’ve either kept watch closer to the den, silently guarding her as night fell, or waited here in case she decided to venture out.

Where is he?

Crestfallen and not feeling up to being around so many people, Lacey grabbed some food and took it back to the den, hoping Telok would return soon.