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To the left, where Bahr went, the trees and brush rustles then there’s a screeching sound and a distinctive growl that I recognize as coming from Bahr. The snake-thing moves so fast it’s a flash, disappearing in the opposite direction of us.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I shift my attention back to the new sound. A moment later and Bahr comes back into sight and steps around the tree. He has a carcass over his shoulder and blood spatters his chest.
He pauses in front of me and the bulge in his pants is in my face. Damn it if we were alone I’d grab that tent and, yeah, but we’re not alone. And we’re in the middle of the jungle, but that thing over his shoulder was intent on making a meal of us and now we’ll dine on it tonight.
There’s something so primal about it and him that I’m horny as can be and ready to go. Even if that’s the dumbest thing in the universe. I look up and his eyes lock onto mine. He’s breathing heavily and a low growl rumbles out of him. My heart is in my throat, and I can’t look away. He has beautiful eyes, rich green, not emerald, more towards the hazel hue, but they have such a burning passion in them. I want to melt in those eyes forever.
He turns away and takes a few steps ahead before speaking. “We continue.”
And just like that that the moment is broken. We resume our journey like nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Which, for Tajss, it hasn’t. This place is as rough as it comes.
“You think the others are okay?” Charlie asks.
“They have to be,” I say.
“This plan,” Asia says.
It’s not the first time she’s cast her doubts on the entire plan, but it’s too late for that now. We’re in deep.
“We voted Asia, what do you want to do, back out now?” I ask.
“Of course not, I’ve got doubts though. Don’t you?”
Charlie shrugs and I can’t say no either.
“Yes. I do, but I also don’t see any other way forward. If we stayed in the Order’s territory it was only a matter of time. Our Zmaj protectors are good, but numbers are on the Order’s side. It was only a matter of time.”
“But they’ve said that this continent isn’t that big,” Asia continues. “It’s still only a matter of time before they look far enough to find us.”
“Which is why Mick and Thargar are leaving a false trail for them to follow,” Charlie says.
“I know, that only buys more time though,” Asia continues arguing.
“We know, Asia. You’ve made these arguments a dozen times. Do you have a brighter idea to share?”
Asia chews her lip then shakes her head. “No.”
“None of us do,” I say, patting her on the back. “I get it. We’re all scared, but this is what we can do. Buy as much time as possible to figure out something else.”
“Keep living,” Charlie says. She’s staring off into the jungle and looking at something, but I can’t tell what. “All we can do is buy time and hope.”
“Hope is hard to come by,” Asia says.
“No,” I disagree, looking at Bahr. My heart beats faster and my steps feel lighter. “Hope is all we have.”
2
BAHR
The females talk too much. They are nervous and this is the way they handle it, so I say nothing. There are much worse things they could do, and they are silent when I order it, much to their credit.
They are not built for the jungle. Or Tajss, but they are mine to protect.
Belle.
The female fills my thoughts to distraction. Every idle moment she is there. I have tried every exercise the Order ever taught for mastering my own mind, but none of them are strong enough to overcome the pull she has.
Her and the dragon. All my training to tame the dragon was a lie. That, at least, I realized long ago, before I was banished. It is what led to my banishment. Giving voice to my doubts and those doubts reaching the new Eye. The Order changed when Kirmanda ascended.
