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“Stop messing with monsters or they will mess with you back,” I say. “You don’t want the monsters to fight back. Go now and tell your people.”
One of the others steps forward aggressively. “Listen here—”
The big man places his arm across him, holding him back from whatever mistake he’d been about to make.
“It’s time to go,” he states calmly, his eyes shrewd, and with a nod at me, he starts to back them away.
“But our prize,” one whines.
“Leave it,” he orders as they reach for the dead monster. We watch them back away until we can’t see them anymore, and then Dade and Weyland trail them to make sure they don’t double back. I glance at the dead monster, sadness and anger dueling within me.
“We bury him,” I tell Rook and Kaito. “We need to bury him.”
I can feel them sharing looks behind me but I don’t care. I know I just put a target on my back, but for once, I am not afraid.
I’m so tired of being afraid, so I’m choosing not to be.
I’m choosing to be brave like them so that one day, I can be someone who deserves them.
Chapter
Thirty-One
KAITO
As we dig the grave in the meadow, I watch Kai carefully as she collects wildflowers. She is too calm. I do not like it. She stood toe to toe with those humans without flinching, without fear dancing in her eyes, and although I am very proud of her, I worry what that means for her and for us.
Now that they know a human female lives amongst us, will they seek her out? Is she in danger? I share a look with the others, all of us silently agreeing to keep a closer eye on our surroundings. Kai has been close to hunters twice. There will not be a third time.
Once the hole is dug, we carefully lay the monster in the ground and cover it up. With the dirt back in place, Kai heads our way, holding a bundle of flowers in her hand. We watch on in confusion as she lays them over the dirt.
“In our land, we laid flowers down as a remembrance, as sacrifice and apology. I offer that to you so you may find the peace in the next life you never did in this one. The flowers will mark your resting place; you will not be forgotten.” She lays her hand next to them and bows her head. “I’m sorry.”
The silence is heavy. Even the birds stop chirping, the only sound the swaying of the trees in the wind. When Kai lifts her head, her eyes are glassy. I reach over and help her stand before she brushes the lingering dirt from her palms.
“Let’s go home.” Without waiting for a reply, she turns and starts walking back to the trees, knowing we will follow.
Kai is tooquiet after this morning. I don’t like it. She was so happy before, so filled with life and hope, and now it’s as if it’s all drained from her again. I need to remind her that she can be happy here. I need to remind her why she should smile because despite the horrors of this morning, there is a lot to be happy about.
I need to remind her that she has us.
Taking her hand, I ignore the looks from the others and lead her outside. She comes willingly, not speaking until we are inside the shelter of the trees. “Kaito?” One word. My name. A question.
“I want to show you something,” is all I tell her, my hand tightening on hers. She grips mine and nods, falling into step beside me.
We walk for a while in comfortable silence. The place I take her is deep within our land, so I know it will take a while for us to reach it, but it’s important for her to see it and understand.
“There is old magic within this land,” I tell her, and her head swings around. She tugs me to a stop, and I glance down at her, my heart warming like it does whenever I’m with her. “If you are to understand the magic inside you, then you must understand that,” I tell her. “We are going to a place I found by mistake many moons ago.”
“Okay,” she whispers, searching my gaze. “But what’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“You are quiet, serious too. It’s not like you. Was I wrong to confront the hunters?” she asks softly, worry in her eyes.
Gripping her sides, I tug her close, wrapping her in my arms. “No, you did good. I’m so proud of you, Kai.”
She relaxes in my hold, and we stay like that for a while until I pull away. “Shall we carry on?”
