Chapter 4

Rojtar

The weight of the few leburin hides is slight in my hands as I take them to the tanning tent. I only managed to bring back five of them after I left the human settlement, and to make up for my lack of kills, I skinned all of them myself. Mostly so none of the other members of the tribe would witness my pitiful contribution. The next turn I will head for the hills instead and see if I am able to bring down at least one dhembi. Even a dreri would be better than what I managed today.

I can only blame my lack on my own distraction. My mind constantly drifted back to Abby and the dishonorable male from her village. Did he wait for her inside and put his hands on her again? My fists clench. I don’t understand where these feelings and emotions are coming from in regards to her. Before today, she was a stranger.Once I drop off the bloodied leburin hides, I head for the river to wash up before the evening meal. The water is still on the cooler side, according to the humans, but within the next five to seven turns it should be pleasant enough for bathing. They are far more sensitive to the temperature than Tavikhi, it would appear. Once my arms and hands are clean, I make my way toward the central fire where nearly all members of the tribe gather each evening.

On my way, I pass a mix of humans and Tavikhi. Nearly twenty-five humans reside in the village. Before the shefira and her tribe sisters found mates, they were the only lone females. The rest of the humans were mates with kits who no longer felt safe living within the human settlement after the many Krijese attacks. Once the threat was gone, though, they all elected to stay and have slowly become vital members of our tribe.

I still do not understand why Abby refused my invitation. She and her kit would be far safer here, away from that Lewis male. The Tavikhi are less of a threat to her than he is. Chatter from ahead draws my attention. Walking toward the central fire is Evren. But it is not my fellow warrior that I cannot take my eyes from. I blink, uncertain I am seeing who I think I am. What is Carter doing here? I glance behind them. Where is Abby?

My steps quicken as I hurry toward them. Evren spots me first and nods. Two beats of my heart later, Carter’s gaze lands on me and he waves. I return the human gesture, still uncertain why he is here. The three of us finally meet just outside the central fire.

“This is the male you seek then?” Evren asks the kit.

“Yeah, that’s him,” Carter responds. “Um, hi. Do you remember me?”

“Of course. You and your nene, Abby, were out hunting in the forest earlier when I came across the two of you.”

The kit’s head tilts. “My nuh-neh? What’s that?”

Do the humans have a different name for the one who birthed them? “A nene is the female who gave you life.”

Carter’s eyes widen. “Oh, you mean mother?” He chuckles. “Abby’s not my mom—mother. She’s my sister.”

“I see. And where is she?”

The kit shifts his weight and he no longer meets my gaze. Instead he stares at the ground and kicks the dirt with the tip of his foot covering. Evren and I share a glance. I place my hand on Carter’s shoulder and he lifts his head so his eyes meet mine.

“She doesn’t know I’m here,” he admits. “We kind of got into a fight.”

The gathered tribespeople watch us, their curious gazes taking in the kit. I do not believe Abby would like knowing we speak of her. It might be best if we spoke in private.

“Come.” I guide him away from the fire and toward the front gate. We stop well away from everyone. “Now, tell me what the two of you fought about.”

Carter hesitates. I am a hunter who has spent many a turns learning how to be patient. I can wait as long as I need to. He must sense it, because he blows out a heavy breath.

“It was about Lewis. He’s not a good guy, and all he does is harass her. He won’t leave Abby alone. She thinks she can just keep ignoring him and eventually he’ll stop bothering her. He’s not going to though. She knows I’m right, but she’s stubborn and won’t admit it. I’m really worried he’s going to hurt my sister.”

“I will do everything in my power to make sure that does not happen.”

“Is all well, Rojtar?” Zander approaches.

“Yes, Shefir.” I fist my chest in respect and gesture to the kit. “This is Carter from the human settlement. I met him and his sister today while out hunting.”

Zander returns the sign and dips his head. “Greetings, Carter. Welcome.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Abby and Carter are having some difficulties with a male at the settlement, Shefir. I extended an invitation for them to seek safety and shelter here within the village.”

Our leader studies the kit and then turns his gaze to me. “Of course they are welcome to take refuge here. Where is your sister? London would be more than happy to welcome her.”

Carter and I share a glance. “She?—”

“Carter Xavier Sanders. What the hell were you thinking, running off like that?”

The three of us turn to find Abby storming toward us with a helpless looking Katem only a few steps behind her. She comes to a jarring stop in front of her brother who is the full focus of not only her attention, but her wrath. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it was for you to go traipsing through the forest by yourself? Especially without any kind of weapon? There are wild animals out there, remember? Not to mention other potential dangers. What would have happened if you’d gotten lost?”

Before he can answer or I can guess Abby’s intent, she whirls on me and points a finger directly in my face. “And you.” She raises her voice. “This is your fault,!”

Carter jumps in front of me. “Don’t blame him.”

I place my hand on his shoulder and squeeze gently. While I appreciate what he is trying to do, I do not need the kit to defend me.

“Perhaps it would be best if we spoke privately somewhere.”

“We aren’t talking about anything, because there’s nothing to talk about,” Abby says sharply. “We’re going home, Carter. Now.”

“No.”

She rears back and hurt flashes in her eyes. “Excuse me?”

“I’m not going back, and neither can you.” He moves and takes his sister’s hands in his. “I know you don’t like owing people, and you especially hate asking for help. I don’t understand your reasons, and I don’t need to. But there’s a really good chance that Lewis is going to hurt you if you don’t get out of there. So I’m asking you—for both our sake’s—to please stay here.”

The two stare at each other for several beats. It is more than obvious Abby is resisting the idea. I sense the moment she gives in. Defeat emanates from her and her shoulders drop. She releases Carter’s hands and wraps her arms around her waist, closing herself off.

“Is everything okay?” Soft footsteps accompany the question.London, Zander’s mate and our shefira, approaches. When she reaches his side, his tail twines around her. She sticks out her hand in the human greeting.

“Hi. I’m London, Zander’s mate.”

Abby’s gaze bounces over all of us and comes to a stop on the other female. It doesn’t escape my notice she pauses at the sight of Zander’s hold on her. She glances at the shefira’s outstretched appendage and slowly clasps it. “Abby. This is Carter.”

She gestures toward the kit and London dips her head. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too,” he replies.

“We’re just about to eat. You’re welcome to join us if you’re both hungry,” London offers.

Abby and Carter share a look and finally the female slowly nods once. “Thanks.”

The shefir and shefira turn and head toward the central fire where it would appear the majority of the tribe have finished gathering. The kit moves first and his sister reluctantly follows. I match my steps to hers and arrive at her side. She stiffens, but continues walking.

“I am sorry you feel as though I am to blame for this situation.”

“Situation?” she hisses under her breath. “This is more than just a situation . We’re talking about my life. My brother’s life. And the fact that because of your interference in our lives, we have to pack up everything we own again and leave the place we had made our home.”

Abby’s anger is understandable. I am unable to imagine what it would be like to leave Tavikh for another planet filled with aliens, finally settle into a village, and then get uprooted again for some place new. It does not matter that I had been trying to protect her. I have made her feel more unsafe by having to leave what is familiar.

“You are right. It is my fault, and for that, I am deeply sorry.”

Abby comes to a halt. I stop one step later as well and glance back at her. She stares at me with a narrowed gaze and rattles her head just slightly, blinking several times before moving again.

“I appreciate the apology,” she says finally, although I sense the reluctance behind the words. “It doesn’t mean I forgive you though.”

I will do whatever it is I can to earn her forgiveness. Something has made Abby hard. I do not know how I know this, but there is a voice whispering in the far recesses of my head that tell me I am right. I will not find out what that thing is this turn though.

We have reached the central fire and all the tribespeople gathered around it. Carter has joined Zander and London in line for the meal. Abby stands behind her brother, and he glances back at her. Neither speaks to the other before Carter ducks his head and faces forward again. I do not like the friction between them or the fact I am the underlying cause. Perhaps it would be best if I did not remain at the fire for the evening meal. If I am absent, then Abby can let go of the anger she holds for me. At least for a little while.

Once I have a vessel full of food, I head for the tent I share with several other warriors to eat my meal. Tonight I will let the shefira and her tribe sisters make Abby and Carter feel welcome. Tomorrow, I will go about discovering how I might make amends to Abby and earn her forgiveness.