Chapter 7

Abby

I know I’m being completely unreasonable, but I can’t seem to stop myself. It’s like I’m trapped in this cycle of cynicism, thinking the worst of people. Even if they haven’t done anything to deserve it. I need to try harder, but life has taught me some powerful lessons that aren’t so easy to unlearn.

Carter tosses his things in his bag, while I move much slower. All I’m doing is postponing the inevitable, though. If I don’t give in, he’s going to just continue running off to the Tavikhi village. I suppose there is a small part of me that’s…relieved to get away from Lewis. But there’s the other part that feels like this is giving up and taking the coward’s way out. Like I’m hiding.

“I’m done,” Carter announces.

I glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, his entire side of the tent is bare. All the way down to the blankets and bedroll. His bag bulges and isn’t even zipped fully closed.

“You should probably say bye to Felix.” Mostly because I need a few minutes by myself.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

I shake my head and shoo him off. “I’ll be fine.”

Carter hesitates for a second before he takes off. I breathe out a heavy sigh and sink down to the ground next to my trunk. Carefully, I remove everything from it and press the bottom until it clicks and releases. I lift the top of the secret compartment and pick up the large envelope that lies hidden within. I don’t need to open it to know its contents, but I do it anyway.

Inside is a birth certificate along with other legal documents. I stare at the certificate for several long seconds before I return everything to where I found it, secure the lid to the compartment, and repack the entirety of my belongings. When there’s nothing left in the tent except for the blanket I hung for privacy, I grab the handle of my trunk and drag it outside.

The Tavikhi warrior stands close by, his gaze scanning the settlement. I observe him for a moment. He’s handsome, I suppose, in an alien way. His leathered skin is lavender in color, and in place of eyebrows he has two bony ridges. I can’t forget the long, prehensile tail that drags on the ground behind him and slightly swishes back and forth. When I glance back up, he’s turned his head in my direction, and my eyes meet his feline-like ones with their yellow coloring and purple-black vertical pupil. A small flutter hits my belly, but I squash it down before it can do anything else.

“As soon as Carter gets back from saying goodbye to his friend, we’re leaving.”

“I am in no hurry.”

Is he willfully misunderstanding me or is he truly that oblivious? “I meant you don’t need to wait. We’ll be fine.”

“I do not mind.”

“Look…” It occurs to me that I don’t even know his name.

“Rojtar.”

“Look, Rojtar, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not necessary.” I do my best to keep my tone measured. “Carter and I know the way back to your village. You can trust us to find our way just fine.”

“It is not you I do not trust,” he says. “I know you do not care for me or my intrusion, but please allow me to walk with you and make sure you arrive safely. Once we return to the village, you have my word, I will not bother you or speak with you again.”

Great, now I feel like a complete bitch. This guy has been nothing but nice and has kept Lewis away, which is a feat in and of itself. “Fine.”

Rojtar inclines his head and gestures toward my trunk. “I do not want to overstep, but that appears heavy. Would you like me to carry it?”

An instant rejection reaches my lips, but I bite it back. As much as I don’t want to ask for help, I also don’t relish trying to drag this thing for nearly thirty minutes. Because he’s right. It is heavy.

“Thanks.”

“It is my pleasure.”

The last word rolls over me in a way I don’t particularly care for. Suddenly uncomfortable, I tap my foot and scan the settlement in search of Carter. Thankfully, I spot him heading in our direction with Felix at his side. Their pace quickens until they’re nearly running and then skid to a halt in front of the Tavikhi.

“Hey Rojtar, this is my friend, Felix. He wanted to meet you and look at your sword.”

The Tavikhi fists his chest. “Greetings, Felix. It is an honor to know one of Carter’s tribe brothers.”

He withdraws the weapon from its sheath around his waist and lays it in both hands like an offering. The boys ooh and aah over it until Felix reaches out to touch it. Rojtar gently moves it out of reach.

“A warrior always keeps his blade sharp. I would hate for you to get injured on accident.” He returns it to its place on his belt. “It has been a pleasure to meet you.”

Carter and Felix exchange their special handshake and the latter tells me goodbye before he takes off. My brother watches him for a second and then turns.

“I better get my bag.” He disappears inside the tent.

Rojtar moves and startles me. I jump back a step and he stops. “I merely meant to get your chest.”

“Yeah, right, sorry.” .

He picks it up by the handle and hauls it onto his shoulder, just as Carter comes out of the tent with his duffel bag. My brother’s eyes bug at the sight. Whether it’s from surprise that Rojtar is easily carrying it or the fact I’m actually allowing him to do so, I’m not sure.

“Would you like assistance with that as well?” he asks Carter, who shakes his head.

“Nah, thanks, I think I got it.”

“If you change your mind, let me know.” Rojtar glances at me. “I am ready whenever you are.”

Since there’s nothing left for us to do, I start for the main gate. Lewis is standing off to the side, propped up against a tree. I shiver at the hatred in his eyes. Before I can glance away, something large moves into my line of vision, blocking my view. It’s Rojtar.

“Do not pay that worthless male any attention. He will no longer bother you.”

“Lewis isn’t one to forgive or forget.” No one has accused him outright, for fear of retribution, but bad things have happened to those he believes have wronged him.

“Then he will regret anything he might do.”

I study Rojtar. He’s actually serious. For maybe the first time since Lewis put me in his sights, I relax. I’ve seen what the Tavikhi warriors can do, and if anyone can stand up to that jerk, it’s one of them.

I still can’t help but feel like there’s some catch.

“Why are you doing this?” I gesture in a vague way. “Following me? Protecting me? Helping me? What do you get out of it?”

Those bones above his eyes shift downward at the corners. “I am only doing what an honorable male would do. There is nothing I ‘get out of it’ except knowing I have done a good thing that has hopefully made someone else’s life a little easier.”

We head through the gate and walk across the field outside of the settlement into the trees. The sun is directly overhead and rays of light sneak through the canopy above us warming the air. Carter has remained a few steps behind Rojtar and me, but a quick glance back confirms he’s lagged a bit farther behind. I stop and wait for him to catch up. He’s breathing heavier than normal.

“Give me that.” I reach out and take his duffel from him. He must be more tired than he appears, because he gives it up without any fuss.

When Rojtar opens his mouth, I hold up my palm. “You’ve got enough to carry with my trunk. I can handle this. But thanks,” I tack on begrudgingly.

“As you say.”

Since I lightened his load, Carter keeps pace with us as we trek through the trees. Most of the path is obvious, as it’s been worn from travel, but there are a few trails that veer off in a different direction that are just as bare. I’m not sure where they lead—if anywhere—or if they’re meant to throw people off and redirect them away from the Tavikhi village.

“Have you met Talek, yet?” Rojtar breaks the silence and speaks to Carter.

“No, but the one lady—London, I think—mentioned him last night.”

The Tavikhi nods. “He, Bazel, and Cecily are near to your age, I believe.”

“Cecily? That sounds like a human name.”

Rojtar grins. “It is. She is one of several human kits who live in our village. Talek and she are good friends. I am sure they are happy to have another. Beware in the sparring arena though. Cecily may be a female, but she has been learning and is quite skilled.”

“Carter won’t be sparring.” He’s too young.

We step over a large root lying across the path, and several small chipmunk like animals chitter in anger and scurry away.

“Abby,” my brother whines.

I turn my head toward him. “Don’t Abby me. You don’t need to be fighting. What happens if you get hurt?”

He stomps ahead of us with a glare. I sigh in frustration.

“At the risk of making you angrier, sparring is not always the same as fighting,” Rojtar points out. “It is often done for fun, and all of the kits do it. Carter is a young male who will soon be a grown one. I understand how difficult that might be for you, but it is happening no matter how much we might wish otherwise.”

I hate that he’s right. I can’t keep treating my brother like a child, but I also don’t want him to grow up. If only he could stay young longer. “Do you have kids?”

Rojtar shakes his head, his expression flat and solemn. “Deeka has not blessed me with a mate or kits yet. But I look forward to the day she does.”

“Deeka?”

“She is our goddess. The one who provides for us and blesses us with all that we need.”

I’ve never been a religious person. In fact, I don’t even believe there is any higher power or being. It’s something people make up so they can feel better about the choices they do or don’t make. So they can take comfort in thinking there’s a greater world out there that’s bigger than them and there’s some magical land they get to go to when they die.

“You have the look of someone who does not believe such a being could exist,” Rojtar says.

I startle at his perception and the lack of judgment in his tone. I’m a bit surprised by the fact. I figured he’d be all holier than thou and offended by the fact I don’t have the same beliefs. “Let’s just say life has taught me to be a realist and only believe in things I can see, touch, and smell.”

“Perhaps one day Deeka will make herself known to us in the physical realm, and we will be able to see, touch, and smell her, as you say.”

“Perhaps.” I’m not holding my breath.

The rest of the trip is spent in silence until finally the Tavikhi village comes into view. Carter has gotten over his huff and waits for us at the gate where two sentries stand. They fist their chests when we pass, and Rojtar returns the gesture. Unlike yesterday, the tribespeople don’t all stare. Instead they give us a passing glance at most. We walk the length of the village, past the healer’s tent, until we come to a stop in front of where Carter and I spent the night.

“I can take this inside if you would like,” Rojtar raises the shoulder that balances the trunk.

As much as I don’t want him in my personal space, he might as well since he’s here. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Carter grabs the door flap and lifts it. The Tavikhi swings the trunk off his shoulder and holds it by the handles on either side. He ducks into the tent and I follow him and then my brother, dropping the duffel on the ground just inside.

“Put it here, please.” I walk to where I slept last night and point at a spot against the wall of the tent near my pallet.

Rojtar places it where I indicate and steps back. He glances at me. “Before I go, is there anything else I can help with?”

I wrap my arms around myself. “No, that’s everything.”

“I will take my leave then. It has been an honor, Abby.” He fists his chest, bows his head, and spins on his heel before disappearing out the door, leaving me alone with Carter.