Chapter 9

Abby

This is the first time I’ve carried a dead animal this big. Zero out of ten, do not recommend. Then again, it’s the only time I’ve had the opportunity. Carter and I had just barely managed to capture the small rabbit-like creatures and a few lucky times the little buggers that sort of resemble an alien squirrel. If the squirrel was purple with a slender, rat-like tail and possessed six legs with taloned claws, that is.

When Rojtar showed up I’d been annoyed, but I tempered my reaction because it’s not like I haven’t noticed he’s avoided me the last week since we moved to the village. It’s exactly like he said it would be. He would leave me alone once we got back there after his escort from the settlement. I honestly think him stumbling upon me today was purely accidental and not planned so I attempted to be polite.

I glance at him in front of me. The dead alien deer thing hangs over his shoulder and the muscles along his back flex with every step he takes. His tail is wrapped around the chest of the animal and I assume helps distribute some of the weight. I’m a bit envious of the ease in which he carries the thing since I’m back here huffing and puffing trying to keep up. I refuse to ask Rojtar to carry my dreri as well.

Considering he’s the one who actually killed the thing, the least I can do is haul it back to the village. I’d been so proud of myself for picking it up without help and boosting it across my shoulders, but now I might be slightly regretting being so stubborn and independent.

“Is all well, Abby?” he calls over his shoulder, like he can sense I’m struggling a little.

“I’m good.” It comes out more breathless than I hoped, but I do my best to measure each inhalation I take so he doesn’t notice I’m practically gasping for air.

“We are not far from the rear of the village.”

I don’t know what he defines as not too far, but I swear we’ve been walking for hours already. I don’t remember being this far from the village when he caught up with me. Then again, I’ve never been great with geography. Just when I’m about to ask to take a short break, one of the alien birds calls out and Rojtar answers it. The same thing happened when I approached the village looking for Carter, which means a scout has seen us. We really are close.

A few minutes later the scent of campfire reaches me and up the rise, I spot the peak of several tents. With my back already killing me and shortness of breath, I trudge up the gradual slope until I finally reach the top. As much as it pains me, I have to stop for a second to recover.

Rojtar has kept going, but then he glances back and turns around to walk back to meet me. “You have done well today, Abby. We are almost there.”

My opinion of him rises with those two simple sentences. Most men would have assumed I’d been hoping he’d offer to carry the animal the rest of the way, but the fact he didn’t is a huge point—several points, actually—in his favor. I’m probably crazy for being glad he didn’t offer, but I don’t care.

I nod succinctly and heft the weight of the dreri to reposition it slightly. “Let’s go.”

Rojtar sets off again, and I’m right behind him. We pass the area of the village where the elders reside. They’re gathered around their own central fire with the evening meal cooking over it. I asked the third night we were here why they don’t join the rest of the tribe at the main fire and was told some do, but the majority prefer to remain close to their homes and with the company of others their age.

Sage and Zara step out of the healer’s tent just as we walk by.

“Hey, Abby,” Zara calls out while Sage waves.

I let go of the front legs of the alien deer only long enough to raise my hand back at them. “Hey.”

Finally, we reach the tanning tent where Rojtar sets his kill on the ground. With far less ease, I drop mine on top of his and wince. Sorry about that . It’s only then I notice my shirt is damp. I pull the collar forward. The entirety of it is soaked in blood. I shudder and gag.

“Oh my god.” I wretch and shake my hands around.

“What is wrong?”

I hop in a circle, still flailing. “I’m covered in animal blood. How did I not notice that?”

Rojtar reaches out, but jerks his arm back before touching me. “Head for the river and I will ask one of your tribe sisters to bring you a clean chest covering.”

“No. No.” I stop moving and take long, cleansing breaths with my eyes closed as if that will help rid me of the image. “I’m okay. It’s okay. I’ve got this. It’s fine.”

The self pep talk continues for another minute until I manage to calm and open my eyes again. Rojtar still stands there. My face heats. “You probably think I’m being a big dumb baby who’s overreacting about something so stupid as a little bit of blood.”

“I do not think you are any of those things,” he says solemnly.

“Really?” I cock my head in disbelief.

“Truly.”

There’s no way this guy can be that nice. Can he? “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, although I did not really do anything but speak the truth.” Rojtar grins.

“Well, I still appreciate it. But seriously, I need to get out of this disgusting shirt.” I glance down at the animals. “Do we need to skin them?”

“Only if we wish to. Otherwise, whoever is assigned the task will take care of it.”

That’s always been my least favorite thing when it comes to hunting so if I don’t have to do it, then I won’t feel bad about letting someone else. “All right then. I’m going to go clean up, I guess.”

He nods and I walk away, but stop only a couple steps later and turn.

“Hey, Rojtar?”

He’s squatting over the alien deer, but glances up.

“Thank you. For today.” I gesture at the animals with my spear. “For all your help, I mean.”

“You are welcome.”

We stare at each other for several long seconds, until I jerk myself out of whatever trance I’m in and hurry away with a fluttery sensation in the pit of my stomach. The last time I felt like this, my whole life came crashing down around me. I don’t plan on a repeat performance. Still, as I walk back to my tent, I can’t stop myself from bringing up those yellow and purple-black eyes or the long flowing yellow-gold hair. Not to mention the tail that’s made me wonder how sensitive it is. Stop it, Abby .

My pace quickens as if I can outrun the images in my head until at last, I reach the privacy of my tent. I’m not surprised to find Carter absent. Ever since I reluctantly allowed him to spar with the other kids, he’s spent all his time down in the training arena or exploring the nearby hills with Talek, Bazel, and Cecily. I’m not fully onboard with him traipsing off outside of the village borders, but I tamp it down because I have to accept the fact he’s growing up.

I practically tear my shirt off behind the new blanket I hung and reach around it to dip the cloth in the water basin. Once I’ve scrubbed myself and prayed I removed all the blood, I put on a clean shirt. With a hand full of the berries the Tavikhi use for soap, I take my soiled garment and head toward the river. I can’t afford to throw this one away or burn it, even if that’s what I’d prefer to do.

By the time I make it back to the tent, Carter’s returned.

“When did you get back?” he asks, propping his sparring staff up against the wall of the tent near his pallet.

“Not long ago. Twenty minutes or so. I got blood all over my shirt and took it down to the river to wash.” I hold up the wet fabric.

His eyes widen and he scans me over quickly. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It wasn’t mine.” The panic leaves his face. “I was out hunting and Rojtar came across me. We found some of those alien deer and brought a couple back.”

“Seriously?”

“What?” Why is he acting all surprised?

“You were actually hunting with Rojtar?” Carter gapes. “I thought you didn’t like him?”

My chest and neck get hot. “I never said I didn’t like him.”

He glares in disbelief. “Could have fooled me. You’ve been avoiding him for a week, and before that you weren’t ever very nice to him.”

I cross my arms. “It wasn’t because I didn’t like him. Look, it doesn’t matter, okay?”

“If you say so.” Carter washes up at the water basin. “Talek said they’re having dhibani for the evening meal. Do you mind if I eat with him and Cecily?”

Ever since he started hanging out with the other kids, I barely see him. I miss him. He’s been my best friend—my only friend. My heart aches. “No. Go ahead.”

He jumps in excitement and heads for the door. “Thanks, Abby.”Suddenly, he comes to a stop, turns, and rushes over to throw his arms around me. “I love you.”

Before I can reply, he takes off out of the tent. “I love you, too,” I sigh out to the empty space.

I hang up my wet shirt and contemplate skipping dinner, but my growling stomach makes the decision for me. The village is teeming with activity as I walk to the central fire. From what London told me, around ninety or so people live here, including humans. Based on the amount of both Tavikhi and humans wandering around, I’m guessing most of them have the same idea as me.

When I get to the center of the village, it’s a busy hotspot. People line up at the fire to be served, while a large number of them are already seated around the circle eating. My gaze lands on one of the warriors in line. He’s laughing at something another warrior says. I couldn’t even begin to guess Rojtar’s age, but seeing him in this moment, he appears younger than before. I wouldn’t go so far as to say more innocent, but definitely more youthful.

I have no business being curious about the Tavikhi warrior. None whatsoever, and for so many reasons. Yet, I find myself walking forward to get in line knowing full well I’ll have to pass right by him. Just as I suspect, the moment I’m almost close enough to touch him, Rojtar turns his head, and our eyes meet. When he smiles at me, I have to catch myself from stumbling.

“Greetings, Abby.” He inclines his head but, that’s it. He doesn’t ask me to join him and or introduce his friend. It’s like the entire day spent together never happened.

“Hi.” I keep walking, wondering why the hell my feelings are a little hurt, and go to the end of the line.

It goes fast, and before long I’ve got my rough-hewn plate laden with dhibani and some type of root vegetable, as well as an imperfect clay tumbler filled with water. I glance around the fire but don’t spot Rojtar. As nice as the rest of the women are, I don’t really have it in me tonight to sit amongst them and their mates. They don’t intentionally leave me out, but being the only single person is awkward. Especially since I don’t have Carter to talk to.

Without making eye contact in case they try to call me over, I skirt along the outside of the circle and head toward the river. The weather is nice and I’ve come to enjoy the quiet as well as the scenery. It’s a far cry from the dirty, over-populated bottom tier where we were surrounded by nothing but stacks of buildings, warehouses, and factories nearly piled on top of each other. No matter where I turned I’d been surrounded. Blocked in. Even now the claustrophobic sensation is hard to get rid of. But being in nature with all the trees, flowering bushes, and open sky helps.

The soothing sound of flowing water reaches me before I see it. I crest the small rise and there, before me, is the wide river. It appears like I’m not the only one who thought eating beside it is a good idea. The warrior seated on a tree stump turns and I immediately recognize him. Not wanting Rojtar to think he’s scaring me away, I continue ahead and don’t stop until I’m next to him.

“Do you mind if I join you?” I gesture to the other small stump.

“Not at all.”

I take a seat and set my water on the ground next to me. “It’s a pretty night.”

“Yes, it is,” he agrees. “This is my favorite kind of night. Sitting by the water, listening to the forest creatures, and enjoying the peace it brings.”

Rojtar’s right. It is peaceful out here. Although, somehow, without even trying, he’s most certainly disturbing my peace of mind.