Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I just hate that no one has his back right now.
It is as you have said. There is no you and I.
He’s right. I just didn’t expect it to bother me so much to hear. I’ve loved the last week—it’s been so much fun and I haven’t felt bored or lonely. In fact, I’ve woken up every morning eager to face the world and see what new things I can learn or discover. Is this how Lila feels?
Someone drops into the empty seat next to me. It’s Harrec, one of the other young hunters that just returned with the group. I smile faintly at him in greeting and turn back to the fire, feigning interest in the story someone’s telling, when all I really want to do is go to the cave mouth and see if Hassen’s waiting outside, watching us. Wanting to be with us.
Man, that thought is a real bummer.
“Are you hungry, Mah-dee?” Harrec offers me a skewer with several over-cooked chunks of meat on it. “I made this for you.”
“Thanks?” I take it, even though I’ve already eaten. Seems rude, otherwise.
He grins at me, looking friendly. “Enjoy the good-tasting meat. When the snows come, it will be many soups.”
“I like soup,” I tell him, nibbling at one of the chunks.
“Do you have enough bowls? If you do not, I can make you some. I am not as good with carving as Aehako is, but I would be happy to help you.”
Do I have enough bowls? That’s the weirdest question I’ve ever been asked. For some reason, I look across the fire and see Asha. She smirks at me, her hard eyebrows going up. Oh, shit. Is this flirting? Is Harrec flirting with me? About bowls? “I’ll have to take inventory when I mosey back to my crib and I’ll let you know the sitch.” I deliberately pick a lot of human slang to baffle him. Maybe it’s me being a bitch, but I smile widely as if I just said the most normal stuff in the world.
He gives me a firm nod, looking pleased even though I’m pretty sure he has no clue what I said.
A steaming cup of tea appears near my head and I rear back, surprised. It’s one of the elders—Vaza, I think? He offers me the cup with a smile. “Drink, yes?”
“Oh, uh, thanks.” I take the cup and now my hands are full of both food and drink. Everyone’s suddenly so friendly.
To my surprise, Vaza steps over the stone I’m sitting on and pushes in between myself and Josie, who looks surprised at the intrusion. “If you like the tea, I can bring you more. It is my special blend.”
“I’m sure it’s great.” I give Josie an apologetic look as she moves to her mate’s lap. Her mate looks pissed, though, his teeth bared protectively over his woman.
Vaza’s oblivious, though. “There is a certain leaf that grows near the water that makes the best tea.”
“You don’t say,” I murmur.
Harrec gestures at the food. “Is it good? Do you want more?”
“Great,” I tell him, and take another obliging bite. Asha just smirks across the fire, clearly enjoying my pain.
Not for the first time this night, I’m pretty bummed that the others are back. I’d much rather be spending my time with Hassen.
The next morning, I get dressed in my double layers of furs to go out hunting, but I realize ten minutes later that it’s not going to happen. I can’t get away from the tribe. Specifically, the men of the tribe. The moment I leave my cave Taushen’s there, asking if I need more leather to make warm clothing for the brutal season. When I head to the fire to grab breakfast, Vaza’s there with more of his tea. Then Harrec drops by to ask if I want to help him mend his nets. I manage to choke down a few quick mouthfuls of a not-potato cake before murmuring excuses and making my way toward the entrance of the cave. If no one’s around, I might be able to slip out and go say hello to Hassen. I’m sure he’s waiting nearby.
But at the entrance, Maylak is there, and Asha, who is holding Maylak’s little girl while Maylak nurses her newborn. They are both standing and talking to Rukh and Harlow, and the healer has a concerned expression on her face. They all seem to be having an intense conversation, though, so maybe I can sneak past them—
“Maddie! Oh good, another human. I need your help.” Harlow waves me over and the small group turns their gazes to me.
Shit. I have no choice but to head over, pasting a smile to my face. “Hi. What’s up?”
“I’m trying to explain to Maylak that it’s very important that I go to the ship—the Elders’ Cave. I want to visit one more time before the brutal season hits.” She adjusts the baby in her arms and looks over at her mate, who has a large pack on his back. They look like they’re ready to head out the door. “It’s about the computer.”