I was, indeed, learning. “I’m going to find him,” I announced with a lift of my chin, daring her to try to stop me.
“Of course you are.” She uncrossed her arms and squared her stance, resembling a soldier readying for battle. “Well, you can’t do it alone.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Wait here.” She gestured for me to stay put and then disappeared back down the tunnel. I stood there for several moments, restless in my skin, trying to make sense of her actions.
I continued to the cave’s opening, eager to be gone and nervous at the idea that Kerstin was alerting Vetr that I was sneaking off in the night, but then I shook my head. If that was the case, there was nothing I could do about it. I was either caught or not.
She didn’t take very long. Kerstin caught up with me just as the sound of the wind whistling outside reached my ears.
“Tamsyn,” she panted breathlessly. “I told you to wait.”
I turned to face her. At least she was alone. No one was with her, but she now had a knapsack of her own. I pointed at it. “What is that?”
“Well, I needed some things for our journey. I doubt you packed enough for two.”
“Ourjourney?”
“Yes. I’m coming with you.”
“Oh, no.” I let loose a humorless laugh. “You arenot. As it is, they’re not going to like me leaving, but if they lose you, too …” Another female? No, they wouldn’t like that at all. She might be only sixteen now, but she was a future breeder for the pride, and I knew full well how much value they placed upon that.
She shrugged. “You can’t do this alone. You don’t know the Crags as well as I do—”
“Kerstin, they will not give you up. They will track—”
“They would do that anyway. Because of you. You’re just as valuable to them as I am.”
“I don’t know about that—”
She snorted. “Well, I do. I can promise you that Vetr’s eyes don’t follow me around. Not the way they follow you. He’s not letting you go.”
I only stared at her, desperately hoping she was wrong.
She went on. “The pride will follow. Whether it’s me or you. You’re right about that. Wouldn’t you like me with you to help evade them? I know their tactics. And I know the Crags and all its threats. It’s not just the skelm you need to worry about, you know.” I did know. “The world outside has teeth that would prey on you alone. Your chances are better with me alongside you.”
I bit my lip, feeling myself waver.
She must have read my indecision. “Come now,” she pressed. “I’ll return to the pride after we find Fell. You two can go off and live happily ever after. Isn’t that how the fairy tales go?”
Fairy tales.I had never believed in them, but I wanted to. I wanted to believe I was living in one right now and that I was destined for a happy ending. With Fell alive, it felt possible.
“Let me help you until then,” she coaxed.
Icoulduse the help. Kerstin might be struggling to wield her talent, but she would be useful in helping me navigate the Crags and search for Fell.
She went on. “They won’t even miss me.”
That I did not believe.
I shook my head resolutely. No matter how tempting it would be to have a companion, I couldn’t allow her to join me. “No.” I could not risk bringing her. What if something happened to her? As she pointed out, there were far too many risks. I couldn’t be responsible for her. “You stay here. Go back to bed. I’m not bringing you.”
She angled her head sharply. “What’s funny is that you think you have a choice.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You heard me.” She propped her hands on her narrow hips. “I’m going with you.”
