I just need to find her.
I move cautiously through the underbrush—too cautiously for my liking. But Pallas, clearly shaken, has sprayed enough pheromones to light up the whole damn forest.
When I finally find them, the relief hits me like a tidal wave.
Neela is curled up beneath a tree, arms wrapped around herself for warmth, dozing lightly. Pallas, ever alert, rises when he hears me, puffing up his fur and letting out a deep growl to warn me off.
Good boy.
Even at his age, he’s already got guts. He’s protecting her.
I growl low in my throat—a Sadjim gesture of approval. That’s enough for him. He rushes me and showers me with licks and rumbling purrs. I’m happy to see him, but my eyes are on her.
“Neela?” I whisper, kneeling beside her. “Wake up, Purrsong. We need to find shelter before nightfall.”
She jolts, recoiling slightly as I lay my hands on her shoulders.
“Prax? But… I saw you die!” she gasps, her voice trembling.
“Clearly, I didn’t.” A laugh catches in my throat. “Tell me how you’re feeling. What did those bastards do to you?”
“You’re alive. You’re alive!” she keeps repeating, tears now streaming freely down her cheeks.
I gather her into my arms, rocking her gently, doing what I can to soothe her.
“I’m okay, love. Really. It takes more than a little fall to kill a proud Sadjim. Stop crying—save your fluids. We’ll need to find water later. And shelter.”
I’ve got my waterproof cocoon stashed away, but I’d prefer to hole up somewhere more secure. Somewhere private. I do plan to refresh my scent behind her ears before long.
While holding her close, I scan the surroundings. A small rocky outcrop catches my eye—maybe three hundred feet away, a modest elevation, but promising.
“I’m so relieved,” she murmurs, brushing herself off and rising. “When Anatoli threw you off the ledge… I thought you were gone. No human would’ve survived that.”
“Well, I’m not human. I’ve got a few scrapes that might leave scars in my magnificent fur, but hey—what matters is we’re together. Come on, let’s check that outcrop for shelter.”
“Oh gods… by Ares, I killed an innocent man!” she blurts, suddenly panicked.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Anatoli! I killed him! And then I just ran off with Pallas without even trying to help him!”
So that’s whose blood that was.
Damn, that’s my girl. She overcame her fears and fought her way out. I couldn’t be prouder.
“Let me be clear—Anatoli was anything but innocent. I went to the admin center first, and I’m sorry to report their incinerator room’s mainly used to cover up murders. There were bodies stacked by the door. Anatoli tried to kill me—and Hans. He got exactly what he deserved.”
“Hans? Is he okay?” she asks as we reach the base of the rocky outcrop, maybe thirty feet tall at most.
“Lucky I found him before nightfall. Constantin knocked him out and left him lying in the dirt. But don’t worry—he bounced back after some rest. Look—see that cave up there?” I point to a dark hollow about ten feet off the ground.
She stops and lifts her eyes toward the opening.
“Don’t move. I’ll go check it out. Make sure we’re not invading someone’s den.”
“If you ask me, I doubt a bear made it up there. I’m more worried about us making it up,” she says with a pout.
“Oh, ye of little faith,” I grin, and leap.
